Roma plan Udinese and Manchester United trip; Carlos Forbs on the radar

Giallorossi.net has proposed Lille midfielder Ngal'ayel Mukau as a possible target for AS Roma, presenting him as a powerful, dynamic option who could offer some of the qualities of Manu Koné, the midfielder Gian Piero Gasperini already has at the club. The piece is part of its "Consigli per gli acquisti" (Transfer Advice) series, which this time widens the search beyond an offensive winger and a left-sided wing-back to a central midfielder who can win duels, recover possession and break lines with the ball at his feet. Mukau was born in Antwerp on 3 November 2004. He is 21, stands 1.86 metres tall and is a natural left-footed player. He mainly operates as a central midfielder or defensive midfielder but has the profile of a true box-to-box player. Lille signed him from KV Mechelen in the summer of 2024 for around €5 million. He has already gained experience in Ligue 1 and the Champions League, and he came to wider attention in Europe's top competition in November 2024, scoring a decisive brace in Lille's win at Bologna. The article identifies volume of play as his first quality. He covers a lot of ground, is aggressive in winning the ball back and has the build and athleticism to hold his own in midfield battles. He is not only a ball-winner, though: once he regains possession he tends to carry it forward and look immediately for a vertical pass. The author argues that this mix of physicality and the ability to advance with the ball is what makes him interesting for Roma. The comparison with Koné, however, needs careful handling. Mukau is currently less explosive and less effective in one-on-one situations than the Frenchman, who has a particular ability to resist pressure and escape challenges by carrying the ball. The Lille player is more direct, but he has height, intensity, a left foot and plenty of room to improve. The article stresses that Mukau is not a talent to be left waiting for years. He has already faced high-level European matches, and in the 2026-27 Champions League he has made three appearances so far, two of them as a starter. He still has much to improve in attacking output: goals and assists are not his natural currency, and he needs to be more decisive in the final thirty metres and speed up some decisions when pressed. Even so, at 21 the author believes he already has an athletic and tactical base on which Gasperini could work a great deal. Mukau's contract with Lille runs until June 2028. Transfermarkt currently values him at around €15 million, while other models put his value between €15 million and €19 million. Earlier in the year, in the face of interest from several Premier League clubs, valuations of at least €20 million had circulated in France. The article says a deal would not be an economic bargain, but it would not be out of scale for a Roma side aiming to consolidate its place in the Champions League. It also notes that Lille have historically been willing to develop and sell their talents when the right offer arrives. The author concludes that Mukau is not yet Manu Koné and it would be wrong to sell him as such, but the profile is appealing: 21 years old, 1.86 metres, left-footed, physical, intense, good at winning the ball back, vertical in possession and already experienced in the Champions League. Whether alongside Koné or as an alternative who keeps strength and dynamism in Roma's midfield, the article argues he is one of the profiles worth pursuing before his price rises further.

Roma are monitoring Portuguese winger Carlos Forbs, currently at Club Brugge, as sporting director Tony D'Amico looks to add another wide option to the squad. According to the specialist portal TransferFeed, Roma sent scouts to San Siro to watch Brugge's match against Inter. The club are looking to strengthen Gian Piero Gasperini's squad after a strong start to the season, with the aim of extending the rotations into the final part of the campaign. Forbs, born in 2002, is not the only club interested. Several Premier League sides are also tracking the player, including Tottenham and Manchester United. In August, Brugge reportedly valued Forbs at around €30 million, a figure that is not expected to differ greatly from their current asking price.

Roma are reportedly monitoring Brugge winger Carlos Forbs as sporting director D'Amico works on January reinforcements to strengthen areas of the squad that are currently thin. The aim, according to the report, is to identify players who suit the style of head coach Gasperini, with Roma wanting to keep their challenge alive after a strong start to the league season. Forbs, a 22-year-old attacking winger who plays for both Portugal and Guinea, is under contract at Brugge until 2029. Citing the portal Transferfeed, the report says Roma have already sent scouts to San Siro for the match against Inter, and the player has been watched on several occasions. Competition is strong, however, with Tottenham and Manchester United also interested. Spanish and German clubs tried to sign him over the summer, and the name of Fiorentina has also been linked with him. The asking price is a significant hurdle. In August 2026, Club Brugge were reportedly demanding around 30 million euros for the player.

Former Roma player and ex-UEFA vice-president Zibi Boniek has praised Rodrigo Mora's late goal in Roma's win over Cagliari, saying the Portuguese had shown little before and that the strike could boost his confidence. Speaking to Retesport, Boniek also discussed Gianluca Mancini's place in the side, the Lazio team Roma face in the city derby, and the importance of Roma staying focused. Boniek said the match looked over before a late finish from Mora, whom he described as a player with good individual technique whose physique had not helped him. He said: "La partita di ieri sembrava chiusa poi c'è stato un finale targato Mora che mi è piaciuto perché questo ragazzo aveva fatto vedere poco. Il portoghese è un calciatore con una buona tecnica individuale ma la sua struttura fisica non l'aveva aiutato. Spero che questo gol possa fargli aumentare il livello dell'autostima." On Mancini, who has been linked with losing his starting place to Balerdi, Boniek highlighted his attacking contribution. He said: "Quasi quasi è diventato il primo attaccante. Anche nel secondo gol di Pisilli c'è molto di Mancini che ha servito Lulli che ha fatto il cross per Niccolò. Ieri è stato raggirato da Fadera ma non mando in panchina nessuno, è chiaro che se ci sono 20 giocatori di pari livello si deve valutare chi è stanco ma questo Gasperini lo fa molto bene, infatti, poi ha messo Ghilardi e ha passato un pallone determinante a Mora. Mancini è forte nel pressing basso, anticipa gli avversari mentre quando c'è tanto spazio e deve correre può andare in difficoltà perché ha altre caratteristiche." Boniek also spoke about Lazio, who had just beaten Sassuolo, and praised coach Gennaro Gattuso. He said: "Adoro Gattuso perché è una persona vera che non si nasconde e dice quello che pensa: è un allenatore bravo. Se fa troppi punti diventa antipatico (ride ndr). La Lazio gioca bene, ieri l'ho vista con il Sassuolo, è una squadra molto veloce che va sempre in verticale con tante sovrapposizioni e non fa nessun Tiki Taka. Più la Lazio va forte e più la Roma manterrà alto il livello della concentrazione per fare altrettanto bene, vista la rivalità cittadina."

Roma came through their match against Cagliari, though they were forced to come from behind after Maldini's equaliser in the closing stages, with Mora and Malen completing the comeback and securing three important points. The result keeps the Giallorossi in touch with a Serie A title race that remains wide open on the table. Gasperini's side are firmly in the hunt for the lead, and the fight for the top places is tightening. Speaking on Sky Sport, Walter Zenga analysed the duel between Gasperini's team and Inter, but also looked at the wider picture. He noted that four sides remain unbeaten, the two Milan clubs and the two Roman clubs, and said he could not recall how often that had been seen. Zenga said: "I was asking myself a question yesterday: after the matches I thought there are four teams still unbeaten, the Milan clubs and the Roman ones, I don't know how many times that has been seen. Roma play well and are spectacular, but yesterday they risked a lot. Como put in a considerable show of strength, because Torino are going very well. All these discussions are linked to the Champions League places: it is a very beautiful and balanced championship."

Former Roma player and ex-UEFA vice-president Zibi Boniek praised Rodrigo Mora's late winner in Roma's win over Cagliari, which came after Maldini had put the visitors ahead. Speaking to Retesport, Boniek said the game looked settled before Mora's finish. "The game yesterday seemed closed, then there was a finish from Mora that I liked because this young man had shown little. The Portuguese is a player with good individual technique, but his physical build hadn't helped him. I hope this goal can raise his self-esteem." Boniek said Roma started well but eased off in the second half, believing the result was secure, and conceded the goal from Maldini. He said the immediate response showed that players coming off the bench can make a difference. He singled out Ghilardi, who made a cross and an overlap that Boniek described as outstanding despite having played little. Boniek also noted that Cagliari played with a low block and always kept three forwards ready to counter-attack, making them a difficult side to beat. On the defence, Boniek said the starting back three was Mancini, Ndicka and Hermoso, but argued that Balerdi is a defender of real quality. He praised Gasperini's management of the squad, saying the coach did not leave anyone on the bench without reason and that his rotation was handled well. Boniek also highlighted Pisilli's second goal, which involved Mancini's pass to Lulli and Lulli's cross for Pisilli. On Mancini, he said the defender is strong in the low press and anticipates opponents well, but can struggle when there is a lot of space to cover and he must run. Boniek was also positive about Soulé, a 2003-born player he said is improving under a good coach. "He is also more resistant now, and players grow at 26-27, let alone at his age. I really liked him yesterday." Turning to Lazio, Boniek said he admires Gattuso. "I adore Gattuso because he is a genuine person who doesn't hide and says what he thinks: he is a good coach. If he gets too many points he becomes unpopular (laughs)." He described Lazio as a fast side that attacks vertically with many overlaps and no tiki-taka. He said he had watched them against Sassuolo. "The better Lazio go, the more Roma will keep their concentration high to do equally well, given the city rivalry."

Former Roma player and ex-UEFA vice-president Zibi Boniek has praised Rodrigo Mora's late goal in Roma's win over Cagliari, saying the Portuguese had shown little before and that the strike could boost his confidence. Speaking to Retesport, Boniek also discussed Gianluca Mancini's place in the side, the Lazio team Roma face in the city derby, and the importance of Roma staying focused. Boniek said the match looked over before a late finish from Mora, whom he described as a player with good individual technique whose physique had not helped him. He said: "La partita di ieri sembrava chiusa poi c'è stato un finale targato Mora che mi è piaciuto perché questo ragazzo aveva fatto vedere poco. Il portoghese è un calciatore con una buona tecnica individuale ma la sua struttura fisica non l'aveva aiutato. Spero che questo gol possa fargli aumentare il livello dell'autostima." On Mancini, who has been linked with losing his starting place to Balerdi, Boniek highlighted his attacking contribution. He said: "Quasi quasi è diventato il primo attaccante. Anche nel secondo gol di Pisilli c'è molto di Mancini che ha servito Lulli che ha fatto il cross per Niccolò. Ieri è stato raggirato da Fadera ma non mando in panchina nessuno, è chiaro che se ci sono 20 giocatori di pari livello si deve valutare chi è stanco ma questo Gasperini lo fa molto bene, infatti, poi ha messo Ghilardi e ha passato un pallone determinante a Mora. Mancini è forte nel pressing basso, anticipa gli avversari mentre quando c'è tanto spazio e deve correre può andare in difficoltà perché ha altre caratteristiche." Boniek also spoke about Lazio, who had just beaten Sassuolo, and praised coach Gennaro Gattuso. He said: "Adoro Gattuso perché è una persona vera che non si nasconde e dice quello che pensa: è un allenatore bravo. Se fa troppi punti diventa antipatico (ride ndr). La Lazio gioca bene, ieri l'ho vista con il Sassuolo, è una squadra molto veloce che va sempre in verticale con tante sovrapposizioni e non fa nessun Tiki Taka. Più la Lazio va forte e più la Roma manterrà alto il livello della concentrazione per fare altrettanto bene, vista la rivalità cittadina."

Former Roma player and ex-UEFA vice-president Zibi Boniek praised Rodrigo Mora's late winner in Roma's win over Cagliari, which came after Maldini had put the visitors ahead. Speaking to Retesport, Boniek said the game looked settled before Mora's finish. "The game yesterday seemed closed, then there was a finish from Mora that I liked because this young man had shown little. The Portuguese is a player with good individual technique, but his physical build hadn't helped him. I hope this goal can raise his self-esteem." Boniek said Roma started well but eased off in the second half, believing the result was secure, and conceded the goal from Maldini. He said the immediate response showed that players coming off the bench can make a difference. He singled out Ghilardi, who made a cross and an overlap that Boniek described as outstanding despite having played little. Boniek also noted that Cagliari played with a low block and always kept three forwards ready to counter-attack, making them a difficult side to beat. On the defence, Boniek said the starting back three was Mancini, Ndicka and Hermoso, but argued that Balerdi is a defender of real quality. He praised Gasperini's management of the squad, saying the coach did not leave anyone on the bench without reason and that his rotation was handled well. Boniek also highlighted Pisilli's second goal, which involved Mancini's pass to Lulli and Lulli's cross for Pisilli. On Mancini, he said the defender is strong in the low press and anticipates opponents well, but can struggle when there is a lot of space to cover and he must run. Boniek was also positive about Soulé, a 2003-born player he said is improving under a good coach. "He is also more resistant now, and players grow at 26-27, let alone at his age. I really liked him yesterday." Turning to Lazio, Boniek said he admires Gattuso. "I adore Gattuso because he is a genuine person who doesn't hide and says what he thinks: he is a good coach. If he gets too many points he becomes unpopular (laughs)." He described Lazio as a fast side that attacks vertically with many overlaps and no tiki-taka. He said he had watched them against Sassuolo. "The better Lazio go, the more Roma will keep their concentration high to do equally well, given the city rivalry."

Daniele Ghilardi changed the game against Cagliari within nine minutes of coming on for a below-par Gianluca Mancini, providing a perfect cross that Mora headed home for Roma. It was his second assist in only 248 minutes played, following the one for Mario Hermoso against Slovan Bratislava the previous Tuesday. Ghilardi had been impeccable against Napoli and Slovan Bratislava, both as a starter and as a substitute. His contribution has gone beyond defensive solidity: at the Maradona he was in the box alongside Leonardo Balerdi for the 3-3 equaliser, and last night he reached a nearly unreachable ball to deliver the cross for Mora's header. Averaged per 90 minutes, he leads Serie A and the Champions League among centre-backs for successful dribbles (2.28 and 2 respectively) and ranks in the top three for assists, big chances created and recoveries in the opposition half. This is exactly what Gian Piero Gasperini asks of his wing-backs: attack and defence, aggression and technical quality. Many benches and months of training preceded this level, which Gasperini had expected from him. At Verona he showed his versatility, playing in virtually every role, but at Roma he has grown considerably technically. He is clean in his passing, dangerous when he moves forward, and his composure allowed him to play like a veteran on his Champions League debut. The article suggests he is also keen to prove he is more than a mere backup. Mancini's physical decline and dip in form in recent matches present the coaching staff with difficult questions, and the answer, alongside Balerdi, could be to promote Ghilardi on a permanent basis. Gasperini's Roma is very young: two players born in 2007 and one born in 2004 scored yesterday. The article argues the side can only improve with time and is finally on the right path after years of drifting.

Former Roma player and ex-UEFA vice-president Zibi Boniek has praised Rodrigo Mora's late goal in Roma's win over Cagliari, saying the Portuguese had shown little before and that the strike could boost his confidence. Speaking to Retesport, Boniek also discussed Gianluca Mancini's place in the side, the Lazio team Roma face in the city derby, and the importance of Roma staying focused. Boniek said the match looked over before a late finish from Mora, whom he described as a player with good individual technique whose physique had not helped him. He said: "La partita di ieri sembrava chiusa poi c'è stato un finale targato Mora che mi è piaciuto perché questo ragazzo aveva fatto vedere poco. Il portoghese è un calciatore con una buona tecnica individuale ma la sua struttura fisica non l'aveva aiutato. Spero che questo gol possa fargli aumentare il livello dell'autostima." On Mancini, who has been linked with losing his starting place to Balerdi, Boniek highlighted his attacking contribution. He said: "Quasi quasi è diventato il primo attaccante. Anche nel secondo gol di Pisilli c'è molto di Mancini che ha servito Lulli che ha fatto il cross per Niccolò. Ieri è stato raggirato da Fadera ma non mando in panchina nessuno, è chiaro che se ci sono 20 giocatori di pari livello si deve valutare chi è stanco ma questo Gasperini lo fa molto bene, infatti, poi ha messo Ghilardi e ha passato un pallone determinante a Mora. Mancini è forte nel pressing basso, anticipa gli avversari mentre quando c'è tanto spazio e deve correre può andare in difficoltà perché ha altre caratteristiche." Boniek also spoke about Lazio, who had just beaten Sassuolo, and praised coach Gennaro Gattuso. He said: "Adoro Gattuso perché è una persona vera che non si nasconde e dice quello che pensa: è un allenatore bravo. Se fa troppi punti diventa antipatico (ride ndr). La Lazio gioca bene, ieri l'ho vista con il Sassuolo, è una squadra molto veloce che va sempre in verticale con tante sovrapposizioni e non fa nessun Tiki Taka. Più la Lazio va forte e più la Roma manterrà alto il livello della concentrazione per fare altrettanto bene, vista la rivalità cittadina."

Former Roma player and ex-UEFA vice-president Zibi Boniek praised Rodrigo Mora's late winner in Roma's win over Cagliari, which came after Maldini had put the visitors ahead. Speaking to Retesport, Boniek said the game looked settled before Mora's finish. "The game yesterday seemed closed, then there was a finish from Mora that I liked because this young man had shown little. The Portuguese is a player with good individual technique, but his physical build hadn't helped him. I hope this goal can raise his self-esteem." Boniek said Roma started well but eased off in the second half, believing the result was secure, and conceded the goal from Maldini. He said the immediate response showed that players coming off the bench can make a difference. He singled out Ghilardi, who made a cross and an overlap that Boniek described as outstanding despite having played little. Boniek also noted that Cagliari played with a low block and always kept three forwards ready to counter-attack, making them a difficult side to beat. On the defence, Boniek said the starting back three was Mancini, Ndicka and Hermoso, but argued that Balerdi is a defender of real quality. He praised Gasperini's management of the squad, saying the coach did not leave anyone on the bench without reason and that his rotation was handled well. Boniek also highlighted Pisilli's second goal, which involved Mancini's pass to Lulli and Lulli's cross for Pisilli. On Mancini, he said the defender is strong in the low press and anticipates opponents well, but can struggle when there is a lot of space to cover and he must run. Boniek was also positive about Soulé, a 2003-born player he said is improving under a good coach. "He is also more resistant now, and players grow at 26-27, let alone at his age. I really liked him yesterday." Turning to Lazio, Boniek said he admires Gattuso. "I adore Gattuso because he is a genuine person who doesn't hide and says what he thinks: he is a good coach. If he gets too many points he becomes unpopular (laughs)." He described Lazio as a fast side that attacks vertically with many overlaps and no tiki-taka. He said he had watched them against Sassuolo. "The better Lazio go, the more Roma will keep their concentration high to do equally well, given the city rivalry."

Academy products Emanuele Lulli and Niccolò Pisilli turned the match around for Roma after Nzola had put Cagliari ahead, and former defender Aldair has publicly praised the pair. The two youngsters, both raised in the Roma youth system, are appearing more often in Gian Piero Gasperini's rotation, a development that has not gone unnoticed at the Stadio Olimpico. Aldair, the former Brazilian defender, singled out the personality the two players have shown on the pitch. Writing on social media, he dedicated a message to the young pair. The scene carried symbolic weight: two products of the club's youth sector made an impact in a Serie A match and are becoming an increasingly integral part of Gasperini's Roma. Aldair wrote: "It is wonderful to see Emanuele and Niccolò taking their place with this shirt. I like the personality with which they play, without fear and with a great desire to help the team." He added: "Seeing these young men grow and do well with Roma is a joy for me too. Good lads, keep it up. We are all with you."