Roma pundit criticises spending on Mora and Henrique as club pursues expensive transfer strategy

Nahuel Molina has completed his transfer to AS Roma from Atlético Madrid, becoming the club's third signing of the summer. The full-back arrived in the capital on Monday evening and has signed a four-year contract, taking the number 20 shirt. Molina leaves La Liga to return to Serie A, where he previously played for Udinese. The 1998-born Argentine brings considerable European experience, having made 249 appearances and scored 19 goals across all competitions for Udinese and Atlético Madrid. A World Cup winner with Argentina in Qatar 2022, Molina has also claimed two Copa America titles (2021 and 2024) and earned 65 international caps. His arrival strengthens Roma's options on the flank as Gian Piero Gasperini prepares for the new season.

AS Roma have announced the signing of Nahuel Molina from Atlético Madrid on a permanent transfer. The Argentina international has signed a four-year contract with the Giallorossi after passing medical examination. Molina is Roma's third acquisition of the 2026–27 season, following Castro and Koulierakis. The 1998-born full-back brings extensive European pedigree, having made 249 appearances and scored 19 goals across all competitions for Udinese and Atlético Madrid combined. He was a cornerstone of Argentina's 2022 World Cup-winning squad in Qatar and won the Copa America twice (2021 and 2024), earning 65 senior caps overall. Molina departs Madrid after four years at the club. In a farewell message, Molina said: "Today, after 4 years, it is my turn to say goodbye to this great club. I am grateful to have been part of this beautiful family. I want to thank all my teammates and the coaching staff for helping me grow over these years and for all the people behind me day after day, accompanying me at every moment. Lastly, to all the athletes who are the heart of this club. THANK YOU."

Nahuel Molina has joined AS Roma from Atlético Madrid on a permanent transfer. The Argentine fullback signed a four-year contract and will wear number 20. Molina arrived at Ciampino two days before the announcement and bid farewell to Atlético Madrid on social media before Roma confirmed the deal. Molina, born in 1998, brings extensive European experience to the Giallorossi. In Europe with Udinese and Atlético Madrid, he has made 249 appearances and scored 19 goals across all competitions. The defender is a World Cup winner with Argentina, having claimed the trophy in Qatar in 2022, and has won the Copa America twice, in 2021 and 2024. He has earned 65 caps for the Argentine national team. The club announced: "AS Roma is pleased to announce the arrival of Nahuel Molina from Atlético Madrid. The operation is concluded with a permanent purchase. The player has signed a four-year contract with the Giallorossi club." Molina has chosen the number 20 shirt at Roma.

Roma radio stations have become a prominent platform for debate among journalists and former players. On the Luis Henrique transfer, Stefano Agresti reported that Roma and Inter have agreed terms for the player's move, with only the player's approval outstanding. He described the negotiation as progressing well. Roberto Pruzzo expressed serious doubts about Roma's spending strategy. He questioned whether the club should pursue another experienced striker after the Rodrigo Mora deal, and voiced scepticism about the figures involved. "I cannot believe that Roma can spend €30 million for Luis Henrique, who would not even be a starter," Pruzzo said. "I would not believe it even if I saw him landing at Fiumicino airport." He also raised concerns about previous investments, noting that Robinio Vaz cost €25 million yet remains underutilised at the club. Nando Orsi added that any new striker arrival must demonstrate immediate quality and justify the club's significant financial outlay. The radio debate reflects broader uncertainty around Roma's transfer priorities this summer.

Roma are close to securing Rodrigo Mora, a 2007-born winger who stands under 1.70m tall and favours dribbling over physical play, as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini shapes a younger, lighter and more attacking squad than last season. Mora will compete with Lorenzo Pellegrini for the number 10 role. The club are still hunting one or two additional wingers or attacking midfielders and one or two fullbacks to complete the XI. Gasperini's vision prioritises technical ability over physical presence, targeting players built for a high-octane attacking system. Mora's profile — incisive on the ball but less accustomed to the physical demands of Italian football and prone to struggle when forced to chase opponents — fits the template. Donyell Malen is expected to carry the goal-scoring load among the wider players initially, with alternatives in Castro and Robinio Vaz, who offers greater physical stature. Matías Soulé, should he remain, offers a middle ground. Fullbacks too are selected for their attacking prowess: Wesley on one flank, with options including Molina, Cacciamani, Luis Henrique or Udogie on the other. Manu Koné emerges as the vital equilibrium force in midfield, tasked with providing defensive cover and structure to an otherwise offence-heavy setup. However, he remains a persistent departure risk, a potential weakness in an otherwise cohesive recruitment strategy.

Roma are close to finalizing the signing of Rodrigo Mora from Porto, with negotiations on the fee and future conditions nearing completion. The deal is reported to be worth €25 million, with potential adjustments to the sell-on clause—potentially lowering it from 50% to 40%—or the inclusion of an option for Roma to cancel the arrangement next year by paying additional funds. Mora is viewed as a Gasperini priority, with the coach seeking players who shoot frequently to increase Roma's attacking potential. Radio commentators offered mixed assessments of the transfer. Piero Torri stated: "We are not far from closing the deal for Rodrigo Mora. The boy comes from a singular growth trajectory where in the first year he performed very well while in the past season he was on the bench and I have doubts about the fee invested for the Portuguese player's transfer." Alessandro Vocalelli suggested Mora's arrival is somewhat incongruous with Roma's short-term ambitions, noting the squad has improved but remains incomplete for a title challenge. Franco Melli and others agreed Roma have strengthened defensively but lack sufficient firepower to compete for the Scudetto. Other potential targets discussed include left-back Udogie on loan with a buy option, though uncertainty remains over final attacking additions. Roberto Pruzzo warned against a repeat of the Robinio Vaz situation, where a costly acquisition underperformed.