Roma pursue Fresneda as Çelik replacement, but Sporting demand €25m

Leonardo Balerdi has posted an emotional farewell to Olympique Marseille, the club he has just left to join Roma this summer. The defender, who served as Marseille captain and made 200 appearances for the French side, shared a video message addressed to the club's supporters and staff. He has already featured in Roma's opening two matches, coming off the bench and delivering strong performances. Bareldi joined Roma as the club's final summer signing and quickly integrated into Gian Piero Gasperini's squad. His departure from Marseille marks the end of a significant chapter; he arrived at the club as a 21-year-old with limited professional experience and progressed to captain the institution before this move. In his message, Balerdi said: "This message is directed at all Marseille people. This day had to arrive. I left some days pass because it wasn't easy for me. I write this with a kind of lump in my chest, a feeling hard to express. I leave my home, a special place, a place that will have a place in my heart for my whole life. A place that opened its doors to me and saw me grow over the years. From that 21-year-old boy who had only a few professional matches under his belt to the day I had the fortune and pride to become captain of this great institution and wear its shirt 200 times—a shirt so special to me. "Marseille is a unique city. Sometimes it makes you fly to touch the sky, and sometimes it makes you feel exactly the opposite. Not everything has always been perfect, but that too is part of what makes this place so special and makes you feel alive. I have only words of gratitude for the supporters. You are a unique crowd, who never stop cheering, who push to never lower your guard. You who are there for the club every day, sometimes putting your own lives aside for this great squad and who make the Vélodrome one of the most mythical stadiums in the world. "I want to thank all the people I shared this adventure with from day one: management, staff, teammates and employees. Many work in the shadows, but they are incredible professionals and above all extraordinary people. Thank you for helping me grow, to progress and for being there in the good moments and the bad ones. I leave with a peaceful spirit, with the certainty of having given everything, every drop of sweat, physically and mentally, for this club that I love so much."

Leonardo Balerdi has posted a farewell message to Olympique de Marseille nearly two weeks after his arrival at Roma. In an emotional social media statement, the defender thanked the club, its supporters and staff for his time in France, where he made 200 appearances and served as captain. "This day had to come," Balerdi wrote. "I leave my home, a special place that will hold a special place in my heart for the rest of my life. A place that welcomed me and saw me grow over the years. From that twenty-one-year-old with only a few professional matches to my name, to the day I had the honour and pride of becoming captain of this great club and wearing its shirt, so special to me, 200 times. Marseille is a unique city. Sometimes it makes you feel like you're flying, other times it makes you feel the exact opposite. It hasn't always been perfect, but that's also part of what makes this place so special and makes you feel alive." Bareldi expressed particular gratitude to the Vélodrome crowd, calling them "a unique public that never stops encouraging us, spurring us to never give up. You are always present for the club, sometimes putting your lives aside for this great society, and you make the Vélodrome one of the most legendary stadiums in the world." He also thanked the Marseille hierarchy, coaching staff, teammates and employees behind the scenes, describing them as "incredible professionals and, above all, extraordinary people." He concluded: "I leave with a clear conscience, certain that I gave everything, to the last drop of sweat, physically and mentally, for this club that I love so much. I gave my best, just as you do every weekend and as every Marseille person does in their daily life. Marseille and Olympique de Marseille, thank you, thank you and thank you again. I will be the first to celebrate with you."

Leonardo Balerdi rejected a loan offer from Boca Juniors to secure a move to Roma during this summer's transfer window. Boca manager Rodolfo Arruabarrena had personally contacted the Argentine defender, who grew up in the Buenos Aires club's youth academy and made his senior debut there in late 2018, intending to strengthen the backline. However, Roma's proposal proved decisive. According to TyC Sports journalist Julio Pavoni, Arruabarrena's call came roughly twenty days ago and was facilitated by a shared agent between the two clubs. Boca had tabled a one-year loan arrangement, but Balerdi was already weighing a more significant opportunity. The defender's response was unambiguous: "I'm not letting this chance slip away." His decision to prioritise Roma underscores the appeal of a move to the Italian club over a return to his formative football home.

Zeki Çelik's departure this summer has proven beneficial for Roma, with the Turkish defender struggling at his new club while the Giallorossi have found capable alternatives. Çelik, who had agreed a renewal with Roma before changing his mind to join another side, has posted uninspiring numbers in his opening matches. Against Milan yesterday he recorded zero successful crosses, matching the same figure across his previous two outings against Parma and Frosinone. Social media criticism has already mounted, with fans questioning the absence of a 'Çelik cam'—a reference to a video DAZN produced weeks earlier following his first friendly appearance. His exit has cleared the path for Emanuele Lulli, who has become integral to Gasperini's setup. Initially withdrawn from the transfer market, Lulli started in all three of Roma's opening matches and has impressed the coaching staff considerably. Equally significant is the emergence of Nahuel Molina, the Argentine fullback who is continuing to build his fitness following Argentina's run to the World Cup final. Against Atalanta, Molina made a decisive 36-minute appearance, creating multiple dangerous situations and setting up a header from Santiago Castro that struck the crossbar. He recorded 100 per cent of tackles won and 90 per cent pass accuracy. Roma's first Champions League fixture arrives Thursday against Feyenoord, with Molina and Lulli in direct competition for the fullback berth. Molina's experience in high-pressure stadiums should serve him well as Roma prepare for what the article describes as an extremely hostile environment.

Roma are flying this season, and Gian Piero Gasperini has been central to building a unity across the club that extends from the pitch to the boardroom. The coach has overseen a start to the campaign that may rival even the magical 2000–01 season. After comfortable victories over Fiorentina and Lecce, Roma faced a severe test against Atalanta on Saturday and managed not only to win but to overturn the flow of the match—playing what the commentary describes as "winning in the Mourinho way while playing Gasperini football." The side showed genuine compactness in that contest, particularly during difficult moments when they could have faltered; instead, the entire Roma family—players, management, staff and supporters—rallied together. Gasperini has also brought D'Amico onto the coaching staff to ensure everyone speaks the same language, an approach likened to a well-coordinated naval fleet where no one rows against the current. The appointment of the right people and the absence of internal division have created an environment where squad, leadership and fanbase all pull in the same direction. On the pitch, Roma deployed what appeared to be 13 players rather than 11 against Atalanta, a testament to the collective spirit that has taken root. The article contrasts Roma's current harmony with the pattern of internal factions that has plagued the club in the past, noting that some external commentators have already prepared critiques—whether about Zeki Çelik's non-renewal, spending on Rodrigo Mora or Santiago Castro, or other decisions—but results are rendering those arguments moot. The article frames Roma's trajectory as one where polemica (internal dispute) is being actively rejected in favour of unified purpose, suggesting the club is moving in a markedly different direction from its historical tendency toward division.

Zeki Çelik's departure from Roma has proved no source of regret, particularly given how his exit has benefited the club's defensive options. The Turkish defender, who chose not to renew his Roma contract and joined Torino, made a slow start at his new club. In yesterday's match against Milan, he completed zero successful crosses, a tally he matched in earlier friendlies against Parma and Frosinone. Social media criticism emerged, with supporters questioning whether the club would repeat a promotional video similar to one released by Dazn weeks earlier following Çelik's opening pre-season appearance. Celik's departure has cleared space for Emanuele Lulli, who was removed from the transfer market and has impressed considerably. The 2007-born defender started all three pre-season matches and has largely convinced onlookers. Nearby, Nahuel Molina is gradually building match fitness despite still recovering from the demands of Argentina's World Cup campaign, which reached the final. His performances with Roma have proven decisive. Over thirty-six minutes, Molina won 100 per cent of his duels, achieved 90 per cent passing accuracy and created a clear chance that Santiago Castro struck against the crossbar. Roma face Fenerbahçe in their opening Champions League fixture on Thursday, which will reignite the battle between Lulli and Molina for the full-back position. The away venue promises to be an intense atmosphere, though Molina has shown no fear of such occasions. His experience at this level will be invaluable as Roma look to navigate European football's biggest stage.

Roma drew 1–1 at Fenerbahce in their opening Champions League fixture, a result that reflects only partial satisfaction with Gasperini's approach to the match. The head coach would have preferred a victory but accepted the draw, and while his team selection and in-game adjustments did not convince him entirely, he would likely repeat his starting lineup given the tactical characteristics of the opposition. Fenerbahce manager Kartal surprised observers by setting up more cautiously than usual. The central point of debate centres on Devyne Rensch's promotion to the starting eleven. Gasperini preferred the Dutch defender over the two alternative left-backs available: Nahuel Molina, held back because he is not yet at peak physical condition following the World Cup and his preparation in Spain and will be fully fit after the international break, and Emanuele Lulli, overlooked primarily due to his age—the Champions League is a heavy burden for the youngest defender. The tactical weighting of youth was evident from the substitution patterns: Rodrigo Mora, a contemporary of Lulli's, entered late, while Marten de Roon replaced Donyell Malen in the closing stages rather than Santiago Castro, allowing Bryan Cristante to move into a trequartista role behind Paulo Dybala and Mora. This conservative reshuffling was designed to secure at least the draw.

Roma travel to the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on Monday 14 September at 18:30 for their fourth Serie A match of the season against Ignazio Abate's Torino, coming off the back of a 1–1 draw against Fenerbahce in the Champions League. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is weighing rotation options after the European fixture. Mile Svilar will start in goal. In defence, Leonardo Balerdi is favoured over Daniele Ghilardi following strong performances from the bench, with Emanuele Lulli set to earn a new start at right-back in place of Devyne Rensch. Manu Koné's fitness is being assessed after he left the Fenerbahce match with a knee issue; Niccolò Pisilli stands ready if the midfielder cannot play. Rodrigo Mora may return to the attacking midfield, replacing Matías Soulé alongside Paulo Dybala, while Donyell Malen is the favoured choice in attack over Santiago Castro. Roma arrive in strong form domestically. In their most recent league outing, they came from behind to beat Atalanta at the Olimpico, with goals from Mario Hermoso and Soulé. Torino beat Fiorentina 2–1 away in their last fixture, scoring through Mandragora and Che Adams, and will deploy a 3–4–2–1 formation with Perri in goal and Simeone as their lone striker. Roma's head-to-head record stands at 82 victories, 48 draws and 59 defeats from 189 meetings. The teams last met in the 2025–26 season, when Roma won 2–0 at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino through goals by Malen and Dybala. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN via app and website, and on Sky Sport with streaming available on NOW for Sky subscribers. Official team sheets will be confirmed approximately one hour before kickoff.

Roma drew 1–1 away at Fenerbahce in their Champions League opener on 10 September, prompting a broad range of reactions from Rome radio stations. Bryan Cristante scored for Roma with a long-range effort in the first half, but the team conceded an equaliser in the second period and failed to hold on despite goalkeeper Mile Svilar making a crucial save and a shot hitting the crossbar. The result leaves Roma with one point from their first league-phase match, with upcoming fixtures at home and away still to come in the group stage. Radio commentators largely viewed the draw as acceptable given the circumstances, though opinion split on whether Roma should have won. Several analysts pointed to a visible physical decline in the second half, with concerns raised over the fitness of Gianluca Mancini and Wesley. Manu Koné suffered a knee issue during the match, raising concern among pundits about his availability for Roma's next fixture away at Turin. Donyell Malen drew criticism for a second successive underwhelming performance, while Paulo Dybala was thought to have played too many minutes late in the match. Mario Corsi said: "The Fenerbahce stadium doesn't seem as infernal as made out—why, because they shout loudly? Fenerbahce is a small team, but it's still Champions League. The 1–1 away is fine, let's take it. Roma showed physical strength, but I'm a bit disappointed because Fenerbahce seemed like a small team and I think you could have won." Alessio Nardo countered the disappointment: "Being upset about the draw means being very far from reality. Thinking Roma could finish in the top eight in Champions would be a complete miracle. There are many teams stronger than Roma: Atlético Madrid, Inter, Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund." Lorenzo Pes observed: "There's a clear physical decline. Mancini made some poorly timed moves, Wesley looked tired physically too. I think we'll see changes at Turin—the second-half physical dip seems obvious." Roberto Pruzzo gave the match a grade of six out of ten: "A sufficient performance where you played a good spell. In the second half you dropped and Fenerbahce came in more easily, and the draw at the end is an acceptable result." He noted that Santiago Castro would have been an option for substitution but the coach did not bring him on, and that Rodrigo Mora barely featured. Nando Orsi called it "a point earned and deserved," adding that Roma's next challenge would be to capitalise on home fixtures in the competition.