Roma pursue Gittens and Fofana as Oosterwolde deal nears; Ziółkowski interest from Saudi Arabia

Manu Koné will remain at Roma after Manchester City closed a deal for Lille prospect Bouaddi worth €100 million, ending speculation over the French midfielder's future. City had been searching for a Rodri replacement and had scouted Koné, keeping the door open to a potential move, but the signing of Bouaddi removes that possibility entirely. Gasperini confirmed yesterday in a press conference that Koné would stay, and the transfer developments now settle any remaining doubt. Koné will continue as Roma's central midfielder under the head coach. Roma's next fixture arrives shortly, with Fiorentina awaiting from Monday onwards.

Malick Fofana came off the bench to score in Lyon's 2-0 victory over Toulouse on 22 August, a performance that signals his physical condition as his future hangs in the balance ahead of a crucial European tie. Entering at the 63rd minute, Fofana netted at the 85th after cutting to the centre, beating his marker and finishing precisely to the far post. The goal is particularly significant given the injury problems that heavily disrupted his previous season. Roma remain attentive to Fofana's situation. The club has temporarily put the transfer on hold following its investment in Rodrigo Mora and wants to structure any deal as a loan with a right of redemption that would convert to an obligation under certain conditions. Lyon, however, prefer an outright sale at present. The outcome of Lyon's European fixture will prove decisive. Fofana's willingness to leave is directly tied to Champions League football: if Lyon qualifies, he is inclined to stay in France for another full season; elimination would reopen the possibility of departure and could reactivate Roma's interest. Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca rotated his squad for the Toulouse match with an eye on the bigger picture. On Wednesday 26 August, Fenerbahce will visit the Groupama Stadium for the second leg of the Champions League playoff, with the tie level at 1–1 from the first encounter. That match could decide not only Lyon's European season but also whether Fofana moves. Should Fenerbahce eliminate Lyon, the midfielder's path out of France would become far more concrete, and Roma would have a genuine opening to revive negotiations on terms closer to their preference.

Roma director D'Amico has made Chelsea winger Gittens his top target and is working to bring him to the Stadio Olimpico, but the Blues have rejected the club's initial offer of €3 million for a loan plus €40 million to buy. Xabi Alonso regards Gittens as the ideal alternative to Morgan Rogers and views him as central to Chelsea's plans. Roma are not discouraged by the refusal. According to Alfredo Pedullà, the two clubs are set to hold fresh talks in the coming days. D'Amico wants to understand Chelsea's reasons for turning down the bid and, critically, whether there is room to reopen negotiations. The first rejection will not deter Roma from pursuing their target. Gittens, an English player, has not expressed a desire to leave Chelsea, but the chance to play as a protagonist in the Champions League could shift the dynamic. A stronger offer might persuade Chelsea to reconsider—and possibly convince the player as well. Roma are waiting. D'Amico is pressing ahead. Gittens remains firmly in their sights.

Roma have identified Jamie Bynoe-Gittens as their primary objective to strengthen the attack, but Chelsea have rejected an initial proposal worth €3 million for a loan plus a €40 million buyout option. The English winger is also under consideration at Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen as a significant alternative to Morgan Rogers. Roma's sporting director D'Amico is not giving up: fresh talks are expected in the coming days to determine whether there is room to reopen negotiations and potentially table a more convincing offer. Roma are also exploring other attacking options as they work to complete their squad reshape. Yasin Ayari, the 22-year-old Swedish midfielder from Brighton who impressed at the World Cup, is another target, though Borussia Dortmund are ready to move for an outright purchase. Roma prefer a loan with a right of riscatto, a formula currently at odds with Brighton's steep valuation of around €45 million. Jean-Mattéo Bahoya, a 21-year-old French winger at Eintracht Frankfurt, and Pedro Henrique, a 20-year-old Brazilian from Zenit, have also been proposed as alternatives on the left flank as D'Amico continues to scan the market. Malick Fofana's path remains uncertain: the €21-year-old Lyon winger was previously a priority, but the operation is currently stalled while Lyon focus on their Champions League playoff return against Fenerbahce. Roma have also scaled back investments following guidance from ownership, though D'Amico could attempt to reopen discussions in the final days of the window if the French club becomes more flexible on financial terms. The potential sale of Jan Ziółkowski could unlock funds for a final attacking investment; the 21-year-old Polish defender has attracted interest from Saudi clubs, particularly Neom, with Roma's valuation pitched between €16 million and €20 million, plus 10 per cent of any future resale owed to Legia Warsaw. Daniele Ghilardi, a 23-year-old defender, is another possible departure, having drawn interest from Bologna. On the incoming side, Roma are close to securing Jayden Oosterwolde from Fenerbahce. The 25-year-old Dutch left-back will arrive on a loan worth approximately €3 million with a right of riscatto that can convert to an obligation if certain conditions are met, forming an overall operation worth roughly €17–18 million. Gasperini views him as Wesley's deputy but believes he can also function as a centre-back. Oosterwolde is currently sidelined by a muscle injury and is expected to return to fitness around mid-September. The agreement with the player is already in place.

Rodrigo Mora completed his formalities and trained with Roma's first team at Trigoria on 22 August, joining head coach Gasperini's squad ahead of the league's start in five days. The transfer activity continues as the club seeks to complete its squad puzzle with two specific targets: a left-back deputy to Wesley and a left-winger with a right foot—a role distinct from the one Mora has taken on. Gasperini stated clearly that with Roma facing more than 50 matches at a high level, the club will need a pair of players for every position. Numerically the squad is short, and the coach believes depth will prove essential. Alessio Cacciamani remains a strong candidate for the left-back role. Turin sources regularly cite high figures and attempt to lock down the young player, who impressed with Juve Stabia. Roma does not want to overspend and hopes that as days pass, Cairo and Petrachi will soften their stance; the player would reportedly arrive at Trigoria immediately. Regarding the attacking winger position, negotiations with Fofana and Lyon are well advanced, independent of Lyon's Champions League progress. Fonseca would prefer to keep the Lyon player through next Wednesday's Champions League preliminary against Fenerbahce, which will be decisive. Recent meetings have addressed the timeline for the remaining transfer operations. Discussions have also covered potential departures; the remaining names under consideration are Soulé and Ziółkowski.

Roma director Tony D'Amico is methodically working through the final stretch of the transfer window, weighing opportunities in the coming days after completing the lengthy negotiation to bring Rodrigo Mora to Trigoria. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has identified two priority targets: a central midfielder and a winger, though the club will pursue deals within its financial parameters, potentially using loan arrangements to keep costs down. The squad is competitive but lacks the numerical and qualitative depth required for a genuine step forward. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, an English winger born in 2004, has emerged as the latest attacking target. The London-born player, currently limited in rotation at Chelsea and previously signed by Borussia Dortmund for £50 million, fits Gasperini's tactical principles and would arrive on a low-cost, salary-efficient deal. The midfielder pursuit has already hit obstacles: negotiations with Udogie broke down over misaligned financial conditions and mutual desire, while Cacciamani from Torino remains a live option only if the Serie A club drops its €20 million valuation. The player from Jesi made his mark with Juventus Stabia in last season's second division. If the Cacciamani approach falters, D'Amico is working on alternative profiles available via loan with purchase option arrangements. On potential outgoings, Jan Ziółkowski remains on the market—no formal offer has reached Trigoria despite Saudi League interest in the Polish defender. Similarly, rumours of Manchester City's interest in Manu Koné have produced no concrete approach or bid on D'Amico's desk. Should significant offers arrive and prove convincing, Roma stands ready to recruit top-tier replacements. Two new signings plus contingent replacements remain on the table. The window is far from closed, with ambition maintained but financial discipline intact.