Roma pursue Gittens as Fofana option fades; Aguerd eyed in defence as Vaz nears Hull City exit

Franck Kessié's future remains undecided as Juventus continue negotiations with the midfielder, but no final agreement has been reached between player and club. The talks are ongoing and incomplete, leaving space for other interested parties to remain in contention. Roma, under Gasperini, are actively monitoring developments and have maintained contact with Kessié. The giallorossi kept their channels open today and remain concretely in the running. Because Kessié has not yet made a decision, the pursuit remains wide open; Juventus continue their work, but Roma's involvement suggests the race for the midfielder is far from settled.

Roma are close to securing Leonardo Balerdi from Olympique Marseille, with the club planning the Argentine defender's travel and medical examinations for 29 August ahead of his contract signing. The deal, accelerated in recent hours, involves Balerdi joining on loan with an obligation to buy dependent on specified conditions. According to Nicolò Schira, intermediary Gabriele Giuffrida has played a key role in moving the transfer forward, with only final details on the buyout clause's triggering conditions left to resolve. The proposed contract structure offers Balerdi a one-year deal plus four further years, potentially keeping him at Roma until 2031. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is awaiting the arrival of the 1999-born centre-back to strengthen the defence with international experience and aggressive, possession-based qualities suited to Roma's tactical approach. The move came after the collapse of an attempt to sign Jayden Oosterwolde, which fell through following medical concerns. Sporting director Tony D'Amico moved quickly to find an alternative reinforcement for the back line.

Hull City have entered the race for Lyon winger Malick Fofana with a €35 million offer for the Belgian, threatening to derail Roma's long-standing interest in the player. The English club have already held direct talks with Fofana to outline their project, and are now awaiting his response before moving to finalise the deal. Hull City are simultaneously pursuing a loan move with a purchase option for Roma's Robinio Vaz on the same Lyon-Roma axis. Roma had reached personal terms with Fofana in recent weeks and the player had expressed his willingness to join the club. However, the Giallorossi have failed to follow up their interest with a concrete offer to Lyon in recent days, leaving the door open for competitors. Gian Piero Gasperini has requested an attacking winger, and sporting director Tony D'Amico is evaluating alternative options as well. The central issue is the transfer structure: Lyon require a permanent sale and are unwilling to let Fofana leave on loan, a formula that would have allowed Roma to operate more flexibly within their tight end-of-window budget. Hull City, by contrast, have tabled a bid for an outright purchase. Roma face mounting pressure to decide whether to return with a serious assault on the deal or concede ground to their competitors as the transfer deadline approaches.

Roma are close to securing Leonardo Balerdi from Olympique Marseille, with the club planning the Argentine defender's travel and medical examinations for 29 August ahead of his contract signing. The deal, accelerated in recent hours, involves Balerdi joining on loan with an obligation to buy dependent on specified conditions. According to Nicolò Schira, intermediary Gabriele Giuffrida has played a key role in moving the transfer forward, with only final details on the buyout clause's triggering conditions left to resolve. The proposed contract structure offers Balerdi a one-year deal plus four further years, potentially keeping him at Roma until 2031. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is awaiting the arrival of the 1999-born centre-back to strengthen the defence with international experience and aggressive, possession-based qualities suited to Roma's tactical approach. The move came after the collapse of an attempt to sign Jayden Oosterwolde, which fell through following medical concerns. Sporting director Tony D'Amico moved quickly to find an alternative reinforcement for the back line.

Leonardo Balerdi is on the verge of joining Roma on a loan deal with a right of purchase from Marseille, with the final details close to being settled. The move is structured as a loan with the right to buy becoming an obligation once certain conditions are met. In a separate development, the Jayden Oosterwolde transfer to Roma has unexpectedly revived after appearing to collapse days ago. According to reports from the Netherlands, Roma and Fenerbahce have reached a new agreement, overcoming the disagreements that had halted negotiations. However, the final piece remains outstanding: Oosterwolde's personal approval of the transfer to the Giallorossi is still required. Elsewhere, Paulo Fonseca addressed Malick Fofana's future ahead of Le Havre's match, saying: "We need to make a sale and selling Fofana is an opportunity, but he will be in the group with us for the next match." Roma has already agreed terms with the player, though Lyon continues to demand approximately €35 million to release him. In radio commentary, Pruzzo noted that Roma's Champions League path is challenging, with opponents of generally good quality: "You have to be ready to compete with everyone." Carina added that the draw could have been more favourable, with Fenerbahce being difficult to face away in Istanbul and Sporting Lisbon presenting another stern test.

Roma are pursuing Marseille defender Leo Balerdi as they search for reinforcements in defence following the collapse of their move for Jayden Oosterwolde, who failed his second medical. Balerdi has approved the transfer, and Marseille have opened negotiations over a loan with an option to buy, with talks progressing positively. The move comes after Roma's failed attempt to sign Nottingham Forest's Morato, who the club could not acquire on loan. The departure of Jan Ziółkowski to Monza has left the Giallorossi needing a defender of Balerdi's profile. Balerdi would slot in as a rotation option behind Evan N'Dicka, who is expected to be a regular in the back three. Roma already have a strong Argentine contingent, and the centre-back would strengthen that group.

Hull City have entered the race for Lyon winger Malick Fofana with a €35 million offer for the Belgian, threatening to derail Roma's long-standing interest in the player. The English club have already held direct talks with Fofana to outline their project, and are now awaiting his response before moving to finalise the deal. Hull City are simultaneously pursuing a loan move with a purchase option for Roma's Robinio Vaz on the same Lyon-Roma axis. Roma had reached personal terms with Fofana in recent weeks and the player had expressed his willingness to join the club. However, the Giallorossi have failed to follow up their interest with a concrete offer to Lyon in recent days, leaving the door open for competitors. Gian Piero Gasperini has requested an attacking winger, and sporting director Tony D'Amico is evaluating alternative options as well. The central issue is the transfer structure: Lyon require a permanent sale and are unwilling to let Fofana leave on loan, a formula that would have allowed Roma to operate more flexibly within their tight end-of-window budget. Hull City, by contrast, have tabled a bid for an outright purchase. Roma face mounting pressure to decide whether to return with a serious assault on the deal or concede ground to their competitors as the transfer deadline approaches.

The race for Roma forward Robinio Vaz has intensified as multiple European clubs enter the hunt, putting the Hull City deal on hold. Hull remain the frontrunners after agreeing advanced terms with Roma for a loan with a €2 million fee and a €30 million buyout clause, but Vaz has not yet given his final approval to the move. According to FootMercato's exclusive reporting via journalist Sébastien Denis, fresh enquiries have arrived from Ligue 1, with Lorient already seeking information, from the Bundesliga, and from the Netherlands, where PSV Eindhoven are said to be particularly interested. The critical development concerns Vaz's own stance. The young attacker has signalled openness to leaving on loan but wants to assess all available options before committing, placing significant weight on the sporting project and the chance to secure regular playing time. Roma are willing to let him depart temporarily while maintaining a valuation that would allow them to recoup their investment should he be sold permanently in future.

Robinio Vaz did not take part in Roma's training session today. The absence was not due to injury; instead, it stemmed from transfer-related matters affecting the young striker. According to Il Tempo, Vaz was kept out of the session as a precautionary measure while market dynamics involving him are being evaluated. The decision to exclude him from training has become a significant signal to monitor in the closing days of the summer transfer window. Roma have not yet disclosed further details about a potential destination for the player or the structure of any possible deal. The absence should not be interpreted as confirmation of a completed sale; rather, it reflects a precautionary approach as the club assesses Vaz's market situation. Vaz's future has become one of the key transfer files Roma must track before the window closes. Hall City have registered strong interest in the player. The coming hours may provide clearer indications, but today's fact is significant: Vaz did not train with the squad, and the reason, according to Il Tempo, is linked to the transfer market.

Roma are pursuing Marseille defender Leo Balerdi as they search for reinforcements in defence following the collapse of their move for Jayden Oosterwolde, who failed his second medical. Balerdi has approved the transfer, and Marseille have opened negotiations over a loan with an option to buy, with talks progressing positively. The move comes after Roma's failed attempt to sign Nottingham Forest's Morato, who the club could not acquire on loan. The departure of Jan Ziółkowski to Monza has left the Giallorossi needing a defender of Balerdi's profile. Balerdi would slot in as a rotation option behind Evan N'Dicka, who is expected to be a regular in the back three. Roma already have a strong Argentine contingent, and the centre-back would strengthen that group.

Roma are evaluating Leonardo Balerdi, the Marseille captain, as a reinforcement for their defence in the closing stages of the transfer window. The 27-year-old Argentine central defender has been shaped by experience across South America, the Bundesliga and Ligue 1, and offers tactical flexibility within a three-man defence. In Roma's thinking, Balerdi could numerically fill the position vacated by Jan Ziółkowski, who is currently completing a transfer to Monza. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini sees him primarily as competition for Evan N'Dicka, though his versatility would allow him to operate across multiple defensive positions. Balerdi was born in Villa Mercedes, Argentina, in 1999 and developed at Boca Juniors before joining Borussia Dortmund at twenty. His spell in Germany yielded limited continuity, but the move to Marseille in 2020 proved the turning point. In France he has become a cornerstone of the squad, earning the captain's armband under Roberto De Zerbi's management. The 2025–26 season saw him make 36 appearances for Marseille, scoring once and providing one assist, demonstrating the consistency he has achieved in his adopted league. As a right-footed centre-back, Balerdi combines physical strength, aggression and leadership presence. Beyond his core role, he can operate as a wide centre-back in a three, offering the flexibility Gasperini values for building play from deep and adapting to different defensive constructions. Balerdi made his Argentina debut in 2019 and has become an established international. His potential arrival would add depth and experience to Roma's backline during a season that includes Champions League football, allowing Gasperini to rotate his defensive unit without altering the team's structural shape.

Roma have agreed personal terms with Leonardo Balerdi after securing the departure of Jan Ziółkowski on loan to Monza. The club are now in active negotiations with Marseille over a loan deal with a buy clause that can become mandatory under certain conditions, with the move described as well advanced. Balerdi, 27, is a centre-back who stands 1.88 metres tall and is right-footed. An Argentine international, he came through Boca Juniors before joining Borussia Dortmund in 2019 and moving to Marseille, where he has been a regular since 2020. Roma's proposal to Marseille is structured around a loan with an option to buy that would convert to an obligation if specific conditions are met. The move represents Roma's attempt to add defensive experience to Gian Piero Gasperini's squad after exploring other targets. No transfer fee or the exact conditions triggering a mandatory purchase have been disclosed. The next step depends on Marseille's response and whether the two clubs can find alignment on the structure Roma has proposed.