Roma pursue Tel from Tottenham, but De Zerbi refuses to budge on 'untouchable' French talent

Matías Soulé enters Roma's Serie A season opener against Fiorentina on Monday evening at the Olimpico facing competition for his place in Gian Piero Gasperini's starting XI. Rodrigo Mora has impressed in early training at Trigoria and is challenging the Argentine for the attacking midfielder slot behind the Dybala–Malen pairing, though Gasperini may adjust the formation to deploy a dual trequartista system depending on Dybala's positioning. Soulé has worked to earn a key role in Roma's setup and his physical condition has improved markedly since the mid-July training camp, where he carried excess weight. He still needs to fine-tune his movement within the coach's tactical framework, but his performance in training has been encouraging. The 2003-born former Froisinone player is hungry to establish himself at Roma, driven by enthusiasm for the fresh start and the presence of fellow Argentine teammates. Transfer speculation has circulated in the final days of the summer window, with AC Milan reportedly considering an approach. However, no concrete offer has arrived at Trigoria and a departure would be difficult to arrange at this stage. Soulé himself has shown no desire to leave, instead drawing energy from the project ahead.

Matías Soulé is fighting for a starting place in Roma's opening Serie A match against Fiorentina on 24 August, with competition from Rodrigo Mora for the attacking midfield role behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Mora has impressed the coaching staff in early training and is challenging Soulé for the position, which does not perfectly suit the Argentine's playing style but which he must learn to interpret effectively. Soulé has regained fitness during pre-season after arriving at Trigoria carrying extra weight in mid-July, and his enthusiasm has been boosted by the arrival of two other Argentine players. However, transfer speculation has continued to shadow the final weeks of the summer window. Milan have been linked with a move, though no concrete offers have materialised and a departure appears unlikely at this stage. Soulé does not wish to leave the club and remains motivated to carve out his role in Gasperini's squad.

Roma are considering selling Neil El Aynaoui and Jan Ziółkowski to Saudi Arabian clubs to generate funds for further signings before the transfer window closes. The club has set El Aynaoui's asking price at €35 million, targeting a net surplus of at least €15 million after the midfielder's €25 million acquisition last summer on a contract to 2030. Roma are seeking €20 million for defender Ziółkowski, whose departure has also attracted concrete offers from Saudi Arabia, particularly from Neom. Combined sales would bring in over €50 million—the figure needed to finance a final attacking reinforcement in the coming days. UEFA Financial Fair Play rules have forced Roma into a cautious approach. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has pressed the ownership and CEO John Galantic to accelerate incomings, but the response has been firm: no departures, no new arrivals. The proceeds from El Aynaoui and Ziółkowski would enable Roma to target Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, valued at €35 million by Chelsea, though sporting director D'Amico is monitoring multiple attacking profiles. This financial squeeze reflects the club's need to balance squad ambitions against regulatory constraints as the window enters its final phase.