Roma pursuit of Gittens stalls as Chelsea hold firm; Henrique deal incomplete

Roma continue to pursue winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, but Chelsea have signalled a change in the structure required to make a move happen. According to Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto, Chelsea will not sanction a departure on a simple loan with an option to buy. Instead, the London club are demanding guarantees of a permanent transfer—specifically a loan with an obligation to buy, potentially tied to easily achievable conditions that would effectively guarantee a permanent sale. Chelsea do not regard Gittens as surplus to requirements; they see him as a player capable of remaining useful within their squad, which explains their reluctance to part with him on softer terms. Roma's previous proposal—structured as a loan with an option to buy—has been rejected on this basis. Should Roma pursue Gittens further, they will need to move closer to Chelsea's demands and accept a far more binding financial commitment. If the club chooses not to accept those terms, they will be forced to explore alternative targets to provide head coach Gian Piero Gasperini with the attacking winger he has requested. Meanwhile, the transfer of Jayden Oosterwolde is now finalised in principle. An agreement with Fenerbahçe has been reached, with only final bureaucratic steps remaining before the deal closes. Roma's transfer activity may not end there: director Tony D'Amico continues to work on multiple fronts, and further moves in the coming days cannot be ruled out.

Rafael Leão has signalled willingness to join Roma in the closing stages of the transfer window, stepping back from Turkish offers that have failed to convince him. According to Tele Radio Stereo, the Portuguese winger has opened the door to a move to the Giallorossi in recent days. The matter has become pressing for Milan, with owner Gerry Cardinale travelling to the club to address the situation and hold talks with Jorge Mendes, the agent who represents Leão. Mendes is working to satisfy all parties and facilitate Leão's transfer to a new club. Roma have so far shown reluctance to structure a permanent deal, meaning Milan will need to accept alternative formulas—such as a loan with a conditional option or obligation to buy—to open genuine negotiations with Roma's sporting director D'Amico. Leão has remained on Roma's radar throughout the window and could represent a surprise addition to the attack as the deadline approaches. Milan are asking for €40 million plus €5 million in bonuses to allow his departure. D'Amico is aiming to turn what was only a suggestion days ago into reality, but the two clubs must find common ground on the structure of any deal before serious talks can begin.

AS Roma are monitoring Rafael Leão's situation at AC Milan as a potential option in the closing stages of the summer transfer window, according to SportMediaset. The Portuguese forward remains under consideration should he fail to leave the Rossoneri before the market shuts, with Roma potentially exploring a deal structured around €45 million. Any operation could include a paid loan arrangement as part of the overall package. Jorge Mendes, Leão's agent, is expected to play an important role in any negotiations. Mendes was instrumental in bringing Rodrigo Mora to Roma and could prove decisive in discussions between the two clubs. However, no agreement currently exists between Roma and Milan, and Leão remains a prospect to monitor only in the final days of the transfer window rather than an imminent signing.

Bologna are monitoring Roma defender Jan Ziółkowski and Daniele Ghilardi as potential departures from the Giallorossi in the final days of the transfer window. Roma's defensive ranks have become crowded following the acquisitions of Koulierakis and the imminent arrival of Oosterwolde, creating the possibility that Gasperini could allow players to leave in search of greater playing time while generating revenue for the club. Both Ziółkowski and Ghilardi occupied lower positions in the manager's hierarchy last season and are regarded as potential exits. Ziółkowski has attracted strong interest from Saudi Arabia, while Ghilardi could remain in Italy. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the latter has become a target for Bologna, who are seeking a new centre-back following Lucumì's departure. Bologna hold genuine interest in the player, though no formal negotiations have yet been initiated. The situation is expected to develop in the coming days.

Roma are intensifying their pursuit of offensive reinforcements in the final weeks of the transfer window. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, the 22-year-old Chelsea winger, has emerged as the club's primary target to complete the attack. Chelsea rejected Roma's opening proposal of €3 million for a loan plus a €40 million option to buy, with manager Xabi Alonso viewing Bynoe-Gittens as an important alternative to Morgan Rogers. However, Roma's director of football D'Amico is not giving up; new discussions are expected in the coming days to determine whether there is room to reopen negotiations and present a more convincing offer. Parallel to the Bynoe-Gittens chase, Roma have other attacking targets under consideration. Ibrahim Mbaye, the 18-year-old Paris Saint-Germain prospect from the 2008 generation, has been proposed in recent hours as an opportunity aligned with Roma's new financial parameters following their settlement agreement, though no formal negotiations with PSG have yet begun. Jean-Mattéo Bahoya, a 21-year-old winger at Eintracht Frankfurt, and Pedro Henrique, a 20-year-old Brazilian winger at Zenit, remain among the alternatives D'Amico is monitoring. The Roma director continues to scan the market for a left-sided attacker capable of adding pace and directness, waiting for opportunities that may open in the final days of the window. Meanwhile, the Malick Fofana operation from Lyon remains blocked, though not definitively dead; if no other winger arrives and Lyon accept more sustainable economic conditions, D'Amico could attempt to revive those talks. On the defensive front, Roma are on the verge of completing Jayden Oosterwolde's arrival from Fenerbahce. The 25-year-old Dutch left-back will join on a loan worth approximately €3 million, with a right of redemption that can become an obligation if certain conditions are met, for a total operation valued at around €17–18 million. An agreement with the player is already in place. Gasperini views him as Wesley's backup but he can also be used in a central role. Oosterwolde is currently sidelined with a muscular problem and is expected to return to availability around mid-September. Outgoing moves are also taking shape. Jan Ziółkowski, the 21-year-old Polish defender, may leave Trigoria; several Saudi clubs are interested, particularly Neom, from which Roma await a concrete offer. Roma's valuation sits between €16 million and €20 million, with 10 per cent of any future resale going to Legia Warsaw. Daniele Ghilardi, the 23-year-old centre-back, has attracted Bologna's attention and could become another sacrificed defender alongside Ziółkowski. Should either central defender depart, Roma would return to the market for a replacement, preferably via loan. Elsewhere, Christopher Nkunku's move away from Milan appears imminent—the 28-year-old French striker is nearing a return to Leipzig on a loan of approximately €4 million plus a €28 million option, ending speculation that had linked him to Roma.

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.