Roma push for Tresoldi as Dovbyk edges toward exit

Emanuele Lulli has signed a new contract with Roma running until 2031, tying the young full-back to the club after he was close to leaving last summer. Lulli, born in Palestrina and a lifelong Roma fan, was reportedly on the verge of joining Avellino when head coach Gian Piero Gasperini took him to pre-season training, watched him closely and halted the move. "Rimane qui" ("He stays here"), Gasperini told sporting director D'Amico. Lulli has made a strong start in Serie A, starting five of the first seven league matches and scoring his first goal against Genoa, in front of Daniele De Rossi. The deal matters for the club's future. Lulli's contract was due to expire in June 2027, which made an extension a priority on D'Amico's agenda. The new agreement runs to 2031 and starts on a base salary of 300,000 euros, rising over the years to around one million euros per season. The renewal was backed by everyone at the club, especially the player himself, who never considered leaving. Lazio also showed interest in him, but Lulli's goal was always to play for the team he has supported since childhood. Lulli's story also reflects Roma's tradition of homegrown Romans in the squad. He starred at Tor Tre Teste, where he played alongside the son of Marco Albergati, who worked for years with Bruno Conti, and Marazico was decisive in bringing him to Trigoria. Against Slovan, Niccolò Pisilli scored while wearing the captain's armband, and Lulli now looks like the club's next future captain. Lulli could start again at Napoli tomorrow, having given way to Nahuel Molina in the Champions League, and he is ready to reclaim the right flank in the league, with the race for the spot open.

Roma are preparing to tie down Emanuele Lulli to a new contract, with the young player nearing a renewal even though his current deal is approaching expiry. His form this season has earned him a growing share of minutes in Gian Piero Gasperini's rotation. Lulli marked his first goal for Roma in last week's win over Genoa, a strike that rewarded his gradual progression into the first team and further strengthened the coaching staff's confidence in him. Ahead of the trip to Napoli at the Maradona, he is reportedly challenging Nahuel Molina for a starting place. Gasperini has already shown he intends to widen his rotations, and Lulli's running, intensity and ability to contribute in both phases of play have made him an increasingly credible option. The renewal would be the natural reward for a path that has taken Lulli from backup to possible starter. Roma are keen to secure one of the most promising products of their youth sector and avoid his contract running too close to its expiry. In just a few weeks, the player has already started to change the pecking order in the squad.

Paulo Dybala is close to returning to Gian Piero Gasperini's squad, with Roma's attacker reportedly in contention for Tuesday evening's Serie A clash against Cagliari, according to Sky Sport. Dybala was left out of the squad for the Champions League match against Slovan Bratislava because of a small muscle injury, a fact confirmed by Gasperini himself. The latest indications suggest he could recover in time for the next league fixture, although his presence is not yet official and will depend on evaluations from the medical and technical staff in the coming days. A possible return would give Gasperini an important offensive option, though the Argentine's minutes will need to be managed with caution. On the other side of the club's news, Roma are reportedly in the final stages of agreeing a new contract with young winger Lulli. Sky Sport reports the deal should extend his stay at the club until 2031, reflecting the club's intention to build around the player in the seasons ahead. A few aspects remain to be finalised before the agreement is formalised, and it has not yet been announced officially. Both stories fit into Roma's wider work to strengthen the squad available to Gasperini: Dybala brings quality and experience to the attack, while the Lulli deal would ensure continuity in the development of a player the club clearly values.

Roma's pundits on Rome's radio stations were largely positive about the club's recent results, but they were divided over Mora and the January market. Roberto Pruzzo, speaking on Radio Radio, said: 'Mora is absolutely not ready for this stage, and Roma must sign Lookman. Do a six-month loan.' He also said Castro does not play when Malen is fit and that Mora did not take advantage of his chance, adding that a striker is needed in January. Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo was more worried: 'I said Mora had to play to get used to his teammates, but there is a Mora problem. Do you remember Bojan Krkic? I would not want him to suffer the same fate.' Corsi said Mora was an embarrassment in front of goal, had shot at a photographer and had got everything wrong on Sunday, including his passing. The debate followed a run of matches after the heavy defeat to Real Madrid. Mario Mattioli of Radio Radio said Roma were fortunate to face Genoa and Slovan Bratislava afterwards, as they could restore their mental focus, and that Roma had taken full advantage. He described Slovan as a side who do not belong in the Champions League, suggesting they were better suited to the Europa League or Conference League. Fabio Petruzzi of Rete Sport argued that Roma make their opponents look weak: 'Genoa were weak, Slovan are weak, they are all weak... even Real Madrid were weak until ten minutes from the end. I would start saying Roma are strong.' Alessio Nardo of Tele Radio Stereo said he could hardly recall a smaller side worse than Slovan Bratislava, adding that they could not keep the ball for more than three seconds. David Rossi of Rete Sport praised the defence under Gian Piero Gasperini: 'What impresses me is that the defenders have improved most with Gasperini. Ghilardi started two matches, against Lecce and against Slovan, and I remember him more for what he does in attack than in defence. Ghilardi is a starter now. Hermoso, we did not know who to pin it on, and now he is a leader. Balerdi arrived while Marseille fans were celebrating, and here he is dominant. N'Dicka has improved a lot... Roma have a back line that I believe is the strongest in Italy.' Gianluca Piacentini of Rete Sport noted that Roma had rotated five starters in defence over the last two matches while conceding no goals. He said the comparison between Malen and Castro and Ferguson and Dovbyk was harsh. Pes argued that Gasperini had not overused Pellegrini, who had started two matches, and said Pellegrini was prone to injury, which he had always been. Pellegrini is now 30, Pes said, and the problems are getting worse. Checco Oddo Casano said Roma should consider the futures of Dybala and Pellegrini in June, after seeing how many matches they had played. The radio hosts agreed that a striker is needed, and Pruzzo said he would name the player to be signed in January. Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport said he was supporting Manchester United against Como that evening, because a defeat for the English side would leave Roma with a final chance. He also said Roma had regrets about Fenerbahce and Real Madrid, where a result was possible, and warned that Roma could arrive at the third-last match ranked behind others in the table.

Malen and Castro have already outscored Dovbyk and Ferguson's entire Serie A campaign of last season, after just seven matchdays. The two current forwards have scored seven goals between them in Serie A this term, against one from Dovbyk and Ferguson across the whole of 2025-26. Roma have 16 points after seven rounds this season, compared with 15 at the same stage last year, so the points tally is almost identical. The difference lies in the attack. Roma have found the forwards they lacked a year ago, with the Dutchman and the Argentine both scoring and each able to make the difference when the other is missing. Last season, Ferguson and Dovbyk struggled to make an impact and to get shots away. Their combined Serie A tally that year was six goals, a figure Malen and Castro have already surpassed in only seven matches. The two strikers have also combined for nine goals in all competitions this season: eight from the Dutchman and one from the Argentine. Dovbyk and Ferguson were never really an option together, as they were too similar and too cumbersome to make a two-man attack work. Gasperini has preferred to play with a single striker, but that is not a written rule, and the head coach could now change his mind. With Dybala's physical condition a factor, Malen and Castro are in contention to start together from the first minute in the Champions League against Slovan. It would be a test of whether the pair can coexist. Their characteristics differ, but the quality is there. Castro has already shown he deserves a place, scoring a spectacular goal on his first start, and he does not want to be merely an alternative. Gasperini has recognised that. The Argentine has shown he can make an impact, and the big question now is whether Gasperini will field the two of them together against Slovan.

Santiago Castro starts as Roma's number nine for the first time in nearly a year, with Donyell Malen sidelined through suspension. The last Roma striker to hold that role as a starter was Artem Dovbyk in November against Udinese; Malen claimed the position in January. Castro has not scored since a Europa League match against Roma at the Olimpico, a performance that impressed both Gasperini and Francesco Totti, who recommended him to the coach. He has spent the last three matches on the bench, though in the period before the international break he came off the bench regularly and earned applause despite his goal drought. Castro's selection comes after a string of solid performances that earned him a call-up to his national team. The forward comes into the match having hit the woodwork twice against Atalanta. His task today is to end his dry spell while filling the gap left by Malen's absence. Last season, after three matches without a goal, he broke his duck against the same Atalanta side, then managed by Vieira. Castro arrived as the first signing of the most recent transfer window and also the most expensive. He carries heavy expectation to deliver immediately. Several Primavera players are in contention for a squad place. Panico, Arena, and Camara are hopeful of being called up, with the final selection to be confirmed this morning.