Roma push on with transfers as Balerdi arrives

Marten de Roon is set to complete his move to Roma, arriving at Fiumicino airport at 12:10 on 30 August. The Dutch midfielder will undergo the final stages of his medical and administrative procedures before becoming an official Roma player. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and de Roon worked together extensively at Atalanta, where the midfielder was one of the manager's most trusted players. De Roon is an experienced midfield anchor who understands Gasperini's tactical principles and is expected to integrate quickly into Roma's midfield setup. The arrival at Fiumicino marks the opening step of de Roon's Roma adventure, with the completion of standard formalities to follow before his status becomes official with the club.

Robinio Vaz's move to Hull City has stalled after head coach Gian Piero Gasperini halted the transfer, according to reports. The French forward had come close to joining the newly promoted Premier League club on a loan with a purchase option, and the agreement between Roma and Hull City was complete. However, Gasperini has blocked the departure pending the arrival of a new attacking left winger. Today, 30 August, a call is scheduled between Vaz and Hull City to obtain the final answer from the 2007-born forward. The agreement between the two clubs is not the issue; Roma is awaiting Vaz's definitive approval to proceed with the move.

Marten de Roon will land at Fiumicino today at 12:10 to complete his move to Roma from Atalanta in a deal worth 1 million euro total. Simultaneously, Neil El Aynaoui departs on a loan to RB Leipzig with an option to buy for a combined package of 29–30 million euro. The arrivals and departures mark frenetic activity in the final days before the summer transfer window closes at 20:00 on 1 September, with Roma also preparing to confirm defender Nicolás Balerdi as their fifth signing of the window. Bareldi landed at Ciampino yesterday afternoon and completed his medical before signing a contract through 2031. His official announcement is expected today. The Argentine defender is Roma's latest reinforcement ahead of the away fixture at Lecce. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has blocked the loan departure of forward Robinio Vaz to Hull City pending the arrival of a left winger, though a call between Vaz and the English club is scheduled for today to finalise terms.

Roma have completed the signing of Leonardo Balerdi on loan from Marseille. The Argentine defender will join on a loan deal worth €1 million, with a right of rescission that can become an obligation based on certain conditions. The rescission fee is variable between €12 million and €15 million. Balerdi will arrive at Ciampino airport and undergo medical tests before signing his contract. Balerdi is Roma's fifth summer acquisition, following Santiago Castro, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Nahuel Molina, and Rodrigo Mora. The club remains active in the transfer market with other targets still being pursued. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini continues to press for a left-winger, a position the club has lacked for six years. Sky Sport reports Roma are close to meeting Zenit's demands for an unnamed left-sided player, whose transfer fee stands at €40 million and who earns €4 million annually. Negotiations over player agreement are ongoing. In midfield, Roma hold an agreement with Fofana and are pushing for a loan with a right of rescission, though Lyon have not yet accepted this formula. Meanwhile, Sunderland have recently entered the race for a Belgian player as an alternative to Igor Paixao of Marseille, according to FootMercato. Hull City maintain strong interest and have already tabled a €35 million offer to the French club. Gigi Garzya, a former player with strong ties to Roma, stated on the remaining market window: "It is early to say where Roma can reach in their second year under Gasperini's leadership, and the market may not yet be finished. We must see what the other teams do by the closing date. Certainly we must do everything to maintain the Champions League position, because Roma must play regularly in this competition."

Leonardo Balerdi, an Argentine defender, arrived at Rome's Ciampino airport on 29 August 2026 to complete his transfer to AS Roma. He is the club's fifth summer signing, following Santiago Castro, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Nahuel Molina and Rodrigo Mora. Balerdi joins on a loan deal worth €1 million, with a right of redemption that can become an obligation under certain conditions. The redemption fee ranges from €12 million to €15 million. The 24-year-old will undergo the standard medical examination before signing his contract with the giallorossi. The transfer represents Roma's continued investment in their defensive options ahead of the 2026–27 season, during which the club compete in the UEFA Champions League.

Roma's prospects for the 2026–27 season drew mixed assessments from prominent radio commentators on 29 August, with particular focus on the squad's readiness and the still-unresolved left-wing forward slot. Roberto Pruzzo told Radio Radio Mattino that Roma are "a strong squad, stronger still if they sign the left-sided forward," but stressed the importance of Paulo Dybala's physical condition: "I have the feeling that much of what will make Roma stronger than last season will depend on Dybala's condition more than the transfer campaign. Castro is one of the best available on the market; I'm convinced he'll have more playing time than people think. I hope Rodrigo Mora gains confidence and personality." Sandro Sabatini, also on Radio Radio Mattino, was harsher: "The left-sided forward position at Roma has become a joke—it's been going on for over a year and a half and still hasn't been filled. A Dybala like the one we saw against Fiorentina, we haven't seen in ten years. Mora's start pleased me, but if the shirt had said Baldanzi on it we'd have talked about a good Baldanzi performance. He certainly stood out with meticulous marking of Fagioli." Earlier on Radio Radio pomeriggio, Giancarlo Padovan remarked that Roma were "the team that played best among those who featured on the opening day," and that Gasperini's tactical approach, "once absorbed by the players, is an idea that can take them far. I don't know if it's in the Champions League or the domestic campaign, but Rome can get into the top 24, and after that we'll see." Luca Marchetti noted the squad's structure under Gasperini: "one piece is still missing, at the level of names that warning light keeps flashing." He praised Mora as "strong and bold—someone not physically structured, who reads the play early." Paolo Cannavaro discussed the left-back situation: Wesley was initially deployed at right-back, but no replacement has arrived; without a signing, Devyne Rensch will play left-back as "an adapted player." Federico Camelio raised tactical concerns: "Mora is not a winger, not a Papu Gómez, nothing like him. The manager has made two choices on the flank and still nobody arrives." Daniele Ordine suggested if the market deals close as expected—"adding a Kessié and not selling Koné"—Roma would field "a squad of real substance" capable of reaching the knockout stages.

Roma travel to Lecce on 31 August with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini intent on maintaining tactical consistency after the Fiorentina match. The team will keep the same attacking structure, with Rodrigo Mora operating in the trequarti alongside the forward pairing of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, who are expected to develop their understanding further. Wesley is certain to start on the left flank. On the opposite wing, Nahuel Molina is set to make his first start, having fully recovered and winning the contest with young squad member Emanuele Lulli. Devyne Rensch remains unavailable due to a muscle complaint, while Lorenzo Pellegrini is not expected to return until September. The midfield will be marshalled by Manu Koné and Bryan Cristante. The defensive line will see Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso deployed in front of goal, with Konstantinos Koulierakis ready to come on during the match. The change from the previous fixture appears limited to Molina's elevation to the starting eleven, underlining Gasperini's confidence in the team's recent form and tactical setup.

Roma have completed the departure of Neil El Aynaoui to RB Leipzig on a paid loan worth €4 million with a €25 million redemption clause, and swiftly replaced him by closing a €1 million deal for Marten De Roon from Atalanta. De Roon, a long-standing favourite of coach Gian Piero Gasperini, moves to Roma to play Champions League football. The midfield operation follows evaluation of André from Wolverhampton and Richard Ríos as alternatives. The hunt for a winger continues across multiple targets. Roma are tracking Malick Fofana and Jamie Gittens, with Chelsea open to a loan deal for Gittens, while Luiz Henrique of Zenit has been offered a loan with a redemption clause that can become mandatory. Jamie Leweling of Stuttgart remains in contention. The fullback contingent is built entirely around right-footed players: Wesley, Devyne Rensch, Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli. Defence has also been strengthened with the arrival of Leonardo Balerdi from Marseille at Ciampino, boosting the backline as the club continues its late-window activity.

Roma have reshuffled their midfield, selling Neil El Aynaoui to Leipzig on a loan deal worth €4 million with a €25 million purchase option, and signing Marten de Roon from Atalanta for €1 million. De Roon, one of Gasperini's trusted lieutenants, requested a move and agreed terms within hours on 29 August, keen to play Champions League football. The Dutch midfielder arrives as El Aynaoui's replacement and bolsters Roma's options in the engine room. Roma had also scouted André from Wolverhampton and Rios, linked with Besiktas, but moved quickly for De Roon once the opportunity arose. The club continues to hunt for a left winger who can play on the right flank—a priority for several seasons. Targets include Fofana and Gittens, though Roma have also registered interest in Luiz Henrique of Zenit, described as a left-footed winger who prefers playing on his right. Chelsea have signalled openness to loaning Gittens, while Stuttgart's Leweling is also in contention. Meanwhile, centre-back Balerdi, departing Marseille after six years, arrived in Rome on 29 August. For now, Roma's wing-back contingent—Wesley, Rensch, Molina and Lulli—will all be right-footed until January. The club has pursued this profile consistently over the past year, seeking greater balance in wider areas.

Robinio Vaz's move to Hull City has stalled after head coach Gian Piero Gasperini halted the transfer, according to reports. The French forward had come close to joining the newly promoted Premier League club on a loan with a purchase option, and the agreement between Roma and Hull City was complete. However, Gasperini has blocked the departure pending the arrival of a new attacking left winger. Today, 30 August, a call is scheduled between Vaz and Hull City to obtain the final answer from the 2007-born forward. The agreement between the two clubs is not the issue; Roma is awaiting Vaz's definitive approval to proceed with the move.

Marten de Roon will land at Fiumicino today at 12:10 to complete his move to Roma from Atalanta in a deal worth 1 million euro total. Simultaneously, Neil El Aynaoui departs on a loan to RB Leipzig with an option to buy for a combined package of 29–30 million euro. The arrivals and departures mark frenetic activity in the final days before the summer transfer window closes at 20:00 on 1 September, with Roma also preparing to confirm defender Nicolás Balerdi as their fifth signing of the window. Bareldi landed at Ciampino yesterday afternoon and completed his medical before signing a contract through 2031. His official announcement is expected today. The Argentine defender is Roma's latest reinforcement ahead of the away fixture at Lecce. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has blocked the loan departure of forward Robinio Vaz to Hull City pending the arrival of a left winger, though a call between Vaz and the English club is scheduled for today to finalise terms.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has blocked the loan departure of Robinio Vaz to Hull City as he awaits an attacking reinforcement for his squad. Sporting director Tony D'Amico is accelerating contacts for 25-year-old Brazilian winger Luiz Henrique of Zenit Saint Petersburg, who has emerged as the primary target after the path to Malick Fofana of Olympique Lyonnais became complicated by the French club's insistence on a permanent sale only. Gasperini intends to keep Vaz at Roma until the new arrival is completed. The delay in securing the outside forward has created urgency in the final weeks of the transfer window. Matías Soulé's position also remains under scrutiny, with Sunderland having shown interest in the midfielder. An eventual departure would force Roma to seek an additional replacement before the market closes. On the defensive front, however, the club has registered progress: Leonardo Balerdi has arrived in Rome to undergo medical examinations as Roma complete their centre-back options.