Roma push to complete Read deal within 48 hours as Feyenoord hold firm on €30m valuation

Matías Soulé, who looked set to leave Roma in the summer, has become one of the most important players in Gian Piero Gasperini's side and, alongside Malen, one of the team's technical leaders. The Argentine was for a long time at the centre of transfer talk, with a €35 million valuation considered excessive by potential suitors and loan-with-option hypotheses also floated. In the end he stayed. According to Il Messaggero, Soulé's growth has coincided, almost paradoxically, with the absence of Paulo Dybala. A similar situation arose last season, when the Argentine carried Roma through the first half of the campaign, scoring seven goals before being halted by a groin problem (pubalgia). This time, Soulé appears to have taken a further step forward, particularly in personality and consistency of performances. His position helps him. Starting from the right, he can move inside onto his left foot and make the most of his qualities. It is not only a tactical matter, though. With Dybala sidelined, Soulé has taken on more responsibility, and team-mates have begun looking for him more often, recognising him as the main creative reference behind Malen. The result is a more confident, involved and decisive player. The leadership that once seemed to be missing has become one of his most evident qualities. Only a few months ago Roma were ready to seriously consider selling him; today, it would be hard to imagine Gasperini's side without the Argentine talent. The transformation is also a success for Gasperini, who has got the best out of a player who seemed to have a future away from the capital. Perhaps the real signing of the summer market, at least as far as Soulé is concerned, was simply not selling him.

Gian Piero Gasperini has warned his Roma side not to underestimate Manchester United ahead of the Champions League tie, despite the English club's poor run of results. On injuries, Paulo Dybala, Manu Koné and Mile Svilar are unlikely to return before the international break, although there remains a chance for the Sassuolo fixture. Rodrigo Mora is available, but team selection will be decided at the last moment. Donyell Malen is enjoying a remarkable spell: he has scored 22 goals in 27 Serie A matches in the calendar year, more than Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland in their respective leagues. No player has scored more than him across Europe's top five leagues in that period, a transformation the article credits to his work under Gasperini. At Manchester United, Michael Carrick has gone nine matches without a win, and his position is increasingly under pressure. United were beaten 4-1 by Como, coached by Fabregas, a result that exposed gaps between midfield and defence. Nico Paz took advantage with two goals and an assist, and Roma's Matías Soulé, Rodrigo Mora and Donyell Malen are considered capable of exploiting the same weakness. Carrick has rejected the idea that he will be dismissed after the Roma game, saying: “Non penso che sarà così” (“I don't think that will be the case”). Dorgu and Luke Shaw are confirmed absent, while Marcus Rashford is doubtful. Carrick also recalled United's 7-1 win of 2007, calling it “una delle notti più belle della mia carriera” (“one of the best nights of my career”). Marten de Roon acknowledged the mistakes Roma made against Real Madrid, saying the side was immature in that match but is still developing. He said: “Vogliamo dare continuità alle prestazioni” (“We want to give continuity to our performances”). He also thanked supporters, adding: “Mi ha fatto piacere essere applaudito contro il Cagliari” (“It was nice to be applauded against Cagliari”). Elsewhere, Turkish press report that Greenwood had a tense exchange with Fenerbahçe president Yıldırım, asking his father and agent to find him another club. The bust-up followed his controversial omission against Göztepe. There has been no official rupture, and the club has attributed the absence to a flu-like illness. On the transfer front, Roma are reportedly monitoring Gabriel Sara, the Brazilian born in 1999 who plays for Galatasaray, with a view to a January move. Napoli, Newcastle and Everton are also said to be interested, with the English clubs reportedly ready to spend around €30 million, though only interest has been confirmed so far. Meanwhile, former Roma coach Fonseca is close to leaving Lyon to return to Portugal with Sporting. He broke down in tears after Lyon's win over Angers, embraced by his players. An agreement with Sporting is reportedly close but not yet official. If it goes through, Fonseca will face Roma as an opponent on 8 December in the Champions League.

Barcelona have decided to sell left-back Alejandro Balde, who is finding game time increasingly hard to come by in La Liga, and Manchester United are now reportedly in the running for the Spanish wing-back alongside Roma, according to ElNacional.cat. The reports describe interest rather than a concrete negotiation. Balde has never started a match for Barcelona, and coach Flick has reportedly opened the door to his departure. Roma's interest is not new: the left-back profile was linked to the Giallorossi in the previous weeks as well. Balde would be an alternative to Oosterwolde for the left-back berth in Roma's defence. The article adds that Balde's profile has been mentioned in connection with Roma before, and that the left-side options under consideration include Balde as a replacement for Oosterwolde in the lower band of the defence.

Gian Piero Gasperini has heaped praise on Wesley ahead of Roma's trip to Manchester, saying the right-back has improved again this season after a good campaign last year. Speaking to a TntSport journalist on the eve of the match at Old Trafford, the coach confirmed the Brazilian will start tonight after a strong display in Udine. Wesley, who plays on both the right and left, has continued his development under Gasperini. The coach also spoke about the defender's international prospects, a point of interest for Brazilian reporters who are present in large numbers for the fixture. Gasperini said: "He is doing very well, this year he has grown again after the good season he had last year. I am sorry he did not play at the World Cup, he was unlucky. He can play on the right and on the left, and he will become a good player for Brazil too. Carletto Ancelotti knows him well, he will know how to get the best out of him, you'll see." The words were also aimed at reassuring Seleção supporters about the 27-year-old's future with the national side.

Gasperini is preparing to take his Roma side to Old Trafford to reverse the history against Manchester United, and the Italian papers have largely agreed on a starting eleven. The coach appears set to field a solid defence with Mancini returning to the starting lineup, while the main doubt concerns the right flank, where the choice is between Lulli and Molina. Rensch could also come into contention for that spot, but he appears the least likely to start from the first minute. In midfield, the papers are split over who will support Soulé behind Malen: Pisilli, Cristante or Mora. Across the line-ups published by the Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, Tuttosport, Il Messaggero, Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo, Roma are set to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation with Gollini in goal, Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso in defence, Wesley in the midfield and Soulé and Malen attacking. The papers' predicted line-ups differ in only a few places. The Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Messaggero pick Lulli at left-back, while the Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport go with Molina. The Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo both name Rensch. Il Messaggero also includes de Roon and Pisilli in midfield, with Cristante pushed further forward alongside Soulé, while Tuttosport picks Mora in the number ten role instead of Pisilli.

Roma visit Manchester United at Old Trafford tonight, with kick-off at 21:00 in the fourth matchday of the Champions League. Gasperini is expected to make several changes from the side that beat Udinese in Serie A three days ago. Pisilli is tipped to edge out Mora for a place in the midfield behind the front line. Mancini is set to return to the starting defence, alongside N'Dicka and Hermoso in a three-man back line. Wesley and Cristante are expected to keep their places, with De Roon in the middle of the midfield. Soulé and Malen are predicted to start up front alongside Pisilli in the 3-4-2-1 system. Gollini is expected to keep his place in goal. The predicted line-ups differ on the wing-back and full-back spots. Some papers pick Lulli on the left, others Rensch, and others Molina. Il Romanista goes with Balerdi on the left of the defence. La Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Messaggero and Il Corriere dello Sport all predict a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Lulli or Molina on the flanks. Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo both pick Rensch, while Romanews.Euroma and Corriere dello Sport go with Molina. For Gasperini, the choice on the flanks and in midfield will determine how Roma line up against the Premier League side at Old Trafford.

Gasperini is preparing to take his Roma side to Old Trafford to reverse the history against Manchester United, and the Italian papers have largely agreed on a starting eleven. The coach appears set to field a solid defence with Mancini returning to the starting lineup, while the main doubt concerns the right flank, where the choice is between Lulli and Molina. Rensch could also come into contention for that spot, but he appears the least likely to start from the first minute. In midfield, the papers are split over who will support Soulé behind Malen: Pisilli, Cristante or Mora. Across the line-ups published by the Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, Tuttosport, Il Messaggero, Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo, Roma are set to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation with Gollini in goal, Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso in defence, Wesley in the midfield and Soulé and Malen attacking. The papers' predicted line-ups differ in only a few places. The Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Messaggero pick Lulli at left-back, while the Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport go with Molina. The Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo both name Rensch. Il Messaggero also includes de Roon and Pisilli in midfield, with Cristante pushed further forward alongside Soulé, while Tuttosport picks Mora in the number ten role instead of Pisilli.

Roma visit Manchester United at Old Trafford tonight, with kick-off at 21:00 in the fourth matchday of the Champions League. Gasperini is expected to make several changes from the side that beat Udinese in Serie A three days ago. Pisilli is tipped to edge out Mora for a place in the midfield behind the front line. Mancini is set to return to the starting defence, alongside N'Dicka and Hermoso in a three-man back line. Wesley and Cristante are expected to keep their places, with De Roon in the middle of the midfield. Soulé and Malen are predicted to start up front alongside Pisilli in the 3-4-2-1 system. Gollini is expected to keep his place in goal. The predicted line-ups differ on the wing-back and full-back spots. Some papers pick Lulli on the left, others Rensch, and others Molina. Il Romanista goes with Balerdi on the left of the defence. La Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Messaggero and Il Corriere dello Sport all predict a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Lulli or Molina on the flanks. Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo both pick Rensch, while Romanews.Euroma and Corriere dello Sport go with Molina. For Gasperini, the choice on the flanks and in midfield will determine how Roma line up against the Premier League side at Old Trafford.

Roma's probable line-up for tonight's Champions League league-phase midpoint has been mapped out, with Niccolò Pisilli alongside Marten de Roon in midfield and Bryan Cristante ahead of Rodrigo Mora in the attacking midfield role, according to Daniele Aloisi in Il Messaggero. Mora's inclusion is not ruled out. Donyell Malen and Matías Soulé are considered untouchable up front. Wesley is expected on the left, with Devyne Rensch pushing Luca Lulli for the right-back spot. Gian Piero Gasperini is set to rely on his strongest players at the back, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso ready to form the back three. Leonardo Balerdi is at risk after training yesterday with a prominent bandage on his right knee. Pierluigi Gollini starts in goal, a player who returns to Manchester after his spell in the youth ranks from 2012 to 2014. Mile Svilar, Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala are again out. Koné and Dybala hope to be available for Saturday's match against Sassuolo, though their involvement is not a given.