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

Leonardo Balerdi's loan deal from Marseille contains a complex purchase structure tied directly to his match appearances. If the Argentine defender plays in at least 55% of Roma's fixtures across all competitions for a minimum of 45 minutes, the buyout becomes mandatory at €14 million. Should his appearance rate fall between 40 and 55%, the obligation drops to €11 million. Marseille has secured a protection clause requiring Roma to pay a minimum €9 million if Balerdi accumulates just 20% of minutes played in the second half of the season. Balerdi will earn €1.5 million annually under the loan agreement—a significantly reduced figure relative to his market value—with a salary increase guaranteed if Roma exercise the permanent transfer option from next season onwards.

Inter have tracked several Roma players across multiple transfer windows, with some coming closer to a move than others. Mile Svilar was a target in summer 2025 before he renewed his contract with Roma, while contacts were made with Gianluca Mancini's representatives in early July when his deal was set to expire in 2027. Nahuel Molina was examined as a possible replacement for Dumfries, and in spring Inter president Marotta considered Lorenzo Pellegrini as an option. The most serious pursuit came in summer 2025 when director Ausilio agreed a deal with Roma's then sporting director Massara for Manu Koné on 15 August—reportedly worth 40 million euros plus bonuses—but Roma's ownership halted the transfer following supporter unrest. Paulo Dybala represents perhaps the most intriguing near-miss. In June 2022, fresh from leaving Juventus, his agent secured an agreement with Inter for a contract worth 6 million euros. The move collapsed when Inter owner Zhang hesitated, head coach Simone Inzaghi harboured doubts about the fit, and the club could not offload Alexis Correa elsewhere. Inter ultimately pivoted to bringing Romelu Lukaku back on loan instead. The article, published by Federico Masini in Tuttosport, frames these overlapping negotiations as a series of alternate paths in the transfer market. It traces how each of these Roma players—Svilar, Mancini, Pellegrini, Molina, Koné and Dybala—has at different times occupied Inter's thinking, whether as established targets or passing considerations.

Ahead of the big match between Roma and Inter, the transfer market reveals a thread connecting the two clubs over recent years: failed negotiations, hidden probes and shared targets that have intertwined their strategies from goalkeeper to attack. Inter considered Mile Svilar before his 2025 renewal, and came close to signing Mario Hermoso in 2024 before Oaktree's green-line policy on free transfers halted the move. The Nerazzurri also evaluated Evan N'Dicka and Gianluca Mancini, though the latter never wavered in his commitment to Roma despite Inter's interest. The clubs also conducted scouting missions for Nahuel Molina and Lorenzo Pellegrini on the flanks and in midfield. The biggest near-miss involved Manu Koné: in summer 2025, Inter reached an agreement worth 40 million euros, but Roma's ownership blocked the deal after a strong reaction from the supporters. The greatest regret for Inter remains Paulo Dybala, who came very close to joining the Nerazzurri in 2022. Zhang began to waver, Inzaghi was not entirely convinced, and Inter ultimately chose to pursue Lukaku's return on loan instead. That decision effectively cleared the path for Dybala's historic move to Roma.

Gian Piero Gasperini has settled his starting XI for the clash against Inter after a training session and an overnight stay by the squad at the Fulvio Bernardini centre in Trigoria. The Roma head coach is building the team around tactical certainties and the recovery of key players to full fitness. In defence, Evan N'Dicka has made a full recovery and will return to the starting lineup alongside Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso, who is completely recovered from an ankle knock suffered mid-week. Leonardo Balerdi remains available as a substitute option, with Gasperini having outlined his philosophy on defensive changes: "We need to get used to making substitutions with defenders — a strong centre-back can be a weapon even during the game." On the flanks, Emanuele Lulli will continue at right-back, his form outweighing the candidacy of Nahuel Molina, while Wesley returns to the starting XI at left-back after missing the previous match in Turin. In midfield, Manu Koné and Bryan Cristante form the established pairing despite strong performances from Niccolò Pisilli and Marten De Roon. On the attacking midfield, Matías Soulé holds a clear advantage over Rodrigo Mora to complete the offensive unit alongside Paulo Dybala — set for his sixth consecutive start in less than a month — in support of striker Donyell Malen.

Roma host Inter at the Olimpico in a direct battle for Serie A's top spot, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side seeking to extend their perfect record against Cristian Chivu's team. The fixture pits the league's two most potent attacking units against each other: Roma have scored 12 goals in their first four matches this season, up from 3 in the same period last season, while Inter have netted 13, a gain of two from 2025. Roma operate at a high tempo with an average midfield line of 55.8 metres and average 21.3 shots per game; Inter rely on directness and quick transitions as their main weapon. Historically, Roma-Inter is Serie A's highest-scoring fixture, with 340 goals across 186 matches at an average of 2.9 per game. For Gasperini, victory offers a chance to reach a significant milestone: a tenth consecutive league win. That feat has been achieved only twice in Roma's history—by Rudi Garcia in 2013–14 and Luciano Spalletti in 2005–06. At the Olimpico across all Serie A meetings, Roma hold a slim advantage: 34 wins to Inter's 33 from 93 encounters, with 26 draws. Roma have scored 139 goals at home in these clashes to Inter's 135. Arbitro Davide Massa will oversee the match. Gasperini is expected to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation: Svilar in goal; a back three of Mancini, Balerdi and Hermoso; Wesley and Lulli on the flanks with Koné and Cristante in midfield; Dybala and Pellegrini supporting Malen as the single striker. The main pre-match uncertainties concern the defence, where Balerdi is favoured over N'Dicka (60%–40%), and the right flank, where Lulli holds an edge over Molina (65%–35%). Among the standout performers, Paulo Dybala has five career goals against Inter, though only one wearing Roma's shirt, while Inter forward Marcus Thuram has scored four against Roma—among his preferred targets in Italy.

Roma host Inter at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday 19 September at 18:00 in Serie A's fifth round, a clash between the only two unbeaten sides after four matches. Both teams arrive with 12 points from four wins apiece—Roma's latest a 2–0 victory at Torino, Inter's a 5–3 comeback win over Udinese. Roma lead on goal difference in what marks the first genuine test of the season for two sides in outstanding form. Gian Piero Gasperini reports a fully fit squad for the match. Evan N'Dicka has recovered from a gastrointestinal issue, Wesley from a knock to his ankle, and Mario Hermoso from a contusion sustained during the week. Lorenzo Pellegrini is back in full training after two weeks out and available for selection, though likely as a substitute. Gasperini has deployed a 3–4–2–1 formation in recent games and may continue it here, weighing whether to use Niccolò Pisilli as a secondary forward alongside Paulo Dybala behind Donyell Malen, or to maintain Matías Soulé in that role for greater midfield cover against Inter's attack. At fullback, a contest remains between Emanuele Lulli and Nahuel Molina on the right, with Lulli slightly favored, while Wesley returns on the left. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné are expected to form the midfield partnership. In defence, Gianluca Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso are lined up to start, though Leonardo Balerdi continues to press the Ivorian after recent strong displays. Inter, managed by Cristian Chivu, are without key midfield figure Hakan Calhanoglu, sidelined by a right adductor muscle strain and unavailable until after the international break. John Stones is also absent with a hamstring issue, and Denzil Spence is not yet ready. Josep Martinez is expected to retain the goalkeeper role despite some recent lapses. The back three should feature Yann Bisseck, Mohammed Akanji and Alessandro Bastoni. On the right, Luis Henrique is favored over the fatigued Diouf, while Federico Dimarco returns at left-back. Piotr Zielinski takes Calhanoglu's role in midfield alongside Nicolò Barella and Curtis Jones, who is preferred to Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Mario Sucic. Lautaro Martinez, rested against Udinese, will start alongside Marcus Thuram in attack. Betting markets show an extremely tight contest, with Inter marginally favored: Roma victory is quoted at 2.70–2.76, a draw at 3.35–3.50, and Inter at 2.50–2.60. Over 2.5 goals trades at 1.60, reflecting both teams' attacking prowess, though Roma have shown superior defensive solidity so far. The match is exclusive to DAZN, available through the app on smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, consoles and computers, with no broadcast on standard Sky Sport channels. Referee is Davide Massa, assisted by Meli and Berti, fourth official Maresca, VAR Mazzoleni, and assistant VAR Di Paolo.

Roma made it four wins from four Serie A matches, with Donyell Malen opening the scoring once again and Niccolò Pisilli adding a second goal despite cramping. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini fielded a reshuffled lineup on the night, confirming his pre-match assertion that all his players are of first-team calibre. The squad showed intensity throughout, refusing to surrender ground in what became a dominant display. Gasperini earned a rating of 7 to 8 from the major Italian newspapers, reflecting the positive impression of his tactical handling. Leonardo Balerdi emerged as the standout performer in defence, earning marks between 7 and 8 across outlets, taking command of the back line. Malen received consistent recognition for his attacking threat, rated 7 to 7.5 across publications. The 3-4-2-1 shape allowed Roma to control proceedings, with the manager's use of substitutions demonstrating his confidence in squad depth. Gazzetta della Sport rated Svilar 7, Mancini 6.5, and Hermoso 6.5, with Pisilli at 7. Corriere dello Sport gave Balerdi an 8, Dybala 7.5, and Malen 7.5, with Gasperini earning 8. Il Messaggero rated Balerdi 7.5 and Malen 7.5. Il Tempo awarded Balerdi 7.5 and Malen 7. Leggo gave Malen 7.5. Substitutions included Rensch, Koné, De Roon, Mora, and Castro, reflecting the manager's willingness to rotate across the squad.

Roma lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation for their Serie A match at Torino on 14 September 2026, with Niccolò Pisilli and Emanuele Lulli in the starting eleven. Matías Soulé was preferred to Rodrigo Mora in the forward line, while Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen completed the attacking unit. Gianluca Mancini, Mario Hermoso and Leonardo Balerdi formed the back three, with Bryan Cristante and Pisilli operating in midfield alongside Nahuel Molina and the left-side defender. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini named Mile Svilar in goal. The bench included several squad options: De Marzi, Gollini, Koulierakis, Ghilardi, Wesley, Devyne Rensch, Marten de Roon, Manu Koné, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Santiago Castro and Mora. Torino, managed by Abate, deployed a 3-5-1-1 formation led by Simeone in attack, with Vlasic supporting. The match was refereed by Maresca, with Tegoni and Fontani as assistants, Sozza as fourth official, and Aureliano on VAR duties with Ghersini as assistant VAR.

Roma face Torino in Serie A on 14 September at 18:30, four days after their Champions League return, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini managing squad rotation following the trip to Istanbul. The starting XI appears largely settled, though midfield and the right flank remain open questions. Svilar will start in goal, with the familiar trio of Mancini, Ndicka and Hermoso in defence; Ghilardi is the alternative. Wesley is expected to hold the left-back spot, while the right side is contested between Lulli and Rensch, with Lulli marginally favoured, though Gasperini indicated in his press conference that his condition would need to be assessed before the match. The main shift could come in midfield. Manu Koné picked up a knee problem against Fenerbahçe, opening the door for Nicolò Pisilli to partner Bryan Cristante; Koné has attempted recovery and remains an option. Dybala and Donyell Malen are set pieces in attack, with Matías Soulé the likely choice to complete the forward line, while Rodrigo Mora stands ready either from the start or as an in-match solution. The probable Roma formation is 3-4-2-1: Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Lulli, Cristante, Pisilli, Wesley; Soulé, Dybala; Malen.