Roma reportedly eye Kvernadze, Gittens and Endrick as Gasperini seeks a winger; Sabatini cites a €4m release clause

Roma remain interested in Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde, but a deal may only move forward in the final days of January, according to Spanish reports. The 2003-born defender is increasingly on the fringes of Hansi Flick's plans at Barcelona and is reportedly considering a new move to find regular football. Spanish reports suggest Roma would be his first choice if he leaves the Camp Nou. Jorge Mendes, Balde's agent, is trying to unlock the situation with a solution that satisfies all parties. Barcelona would like to receive a fee for the player, while Roma would prefer a loan, possibly with an option to buy linked to certain conditions. That gap in approach has so far prevented talks from taking off. Wages are a second obstacle. Balde would reportedly earn around 5.5 million euros net per season, a figure above the parameters Roma want to respect, so an agreement on his salary would also be needed. Citing the Spanish newspaper Sport, Mendes is reportedly working to find a sustainable formula. Roma are not in a hurry. Sporting director Tony D'Amico is focused mainly on strengthening the attack, with Endrick, Gittens and Lookman among the names being monitored. Signing another wide player has temporarily moved down the list. The Balde option could return to the agenda in the closing phase of the winter window if conditions become more favourable. Otherwise, the discussion could be postponed until the summer. Gasperini appreciates the qualities of the Spanish full-back, a quick and attacking wide player who could add quality to Roma's flanks. Competition is not lacking, however, as Juventus and several Premier League clubs are also following the situation. Roma may therefore have to wait, relying on Mendes's work and the player's willingness to create a concrete opportunity. For now the Balde pursuit remains open but is not an immediate priority. Barcelona have yet to find a solution for the player's future, and Mendes continues to test the possibilities. If the Spaniard does leave Catalonia, Roma could play their cards particularly at the end of January, when the attacking market should be clearer and Barcelona's demands could become more negotiable.

Roma have reportedly put the brakes on their pursuit of Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde, according to Spanish daily SPORT, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini reportedly identifying other priorities for the squad. The update, dated 11 November, comes after Roma had been linked with the Spaniard as they look to strengthen ahead of the January transfer window. Sporting director Tony D'Amico had reportedly been weighing up Balde, a left-back who could leave Barcelona as early as January. The deal was first proposed by agent Jorge Mendes, and D'Amico reportedly rated the player's qualities positively. However, Balde's high wage demands and Roma's current market needs have reportedly cooled negotiations. Gasperini has reportedly asked the club to focus on two offensive reinforcements with very specific characteristics, and is willing to drop the Balde option to concentrate resources on other targets he considers more functional to the technical project. For now, the Spaniard has reportedly fallen off Roma's list of priorities. Earlier, on 7 November, SPORT had reported that D'Amico had already made a first contact with Balde's agent to test whether the operation was feasible. At Barcelona, the need to raise funds is reportedly colliding with head coach Hansi Flick's wish to invest in a new centre-back. With only 124 minutes played so far this season, Balde has reportedly become one of the main candidates for sale. Barcelona's valuation is said to be around €40 million, though a loan with a conditional obligation to buy could reportedly suit both sides. The background is a difficult spell for Roma. Earlier, on 23 October, Il Messaggero reported that a growing injury list, including Pellegrini, Dybala, Svilar and Koné, had left Gasperini forced to rethink his attacking midfield, with only Mora and Soulé behind Malen and Cristante even considered further forward. The club was reportedly expected to invest in at least two reinforcements between attack and the flanks in January, with Gittens and Leweling on the notebook and Endrick as a complicated option. Oosterwolde was also mentioned as a left-sided target alongside Balde.

Roma and Bologna are set to hold talks in the coming weeks to discuss the future of striker Artem Dovbyk, according to Matteo Moretto. Bologna are reportedly beginning to doubt that Dovbyk is the right striker for their side, in light of the difficulties he has encountered settling in so far. Roma, however, have not planned for the Ukrainian's return in January. The Giallorossi have set their annual sporting plan without including the reintegration of the former Girona forward at mid-season. The upcoming talks between the two clubs will establish the best solution for all parties involved. Dovbyk joined Roma in July 2024 from Girona in a deal worth €38m, and he is on loan at Bologna. The coming discussions will decide whether the centre-forward's situation is resolved before the winter window.

Roma have reportedly put the brakes on their pursuit of Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde, according to Spanish daily SPORT, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini reportedly identifying other priorities for the squad. The update, dated 11 November, comes after Roma had been linked with the Spaniard as they look to strengthen ahead of the January transfer window. Sporting director Tony D'Amico had reportedly been weighing up Balde, a left-back who could leave Barcelona as early as January. The deal was first proposed by agent Jorge Mendes, and D'Amico reportedly rated the player's qualities positively. However, Balde's high wage demands and Roma's current market needs have reportedly cooled negotiations. Gasperini has reportedly asked the club to focus on two offensive reinforcements with very specific characteristics, and is willing to drop the Balde option to concentrate resources on other targets he considers more functional to the technical project. For now, the Spaniard has reportedly fallen off Roma's list of priorities. Earlier, on 7 November, SPORT had reported that D'Amico had already made a first contact with Balde's agent to test whether the operation was feasible. At Barcelona, the need to raise funds is reportedly colliding with head coach Hansi Flick's wish to invest in a new centre-back. With only 124 minutes played so far this season, Balde has reportedly become one of the main candidates for sale. Barcelona's valuation is said to be around €40 million, though a loan with a conditional obligation to buy could reportedly suit both sides. The background is a difficult spell for Roma. Earlier, on 23 October, Il Messaggero reported that a growing injury list, including Pellegrini, Dybala, Svilar and Koné, had left Gasperini forced to rethink his attacking midfield, with only Mora and Soulé behind Malen and Cristante even considered further forward. The club was reportedly expected to invest in at least two reinforcements between attack and the flanks in January, with Gittens and Leweling on the notebook and Endrick as a complicated option. Oosterwolde was also mentioned as a left-sided target alongside Balde.

Roma radio pundits used the latest edition of the On Air roundup to debate the club's January transfer plans, with Daniele Lo Monaco of Radio Romanista claiming that Roma would win the Scudetto if they could sign Gittens and Endrick. He added: "If I could have Gittens and Endrick today, Roma would win the Scudetto. Or at least they would fight it out until the last matchday with Inter." The Italian headline also carries comments from Lorenzo Pes and Checco Oddo Casano on the UEFA financial verdict and its effect on the market. The main backdrop is the Financial Fair Play case. Gianluca Piacentini of Rete Sport said the UEFA ruling will come in May, and that the parameters had already been reported: the reduction of the squad cost and Roma's virtuous process, helped by Champions League money. He said: "I take it as good news, Roma are on a virtuous path." Casano disagreed on the market impact, saying: "Nobody has ever talked about a blocked market. Nobody at Trigoria is certain of a budget to spend in January, regardless of the UEFA matter." He added: "Not knowing what kind of verdict you will get, you cannot go to Real in January and say: 'Here are 70 million for Endrick'. You would risk worsening your position in the eyes of your judge." On the squad, Roberto Pruzzo said: "Roma have reacted well to the absences: Soulè has played very well and has at times taken the team in hand, while the striker up front has dropped off a little, but it seems to me you have absorbed the injuries well. Now you can restart with more certainties." Lo Monaco argued that Castro and Malen struggle to play together, as they do more or less the same things, and that Endrick could be the alternative to Dybala with Mora as a trequartista. Andrea Pugliese said Soulè and Dybala do their best work on the right and asked where Soulè would play once Dybala returns to the starting line-up, adding that Dybala would be almost certain to start in Parma. Petruzzi said Mora has scored 4 goals and Soulè has also scored, and that Dybala will play whenever he is at 100%. On Lookman, Mario Corsi said: "With Gasperini I would take Lookman. He has scored only one goal at Atletico Madrid, and maybe that is why they are ready to sell him." Pes said: "If I had to sign someone who can really help you, it would be Lookman. If there were the chance to work together again, the old grudges would be smoothed over." He also said that Gasperini does not want a Greenwood-type player but someone who can help, and that a midfield reinforcement may be needed given Koné's injury record and Pellegrini's absence. Pes added that a major sale is hard to see at this point of the season. Pes said the official FPF sanction will arrive in the spring, but that Roma will probably know something in the coming weeks. On the January window, he said: "We cannot take anything for granted, but something will be done." Nando Orsi, also of Radio Radio, defended Svilar, arguing that his absence has not cost Roma points in Serie A or the Champions League, and that the only goalkeeper without blame against Real was the goalkeeper himself.

Dybala and Mancini have returned to training with the group at Trigoria, with both now in contention for Roma's trip to Parma on 21 November. The squad resumed work after three days' rest with thirteen players away on international duty, and Gian Piero Gasperini used the break to clear the injury list. Paulo Dybala is gradually overcoming a calf injury, while Gianluca Mancini has almost shaken off a muscle complaint. Their responses will be assessed over the coming days, but the chances of both being available at the Tardini are growing. There are also encouraging signs for Mile Svilar, who is still training apart from the group but has put his boots back on after weeks in a protective boot for a foot injury, boosting hopes of his return in goal against Parma. His recovery will also allow Pierluigi Gollini to recover more calmly from the back problem that cost him the last two matches. Gasperini is now looking ahead to the January window and will discuss the matter this week with sporting director Tony D'Amico and chief executive John Galantic. The coach's priority is to add offensive options with a profile offering pace and unpredictability. Three different options are on the club's list, though none has yet become a concrete negotiation. The internal discussions come against a backdrop of a cool and distant relationship between Gasperini and the Friedkin family. No meetings with the ownership are currently planned to define winter strategy, so the talks with D'Amico and Galantic will serve to set priorities and room for manoeuvre while awaiting decisions from the American owners.

Roma have reportedly put the brakes on their pursuit of Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde, according to Spanish daily SPORT, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini reportedly identifying other priorities for the squad. The update, dated 11 November, comes after Roma had been linked with the Spaniard as they look to strengthen ahead of the January transfer window. Sporting director Tony D'Amico had reportedly been weighing up Balde, a left-back who could leave Barcelona as early as January. The deal was first proposed by agent Jorge Mendes, and D'Amico reportedly rated the player's qualities positively. However, Balde's high wage demands and Roma's current market needs have reportedly cooled negotiations. Gasperini has reportedly asked the club to focus on two offensive reinforcements with very specific characteristics, and is willing to drop the Balde option to concentrate resources on other targets he considers more functional to the technical project. For now, the Spaniard has reportedly fallen off Roma's list of priorities. Earlier, on 7 November, SPORT had reported that D'Amico had already made a first contact with Balde's agent to test whether the operation was feasible. At Barcelona, the need to raise funds is reportedly colliding with head coach Hansi Flick's wish to invest in a new centre-back. With only 124 minutes played so far this season, Balde has reportedly become one of the main candidates for sale. Barcelona's valuation is said to be around €40 million, though a loan with a conditional obligation to buy could reportedly suit both sides. The background is a difficult spell for Roma. Earlier, on 23 October, Il Messaggero reported that a growing injury list, including Pellegrini, Dybala, Svilar and Koné, had left Gasperini forced to rethink his attacking midfield, with only Mora and Soulé behind Malen and Cristante even considered further forward. The club was reportedly expected to invest in at least two reinforcements between attack and the flanks in January, with Gittens and Leweling on the notebook and Endrick as a complicated option. Oosterwolde was also mentioned as a left-sided target alongside Balde.

Roma midfielder Marten de Roon has criticised the Netherlands, saying the Dutch national side lacks the fierce conviction Argentine players show to push beyond their limits, and he drew the comparison with his own club. Speaking to Ziggo Sport, the Dutch international, who has been called up again by his national team, said the Oranje have quality but are missing that edge. De Roon has quickly become an important figure in the Roma squad, praised for his leadership, his hundreds of recovered balls and a well-established working relationship with Gasperini. He has watched two of the Netherlands' four matches under new head coach Xavi and said the side had performed well, pointing to a positive display against Germany and an excellent second half in the away fixture against Greece. "I saw two of the four matches and we did well. Against Germany the performance was positive and the second half away to Greece was excellent. I glimpsed Xavi's imprint, we have to be positive. The quality is there. What we lack is that fierce conviction the Argentines have to go beyond the limit. I see it here at Roma too: we have several Argentines in the squad, like Molina, Dybala, Castro. Off the pitch they are sociable, but when they play they transform themselves to win. If we developed a bit more cohesion combined with the talent we have, sooner or later we will win."

Marten de Roon has said that Paulo Dybala, Nahuel Molina and Santiago Castro have a winning mentality that the Netherlands need to learn, in a long interview with Ziggo Sport. The Roma midfielder spoke about his surprise recall to the Netherlands squad for last summer's World Cup and the national team's progress under head coach Xavi Hernández. De Roon recalled a brief conversation with Ronald Koeman in March, when the then coach told him he was not part of his plans at that time but that something could change ahead of the World Cup. He was given no guarantees. He said he occasionally saw his name in the newspapers when there were injuries, but tried not to get his hopes up. Playing regularly at Atalanta gave him confidence, and he told Koeman simply to focus on his work and that he would be available if needed. He said he had never said goodbye to the national team. When Koeman phoned him at the end of the season, De Roon said he immediately sensed good news. He recalled being asked how he was and whether he was in form, before hearing: "For me there are no doubts, come with us". "From that moment I think I had a smile on my face until the end of the World Cup." De Roon said his mindset at this World Cup was different from 2022, when he set out aiming to play as much as possible. "Compared to 2022, when I left with the aim of playing as much as possible, this time I had a different mindset. If I could have helped the team on the pitch it would have been fantastic, but I was ready to do it off the pitch too. I had been told I was important to the group, for my attitude and the experience I could pass on. I tried to bring positive energy and always make myself available. I knew exactly what my role was and tried to live every moment to the full. Unfortunately we did not achieve the result we hoped for, but I enjoyed every single moment." He also praised the tournament's organisation in the United States: "There was some scepticism before the tournament started, but I have to say everything was organised excellently. The atmosphere was fantastic, as were the facilities. We had everything a national team could need. We trained at an extraordinary sports centre and people were happy to meet us in the street. We lacked nothing, and the mood within the group was exceptional." Looking ahead under Xavi, De Roon said he had watched two of the national team's last four matches and felt the signs were positive. "The performance against Germany pleased me, and the second half against Greece was very good. Xavi's influence is already visible, and we must look to the future with optimism. The quality is there. Perhaps what we need is a little more competitive aggression, that fierce mentality that allows the Argentinians to go beyond their limits. I see it here at Roma too with players like Molina, Dybala and Castro: off the pitch they are calm people, but when they step on to the pitch they completely transform themselves in order to win. If we manage to combine our talent with greater cohesion and mentality, sooner or later we will win again."

Roma midfielder Marten de Roon has criticised the Netherlands, saying the Dutch national side lacks the fierce conviction Argentine players show to push beyond their limits, and he drew the comparison with his own club. Speaking to Ziggo Sport, the Dutch international, who has been called up again by his national team, said the Oranje have quality but are missing that edge. De Roon has quickly become an important figure in the Roma squad, praised for his leadership, his hundreds of recovered balls and a well-established working relationship with Gasperini. He has watched two of the Netherlands' four matches under new head coach Xavi and said the side had performed well, pointing to a positive display against Germany and an excellent second half in the away fixture against Greece. "I saw two of the four matches and we did well. Against Germany the performance was positive and the second half away to Greece was excellent. I glimpsed Xavi's imprint, we have to be positive. The quality is there. What we lack is that fierce conviction the Argentines have to go beyond the limit. I see it here at Roma too: we have several Argentines in the squad, like Molina, Dybala, Castro. Off the pitch they are sociable, but when they play they transform themselves to win. If we developed a bit more cohesion combined with the talent we have, sooner or later we will win."

Marten de Roon has said that Paulo Dybala, Nahuel Molina and Santiago Castro have a winning mentality that the Netherlands need to learn, in a long interview with Ziggo Sport. The Roma midfielder spoke about his surprise recall to the Netherlands squad for last summer's World Cup and the national team's progress under head coach Xavi Hernández. De Roon recalled a brief conversation with Ronald Koeman in March, when the then coach told him he was not part of his plans at that time but that something could change ahead of the World Cup. He was given no guarantees. He said he occasionally saw his name in the newspapers when there were injuries, but tried not to get his hopes up. Playing regularly at Atalanta gave him confidence, and he told Koeman simply to focus on his work and that he would be available if needed. He said he had never said goodbye to the national team. When Koeman phoned him at the end of the season, De Roon said he immediately sensed good news. He recalled being asked how he was and whether he was in form, before hearing: "For me there are no doubts, come with us". "From that moment I think I had a smile on my face until the end of the World Cup." De Roon said his mindset at this World Cup was different from 2022, when he set out aiming to play as much as possible. "Compared to 2022, when I left with the aim of playing as much as possible, this time I had a different mindset. If I could have helped the team on the pitch it would have been fantastic, but I was ready to do it off the pitch too. I had been told I was important to the group, for my attitude and the experience I could pass on. I tried to bring positive energy and always make myself available. I knew exactly what my role was and tried to live every moment to the full. Unfortunately we did not achieve the result we hoped for, but I enjoyed every single moment." He also praised the tournament's organisation in the United States: "There was some scepticism before the tournament started, but I have to say everything was organised excellently. The atmosphere was fantastic, as were the facilities. We had everything a national team could need. We trained at an extraordinary sports centre and people were happy to meet us in the street. We lacked nothing, and the mood within the group was exceptional." Looking ahead under Xavi, De Roon said he had watched two of the national team's last four matches and felt the signs were positive. "The performance against Germany pleased me, and the second half against Greece was very good. Xavi's influence is already visible, and we must look to the future with optimism. The quality is there. Perhaps what we need is a little more competitive aggression, that fierce mentality that allows the Argentinians to go beyond their limits. I see it here at Roma too with players like Molina, Dybala and Castro: off the pitch they are calm people, but when they step on to the pitch they completely transform themselves in order to win. If we manage to combine our talent with greater cohesion and mentality, sooner or later we will win again."

Roma are already looking beyond the expiry of Marten de Roon's contract, with the club reportedly keen to extend the Dutch midfielder's deal for next season if he continues playing at his current level. Il Corriere dello Sport reports that the board would be prepared to retain him beyond his current contract, should the 35-year-old decide to keep playing and the season continue at the current standard, a scenario considered likely at present. De Roon arrived in the summer to reunite with Gian Piero Gasperini and bring experience and reliability to the new Giallorossi project. He has shown important qualities both technically and physically, and he will turn 36 in March, an age that does not appear to be an obstacle. The former Atalanta player has shown he can meet the demands of Gasperini's football, quickly becoming a reference point for the midfield and the dressing room. The financial side is not expected to complicate any agreement. Over the summer the player had already preferred the chance to work again with Gasperini, who had personally contacted him to convince him to move to the capital. De Roon's priority, the report says, remains to be useful to Roma and to his longtime coach. After his first weeks were devoted mainly to recovering his best condition, following a complicated summer, De Roon has gradually settled into his new daily life. He has moved to Casal Palocco, close to some of his teammates, and his relationship with Roma and the environment at Trigoria is strengthening. The first assessment is therefore already strongly positive, and according to the newspaper, should De Roon decide to continue his career, agreeing a renewal could become little more than a formality.