Roma rule out free agents; Endrick targeted for January

Francesco Totti has backed Roma to challenge for the Serie A title under Gian Piero Gasperini, speaking at the presentation of a new basketball project for which he has taken an advisory role. The former captain said: "Roma is among the candidates for the Scudetto together with Inter. I didn't expect this start. In 10, 15 league matches the picture will be clearer. Better not to say anything, we need caution. I'll support alongside my people." Totti's endorsement comes as negotiations over his return to the club's executive structure remain active but stalled. Initial discussions at the start of 2026 have hit an impasse over contract length, remuneration and the precise operational scope of any role. Gasperini has reportedly proposed organising a dinner with Totti without formal agenda. The club's hierarchy is convinced Totti will hold a significant position during the celebrations for the club's centenary, though final approval rests with the Friedkin Group ownership. The legendary number ten played his entire career at Roma and has been in continuous discussions about a return to the club's framework, though concrete terms remain unresolved.

AS Roma and adidas have officially unveiled the new third kit for the 2026-27 season, featuring dark grey as the base colour with traditional yellow and red accents on inserts and trim. The design draws inspiration from Roman Fides, representing loyalty, stability and unshakeable trust, with the collar bearing the inscription 'LOTTA CON IL CUORE'—a tribute to a historic Giallorossi chant. Roma's focus now turns to their Champions League debut on Thursday at 18:45 away at Fenerbahce. The Spanish refereeing team will be led by Jesús Gil Manzano, with Diego Barbero and Guadalupe Porras Ayuso as assistants, César Soto Grado on VAR, Valentín Gómez as AVAR, and Juan Martínez Munuera as fourth official. Gil Manzano has two previous encounters with Roma: a 5-3 penalty shootout victory against Feyenoord in the 2023-24 Europa League after a 1-1 draw, and a 2-1 defeat to Borussia Mönchengladbach in the 2019-20 Europa League. Francesco Totti, now an advisor to the newly launched Maxima Roma basketball club in Serie A, spoke to Rai Sport about the Giallorossi. On the title race, he said: "Roma and Inter are the candidates for the title, we're not saying anything and we're waiting for the rest of the season. In 10 or 15 matches we'll see." Reflecting on his connection to the club ahead of the upcoming centenary, Totti stated: "The centenary I'll celebrate with my fans, with my people. What they've always given me I'll give back to them in this beautiful year. Did I expect something different from the club? No, there's no controversy. I'm a Roma supporter and I spent a quarter of a century with them. I think of myself and my fans, as they have always thought of me." Meanwhile, Roma have ruled out moves for two available free agents. Raphael Guerreiro, the Portuguese left-back from Bayern Munich with significant international experience, was proposed by intermediaries but talks did not progress; the club has taken no official steps to pursue the 1993-born player. Similarly, Jadon Sancho will not join Roma. Manager Gasperini and the board have decided against targeting the English winger, who has had complicated recent seasons and remained without a club after failing to renew with Manchester United. Beyond financial obstacles, concerns over his physical and athletic reliability after prolonged absence from group training proved decisive. Roma prefer to wait until January rather than make a short-term signing.

Roma sporting director D'Amico pursued Luiz Henrique, the Zenit winger, until the final day of the transfer window but failed to secure the Brazilian. According to ESPN, Zenit rejected an offer of €38 million plus €5 million in add-ons from Roma — the same package tabled by Al-Ittihad. Botafogo and Flamengo also made enquiries about the forward, but the move did not materialise. Gasperini had been seeking an attack-minded winger throughout the window, and Henrique was among the priority targets. Roma may revisit the possibility in January. The club is not expected to turn to free agents, ruling out players such as Guerreiro and Sancho for now.

Gian Piero Gasperini has announced his squad for Roma's Champions League return at Fenerbahçe on 10 September at 18:45. Lorenzo Pellegrini is the only absentee from the travelling party to Istanbul but is expected to be available for Roma's Serie A match against Torino on Monday. Otherwise Gasperini has the full group at his disposal, including Devyne Rensch, and can select from: Goalkeepers Mile Svilar, Giorgio De Marzi and Pierluigi Gollini. Defenders Devyne Rensch, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi. Midfielders Bryan Cristante, Marten de Roon, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora. Forwards Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala.

Roma begin their Champions League group stage with a trip to Fenerbahce in Istanbul—a match that reunites them with Mason Greenwood, the English forward Gian Piero Gasperini pursued at length as a key target to elevate the squad before negotiations dragged on and allowed Fenerbahce to complete the signing. The fixture carries immediate weight in Roma's European campaign. With Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and a visit to Old Trafford looming in the group, Gasperini has signalled a tightly controlled approach to rotation: the need to gather points early is paramount given the calibre of opponents ahead. Gasperini's selection plan centres on defensive and midfield adjustments. Nahuel Molina will replace Lulli in defence, while in the attacking midfield role the coach favours deploying a central playmaker against a four-man defensive line. This calculation means Rodrigo Mora holds the edge over Matías Soulé in the battle for that berth. Mora has recently been named by the New York Times as one of ten Champions League debutants to watch this season. Approximately 2,300 Roma supporters will travel from the capital to back the team at the Turkish ground. A notable detail of the evening concerns the match kit: under local regulations that prohibit branding linked to gambling, the Eurobet.live logo will be absent from the shirt and will be temporarily replaced by the branding of a charitable organisation.

Roma will line up against Fenerbahce on 10 September using the tactical system Gian Piero Gasperini has favoured since pre-season: a central playmaker operating behind two mobile strikers, rather than two wide attacking midfielders. The formation is designed specifically to disrupt Fenerbahce's build-up play. Ismail Kartal's side typically deploy a 4-2-3-1, which leaves a deep-lying regulator vulnerable in the opening phase; Roma aim to press that regulator and rapidly flood the opposition half once possession is won. This approach proved effective against Fiorentina, Lecce, and Atalanta in the early league matches. The key tactical uncertainty centres on who plays as the central playmaker. Rodrigo Mora naturally favours the role, receiving the ball inside the pitch and immediately seeking a vertical pass. Matías Soulé, deployed from the same position, tends to drift right where he finds his preferred angles and space. However, after scoring decisively against Atalanta, the Argentine appears to have gained ground and could start ahead of the Portuguese midfielder. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are expected to lead the attack; Gasperini has made clear he will not "preserve" Dybala when he is fit, and Dybala is keen to return to Champions League football after a five-year absence. Malen has started the season strongly as a primary attacking reference. On the flanks, Roma are likely to employ the successful approach used against Atalanta: overloading the right to draw pressure and freeing space on the left, where Bryan Cristante launches switches to Wesley. Wesley will be asked to push high and operate almost as an extra attacker during periods of possession in the opposition half. Nahuel Molina's candidacy for the right-back slot has grown after a positive appearance against Atalanta; his international experience may see him preferred to Emanuele Lulli in the starting eleven, though Lulli has delivered solid performances. Leonardo Balerdi, who impressed on Saturday, is in contention at centre-back, though Evan N'Dicka remains the favourite. The expected base formation will see Mile Svilar in goal, Gianluca Mancini, N'Dicka, and Konstantinos Koulierakis in defence, with Molina and Wesley as full-backs, Cristante and Manu Koné in midfield, and either Soulé or Mora supporting Dybala and Malen. Gasperini intends minimal rotation and continuity in identity: high pressure, aggressive spatial occupation, and numerous players advancing into the opposition half.

Gian Piero Gasperini has announced his squad for Roma's Champions League return at Fenerbahçe on 10 September at 18:45. Lorenzo Pellegrini is the only absentee from the travelling party to Istanbul but is expected to be available for Roma's Serie A match against Torino on Monday. Otherwise Gasperini has the full group at his disposal, including Devyne Rensch, and can select from: Goalkeepers Mile Svilar, Giorgio De Marzi and Pierluigi Gollini. Defenders Devyne Rensch, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi. Midfielders Bryan Cristante, Marten de Roon, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora. Forwards Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala.

Jadon Sancho has re-entered Roma's thinking more than a year after the club's pursuit of him ended with his move to Aston Villa last summer. The English winger is now a free agent and represents a potential opportunity for the Giallorossi. Roma's management are considering offering him a performance-based contract, with wages tied to appearances, to provide the right-footed winger Gian Piero Gasperini has requested to complete the attacking department. No negotiations are currently underway, but Sancho remains a concrete option to monitor over the coming weeks. Separately, Roma face travel restrictions for Monday's fixture at Torino, scheduled for 18:30 on 14 September. A ticket sales ban has been imposed for residents of Rome's province, preventing them from attending the match at the Olimpico Grande Torino. Residents elsewhere in Lazio may purchase tickets only in the away section and exclusively with an AS Roma membership card. Roma's Champions League opener against Fenerbahçe is set for Thursday at 18:45 at the Şükrü Saracoğlu in Istanbul. Fenerbahçe have returned to training following a loss to Besiktas and will be without Mateo Guendouzi, suspended by UEFA for the match after incidents in a preliminary tie against Lyon. Marco Asensio is under assessment after two weeks out with injury and has not featured in training. Fenerbahçe's coach hopes to recover Akturkoglu and to have Romelu Lukaku at full fitness, while Oosterwolde remains unavailable following surgery. Analyst Piero Torri stated: "Roma are currently unbeaten alongside Inter, and these are certainly positive responses. From now until December it will be entirely a question of injuries: if Roma are not hit by injuries, their squad is sufficient. All the same, Pisilli and Rensch remained on the bench on Saturday, and Pellegrini will return." Commentator Carina added: "Roma are finally 'Gasperini-style': they are the same Roma we saw in Gasperini's Atalanta. Three matches and three games in the Gasperini style: they never stop. It is a squad that takes your breath away. And for the first time a coach wins the match by removing two defenders: had he not taken off N'Dicka and Mancini, Roma would have suffered a second goal, because both fail to understand each other against Kristovic and run into difficulty."

Roma have begun preparation for their Champions League debut of the 2026–27 season with a clean bill of health. Lorenzo Pellegrini has returned to regular training with the squad and is targeting selection for the trip to Istanbul. Evan N'Dicka and Devyne Rensch are also available, allowing head coach Gian Piero Gasperini to prepare for the competition opener with a full roster. The squad trained at Trigoria on 7 September following their comeback win against Atalanta in Serie A. Roma will face Fenerbahçe at Istanbul on Thursday 10 September at 18:45. The match marks the club's entry into the Champions League group phase after qualifying third in Serie A last season. Gasperini's squad have won three consecutive league matches, a run that has lifted confidence and mood within the group. Video footage from training released on Roma's social channels showed an intense session despite the heat, with visible camaraderie among the players reflecting the positive mood after Saturday's victory. The team will train again on 8 September to continue final preparations for the Fenerbahçe fixture.