Roma's unwanted players delay their exits as Gasperini demands squad continuity

Negotiations between Roma and Porto over Rodrigo Mora have stalled over the conditions attached to a mandatory purchase clause. The two clubs had appeared close to agreement on the structure — a loan fee of €7–8 million with a right of redemption worth €42–43 million that would convert to an obligation upon the achievement of certain targets — but recent hours have brought a slowdown as both sides clash on what those targets should be. Roma wants to include 60 per cent of appearances and qualification to the next Champions League as the conditions that would trigger the obligation to buy. Porto, by contrast, is seeking more favourable terms and simpler conditions to meet, according to reports. The divergence reflects each club's different risk appetite: Roma seeking to tie Mora's permanent arrival to measurable on-pitch performance and European success, while Porto wants guarantees that require less from the player and the club. The talks remain complicated, with decisive developments expected in the coming hours.

Nahuel Molina has completed his transfer to Roma and was formally presented to the club on 12 August 2026. The World Cup-winning full-back spoke to the media following his arrival, explaining his decision to join. "I chose Roma because I think it's a great team, with very warm supporters. It's a strong squad that is performing well," Molina said. "The reception has been beautiful, and I want to repay all of this. I will always give my maximum, which is what I have always done in my career. To leave everything on the pitch for the team and do my best." Molina will wear number 20 at the Giallorossi, a fresh choice for his career. The Argentine defender said he felt welcomed immediately upon arrival, having spoken with teammates including Paulo Dybala and another player. He confirmed his flexibility in defensive shape, having played in both a back three and higher up the pitch: "I have played in both positions, I feel comfortable both higher or lower. It also changes during the match, depending on the manager's choice and also on the opponents." Molina expressed enthusiasm about playing in Serie A again and competing in the Champions League with Roma. On settling in the city with his family, he reflected: "I have spoken a lot with my wife, we really liked the city. For my little girl there is no better place to grow up." He also praised the supporter culture, saying he expected the Stadio Olimpico to be special, and thanked the fans for their reception.

Nahuel Molina has completed his move to Roma and given his first interview to the club's official channels. The Argentine expressed his delight at joining the Giallorossi, describing the welcome he received at the airport where fans sang his name. "I chose Roma because I think it's a great club, with truly passionate fans," Molina said. "The squad is strong and has done great things in recent years. All of this led me to choose Roma. I'm really happy to be here." Molina, who played for Atlético Madrid before his arrival, highlighted his familiarity with several current Roma squad members as a factor in his decision. He will wear the number 20 shirt, explaining the choice as a fresh start: "I simply wanted something new. It's a new beginning. I liked number 20 and it was free. For me it's a new situation and a new challenge in my career." The winger described himself as a player who always gives everything and operates effectively from both advanced and deeper positions. Molina expressed particular excitement about playing at the Stadio Olimpico and Roma's return to the Champions League. "It will be truly special," he said. "I imagine a full Olimpico, with fans supporting the team in every match. The Champions League is a fantastic competition, something different. It's beautiful to play in it and it's very important that Roma participates in this competition."

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is building a Roma side defined by youth, technical fluency, and aggressive attacking play, with quality and skill prioritized over physical presence. The structure centres on Rodrigo Mora, a slight-framed playmaker and dribbler who will compete with Lorenzo Pellegrini for a starting role, while Donyell Malen leads the forward line alongside technically gifted players including Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé. Offensive thrust will also flow from attacking full-backs such as Wesley, supported by various transfer targets including potential arrivals at centre-back and in midfield. With the team so heavily weighted towards attack, the stability of Roma's shape depends almost entirely on Manu Koné, who will screen the defence and reclaim possession alongside Bryan Cristante. The French midfielder's long-term future remains uncertain, however, and any departure would leave a void difficult to fill in the short term. Gasperini's vision prioritizes technical excellence across the attacking third, with contributions from wider areas through offensively minded defenders and young, technical players who can operate in varied roles across the pitch.

Roma ended their pre-season training camp in Wales with a 3–0 defeat to Brighton. Rutter and Ayari, who scored twice, were decisive for the home side. The loss concluded what proved a disappointing retreat before the Giallorossi return to Rome and prepare for their final warm-up fixture against Borussia Dortmund ahead of the 2026–27 season launch. In the second half against Brighton, Castro and Koulierakis were brought on to gain match time. Back at Trigoria, Roma await the return of Pellegrini and Koné, the latter having rejoined the squad after his summer break. Individual performances saw Bryan Cristante earn a rating of 6 for his display, while Mario Hermoso (4) and Wesley (4.5) both endured difficult afternoons in defence.

Roma suffered a second defeat in three pre-season outings, losing 3–0 to Brighton in what Gasperini described as a concerning display two weeks before the season begins. Wesley emerged as the standout performer, while Neil El Aynaoui stepped back from his midweek form, and the defence was repeatedly breached. Gianluca Mancini (5) lost his man on Brighton's third goal and appeared less commanding than usual, while Mario Hermoso (5) was partly culpable for the opening goal and departed with a foot problem. Evan N'Dicka (5.5) offered insufficient security at the back, and Devyne Rensch (4.5) endured a forgettable afternoon at right-back following several indecisions; Koulierakis (6) and Daniele Ghilardi (6) came on at half-time and improved the display, though the match was already decided. Wesley (6) impressed with his physicality and athleticism, particularly a close effort at the 28-minute mark, while Paulo Dybala (5.5) created Roma's most dangerous opportunity despite a subdued showing. Neil El Aynaoui (4.5) was erratic in midfield, losing the ball in an exchange with Rensch that led to Brighton's second goal. Bryan Cristante (5.5), the captain, struggled to control the midfield as his experience might demand. Matías Soulé (5.5) lacked incisiveness despite constant movement. Donyell Malen (5) remained short of match fitness and rarely troubled the goalkeeper. Gasperini rated the performance 5, noting that Roma has conceded eleven goals across the last 360 minutes of pre-season play. Though he acknowledged no points are at stake in August, he expressed disappointment for the 750 Roma supporters in attendance. The transfer market remains underdeveloped, he added, but the squad must perform better ahead of competitive fixtures.

Roma suffered a second defeat in three pre-season outings, losing 3–0 to Brighton in what Gasperini described as a concerning display two weeks before the season begins. Wesley emerged as the standout performer, while Neil El Aynaoui stepped back from his midweek form, and the defence was repeatedly breached. Gianluca Mancini (5) lost his man on Brighton's third goal and appeared less commanding than usual, while Mario Hermoso (5) was partly culpable for the opening goal and departed with a foot problem. Evan N'Dicka (5.5) offered insufficient security at the back, and Devyne Rensch (4.5) endured a forgettable afternoon at right-back following several indecisions; Koulierakis (6) and Daniele Ghilardi (6) came on at half-time and improved the display, though the match was already decided. Wesley (6) impressed with his physicality and athleticism, particularly a close effort at the 28-minute mark, while Paulo Dybala (5.5) created Roma's most dangerous opportunity despite a subdued showing. Neil El Aynaoui (4.5) was erratic in midfield, losing the ball in an exchange with Rensch that led to Brighton's second goal. Bryan Cristante (5.5), the captain, struggled to control the midfield as his experience might demand. Matías Soulé (5.5) lacked incisiveness despite constant movement. Donyell Malen (5) remained short of match fitness and rarely troubled the goalkeeper. Gasperini rated the performance 5, noting that Roma has conceded eleven goals across the last 360 minutes of pre-season play. Though he acknowledged no points are at stake in August, he expressed disappointment for the 750 Roma supporters in attendance. The transfer market remains underdeveloped, he added, but the squad must perform better ahead of competitive fixtures.

Roma faced Brighton at the Amex Stadium in the final warm-up match of their British tour. Gasperini named Donyell Malen in the starting eleven, while leaving new arrivals Castro and Koulierakis on the bench to manage their workload ahead of the 2026–27 season opener. The Roma boss fielded a 3-4-2-1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, and a four-strong midfield of Devyne Rensch, Bryan Cristante, Neil El Aynaoui, and Wesley. Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala occupied the advanced midfield roles, with Malen leading the attack. The fixture served as a final examination of the squad's preparation during the pre-season tour, with Gasperini using the match to assess combinations and match sharpness before competitive action resumes.

Roma concluded their British pre-season schedule with a 3-0 defeat at Brighton's American Express Stadium. Goals from Rutter in the 29th minute and a brace from Ayari in the 40th and 49th minutes sealed the result. Roma trailed at half-time after Rutter and Ayari's strikes, and Ayari's second goal early in the second half effectively decided the contest. The defeat followed Roma's earlier loss to Cardiff and victory over Newport County in the warm-up campaign. Head coach Gasperini fielded a 3-4-2-1 formation with Dybala and Soulé deployed behind striker Malen. The lineup included Svilar in goal, a back three of Mancini, N'Dicka, and Hermoso, with Rensch and Wesley as wing-backs, El Aynaoui and Cristante in midfield. In a tactical experiment late in the match, Gasperini replaced Dybala with Castro in the 66th minute, allowing the Argentine and Dutch winger Malen to share almost twenty minutes together, though they created little of note. Roma made multiple substitutions throughout the fixture, with changes across defence, midfield, and attack at intervals. Brighton fielded a 4-3-3, with manager Hurzeler making significant alterations at the hour mark, bringing on Osman, Kostoulas, and Yohanna. The match was refereed by Bobby Madley.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is building a Roma side defined by youth, technical fluency, and aggressive attacking play, with quality and skill prioritized over physical presence. The structure centres on Rodrigo Mora, a slight-framed playmaker and dribbler who will compete with Lorenzo Pellegrini for a starting role, while Donyell Malen leads the forward line alongside technically gifted players including Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé. Offensive thrust will also flow from attacking full-backs such as Wesley, supported by various transfer targets including potential arrivals at centre-back and in midfield. With the team so heavily weighted towards attack, the stability of Roma's shape depends almost entirely on Manu Koné, who will screen the defence and reclaim possession alongside Bryan Cristante. The French midfielder's long-term future remains uncertain, however, and any departure would leave a void difficult to fill in the short term. Gasperini's vision prioritizes technical excellence across the attacking third, with contributions from wider areas through offensively minded defenders and young, technical players who can operate in varied roles across the pitch.

Roma are close to securing Rodrigo Mora, a 2007-born winger who stands under 1.70m tall and favours dribbling over physical play, as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini shapes a younger, lighter and more attacking squad than last season. Mora will compete with Lorenzo Pellegrini for the number 10 role. The club are still hunting one or two additional wingers or attacking midfielders and one or two fullbacks to complete the XI. Gasperini's vision prioritises technical ability over physical presence, targeting players built for a high-octane attacking system. Mora's profile — incisive on the ball but less accustomed to the physical demands of Italian football and prone to struggle when forced to chase opponents — fits the template. Donyell Malen is expected to carry the goal-scoring load among the wider players initially, with alternatives in Castro and Robinio Vaz, who offers greater physical stature. Matías Soulé, should he remain, offers a middle ground. Fullbacks too are selected for their attacking prowess: Wesley on one flank, with options including Molina, Cacciamani, Luis Henrique or Udogie on the other. Manu Koné emerges as the vital equilibrium force in midfield, tasked with providing defensive cover and structure to an otherwise offence-heavy setup. However, he remains a persistent departure risk, a potential weakness in an otherwise cohesive recruitment strategy.

Roma have opened cup subscriptions for the 2026–27 season, covering five matches: four Champions League group-phase home fixtures and a Coppa Italia round-of-16 tie. Prices start at €31 per match. Serie A season-ticket holders receive priority access from 12:00 on 12 August to 13:00 on 19 August, with the option to select a different seat. General sale runs from 15:00 on 19 August until 18:00 on 26 August or until sold out. Two packages are offered—Classic and Plus, the latter allowing resale rights for all matches; seat transfers are not available. Portuguese talent Rodrigo Mora is nearing a move to Roma, with a contract ready until 2031 and personal terms already agreed. Negotiations with Porto continue over structure rather than principle; Roma propose €25 million upfront plus 50 per cent of future resale proceeds, with an option to pay a further €25 million in 2027 to eliminate the resale clause. Porto prefer the buyout figure to stand at €25 million from the outset. Gabriel Martinelli remains under pursuit; Roma have opened talks with Roc Nation Sports, his representatives. Arsenal would consider selling for approximately €50 million, though his €11 million-per-season gross salary remains a sticking point as Roma seek to negotiate downward. In squad news, Manu Koné has returned from post-World Cup leave with no serious interest beyond a tentative Chelsea inquiry. Nahuel Molina landed at Rome Fiumicino airport yesterday and will sign a four-year contract today, becoming immediately available to Gian Piero Gasperini. Lorenzo Pellegrini, the captain, continues recovery from a right thigh muscle relapse and will rejoin group training after 15 August.