Roma scouts scudetto credentials as transfer window enters final stretch

Roma have reworked the terms of their move for Jayden Oosterwolde after medical assessments revealed a lengthy recovery path from injury. The deal initially centred on a loan with an option to buy set at €15 million, which would become an obligation under certain conditions. The player arrived in Rome ready to begin, but the club halted proceedings to conduct thorough medical checks, including a consultation with Professor Lempainen. The examination showed a prolonged rehabilitation ahead. Roma remain keen on Oosterwolde despite the injury concerns and are determined to bring him to the club regardless. However, they have asked Fenerbahce to alter the structure of the deal. The new proposal involves a free loan rather than a paid one, with modifications also made to the buyout clause terms. Fenerbahce's approval of these revised conditions is now being awaited before the transfer can be finalised.

Robinio Vaz is set to leave Roma, with the clubs close to finalizing his transfer to Hull City on a loan deal with a purchase option. The French forward, born in 2008, has made little impact under Gian Piero Gasperini, who tested him as a winger during the summer training camp, and has been unable to establish himself in the Roma squad. He will now seek regular football in England with the newly promoted Premier League club. According to The Athletic, the transfer between Roma and Hull City is advancing swiftly toward completion. The structure involves a loan fee of €2 million and a purchase option valued at €30 million for next summer. Vaz is finalizing the remaining contract details before undergoing medical examinations and signing with the English side.

Robinio Vaz is on the verge of leaving Roma for Hull City. The French forward has found opportunities limited under Gasperini and is set to join the newly promoted Premier League side. The Athletic reports that an agreement between the clubs is close to completion, with Roma preparing to let him depart after he failed to establish himself as a key player during pre-season and behind-closed-doors work. The deal is structured as a loan with a fee of €2 million, plus a purchase option set at €30 million. Vaz is currently negotiating contract terms with Hull City, with final administrative details still being resolved. Roma will allow the 2008-born forward to leave as another departure from the recruitment period under Massara's leadership.

Paulo Dybala has committed to Roma by accepting a dramatic wage cut, restructuring his contract around performance bonuses that could ultimately make him the club's highest-paid player. His base salary fell from 8 million euros net to 2.2 million, but a complex bonus structure rewards every appearance, goal and assist. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini acknowledged Dybala's commitment after Roma's victory against Fiorentina, saying: "In this squad there are players who wanted Roma very strongly or wanted to stay at Roma very strongly." Dybala reached 100 Serie A appearances for Roma in that same match. The contract, signed on 12 July, reflects both an act of loyalty and a calculated gamble on his own performance. Dybala will earn 100,000 euros for each starting appearance lasting at least 45 minutes, capped at 20 matches for a maximum of 2 million euros. He has already collected 100,000 euros following the Fiorentina win. Substitute appearances of 20 minutes or more earn him 75,000 euros. From his 21st match onwards, the appearance bonus rises to 150,000 euros per game. Goal contributions drive even larger payments: every five goal involvements trigger a bonus ranging from 100,000 to 1 million euros. Dybala has already begun accumulating these rewards, recording three goal involvements in the opening matchday alone. The structure is straightforward: the more prominent Dybala becomes, the more he earns. If his season stalls and he plays infrequently, he will pocket only the 2.2 million base salary—a scenario neither he, Roma nor Gasperini wish to see unfold. Over the course of his fifth season at the club, the bonus framework could elevate his total compensation to rival or exceed that of any teammate.

Giancarlo Antognoni, Fiorentina legend, has praised Paulo Dybala as the best attacking midfielder in Serie A and the player capable of driving Roma towards the title under Gian Piero Gasperini. Speaking to Corriere della Sera, Antognoni analysed Roma's recent victory and Dybala's role in it, singling out the Argentine's quality on the ball as decisive. "Dybala is one of the strongest in the league, the best in his position," Antognoni said. "If he continues like this, Gasperini will be able to fight for the Scudetto. With the ball he does what he wants: pure spectacle. Fiorentina gave him too much freedom, but if bad luck leaves him in peace, Gasperini has an ace in his hand." Antognoni also highlighted Dybala's impact on Roma's opening goal, noting how he "jumped past half the team before setting up Malen." Antognoni reflected on the rarity of the number 10 role in modern football, observing that Italy has few players of such quality. "Football has become too tactical and physical," he explained. "The number 10 still exists in youth academies, but at club level results come first and fear of losing stifles imagination. So the number 10s have to adapt: Calhanoglu became a regista, Dembélé is a ten disguised as a nine, Yildiz starts wide but moves inside the pitch." He detected signs of revival, citing Nico Paz at Como, Liberali, and Mastantuono as promising talents, and suggested that talented players in midfield positions—like Lautaro at Inter—can make their teams unpredictable. Antognoni also praised Rodrigo Mora, describing him as another talented signing Roma has brought in who "seems already almost ready."

Rodrigo Mora announced himself to AS Roma supporters with an influential display on his first outing in the giallorosso shirt, earning immediate praise from head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The Portuguese talent, who arrived with the tag of a €52 million investment despite an initial outlay of €25 million, demonstrated rare maturity for his age. Operating on the left wing to exploit his pace and create numerical advantage, Mora showed glimpses of his quality throughout the contest, most notably executing a cutting switch to his right foot and curling a shot towards the top corner that required a fine save from the opposition goalkeeper. Gasperini was visibly enthused by what he saw. After the match, the Roma coach highlighted Mora's versatility, emphasizing that he is capable of playing as a playmaker or across the flanks. He noted that Mora creates something meaningful every time he touches the ball. The wide role allowed the Portuguese winger to exploit his dribbling ability—a quality that had already caught attention during his time in La Liga—while demonstrating his adaptability to Roma's demanding environment. Alongside strong contributions from Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala, the evening provided early evidence that Mora possesses the foundations needed to become a key player for the club.

Roma are actively pursuing both Aurélien Fofana and Franck Kessié in the final days of the transfer window, according to multiple commentators on Roman radio on 27 August. Mario Corsi stated: "The situation is this: in these hours people are talking about Fofana and Kessié, Roma is absolutely trying to take them. I'm telling you that Roma is absolutely trying, and something will definitely come out. Then maybe it could be other names, but they'll do something good." Corsi added that if Roma sign both players, there is no reason not to discuss a title challenge, noting: "The only team that has four strong strikers is Inter. I have terrible tension in these last four days because it changes the thinking on the shield." The Fofana deal appears structured as a loan with an obligation to buy triggered by a set number of appearances, rather than an outright €35 million plus bonuses transfer from Lyon. Francesca Ferrazza explained: "Fofana has an important history of injuries, and for this reason they are working on the formula: a loan that then becomes an obligation to buy at a certain number of matches. With players who have this history of injuries you have to be cautious, and for this reason the operation is complicated." She urged swift decisions from the ownership: "Let's hope the Friedkins are quick to give answers to D'Amico and Gasperini to green-light the operations." On Jayden Oosterwolde, Checco Oddo Casano reported: "The situation has been clear since yesterday, but Roma still hasn't decided. The medical staff has expressed their doubts saying: 'Are you really sure you want to take this risk?' I honestly wouldn't take this risk, but then you have to see if you have an alternative ready, because today is 27 August and there is little time." Lorenzo Pes suggested negotiations with Fenerbahçe were ongoing to adjust terms: contacts have resumed "to change the cost of the loan, which will not be expensive but free, and on the number of appearances for the obligation to buy." Separately, speculation around Neil El Aynaoui's future prompted comment. Piero Torri stated: "I'm trying to understand something about El Aynaoui, because the story is building that he could leave Roma. The agent says quite decisively that he stays at Roma. There has been talk of Saudi Arabia and Crystal Palace, but I haven't found evidence." Ilario Di Giovambattista weighed in on Roma's overall strength: "Roma has shown they have a crazy defence—I don't see a better one in Italy. The attack is the best in Serie A along with Inter. Even like this Roma can fight for the title."

Roma have made a concrete move for Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessié, with the club presenting a contract proposal to his agent on 25 August in an attempt to pre-empt Juventus. The approach marks a significant escalation beyond exploratory contact, as Roma seek to reunite Kessié with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who worked with him at Atalanta. However, no agreement has been reached; Juventus retains the advantage in Kessié's preferences and has intensified talks following Roma's bid. The midfielder, a former Atalanta and Milan player, would strengthen Roma's midfield without requiring a transfer fee. Director Tony D'Amico has moved to establish whether the conditions exist to bring Kessié back to Serie A. The contract terms and Kessié's final response remain undisclosed. Roma remain in contention but currently trail Juventus in the player's calculations. A potential Kessié arrival could trigger a cascade of further market activity. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the signing might alter the status of Neil El Aynaoui, the Moroccan winger who could become available if an economically significant offer materialises. Should El Aynaoui depart, the proceeds would fund Roma's final major attacking objective at a moment when UEFA settlement restrictions are constraining the club's investment capacity. Neither an offer for El Aynaoui nor a definitive Roma decision on his future has been formally tabled. D'Amico's strategy aims to complete Gasperini's requested squad by assembling a free agent midfielder, potentially monetising an attacking player, and reinvesting the funds on an offensive flank—a sequence designed to navigate UEFA's economic controls without collision. The pathway hinges on convincing Kessié to choose Roma over Juventus.

Roma are actively negotiating with Lyon to bring down their asking price for midfielder Aurélien Fofana, according to radio pundit Aspri speaking on Radio Radio on 26 August. Aspri stated that the next 24–48 hours would be crucial in persuading Lyon to lower their valuation. If the deal can be completed, Fofana would become Roma's primary attacking midfield target following the recent arrival of Rodrigo Mora. Aspri explained that Gasperini has clear preferences in midfield but faces a delicate balancing act. "Gasperini has the hierarchies very clear," Aspri said. "If someone like Kessié were to arrive, the midfield would become very substantial. There's Juventus and competition that, on paper, is impractical for Roma, but the news is true. Gasperini's doubts concern Kessié's physical condition — he has great affection for the player, but the operation is complicated and interesting because it would change the hierarchies." Aspri added: "The question is: what does Roma want to aim for? Someone like Kessié you must have." On the Fofana situation, he said: "Roma is trying to trim things to satisfy the board. They're working on Fofana, trying to lower the figure Lyon is asking for: if it can be done, then Fofana will be the 'Lookman' of this situation." Camelio, also speaking on Radio Radio, suggested that Kessié remains a possibility if Neil El Aynaoui departs the club. Camelio stated: "I don't see El Aynaoui concentrated: if he leaves, Kessié is a possibility." He went on to outline his preferred shape: "I would play with four at the back and three midfielders: Kessié, Cristante and Koné." Camelio also noted that Roma are seeking to alter the terms of the Fofana deal with Lyon, which as currently structured Roma had not approved. Other commentators debated the merits of the squad's composition, with Melli arguing Roma are already strong enough and questioning whether Kessié should be pursued at all given Juventus' rival interest. Vocalelli highlighted the broader congestion in Roma's attacking positions: "There's a bit of overbooking in the attacking midfielders: Mora, Dybala, Soulé, Pellegrini and the arrival of Fofana." He suggested that any move to bring in Fofana might be linked to Soulé's potential departure, which would create space in the squad. The discussion underscored that Roma's transfer strategy remains fluid, with decisions on multiple fronts — including the Fofana fee, El Aynaoui's future, and potential outgoings — still unresolved.

Roma have reworked the terms of their move for Jayden Oosterwolde after medical assessments revealed a lengthy recovery path from injury. The deal initially centred on a loan with an option to buy set at €15 million, which would become an obligation under certain conditions. The player arrived in Rome ready to begin, but the club halted proceedings to conduct thorough medical checks, including a consultation with Professor Lempainen. The examination showed a prolonged rehabilitation ahead. Roma remain keen on Oosterwolde despite the injury concerns and are determined to bring him to the club regardless. However, they have asked Fenerbahce to alter the structure of the deal. The new proposal involves a free loan rather than a paid one, with modifications also made to the buyout clause terms. Fenerbahce's approval of these revised conditions is now being awaited before the transfer can be finalised.

Roma are actively pursuing both Aurélien Fofana and Franck Kessié in the final days of the transfer window, according to multiple commentators on Roman radio on 27 August. Mario Corsi stated: "The situation is this: in these hours people are talking about Fofana and Kessié, Roma is absolutely trying to take them. I'm telling you that Roma is absolutely trying, and something will definitely come out. Then maybe it could be other names, but they'll do something good." Corsi added that if Roma sign both players, there is no reason not to discuss a title challenge, noting: "The only team that has four strong strikers is Inter. I have terrible tension in these last four days because it changes the thinking on the shield." The Fofana deal appears structured as a loan with an obligation to buy triggered by a set number of appearances, rather than an outright €35 million plus bonuses transfer from Lyon. Francesca Ferrazza explained: "Fofana has an important history of injuries, and for this reason they are working on the formula: a loan that then becomes an obligation to buy at a certain number of matches. With players who have this history of injuries you have to be cautious, and for this reason the operation is complicated." She urged swift decisions from the ownership: "Let's hope the Friedkins are quick to give answers to D'Amico and Gasperini to green-light the operations." On Jayden Oosterwolde, Checco Oddo Casano reported: "The situation has been clear since yesterday, but Roma still hasn't decided. The medical staff has expressed their doubts saying: 'Are you really sure you want to take this risk?' I honestly wouldn't take this risk, but then you have to see if you have an alternative ready, because today is 27 August and there is little time." Lorenzo Pes suggested negotiations with Fenerbahçe were ongoing to adjust terms: contacts have resumed "to change the cost of the loan, which will not be expensive but free, and on the number of appearances for the obligation to buy." Separately, speculation around Neil El Aynaoui's future prompted comment. Piero Torri stated: "I'm trying to understand something about El Aynaoui, because the story is building that he could leave Roma. The agent says quite decisively that he stays at Roma. There has been talk of Saudi Arabia and Crystal Palace, but I haven't found evidence." Ilario Di Giovambattista weighed in on Roma's overall strength: "Roma has shown they have a crazy defence—I don't see a better one in Italy. The attack is the best in Serie A along with Inter. Even like this Roma can fight for the title."

Roma are restructuring their defence with two loan moves: Jan Ziółkowski is close to joining Monza, while the club have targeted Morato from Nottingham Forest as his replacement. Both transfers would begin as loans, with Roma holding an option to buy Morato and Monza seeking the same clause for Ziółkowski. Ziółkowski, signed from Legia Warsaw a year ago for €6 million, featured 19 times for Roma in the most recent campaign but is no longer a central part of the squad's plans. Monza are eager to make him a regular, though it remains uncertain whether they will exercise their purchase option, having previously considered keeping him rather than selling him to a Saudi club earlier in the summer. Morato, 25, moved to Nottingham Forest from Benfica in 2024 for €11 million and has made 66 appearances since, including 37 in the most recent campaign. Roma targeted him for his versatility—he can play as a left-back if needed—making him a more seasoned contributor than Ziółkowski at this stage. Separately, Roma are working to renegotiate the terms of Jayden Oosterwolde's transfer from Fenerbahce after he requires more recovery time than expected from a thigh injury. There is optimism the deal will proceed regardless. The club are accumulating left-footed defenders, though the Ziółkowski-Morato swap would net a more experienced player while allowing the young talent additional development time before becoming a regular rotation option.