Roma seal De Roon deal and confirm Balerdi as transfer deadline nears

Roma's attacking reinforcements remain active in the final days of the transfer window, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini seeking two additions: a left-back and an attacking winger. The most significant development concerns Luiz Henrique, the Brazilian forward. According to Fabrizio Romano's latest update, negotiations with Zenit Saint Petersburg are well advanced and crucially, Henrique has made Roma his priority, fully committing to the move. The player wants the transfer to Rome, marking a major step towards a potential completion. The remaining obstacle is now between the clubs themselves. Roma and Zenit must reach final agreement on the structure of the deal, which remains the last genuine hurdle to clear. Henrique's willingness poses no further problem: he has given his total approval to the Roma project. Simultaneously, Jamie Leweling remains on Roma's radar. Stuttgart rejected Roma's opening proposal but have not ruled out a sale, though they are seeking economically satisfactory terms and a structure they consider acceptable. Roma have not abandoned the pursuit and could return with an improved offer in the coming hours, according to Gianluca Di Marzio. Matías Soulé's future also carries weight in Roma's planning. The Argentine continues to attract Premier League interest, and Roma have reportedly set his valuation at around €40 million combined across loan and purchase. Should an offer deemed adequate arrive, his departure would significantly reshape Roma's offensive strategy. If Soulé leaves, Roma could pursue two attacking signings rather than one—covering both the right and left flanks. The club is currently managing multiple negotiations simultaneously, and with the right sequence of deals, both additions could potentially be completed.

Leonardo Balerdi has given his first interview since completing his transfer from Olympique Marseille to Roma. The Argentine defender spoke to the club's official channels about his early impressions in the capital, his reasons for choosing Roma and his relationship with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Balerdi brings experience from Bundesliga football with Borussia Dortmund, Ligue 1 with Marseille and Argentine domestic football with Boca Juniors, along with 11 caps for the Argentina national team. He has played in the Conference League, Europa League and Champions League. His arrival adds defensive depth to Gasperini's squad for the 2026–27 campaign. On his decision to join Roma, Balerdi said: "Many things pushed me, but I think I had something with this shirt. When I was small I saw this shirt and said: 'It's beautiful.' I really liked it and that's why I wanted to play here. I got to know the club and the fans, I saw their passion and I wanted to be here." He revealed his mother was an Italian-language teacher in Argentina and his girlfriend is Italian, explaining his fluent Italian. Asked about Argentine players in Roma's history, he named Paulo, Leandro, Gabriel, Walter Samuel and Gabriel Batistuta. When discussing his idols, he singled out Fernando Gago, who played for Roma: "When I was small I wanted to play as a midfielder and Fernando Gago was my idol. He played here. He was one of my childhood idols. I had saved many photos of Gago in this shirt. Incredible." Regarding Gasperini, Balerdi acknowledged limited direct contact so far: "We've had some contact, but not directly. I also know he looked for me when he was at Atalanta." To the Roma fans, he said: "I want to play, I want to wear this shirt right away and I want to give all my heart, all my strength, to take Roma as high as possible. Thank you for everything. Let's go Roma."

Leonardi Balerdi has been officially confirmed as a Roma player and is already available for selection, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini having named him in the squad for the away trip to Lecce. The Argentine defender, arriving from Marseille, gave his first interview to the club's official channels, discussing his childhood ambitions and excitement at joining the Giallorossi. Bareldi cited Juan Sebastián Verón, Lionel Messi and Juan Manuel Riquelme as his boyhood idols, explaining: "When I was small I wanted to play in midfield and one of my references was Gago. He was one of my idols along with Messi and Riquelme because I'm a Boca fan, I wanted to play like Gago and I have lots of photos of him in this shirt." The defender has previously faced Roma in Italian football, noting that he had played against the club on an earlier visit and was keen to experience the rivalry from the other perspective. On his relationship with Gasperini, Balerdi revealed they had not spoken directly but acknowledged the coach's earlier interest: "I didn't speak with Gasperini, but I know he looked for me when he was at Atalanta and now I'm happy to work with him. People have spoken very well of him to me." Addressing Roma's supporters, Balerdi said: "Thank you to everyone, I want to play and wear this shirt straight away and give all my heart and strength to take Roma to the top. Thank you for everything."

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for Roma's Serie A matchday 2 fixture against Lecce. Neil El Aynaoui and Robinio Vaz are absent from the squad list, both players close to departing the club. Devyne Rensch and Lorenzo Pellegrini are also unavailable through injury. The 24-man squad features goalkeepers Svilar, De Marzi and Gollini. In defence, Gasperini has included Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi. Midfield options are Cristante, Koné, Pisilli and Mora, while attack is covered by Castro, Malen, Soulé and Dybala.

Roma head to Lecce for their second match of the season with Gasperini able to call on most of his squad. Leonardo Balerdi makes his competitive debut after his official confirmation this morning, while fellow new arrivals Koulierakis, Mora, Castro and Molina are all available. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch remain sidelined but will return to training next week. De Roon, who arrived in the capital today, is not yet officially registered and therefore unavailable. Neil El Aynaoui is also absent from the squad list. Robinio Vaz has been left out as he prepares to join Hull City pending Roma's approval and the arrival of another striker. The full squad includes goalkeepers Svilar, De Marzi and Gollini; defenders Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi; midfielders Cristante, Koné, Pisilli and Mora; and forwards Castro, Malen, Soulé and Dybala.

Gian Piero Gasperini held a pre-match press conference ahead of Lecce–Roma on 31 August 2026, addressing the signing of Marten de Roon from Atalanta and the club's remaining transfer business. De Roon's arrival came together rapidly over 24–48 hours after he fell out of Atalanta's plans following many years at the club. "He wanted to come to Roma very strongly," Gasperini said. "For us it is an opportunity that allows us to give El Aynaoui the chance to have another experience. Economically it is very important because it gives us the opportunity to bring interest into another role." The move also allows Roma to add depth to their defence with another captain alongside new arrival Balerdi, while the physical strength these signings bring will help compensate for having too many Argentine players in the squad, Gasperini added. Gasperini reported that only Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch are unavailable, with Rensch expected to rejoin the group on Tuesday and Pellegrini returning next week. He confirmed Roma still need to complete their squad before the transfer window closes on Tuesday with a left-sided defender and an attacking winger. "We have always looked for a left-back and an outside attacker," he said. "If we can take two we would be 21 in the squad plus the goalkeepers." He noted that Matías Soulé can play on the left if needed, having done so under former manager Claudio Ranieri, but he prefers the Argentine higher up the pitch. Roma's financial restrictions under Financial Fair Play rules have prevented them from matching certain contract offers from rivals, though Gasperini praised the spirit of those who joined despite lower wages: "The level of contracts could not exceed a certain ceiling. We must thank all those who came back specifically to play for Roma, and this is a great spirit, and you do not buy it in the market." On the Champions League draw and upcoming fixtures, Gasperini said: "I believe they are all prestige matches; we have drawn a good group. We will go away in hot and difficult stadiums. This is the Champions League. The objective is to stay inside the play-offs. Beyond the sporting result, it will be nice to breathe the air of the Champions League, to play in extraordinary stadiums, with Real Madrid. I believe it will enrich the squad greatly." He defended the De Roon transfer against potential fan concerns: "When you know him he is a solid person. I explained how the operation was born, and it gives us the chance to have a valuable player. It is not a prospect, but it gives us the opportunity to concentrate our efforts in another role." Regarding Nahuel Molina's fitness, Gasperini said the defender "is better, he had a good week of training. He played the World Cup final, it is just a question of finding some condition. Tomorrow he will be part of the match, I do not know if at the start or during the game." The window closes on Tuesday; once it does, Gasperini said, "finally we can talk about football."

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for Roma's Serie A matchday 2 fixture against Lecce. Neil El Aynaoui and Robinio Vaz are absent from the squad list, both players close to departing the club. Devyne Rensch and Lorenzo Pellegrini are also unavailable through injury. The 24-man squad features goalkeepers Svilar, De Marzi and Gollini. In defence, Gasperini has included Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi. Midfield options are Cristante, Koné, Pisilli and Mora, while attack is covered by Castro, Malen, Soulé and Dybala.

Roma head to Lecce for their second match of the season with Gasperini able to call on most of his squad. Leonardo Balerdi makes his competitive debut after his official confirmation this morning, while fellow new arrivals Koulierakis, Mora, Castro and Molina are all available. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch remain sidelined but will return to training next week. De Roon, who arrived in the capital today, is not yet officially registered and therefore unavailable. Neil El Aynaoui is also absent from the squad list. Robinio Vaz has been left out as he prepares to join Hull City pending Roma's approval and the arrival of another striker. The full squad includes goalkeepers Svilar, De Marzi and Gollini; defenders Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi; midfielders Cristante, Koné, Pisilli and Mora; and forwards Castro, Malen, Soulé and Dybala.

Roma have made a first proposal for Stuttgart winger Jamie Leweling, 25, but the German club rejected the offer. The package exceeded €40 million, comprising approximately €5 million for a loan with a subsequent obligation to buy, but Stuttgart prioritises immediate revenue and objects to the structure. Roma remain in contention and are proposing a five-year contract to the player. Matías Soulé's future has come sharply into question in the final days of the window. Fulham and Sunderland are interested in a paid loan with a conditional obligation to buy for a combined valuation around €35 million, though other reports suggest no concrete offer has yet landed on Roma's desk. Should Soulé depart, Roma intend to pursue a second attacking winger. Roma are simultaneously accelerating their pursuit of Zenit winger Luiz Henrique, 25, with negotiations now active. Reports differ on the structure: a permanent deal at €30 million plus €5 million in bonuses, a paid loan worth €3–4 million with a subsequent €22–25 million buyout, or the Russians' apparent demand of €35 million plus a resale percentage, with salary discussions also stalled. Roma continue to monitor Stuttgart's Leweling, who can operate as an advanced winger or across the full width, keeping that avenue open alongside primary targets. Malick Fofana, 21, of Lyon remains under consideration but has stalled; Lyon previously accepted Roma's €35 million offer and agreed terms with the player but now demand an outright sale rather than loan-based structures. Robinio Vaz, 19, remains in the exit queue bound for Hull City on loan, but the move has slowed. Gasperini will not release the French forward until Roma complete their attacking reinforcement; once a new winger arrives, Vaz is to be freed on a paid loan with a right of purchase. Keny Arroyo, 20, an attacking prospect from Cruzeiro, remains on Roma's radar as a secondary option. Jan Ziółkowski, 21, is set to leave on loan to Monza with a right of purchase after the arrival of centre-back Balerdi. Roma have also invested in youth, signing Montenegro midfielder Andrija Vukoje, 18, from Inter's academy for approximately €1.5 million plus bonuses and a future resale percentage retained by Inter; Vukoje will initially join Roma's Primavera squad.