Roma seal De Roon deal and explore attacking options as El Aynaoui exits to Leipzig

Roma have begun planning reinforcements for the January transfer window and have set their sights on Daniel Banjaqui, a 2008-born right-back at Benfica considered one of Europe's most promising young talents in his position. The interest comes as the club looks ahead to both immediate needs and longer-term recruitment options. Banjaqui has already attracted attention from several clubs, including Juventus, according to German transfer outlet Transfersfeed. The move would form part of Roma's broader strategy to strengthen the squad in the coming window, with ambitious signings under consideration beyond their existing targets.

Roma have identified Daniel Banjaqui, a 18-year-old right-back at Benfica, as a potential transfer target, according to German outlet Transfersfeed. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini stated ahead of Roma's match against Real Madrid: "Now the January market does not interest me", with reference to forward Endrick, who is expected to remain at the Spanish club. Roma's move for Banjaqui comes as the club considers alternative objectives across different positions. Juventus are also monitoring the teenager among several European sides tracking him. Banjaqui remains contracted to Benfica until 2031 with a release clause set at €45 million, though a transfer could potentially be negotiated for around €35 million. Roma have undertaken only preliminary information-gathering through intermediaries at this stage, with no concrete negotiations underway. The club are also watching developments in Portugal across two fronts: alongside Banjaqui at Benfica, Roma are tracking Porto right-winger William Gomes, a 20-year-old left-footed player. Gomes carries a substantial release clause of €80 million in his current Porto contract, which expires in 2031. The clause is expected to rise to €100 million following an imminent contract renewal with the Portuguese club. Neither pursuit represents an active negotiation at present.

José Mourinho has issued a clear warning to clubs pursuing Endrick ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League fixture against Roma on Tuesday. The Real Madrid manager said: "Whoever wants to take him in January will have to go over me and fight me." Mourinho doubled down on his determination to keep the Brazilian forward, stating: "Endrick is not going anywhere, I adore him. He is very strong and will help us. Loans are not needed, Endrick will explode here at Madrid." The comments represent a significant setback for Roma, who have continued to monitor the 2006-born forward ahead of the January transfer window. The Giallorossi had come close to signing Endrick on loan during the summer before Mourinho intervened to retain him at the Bernabéu. Interest has resurfaced because of the limited playing time Endrick has received at the start of this season, prompting Roma and other European clubs to renew their pursuit. Mourinho's latest stance suggests he plans to block any departure attempt again, convinced he can revive Endrick's form directly at Madrid. When asked in a press conference today whether he might use his encounter with Mourinho to discuss Endrick, Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini smiled but deflected the question. Gasperini said: "Right now the January market is something that doesn't interest me." For Roma to realistically pursue Endrick in January, they will first need to persuade Real Madrid and overcome Mourinho's clear resistance to letting the player leave.

Roma's loan contingent produced mixed results across European and domestic competitions this week, with midfielder Luigi Cherubini and midfielder Neil El Aynaoui delivering attacking contributions while others awaited their chance. Cherubini, on loan at Benevento with a right of option and obligation to buy, scored in the 93rd minute of Benevento's 2–0 win over Cesena. Introduced from the bench in the 79th minute, the 2004-born winger capitalized on a defensive error by Ilic, rounded the goalkeeper and finished to seal victory. He was booked in the 81st minute and initially had a goal ruled out for offside before his late winner. The performance earned him a rating of 7 from BeneventoNews24 and PianetaSerieB as Benevento secured a third consecutive victory. El Aynaoui, a midfielder on loan at RB Lipsia with a right of rescission, provided the assist for Banzuzi's opening goal after just one minute in a 6–0 Bundesliga demolition of Eintracht Frankfurt. Deployed in the starting lineup by Demichelis, El Aynaoui contributed to a dominant first half that saw Lipsia lead 4–0 at the interval, including a hat-trick from Nkunku. He was booked in the 27th minute and substituted in the 58th when the scoreline already stood at 5–0. Elsewhere, defender Filippo Reale (Carrarese, on loan with option and counter-option) played the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 away win over Padova, maintaining a clean sheet. Young defender Mohamed Seck (Foggia, on loan) completed all 90 minutes in a 3–1 home defeat to Potenza and received a rating of 5, criticized for poor positioning during the opposition's counter-attacks. Forward Artem Dovbyk (Bologna, on loan with right of rescission) returned to the squad after a muscular injury to his flexors but remained unused on the bench in Bologna's 2–1 away win at Lecce. Forward Robinio Vaz (Hull City) was named in the squad for a 2–2 Premier League draw against Everton but played no part, remaining on the bench for the full 90 minutes.

Roma's loanees made their mark during the international break, with Mohamed Seck delivering a commanding defensive display, Luigi Cherubini scoring for Italy's Under-21s, and Neil El Aynaoui clocking over 240 minutes for Morocco across three matches. Seck, a 2007-born defender, started the full 90 minutes in Foggia's 2-0 victory at Cosenza, keeping a clean sheet and earning praise from local media. The Corriere della Calabria awarded him 6.5, while Foggiacalciomania highlighted an almost flawless performance. He picked up a yellow card in the 28th minute but remained unaffected. Radoslaw Zelezny continued his fine form between the sticks for Perugia, playing all 90 minutes in a 3-1 derby win over Gubbio; he conceded little that was preventable and earned a 6.5 rating for his security in possession and distribution. Federico Nardin also impressed at Pescara, completing the full match in a 1-0 win at Livorno achieved by a late Sardo goal, and has now been called up to Italy's Under-19 squad for friendlies against Scotland on 10 and 13 October. Cherubini made the most impact during the break. After coming off the bench in the 79th minute of Italy U21's 1-0 win in Armenia, he was introduced again at the same stage against Poland on 4 October and scored just seven minutes later to seal a 6-2 victory and confirm Italy's direct qualification to the Under-21 European Championship final tournament. El Aynaoui started all three of Morocco's matches—a 2-0 win over Gabon (90 minutes), a 2-0 victory against Lesotho (67 minutes), and a 1-1 draw with Mali on 4 October (full 90)—demonstrating his standing with the national team. Anass Salah-Eddine also featured for Morocco, starting the full 90 minutes at left-back in the Mali friendly. Marash Kumbulla entered Albania's 3-0 Nations League win over San Marino at half-time and played the full second half. Artem Dovbyk, on loan at Bologna, skipped his Ukraine convocation to continue recovering from a muscular problem affecting his hamstring and has already resumed full training with the Bolognese squad ahead of the league's resumption.

Roma have made a strong start to the 2026-27 season with 13 points from five matches, matching Inter and Lazio at the top of Serie A but ahead on goal difference. A second-half goal by Lautaro in a direct clash with Inter prevented a perfect record, but the squad's overall level remains high. The arrival of summer players has been central to the club's early form. Nahuel Molina is still building fitness but establishing himself in the team, while Rodrigo Mora has made an immediate impact with a goal already on his account. Leonardo Balerdi has already won over the supporters and claimed a starting berth, and Konstantinos Koulierakis, Marten de Roon and Santiago Castro are all expected to become important resources as the fixture list intensifies through October and November, though some have yet to feature heavily. The squad recruitment was balanced by significant outgoings managed by director Tony D'Amico, which allowed Roma to fund their incomings. With the first international break now reached, a review of Roma's players still on loan across Europe becomes timely. Neil El Aynaoui and other loan-out players carry combined recall obligations of €95 million, making their performances and development over the coming months a matter of considerable financial consequence for the club.

Roma host Real Madrid at the Olimpico in the second matchday of the Champions League League Phase, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini having settled on his starting XI. Pierluigi Gollini will start in goal, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso forming the defence. Nahuel Molina and Wesley are set to operate on the flanks, while Marten De Roon will partner Manu Koné in midfield as Bryan Cristante remains unavailable. Matías Soulé will play behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in attack. The midfield pairing of De Roon and Koné faces the task of withstanding Real Madrid's central dominance and providing intensity and cover during transitions. Gasperini is placing his faith in the attacking unit that offers the greatest technical guarantees and threat. The only meaningful defensive debate involves Leonardo Balerdi pressing Mario Hermoso for a place, while Devyne Rensch represents an alternative on the right flank—though Molina appears favoured to start from the opening whistle. Donyell Malen will make his first start despite the red card he received on Sunday against Como. Roma's probable formation (3-4-1-2): Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, De Roon, Koné, Wesley; Soulé; Dybala, Malen. The club will field itself without particular calculation, ready to challenge Real Madrid with its own identity and with the Olimpico expected to drive the team through one of the most prestigious evenings in recent years.

Roma face Real Madrid with the confidence built from their Como victory, and Gian Piero Gasperini is determined to impose his tactical identity on a side capable of competing with anyone. The coach plans to stick to his philosophy rather than adapt to José Mourinho's presence on the bench opposite, relying on the clarity of purpose his side has developed over the season. The team's shape is largely settled. Malen, Dybala and Soulé will lead the attack, with Manu Koné and Marten de Roon anchoring midfield. The uncertainty lies in defence, where Leonardo Balerdi is pushing for a starting place and may displace Evan N'Dicka from the back three. Italian newspapers have outlined their predicted lineups. Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, Il Tempo and Leggo all favour a 3-4-1-2 with Soulé in the creative role. Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport predict a 3-4-2-1 with both Soulé and Dybala in advanced positions ahead of Malen. The main divergence concerns the central defence: Balerdi features in three predictions (Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere della Sera and Leggo), while the others retain N'Dicka. Pierluigi Gollini is expected to start in goal, with Gianluca Mancini, Devyne Rensch, Nahuel Molina and Wesley forming the defensive structure across the various formations.

Roma will host Real Madrid at the Stadio Olimpico in a Champions League fixture that marks the return of José Mourinho to his former club for the first time since his departure. The Olimpico is expecting more than 400 accredited media representatives from 16 countries and five continents for what will be the stadium's first major European night in seven years, restoring its international atmosphere after years away from continental elite competition. Gasperini has opted to maintain Roma's recent form and tactical identity rather than alter his approach against one of Europe's strongest teams. The club arrives on a run of 14 consecutive results without defeat and has no intention of changing course at this juncture. The manager has acknowledged the respect Roma's supporters hold for Mourinho while emphasising that once the match begins, the Olimpico will focus entirely on supporting the home side. Real Madrid, despite their individual talent, are still seeking the right cohesion as a unit. Gasperini will field his established lineup: Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé and Donyell Malen across the front three, Wesley and Nahuel Molina on the flanks, Manu Koné and Marten de Roon in midfield, and a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso protecting Pierluigi Gollini in goal. For Roma, the fixture represents a fundamental test—a chance to measure their ambitions, enjoy their return to European football's elite level, and deliver a performance worthy of a night that has been absent from the stadium for far too long.

Roma host Real Madrid at the Olimpico in the second matchday of the Champions League League Phase, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini having settled on his starting XI. Pierluigi Gollini will start in goal, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso forming the defence. Nahuel Molina and Wesley are set to operate on the flanks, while Marten De Roon will partner Manu Koné in midfield as Bryan Cristante remains unavailable. Matías Soulé will play behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in attack. The midfield pairing of De Roon and Koné faces the task of withstanding Real Madrid's central dominance and providing intensity and cover during transitions. Gasperini is placing his faith in the attacking unit that offers the greatest technical guarantees and threat. The only meaningful defensive debate involves Leonardo Balerdi pressing Mario Hermoso for a place, while Devyne Rensch represents an alternative on the right flank—though Molina appears favoured to start from the opening whistle. Donyell Malen will make his first start despite the red card he received on Sunday against Como. Roma's probable formation (3-4-1-2): Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, De Roon, Koné, Wesley; Soulé; Dybala, Malen. The club will field itself without particular calculation, ready to challenge Real Madrid with its own identity and with the Olimpico expected to drive the team through one of the most prestigious evenings in recent years.

Wesley faces Real Madrid tonight, a full-circle moment a decade after the Spanish club offered him a chance he never took. In 2016, at 12 years old, Wesley was among the best performers at a Real Madrid camp in Florianópolis, Brazil, organised through Savio Bortolini, a former Real Madrid and Flamengo player who had secured ten places for underprivileged children. The reward was a trip to Spain and a week training with the Blancos—a dream that never materialised. "The door closed before it even really opened," the narrative suggests, as difficult years followed: spells at Figueirense and Tubarao, the pandemic, and a crisis of belief. Wesley worked in his family's restaurant—his mother as a cook, his sister helping out, him parking cars—far from football and what seemed an unreachable dream. "I thought football wasn't in my destiny," he reflected. His sister convinced him to try again. Wesley returned to professional football, rebuilt his career through Flamengo, and eventually reached Europe via Roma in the summer of 2025. A decade has passed since that camp. Now, with Roma in the Champions League, he confronts the club that abandoned him as a boy—no longer the aspiring 12-year-old, but a player at one of Italy's biggest clubs. Tonight Wesley has the chance to show Real Madrid exactly what they lost when that Spanish opportunity fell through. The journey from his family's kitchen to facing the Blancos represents a reversal of the fortune that seemed foreclosed ten years ago.

Roma face Real Madrid with the confidence built from their Como victory, and Gian Piero Gasperini is determined to impose his tactical identity on a side capable of competing with anyone. The coach plans to stick to his philosophy rather than adapt to José Mourinho's presence on the bench opposite, relying on the clarity of purpose his side has developed over the season. The team's shape is largely settled. Malen, Dybala and Soulé will lead the attack, with Manu Koné and Marten de Roon anchoring midfield. The uncertainty lies in defence, where Leonardo Balerdi is pushing for a starting place and may displace Evan N'Dicka from the back three. Italian newspapers have outlined their predicted lineups. Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, Il Tempo and Leggo all favour a 3-4-1-2 with Soulé in the creative role. Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport predict a 3-4-2-1 with both Soulé and Dybala in advanced positions ahead of Malen. The main divergence concerns the central defence: Balerdi features in three predictions (Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere della Sera and Leggo), while the others retain N'Dicka. Pierluigi Gollini is expected to start in goal, with Gianluca Mancini, Devyne Rensch, Nahuel Molina and Wesley forming the defensive structure across the various formations.