Roma set to sell Koné and N'Dicka amid UEFA financial compliance

Roma's transfer priorities have shifted following the completion of Rodrigo Mora's signing. The club is now concentrating efforts on the left-back position and has deprioritised other targets, according to reports from Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto. Interest in Malick Fofana has cooled considerably. Roma had an agreement in place with the Belgian winger but has not given Lyon the go-ahead to negotiate further. A proposed deal worth €35 million plus add-ons was deemed excessive by the club. After restructuring the terms to bring Mora to the capital, the Fofana operation has been sidelined. Similarly, pressure on Alessio Cacciamani has been relaxed as Roma refocus their efforts elsewhere. Luis Henrique has become the priority target, with Roma now pressing hard on that front. The challenge now is to find agreement on the financial terms between player and club.

Manchester City have added Roma midfielder Manu Koné to their list of midfield targets, according to reports confirmed on 20 August by journalist Ben Jacobs. City, following Rodri's departure, are seeking two midfielders and have already advanced contact with Bouaddi and prepared a fresh offer for Chelsea's Enzo Fernández. Koné is among the profiles under consideration, with updates expected in the coming days. Koné's future remains uncertain despite recent reassurances over his Roma future. The French midfielder had been flagged as a likely departure this summer, but only Atlético Madrid's offer—deemed unsatisfactory—materialised on Roma's desk early in the transfer window. Manchester United had also shown interest previously. Roma are keen to avoid losing one of their key midfield players and will likely resist any bid. No official approach from City has been confirmed beyond the scouting interest. Developments are expected soon as City accelerate their search to fill the void left in their engine room.

Roma have less than two weeks left in the transfer window and must balance incoming reinforcements with outgoings. While it remains difficult to move Koné on, both Soulé and Ziółkowski are on the market. Ziółkowski arrived in the capital a year ago but has not convinced head coach Gasperini and may now generate useful revenue for the club's balance sheet. Roma's sporting director awaits offers, but the club is already preparing a defensive contingency plan. Koulierakis has arrived and will serve as Mario Hermoso's backup in theory, but should Ziółkowski leave, the club intends to plug the gap by signing an experienced centre-back on loan rather than permanently. In recent days, Oosterwolde of Fenerbahce was offered to Roma. The approach reflects the club's preference to maintain financial flexibility while addressing defensive depth before the window closes.

Rodrigo Mora impressed in his first training session and now has four days to convince Gasperini he deserves the starting role in Roma's match against Fiorentina on Monday. The Portuguese forward will compete with Matías Soulé for the trequartista position in a 3-4-1-2 formation that Roma trialled on 19 August. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are set to start as the two strikers, with Mora eyeing an opportunity to stake his claim in the role that suits him best. Soulé's availability for the match remains uncertain as AC Milan continues to press for his signature, alongside English club Sunderland. The competition for places elsewhere in the team appears settled: Molina is ready to make his debut, Wesley will start at left-back, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné will operate in midfield, and the defensive line in front of Mile Svilar will comprise Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso. Gasperini's early feedback on Mora has been positive, giving the forward genuine scope to earn a starting berth.

Matteo Marcenaro will referee Roma's Serie A opener against Fiorentina on Monday 24 August at 20.45 at Stadio Olimpico. The Genoa-based official will take charge of the Giallorossi for the eighth time. In his seven previous Roma matches, Marcenaro has overseen four victories, two draws and one defeat—a largely favourable record for the club. The one loss has proven contentious. Roma lost 3–2 at Verona in 2024 under Juric after Marcenaro allowed a goal that followed a push on N'Dicka. De Rossi also criticised Marcenaro for not awarding a clear penalty to Zalewski during a 0–0 draw at Lecce. Such incidents have shadowed an otherwise positive relationship between the referee and the club over the years.

Marcenaro will take charge of Roma's Serie A opener against Fiorentina on Monday at the Olimpico, kicking off at 20:45. The referee has an encouraging record with the Giallorossi, showing four victories, two draws, and one defeat across their previous meetings. His last encounter with Roma came in a 1–1 draw against Atalanta, while his sole loss came in a controversial 2024 match against Verona, where a disputed goal from the Hellas side involved a foul by Magnani on N'Dicka. The opening weekend fixture marks the start of Roma's Serie A campaign under Gasperini's leadership. Marcenaro's overall positive history against the club suggests a fair hand, though the Verona precedent underscores how contentious refereeing decisions have figured in Roma's recent encounters. The appointment reflects confidence in the official's experience and consistency at this level. Lo Cicero and Rossi will serve as assistant referees, with Fabbri in the fourth official role. Abisso and Giua have been assigned as VAR and AVAR respectively.