Roma shift strategy in final market push: Mora becomes primary target

Roma are preparing a €25 million offer for Luis Henrique as technical director D'Amico pushes to wrap up the Mora transfer. A deal for Mora could be finalised as early as today, with negotiations progressing at pace. The club is considering Luis Henrique or Udogie as options to bolster the left flank. Inter have scheduled talks today to discuss Luis Henrique's future, setting up a potential race for the winger's signature. Roma's move for a left-sided player underscores the priority to strengthen that area of the pitch ahead of the 2026–27 season. The Gazzetta dello Sport reports the €25 million bid for Luis Henrique as Roma's preferred approach to the position.

Roma have identified Inter's Luis Henrique as their primary target to strengthen the left flank, ahead of Tottenham's Destiny Udogie. Tony D'Amico has opened talks in strict secrecy with Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio, preparing an offer between €25 and €30 million. The two clubs are scheduled to meet today to discuss the proposal. The Brazilian winger has impressed Gasperini for his tactical balance, combining attacking thrust with defensive discipline and protection of the flank. Luis Henrique played both wings at Inter under Chivu's management, making him an ideal solution for Roma's left side after Angeliño's departure to Deportivo La Coruña. He would provide competition with fellow Brazilian Wesley, who already operates in that area. With the offer ready and Gasperini's backing secured, Roma are pressing to land a player who fully meets the manager's demands for versatility and work rate.

Rodrigo Mora has agreed to join Roma. Director of football Tony D'Amico has tabled a five-year contract worth two million euros per season, including bonuses, for the Porto playmaker. The agreement with agent Jorge Mendes was reached yesterday after rapid negotiations. Porto's formal approval is awaited in the coming hours. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has pressed D'Amico to complete the deal quickly, expecting two new arrivals by 15 August. Gasperini received reassurances at an emergency meeting with ownership at Vale Resort in Hensol, Wales. Roma plan to close the signing of the new forward first, then turn attention to reinforcing other positions: a right winger to deputise for Paulo Dybala, and a left winger to rotate with Wesley.

Roma have moved ahead of Galatasaray in the pursuit of Porto winger Rodrigo Mora after a breakthrough in negotiations over the past 48 hours. Sporting director D'Amico has been in continuous talks with Porto, leveraging agent Jorge Mendes's involvement, and has reached agreement on personal terms: a five-year contract worth €2 million per season. The clubs have also settled on a transfer fee close to €40 million. Mora has been on Roma's radar for some time, but the acceleration came when the agreement with his representatives put Roma in a commanding position over their Turkish rivals. Head coach Gasperini is eager to have the Portuguese winger available for the start of the season. All parties involved want to reach a conclusion as soon as possible. During a meeting in Wales, the club's ownership also stressed the need to generate sales. The most likely candidates for exits to create profit are Matías Soulé and Jan Ziółkowski.

Roma are monitoring Destiny Udogie as a potential signing should either Jan Ziółkowski or Daniele Ghilardi leave the club in the coming weeks. According to reports from Ugo Trani on TeleRadioStereo, the Giallorossi have already opened initial contact with Udogie's representatives. The left-back would strengthen Gasperini's flanks and represents an important reinforcement for the defensive ranks. Ghilardi, the former Verona defender, is considered the primary candidate for departure, though Ziółkowski has attracted more market interest at present—a situation that could alter Roma's transfer strategy. With the arrival of Koulierakis, the defensive unit available to Gasperini is largely complete, though further moves in the coming weeks are not ruled out as the club continues to build beyond the attack. Fiorentina have also registered interest in Udogie, meaning Roma face competition for the 24-year-old's signature should they decide to pursue the deal.

Roma are closing in on Torino's young full-back Cacciamani with negotiations between the two clubs now closer on valuation. The parties are separated by approximately two million euros, a gap described as bridgeable, and Roma's next decisive push could seal the deal. Cacciamani, who has significant growth potential, would serve as an alternative to Wesley on the left flank and represents the kind of young, important player the club is targeting, according to coach Gian Piero Gasperini. As of 9 August, Roma's transfer window remains further behind Gasperini's preferred timeline, though activity is substantial across multiple fronts. The primary focus remains securing a right-footed attacking midfielder to deploy on the left; Nusa remains the preferred option, but negotiations with Leipzig have stalled around the €45–50 million budget threshold, with the German club unmoved on its asking price. Roma are also exploring alternatives including 21-year-old Malick Fofana at Lyon, who is still recovering from ankle surgery and a subsequent surgical intervention. On outgoings, Jan Ziółkowski has received an offer from Saudi Arabia that is currently under evaluation by the club. The Polish defender could join Matías Soulé and Manu Koné as potential departures if the right terms materialise. Elsewhere, Roma continue pursuing a right winger with Endrick's name still in the mix; the club is exploring a loan structure for the Brazilian talent born in 2006 to bolster that position.

Roma are monitoring Destiny Udogie as a potential signing should either Jan Ziółkowski or Daniele Ghilardi leave the club in the coming weeks. According to reports from Ugo Trani on TeleRadioStereo, the Giallorossi have already opened initial contact with Udogie's representatives. The left-back would strengthen Gasperini's flanks and represents an important reinforcement for the defensive ranks. Ghilardi, the former Verona defender, is considered the primary candidate for departure, though Ziółkowski has attracted more market interest at present—a situation that could alter Roma's transfer strategy. With the arrival of Koulierakis, the defensive unit available to Gasperini is largely complete, though further moves in the coming weeks are not ruled out as the club continues to build beyond the attack. Fiorentina have also registered interest in Udogie, meaning Roma face competition for the 24-year-old's signature should they decide to pursue the deal.

Roma's defence, which finished as Serie A's second-best last season, has shown alarming fragility during their pre-season tour of Britain. The Giallorossi conceded eight goals across three friendlies—four against Cardiff, one against Newport, and three against Brighton—with the tally rising to 11 when including a 3–3 draw against Cannes. Against Brighton on 8 August, Gasperini made wholesale defensive changes after Roma had shipped three goals in 49 minutes, introducing Ghilardi and new arrival Koulierakis while withdrawing N'Dicka and Hermoso. The ivory-coast central defender had failed to close down Ayari's double, prompting Gasperini to turn to the bench and shout "Let's change." Hermoso, managing an ankle problem, allowed Rutter to nearly extend the lead moments after the 3–0. Earlier defensive lapses against Cardiff exposed deeper issues: Ahsford's opener came after N'Dicka slipped and a rebound off Rensch, while Salech's second followed a costly Svilar error on a dangerous Wesley backpass. El Aynaoui was substituted at half-time after a misplaced pass that set up Ayari's second goal, and Rensch drew criticism for poor decision-making. The unit that had anchored Roma's recent success now appears fragile heading into the season. Gasperini acknowledged the work ahead, saying "the team is struggling to switch back on," highlighting the scale of the challenge to restore defensive solidity before competitive fixtures begin.

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.