Roma shifts strategy as Luis Henrique emerges as priority left-winger target

Endrick is among Roma's priority targets for the January transfer window after lengthy speculation over him during the summer. The Brazilian striker remains deeply unhappy with his situation at Real Madrid despite choosing to stay with the club, having received only four minutes of action against Elche under Mourinho's management. During the international break, Endrick's representatives held talks with Real Madrid's hierarchy to reiterate their frustration, but the club has made its position clear: no permanent sale will be entertained. Roma and AC Milan are both positioned to pursue a loan deal, the only avenue currently available. Several Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Tottenham, have registered interest but are unwilling to consider a loan arrangement. AC Milan already attempted to bring Endrick to Italy during the summer, a fact confirmed by Pato in an interview at the Festival dello Sport. The Serie A remains one of the most concrete and attractive destinations for the player in January, and Roma have the strongest chance of securing him on loan. Gasperini is pushing for Endrick's arrival, and Roma's director D'Amico is actively working the deal. The coming weeks are expected to bring significant developments in the pursuit of the 17-year-old forward.

Robinio Vaz has had limited playing time since joining Hull City on loan in August, with only eight minutes against Chelsea and twelve against Newcastle to his name so far this season, plus a subdued showing in the Curaçao Cup. The French midfielder has moved between benches at Marseille, Roma and now Hull City, where he arrived on a temporary deal with a buyout option. Vaz joined Roma in January on a €22 million transfer at the behest of Massara, but failed to win over head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who opted to send him out on loan rather than allow his valuation to diminish further. The club structured the deal as a €2 million loan fee coupled with a €30 million buyout clause for Hull City, which carries no performance or appearance conditions—it depends solely on the English club's judgment of the player. Despite injuries to Hull's Gelhardt and Ansah, Vaz has not broken into their starting hierarchy. The arrangement came at a time when Vaz also faced racist abuse on social media, prompting Hull City to issue a statement in his defence. The hope now, whether or not the buyout is triggered, is that the midfielder finds regular football in England and can rebuild his career after a difficult spell at the Stadio Olimpico.

Endrick remains a target for both Roma and AC Milan this winter, but the Brazilian forward has reportedly already committed to Gasperini, tilting the balance in the Giallorossi's favour. The 22-year-old was expected to move during the summer, but José Mourinho convinced him to stay at Real Madrid, where he has been hampered by a muscle injury and limited playing time. Roma's interest intensifies as Endrick's situation mirrors his loan move to Lyon in January 2025, when Gasperini also saw him as a secondary striker rather than a primary forward—a role in which he scored 8 goals in 23 matches and contributed substantially to Lyon's Champions League qualification. Roc Nation, Endrick's agency, maintains strong relations with both Roma and AC Milan owner Jerry Cardinale, but the player's previous commitment to Gasperini last summer could prove decisive. Mourinho, who blocked his departure to Rome last August, is no longer opposed to the move, according to Corriere dello Sport. The remaining question concerns the transfer structure: whether Roma would pursue a long-term loan with a purchase option, insist on an obligation to buy, or settle for a straightforward loan. Roma has historically resisted subsidising other clubs' players, but January offers opportunities that can shift decision-making.

Roma's radio stations have focused heavily on the upcoming Como fixture and squad selection as Gasperini's side prepares for a demanding period. Checco Oddo Casano argued that Devyne Rensch, bought for €5 million, could be sold in January for a profit to bring in a stronger left-back in the style of Moreira. "Rensch is a little player who can fit in Roma's squad, but he'll hardly become a new Gosens, a new Zappacosta or a new Wesley," Casano said. "You bought him at a good price and you can make a profit—maybe in January you can sell him and get a stronger player to improve in that area of the pitch." David Rossi noted that Roma's last league defeat came in April when they lost to Inter at San Siro, despite playing a strong first half. He questioned whether Roma are genuinely weaker than Como or whether the psychological pressure of the fixture is one-sided. Gianluca Piacentini acknowledged Como's strength—demonstrating a solid project over the past season and a half—but emphasised that Roma are equally capable, with both teams among the three strongest in the league. Fabio Petruzzi said Roma and Como have shown significant growth over the last 18 months and play the best football in Italy, even better than Inter, though Inter's superior squad makes them favourites. Piero Torri predicted De Roon will start against Como, saying "he seems made specifically to play with Gasperini." Torri noted Lorenzo Pellegrini could play as a midfielder but has never featured in that role under Gasperini and hasn't played a match since April, making an immediate start unlikely. Torri stated: "I'll be called mad, but for me the Como match is harder than the Real Madrid one." Marco Valerio Corsi reported that Bryan Cristante appears to have a lateral knee ligament problem and will miss both Como and Real Madrid, with the length of the absence still unclear. Roberto Pruzzo called De Roon "a proven reliable player" and "a solid used buy," saying he cannot be ignored as an option despite potential fitness concerns over a run of ten consecutive matches. Nando Orsi said De Roon will "challenge the titularity of one of the two sacred monsters of midfield" if he is physically fit, having praised the signing in advance. Stephan El Shaarawy was not mentioned. Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso featured prominently in defenders' debate, with Carina suggesting N'Dicka was sidelined too easily and forming the best back three with Balerdi and Hermoso. Pruzzo still favoured Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso as the core defensive line, while Mattioli predicted Balerdi will become immovable once fully integrated into Italian football and Roma's system.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has decisions to make ahead of the trip to Como, with injuries and international commitments affecting selection in midfield and defence. Matías Soulé, who has been with Argentina, is expected back at Trigoria only on Thursday, opening the door for either Lorenzo Pellegrini or Rodrigo Mora to start alongside Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in the attacking midfield role. Pellegrini, who has not played since 10 April, is fully fit and ready to return; a start would mark his 350th appearance for Roma. Mora, meanwhile, is currently with the Portugal U21 side and is chasing continuity after scoring an overhead kick against Gibraltar. Gasperini has built a significant strength on Roma's flanks this season—a reversal of last season's problems. The club's wingers have created 24 goal-scoring chances so far: 13 from Wesley, 7 from Nahuel Molina and 4 from Emanuele Lulli, a tally that places Roma second only to Inter. The coach is expected to field Molina on the right and Wesley on the left at Como, with the Brazilian given a more attacking brief and the Argentine tasked with greater defensive responsibility, though Gasperini has signalled he does not regard the flanks as fixed assignments and may shuffle them during the match. Defence has also emerged as a major weapon. Gasperini described Roma's back line as a "difesa di gladiatori" (defence of gladiators), and the numbers back that assessment. Roma lead Serie A with 5.8 recoveries per match in the attacking third and 141 regained possessions in the central areas, generating 17 shots from high-pressure recoveries. The coach has several defensive options in Evan N'Dicka, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Mario Hermoso, Daniele Ghilardi and Konstantinos Koulierakis. N'Dicka could return to the starting line-up at Como in place of Balerdi, who is still with Argentina and due back at Trigoria later. Gasperini's defensive philosophy is encapsulated in one of his favourite sayings: "Si difende in 11, si attacca in 11"—defence involves all eleven, as does attack.

Wesley Sneijder, who won the treble with Inter under Mourinho, has identified Roma as Serie A's main threat to the Nerazzurri this season. Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, the former Inter midfielder praised Roma's attacking threat under Gasperini. "La Roma with Gasperini is particularly aggressive and dangerous, especially with this Malen who always scores and attacks the depth at the right moment: few can do it like that," Sneijder said. He acknowledged that Como has also caught attention but stressed the established contenders cannot be overlooked: "Now Como has everyone's eyes on it and is very interesting. But the others—Milan, Juve and even Napoli—how can you not consider them?" Sneijder also expressed hope that Inter, managed by Chivu, another former teammate, could win the Champions League again this season, noting that the final is being held in Madrid.