Roma step up push for Luiz Henrique as Gittens and Leweling options fade

Matthijs de Roon has joined AS Roma, arriving at the club with established familiarity with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The Dutch midfielder brings considerable tactical knowledge and experience from working under Gasperini, offering both leadership and on-pitch quality to strengthen Roma's midfield options. De Roon's arrival represents a swift move in the transfer market and provides Gasperini with a trusted lieutenant who understands his methods and demands. The midfielder's background working with the Roma boss suggests immediate integration into the team's systems and culture.

Roma are working to finalise an attacking reinforcement in the coming hours. The club is attempting to close a deal with Zenit for Luiz Henrique on the basis of a paid loan worth €5 million with a purchase option set at €30 million.

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."