Roma target Martinelli as salary hurdle emerges

Roma have reached an agreement in principle with Malick Fofana's representatives at the Roc Nation agency, according to a report from Hugo Guillemet of L'Équipe. The deal covers the player and his entourage, but Roma and Olympique Lyon have yet to settle on a fee. Lyon face pressure to raise funds through at least one more significant sale before the transfer window closes, and Fofana remains among the squad members who could depart if a substantial offer arrives. L'Équipe values Fofana at around €40 million, a figure Roma are currently unwilling to pay. The standoff is expected to intensify in the final days of the market. The timing may also be influenced by Roma's Champions League qualifying replay against Fenerbahçe, scheduled for Wednesday evening, which could affect the club's resources and priorities as the window nears its end.

Roma continue their transfer business following the arrival of Oosterwolde, with head coach Gasperini awaiting a new attacking winger before the market closes. The club will make another attempt to sign Chelsea's Gittens on a loan deal with a right of redemption, though the Blues have not yet accepted the proposal. With the final week of the transfer window approaching, Roma remain hopeful of a breakthrough. Parallel to the Gittens pursuit, Roma have held a long-standing agreement with Lyon's Fofana, but progress depends on circumstances beyond their control. Roma's sporting director D'Amico must wait for Lyon's Champions League preliminary round tie scheduled for tomorrow evening. Should Lyon be eliminated, the French side may lower their demands and allow the player to depart. Roma's next obstacle comes in that Champions fixture: a match against Fenerbahçe, managed by Greenwood. The first leg ended 1–1, with Greenwood scoring the English side's goal.

Paulo Fonseca, manager of Olympique Lyonnais, has publicly backed Malick Fofana to stay at the club despite Roma's interest in signing the Belgian winger to strengthen their attack. Speaking at a press conference ahead of Lyon's Champions League playoff return against Fenerbahçe, Fonseca addressed Fofana's fitness after recent injury problems and his prospects at the club. "Now he is well, physically and mentally," Fonseca said of the 2005-born winger. "I think he is a player who will continue with us. He is very motivated to continue with us." The Lyon boss made clear the club has already fielded offers for Fofana and rejected them. "We are not worried about selling Malick. We have offers. If other clubs want him, they will have to pay well. The club refused offers because it believes in this player," Fonseca stated, raising the financial bar around the winger precisely as Roma continues to evaluate his profile to complete their attacking options for the 2026–27 season.