Roma target Saudi deals for El Aynaoui and Ziółkowski to unlock summer transfers

Matías Soulé is fighting for a starting place in Roma's opening Serie A match against Fiorentina on 24 August, with competition from Rodrigo Mora for the attacking midfield role behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Mora has impressed the coaching staff in early training and is challenging Soulé for the position, which does not perfectly suit the Argentine's playing style but which he must learn to interpret effectively. Soulé has regained fitness during pre-season after arriving at Trigoria carrying extra weight in mid-July, and his enthusiasm has been boosted by the arrival of two other Argentine players. However, transfer speculation has continued to shadow the final weeks of the summer window. Milan have been linked with a move, though no concrete offers have materialised and a departure appears unlikely at this stage. Soulé does not wish to leave the club and remains motivated to carve out his role in Gasperini's squad.

Roma are maintaining their focus on the transfer market ahead of their fixture against Fiorentina, with head coach Gasperini keen to add two more players—one attacker and one wide defender. Gittens has emerged as the primary target for the forward role, with Roma hoping to bring him to the capital on loan. Lyon's Fofana remains on the club's radar as well. Director of sport D'Amico is pursuing final signings to complete the squad. Elsewhere in the market, El Aynaoui is available for departure. Multiple Arab clubs have expressed interest, and Roma have set a €35 million asking price. The club will only sell if an offer exceeds that figure. Oosterwolde has also been offered to Roma, and the club is currently evaluating him.

Roma's recruitment drive continues with three months to go before the start of the new campaign, as Gian Piero Gasperini's squad still requires reinforcement despite the imminent league opener against Fiorentina. The club's hierarchy is working to deliver two additional arrivals before the close of the transfer window: a midfielder and a winger. The arrival of Rodrigo Mora — deployed as a backup to Paulo Dybala on the left — falls short of addressing Gasperini's need for a dynamic wide player capable of breaking matches open with pace and technical ability. These acquisitions are contingent on outgoings; should players like Matías Soulé or Jan Ziółkowski depart, the number of incoming deals could rise to three. Among the targets on sporting director D'Amico's radar is Chelsea's Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, an Elite Project client who has dropped out of the Blues' plans. If Chelsea confirm their willingness to negotiate a loan deal, the operation could accelerate significantly. Roma are also evaluating at least three attacking options while maintaining interest in Youssouf Fofana as a midfield candidate.

Roma are maintaining their focus on the transfer market ahead of their fixture against Fiorentina, with head coach Gasperini keen to add two more players—one attacker and one wide defender. Gittens has emerged as the primary target for the forward role, with Roma hoping to bring him to the capital on loan. Lyon's Fofana remains on the club's radar as well. Director of sport D'Amico is pursuing final signings to complete the squad. Elsewhere in the market, El Aynaoui is available for departure. Multiple Arab clubs have expressed interest, and Roma have set a €35 million asking price. The club will only sell if an offer exceeds that figure. Oosterwolde has also been offered to Roma, and the club is currently evaluating him.

Roma are considering selling Neil El Aynaoui to Saudi Arabian clubs as the club works to manage UEFA financial regulations. The midfielder, signed last summer for €25m on a five-year contract until 2030, has been priced at €35m. Roma aim to generate a profit of at least €15m from the sale, calculated against the amortisation of his transfer fee. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has pressed the club's ownership and CEO John Galantic for attacking reinforcements in recent days, but the hierarchy's response is clear: any new signings must be funded by outgoings first. El Aynaoui is not the only departure under consideration. Defender Jan Ziółkowski has also received approaches from Saudi Arabia, specifically from Neom, with Roma demanding €20m for him. The combined proceeds from both sales—totalling over €50m—would be earmarked for a new striker. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens of Chelsea has emerged as a target, valued at €35m by the Blues, though Gasperini is examining other attacking options as well.

Wesley has returned to full training and will start at left-back in Monday's Serie A opener against Fiorentina at the Olimpico (20:45), after recovering from an ankle injury that disrupted his summer preparation. Gian Piero Gasperini has settled on a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso in defence, Wesley and Molina on the wings, and Dybala and Malen leading the attack. The main tactical question concerns the number 10 position: Gasperini is tempted to deploy Rodrigo Mora's pure talent from the start, but faces a dilemma. Launching Mora could risk losing defensive balance and midfield cover; instead, Gasperini appears inclined toward a more cautious approach, pairing either Pisilli or El Aynaoui alongside Koné in midfield, with Cristante advanced to the number 10 role to provide substance, runs, and physical presence. Lorenzo Pellegrini remains unavailable as he continues his rehabilitation after knee surgery, while young Bah has successfully undergone right-knee surgery.

Roma's recruitment drive continues with three months to go before the start of the new campaign, as Gian Piero Gasperini's squad still requires reinforcement despite the imminent league opener against Fiorentina. The club's hierarchy is working to deliver two additional arrivals before the close of the transfer window: a midfielder and a winger. The arrival of Rodrigo Mora — deployed as a backup to Paulo Dybala on the left — falls short of addressing Gasperini's need for a dynamic wide player capable of breaking matches open with pace and technical ability. These acquisitions are contingent on outgoings; should players like Matías Soulé or Jan Ziółkowski depart, the number of incoming deals could rise to three. Among the targets on sporting director D'Amico's radar is Chelsea's Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, an Elite Project client who has dropped out of the Blues' plans. If Chelsea confirm their willingness to negotiate a loan deal, the operation could accelerate significantly. Roma are also evaluating at least three attacking options while maintaining interest in Youssouf Fofana as a midfield candidate.

Roma are considering selling Neil El Aynaoui to Saudi Arabian clubs as the club works to manage UEFA financial regulations. The midfielder, signed last summer for €25m on a five-year contract until 2030, has been priced at €35m. Roma aim to generate a profit of at least €15m from the sale, calculated against the amortisation of his transfer fee. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has pressed the club's ownership and CEO John Galantic for attacking reinforcements in recent days, but the hierarchy's response is clear: any new signings must be funded by outgoings first. El Aynaoui is not the only departure under consideration. Defender Jan Ziółkowski has also received approaches from Saudi Arabia, specifically from Neom, with Roma demanding €20m for him. The combined proceeds from both sales—totalling over €50m—would be earmarked for a new striker. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens of Chelsea has emerged as a target, valued at €35m by the Blues, though Gasperini is examining other attacking options as well.

Roma plan two more signings before the transfer window closes to complete their squad for the Champions League campaign and the club's centenary year. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini wants a fifth central midfielder and a right winger; the arrival of Rodrigo Mora has not filled the gaps, particularly the need for a player capable of explosive play in that area. Sporting director D'Amico is working on at least three names. Chelsea winger Gittens is a real option. He is out of favour at Stamford Bridge and managed by Elite Project, the same agency that represents Udogie. If Chelsea open the door to a loan — Roma have detected signals in that direction — the deal could advance. Midfielder Fofana remains firmly on Roma's radar. Both arrivals should be assessed separately from any potential departures: if either Matías Soulé or Jan Ziółkowski leaves, Roma would need to bring in three players instead of two.