Roma target Zirkzee and Ndoye to bolster attack

Nahuel Molina is set to arrive in Rome on the afternoon of 10 August after Roma completed his transfer from Atlético Madrid for €13 million plus €4 million in add-ons. The Argentine full-back will undergo medical examinations and sign his contract upon arrival, before training under Gian Piero Gasperini for the first time on Tuesday. Molina's move concludes a deal negotiated over recent days. He becomes part of Roma's squad rebuild for the 2026–27 season under Gasperini, who took charge last year. The defender's arrival strengthens Roma's options at full-back as the club prepares for the campaign ahead. The transfer fee totals €17 million with incentives included. Molina will integrate into the squad after his first session with Gasperini on Tuesday.

Nahuel Molina is set to complete his move to Roma, with the Argentine defender due to arrive in the capital tomorrow evening. The deal with Atlético Madrid has been finalised, with Roma paying €17 million in total—€13 million upfront plus €4 million in add-ons. Molina will sign a four-year contract and become Roma's third summer signing. Documents were exchanged on Friday afternoon, concluding negotiations that had been ongoing for several days. The 26-year-old will immediately place himself at the disposal of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini as he prepares for the 2026–27 season. Molina's arrival strengthens Roma's defensive options ahead of the campaign, with the club having already completed two other signings during the transfer window.

Roma are preparing to submit an offer worth €45 million for Porto's Rodrigo Mora, the 19-year-old emerging as a major transfer target. Alfredo Pedulla reported that Roma intend to move soon for the teenager, whose current release clause stands at €70 million but whom Porto have agreed to let depart for well below that price. The move reflects Roma's shift in strategy after earlier missteps this summer, when the club missed out on both Crysencio Summerville and Mason Greenwood. A proposed move for Antonio Nusa also failed to gain traction. Roma now plan to redirect the funds they had earmarked for Summerville towards Mora, who offers youth as an advantage. Several calls regarding the deal are scheduled, with the next week expected to bring significant developments in Roma's pursuit of the Porto talent.

Roma's English pre-season tour ended in concern after a 3–0 defeat at Brighton laid bare significant defensive lapses and attacking impotence. The performance revealed delays both in physical conditioning and the absorption of tactical patterns, leaving Roma having conceded 11 goals across their last four friendly outings. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini expressed open frustration on the touchline, demanding greater midfield screening and emphasising the urgent need to activate the team's intensity. The match highlighted glaring defensive oversights and minimal cutting edge up front. Devyne Rensch came under constant pressure on the counter-attack from Yankuba Minteh, while Mario Hermoso had an off day in marking Georginio Rutter. Donyell Malen showed signs of being short of match fitness. The attacking partnership of Santiago Castro and Paulo Dybala made little impression on goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. With two weeks remaining before Roma's competitive league debut, Gasperini will have crucial time to accelerate both recruitment and work at Trigoria to correct these problems.

Roma are in the decisive phase of their summer transfer window hunt for a left-winger to strengthen their attack. With Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract renewal formalized and Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé securing the right flank, sporting director Tony D'Amico is looking to provide head coach Gian Piero Gasperini a player capable of delivering goals and depth. Gasperini's brief is clear: a young but already sufficiently prominent profile to match the club's ambitions. Malick Fofana of Olympique Lyonnais is the primary target, valued at approximately 40 million euros. The Belgian winger's pursuit faces significant obstacles, chiefly competition from RB Leipzig—fresh from selling Diomande to Real Madrid—who shares the same agency (Roc Nation) with Fofana. Roma are therefore exploring alternatives of high calibre. Jamie Gittens, available after Chelsea's acquisition of him a year ago from Borussia Dortmund for 60 million, features prominently among them. The club is also quietly exploring the possibility of a loan move for Endrick from Real Madrid.

Gian Piero Gasperini acknowledged Roma's transfer shortfall after a poor showing in a friendly against Brighton, conceding that the club lacks adequate depth. The head coach said: "If we do the count, numerically there is still a need for something, but you know how it is. D'Amico is negotiating very young and very important players. That is the indication." Gasperini stressed that squad decisions rest with the club's chief executive, saying: "We have a chief executive, you will have to ask him these questions and he will say what Roma can and cannot do. On numbers and market possibilities the ball passes to him." Gasperini cited returnees from international duty—Evan N'Dicka, Neil El Aynaoui, and Donyell Malen—as still recovering their sharpness. He praised Paulo Dybala's fitness and noted that recent arrivals from the start of preseason had performed well. The manager confirmed that an injured player "will be out for at least a month," with discussion to resume from September onward. Gasperini also highlighted recent squad changes: "We replaced Çelik with Molina, whom we will see on Tuesday. We replaced Dovbyk with Castro, who I believe will give us great satisfaction. And then Koulierakis arrived, who seems interesting to complete the defence."