Roma targets Real Madrid defender Valdepenas

Roma have signed Rodrigo Mora, a 2007-born prospect, from Porto in a deal structured at €25 million up front plus 50% of any future sell-on fee, with an option for Roma to secure full ownership by paying an additional €25 million to the Portuguese club. The initial €25 million outlay ranks Mora as the eighth-most expensive Under-19 signing in Serie A history. Should Roma exercise the buyout clause and pay the extra €25 million, Mora would jump to third place on that all-time list, behind only Nico Paz (€66 million) and De Ligt (€85.5 million). The 19-year-old wears the number 86 shirt and represents a significant investment in Roma's youth strategy. The deal's structure—allowing Roma to defer the completion fee while retaining a financial stake in any onward transfer—reflects modern football's creative approach to high-risk signings of teenage talent. Mora's potential move into the top three most expensive U19 signings would underline Roma's ambition in the market.

Manchester City have added Roma midfielder Manu Koné to their list of midfield targets, according to reports confirmed on 20 August by journalist Ben Jacobs. City, following Rodri's departure, are seeking two midfielders and have already advanced contact with Bouaddi and prepared a fresh offer for Chelsea's Enzo Fernández. Koné is among the profiles under consideration, with updates expected in the coming days. Koné's future remains uncertain despite recent reassurances over his Roma future. The French midfielder had been flagged as a likely departure this summer, but only Atlético Madrid's offer—deemed unsatisfactory—materialised on Roma's desk early in the transfer window. Manchester United had also shown interest previously. Roma are keen to avoid losing one of their key midfield players and will likely resist any bid. No official approach from City has been confirmed beyond the scouting interest. Developments are expected soon as City accelerate their search to fill the void left in their engine room.

Roma have less than two weeks left in the transfer window and must balance incoming reinforcements with outgoings. While it remains difficult to move Koné on, both Soulé and Ziółkowski are on the market. Ziółkowski arrived in the capital a year ago but has not convinced head coach Gasperini and may now generate useful revenue for the club's balance sheet. Roma's sporting director awaits offers, but the club is already preparing a defensive contingency plan. Koulierakis has arrived and will serve as Mario Hermoso's backup in theory, but should Ziółkowski leave, the club intends to plug the gap by signing an experienced centre-back on loan rather than permanently. In recent days, Oosterwolde of Fenerbahce was offered to Roma. The approach reflects the club's preference to maintain financial flexibility while addressing defensive depth before the window closes.

Rodrigo Mora's arrival at Roma is a calculated strategic addition that aligns with Gasperini's established attacking philosophy rather than a departure from it, according to tactical analysis. The Portuguese playmaker, who has generated discussion outside the club's training ground since June, complements rather than overturns the head coach's original plan. Gasperini has consistently sought two different profiles on the left wing in a 3-4-2-1 formation: a more technical player like Mora, and a dynamic runner such as Fofana, who remains a candidate to complete the attack overhaul. Gasperini deployed the 3-4-2-1 throughout the 2025–26 season, using Lorenzo Pellegrini as an attacking midfielder and playmaker rather than a winger. When he needed different characteristics, he rotated players including Venturino, Zaragoza, Baldanzi, Pisilli and El Shaarawy. The trequartista role is integral to his system regardless of Mora's signing, confirming that Roma's attacking architecture has not shifted. Roma's first three league fixtures—against Fiorentina, Lecce and Atalanta—all deploy a back four, matches in which Mora's profile will prove immediately useful behind the striker pairing. Gasperini used the 3-4-1-2 formation in four of five recent pre-season friendlies, fielding Soulé as trequartista three times and Cristante once. Roma's opening match comes Monday evening against Fiorentina at the Olimpico.

Paulo Dybala has consolidated his status as Roma's cornerstone player despite an injury-depleted forward line under Gian Piero Gasperini. The club initially weighed the possibility of parting with the Argentine at the end of his contract, mindful of his €8 million net annual salary in the 2025–26 season and the 21 matches he missed due to physical problems. However, a contract extension through 2027, confirmed on 13 July, resolved all doubts. Dybala accepted a 70% salary reduction to remain in giallorosso colours, demonstrating his deep attachment to the club. With Stephan El Shaarawy departing on a free transfer, Lorenzo Venturino and Bryan Zaragoza returning to their parent clubs, and Lorenzo Pellegrini sidelined by injury, Dybala and Matías Soulé carry almost the entire responsibility for the attacking midfield role. His experience proves invaluable ahead of Roma's European campaign: Dybala's 53 Champions League appearances make him the squad's most seasoned European player, ahead of Nahuel Molina (37 appearances), Donyell Malen and Mario Hermoso (31 each). Against Borussia Dortmund in a friendly on 15 August at 17:30, Dybala is set once again to lead the team on the pitch, confirming his status as both a technical and commercial pillar of the club.

Roma take on Borussia Dortmund in a pre-season friendly at 17:30 today, but the clash is overshadowed by an injury crisis that has left Gian Piero Gasperini with just 23 players available — only 16 outfield players and three goalkeepers. Wesley suffered a right ankle sprain yesterday, joining Niccolò Pisilli (soleus injury) and Lorenzo Pellegrini (returning to group training in mid-September) on the sidelines. The Brazilian's injury mirrors problems sustained during the Welsh training camp. With 15 days remaining in the summer transfer window, Roma's squad position has deteriorated markedly. Eight players have departed — Dovbyk, Ferguson, Angeliño, Tsimikas, Celik, Zaragoza, Venturino and El Shaarawy — while only three signings have arrived: Molina, Castro and Koulierakis. Gasperini highlighted the shortage with a pointed response on competitiveness versus last season: "According to you?", underlining particular weaknesses on the flanks, in attack and midfield, where only three players are currently available. The Dortmund match will provide minutes for Molina while also testing Roma's defensive resilience; the rearguard conceded 11 goals across four pre-season matches against Cannes, Brighton, Cardiff and Newport without a clean sheet.

Rodrigo Mora has officially chosen shirt number 86 at Roma, making history by becoming the first player in the club's existence to wear the number. The Portuguese arrival explained his choice: "It was by chance, there weren't many numbers to choose from and the 86 seemed the most beautiful to me. And it stayed that way." With Mora's selection, all numbers from 1 to 99 are now accounted for in Roma's history since the club's founding in 1927. The number 86 was the sole remaining unassigned shirt in Roma's archive until today. Last season, Daniele Ghilardi became the first to wear 87, part of a wider refresh of Roma's squad number allocation. The official confirmation came the morning after Mora's arrival presentation to supporters on 18 August.

Roma are actively exploring departures in the current transfer window. Jan Ziółkowski is in line to leave the club, with several Arab clubs monitoring the Polish defender. The 2005-born centre-back has attracted interest due to his youth and established international pedigree, and Roma are awaiting offers. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini would prefer to move on Daniele Ghilardi instead, but Ziółkowski commands greater market appeal. The arrival of Koulierakis has squeezed playing time for the young Pole, as the new signing can operate as left-centre-back in place of Mario Hermoso or centrally to rotate with Evan N'Dicka. Matías Soulé also remains available for transfer, though no offers have yet reached Roma's Trigoria training ground for the winger. Updates on potential departures are expected in the coming days as the club looks to balance the squad and generate funds. Gasperini's preference for which defender to sell underscores the tactical flexibility now available following recent recruitment, with multiple defensive options enabling the manager to make strategic choices about squad composition.

Roma played their final pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park on 15 August, with kickoff at 17:30. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini left Molina on the bench and deployed Lulli at left-back in Wesley's absence. Donyell Malen led the attack in a 3-4-2-1 formation that also featured Mile Svilar in goal, a back line of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, midfielders Devyne Rensch, Neil El Aynaoui, Bryan Cristante and Lulli, with Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé in support. The match offered Gasperini a chance to assess the squad's development ahead of the new season. Dortmund lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation under coach Kovac, with Gregor Kobel in goal and Serhou Guirassy leading their attack. Roma had several players available on the bench, including De Marzi, Pierluigi Gollini, Koulierakis, Castro, Manu Koné, Molina, Jan Ziółkowski, Mannini, Reale, Robinio Vaz, Morucci and Daniele Ghilardi.