Roma to accelerate forward exits: Dovbyk pursued by two Serie A clubs

Emanuele Lulli has signed a new contract with Roma running until 2031, tying the young full-back to the club after he was close to leaving last summer. Lulli, born in Palestrina and a lifelong Roma fan, was reportedly on the verge of joining Avellino when head coach Gian Piero Gasperini took him to pre-season training, watched him closely and halted the move. "Rimane qui" ("He stays here"), Gasperini told sporting director D'Amico. Lulli has made a strong start in Serie A, starting five of the first seven league matches and scoring his first goal against Genoa, in front of Daniele De Rossi. The deal matters for the club's future. Lulli's contract was due to expire in June 2027, which made an extension a priority on D'Amico's agenda. The new agreement runs to 2031 and starts on a base salary of 300,000 euros, rising over the years to around one million euros per season. The renewal was backed by everyone at the club, especially the player himself, who never considered leaving. Lazio also showed interest in him, but Lulli's goal was always to play for the team he has supported since childhood. Lulli's story also reflects Roma's tradition of homegrown Romans in the squad. He starred at Tor Tre Teste, where he played alongside the son of Marco Albergati, who worked for years with Bruno Conti, and Marazico was decisive in bringing him to Trigoria. Against Slovan, Niccolò Pisilli scored while wearing the captain's armband, and Lulli now looks like the club's next future captain. Lulli could start again at Napoli tomorrow, having given way to Nahuel Molina in the Champions League, and he is ready to reclaim the right flank in the league, with the race for the spot open.

Roma are preparing to tie down Emanuele Lulli to a new contract, with the young player nearing a renewal even though his current deal is approaching expiry. His form this season has earned him a growing share of minutes in Gian Piero Gasperini's rotation. Lulli marked his first goal for Roma in last week's win over Genoa, a strike that rewarded his gradual progression into the first team and further strengthened the coaching staff's confidence in him. Ahead of the trip to Napoli at the Maradona, he is reportedly challenging Nahuel Molina for a starting place. Gasperini has already shown he intends to widen his rotations, and Lulli's running, intensity and ability to contribute in both phases of play have made him an increasingly credible option. The renewal would be the natural reward for a path that has taken Lulli from backup to possible starter. Roma are keen to secure one of the most promising products of their youth sector and avoid his contract running too close to its expiry. In just a few weeks, the player has already started to change the pecking order in the squad.

Paulo Dybala is close to returning to Gian Piero Gasperini's squad, with Roma's attacker reportedly in contention for Tuesday evening's Serie A clash against Cagliari, according to Sky Sport. Dybala was left out of the squad for the Champions League match against Slovan Bratislava because of a small muscle injury, a fact confirmed by Gasperini himself. The latest indications suggest he could recover in time for the next league fixture, although his presence is not yet official and will depend on evaluations from the medical and technical staff in the coming days. A possible return would give Gasperini an important offensive option, though the Argentine's minutes will need to be managed with caution. On the other side of the club's news, Roma are reportedly in the final stages of agreeing a new contract with young winger Lulli. Sky Sport reports the deal should extend his stay at the club until 2031, reflecting the club's intention to build around the player in the seasons ahead. A few aspects remain to be finalised before the agreement is formalised, and it has not yet been announced officially. Both stories fit into Roma's wider work to strengthen the squad available to Gasperini: Dybala brings quality and experience to the attack, while the Lulli deal would ensure continuity in the development of a player the club clearly values.

Gianluca Piacentini of Rete Sport insisted Roma paid 25 million euros for Mora, not 50 million, in the latest instalment of the Roman radio roundup. He said: "Roma paid 25 million for Mora, then if this year he scores 100 goals and is worth 200 million, Roma have the option of paying 25 million to remove that clause on a future resale. But they did not buy 50% of the player, they bought 100% of the player. If they sell him, they must give 50% of what they receive, which Roma can remove by paying another 25 million. Since you have been insinuating for days that he is rubbish but you do not have the courage to say it, you say he was paid 50 million, but it is not true! If Roma take Mora to the end of his contract, they will have paid 25 million. It is very clear." Rossi, also on Rete Sport, reopened the debate over Pellegrini, saying that some people had doubted Roma's decision to renew Dybala and Pellegrini this summer, citing a history of injuries. He said Dybala has not reached half of his appearances and that Pellegrini had reached his 100th injury. Pellegrini has now re-injured the musculotendinous junction of the flexor, and will take another three months out. Rossi added that the injury was not fixed and that the club paid five million gross for the player, money he said Roma could have spent better. On Tele Radio Stereo, Alessio Nardo asked whether this is Pellegrini's last season with Roma, adding that the speculation should be hedged because "with Pellegrini you never know". He also questioned whether Gasperini chose to speak at his press conference today to avoid questions about possible errors in the transfer market and about underestimating certain aspects. Nardo described a city that remains bitter even after a third-place finish and seven wins in ten matches, saying Mora had become "the new Zaragoza" and had been "destroyed" over the last 48 hours. Lorenzo Pes disagreed, arguing that Gasperini skipped the press conference simply because of a run of closely spaced matches. Valentina Catoni argued that the real problem was not renewing Pellegrini but failing to sign another forward, saying Gasperini had asked for at least one more player up front. Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport said Roma are playing the season with only 20 outfield players, two of whom, Dybala and Pellegrini, have had a hard few years. He said the club's wage bill problem is the card Roma will play in front of UEFA, and claimed Pellegrini has played only 150 minutes in total. Torri also said he would have signed El Shaarawy at the end of the window, since he could play as a wide attacker or in midfield. Paola Cosenza voiced concern about Cristante, who is returning from a collateral ligament problem, fearing he may force his recovery. Marco Valerio Corsi said he expected Gasperini to protect Mora in the match at Napoli if he delivered another lacklustre performance, and that he doubted Wesley could play as a forward. Roberto Pruzzo said Soulé is growing and that Roma should build around him, and that he sees Santiago Castro as the alternative, adding that Mora looks too far behind the level required for the stage he is being asked to perform on. He said: "We must hope Malen doesn't even have a cold, otherwise it gets tough." Mario Mattioli argued that Pellegrini had only returned from injury two matches earlier and that the club had already lived through a similar situation. Nando Orsi criticised the constant talk of signings and of how Gasperini's training compares with that of previous years. The discussion is set to continue on the same programme, with pundits calling for Roma to reach January in contention for the top places before the club reassesses its options.

Filippo Biafora of Radio Manà Manà said the renewal of Marco Lulli's contract is done, with the defender set to sign a deal running until 2031 with a rising salary. Biafora said he had no confirmation on the operation involving Lorenzo Pellegrini, who for the moment will be out for a couple of months. Regardless of that situation, he said, Gasperini has strongly asked for investment in January. Francesco Balzani of Tele Radio Stereo said he expected Mora not to start. He said Cristante was awaited for a decision the previous day, and that Cristante had said he could start, with the club to assess how his minutes are managed because he cannot play the whole match. Balzani recalled that Gasperini played Cristante as a high forward against Allegri's Milan last year and could repeat it. He expects Cristante to start and Mora to come on if Roma need more technical quality, adding that Gasperini does not consider pairing the two strikers. Balzani said that starting Mora would upset the balance against a strong side in Naples, and that other moves would be forced. Mario Mattioli of Radio Radio said: "The injury to Pellegrini, but it is not that now every injury means going back to the market. What happens when you get the starters back? They should have foreseen that Gasperini's training was not what Roma were used to. Roma now train with a capital 'A', before it was not like this, but the fault certainly does not lie with the market." Roberto Pruzzo, also of Radio Radio, said: "We need to understand what role Castro can play, who at this moment can be the alternative. Mora seems too far behind to me. We must hope Malen does not catch a cold, otherwise it becomes tough. Above all in managing matches: we must make sure we reach January still there, and then sign players on the market." Lorenzo Pes of TeleradioStereo said that in June a discussion had opened about the length of Pellegrini's contract, especially on how such fragile players can lead to a different squad make-up. Dybala, Pellegrini and Koné often stop, and with the first two you have to reckon. He said Roma travel to Napoli with 17 outfield players, which is very few. Pes said Gasperini wanted to keep this squad, believing it would improve this season, and had strongly wanted to keep Dybala and Pellegrini.

Former Roma goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg has offered his views on the current squad, praising Donyell Malen while placing Mile Svilar short of Europe's elite goalkeepers. Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, the Dutchman gave his assessment of the club's forwards and goalkeeper. Stekelenburg was full of praise for Malen, who he said has quickly become a key figure. He said: "Bobby is very fast and always plays on the edge of the offside trap." Asked about the pairing with Paulo Dybala, he added: "I immediately thought they could be a good partnership. Malen is extremely valuable for Roma." His comments on Svilar were more cautious. He said: "He is doing very well, but among the top five in Europe, no, not yet. He still has to keep improving to get there."

Roma's pundits on Rome's radio stations were largely positive about the club's recent results, but they were divided over Mora and the January market. Roberto Pruzzo, speaking on Radio Radio, said: 'Mora is absolutely not ready for this stage, and Roma must sign Lookman. Do a six-month loan.' He also said Castro does not play when Malen is fit and that Mora did not take advantage of his chance, adding that a striker is needed in January. Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo was more worried: 'I said Mora had to play to get used to his teammates, but there is a Mora problem. Do you remember Bojan Krkic? I would not want him to suffer the same fate.' Corsi said Mora was an embarrassment in front of goal, had shot at a photographer and had got everything wrong on Sunday, including his passing. The debate followed a run of matches after the heavy defeat to Real Madrid. Mario Mattioli of Radio Radio said Roma were fortunate to face Genoa and Slovan Bratislava afterwards, as they could restore their mental focus, and that Roma had taken full advantage. He described Slovan as a side who do not belong in the Champions League, suggesting they were better suited to the Europa League or Conference League. Fabio Petruzzi of Rete Sport argued that Roma make their opponents look weak: 'Genoa were weak, Slovan are weak, they are all weak... even Real Madrid were weak until ten minutes from the end. I would start saying Roma are strong.' Alessio Nardo of Tele Radio Stereo said he could hardly recall a smaller side worse than Slovan Bratislava, adding that they could not keep the ball for more than three seconds. David Rossi of Rete Sport praised the defence under Gian Piero Gasperini: 'What impresses me is that the defenders have improved most with Gasperini. Ghilardi started two matches, against Lecce and against Slovan, and I remember him more for what he does in attack than in defence. Ghilardi is a starter now. Hermoso, we did not know who to pin it on, and now he is a leader. Balerdi arrived while Marseille fans were celebrating, and here he is dominant. N'Dicka has improved a lot... Roma have a back line that I believe is the strongest in Italy.' Gianluca Piacentini of Rete Sport noted that Roma had rotated five starters in defence over the last two matches while conceding no goals. He said the comparison between Malen and Castro and Ferguson and Dovbyk was harsh. Pes argued that Gasperini had not overused Pellegrini, who had started two matches, and said Pellegrini was prone to injury, which he had always been. Pellegrini is now 30, Pes said, and the problems are getting worse. Checco Oddo Casano said Roma should consider the futures of Dybala and Pellegrini in June, after seeing how many matches they had played. The radio hosts agreed that a striker is needed, and Pruzzo said he would name the player to be signed in January. Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport said he was supporting Manchester United against Como that evening, because a defeat for the English side would leave Roma with a final chance. He also said Roma had regrets about Fenerbahce and Real Madrid, where a result was possible, and warned that Roma could arrive at the third-last match ranked behind others in the table.

Malen and Castro have already outscored Dovbyk and Ferguson's entire Serie A campaign of last season, after just seven matchdays. The two current forwards have scored seven goals between them in Serie A this term, against one from Dovbyk and Ferguson across the whole of 2025-26. Roma have 16 points after seven rounds this season, compared with 15 at the same stage last year, so the points tally is almost identical. The difference lies in the attack. Roma have found the forwards they lacked a year ago, with the Dutchman and the Argentine both scoring and each able to make the difference when the other is missing. Last season, Ferguson and Dovbyk struggled to make an impact and to get shots away. Their combined Serie A tally that year was six goals, a figure Malen and Castro have already surpassed in only seven matches. The two strikers have also combined for nine goals in all competitions this season: eight from the Dutchman and one from the Argentine. Dovbyk and Ferguson were never really an option together, as they were too similar and too cumbersome to make a two-man attack work. Gasperini has preferred to play with a single striker, but that is not a written rule, and the head coach could now change his mind. With Dybala's physical condition a factor, Malen and Castro are in contention to start together from the first minute in the Champions League against Slovan. It would be a test of whether the pair can coexist. Their characteristics differ, but the quality is there. Castro has already shown he deserves a place, scoring a spectacular goal on his first start, and he does not want to be merely an alternative. Gasperini has recognised that. The Argentine has shown he can make an impact, and the big question now is whether Gasperini will field the two of them together against Slovan.

Santiago Castro starts as Roma's number nine for the first time in nearly a year, with Donyell Malen sidelined through suspension. The last Roma striker to hold that role as a starter was Artem Dovbyk in November against Udinese; Malen claimed the position in January. Castro has not scored since a Europa League match against Roma at the Olimpico, a performance that impressed both Gasperini and Francesco Totti, who recommended him to the coach. He has spent the last three matches on the bench, though in the period before the international break he came off the bench regularly and earned applause despite his goal drought. Castro's selection comes after a string of solid performances that earned him a call-up to his national team. The forward comes into the match having hit the woodwork twice against Atalanta. His task today is to end his dry spell while filling the gap left by Malen's absence. Last season, after three matches without a goal, he broke his duck against the same Atalanta side, then managed by Vieira. Castro arrived as the first signing of the most recent transfer window and also the most expensive. He carries heavy expectation to deliver immediately. Several Primavera players are in contention for a squad place. Panico, Arena, and Camara are hopeful of being called up, with the final selection to be confirmed this morning.

Gianluca Piacentini of Rete Sport insisted Roma paid 25 million euros for Mora, not 50 million, in the latest instalment of the Roman radio roundup. He said: "Roma paid 25 million for Mora, then if this year he scores 100 goals and is worth 200 million, Roma have the option of paying 25 million to remove that clause on a future resale. But they did not buy 50% of the player, they bought 100% of the player. If they sell him, they must give 50% of what they receive, which Roma can remove by paying another 25 million. Since you have been insinuating for days that he is rubbish but you do not have the courage to say it, you say he was paid 50 million, but it is not true! If Roma take Mora to the end of his contract, they will have paid 25 million. It is very clear." Rossi, also on Rete Sport, reopened the debate over Pellegrini, saying that some people had doubted Roma's decision to renew Dybala and Pellegrini this summer, citing a history of injuries. He said Dybala has not reached half of his appearances and that Pellegrini had reached his 100th injury. Pellegrini has now re-injured the musculotendinous junction of the flexor, and will take another three months out. Rossi added that the injury was not fixed and that the club paid five million gross for the player, money he said Roma could have spent better. On Tele Radio Stereo, Alessio Nardo asked whether this is Pellegrini's last season with Roma, adding that the speculation should be hedged because "with Pellegrini you never know". He also questioned whether Gasperini chose to speak at his press conference today to avoid questions about possible errors in the transfer market and about underestimating certain aspects. Nardo described a city that remains bitter even after a third-place finish and seven wins in ten matches, saying Mora had become "the new Zaragoza" and had been "destroyed" over the last 48 hours. Lorenzo Pes disagreed, arguing that Gasperini skipped the press conference simply because of a run of closely spaced matches. Valentina Catoni argued that the real problem was not renewing Pellegrini but failing to sign another forward, saying Gasperini had asked for at least one more player up front. Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport said Roma are playing the season with only 20 outfield players, two of whom, Dybala and Pellegrini, have had a hard few years. He said the club's wage bill problem is the card Roma will play in front of UEFA, and claimed Pellegrini has played only 150 minutes in total. Torri also said he would have signed El Shaarawy at the end of the window, since he could play as a wide attacker or in midfield. Paola Cosenza voiced concern about Cristante, who is returning from a collateral ligament problem, fearing he may force his recovery. Marco Valerio Corsi said he expected Gasperini to protect Mora in the match at Napoli if he delivered another lacklustre performance, and that he doubted Wesley could play as a forward. Roberto Pruzzo said Soulé is growing and that Roma should build around him, and that he sees Santiago Castro as the alternative, adding that Mora looks too far behind the level required for the stage he is being asked to perform on. He said: "We must hope Malen doesn't even have a cold, otherwise it gets tough." Mario Mattioli argued that Pellegrini had only returned from injury two matches earlier and that the club had already lived through a similar situation. Nando Orsi criticised the constant talk of signings and of how Gasperini's training compares with that of previous years. The discussion is set to continue on the same programme, with pundits calling for Roma to reach January in contention for the top places before the club reassesses its options.

Filippo Biafora of Radio Manà Manà said the renewal of Marco Lulli's contract is done, with the defender set to sign a deal running until 2031 with a rising salary. Biafora said he had no confirmation on the operation involving Lorenzo Pellegrini, who for the moment will be out for a couple of months. Regardless of that situation, he said, Gasperini has strongly asked for investment in January. Francesco Balzani of Tele Radio Stereo said he expected Mora not to start. He said Cristante was awaited for a decision the previous day, and that Cristante had said he could start, with the club to assess how his minutes are managed because he cannot play the whole match. Balzani recalled that Gasperini played Cristante as a high forward against Allegri's Milan last year and could repeat it. He expects Cristante to start and Mora to come on if Roma need more technical quality, adding that Gasperini does not consider pairing the two strikers. Balzani said that starting Mora would upset the balance against a strong side in Naples, and that other moves would be forced. Mario Mattioli of Radio Radio said: "The injury to Pellegrini, but it is not that now every injury means going back to the market. What happens when you get the starters back? They should have foreseen that Gasperini's training was not what Roma were used to. Roma now train with a capital 'A', before it was not like this, but the fault certainly does not lie with the market." Roberto Pruzzo, also of Radio Radio, said: "We need to understand what role Castro can play, who at this moment can be the alternative. Mora seems too far behind to me. We must hope Malen does not catch a cold, otherwise it becomes tough. Above all in managing matches: we must make sure we reach January still there, and then sign players on the market." Lorenzo Pes of TeleradioStereo said that in June a discussion had opened about the length of Pellegrini's contract, especially on how such fragile players can lead to a different squad make-up. Dybala, Pellegrini and Koné often stop, and with the first two you have to reckon. He said Roma travel to Napoli with 17 outfield players, which is very few. Pes said Gasperini wanted to keep this squad, believing it would improve this season, and had strongly wanted to keep Dybala and Pellegrini.

Roma's squad depth is under scrutiny after Lorenzo Pellegrini suffered a new injury that is expected to keep him out for a long spell, with Gasperini having earlier spoken of a 20-day absence for the midfielder. Radio pundits across Rome have questioned whether the club can cope with the current setup. Pellegrini had stopped playing on 10 April for a long recovery, and according to Pes, talk of a new injury with a lengthy spell out is an emergency for Roma. Pes also said that a wider debate has opened about the length of Pellegrini's contract and how fragile players such as him can shape the composition of the squad. Dybala, Pellegrini and Koné are often sidelined, and Pes said Roma must deal with the first two. Carina said Pellegrini had made a strong return, with a good half-hour at Como and a solid showing against Slovan. Carina said Roma have a qualitatively strong squad but lack numbers. Roma travel to Napoli with 16 outfield players: 11 plus 5 substitutes, and they play every three days. Carina added: "Con Gasperini non puoi avere una rosa così corta." He said that with a coach like Gasperini, who carries muscular injury problems with him, the squad should be 22 players rather than 20. Pes put the outfield count at 17, which he called very few. Max Tonetto, speaking on Radio Bruno, called Pellegrini's injury a tremendous blow at an already difficult moment without Dybala. He said Lulli looks perfect for Gasperini's style of football, while Mora needs patience: he has talent and is in safe hands with Gasp. Tonetto said the Napoli match will be a balanced battle, and that the club must reach January tightening their teeth before intervening in the market, because if Malen catches a cold it becomes tough. On the centenary, he said: "Una Roma senza Totti, De Rossi e Conti semplicemente non esiste." Pruzzo, on Radio Radio, said Soulé is showing growth but must step up a gear. He asked what role Castro could play, as he can currently be the alternative, and said Mora seems too far behind. He said the key is managing matches, reaching January still in contention, and then signing players in the market. Pes added that Gasperini had likely intended to skip some matches given the number of fixtures, and that he had insisted on keeping Dybala and Pellegrini. Mattioli, also on Radio Radio, asked whether every club should rush to the market each time it suffers an injury, and said Roma should have anticipated that Gasperini's training was not what the club was used to. Di Giovambattista, also on Radio Radio, said under Mourinho and Ranieri Roma trained less, with Ranieri training the mind.