Roma to pass on free agents; Gasperini eyes two January arrivals

Roma have made contact with free agent Matteo Darmian as they explore defensive reinforcements during an extended fixture break. The 36-year-old has fielded approaches from smaller clubs during the summer with no result, but would prioritise Roma over potential moves to Parma or Torino. He has also received lucrative proposals to move to Dubai and may not wait long for a decision. The Giallorossi created space after sending Anass Salah-Eddine on loan to Panathinaikos with a €7 million option to buy, despite his solid spell at PSV and a Morocco World Cup call-up. While Roma's wingback options are in reasonable condition—with Emanuele Lulli emerging as an early revelation—Gian Piero Gasperini favours adding experienced players to manage demanding roles. A left-sided defender would be the preference. The former Inter man was not retained by the Nerazzurri after six years and over 200 appearances, starting only nine times in 2025-26 owing to competition and a serious calf injury. Darmian, a Milan academy product, began his career at Palermo before flourishing at Torino. He later moved to Manchester United and returned to Italy through Parma before joining Inter. His veteran status and experience align with Gasperini's preferences, though questions remain about his physical condition after a difficult previous season.

Roma's radio shows dissected Saturday's 2–2 draw with Inter, with commentators praising the first-half performance but questioning the manager's tactical decisions in the second. Gianluca Piacentini argued that Roma should have converted more of their chances and that Gasperini erred in removing Manu Koné, saying: "For me Gasperini was wrong to take off Koné. If we're looking at who doesn't have 90 minutes in them, Dybala doesn't have it more than Koné does." Mario Corsi defended Koné's role in midfield, remarking: "The Frenchman holds the entire midfield on his own—at one point he seemed like Gullit." Roberto Pruzzo expressed disappointment at the substitutions, noting that Rodrigo Mora "cost an absolute fortune and the manager doesn't even bring him on," and citing Koné's missed opportunities as a turning point: "When you see Koné take two shots and score two goals instead of sending it into the corner, that's a moment you can't waste." Roma dominated the opening 45 minutes, creating numerous chances and holding Inter scoreless at the interval, but conceded almost immediately after the restart—a pattern of weakness several analysts highlighted. Alessio Nardo drew a stark contrast to Roma's 5–2 loss at San Siro on 5 April, saying: "Only a few months have passed, and whilst playing away is different, Roma not only didn't lose, they drew and are also disappointed. The real signal is that." Lorenzo Pes pinpointed the problem: "The goals conceded and the lapses at the start of the second half are the issue to solve." Piero Torri suggested Roma are pursuing left-winger Kvernadze, saying: "I have the impression that Roma are looking for him—and as it happens, he's a left-sided player with a right foot. He seems like an interesting player to me. You're short numerically on that type of player there." Checco Oddo Casano noted that Dybala has scored zero goals this season but provides one assist per match, whilst admitting he has squandered at least three goalscoring chances. Francesca Ferrazza warned of the fixture congestion ahead, stressing Roma need ready players before January. Fabio Petruzzi and David Rossi were among those who felt Roma had matched Inter's intensity, with Petruzzi declaring Roma and Inter "the two strongest teams in the league and will fight it out until the end." The consensus was that Roma's first-half dominance and the narrow scoreline represented real progress, though the defensive vulnerability in the second half must be corrected.

Manu Koné delivered his first career double in Roma's match against Inter, reaching his highest goal tally for the club in a single season by September. The midfielder has emerged as the most decisive and unexpected addition to Roma's attacking output this season, joining six other goalscorers in what Gian Piero Gasperini has built into a varied attacking structure. Koné's relationship with the head coach has been volatile—marked by criticism late last season and after the Turin fixture—but Gasperini recognises his unique value to the squad. According to Il Messaggero, it was Gasperini himself who fought personally on the final day of the transfer window to prevent Koné's departure to Chelsea. Koné's performance against Inter was certified as the standout display: zero dribbling fouls conceded, two duels won out of four contested, and 85% pass accuracy. His tactical importance is underscored by last season's record—during the eight Serie A matches Koné missed, Roma failed to win in 50% of those fixtures. His absence also coincided with the club's Europa League elimination against Bologna and a domestic slump. On the injury front, Donyell Malen withdrew from the Netherlands national team call-up at the last minute due to a muscle strain. Malen will remain in Rome during the international break for recovery work at Trigoria, joining fellow injured players Wesley and Bryan Cristante in their rehabilitation programme.

Gian Piero Gasperini is preparing to rotate his squad heavily ahead of matches against Torino and Inter, with Koné, Dybala, Malen and Mancini among those likely to be rested. Castro, Mora, Soulé, Pisilli and De Roon are expected to see more action as Roma look to preserve their key players and test the depth of the squad while addressing defensive issues that have emerged in recent fixtures. Salah-Eddine's departure to Panathinaikos is confirmed. The left-back moves on a loan deal with a right of redemption and underwent medical tests in Athens today to complete the transfer. Separately, defender Oosterwolde has reopened the possibility of joining Roma. An achilles tendon operation had scuppered a move earlier this summer, but Oosterwolde met with Roma officials in Istanbul and signalled his willingness to return. "I hope to come back to Roma in the coming months," he said. The club remains interested with D'Amico continuing to monitor developments. Gasperini values Oosterwolde's versatility, and his recovery from surgery will be key to determining whether Roma can revive the deal as early as January. Carina told Radio Radio: "I've read plenty of criticism of Roma. In 30 years doing this job I'd never known a situation where I couldn't speak to my colleague—there was an absurd broadcast an hour and a half before the match and 30 minutes after. Given where it was played, Roma put in a more than decent performance: they dominated the first half. From the stadium, I had the sense that Roma wouldn't lose it, and could even have won it." Pruzzo added: "I saw a good Roma. What I keep thinking is that I have many doubts about whether the squad is qualitatively as strong as people say: I don't have that perception. In the first half they played like last season, but in the second, when you need to change, there isn't the same level. I think Castro is Roma's best option off the bench. Then Molina comes on and does the same thing as Rensch, and Mora yesterday did nothing."

Jayden Oosterwolde's move to Roma may not be permanently over. The Dutch defender came close to signing during the summer before medical issues during his examination caused the deal to collapse. On Thursday he attended Fenerbahce's match against Roma and met with people he had encountered during his brief time in the capital in August. When asked about a return to Roma, Oosterwolde said: "I hope to come back in Rome in any months," signalling his desire to join in the coming months. Roma have not entirely ruled out reviving the transfer, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. The club intends to first monitor how Oosterwolde's recovery progresses after his operation. Should those signs be positive, sporting director Tony D'Amico could reopen talks with Fenerbahce in the January transfer window. The original deal structured in August involved a €1 million loan with a €16 million purchase option conditional on certain criteria being met. If negotiations resume, the formula could be reworked in light of the injury and the months that have passed. Oosterwolde could also represent an investment not just for January but with the 2027–28 season in mind, given that Mario Hermoso's contract expires in June and other defenders' futures may be evaluated based on the club's technical and financial needs. No new negotiations are currently underway, but the door that appeared firmly shut this summer may have been left slightly ajar. Oosterwolde himself makes clear which outcome he prefers: to return to Roma and complete what was interrupted in August.

Jayden Oosterwolde has opened the door to joining Roma in January, less than two months after his summer move collapsed. The Dutch defender was in Istanbul for Roma's Champions League fixture and told club officials he hopes to return to Rome in the coming months. His arrival was abandoned in August when a tendon problem emerged during medical checks, forcing him to undergo surgery the week before today. Roma remain actively interested. Gian Piero Gasperini rates him highly for his versatility—Oosterwolde can play as a centre-back or left-back—and Tony D'Amico continues to monitor his recovery at Trigoria. A January arrival would serve Roma's longer-term planning: Mario Hermoso's contract expires in June, and the club may use the window to reshape their defence while managing financial strategy around potential departures and profit on sales. Roma will assess his post-operative progress carefully before moving forward, and should he recover well, the club is open to reworking the deal's structure from the original August proposal. When asked directly about a possible transfer to Rome, Oosterwolde said: "I hope to come back in Rome in any months."

Donyell Malen has withdrawn from the Netherlands squad during the international break due to a minor left knee issue sustained in Roma's match against Inter, though head coach Gasperini will retain him, Paulo Dybala, Bryan Cristante and Wesley at Trigoria. Over 20 days, 12 Roma players will scatter across the globe for international duty. Malen's injury is not considered serious. Netherlands coach Xavi commented: "It's a shame because Donyell is in excellent form. I think he's fine, I don't know how long it will take him to recover, but the injury is not serious." The decision to rest him was precautionary. Argentine players Santiago Castro, Matías Soulé and Leonardo Balerdi will feature in friendlies against Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin respectively. The Benin match doubles as a farewell appearance for Lionel Messi, to which Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina have also been invited.

Roma drew 2–2 with Inter in a Serie A match on which pundit Daniele Adani offered detailed analysis. Adani highlighted Roma's attacking aggression in the opening period, noting how Molina won the ball back and provided an assist for Koné, and how Hermoso and Balerdi pushed forward into the opponent's penalty area. However, he identified defensive lapses, particularly Soulé being caught out of position against Bisseck on a throw-in, and singled out Gianluca Mancini for a lapse on Lautaro Martinez's first goal. "Mancini is a bit superficial and Roma concede in numerical superiority in the area," Adani said. Adani suggested Roma would have held their advantage had they resisted another 15–20 minutes without allowing Inter back into the contest. He emphasised the tactical toll of Gasperini's system, noting that Roma defended one-on-one eighty metres from goal and allowed themselves to be beaten despite playing well. He remarked that Paulo Dybala closed down on the second post against Lautaro Martinez during the match. On Inter's comeback, Adani observed that while Inter made two substitutions at the 90-minute mark, it was Inter who rose to the occasion rather than Roma's performance dropping. "The first hour of Roma is sensational," he said. "Inter feel in control, so the blows come. Even if you are the strongest team, if you don't show it you go down to everyone. Against Real Madrid like against Udinese. They also believe they are the strongest because they are the architects and feel in control."

Twelve AS Roma players will be absent during the 20-day international break as they answer calls from their national teams, though coach Gian Piero Gasperini managed to retain Wesley, Bryan Cristante and Donyell Malen. The Argentine contingent—Santiago Castro, Matías Soulé and Leonardo Balerdi—depart for friendlies against Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin respectively. The final fixture doubles as Lionel Messi's farewell match; Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina have also been invited to that occasion. Italy's representatives Gianluca Mancini and Daniele Ghilardi will face Belgium, Turkey and France in Nations League action, where Manu Koné features for France alongside Italy's other two group opponents. Emanuele Lulli and Niccolò Pisilli join the Under-21 squad for European qualifying matches against Armenia and Poland. Konstantinos Koulierakis represents Greece, Evan N'Dicka plays for Côte d'Ivoire, and Rodrigo Mora turns out for Portugal's Under-21 side. Third-choice goalkeeper Giorgio De Marzi competes in Under-19 action alongside young prospect Antonio Arena and other Primavera players.

Donyell Malen, Wesley and Bryan Cristante will remain at Trigoria during the international break after withdrawing from their national team commitments due to minor injuries, with no serious alarm felt over their condition. Malen has been ruled out of the Netherlands squad with a physical problem that emerged in recent days, Wesley has suffered a right thigh muscle strain that forced him to withdraw from Brazil's call-up, and Cristante is unavailable for Italy's fixtures. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini aims to have all three available again when the league resumes. Roma have released twelve players to their respective national teams following the 2–2 draw against Inter. The departing squad members, including youth representatives, are Gianluca Mancini, Daniele Ghilardi, Evan N'Dicka, Emanuele Lulli, Niccolò Pisilli, Manu Koné, Leonardo Balerdi, Santiago Castro, Matías Soulé, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Rodrigo Mora and Giorgio De Marzi. A fixture to watch closely is France versus Italy in the Nations League on 2 October, which will pit Koné against squad-mates Mancini and Ghilardi. Off the pitch, Jason Morrow has departed his position as Chief Financial Officer of AS Roma to return to the United States within the Friedkin Group, as previously agreed with the ownership. The club has decided not to appoint an immediate replacement, with a successor arriving later. John Galantic will consolidate his role as a point of reference for both the administrative and technical spheres, maintaining the strong working relationship he has built with Gasperini and D'Amico.

Donyell Malen has withdrawn from the Netherlands squad during the international break due to a minor left knee issue sustained in Roma's match against Inter, though head coach Gasperini will retain him, Paulo Dybala, Bryan Cristante and Wesley at Trigoria. Over 20 days, 12 Roma players will scatter across the globe for international duty. Malen's injury is not considered serious. Netherlands coach Xavi commented: "It's a shame because Donyell is in excellent form. I think he's fine, I don't know how long it will take him to recover, but the injury is not serious." The decision to rest him was precautionary. Argentine players Santiago Castro, Matías Soulé and Leonardo Balerdi will feature in friendlies against Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin respectively. The Benin match doubles as a farewell appearance for Lionel Messi, to which Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina have also been invited.

Donyell Malen, Wesley and Bryan Cristante have withdrawn from their respective national team commitments due to physical problems, but Roma do not view their conditions as a cause for serious concern. All three will remain at Trigoria during the international break to recover without being forced to accelerate their rehabilitation. The aim is to have them available again for Gian Piero Gasperini when the league campaign resumes. Malen will not join the Netherlands squad owing to a physical issue that emerged in recent days. Wesley is dealing with a muscle strain in his right thigh that forced him to withdraw from Brazil's call-up, while Cristante is unavailable for Italy's fixtures. The positive news for Roma is that none of the three is expected to need a prolonged absence. The international break will allow them to work at Trigoria and clear their respective problems, giving Gasperini the chance to have them fully fit again. Malen, Wesley and Cristante are expected to return to full training after the pause.