Roma transfer live blog: 28 August 2026

Marseille defender Balerdi is joining Roma as cover for Evan N'Dicka, with financial pressures at the French club driving the sale. The centre-back can also operate as a right-sided defender in Gasperini's three-man defence and arrives with experience across multiple defensive positions. Last season under De Zerbi, Balerdi was among Ligue 1's most precise defenders, recording a 92% pass accuracy rate and recovering 5.4 balls per 90 minutes. He regularly anchored Marseille's build-up play, averaging 82 touches per match, which reflects his comfort on the ball during the construction phase. Roma have struggled to impose control in their build-up without a dedicated ball-playing midfielder since Paredes departed, making Balerdi's arrival a potentially significant piece of Gasperini's midfield puzzle. His background in central midfield gives him the technical security to start attacks from deep positions. The 2025–26 season showed Balerdi's defensive distribution was a core part of Marseille's structure, positioning him as more than a conventional centre-back for his new club.

Roma are evaluating Leonardo Balerdi, the Marseille captain, as a reinforcement for their defence in the closing stages of the transfer window. The 27-year-old Argentine central defender has been shaped by experience across South America, the Bundesliga and Ligue 1, and offers tactical flexibility within a three-man defence. In Roma's thinking, Balerdi could numerically fill the position vacated by Jan Ziółkowski, who is currently completing a transfer to Monza. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini sees him primarily as competition for Evan N'Dicka, though his versatility would allow him to operate across multiple defensive positions. Balerdi was born in Villa Mercedes, Argentina, in 1999 and developed at Boca Juniors before joining Borussia Dortmund at twenty. His spell in Germany yielded limited continuity, but the move to Marseille in 2020 proved the turning point. In France he has become a cornerstone of the squad, earning the captain's armband under Roberto De Zerbi's management. The 2025–26 season saw him make 36 appearances for Marseille, scoring once and providing one assist, demonstrating the consistency he has achieved in his adopted league. As a right-footed centre-back, Balerdi combines physical strength, aggression and leadership presence. Beyond his core role, he can operate as a wide centre-back in a three, offering the flexibility Gasperini values for building play from deep and adapting to different defensive constructions. Balerdi made his Argentina debut in 2019 and has become an established international. His potential arrival would add depth and experience to Roma's backline during a season that includes Champions League football, allowing Gasperini to rotate his defensive unit without altering the team's structural shape.

Roma are finalising the signing of Leonardo Balerdi from Olympique Marseille, with the deal entering its final stages. Tony D'Amico has negotiated a loan with an obligation to buy subject to certain conditions being met. The move comes after Roma abandoned their pursuit of Jayden Oosterwolde, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini seeking to strengthen his defence in the closing days of the transfer window. Bareldi, a 1999-born Argentine right-footed defender, can play as a centre-back and brings the aggression in pressing, ability to support attacks, and composure in building play that Gasperini requires for a defence operating high up the pitch. The loan deal with conditional obligation represents a different approach to the Oosterwolde pursuit but allows Gasperini to add a defender with significant international experience to his squad. An initial one-year contract plus four further years, binding Balerdi to Roma until 2031, has already been agreed. The deal would be completed in the final days of the market, following the collapse of Roma's earlier operation, the Fenerbahçe deal. According to Nicolò Schira, the transfer is now in its closing stages and could be confirmed shortly.

Robinio Vaz did not take part in Roma's training session today. The absence was not due to injury; instead, it stemmed from transfer-related matters affecting the young striker. According to Il Tempo, Vaz was kept out of the session as a precautionary measure while market dynamics involving him are being evaluated. The decision to exclude him from training has become a significant signal to monitor in the closing days of the summer transfer window. Roma have not yet disclosed further details about a potential destination for the player or the structure of any possible deal. The absence should not be interpreted as confirmation of a completed sale; rather, it reflects a precautionary approach as the club assesses Vaz's market situation. Vaz's future has become one of the key transfer files Roma must track before the window closes. Hall City have registered strong interest in the player. The coming hours may provide clearer indications, but today's fact is significant: Vaz did not train with the squad, and the reason, according to Il Tempo, is linked to the transfer market.

Roma prepare for Monday's trip to Lecce with three days to go, with Gian Piero Gasperini having almost the full squad available. Devyne Rensch and Lorenzo Pellegrini are out; Rensch did not train today and will attempt to recover for the Atalanta fixture on 5 September at 20:45. Robinio Vaz also missed training as a precaution, with his move to Hull City on an incoming loan (€2 million with a €30 million purchase option) increasingly likely. Nahuel Molina has recovered fully and will compete with Lulli for the right-wing spot, while Wesley is ready on the opposite flank. The midfield sees a duel between Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé for a trequartista role, with Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala paired up front. Roma seek their second consecutive victory.

Roma travel to Lecce on Monday 31 August at 18:30 for the second round of Serie A 2026–27, aiming to build on a commanding 4–0 opening-day victory over Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has injury concerns ahead of the fixture at the Stadio Via del Mare: Devyne Rensch is sidelined with a strain to the left thigh flexor, and Lorenzo Pellegrini remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from a right thigh rectus femoris injury. Gasperini is expected to field a settled defensive shape with Mile Svilar in goal and a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. Nahuel Molina's availability is being assessed; if he cannot play, Giorgio De Marzi will step in after an impressive display against Fiorentina. Wesley continues at left wing-back. Bryan Cristante is assured of his midfield place alongside Manu Koné. In the attacking third, the main selection question concerns Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé; Mora started against Fiorentina and impressed, forcing a good save from De Gea, while Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are primed to lead the line. Malen was the star of Roma's opening fixture, scoring three goals and supplying three assists against Fiorentina, while Dybala also contributed three assists. Niccolò Pisilli rounded off the rout with Roma's fourth goal. The visitors hold a commanding historical record: across 42 meetings with Lecce, Roma have won 29, drawn 11 and lost only twice. The clubs last met in the 2025–26 season, when Roma won 1–0 at home through Robinio Vaz. Lecce arrive after an away victory over Venezia (2–0, goals from Gorter and Tiago Gabriel) and will play in a 4–3–3 formation under manager Eusebio Di Francesco. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN, Sky Sport and NOW. Official team sheets will be released approximately one hour before kickoff.

Roma's pursuit of a left-sided attacking midfielder dominates transfer discussion across Rome radio as the summer window approaches its final days. Commentators on Tele Radio Stereo, Rete Sport and Radio Radio debate whether Gasperini will land his primary target—a wide forward he has been seeking for 15 months—or be forced into a late compromise. Lorenzo Pes stated: "Between Gittens and Fofana, the first is preferred especially by the coach. As long as there is time to do it, Roma will try to construct the operation with Chelsea. The English club has not yet given openings, but Roma will continue to push. If it becomes clear there will be no margin, then we will go to Fofana. The agreement there you had already found. But Gittens has the financial and technical favour, and for this remains the favourite. The two clubs have good relations." Pes added that Gittens would arrive on loan if a deal is struck in the final hours of the market. Alessio Nardo expressed frustration at the extended delay. "Surreal this situation. Gasperini has been asking for this attacking winger profile for 15 months. The important thing is not to find ourselves taking the Zaragoza of the moment on the last day of the market. You must take someone strong, an added starter and not the last leftover that happens to you. You are still in serious delay—we are at the end of a very long transfer campaign and you are still missing that player there. It has become a novel. It would be grotesque to end up with the short end of the stick, and even more demoralizing to take the Zaragoza of the moment at the last." Gianluca Piacentini noted that Roma correctly declined to sign Oosterwolde and that Gasperini likely prefers a player with different physical characteristics than Mora, making Fofana an option—though Gittens's loan structure makes him likely to arrive only in the final window hours if at all. Francesca Ferrazza reported that Roma has neither confirmed nor denied interest in Kessié or Fofana, describing the situation as "very very complicated" and dependent on other pieces falling into place. She also noted that Gasperini's reaction to El Aynaoui's approach in training "does not drive him crazy," raising questions about the winger's future. Piero Torri suggested Kessié's agent approached Roma as leverage to accelerate Juventus's interest, implying Roma is being used in a negotiating game. Roberto Pruzzo expressed scepticism about Kessié's fit for Serie A and backed the idea of selling El Aynaoui if Roma can bring in a player with different strengths. He predicted a 2–0 Lecce result, while Nando Orsi suggested De Roon as an unconventional alternative despite his 35 years and predicted a draw. Checco Oddo Casano warned Roma could be left empty-handed if decisions do not come before Friday and the weekend fixture congestion dilutes focus. The club remains without a fifth defender and a left-sided midfielder as the window enters its final stretch.

Roma are positioning themselves to sign Franck Kessié ahead of Juventus in the closing stages of the transfer window. Juventus tabled an offer of €3.5 million per season over two years with a view to a third, but Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma are preparing a superior proposal for the free agent midfielder, who departed Al Ahli. Gasperini worked with Kessié at Atalanta early in the Ivorian's career and is keen to reunite with him at Roma. The move would come as Neil El Aynaoui, signed last summer from Lens, faces a probable departure after limited involvement under Gasperini. El Aynaoui's exit would provide Roma with funds to pursue Kessié, a 1996-born midfielder and Italian champion with Milan in 2022. Juventus held talks with Kessié's representatives in Milan on 28 August, but Roma's interest and willingness to exceed Juve's financial terms puts the club from the Capitale in pole position to secure the player.

Roma's Champions League draw has drawn mixed reactions from Italian radio pundits on the morning of the league-phase fixture list announcement. Carina, speaking on Radio Radio Mattino, said there were several aspects of the draw that could have gone better for the club. "The difference between playing Fenerbahce at the Olimpico and playing them in Istanbul is huge. Sporting Lisbon is also a difficult team to face. We can say perhaps it could have gone better," he said. He added that the arrival of Kessié would not necessarily mean Koné's departure, and noted that "Roma has put El Aynaoui on the market." Pruzzo also assessed Roma's path in the competition on the same programme, saying: "Roma's journey in Champions is a tough one. They seem to be teams of reasonably good standard on average. You have to be ready to compete against all of them. I'm not convinced that Kessié can still give much in our league." The comments reflect uncertainty about both the quality of Roma's European opponents and the club's transfer strategy as the window remained open. Other voices contributed perspective: Moretti noted it would be "very curious to see Mourinho's reaction on his return to the Olimpico and the fans' reaction too," while Damascelli called Roma's Champions League path "a fascinating journey," highlighting the appeal of facing Real Madrid as "always beautiful, because it's the most winning team in the world." He added: "There's a desire to see great matches in Champions, because in our league there aren't any great matches."

Roma prepare for Monday's trip to Lecce with three days to go, with Gian Piero Gasperini having almost the full squad available. Devyne Rensch and Lorenzo Pellegrini are out; Rensch did not train today and will attempt to recover for the Atalanta fixture on 5 September at 20:45. Robinio Vaz also missed training as a precaution, with his move to Hull City on an incoming loan (€2 million with a €30 million purchase option) increasingly likely. Nahuel Molina has recovered fully and will compete with Lulli for the right-wing spot, while Wesley is ready on the opposite flank. The midfield sees a duel between Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé for a trequartista role, with Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala paired up front. Roma seek their second consecutive victory.

Roma have agreed personal terms with Leonardo Balerdi after securing Jan Ziółkowski's departure on loan to Monza, with negotiations between the club and Marseille progressing on a loan deal with a buy clause set to become mandatory under certain conditions. Barlerdi, an Argentine defender born in 1999 currently at Marseille, is Roma's primary target to strengthen the defence following Ziółkowski's exit. Roma had previously pursued Morato as a replacement, but Nottingham Forest's refusal to budge on their valuation closed that avenue. The club accelerated their move for Balerdi in recent hours, with multiple sources confirming contact between the two clubs and the submission of a formal offer. According to reports, Balerdi wants to join Roma and Marseille have accepted the loan-with-mandatory-purchase-option structure that suits all parties involved. The formula involves a loan with a right of purchase that becomes an obligation once certain conditions are met. Negotiations are continuing between the clubs as they work to finalise the terms, with confidence expressed that the deal could be completed in the coming hours.

Leonardo Balerdi is close to joining Roma after the club reached an agreement with Marseille for the Argentine defender's transfer. The French side has granted Balerdi clearance to travel to the capital. The move will be structured as a loan with a right of purchase that can become an obligation based on appearances. Roma will pay €1 million for the loan fee, and Balerdi has already agreed personal terms with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini; he will arrive in the coming hours. Bareldi was targeted last season and will replace Jan Ziółkowski, who is departing on loan to Monza with a €18 million purchase option. The deal marks the completion of Roma's defensive recruitment. Separately, negotiations with Morato of Nottingham have collapsed due to a wide gap between the parties, and Roma will not pursue that avenue further. With the backline settled, the club is now hunting an attacking winger. Gittens is the leading candidate, while Fofana remains on the list alongside an unnamed prospect currently under negotiation by the sporting director.