Roma transfer live: Soulé interest grows as club pursues Luiz Henrique

Marten De Roon's arrival at Roma has split the fanbase, forcing the club to reconcile the midfielder's divisive history with Feyenoord against his immediate tactical value under Gian Piero Gasperini. De Roon spent nearly a decade at Atalanta as one of Gasperini's key tactical extensions on the pitch, and the coach now believes his understanding of the system can accelerate Roma's project far more effectively than a standard experience-based signing. The tension centres on whether a player's past can be separated from his present utility. De Roon faced sustained criticism from Roma supporters for years—social-media provocations, his Feyenoord links, and three encounters across Conference League and Europa League clashes that Roma won. Yet the article argues that once De Roon wears the giallorossi shirt, the emotional lens must shift to pure sporting analysis. The core question is not whether supporters will love him, but whether he can make Roma closer to winning. Unlike younger signings who require months to absorb tactical instruction, De Roon arrives knowing Gasperini's demands: when to break the line, when to win second balls, when to cover full-back advances, and when to deploy intelligent fouls. This immediate integration is presented as far more valuable than the patrimonial loss of Neil El Aynaoui, who—despite his growth trajectory and athletic margin—never became truly indispensable within Gasperini's system. El Aynaoui's performances were often positive but rarely decisive, and he struggled to integrate into the manager's mechanics. However, the analysis flags a critical shortfall: if the market stops here, Roma's midfield will comprise only four players—Manu Koné, Bryan Cristante, Niccolò Pisilli, and De Roon. For a season exceeding fifty matches, this roster carries dangerous thinness. A single week juggling Champions League and league fixtures could leave the squad without credible alternatives, especially with a 35-year-old requiring careful energy management. The article lays out how each midfielder offers complementary profiles: Koné breaking lines and changing tempo; Cristante providing positional balance and build-up; Pisilli adding running and freshness; De Roon delivering defensive reading, leadership, and tactical knowledge. The article contends that Richard Rios, recently mentioned in transfer talk, could be the missing piece—not to replace De Roon but to build genuine depth. Rios would restore to the midfield the dribbling and physical dominance currently unique to Koné, allowing Gasperini to craft matchday pairings by opposition need: Koné-Rios for athletic dominance, Cristante-De Roon for control and position, or Pisilli alongside a veteran for pressure and runs. That would be the first time Roma truly had five midfielders for rotation rather than five names on paper. De Roon may resolve the present, but Rios is named as the necessary bridge to a midfield genuinely equipped for a title push.

Roma have made their first offer for Stuttgart forward Jamie Leweling as director D'Amico accelerates the club's search for attacking reinforcement. The bid comprised a €5 million loan fee with a conditional obligation to buy set at €35 million, but Stuttgart have rejected the proposal according to Sky Sport. The move reflects Roma's urgency to bolster their offensive options, particularly if Matías Soulé departs the club. Roma are unlikely to abandon the pursuit given the pressing need to fill gaps in the forward line should Soulé leave.

Matías Soulé's future at Roma remains uncertain with two days left in the transfer window. The Argentine winger, Roma's only natural wide forward among the attacking midfielders, had spent the summer with a potential move in the air, but had appeared to be edging closer to staying. That situation has now shifted. According to Il Messaggero, Sunderland have revived their interest in the number 18, while Sky Sport reports that talks are under way with Fulham. A move to England is therefore possible for Soulé, the former Frosinone and Juventus player. Should the former Frosinone and Juventus player depart, Roma would move for two attacking reinforcements to cover the offensive department.

Robinio Vaz's move to Hull City has stalled after head coach Gian Piero Gasperini halted the transfer, according to reports. The French forward had come close to joining the newly promoted Premier League club on a loan with a purchase option, and the agreement between Roma and Hull City was complete. However, Gasperini has blocked the departure pending the arrival of a new attacking left winger. Today, 30 August, a call is scheduled between Vaz and Hull City to obtain the final answer from the 2007-born forward. The agreement between the two clubs is not the issue; Roma is awaiting Vaz's definitive approval to proceed with the move.

Marten de Roon has completed his move to Roma and will arrive at Fiumicino at 12:10 on 30 August in a deal worth 1 million euros total. Simultaneously, Neil El Aynaoui is departing on a loan with the option to buy, joining Leipzig in a package valued at 29–30 million euros. Leonardo Balerdi, the Argentine defender, has been officially confirmed as a Roma player after arriving on 29 August and signing a contract through 2031. He has taken the number 26 shirt. De Roon becomes Roma's sixth inbound signing this summer; Balerdi is the fifth. Roma are working to close the transfer window before the 1 September deadline at 20:00, with activity intensifying as they prepare for an away trip to Lecce. The club remains focused on recruiting a left-sided forward to complete their attack. Newcastle have made initial contact with Matías Soulé's agents, though no agreement has been reached, according to Fabrizio Romano. Sunderland and Fulham have both shown interest in Soulé this summer. Stuttgart have rejected Roma's opening offer for Leweling, which comprised a loan fee of 5 million euros with a conditional obligation to buy set at 35 million. Fresh developments are expected in the coming hours, particularly if Soulé departs. Regarding Robinio Vaz, coach Gian Piero Gasperini has blocked the striker's proposed loan move to Hull City pending the arrival of the new attacking wide player. Fabrizio Romano reports that a call between Vaz and the English club is scheduled for today to finalise terms. Chelsea have not released Gittens on loan; Romano stated: "In the night between Saturday and Sunday, Chelsea will not free up Gittens on loan, then anything can happen." Roma's bid for Stuttgart's Leweling was a loan with obligation, but Stuttgart rejected the initial package and further negotiations are awaited.

Leonardo Balerdi landed at Ciampino on 29 August and became Roma's fifth summer signing and fifth Argentine in the squad—part of a three-strong Argentine contingent alongside Santiago Castro and Nahuel Molina who have all arrived this summer. The centre-back will undergo medical tests today before being announced, completing a significantly reinforced defence. Sporting director D'Amico is pressing ahead with negotiations on multiple fronts to strengthen the squad further within 72 hours, with Roma facing Lecce tomorrow. The priority remains an attacking winger. Chelsea's Gittens is the preferred target, with Roma applying pressure to secure a loan move from the English club. Simultaneously, negotiations with Zenit have opened for Luiz Henrique, a left-footed Brazilian winger who plays predominantly on the right. The departures being considered include Robinio Vaz, who will likely move to Hull City once the attacking reinforcement is completed, along with Neil El Aynaoui and Matías Soulé, who have attracted interest—chiefly from the Premier League—though no concrete bids have yet arrived. A Soulé exit could open the door for a left-winger addition. The midfield wing options are expected to remain unchanged.

Roma and Marseille have reached agreement on Leonardo Balerdi, with the Argentine defender landing in the Italian capital on 29 August. The deal was concluded within hours, with Balerdi touching down at 17:30 local time to a welcome from supporters eager for early selfies. He will undergo medical tests and sign his contract. The transfer is structured as a loan worth €1 million with a right of riscatto that becomes an obligation of approximately €15 million subject to conditions tied to appearances and European qualification. Balerdi replaces Jan Ziółkowski, who is departing to Monza. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini had requested an experienced defender rather than a young prospect to develop. The signing completes Roma's defensive options alongside Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, Mario Hermoso, Daniele Ghilardi and Konstantinos Koulierakis. Roma aim to have him available for Monday's match against Lecce.

Leonardo Balerdi arrived at Ciampino airport on the evening of 29 August after AS Roma and Marseille completed a transfer agreement. The Argentine defender was greeted by Roma supporters at the airport and stopped to take selfies with fans before undergoing the final stages of his move. Roma have signed Balerdi on a loan deal worth approximately 1 million euros, with a right of rescission that becomes mandatory upon the occurrence of certain conditions tied to appearances. The transfer fee for a permanent move sits around 15–18 million euros should Roma exercise the option. The deal was brokered as Jan Ziółkowski departed for Monza, with manager Gian Piero Gasperini adding a more experienced central defender to strengthen the squad. Balerdi will now undergo medical examinations, and once cleared, will sign his contract with the club. Sky Sport journalist Gianluca Di Marzio and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported that negotiations between Roma and Marseille had reached their final stages, with both clubs working through the final documentation and contractual details. The move represents Roma's solution at centre-back following Ziółkowski's exit, with the club having pursued a more experienced option for Gasperini's defence. The structure of the agreement — a loan with conditional obligation — reflects typical loan-to-buy arrangements common in modern transfer dealings. Barring unforeseen complications in his medical examination, Balerdi will become available for Roma's squad selection once the paperwork is finalised and he signs his contract.

Neil El Aynaoui is in concrete danger of leaving Roma, with Crystal Palace having made an official opening bid structured as a loan with a right of purchase that could become mandatory on certain conditions. The offer does not satisfy Roma's valuation of €30–35 million, which demands either an outright sale or a guaranteed obligation to buy. Bayer Leverkusen has also registered interest, while Saudi Arabian clubs approached the player in recent days. The significance of a potential departure extends far beyond a single transaction: it would mark the near-complete dismantling of the squad assembled by sporting director Frederic Massara just one year ago. El Aynaoui was signed from Lens for €23 million plus €2 million in add-ons in summer 2025, representing one of Massara's principal investments alongside a lengthy pursuit of midfielder Richard Rios, who had been identified by coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Within twelve months the landscape has shifted entirely. El Aynaoui has not become a central figure in Gasperini's Roma, and a sale in the €30–35 million range would recover the original investment and generate a profit useful for UEFA financial compliance. Yet the sale would crystallise a broader pattern: the systematic removal of Massara's summer 2025 recruits—Wesley, Daniele Ghilardi, Evan Ferguson, Bailey, Jan Ziółkowski, and others—in favour of a squad more precisely aligned with Gasperini's demands. Of that original cohort, only Wesley and Donyell Malen (signed in January 2026) remain unchallenged, both having received Gasperini's direct endorsement. Bailey departed in January; Ferguson and Kostas Tsimikas returned to their parent clubs; Zaragoza, Venturino, and Zelezny have left; Ziółkowski is bound for Monza; Robinio Vaz has reached an agreement with Hull City on a paid loan with a right of purchase. The article frames the matter as a fundamental mismatch between Gasperini's precise tactical requirements—intensity, one-on-one strength, athleticism, aggression, defensive commitment in open play, and position-specific qualities—and Massara's recruitment trajectory. El Aynaoui, at 25 years old and in his prime with genuine international market interest from Crystal Palace and Bayer Leverkusen, is scarcely a failed signing; a €35 million sale on a €25 million net spend is not a financial disaster. Yet the underlying tension is unavoidable: when a coach considers almost all his sporting director's signings from one year expendable within the next twelve months, something fundamental in the original construction has failed. A sale of El Aynaoui would convert a principal investment from the previous summer into capital to reinvest in a midfield and attacking flank now sought by Gasperini. The article poses a critical question as Roma seek to correct course: how much would it have cost to build a coherent squad aligned with Gasperini from the outset, rather than spending a year acquiring, waiting, selling, and repurchasing? Sporting director Tony D'Amico must construct a roster that is recognisable, coherent, and durable, because Roma has already consumed a year absorbing marketplace misalignment. Should El Aynaoui depart, Wesley and Malen will stand as the principal survivors—both chosen with Gasperini's strong approval.