Roma transfer realism: market unfinished but not hopeless

Alessandro Romano, a midfielder born in 2006 who debuted for Italy against Belgium, has emerged as one of the season's breakout performers after joining Cagliari on loan with a €5 million purchase option from Roma this summer. His rapid impact has triggered intense transfer interest, with Inter and Juventus now actively pursuing the 20-year-old alongside several Premier League clubs who have submitted offers to Cagliari. Roma retain a financial stake in Romano's future: the club has secured a 10% resale clause on any profit Cagliari generates above the €5 million they paid to sign him. Inter are reportedly balancing their pursuit of Romano against ongoing difficulties in renewing the contract of Turkish midfielder Gordon Stipic, while the player's development has become a priority for the club's sporting directors Marotta and Baccin, who have been tracking him for several weeks.

On his 50th birthday, Francesco Totti reaffirmed that Roma's number 10 shirt is not awarded lightly, telling the Corriere dello Sport: "The number 10 isn't given just because you play well for five matches: there has to be a journey, there are no temporary 10s." The Roma legend reflected on significant moments in his career and links with teammates including Cassano and Candela, and highlighted the role of Vito Scala, whom he described as "a big brother" who guided and protected him throughout his professional life. Totti also explained his departure from a Roma administrative role, saying: "I had three years left on my contract, but if I'm going to be at the club doing nothing, I'm leaving. I don't steal money." As Roma approach the 2027–28 season — the club's centenary year — the first kit designs have emerged. According to Footy Headlines, the primary shirt will draw inspiration from Roman FC, one of the three founding clubs in 1927, featuring a red base with gold accents in a design by Adidas. The third kit will pay homage to Alba Audace with a white base and dark green details, using the ASR acronym badge already seen this season. Both designs look back to the club's origins ahead of 22 July 2027. The Pietralata stadium project has advanced significantly in Roma's pursuit of a new ground. On 28 September, the decisive service conference concluded positively, granting approval for the facility to enter Italy's official candidacy for Euro 2032 alongside the Stadio Olimpico and Flaminio. The Italian Football Federation will submit documentation to UEFA by the 1 October deadline. Construction is targeted to begin in 2027 after UEFA compliance checks. Archaeological work in the Pietralata area continues, focusing on the Castellum Aquae, a large Roman cistern previously identified. The artifact will not obstruct construction; instead, it will be protected, enhanced and incorporated into the future stadium as approved by the relevant authorities.

Roma are exploring a move for PSV Eindhoven winger Ruben van Bommel ahead of the January transfer window, with the Dutch club valuing the 22-year-old at €25 million. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has requested reinforcement on the left wing, and van Bommel, son of former midfielder and manager Mark van Bommel, fits the profile. The right-footed winger, who plays predominantly on the left flank, has returned to action after a long knee injury and has recorded two goals and three assists in nine appearances so far this season. Van Bommel represents one potential solution to strengthen Roma's attacking department after the squad was not reinforced in that area during the last transfer window. Born in 2004, he developed through PSV's youth academy before emerging with MVV Maastricht and AZ Alkmaar. He rejoined PSV in summer 2025 and now wears the number 7 shirt. Roma's sporting director Tony D'Amico has placed the youngster on his list as a candidate with both domestic and international experience across Dutch football. However, van Bommel is not the only player under consideration. Alternatives being monitored by the club's leadership include Kvernadze, Endrick, and Luiz Henrique—all identified as potential options to provide Gasperini with the left-flank reinforcement that remained unfilled in the most recent transfer campaign.

Matías Soulé has impressed Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni in training and is being considered for a starting place in Wednesday's friendly against Bolivia, kicking off at 02:00 Italian time on 30 September. The Roma forward is in contention with Mastantuono for a spot in the Argentina XI. Santiago Castro and Leonardo Balerdi, also Roma players on international duty, face different prospects: Castro is expected to start on the bench with Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez confirmed as Argentina's attacking pair, while Balerdi could feature in defence alongside or competing with Lisandro Martínez and Cristian Romero in the starting line-up. Twelve Roma players are currently away on international duty during this break. Manu Koné, Gianluca Mancini and Evan N'Dicka have already begun their commitments with their respective nations, while Soulé, Castro and Balerdi are among the Argentina contingent preparing for their upcoming fixtures. Scaloni has indicated he will not simply repeat the World Cup final winning side, creating opportunities for fresh personnel across the squad. The Argentina camp's evaluation of Soulé marks a significant endorsement after his performances in training, with the coaching staff weighing whether to give him immediate playing time. Castro's likely bench role reflects the settled attacking pair already in place, though he remains available for the three matches Argentina will play during this international window. Balerdi's defence situation remains open, with the established pairing of Lisandro Martínez and Cristian Romero holding the primary claim but space potentially available for the Roma centre-back to contribute.

Evan N'Dicka will start for Ivory Coast in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Somalia today, with new Ivory Coast manager Renard continuing to deploy the Roma defender in the centre of the pitch. N'Dicka has recently returned to international football after missing the last World Cup through injury. N'Dicka is the sole Roma player on duty in the African qualifiers today. Three other Giallorossi have been unavailable: Santiago Castro, Matías Soulé and Leonardo Balerdi. Soulé will target a starting place when Argentina face Bolivia on Wednesday night.

AS Roma has confirmed that Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina will not travel to Argentina for a farewell celebration organised in honour of Lionel Messi on 6 October, which coincides with an Argentina–Benin match. Both players, World Cup winners with Messi in 2022, had been invited to the event in Buenos Aires. With twelve Roma players on international duty across their respective national teams, the club is closely monitoring the situation of three Argentine internationals—Leonardo Balerdi, Santiago Castro and Matías Soulé—all called up by the Albiceleste. Their return to Trigoria carries particular sensitivity given Roma's fixture against Como on 11 October, which falls just days after the players' expected arrival. Dybala and Molina's potential absence from training would have compounded the tight turnaround, creating further uncertainty over their readiness for the match. AS Roma released a statement explaining the decision: "The Club recognises the value of the appointment for the two players, linked to Lionel Messi and protagonists with him in the 2022 World Cup victory. The choice responds to sporting and logistical reasons, related to the duration of the intercontinental journey and the proximity of official commitments. AS Roma expresses the maximum respect for Lionel Messi and his extraordinary career, wishing him and the Argentine Federation a special evening."

AS Roma have prevented Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina from travelling to Argentina for an event scheduled for 6 October surrounding the Argentina vs Benin match. The club cited sporting and logistical reasons for the decision, specifically the duration of the intercontinental journey and the proximity of Roma's official fixtures. Both players were part of Argentina's 2022 World Cup-winning squad alongside Lionel Messi, and the event carries significance for them. However, Roma's management determined that releasing them would conflict with the club's immediate competitive schedule. The decision reflects the tension between international commitment and domestic club priorities during a congested fixture calendar. The club issued an official statement saying: "AS Roma communicates that Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina will not participate in the event organised in Argentina for the Argentina vs Benin match on 6 October. The Society recognises the value of the appointment for the two players, linked to Lionel Messi and protagonists with him in the 2022 World Cup victory. The Club's choice responds to sporting and logistical reasons, linked to the duration of the intercontinental journey and the proximity of official commitments. AS Roma expresses the utmost respect for Lionel Messi and his extraordinary career, wishing him and the Argentine Federation a special evening."

Roma are preparing special kits for their centenary year in 2027, with early details emerging on the home and third shirts that will mark the milestone season. The main shirt will pay tribute to the Roman Club, with release scheduled between May and June 2027, while the third shirt will honour the Alba, another chapter from the club's origins. The centenario planning extends beyond kit design. Yesterday the Services Conference approved the new Pietralata stadium project, with excavation work beginning today at the designated site. The stadium is already being looked at for Euro 2032; Malagò confirmed the facility's inclusion in Italy's bid: "The Pietralata stadium will be there." Roma hope to reach the centenary celebration with a trophy in hand, though the immediate focus is on the upcoming fixture against Como. Off the pitch, Roma have issued an official statement confirming that Argentine pair Nahuel Molina and Paulo Dybala will remain at the club. The Como match carries too much importance for either player to be unavailable, ruling out their involvement in any other commitments during that period.

AS Roma has confirmed that Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina will not travel to Argentina for a farewell celebration organised in honour of Lionel Messi on 6 October, which coincides with an Argentina–Benin match. Both players, World Cup winners with Messi in 2022, had been invited to the event in Buenos Aires. With twelve Roma players on international duty across their respective national teams, the club is closely monitoring the situation of three Argentine internationals—Leonardo Balerdi, Santiago Castro and Matías Soulé—all called up by the Albiceleste. Their return to Trigoria carries particular sensitivity given Roma's fixture against Como on 11 October, which falls just days after the players' expected arrival. Dybala and Molina's potential absence from training would have compounded the tight turnaround, creating further uncertainty over their readiness for the match. AS Roma released a statement explaining the decision: "The Club recognises the value of the appointment for the two players, linked to Lionel Messi and protagonists with him in the 2022 World Cup victory. The choice responds to sporting and logistical reasons, related to the duration of the intercontinental journey and the proximity of official commitments. AS Roma expresses the maximum respect for Lionel Messi and his extraordinary career, wishing him and the Argentine Federation a special evening."