Roma's January plans: Oosterwolde back on the radar, but only if fully fit

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.

Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico spoke to journalists before the club's Champions League League Phase third matchday game against Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico, saying the squad is good enough to compete. On Endrick, he said January is a long way off and that the club is focused on itself for now. D'Amico was asked how the team had experienced the seven minutes against Real Madrid that Roma endured in their previous Champions League match. He said: "7 minuti particolari, senza respirare" – seven particular minutes, without breathing – but added that football is like this and the Champions League is a difficult competition. He pointed to the 80 spectacular minutes the team had played, adding that in all matches the club analyses every aspect and that in that game the negative aspect was the points. "Abbiamo vissuto una grande serata" – we had a great evening. Roma have already restarted their league campaign, with a win over Genoa featuring many young players. D'Amico described it as a nice evening and said the club was curious too. He praised head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, saying he is a master on this matter regardless of the players' age, and that if he has valid players at his disposal he always gets the maximum. The Genoa game came three days after the Real Madrid match, and D'Amico said the young players had been good and the club was truly happy. "Sappiamo che possiamo contare su una discreta rosa" – we know we can count on a decent squad. Asked whether Roma would try again for Endrick, D'Amico said: "Gennaio è molto lontano" – January is very far away. "Ora ci concentriamo su noi stessi, poi a gennaio metteremo il nostro massimo per mettere a disposizione del mister delle risorse" – now we are concentrating on ourselves, then in January we will do our utmost to make resources available to the coach.

Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico has spoken to Sky Sport ahead of the club's third European match of the season against Slovan at the Stadio Olimpico, the first of the campaign that the side are chasing a win in. D'Amico addressed the seven minutes that changed the Real Madrid Champions League game, the club's recent Serie A win over Genoa and the future of Endrick. Asked how he had experienced the closing seven minutes against Real Madrid, D'Amico said: "Those were 7 particular minutes, without breathing. But football is this, and the Champions League is a difficult competition. The 80 spectacular minutes the team played remain in the mind and in the eyes." He added that the club analyse every aspect, positive and negative, whether they win or lose. "Against Real Madrid the negative side was the points, but we had a great evening and there are big positive aspects to the team." Roma responded to the Genoa match with several young players on the pitch, and D'Amico was asked whether that signals continuity for the future. He said: "It was a good evening, we were curious too. Beyond the identity card, the coach is a master in this. If he has valid players available, he always gets the maximum. We are happy, it was not a simple match against Genoa, especially because it came three days after the negative final outcome against Real. The lads were good and we were really happy. We know we can count on a decent squad." On whether Roma will try again for Endrick in January, D'Amico replied: "January is a long way off, now we concentrate on ourselves and on our young players. For what we could do in January, we will put in our maximum, so that we can give the coach resources and the group, given the many matches we will face."

Roma's pursuit of Real Madrid forward Endrick remains at an impasse two months after a summer rejection, with the Spanish club offering neither discussion nor closure on a potential move. The international break has revived interest in the 20-year-old, who has made only four minutes of league action and no Champions League appearances under Carlo Ancelotti and remains keen to leave in search of regular playing time. Endrick has repeatedly told Real Madrid he wants to join Roma and wear the giallorosso, most recently reiterating this to José Mourinho before reporting to the Brazilian national team two weeks ago. Ancelotti has publicly acknowledged the forward needs consistent minutes to develop. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has not prioritised the signing, concentrating instead on upcoming fixtures rather than transfer activity—a perspective that makes sense given the January window lies three months away. Roma's primary target remains a winger with specific qualities: physically strong and capable of explosive pace. Endrick is not that profile, though Gasperini would accept him as a secondary option, potentially deploying him on the right wing or as a second striker. The first-choice targets remain Chelsea's Gittens, Stuttgart's Lewelling and Zenit's Luiz Henrique, all of whom were discussed in the closing stages of the summer market and remain on Roma's radar. Only Henrique received significant playing time after negotiations halted in August. Another barrier exists: the Friedkin family's likely demands for departures before any arrival. Soulé has been repeatedly pursued—both in summer and now through the winter window—while a possible move for defender Oosterwolde could mean Rensch or Ghilardi leaving. Oosterwolde was abandoned at the end of August due to physical problems, which are reportedly now resolved. For any Endrick deal to progress, Real Madrid must break its silence, the player must remain committed despite minimal minutes, and Roma must find clarity on squad-trimming priorities.

Roma could reopen talks with Jayden Oosterwolde during the winter transfer window after a summer move collapsed over medical concerns. The club had scheduled the defender's medical examinations before completing the deal, but assessments revealed a significant muscle tear that required surgery and an estimated three-month recovery. Roma chose not to proceed at that point, but have kept the 2001-born left-back on their radar. Director of sport Massimo D'Amico continues to monitor Oosterwolde's progress, and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini had already approved the move when it was being considered in summer, signalling how highly the former Parma player was valued for the project. The failed summer operation has not damaged relations between the parties. Roma will reassess Oosterwolde once he returns to full fitness and provides sufficient physical guarantees, with the January window offering a chance to revive negotiations that seemed all but done before the injury setback. A recent sign of sustained interest came during Roma's Champions League fixture against Istanbul, when Oosterwolde greeted several Roma players and subsequently held talks with Gasperini and his staff. Much will depend on the Dutch defender's recovery and Roma's own evaluation, but he remains a profile to watch for the giallorossi's left flank.

Roma's interest in Jayden Oosterwolde has not ended despite the dramatic collapse of negotiations last summer. The Dutch player arrived in the capital for medical examinations, but concerns emerged over his muscle injury during those tests. In early September, he underwent surgery with a recovery period estimated at around three months. Director Tony D'Amico and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini have kept Oosterwolde on their radar, with January potentially offering a second opportunity to complete the deal. Gasperini had already approved the move in summer, and both he and D'Amico continue to monitor the player's rehabilitation. The club has not crossed Oosterwolde off their list and remain interested in the former Parma player once he returns to full fitness. A recent encounter in Istanbul before Roma's match against Fenerbahçe showed the relationship remains intact: Oosterwolde greeted several Roma players and met with Gasperini, the medical staff and the fitness team. Roma are watching the progress of his recovery without urgency but without having closed the door either. If his physical condition provides adequate assurances, January could bring Oosterwolde back to the centre of Roma's transfer activity. The summer halt to negotiations need not mark the end of the story.