Roma's January plans take shape: UEFA ruling delayed, Dovbyk could return, Lookman and Kvernadze on the radar

Mile Svilar and Paulo Dybala are edging back towards the starting XI, with the goalkeeper's medical giving a positive result during the international break. Svilar had been sidelined by a stress fracture to the fifth toe of his right foot, picked up in training just over a month ago. He opted for conservative treatment rather than surgery, which allowed the bone callus to form correctly. The Belgian has already trained on the pitch, albeit in a differentiated programme alongside Pierluigi Gollini. The club's aim is to have him back as a regular starter for the trip to Parma when the league resumes. Dybala, who has also returned to group work, could also start from the first minute. Roma are also linked with Atalanta left-back Lorenzo Bernasconi, born in 2003, whose name is picking up transfer speculation ahead of the January window. The left-back, who has enjoyed an excellent start to the season, has attracted interest from several major clubs including Roma, Milan and Newcastle. His consistency and constant forward runs down the flank have fuelled international interest in a player considered one of the most promising young players in his position in the league. Atalanta, who value their talents highly, are reportedly valuing his contract at between 20 and 25 million euros. Artem Dovbyk, currently on loan from Roma, left the capital last summer in search of more regular football, but his spell at Bologna has not gone as hoped. Injuries and a change of coach have limited his opportunities, and his situation could change during the January window, as Bologna are reportedly considering ending the loan early in the winter session. The two clubs will discuss the matter in the coming weeks. The Ukrainian striker is not part of Gasperini's plans. On Roman radio, the return of Svilar and Dybala was debated. Alessandro Vocalelli told Radio Radio: "Dybala's absence was felt more than Svilar's. Gollini did very well, although he conceded a few goals he perhaps could have avoided. Vasquez, on the other hand, did his job: he saved a penalty, then had it retaken, and on the goals conceded he had little responsibility." Luigi Ferrajolo added: "Vasquez and Gollini conceded two goals from over 25 metres, but the calmness Svilar brings is something else. Gollini was unlucky because he was playing a good game before his injury. I would start with Soulé and Dybala and then bring on Mora during the match, because I don't think Dybala has 90 minutes in his legs and he needs managing."

Roma are preparing their January transfer strategy, with the aim of signing two forwards on loan, and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is eager to strengthen the squad. The directions come from Trigoria and combine the ambition of Gasperini with the caution and realism of the ownership. They are simple but not final, and will be updated and shared in the coming weeks. The people handling the negotiations have been at work since early September, but every move must be assessed and approved, or rejected, by the Friedkin family. Sporting director D'Amico knows this well, having been through the same process over the summer. Gasperini said after the win over Sassuolo at the Olimpico, and before the international break: "La Roma è competitiva, ma non numericamente." The sporting director spoke in much the same way that evening, also making clear the type of player Roma want: a high, attacking winger. Roma have 23 players in the squad, which, counting three goalkeepers, leaves just 20 outfield players. Lulli nearly left at the last minute to gain experience, as often happens to players of his age. D'Amico has already understood how he must operate, even without official communication. The plan is loan deals, both of them, while avoiding exceeding the wage bill ceiling. The next step is identifying suitable players. Those considered in the summer are viable options: Luiz Henrique, Leweling and Gittens. Endrick is an obvious target. However, closing deals in the style of Malen, a loan with an obligation (or right) to buy, is too early. Roma need players who are well coached but at odds with their manager or club, ready and willing to change teams. The club are targeting unhappy players, as happened with the Dutchman under Emery at Aston Villa. Waiting is necessary, as injuries and suspensions often cause managers and directors to change their minds about discarded players. Beyond the summer attempts, the agent of Lookman has made clear that his client, little used by Simeone, is pushing to leave Atlético Madrid. Endrick's position is not new; he was close to Roma in the summer. The Brazilian wants to play more. He has no space at Real Madrid, but Mourinho is holding on to him and has already said he will not help the Friedkins. Gasperini is waiting to learn whether and how he will be satisfied. Nobody has spoken with him, not Dan, Ryan or Corbin, and Galantic cannot comment. No meeting is scheduled at present. Endrick would be ideal for Gasperini, who also needs a winger with pace and power, something the squad currently lacks. It is a promise not kept from last year.

Leonardo Balerdi has been one of the more unexpected standouts of Roma's season so far, and his playing time now carries real weight in his future at the club. According to information obtained exclusively by Tele Radio Stereo from sources inside Olympique Marseille, the Argentine centre-back's obligatory buy-back clause is not tied to the number of appearances he makes, but to the percentage of minutes he has played by the end of the season. So far Balerdi has been used for around 50% of the total minutes Roma have played this season, which is enough to trigger the obligatory buy-back at around €15 million, a figure widely reported in recent months. The clause therefore depends on minutes rather than matches, a point the report says differs from what has been read and heard since he arrived in Rome. The final amount Roma would pay to buy his registration outright will also vary according to the percentage of minutes he plays. It could therefore be either lower or higher than €15 million.

Mile Svilar and Paulo Dybala are edging back towards the starting XI, with the goalkeeper's medical giving a positive result during the international break. Svilar had been sidelined by a stress fracture to the fifth toe of his right foot, picked up in training just over a month ago. He opted for conservative treatment rather than surgery, which allowed the bone callus to form correctly. The Belgian has already trained on the pitch, albeit in a differentiated programme alongside Pierluigi Gollini. The club's aim is to have him back as a regular starter for the trip to Parma when the league resumes. Dybala, who has also returned to group work, could also start from the first minute. Roma are also linked with Atalanta left-back Lorenzo Bernasconi, born in 2003, whose name is picking up transfer speculation ahead of the January window. The left-back, who has enjoyed an excellent start to the season, has attracted interest from several major clubs including Roma, Milan and Newcastle. His consistency and constant forward runs down the flank have fuelled international interest in a player considered one of the most promising young players in his position in the league. Atalanta, who value their talents highly, are reportedly valuing his contract at between 20 and 25 million euros. Artem Dovbyk, currently on loan from Roma, left the capital last summer in search of more regular football, but his spell at Bologna has not gone as hoped. Injuries and a change of coach have limited his opportunities, and his situation could change during the January window, as Bologna are reportedly considering ending the loan early in the winter session. The two clubs will discuss the matter in the coming weeks. The Ukrainian striker is not part of Gasperini's plans. On Roman radio, the return of Svilar and Dybala was debated. Alessandro Vocalelli told Radio Radio: "Dybala's absence was felt more than Svilar's. Gollini did very well, although he conceded a few goals he perhaps could have avoided. Vasquez, on the other hand, did his job: he saved a penalty, then had it retaken, and on the goals conceded he had little responsibility." Luigi Ferrajolo added: "Vasquez and Gollini conceded two goals from over 25 metres, but the calmness Svilar brings is something else. Gollini was unlucky because he was playing a good game before his injury. I would start with Soulé and Dybala and then bring on Mora during the match, because I don't think Dybala has 90 minutes in his legs and he needs managing."

Paulo Dybala could return to Roma's starting line-up for the trip to Parma on 21 November at 18:00, with Gian Piero Gasperini reportedly considering the Argentine from the first minute. Eleven Roma players have been called up for the international break, more than any other club's squad in the article's account, and Argentina is the nation with the most Giallorossi on duty. Leonardo Balerdi, Santiago Castro and Matías Soulé are all with Argentina, which plays Uruguay on 14 November and Costa Rica on 18 November. The Costa Rica fixture is the problem for Gasperini. After that match, Soulé, Castro and Balerdi will not return to the capital until 19 November, leaving the head coach just two days to work with them and the rest of the group before the Parma trip. That is before allowing for the tiring long-haul journey. For this reason, Gasperini is reportedly weighing Dybala from the start against Parma, while Soulé could begin on the bench and be brought on during the game. The club's Telegram and WhatsApp channels offer free Roma news updates to fans on their phones.

Radio commentators have linked AS Roma with a number of attacking targets, with Kvernadze, Gittens and Endrick named as the main options for a left-sided attacker. Speaking on Radio Radio Pomeriggio, Pugliese said: "For the trip to Parma, Svilar and Dybala will be available again. Paulo will start, while Soulé could start from the bench after his commitments with Argentina. For Roma, the most important presence remains Koné." He added that Gasperini wants three players to complete the squad: a midfielder, a wide man and the much-discussed left winger. However, Pugliese believes it is very likely Roma will only be able to sign the offensive winger. On Marten de Roon, Pugliese said there is nothing concrete yet over a new contract. The player reportedly wants to stay for another season but has not spoken with the ownership since April, and no official talks are currently taking place. Pugliese said: "The main names are Kvernadze, Gittens and Endrick, but I do not rule out some surprise." Sabatini focused on Kvernadze, saying there is a release clause of around €4 million. He said: "If Roma came in with an offer of €8-10 million, they could sign him straight away." Sabatini also said Soulé has played matches at levels similar to Dybala and that their output does not double when they play together, sometimes performing better without Paulo. On goalkeepers, he said Vásquez could have been mainly responsible for the defeat at Manchester, but conceded goals he could do little about, and that Gollini has been surprising in some games. Ferrajolo said Vásquez and Gollini conceded two goals from over 25 metres, but that Svilar's composure is a different thing. He said Gollini was unlucky because he was playing well before his injury. Ferrajolo said: "I would start with Soulé and Dybala and then bring on Mora during the game, because I do not think Dybala has 90 minutes in his legs and he needs managing." Melli said Malen has blossomed under Gasperini, having previously played mainly as a winger, which explains why he does not perform for the national team as he does at Roma. He said: "Gasperini's contribution to his growth has been fundamental." Vocalelli said everyone has scored under Gasperini, and that the decision to deploy Malen as a centre-forward was decisive. He said Dybala's absence was felt more than Svilar's, and that Vásquez saved a penalty, which was retaken, and had little responsibility for the goals conceded. Orsi praised Malen as a great player whose qualities emerge especially inside the box, describing him as a true centre-forward rather than a deep-lying striker, unlike Castro, who tends to move more outside the area. He added: "Gasperini wants to strike back against Inter."

Mile Svilar and Paulo Dybala are edging back towards the starting XI, with the goalkeeper's medical giving a positive result during the international break. Svilar had been sidelined by a stress fracture to the fifth toe of his right foot, picked up in training just over a month ago. He opted for conservative treatment rather than surgery, which allowed the bone callus to form correctly. The Belgian has already trained on the pitch, albeit in a differentiated programme alongside Pierluigi Gollini. The club's aim is to have him back as a regular starter for the trip to Parma when the league resumes. Dybala, who has also returned to group work, could also start from the first minute. Roma are also linked with Atalanta left-back Lorenzo Bernasconi, born in 2003, whose name is picking up transfer speculation ahead of the January window. The left-back, who has enjoyed an excellent start to the season, has attracted interest from several major clubs including Roma, Milan and Newcastle. His consistency and constant forward runs down the flank have fuelled international interest in a player considered one of the most promising young players in his position in the league. Atalanta, who value their talents highly, are reportedly valuing his contract at between 20 and 25 million euros. Artem Dovbyk, currently on loan from Roma, left the capital last summer in search of more regular football, but his spell at Bologna has not gone as hoped. Injuries and a change of coach have limited his opportunities, and his situation could change during the January window, as Bologna are reportedly considering ending the loan early in the winter session. The two clubs will discuss the matter in the coming weeks. The Ukrainian striker is not part of Gasperini's plans. On Roman radio, the return of Svilar and Dybala was debated. Alessandro Vocalelli told Radio Radio: "Dybala's absence was felt more than Svilar's. Gollini did very well, although he conceded a few goals he perhaps could have avoided. Vasquez, on the other hand, did his job: he saved a penalty, then had it retaken, and on the goals conceded he had little responsibility." Luigi Ferrajolo added: "Vasquez and Gollini conceded two goals from over 25 metres, but the calmness Svilar brings is something else. Gollini was unlucky because he was playing a good game before his injury. I would start with Soulé and Dybala and then bring on Mora during the match, because I don't think Dybala has 90 minutes in his legs and he needs managing."

Roma and Bologna are set to hold talks in the coming weeks to discuss the future of striker Artem Dovbyk, according to Matteo Moretto. Bologna are reportedly beginning to doubt that Dovbyk is the right striker for their side, in light of the difficulties he has encountered settling in so far. Roma, however, have not planned for the Ukrainian's return in January. The Giallorossi have set their annual sporting plan without including the reintegration of the former Girona forward at mid-season. The upcoming talks between the two clubs will establish the best solution for all parties involved. Dovbyk joined Roma in July 2024 from Girona in a deal worth €38m, and he is on loan at Bologna. The coming discussions will decide whether the centre-forward's situation is resolved before the winter window.

Bologna are reportedly weighing up whether to end Artem Dovbyk's loan early during the January transfer window, with talks between the Emilian club and Roma expected in the coming weeks. The report, attributed to Matteo Moretto on Fabrizio Romano's YouTube channel, says the Ukrainian striker has not fully convinced Bologna. Dovbyk left Rome last summer in search of more regular football, but his time at Bologna has fallen short of expectations. Injuries and a change of coach have limited his minutes. Roma, for their part, do not currently consider Dovbyk a priority within their technical project, so the two clubs will discuss the best solution for the striker's future. The Italian report notes that Dovbyk could see his situation change again in January, with the two clubs due to meet to take stock of the position.