Roma's loanees struggling as up to €50m at risk; El Aynaoui the exception at Leipzig

Roma's January transfer planning is waiting on concrete signals from the Friedkin family in Houston, with the club's strategy expected to be defined this week. The break for international fixtures is seen as a crucial moment to plan the winter window, while Roma's aim remains to stay close to the top of the Serie A table. Il Tempo reports that, barring surprises, no members of the Friedkin family are expected to arrive in Rome. The club is also waiting to learn the outcome of its settlement agreement with UEFA, which will determine the room available for investment. Gian Piero Gasperini's direct contact for market matters and corporate affairs remains CEO John Galantic, with a meeting expected in the coming days. The technical area and sporting director Tony D'Amico have already set the priorities: a striker and a winger, ideally with the qualities of Moreira, who was pursued months ago. Endrick remains at the top of the wish list, although the deal is considered complex in several respects. Kvernadze's stock among the other profiles studied by the club has fallen, as he does not fully convince. Unlike the situation last summer, Gasperini's plans also include the possibility of signing a new midfielder, should the budget granted by the ownership allow it. Although satisfied with the performance of the department, the coach has begun to reflect on the difficulties of the season so far. Koné tends to stop from time to time, De Roon, while still reliable, is of significant age, and Pellegrini is getting less and less playing time. For these reasons, if there is room to manoeuvre, Roma will consider a addition in midfield.

Dybala and Mancini have returned to training with the group at Trigoria, with both now in contention for Roma's trip to Parma on 21 November. The squad resumed work after three days' rest with thirteen players away on international duty, and Gian Piero Gasperini used the break to clear the injury list. Paulo Dybala is gradually overcoming a calf injury, while Gianluca Mancini has almost shaken off a muscle complaint. Their responses will be assessed over the coming days, but the chances of both being available at the Tardini are growing. There are also encouraging signs for Mile Svilar, who is still training apart from the group but has put his boots back on after weeks in a protective boot for a foot injury, boosting hopes of his return in goal against Parma. His recovery will also allow Pierluigi Gollini to recover more calmly from the back problem that cost him the last two matches. Gasperini is now looking ahead to the January window and will discuss the matter this week with sporting director Tony D'Amico and chief executive John Galantic. The coach's priority is to add offensive options with a profile offering pace and unpredictability. Three different options are on the club's list, though none has yet become a concrete negotiation. The internal discussions come against a backdrop of a cool and distant relationship between Gasperini and the Friedkin family. No meetings with the ownership are currently planned to define winter strategy, so the talks with D'Amico and Galantic will serve to set priorities and room for manoeuvre while awaiting decisions from the American owners.

Leonardo Balerdi, who left Marseille for Roma, has become one of the pillars of Gian Piero Gasperini's side and is now being considered by Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni to fill the central defensive void left by Otamendi's departure. The Marseille supporters who celebrated his exit in August now have a Roma fan base enjoying his performances instead. Balerdi defends, commands his area, supports attacks and, when he has space, can carry the ball forward. His combination of qualities is reminiscent, in some respects, of the best version of Manolas. Gasperini has repeatedly praised him, and the start to this season has confirmed how important the Argentine has become to the balance of the team. His progress has also not gone unnoticed back home. Scaloni continues to call him up to the national team, and now a new opportunity may open for him. With Otamendi gone, Argentina are searching for a new reference point at the heart of the defence. According to TyC Sports, the Giallorossi defender is among the candidates for a starting berth in the friendly against Uruguay, with Lisandro Martínez expected to partner him. The report underlines how quickly Balerdi has established himself as a key figure at Roma, moving from a player whose departure Marseille supporters welcomed to a central defender the national team is considering for a starting role. A call-up and a starting place against Uruguay would represent a significant step for the 2026-27 season.

Filippo Reale endured a difficult afternoon as Carrarese were beaten 3-0 by Verona at the Bentegodi, with the Roma loanee's mistake directly leading to the second goal. Neil El Aynaoui continued to earn important minutes for RB Leipzig, starting in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League, while Robinio Vaz was left out of the Hull City squad. Mohamed Seck impressed again for Foggia, and Anass Salah-Eddine won the Greek derby but remained out of the following European fixture. Here is the full roundup of Roma's players on loan away from the capital. Reale, a defender born in 2006, was already under pressure after a penalty he conceded against Arezzo. He was named in the starting line-up for the trip to Verona, where Carrarese were overwhelmed 3-0. Harroui gave Verona the lead in the 10th minute, before the decisive moment for Reale in the 22nd minute. He anticipated Mosquera on a long ball from goalkeeper Perilli but misplayed a backpass towards Pizzignacco. Colombian forward Mosquera stole the ball, rounded the keeper and made it 2-0. Sarr sealed the result in the 38th minute. Reale played all 90 minutes but could not recover. Tuttomercatoweb gave him a 4.5, highlighting the mistake for the second goal. He was not booked, but two decisive errors in a few days represent a sharp step back after his good performances in previous weeks. (Loan with an option and counter-option to buy) El Aynaoui, the Moroccan midfielder, continued to find playing time in Bundesliga and Champions League matches. On Saturday he started the 2-0 win at Schalke 04, with goals from Nusa, from the penalty spot, and Rômulo. He played the full 90 minutes and contributed to the management of the midfield. A tougher test followed on Wednesday, when he was again picked from the start against Manchester City in the Champions League. Leipzig lost 3-2 after a competitive game in which they twice came back from behind before conceding the decisive goal from Haaland in the 78th minute. El Aynaoui was booked in the 48th minute and played until the 74th, when Demichelis replaced him with Seiwald. He had no goals or assists across the two games, but his 164 combined minutes confirm he is now an important presence in the German side's rotation. (Loan with an option to buy) Vaz, the French forward, had a particular week. Having recovered from injury, he continues to struggle for a place in the Premier League. On Saturday he was left out of the Hull City squad for the 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town. Head coach Sergej Jakirovic said the young player must improve his physical condition and increase the intensity of his training, partly because of an incomplete summer preparation. That decision led to him playing for the Under-21 side. On Monday Vaz featured against Derby County in the Premier League Cup, helping the Tigers to a 1-0 win. He came close in the 23rd minute with a shot on target, saved by goalkeeper Djedje. The winner arrived only in stoppage time, from Kieran Wilson. Vaz had no goals or assists, but the match helped him regain rhythm and fitness. It remains to be seen when he will return to the first-team squad. (Loan with an option to buy) Seck continues to earn the trust of Gaetano Auteri. On Monday he was confirmed as a starter in the trip to Casarano, which ended in a spectacular 2-2 draw. Foggia led in the 24th minute through Ravasio, were levelled by Mercadante in stoppage time of the first half and, despite a numerical advantage after Negro was sent off in the 54th minute, conceded the lead to Ciotti in the 84th. Luciani equalised in the 95th minute. Seck played all 90 minutes without a booking, offering an attentive display and limiting individual errors. Foggiacalciomania rated him a positive 6.6, highlighting the progress of the young defender. (Loan) Salah-Eddine, the Moroccan full-back, had a week of highs and spells on the bench. On Sunday he came on in the 71st minute of the derby against AEK Athens, which Panathinaikos won 2-0 with goals from Tetteh and Andino. Neestrup brought him on for Kyriakopoulos to manage the lead, with the hosts two goals ahead and a numerical advantage after Kangwa was sent off in the 70th minute. The Roma loanee played the final 19 minutes plus stoppage time and was booked in the 92nd minute, without a goal or assist. On Thursday Panathinaikos beat CSKA Sofia 2-1 in the Conference League, with goals from Calabria and Taborda, but Salah-Eddine was not in the matchday squad. He was therefore a bench appearance in the league and did not play in the European match. Competition on the left flank remains high despite his progress in recent weeks. (Loan with an option to buy) Federico Nardin, a defender born in 2007, continues to develop and is increasingly selected by Antonio Buscè. On Saturday he started the 0-0 draw with Torres at the Adriatico and played the full 90 minutes, helping to keep a clean sheet. His most notable moment came in the 64th minute, when he came close to his first professional goal. Served by Meazzi, he found a good position but shot over the bar. Pescara created several chances without converting them.

Roma return to the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday to host Sassuolo, coached by Aquilani, and face the chance to bounce back straight after their defeat at Old Trafford. Referee Di Bello will take charge of the match, assisted by linesmen Peretti and Scatragli, with Abisso as fourth official. Pezzuto is the VAR, with Guida working as AVAR. The head-to-head record with Di Bello is encouraging for Roma. They have met him 34 times, winning 21, drawing 6 and losing 7. More striking are the recent results: Roma have won all of their last eight matches refereed by Di Bello and have been unbeaten in ten games. Their last defeat under him came on 8 February 2022, when Inter won 2-0 in the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia. The most recent meeting was on 25 April, when Roma beat Bologna 2-0 at the Dall'Ara, with goals from Malen and El Aynaoui. The focus now is on moving on from the Old Trafford result. Roma have to look ahead and go again, with the future the only thing that counts from here on.

Roma's loan players had a busy week across the Champions League, the Bundesliga, the German Cup, La Liga, Serie C and the Europa Conference League. Neil El Aynaoui was involved in three matches for RB Leipzig, while Luigi Cherubini was back in the Benevento starting line-up and came close to scoring twice. Robinio Vaz has returned to action after a physical problem he suffered against Fulham, and Mohamed Seck helped Foggia to a win. El Aynaoui, a Moroccan midfielder on a loan deal with a buy option, started Leipzig's Champions League defeat to Real Madrid, a 4-1 loss, and played until the 63rd minute. On Saturday he played the full 90 minutes of a 4-0 win over Elversberg. His most eventful match came on Tuesday against Rot-Weiss Essen in the German Cup last 16. He began on the bench, but came on at half-time with Leipzig trailing 1-0 and reduced to ten men after Seiwald was sent off in the 44th minute. Baumgartner scored twice, in the 78th and 82nd minutes, to complete the comeback and send Leipzig through 2-1. El Aynaoui was booked in the 76th minute and played 45 minutes without a goal or assist. The win came after heavy defeats to Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. Cherubini, a winger born in 2004, returned to the starting line-up on Saturday in a 3-0 win at Arezzo. He played 74 minutes and twice came close to scoring, first with a spectacular scissor kick that was saved by goalkeeper Nunziante, then with a shot that hit the post. He started again on Tuesday in a 1-1 home draw with Catanzaro. He won the decisive penalty early in the second half, which Salvemini converted in the 51st minute after Candela fouled him, a decision confirmed by VAR. He was substituted for Saio in the 86th minute. Buso equalised for Catanzaro in added time, in the 92nd minute. Cherubini did not score or assist, but BeneventoNews24 and CalcioBenevento both gave him a 6.5. Mattia Mannini, a midfielder born in 2006, was an unused substitute for both matches, with Floro Flores opting for other players during the second-half changes. Mannini had played for Italy's Under-20 side during the previous international break. Mohamed Seck started at centre-back in Auteri's three-man defence as Foggia beat Cavese 1-0 at the Zaccheria, ending two straight defeats to Potenza and Giugliano. Foggiacalciomania gave him a 6 for a solid performance, noting his willingness to move forward from the defensive line. Goalkeeper Saro saved a penalty from Orlando, and Ravasio scored the winner in the 87th minute. Federico Nardin, a defender born in 2007, started for Pescara in a 2-1 win at Perugia, playing all 90 minutes without a booking. Merola scored twice for Pescara, first from open play and then from a penalty, after Carriero had given Perugia a lead inside the first minute. Radoslaw Zelezny, the Polish goalkeeper for Perugia, played the full match but conceded both Pescara goals, with Merola scoring in the 47th and 51st minutes. Marash Kumbulla, an Albanian defender on loan with a buy option, started for Rayo Vallecano in a 3-2 extra-time win over Recreativo Huelva in the first round of the Copa del Rey. He played 80 minutes after being on the bench for the 3-0 home defeat to Elche. Alemão scored Rayo's equaliser from the penalty spot and then the winner in extra time, with De Frutos also scoring. Anass Salah-Eddine, a Moroccan left-back playing for Panathinaikos, was not used in the 5-1 Conference League win over Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan on Thursday. He started on Sunday in a 1-0 league win at Volos.