Roma's squad remains incomplete as Gasperini targets two more signings

Matías Soulé is fighting for a starting place in Roma's opening Serie A match against Fiorentina on 24 August, with competition from Rodrigo Mora for the attacking midfield role behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Mora has impressed the coaching staff in early training and is challenging Soulé for the position, which does not perfectly suit the Argentine's playing style but which he must learn to interpret effectively. Soulé has regained fitness during pre-season after arriving at Trigoria carrying extra weight in mid-July, and his enthusiasm has been boosted by the arrival of two other Argentine players. However, transfer speculation has continued to shadow the final weeks of the summer window. Milan have been linked with a move, though no concrete offers have materialised and a departure appears unlikely at this stage. Soulé does not wish to leave the club and remains motivated to carve out his role in Gasperini's squad.

Roma are maintaining their focus on the transfer market ahead of their fixture against Fiorentina, with head coach Gasperini keen to add two more players—one attacker and one wide defender. Gittens has emerged as the primary target for the forward role, with Roma hoping to bring him to the capital on loan. Lyon's Fofana remains on the club's radar as well. Director of sport D'Amico is pursuing final signings to complete the squad. Elsewhere in the market, El Aynaoui is available for departure. Multiple Arab clubs have expressed interest, and Roma have set a €35 million asking price. The club will only sell if an offer exceeds that figure. Oosterwolde has also been offered to Roma, and the club is currently evaluating him.

Roma are considering selling Neil El Aynaoui and Jan Ziółkowski to Saudi Arabian clubs to generate funds for further signings before the transfer window closes. The club has set El Aynaoui's asking price at €35 million, targeting a net surplus of at least €15 million after the midfielder's €25 million acquisition last summer on a contract to 2030. Roma are seeking €20 million for defender Ziółkowski, whose departure has also attracted concrete offers from Saudi Arabia, particularly from Neom. Combined sales would bring in over €50 million—the figure needed to finance a final attacking reinforcement in the coming days. UEFA Financial Fair Play rules have forced Roma into a cautious approach. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has pressed the ownership and CEO John Galantic to accelerate incomings, but the response has been firm: no departures, no new arrivals. The proceeds from El Aynaoui and Ziółkowski would enable Roma to target Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, valued at €35 million by Chelsea, though sporting director D'Amico is monitoring multiple attacking profiles. This financial squeeze reflects the club's need to balance squad ambitions against regulatory constraints as the window enters its final phase.

Matías Soulé is fighting for a starting place in Roma's opening Serie A match against Fiorentina on 24 August, with competition from Rodrigo Mora for the attacking midfield role behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Mora has impressed the coaching staff in early training and is challenging Soulé for the position, which does not perfectly suit the Argentine's playing style but which he must learn to interpret effectively. Soulé has regained fitness during pre-season after arriving at Trigoria carrying extra weight in mid-July, and his enthusiasm has been boosted by the arrival of two other Argentine players. However, transfer speculation has continued to shadow the final weeks of the summer window. Milan have been linked with a move, though no concrete offers have materialised and a departure appears unlikely at this stage. Soulé does not wish to leave the club and remains motivated to carve out his role in Gasperini's squad.

Paulo Dybala has become Roma's entire foundation rather than merely the final flourish of an ambitious squad, as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's decisive intervention this summer kept the Argentine at the club despite transfer interest from MLS and Boca Juniors. At 32, approaching 33 in November, Dybala will again be the focal point when Roma debut against Fiorentina on Monday evening at the Olimpico in front of 67,000 supporters. The concentration of attacking responsibility on Dybala presents both an asset and a vulnerability. Having a player of his calibre is undoubtedly an extraordinary resource, but the squad risks becoming entirely dependent on his performances—raising the fundamental question of what happens when the Argentine needs rest or must manage the usual physical complaints. Finding a reliable alternative to lead the attack during his absences remains an open issue for Roma's technical project. Matías Soulé attempted to provide that depth last season before pubalgia problems halted his progression. This season, attention has turned to Rodrigo Mora, a Portuguese talent with crystalline ability, but expecting a recently arrived player to immediately shoulder the responsibility of driving the team represents excessive optimism at present.

Paulo Dybala continues to be the focal point of Roma's identity despite being almost 33 years old and approaching his November birthday. The Argentine remains the club's technical compass at a time when players, coaches and executives have come and gone. Gasperini's role in keeping Dybala at Roma was pivotal; without the coach's intervention, the winger would likely have moved to MLS or Boca Juniors. Even as time passes since his headline arrival in 2022, Dybala is expected to draw the loudest roar from the 67,000 fans during Monday's lineup announcements before the Fiorentina match. The article raises a deeper question about Roma's tactical reliance on the Argentine. While his presence guarantees excitement, the concern is whether he has become the sole player capable of single-handedly changing a match. The underlying tension is simple: with Dybala, there is joy; without him, what happens? Matías Soulé attempted to fill that role last season before a groin injury sidelined him. Bryan Zaragoza, described as a player with crystalline talent, may attempt to assume this responsibility, though banking on him to establish himself in that role confidently represents optimism. The broader question facing Gasperini is whether Roma can function decisively in Dybala's absence or remain overly dependent on one player's brilliance.

Roma are considering selling Neil El Aynaoui and Jan Ziółkowski to Saudi Arabian clubs to generate funds for further signings before the transfer window closes. The club has set El Aynaoui's asking price at €35 million, targeting a net surplus of at least €15 million after the midfielder's €25 million acquisition last summer on a contract to 2030. Roma are seeking €20 million for defender Ziółkowski, whose departure has also attracted concrete offers from Saudi Arabia, particularly from Neom. Combined sales would bring in over €50 million—the figure needed to finance a final attacking reinforcement in the coming days. UEFA Financial Fair Play rules have forced Roma into a cautious approach. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has pressed the ownership and CEO John Galantic to accelerate incomings, but the response has been firm: no departures, no new arrivals. The proceeds from El Aynaoui and Ziółkowski would enable Roma to target Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, valued at €35 million by Chelsea, though sporting director D'Amico is monitoring multiple attacking profiles. This financial squeeze reflects the club's need to balance squad ambitions against regulatory constraints as the window enters its final phase.

Roma are considering selling Neil El Aynaoui to Saudi Arabian clubs as the club works to manage UEFA financial regulations. The midfielder, signed last summer for €25m on a five-year contract until 2030, has been priced at €35m. Roma aim to generate a profit of at least €15m from the sale, calculated against the amortisation of his transfer fee. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has pressed the club's ownership and CEO John Galantic for attacking reinforcements in recent days, but the hierarchy's response is clear: any new signings must be funded by outgoings first. El Aynaoui is not the only departure under consideration. Defender Jan Ziółkowski has also received approaches from Saudi Arabia, specifically from Neom, with Roma demanding €20m for him. The combined proceeds from both sales—totalling over €50m—would be earmarked for a new striker. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens of Chelsea has emerged as a target, valued at €35m by the Blues, though Gasperini is examining other attacking options as well.

Roma plan two more signings before the transfer window closes to complete their squad for the Champions League campaign and the club's centenary year. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini wants a fifth central midfielder and a right winger; the arrival of Rodrigo Mora has not filled the gaps, particularly the need for a player capable of explosive play in that area. Sporting director D'Amico is working on at least three names. Chelsea winger Gittens is a real option. He is out of favour at Stamford Bridge and managed by Elite Project, the same agency that represents Udogie. If Chelsea open the door to a loan — Roma have detected signals in that direction — the deal could advance. Midfielder Fofana remains firmly on Roma's radar. Both arrivals should be assessed separately from any potential departures: if either Matías Soulé or Jan Ziółkowski leaves, Roma would need to bring in three players instead of two.