Sarri clarifies derby boycott threat was only provocation

Gian Piero Gasperini has condemned the structure of the Italian transfer window, arguing that allowing the market to close after the league season has begun creates unnecessary chaos for all clubs. Speaking after Roma's friendly against Brighton, the Roma head coach said: "As always the market starts on 1 July and then everything is decided in the last 15 days of August. For everyone these are the wrong dates, because the squads are already in preparation for a month and the market is still up in the air for everyone." Daniele De Rossi, now managing Genoa, publicly backed Gasperini's position. De Rossi revealed that Norton Cuffy did not play in Genoa's friendly against Deportivo La Coruna due to market uncertainties, and used the occasion to criticise the calendar. He said: "It's a stupid thing, wrong, I don't understand who could like it, I don't understand who could agree with it. Meanwhile whoever wants to make a deal on 30 August will do it on 15 August, it's something that devastates everyone because if you play on 16 against Ascoli and on 15 they sell you a player you'll have some difficulty. This is a bureaucratic abomination that I will never be able to understand." Both coaches highlighted how the compressed August window forces transfers to occur once pre-season training is underway, destabilising squad preparation across Serie A.

Roma have tabled a €25 million bid to Porto for winger Rodrigo Mora, as Gian Piero Gasperini's side accelerate their search for an attacking wide player. The offer is under Porto's consideration, with a response expected in the coming days. Porto manager Francesco Farioli sought to curtail transfer talk in a press conference, stating: "Only one player has come to speak to me about the possibility of leaving. I know there's another who would like to go, but Rodrigo does not fall into either of those two cases." Farioli added: "It is not the time to discuss individual situations, because tomorrow we have a match. I know that the transfer market can be a source of distraction: some players might think of different destinations or their role here at Porto, but everyone can be calm. Whoever stays will have their opportunities in all competitions." Mora, born 2007, did not feature in Porto's starting eleven in their league debut against Alverca on 9 August. Farioli left him on the bench and introduced him as a substitute in the 75th minute. The Porto boss's comments were designed to distance the player from any rift with the club amid the Roma interest.

Roma suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Brighton at the end of their pre-season training camp, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini critical of the display. The defence was disorganised and repeatedly caught out, prompting Gasperini to consider wholesale changes at half-time. He identified a fundamental problem: the squad has not yet regained the intensity and competitive edge that brought them third place last season. "It's as if this team struggles to switch back on," Gasperini said, reflecting on a performance he labelled "dire". The coach acknowledged that his rebuild is progressing slower than hoped. Addressing the transfer market, Gasperini outlined the direction Roma will pursue under sporting director D'Amico: signings must be both young and elite. That blueprint already mirrors the club's recent activity—both completed moves and deals that fell through in recent weeks—indicating a clear strategic shift toward building a squad with immediate quality and long-term potential. Gasperini's comments signal his desire to accelerate recruitment, having expected to be further along in the summer window by this point. The Brighton result underscored his concern that the current group lacks cohesion and sharpness as the competitive season approaches.