UEFA to rule on Roma's settlement agreement in May, with January market implications

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.

The UEFA verdict on Roma's financial fair play and settlement agreement is expected in May, not November, according to Il Corriere della Sera. All clubs submitted their accounts closed at 30 June on 15 October, and from the last ten days of November Nyon will begin examining the books of the clubs, Roma included. UEFA's final judgment will weigh three key elements: the accounts at 30 June 2026, the transactions completed later in the summer window (including the tolerance foreseen for the World Cup year), and the cost of the squad recorded at 31 December. The official squad cost data will be produced by clubs between the end of January and February. The settlement regime affects Roma's immediate market plans. The club will not have a free hand and cannot consider itself outside the settlement framework, as UEFA carefully assesses the club's financial trend. UEFA will balance the negative aspects against the guaranteed revenues that come from Champions League participation. The report stresses that the process is still moving through its stages, with Nyon's examination of club accounts beginning only in the final stretch of November and the key squad cost figures due in early 2027.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has already settled on his reinforcements for the January transfer window, but the club is waiting for a signal from ownership in Houston before moving on targets. According to Lorenzo Pes of Il Tempo, the international break is being used to plan a window that could prove decisive for the club. The ideas at Trigoria are largely clear, but Roma need the Friedkin Group to act. This week is seen as the key moment for talks and strategy, although the club is still waiting for the verdict on the settlement agreement. That detail matters for understanding how much room there is to invest after closing a chapter that lasted more than four years. The Friedkins are not expected to travel to Rome, barring surprises, so the club's contact on the ground remains CEO Galantic, chosen by ownership during the summer to handle market and corporate matters locally. A summit is expected in the coming days, when pressure from matches will be lower. Sporting director D'Amico's priorities are clear: attack and a wide player. Top of the list is still Endrick, although that move is complicated for several reasons. Other profiles under study include Kvernadze, whose stock has fallen because he does not fully convince. Much will depend on the room for manoeuvre ownership provides, but Gasperini's thinking, unlike what was said in the summer, also includes adding another midfielder.