Vaz struggles for minutes at Hull City despite loan deal with buyout clause

Endrick remains a target for both Roma and AC Milan this winter, but the Brazilian forward has reportedly already committed to Gasperini, tilting the balance in the Giallorossi's favour. The 22-year-old was expected to move during the summer, but José Mourinho convinced him to stay at Real Madrid, where he has been hampered by a muscle injury and limited playing time. Roma's interest intensifies as Endrick's situation mirrors his loan move to Lyon in January 2025, when Gasperini also saw him as a secondary striker rather than a primary forward—a role in which he scored 8 goals in 23 matches and contributed substantially to Lyon's Champions League qualification. Roc Nation, Endrick's agency, maintains strong relations with both Roma and AC Milan owner Jerry Cardinale, but the player's previous commitment to Gasperini last summer could prove decisive. Mourinho, who blocked his departure to Rome last August, is no longer opposed to the move, according to Corriere dello Sport. The remaining question concerns the transfer structure: whether Roma would pursue a long-term loan with a purchase option, insist on an obligation to buy, or settle for a straightforward loan. Roma has historically resisted subsidising other clubs' players, but January offers opportunities that can shift decision-making.

Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico has reopened contact with the representatives of Endrick, Real Madrid's Brazilian forward, during the international break to explore the 18-year-old's availability. Endrick has indicated openness to joining Roma, though AC Milan remain active competitors for his signature. Both clubs had conducted extensive checks on the player during the summer transfer window, but then-Real Madrid manager José Mourinho blocked any departure. Endrick's opening weeks at Madrid have been hampered by a muscle injury that disrupted his pre-season. The left-footed Brazilian has accumulated only four minutes of competitive football in the white shirt, a shortage of playing time that has prompted him to consider alternative options. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has identified the player as his preferred solution to a long-standing search for an attacking midfielder to operate on the centre-left, behind the main striker. Gasperini envisions using Endrick in that hybrid role to support play and create chances for Donyell Malen, a pairing the coach believes would deliver unpredictability, acceleration and lethal finishing. Roma are studying a deal structure centred on a loan with a purchase option, a formula consistent with the club's commitment to financial balance. The opportunities to accelerate negotiations will come soon: Roma and Real Madrid meet at the Stadio Olimpico on 14 October for a Champions League match. The arrival of Real Madrid's leadership in the capital will allow D'Amico to enter substantive talks and attempt to move the transfer forward.

Roma are competing with AC Milan to sign Real Madrid forward Endrick, who has expressed interest in both clubs. During the current international break, Roma's sporting director D'Amico reopened contact with the player's representatives, according to La Repubblica. Endrick has played just four minutes for Real Madrid this season owing to a muscular injury and is currently with Brazil's national team. The left-footed 2006-born forward has earned the full approval of Gasperini, who has spent over a year seeking an attacking midfielder to deploy on the left behind the main striker. Roma's preferred route is a loan with a right of purchase. The Champions League fixture scheduled for 14 October could provide an opportunity to accelerate the transfer chase.

AS Roma are planning to establish an Under 23 side to compete in Serie C, following the model adopted by Juventus, Atalanta, Milan and Inter. Chief executive John Galantic announced the project at the Festival dello Sport, emphasising the need to build a bridge between the youth academy and the first team and reduce the discontinuity that often hinders the transition from Primavera to professional football. Galantic said: "We don't live by sales alone, we need more Lullis and more Pisillis, we must focus on youth development," and indicated potential strategic partnerships with Cannes, another club owned by the Friedkin family. The initiative aims to develop homegrown talent and prevent young prospects from leaving the club. The project hinges on two critical elements the club will address in coming months. The first concerns the stadium that will host the second team's home matches. The Tre Fontane currently lacks the structural requirements for Serie C football, and Roma are evaluating whether renovation is feasible. The alternative under consideration is the Stella Polare stadium in Ostia, home to Ostiamare, managed by Daniele De Rossi. The second element is financial sustainability: the initial investment is estimated at €20 million, with approximately €3 million annually required for operational costs including wages, travel, logistics and registration fees. The UEFA classifies spending on second teams and youth sectors as "virtuous" investments, providing direct benefits to the club's balance sheet under Financial Fair Play regulations. The Under 23 project reflects Roma's established commitment to youth development, evident in recent transfer activity. The club has recruited Rodrigo Mora (19), Konstantinos Koulierakis (22), a player named Vaz (19) and Santiago Castro (21). This direction will continue in the winter window, with the club monitoring prospects including Endrick, Kvernadze, Van Bommel and Bakola. Recent encouragement has come from Matías Soulé and Castro earning senior debuts for Argentina.

Roma's Under-23 side is no longer a concept. Following John Galantic's announcement at the Festival dello Sport in Trento, the Friedkin Group is developing the intermediate step between the Primavera and first team that currently does not exist, matching the structure already in place at Juventus, Atalanta, Milan and Inter. Galantic said: "We need more Lulli and more Pisilli, we must invest in the youth academy. And then we need a growth stage between Primavera and first team. So we need an Under-23 side." The project aims to prevent the academy's best products from being sold or loaned out during the most sensitive phase of their development, while also incorporating possible synergies with Cannes. Two major obstacles remain. The first is the stadium: Tre Fontane does not currently meet all necessary requirements, and Roma is evaluating a renovation. The alternative is Stadio Stella Polare, the ground used by Ostiamare. The second concerns the cost of the operation. The total investment needed is estimated at around 20 million euros, with annual running costs between 2.5 and 3.5 million euros for salaries, staff, travel and logistics. Serie C admission requires a non-repayable contribution of 720,000 euros, provided a place becomes available in the league. While significant, this investment aligns with the club's sustainability strategy and is viewed favourably under UEFA financial rules. The Under-23 would allow Roma to manage directly the development of young players, filling the gap that often emerges when a player outgrows the Primavera but is not yet ready for regular Serie A football. The club's philosophy reflects this commitment: forming more players at Trigoria, guiding them toward professional football, and making the academy a structural component of the sporting and economic project. This approach is evident in recent recruitment, with signings including Rodrigo Mora, Koulierakis, Vaz and Santiago Castro, all with significant development potential.

Roma are planning to establish an under-23 team in Serie C to bridge the gap between their youth academy and first team. Chief Executive Galantic announced the initiative at the Festival dello Sport, stating: "We will create an under-23 team to launch new young players. It is not enough to live only on player sales. We need more Lulli and more Pisilli — we have to focus on the youth academy." The club has studied the model already implemented by Juventus, Milan, Inter and Atalanta. The Friedkin Group has been considering this transition from Primavera to under-23 football for around two years, partly to avoid situations like the Romano case. Two key elements remain to be resolved in the coming months. First, a suitable stadium: Tre Fontane currently does not meet all requirements and is being evaluated for restructuring, with Stella Polare — where Ostiamare play — as an alternative. Second, the financial investment, estimated at around €20 million, plus average annual spending of €3 million for salaries, logistics and travel, plus registration fees. Galantic also noted possible synergies with Cannes, also owned by the Friedkin Group. The total outlay is considered "virtuous" by UEFA and would support the club's financial fair play position. Roma's recent transfer activity has focused on young talent. From January onwards, the club signed Rodrigo Mora (19), Konstantinos Koulierakis (22), Vaz (19) and Santiago Castro (21). Future winter market targets include profiles such as Van Bommel, Endrick, Kvernadze and Bakola. Meanwhile, Matías Soulé and Castro have earned their first Argentina national team caps.