Wales emerges as summer retreat option as Roma targets Brighton friendly

Leonardo Balerdi landed at Ciampino on 29 August and became Roma's fifth summer signing and fifth Argentine in the squad—part of a three-strong Argentine contingent alongside Santiago Castro and Nahuel Molina who have all arrived this summer. The centre-back will undergo medical tests today before being announced, completing a significantly reinforced defence. Sporting director D'Amico is pressing ahead with negotiations on multiple fronts to strengthen the squad further within 72 hours, with Roma facing Lecce tomorrow. The priority remains an attacking winger. Chelsea's Gittens is the preferred target, with Roma applying pressure to secure a loan move from the English club. Simultaneously, negotiations with Zenit have opened for Luiz Henrique, a left-footed Brazilian winger who plays predominantly on the right. The departures being considered include Robinio Vaz, who will likely move to Hull City once the attacking reinforcement is completed, along with Neil El Aynaoui and Matías Soulé, who have attracted interest—chiefly from the Premier League—though no concrete bids have yet arrived. A Soulé exit could open the door for a left-winger addition. The midfield wing options are expected to remain unchanged.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is pressing AS Roma to complete the signing of a winger before the transfer window closes, with the club's latest target reportedly Luiz Henrique, a 25-year-old Brazilian at Zenit Saint Petersburg. The search for an external defender remains a priority for Gasperini, who is counting down the final hours of the market. Roma have blocked the loan move of Robinio Vaz to Hull City, keeping the young French forward at the club until the manager secures his desired winger. Gasperini will not release Vaz while still hunting for an attacking reinforcement. Fofana, another target, appears unlikely to materialise as Lyon will only consider permanent sales rather than loans. The situation has become increasingly uncomfortable for Roma, with further complications arising from Sunderland's interest in Matías Soulé; should the Argentine depart, the club would be forced into a last-minute search for a replacement. One piece of business has been confirmed: Leonardo Balerdi, an Argentine defender, has arrived in Rome to complete Gasperini's central defence options.

Roma expect to complete three further signings before the transfer window closes, with Balerdi arriving at Ciampino on 29 August and set to be confirmed today. The defender joins on a loan deal worth €1 million with a €13 million buyout clause that becomes mandatory based on appearances. The club are pursuing two wide forwards and a midfielder to offset the departures of Matías Soulé and Neil El Aynaoui. The first target is Luiz Henrique from Zenit. Contact with the Russian club intensified on 29 August, with Roma working to secure a permanent deal valued at €30 million plus €5 million in add-ons. Henrique is a left-footed winger primarily deployed on the right but capable of playing on the left. Soulé, who has remained on the market throughout the window, has attracted concrete interest from Fulham and Sunderland in the Premier League. Both clubs are prepared to take him on loan with a conditional obligation to buy for a combined valuation of €35 million. Should Soulé depart, Roma are considering Stuttgart's Leweling, who can operate as a fullback as well. Reporting from Il Corriere della Sera shows the scale of Roma's late-window activity, with the technical staff and sporting directors orchestrating a significant reshaping of the attacking and midfield ranks in these final days.