Weekly Ratings: Sinner shines, Dybala renewal backed, Zaniolo slips again

Roma are actively pursuing both Aurélien Fofana and Franck Kessié in the final days of the transfer window, according to multiple commentators on Roman radio on 27 August. Mario Corsi stated: "The situation is this: in these hours people are talking about Fofana and Kessié, Roma is absolutely trying to take them. I'm telling you that Roma is absolutely trying, and something will definitely come out. Then maybe it could be other names, but they'll do something good." Corsi added that if Roma sign both players, there is no reason not to discuss a title challenge, noting: "The only team that has four strong strikers is Inter. I have terrible tension in these last four days because it changes the thinking on the shield." The Fofana deal appears structured as a loan with an obligation to buy triggered by a set number of appearances, rather than an outright €35 million plus bonuses transfer from Lyon. Francesca Ferrazza explained: "Fofana has an important history of injuries, and for this reason they are working on the formula: a loan that then becomes an obligation to buy at a certain number of matches. With players who have this history of injuries you have to be cautious, and for this reason the operation is complicated." She urged swift decisions from the ownership: "Let's hope the Friedkins are quick to give answers to D'Amico and Gasperini to green-light the operations." On Jayden Oosterwolde, Checco Oddo Casano reported: "The situation has been clear since yesterday, but Roma still hasn't decided. The medical staff has expressed their doubts saying: 'Are you really sure you want to take this risk?' I honestly wouldn't take this risk, but then you have to see if you have an alternative ready, because today is 27 August and there is little time." Lorenzo Pes suggested negotiations with Fenerbahçe were ongoing to adjust terms: contacts have resumed "to change the cost of the loan, which will not be expensive but free, and on the number of appearances for the obligation to buy." Separately, speculation around Neil El Aynaoui's future prompted comment. Piero Torri stated: "I'm trying to understand something about El Aynaoui, because the story is building that he could leave Roma. The agent says quite decisively that he stays at Roma. There has been talk of Saudi Arabia and Crystal Palace, but I haven't found evidence." Ilario Di Giovambattista weighed in on Roma's overall strength: "Roma has shown they have a crazy defence—I don't see a better one in Italy. The attack is the best in Serie A along with Inter. Even like this Roma can fight for the title."

Roma are working to sign Lyon winger Fofana as part of head coach Gasperini's push to strengthen the squad ahead of the Champions League campaign. The move hinges on Lyon's urgent need to raise approximately €100 million within the next year due to financial pressure, with Fofana keen to play in the Champions League. A structural arrangement under which Roma would register the Belgian in the following financial year while Lyon book the fee in the current one could help both clubs complete the deal. The transfer also remains connected to Roma's efforts to offload Jan Ziółkowski. Lorenzo Pes reported that definitive offers for the academy product have fallen short of Roma's valuation, which sits close to the fee the club paid Legia Warsaw to acquire him. Nottingham Forest are currently unwilling to loan Mario Hermoso. Gasperini is confident the Friedkin Group will make the effort to back him in the market, with sources suggesting he remains hopeful of securing a left winger to complete the squad. Radio commentators are united on the strategic importance of the move. Piero Torri (Radio Manà Manà) said: "With Fofana, Roma would make a further step forward and would be the perfect completion for the attacking department." Simone Valdarchi added that Fofana has communicated to Lyon his desire to play Champions League football, and that the structure being discussed would suit both clubs. Nando Orsi (Radio Radio Mattino) believes "Roma with Fofana complete the squad, then if another defender were to arrive it would become even stronger," noting that Gasperini aims to win the Serie A title, not simply return to the Champions League.

Radio pundits gathered to assess Roma's transfer activity and title ambitions on the opening day of the Champions League league-phase campaign. The debate centred on whether the squad can challenge for the Serie A title, with most speakers expressing optimism contingent on further additions before the window closes. Sabatini offered the strongest endorsement, saying: "If Roma had Dybala for 38 matches as he played against Fiorentina, the club could compete for the scudetto. What we saw from Dybala—I haven't seen him like that in ten years." Other analysts echoed the view that the squad has the foundation to compete. Di Giovambattista noted that Roma's defence is the best in Italy and, with recent reinforcements, the team can fight for the title. Orsi added that a Fofana signing would complete the squad, and that Gasperini did not engineer these changes merely to compete in the Champions League—"he wants to win the scudetto." Roma's transfer focus remains on midfield. Carina reported at Radio Radio: "There is this negotiation with Ziolkowski going to Monza. El Aynaoui is on the market, but there isn't a queue for him: if an offer arrives, Roma evaluates it, otherwise El Aynaoui stays. In this final part of the market many names will come out, there are clubs with surplus players, but Roma's market is outlined. You have to understand how it will end with Fofana: I am optimistic, because if you have an agreement with the club and the player, you find a formula to close it. Roma must compete for the scudetto: it is behind Inter, but it can play for it." Pes, reporting on Oosterwolde, said Roma has resumed contact with Fenerbahce and the formula is now a free loan with a right of purchase that can become an obligation once the player reaches 20 appearances. Torri noted that Lyon must sell Fofana regardless, facing a requirement to raise €100 million over the next year, and that selling El Aynaoui for €30 million would ease funds for further Fofana negotiations. He added that Roma is structured to compete for the top four and that "with Malen, Dybala and Fofana, that is a lot of quality." The window's final phase will determine whether Fofana and a left-sided player arrive. Lyon's financial crisis and Champions League status remain central to negotiations, with Roma and the French club still seeking agreement on terms.

Roma have learned their eight opponents in the UEFA Champions League League Phase following the draw in Monte Carlo. Gian Piero Gasperini's side will face Real Madrid, PSG, Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Lille, Fenerbahçe, Slovan Bratislava and AEK Athens, with four matches at the Stadio Olimpico and four away. The standout home fixture will be Real Madrid's visit, marking José Mourinho's return to the Olimpico as an opponent after his years managing Roma. Luis Enrique will also feature prominently in the draw — he returns to face Roma, this time from the PSG bench, adding another layer of intrigue to a competition that holds particular resonance for the club. Slovan Bratislava's inclusion stirs memories of Roma's 2011 European elimination under Enrique, a match recalled for the controversial substitution of Francesco Totti. At home, Roma will also host Sporting Lisbon, Lille and Slovan Bratislava. Away, the fixtures include one of recent European football's great classics: Manchester United at Old Trafford, a tie that evokes numerous Champions League clashes between the clubs across the 2000s. The Fenerbahçe trip carries particular significance, bringing Roma face-to-face with Mason Greenwood — described as a major regret from the summer transfer window — alongside Mattéo Guendouzi, who will encounter Paulo Dybala after previous meetings, and Romelu Lukaku. The campaign concludes with a trip to AEK Athens in Greece. Roma's full League Phase schedule: Real Madrid (home), PSG (away), Sporting Lisbon (home), Manchester United (away), Lille (home), Fenerbahçe (away), Slovan Bratislava (home), AEK Athens (away). The draw has assembled a fixture list rich in European history and storylines for Roma's return to the Champions League.

Paulo Dybala has committed to Roma by accepting a dramatic wage cut, restructuring his contract around performance bonuses that could ultimately make him the club's highest-paid player. His base salary fell from 8 million euros net to 2.2 million, but a complex bonus structure rewards every appearance, goal and assist. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini acknowledged Dybala's commitment after Roma's victory against Fiorentina, saying: "In this squad there are players who wanted Roma very strongly or wanted to stay at Roma very strongly." Dybala reached 100 Serie A appearances for Roma in that same match. The contract, signed on 12 July, reflects both an act of loyalty and a calculated gamble on his own performance. Dybala will earn 100,000 euros for each starting appearance lasting at least 45 minutes, capped at 20 matches for a maximum of 2 million euros. He has already collected 100,000 euros following the Fiorentina win. Substitute appearances of 20 minutes or more earn him 75,000 euros. From his 21st match onwards, the appearance bonus rises to 150,000 euros per game. Goal contributions drive even larger payments: every five goal involvements trigger a bonus ranging from 100,000 to 1 million euros. Dybala has already begun accumulating these rewards, recording three goal involvements in the opening matchday alone. The structure is straightforward: the more prominent Dybala becomes, the more he earns. If his season stalls and he plays infrequently, he will pocket only the 2.2 million base salary—a scenario neither he, Roma nor Gasperini wish to see unfold. Over the course of his fifth season at the club, the bonus framework could elevate his total compensation to rival or exceed that of any teammate.

Giancarlo Antognoni, Fiorentina legend, has praised Paulo Dybala as the best attacking midfielder in Serie A and the player capable of driving Roma towards the title under Gian Piero Gasperini. Speaking to Corriere della Sera, Antognoni analysed Roma's recent victory and Dybala's role in it, singling out the Argentine's quality on the ball as decisive. "Dybala is one of the strongest in the league, the best in his position," Antognoni said. "If he continues like this, Gasperini will be able to fight for the Scudetto. With the ball he does what he wants: pure spectacle. Fiorentina gave him too much freedom, but if bad luck leaves him in peace, Gasperini has an ace in his hand." Antognoni also highlighted Dybala's impact on Roma's opening goal, noting how he "jumped past half the team before setting up Malen." Antognoni reflected on the rarity of the number 10 role in modern football, observing that Italy has few players of such quality. "Football has become too tactical and physical," he explained. "The number 10 still exists in youth academies, but at club level results come first and fear of losing stifles imagination. So the number 10s have to adapt: Calhanoglu became a regista, Dembélé is a ten disguised as a nine, Yildiz starts wide but moves inside the pitch." He detected signs of revival, citing Nico Paz at Como, Liberali, and Mastantuono as promising talents, and suggested that talented players in midfield positions—like Lautaro at Inter—can make their teams unpredictable. Antognoni also praised Rodrigo Mora, describing him as another talented signing Roma has brought in who "seems already almost ready."

Roma are attempting to rework their agreement with Fenerbahçe over Jayden Oosterwolde after medical checks revealed a far longer recovery timeline than initially disclosed. The Dutch left-back arrived with a biceps femoris injury assessed as a brief layoff, but Roma's own examination and consultation with Finnish specialist professor Lasse Lempainen—who operated on Lorenzo Pellegrini last season—indicated a recovery window of at least one month to six weeks. The club needed to rule out the necessity for surgery; while recent tests provided reassuring news on that front, the prospect of unavailability stretching into October forced Roma to revisit the transfer structure. Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico initially attempted to convert the deal into a straight loan but Fenerbahçe refused. Negotiations are now focused on making the permanent obligation more difficult to trigger. Under the original terms reported by *Gazzetta dello Sport*, the obligation to buy would activate after 20 appearances of at least 45 minutes each; the new talks aim to raise that threshold to between 25 and 30 appearances. Additionally, *Messaggero* reports Roma are working to eliminate any loan fee component. Roma remain cautious at their training ground; if Oosterwolde is genuinely sidelined until October, the club wants to avoid being automatically committed to a permanent purchase without sufficient guarantees on his actual playing time. Optimism continues to filter from the player's camp and both parties have shown willingness to reach a solution, but significant details remain under discussion and subject to Fenerbahçe's approval. A decision was expected on 27 August—either a renegotiated agreement or a definitive end to the operation.

Jayden Oosterwolde's move to Roma is close to official confirmation, though medical tests have revealed the left-back's muscular injury is more serious than initially feared, also involving the tendon. He is due for further examination in Turku with Professor Lempainen, a tendon specialist who recently operated on Lorenzo Pellegrini. Despite the setback, Oosterwolde will join Roma; Gasperini has approved waiting for him, bolstered by the promising displays of young academy player Lulli. The injury prompted Roma to revise their agreement with Fenerbahçe: the deal has been converted from an obligation to buy after twenty appearances into a loan with appearance-based bonuses. An announcement is expected soon. On the outgoings front, Jan Ziółkowski has agreed terms with Monza on a straight loan under manager Juric, but Roma will only grant approval once they have secured his replacement. The Morato option from Nottingham Forest has cooled, forcing the club to evaluate other defensive targets. With six days of the transfer window remaining, director Tony D'Amico continues work on multiple incoming and outgoing moves across the squad. Jamie Gittens remains the hottest prospect on Roma's radar. The Chelsea winger is frustrated with limited playing time and ready to leave, though Chelsea are not facilitating negotiations. Roma believe they can persuade the London club. Malick Fofana of Lyon also remains under consideration in the background, having recently been eliminated from the Champions League preliminaries; that operation could advance only with an offer exceeding 30 million euros, capping a summer transfer window full of surprises.

Jayden Oosterwolde's arrival at Roma is imminent following medical clearance, and he will become Gasperini's fifth summer signing. The Dutch defender, sidelined by a biceps femoris injury sustained in Champions League action with Fenerbahce, underwent examination at Roma's Campus Biomedico facility in Trigoria. The clinical picture proved more complex than anticipated, prompting Roma to send his medical documentation to professor Georg Ahlbäumer at Saint Moritz—the Friedkin family's medical reference—and specialist Lasse Lempainen in Turku, who recently operated on Pellegrini. Although Oosterwolde has received definitive clearance, recovery timelines extended beyond initial estimates. Roma attempted to renegotiate the deal as a straightforward loan to safeguard themselves but faced outright rejection from Fenerbahce. With that route closed, Roma director Tony D'Amico preserved the original structure while amending its terms and financial conditions. The mandatory buyout clause, originally triggered at 20 appearances, will now activate only when Oosterwolde reaches between 25 and 30 appearances of at least 45 minutes. The restructured arrangement, more economically and contractually complex, is now finalized and set for confirmation.