Wesley, Mancini and Soulé lead Roma enthusiasm at Trigoria training

Roma have abandoned their move for Jayden Oosterwolde after conducting additional medical tests that altered their assessment of the defender's injury status. Oosterwolde had already arrived in the capital in recent days and passed initial medical examinations, but further investigation into a biceps injury he was carrying prompted Roma to reopen talks with Fenerbahce about modifying the deal's terms. When no new agreement could be reached, the club decided not to proceed with the signing. The transfer had been structured as a loan with an obligation to buy, with a combined value under €20 million. Roma's medical team established that the defender would require three to four weeks to return to group training and a minimum of six to eight weeks before he could play, timescales the club deemed unacceptable. Having reassessed the situation with the Fenerbahce hierarchy, Roma chose to withdraw rather than risk the investment given the extended recovery period. Oosterwolde will now return to Turkey. The move had been expected to be wrapped up swiftly after the midfielder arrived at Ciampino airport two days ago, with only medical clearance standing between the player and his registration.

Roma have abandoned their attempt to sign Jayden Oosterwolde after further medical assessments raised concerns over the defender's recovery timeline from a muscular injury sustained at Fenerbahce. The Dutch left-back had travelled to Rome in recent days and undergone initial medical tests, but additional checks ordered by Roma revealed doubts about when he would be fit to play. The move, initially structured as a loan with an option to buy that would become mandatory under certain conditions, had appeared close to completion before the club reversed course. Roma and Fenerbahce attempted to renegotiate the terms of the deal to address the injury concerns, but ultimately the Giallorossi decided the recovery period was too lengthy and uncertain to justify proceeding. Oosterwolde will return to Fenerbahce. The setback forces the club back into the market for defensive reinforcement on the flanks, an area where head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is still awaiting a signing before the close of the transfer window.

Roma are exploring defensive reinforcements as the transfer window enters its final days, with uncertainty over Jan Ziółkowski's future complicating their planning. The Polish defender is in talks with Monza over a potential departure, forcing Roma to plan for a replacement centre-back option. The pursuit of Morato has grown increasingly difficult after Nottingham Forest rejected Roma's advances on a loan with a purchase option. Director D'Amico has turned his attention to Thilo Kehrer, the 1996-born defender leaving Monaco according to Sky Sport. Kehrer is viewed as an experienced profile capable of providing Gasperini with defensive cover when needed. The move would allow Roma to manage their squad depth at centre-back depending on whether Ziółkowski departs before the window closes.

Jayden Oosterwolde arrived in Rome on 25 August but his transfer from Fenerbahçe to Roma hit an unexpected snag when medical staff demanded further tests before signing off on the deal. The Dutch left-back, Gasperini's fifth summer signing, was due to sign his contract today but the green light was delayed pending the outcome of fresh medical assessments this morning. Initial fitness tests came back clear, but Roma's medical team wanted to examine a recent muscular problem that sidelined him in recent weeks. Gasperini plans to deploy Oosterwolde on the left flank as a back-up to Wesley, though his versatility also allows him to play as a centre-back. The player has already resumed running and should be fully available by mid-September. Only after final clearance from the medical consultations would the transfer be formally concluded. The deal is structured as a €1 million loan fee with a €15 million purchase option. The obligation to buy will trigger automatically if Oosterwolde makes 20 appearances of at least 45 minutes each.

Gian Piero Gasperini deployed three different formations during Roma's match against Fiorentina, avoiding the 3-4-2-1 system that defined last season but never abandoning the aggressive one-on-one pressing and intensity that characterise his approach. The tactical adjustments were made to nullify Fiorentina's threats rather than to compensate for transfer market gaps or absences. Gasperini's willingness to shift shape underscores a deeper principle: Roma's behaviour remains unchanged regardless of formation. The side consistently attacks, with N'Dicka operating as a target on the attacking third and Mancini and Hermoso—later replaced by Koulierakis—covering the flanks. Fiorentina manager Grosso began in a 4-3-2-1 before moving to 4-2-4 when Roma went two goals clear. With Kean deployed alongside Pellegrino, Gasperini matched the adjustment with an identical system. The lineup featured Svilar in goal, Lulli, Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso across the back, Cristante and Koné in midfield, and Soulé, Dybala, Malen and Wesley in attack. Soulé had replaced Mora at 2-0. When Grosso shifted to 4-3-3 late on, Gasperini responded by introducing El Aynaoui and Pisilli for Koné and Dybala, switching to a 3-5-1-1. This brought Mancini, N'Dicka and Koulierakis across the back, a five-man midfield of Lulli, Pisilli, Cristante, El Aynaoui and Wesley, with Soulé supporting Castro in attack. Roma scored a fourth goal. Gasperini's track record with such adjustments is long and proven, but the club now needs a right-footed winger capable of providing thrust on the break and winning one-on-one duels. The manager will learn soon whether Chelsea is willing to negotiate for Gittens, and after Lyon play Fenerbahce tomorrow evening, whether an agreement with Fofana can be finalised.

Roma demolished Fiorentina 4–0 in a commanding display, with Donyell Malen scoring a hat-trick to lead the charge. Paulo Dybala contributed three assists and Manu Koné was withdrawn only through fatigue, underlining Roma's control. Debutant Daniele Ghilardi impressed in an early appearance, while Evan N'Dicka stood firm at the back as the team moved to 3–4–1–2 formation under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. All five major Italian newspapers awarded Roma positive marks across the board. Svilar received ratings between 6 and 6.5 in goal. The defence was solid, with N'Dicka rated 7 to 7.5 by all outlets and Mancini and Hermoso both praised. In midfield, Cristante earned 6.5 to 7, while Wesley was rated 6 to 7 on the flank. Koné's 6.5 to 7.5 reflected his strong showing before substitution. Malen's 8.5 to 9 and Dybala's 8 to 9 dominated the attacking ratings. Corrections made 68 minutes in saw Koulierakis introduced for Hermoso, while Pisilli replaced Koné at 79 minutes. Rodrigo Mora (6.5) and later Matías Soulé (6) featured in attack; Santiago Castro entered for Malen at 68 minutes. Gasperini earned 7.5 to 8 from the press corps. N'Dicka's display of 7 to 7.5, Koné's energy and Ghilardi's first appearance highlighted a Roma side functioning with precision and depth throughout.

Roma's defensive solidity has immediately returned after an uncertain pre-season, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini restoring order at the back following the team's official debut against Fiorentina. Pre-season friendlies had prompted concern among supporters after Roma conceded 13 goals in five matches, but the Serie A opener demonstrated that the defensive fragility was temporary. Against Fiorentina, the back line proved solid and reliable, continuing the trajectory of a season that had produced some of Europe's strongest defensive statistics and the second-best goals-against record in Serie A. Gasperini's role in reviving that solidity has been decisive. He secured the continuity of the defensive core by confirming Mario Hermoso with a unilateral contract renewal, binding Gianluca Mancini to the club until 2029 and dismissing speculation linking him to Inter, and preventing Evan N'Dicka's departure. This preserved an established starting three-man defence, underpinned by the positioning work of the wingbacks and the central role of the Ivorian defender. The equilibrium of the squad also rests on the quiet but essential contributions of Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné, whose tactical intelligence and ability to cover ground allow Roma to attack without overexposure at the back.

Alessandro Romano has become the latest academy graduate to leave Roma for a substantial fee, joining Cagliari this summer for €5 million plus add-ons after scoring on his debut for the Sardinian club. The midfielder's departure exemplifies a pattern established under José Mourinho's tenure, when Roma developed and sold players including Tahirovic, Felix and Missori at significant profit. Romano arrived at Trigoria in 2022 from Winterthur for €70,000 thanks to the initiative of Vincenzo Vergine, who ran the academy from July 2021 until September 2023. The lengthy negotiations to secure the Italian-Swiss player were competitive, as Roma were not alone in pursuit; Romano has since attracted attention from national team coach Mancini, though he has represented only Switzerland's youth sides. That same year Vergine also brought Sergej Levak, a Croatian midfielder, to the club. Levak now plays for Atalanta's under-23 side and has already caught the eye of Sarri for the senior squad, but generated no transfer profit as he left Roma on a free transfer at the end of his contract this summer. Mourinho gave league debuts to 14 academy players overall, and the broader youth system proved crucial to Roma's finances in summer 2023 when several academy products were sold to balance the accounts. Romano and Levak represent the latest generation from a pipeline that has consistently delivered sellable talent.

Andrea Stramaccioni has praised Roma's performance against Fiorentina, saying the club can position itself as a serious challenger to Inter and Napoli if they add one final piece to complete the left side of attack for Gasperini. Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Stramaccioni said: "If they add one last piece to make Gasperini happy and complete the left side of the attack, in my view they can position themselves as immediate rivals to Inter and Napoli." Watching Roma live on 24 August, Stramaccioni was struck by their intensity and consistency. "It is rare to see a team play at these rhythms for 90 minutes," he said. Dybala's performance particularly impressed him: the Argentine created three assists from three ball-carrying accelerations and made a defensive recovery in the 75th minute on the halfway line. "In these conditions in our Serie A it becomes very difficult to stop them. And the chemistry with Malen is natural football chemistry." Stramaccioni also highlighted Koné's world-class level, praised Rodrigo Mora's previously missing characteristics, and noted the strength of Roma's Italian spine—Mancini, Cristante, and Pellegrini—all of whom renewed their contracts at Gasperini's insistence. Asked whether the title picture had shifted before matchday one, Stramaccioni acknowledged it is early with transfers and squads still being completed, but said: "Inter and Roma have made a very strong start: they have clear and defined ideas of play."

Roma are exploring defensive reinforcements as the transfer window enters its final days, with uncertainty over Jan Ziółkowski's future complicating their planning. The Polish defender is in talks with Monza over a potential departure, forcing Roma to plan for a replacement centre-back option. The pursuit of Morato has grown increasingly difficult after Nottingham Forest rejected Roma's advances on a loan with a purchase option. Director D'Amico has turned his attention to Thilo Kehrer, the 1996-born defender leaving Monaco according to Sky Sport. Kehrer is viewed as an experienced profile capable of providing Gasperini with defensive cover when needed. The move would allow Roma to manage their squad depth at centre-back depending on whether Ziółkowski departs before the window closes.

Roma's Champions League League Phase opponents were confirmed on 27 August, and the draw delivered a mouth-watering set of fixtures. The giallorossi will face Real Madrid, PSG and Manchester United, along with trips to Istanbul and Old Trafford among their eight opponents. The detailed fixture calendar with dates and kickoff times will be announced within a couple of days. The League Phase participation guarantees Roma almost €50 million—a minimum figure awarded even if the club loses all eight matches. New CEO John Galantic expressed enthusiasm about the draw and the transfer window's final days, saying: "Gasperini is demanding because he is a winner, which is better this way. He is happy with the players who have arrived, but the club will remain vigilant about possible opportunities." Belgian forward Malick Fofana remains Roma's priority transfer target. Fofana is keen to join Roma and is waiting for a signal from the giallorossi, though a club-to-club agreement has not yet been reached. Roma are pushing hard, with fresh contact between the clubs reported from France aimed at accelerating the deal. All parties are convinced an agreement can be reached. Gittens is Roma's alternative, with director D'Amico continuing efforts to bring him in on loan from Chelsea; contact with his agent is ongoing and talks took place on 27 August. The next step will determine whether Chelsea are willing to accept a loan formula. Chelsea rejected Roma's approach in recent days, but Roma intend to try again. Jayden Oosterwolde will not join Roma. The club conducted additional medical checks following an injury concern and consulted Professor Lempainen; the assessment revealed a lengthy recovery period potentially lasting until January. That evening, Roma withdrew and Oosterwolde will return to Fenerbahce instead. Franck Kessié has drawn closer to Juventus. The relationship between Gasperini and Neil El Aynaoui never developed, and Roma would allow him to leave if offers of €30 million materialise, though none appear imminent. Kessié has been proposed as El Aynaoui's replacement but is demanding €4.5 million per season in wages, which is too high. Defensive moves are expected soon. A deal to sign Morato from Nottingham Forest no longer looks certain after Nottingham rejected a loan; Thilo Kehrer of Monaco has emerged as an option. Jan Ziółkowski is close to leaving on loan to Monza, pending the arrival of his replacement. Robinio Vaz is near a move to Hull City; an agreement between the clubs is near completion on a loan deal valued at €2 million with a €30 million purchase option, with Vaz negotiating personal terms with the English club. Manu Koné remains a retention priority, though reports from Spain suggest José Mourinho's interest at Real Madrid—though Madrid must first create squad space.

Roma are continuing their hunt for defensive and wing reinforcements, and Thilo Kehrer has emerged as a target in the past few hours. According to Sky Sport, the centre-back is among the profiles being evaluated at Trigoria. Kehrer is available to leave Monaco, prompting Roma to consider a loan deal for the German defender. The move forms part of Roma's wider squad-building efforts. Nottingham has so far rejected a loan-with-option approach for Morato, which has delayed the green light for Jan Ziółkowski's exit to Monza. With Ziółkowski's departure still pending approval, Roma are seeking a defensive replacement, and the 1996-born Kehrer represents an alternative option to fill that gap.