Wesley proves Gasperini's urgency justified as Roma's numbers show dramatic shift with Brazilian winger

Roma are close to securing Rodrigo Mora, a 2007-born winger who stands under 1.70m tall and favours dribbling over physical play, as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini shapes a younger, lighter and more attacking squad than last season. Mora will compete with Lorenzo Pellegrini for the number 10 role. The club are still hunting one or two additional wingers or attacking midfielders and one or two fullbacks to complete the XI. Gasperini's vision prioritises technical ability over physical presence, targeting players built for a high-octane attacking system. Mora's profile — incisive on the ball but less accustomed to the physical demands of Italian football and prone to struggle when forced to chase opponents — fits the template. Donyell Malen is expected to carry the goal-scoring load among the wider players initially, with alternatives in Castro and Robinio Vaz, who offers greater physical stature. Matías Soulé, should he remain, offers a middle ground. Fullbacks too are selected for their attacking prowess: Wesley on one flank, with options including Molina, Cacciamani, Luis Henrique or Udogie on the other. Manu Koné emerges as the vital equilibrium force in midfield, tasked with providing defensive cover and structure to an otherwise offence-heavy setup. However, he remains a persistent departure risk, a potential weakness in an otherwise cohesive recruitment strategy.

Gasperini sees potential in Mora that echoes previous success stories from his time at Atalanta. The Roma head coach has a track record of transforming attacking players into decisive forces. When Papu Gomez arrived at Atalanta, he had already played as a trequartista and winger, but Gasperini redefined his role, placed him at the centre of the project, and developed him into an unstoppable winger capable of deciding matches through goals, assists, and creativity. Gomez became the symbol of that Atalanta side, and Gasperini the coach who brought him to the highest point of his career. The approach with Mora could follow a similar path. Rather than forcing him into a fixed position, Gasperini's plan is to enhance his natural qualities: technique, pace, and imagination. The Portuguese player would be given freedom and responsibility within the system. Mora does not have to operate exclusively as a trequartista to perform at his best. If the team needs a left winger, he can play that role. If tactics require him to start wide and drift infield, he possesses the ability. Gasperini has executed this transformation before and knows the method. The final step remains to complete the transfer. Once that is done, Gasperini will focus on developing Mora into a key player.

Roma continues to struggle in finding an attacking left winger, prompting head coach Gian Piero Gasperini to evaluate a significant tactical overhaul for the 2026–27 season. High costs and a lack of suitable profiles have left the position unfilled despite sustained efforts, pushing the club to consider a strategic change in formation. The proposal would move away from two attacking midfielders supporting a single striker toward a system with one attacking midfielder behind two forwards. This tactical shift would align with Roma's recent recruitment priorities, including reported interest in players such as Rodrigo Mora and Endrick. With attacking options like Donyell Malen, a forward identified as Castro, and Robinio Vaz already in the squad, alongside creative midfielders of the calibre of Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini, Roma would have the versatility to reshape its attacking setup to suit the strengths of its available players and adapt the system to their characteristics.

Roma are close to securing Rodrigo Mora, a 2007-born winger who stands under 1.70m tall and favours dribbling over physical play, as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini shapes a younger, lighter and more attacking squad than last season. Mora will compete with Lorenzo Pellegrini for the number 10 role. The club are still hunting one or two additional wingers or attacking midfielders and one or two fullbacks to complete the XI. Gasperini's vision prioritises technical ability over physical presence, targeting players built for a high-octane attacking system. Mora's profile — incisive on the ball but less accustomed to the physical demands of Italian football and prone to struggle when forced to chase opponents — fits the template. Donyell Malen is expected to carry the goal-scoring load among the wider players initially, with alternatives in Castro and Robinio Vaz, who offers greater physical stature. Matías Soulé, should he remain, offers a middle ground. Fullbacks too are selected for their attacking prowess: Wesley on one flank, with options including Molina, Cacciamani, Luis Henrique or Udogie on the other. Manu Koné emerges as the vital equilibrium force in midfield, tasked with providing defensive cover and structure to an otherwise offence-heavy setup. However, he remains a persistent departure risk, a potential weakness in an otherwise cohesive recruitment strategy.

Roma and Inter have reached a verbal agreement over Luis Henrique, with the Brazilian winger's final approval the remaining step in a move that could see him join the Giallorossi. Inter are willing to sell only on a permanent basis and are considering Roma's latest offer of €28 million plus bonuses. The transfer comes as Roma continue to strengthen their flanks ahead of the new season, with Luis Henrique capable of playing across both wings and having previously impressed at San Siro in an Inter shirt. The deal advances Roma's ambitions to balance their squad during the demanding phase of the campaign starting imminently. Wesley currently operates on the flank for the Giallorossi, and Luis Henrique would provide competition and depth in a role critical to Roma's tactical setup. The two clubs maintain strong relations, which has facilitated negotiations. On the same day the Luis Henrique discussions progressed, Roma also found a verbal agreement with Porto for playmaker Rodrigo Mora on a costly loan deal valued at €7 million with a conditional right of purchase set at €43 million.

Roma must quicken their transfer activity with less than two weeks until the Serie A season begins. Head coach Gasperini has signalled urgency to the club following a heavy defeat to Brighton, stating: "Numerically it seems there is still a need for something, but you know how it is." Koné returned to training today and Molina arrived in the capital yesterday, providing important reinforcements, but the coach insists the squad-building remains incomplete. Gasperini has emphasised the need for depth across positions, particularly given Champions League participation: "Having at least two players per role is essential for those competing in cups. Those who don't do it pay heavily." Gasperini's original shopping list comprised a defender, a winger and two forwards. Koulierakis has arrived for defence, Castro for attack, and Molina on the wing—filling three of four targets. The priority now is a second striker. Roma have identified Rodrigo Mora from Porto, with negotiations progressing well; the club hopes to complete that deal in the coming hours. The second gap is at left-back: while Molina covered Çelik's departure on the right, Gasperini needs cover for Wesley on the opposite flank, particularly after losing both Angeliño and Tsimikas from the previous season. Roma are focusing on Alessio Cacciamani and Destiny Udogie, contrasting profiles suited to strengthen the left-back options. The work ahead is significant, and time is running short.