Ziółkowski edging towards Monza exit as Roma considers Serie A offers

Roma's pursuit of a right-footed left winger remains on knife's edge following the emphatic win over Fiorentina. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has identified two targets: Malick Fofana and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens. Roma and Fofana have already agreed personal terms, and the player remains attracted to the move, but Lyon are asking for more than €35 million to let him leave. The decisive factor arrives this evening when Lyon face Fenerbahce in the Champions League playoff return leg. Should Lyon qualify, Fofana's desire to play in the Champions League could make staying in France more appealing. An elimination, however, would shift the dynamics: Lyon's need to complete a significant sale before the transfer window closes could leave Roma in a stronger negotiating position. On the alternative front, Chelsea's Jamie Bynoe-Gittens remains under consideration. Roma have never abandoned the Chelsea winger and fresh contact is expected in the coming days as the Blues' stance could yet soften. So far London have rejected the loan-with-option-to-buy formula proposed by Roma's director, preferring either a permanent sale or much stronger guarantees on any future purchase. The race remains wide open. Fofana presents the more developed option—the player and club are aligned—but Lyon must be convinced. Gittens hinges entirely on Chelsea's willingness to negotiate the deal structure. Gasperini waits for his final attacking signing, and the next few hours, beginning with Lyon's Champions League match, may finally clarify which path will prove decisive.

Parma's pursuit of Jan Ziolkowski has stalled over valuation. The Emilia club tabled a permanent transfer offer of approximately €7–8 million, a figure Roma regard as insufficient to part with the Polish centre-back outright. Monza have now moved into pole position by proposing a loan arrangement instead, an approach that appeals more strongly to Roma because it preserves control over Ziolkowski's future while allowing him to secure regular playing time. Roma favour the temporary solution over an outright sale as they assess their defensive depth. The tactical dimension also favours Monza: Ziolkowski would work under Ivan Juric, a coach schooled in Gian Piero Gasperini's principles and known for defensive intensity and aggressive pressing that could serve as valuable development for the young centre-back. Ziolkowski himself is reported to have opened the door to a Monza move. Parma remain interested but the fee they have proposed leaves Roma preferring a loan rather than a permanent departure. Monza are pushing to conclude the deal and now lead the race, though Roma have not yet given final clearance. The club must also assess the full defensive picture before definitively authorizing Ziolkowski's departure.

Jayden Oosterwolde has arrived in Rome and undergone medical tests, but his registration remains on hold pending further medical assessment. The club is conducting additional consultations on the Dutch defender's physical condition before clearing him to be registered. A decision is expected today following further examination. The concern centres on a recent muscular injury Oosterwolde sustained with Fenerbahçe. While he has already resumed running and Turkish medical staff estimated relatively short recovery times, Roma want certainty on the severity of the biceps femoris problem and the realistic timeframe for full fitness. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, no issues have emerged regarding his competitive fitness; Roma's focus is instead on the clinical picture of the injury and the risk of recurrence. The caution is understandable given the structure of the deal: Oosterwolde would arrive on loan with a purchase clause set to become mandatory upon reaching a certain number of appearances. Before committing significant resources, the club needs precise clarity on when Gasperini can realistically use him and in what condition. The transfer, which until yesterday appeared to be merely awaiting a signature, now remains in doubt. This does not mean the deal has collapsed, but approval is no longer considered automatic. The player's camp maintains cautious optimism about a positive outcome, but the further tests and consultation scheduled for today will determine whether Oosterwolde can officially begin his Roma career.

Jan Ziółkowski is edging closer to a loan move to Monza as Roma look to move the Polish defender out of the club. According to Fabrizio Romano, talks between Roma and the Ivan Juric-managed side are in an advanced stage, with Monza keen to offer the centre-back playing time and minutes for development. Roma are working on a loan deal and have no intention of selling him permanently, particularly at figures well below their initial €20 million asking price. Ziółkowski has been tracked by several Italian clubs in recent weeks. Roma rejected approaches from Parma and other European sides who made enquiries about the 2005-born defender. The loan arrangement would allow the academy graduate to gain first-team experience away from the Stadio Olimpico.

Roma's commanding 4–0 victory over Fiorentina on 24 August has dominated discussion across Rome's radio stations, with broadcasters and former players praising the team's performance and title credentials. David Rossi of Rete Sport called it "a monologue, a performance at a level perhaps too high for expectations", while noting that August friendlies are a different proposition from matches that matter. The standout performer was Paulo Dybala, who impressed sufficiently that Gianluca Piacentini declared himself tempted to head to the Circus Maximus: "If Dybala has 35 matches in his legs at that level, it's an easy title. I would sign for him to play 25 full matches like yesterday." Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo offered the most striking assessment, claiming the players themselves are convinced of their prospects. "Having the fortune to speak with some footballers, they assure the squad's identity—if they're saying among themselves that they'll make it this year, they're exhausted. These footballers have gained a consciousness, you see it even from how they play in defence. When Dybala talks about doing better than last year, you think he means finishing second 20 points behind first? They're talking about the title. There's Inter, but if Roma continues with this ferocity this year it's entertaining. If Roma competes with Inter, then everything starts again from scratch. This time I couldn't bear to have another title stolen from me by Inter." Lorenzo Pes assessed the Serie A landscape: "Aside from Inter, which is more distant, only Napoli perhaps is stronger than Roma. Roma and Napoli are very close; Roma has the advantage of Gasperini's second year and the fact they've sold none of the big names. Milan and Juve are two unknowns; I think they're slightly behind Como." Discussion also centred on summer recruitment and academy prospects. Piero Torri stated: "If Roma sign Fofana, they buy another one with great quality—take my word. With Fofana–Dybala–Malen I'm settling at the Circus Maximus. I think it can be done." Checco Oddo Casano flagged the need for a winger, believing one will arrive: "The priority is the attacking winger, and I'm convinced one arrives." Roberto Pruzzo and Nando Orsi both highlighted Jan Ziółkowski's (referred to as Lulli) unexpected emergence in the squad, with Pruzzo saying: "Lulli must be there, watch carefully, train at Trigoria, and pick things up bit by bit to try to be useful to the squad," and Orsi praising his personality: "Lulli has the personality to play as a starter." Francesca Ferrazza noted that Gasperini remains actively engaged in the market: "Gasperini is obsessed, living these final market days with the phone in his hand. There's a series of footballers calling him to come to Roma." Whether Roma can maintain this trajectory depends on closing recruitment before the window closes.

Rome's radio stations offered their verdicts on Roma's latest match, with commentators highlighting strong individual performances but uncertainty over squad composition in the closing days of the transfer window. Francesco Balzani praised Roma's display, calling it "the best Roma of Gasperini" they had seen, and credited the coach with bringing consistency to the project. He noted that Malen, despite his quality, had been playing in the wrong league before his arrival, and emphasised that the absence of discontented players and unhappy coaches was a strength Roma must not waste. "One more effort and Roma can position itself below Inter," Balzani said, singling out Dybala's impact: "Dybala—in a league like this—moves mountains." Piero Torri offered detailed assessment of Roma's recent outing. "Rodrigo Mora's debut convinced me," he said. "The Portuguese player had a good match and came close to scoring." Torri also praised Jan Ziółkowski and Manu Koné, describing the full-back—born in 2007—as "notably surprising." He noted that before the match, technical director D'Amico had ruled out major departures, which Torri welcomed. However, he raised a question mark over the coming days: "One must understand what El Aynaoui's future will be, with only days remaining in the transfer market."