After one week of play, Roma finds themselves in an unusual position: first place. Thanks to their 4-0 dismantling of Fiorentina at the Olimpico on Monday evening, Gian Piero Gasperini’s group tops the Serie A table. The chances of the capital club running the table in a 2003 Arsenal-style assault are slim, but the decisions Gasperini and Tony D’Amico make over the next five days could decide how momentous the club’s centennial celebration will be next spring.
Despite all the ink spilled on Roma’s
misguided pursuits of Mason Greenwood, Crysencio Summerville, and others, the club has had a successful transfer window. By signing Santiago Castro, Rodrigo Mora, and Nahuel Molina, the club added depth at three key positions. Still, with high-profile vacancies at left wing and left wing-back, and the transfer window set to close on September 1st, D’Amico is under pressure.
With that in mind, and with the Champions League draw set for tomorrow morning in Nyon, let’s take a quick trip through the Romaverse and get the latest intel on Roma’s remaining transfer targets.
Oosterwolde Injury Concerns Delaying Deal
Roma’s under-the-radar bid to sign Fenerbahçe defender Jayden Oosterwolde has hit an apparent snag. After arriving in Rome earlier this week, Oosterwolde was slated to undergo standard medical exams ahead of his potential €16 million loan move. Oosterwolde, 25, has dealt with a variety of injuries over the past several seasons, including tears to the ACL and meniscus in his left knee in 2024.
After recovering from those injuries, Oosterwolde has been waylaid by a series of muscular injuries since then, including an undisclosed muscular injury that was initially feared to be Achilles-related. While Oosterwolde has reportedly passed his Roma medical, the ambiguity regarding his recovery has caused a delay in the official announcement.
Roma Calling on Kessie
Midfield hasn’t been a hot topic this summer, but as we head into the final days of silly season, Roma is increasingly linked with veteran midfielder Franck Kessié. The 29-year-old Ivorian has been testing the free agent waters since his contract with Al-Ahli expired in June. After flirting with Juventus for the past few weeks, Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Roma has put in an official offer for the former Milan man, who played for Gasperini at Atalanta a decade ago.
Given his experience and success in Italy, this could be a tremendous last-minute addition for the Giallorossi, who are hoping beat Juve to the punch before deadline day on Tuesday.
Malick Fofana Still in Play
Roma’s pursuit of Lyon winger Malick Fofana has fallen by the wayside over the past week or so, largely due to Lyon’s Champions League Qualification campaign, which comes to a head today against Fenerbahçe. The latest rumor suggests that Fofana, who has already agreed to personal terms with Roma, will be more inclined to join the Giallorossi if Lyon fails to qualify for the CL.
With the framework of a €40 million transfer in place, the deal could come together rather quickly, especially if Lyon falls to Fenerbahçe later this evening.
That’s it for now, but we’ll continue to track these stories before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
