Now that the dust has officially settled on the summer 2025 transfer window, we can finally take a breath and reflect on what it means for Gian Piero Gasperini and the Giallorossi moving forward—at least until the winter transfer rumors start trickling in next week.
However, before we start worrying about Federico Chiesa coming to Roma in January or whether the club will sell Lorenzo Pellegrini in the winter, let’s take one last look at the summer transfer market. Which signings are likely to have
an immediate impact, which missed targets will hurt the most, and which overlooked players may soon get a chance to impress Gasperini?
As always, please give us your thoughts and opinions in the comments section!
Let’s start with the players Roma did sign, especially the two major signings: Evan Ferguson and Wesley. What are your initial thoughts on each player? Is Ferguson’s €40M option a no-brainer, or should the club proceed with caution?
JonAS: Wow, hold your horses. I think it’s a bit too soon to judge Ferguson. Yes, he’s been good to great and looks tailor-made for Gasperini’s tactics. But I’d like to see him versus the Napoli’s, the Juve’s, and the Celtics of this world first. That said, if he scores 10+ Serie A goals in his first season, then the option is indeed a no-brainer. He will only improve even more and be worth perhaps double by 2027.
Wesley definitely feels like a breath of fresh air on that right side after players like Karsdorp, Celik, Kristensen, Saud, and others. Finally a marauding, fast-paced and menacing rightback. And a Brazilian on top of that! Roma loves their Brazilians. Let’s hope he keeps it up, becomes the next Maicon, and ignores the sirens of the Premier League long enough.
Bren: Fair point about Ferguson, Jonas. But the early signs have been extremely encouraging. He reminds me a lot of Edin Dzeko, but a more agile version that can find open space faster, and, as we’ve seen a few times already, he’s a pretty slick dribbler. But, yes, the real test will come against bigger clubs. However, if we assume he was Gaspirini’s target over the summer, I believe they’ll pull the trigger on that option without hesitation. Considering his past injuries, let’s hope Gaspirini shows real faith in Artem Dovbyk because Ferguson will need the rest.
Wesley seems like a bundle of energy that, when properly harnessed, can be a game wrecker. His first step, acceleration, and overall pace are incredible. My only concern thus far is that he doesn’t seem like a great crosser, but I’m confident that will improve as he continues to gel with his teammates.
ssciavillo: I’ve been impressed with both so far. I think the €40 million option on Ferguson will be a no-brainer by season’s end. He’s looked like the ideal striker for Gasperini’s tactics and will only get better as the season progresses. Wesley also looks like the real deal. Gasperini can turn him into a top right back.
Jimmy: It’s too soon to judge Ferguson, but not too soon to judge Wesley? I don’t know about that one, chief. There’s really only one and a half years of age gap between the two, and in my mind, they’ve both been very intriguing to start off their time in Rome. The injuries and uneven spells in England for Ferguson make me hesitate to call his €40M option a no-brainer, but if he stays fit and hits double-digit goals this season, it’ll look like daylight robbery by 2027. Gasperini clearly wanted him, and if that trust holds, the club won’t think twice about triggering the clause.
As for Wesley, he couldn’t have announced himself more emphatically than with that debut winner against Bologna. Maybe he’ll need time to adapt to Serie A’s grind, but the potential is obvious—and if he grows into it, he’s the type of player Roma will fight to keep away from the Premier League sirens.
What about Neil El Aynaoui? He wasn’t cheap by Roma standards, but he’s started the season coming off the bench. How do you see his role developing this year? Is he the future at the position or just part of the puzzle?
JonAS: I think Gasp wants to slowly integrate Neil into the mix. Cristante has been here for years and is familiar with GPG from his Atalanta days, while Koné has been here for over a year. Remember, this is a major step for a young player like Neil. I have no doubt he’ll get there.
By the time the season is in full swing (midweek matches, Coppa, etc.), he will play more minutes and eventually push Cristante to the bench. He’ll be a very important part of the team soon, just you wait.
Bren: I can’t claim to be an expert on him since I don’t often watch Ligue 1, but ironically, one of his closest comparisons on Football Reference is Bryan Cristante! That said, his stats indicate he’s a more defensively solid Cristante. So far, it seems like Gasperini trusts Cristante’s ability to beat defenders and move the ball up the pitch with his long passing skills.
But they spent about €24M on him, so sooner or later, he’s gotta start playing more. But I suspect that you’re correct: Gasp is slowly exposing him to Italian football.
ssciavillo: I agree with Jonas. Gasperini is likely slowly working him into the rotation, and his role will expand as the schedule becomes more crowded. Cristante has played well so far, so it’s no surprise that he started the first two matches. However, it’s a long season with many games, and we’ll see plenty of Neil in the midfield rotation.
Jimmy: Yeah, I think he’ll be slowly but surely integrated into the starting eleven. I’ve liked what I’ve seen from him so far, and I imagine he’s the long-term Cristante replacement. If only Cristante hadn’t managed to look good right before the international break, we’d probably expect to see El Aynaoui start within the next matchday or two. The wait might be a bit longer now.
What about Leon Bailey? He offers some versatility but mainly plays on the right. How do you think Gasperini will utilize him? Will he be just a backup for Soulé, or will Gasperini try him in different positions?
JonAS: I reckon Gasp will want to field a 3-4-3 formation occasionally. That means both Soulé and Bailey on the wing with either Fergie or Dovbyk up front. They”re the only ones fast and strong enough to make it work. Dybala and Baldanzi are better suited in the center, and let’s not even talk about Pellegrini playing out wide.
I know Bailey from his Genk days in the Belgian league, and back then he was a great player—a fast and tricky winger who knows how to score, a type Roma was sorely missing. It’s a shame he got injured, but once he’s healthy, he’ll start, no doubt. The question is: what to do with Dybala? False nine? Super sub? Anyway, luxury problems for Gasp, if you ask me.
Bren: On one hand, I’m eager to see what he can do, especially after being linked with Roma so many times over the past few years. Given the squad’s makeup, Gasperini might have no choice but to play him out of position on the left occasionally, but you bring up an interesting point about the 3-4-3. I suspect Gasp will mix and match based on health and form, and perhaps even opponent-to-opponent.
It’s not ideal to have so many players suited for the right wing and only a 32-year-old El Shaarawy on the left. If nothing else, I hope he brings some aggression to the pitch.
ssciavillo: I remember Gasperini talking about players being able to play any position they needed when he was asked about Dybala playing wide off the bench. I suspect the same will go for Bailey playing some on the left. It’s not ideal that he and Soulé both prefer the right, but I’m sure Gasperini will get the best out of everyone in those attacking roles. Bailey offers a different dimension to Roma’s attack with his pace, so I suspect he’ll get plenty of minutes.
Jimmy: I think he’ll be a dynamo off the bench for a bit once he gets healthy, and then may end up being the starter if Gasperini decides the Dybala/Soulé partnership isn’t bearing the fruit he wants (or if Dybala needs more rest). Dybala and Soulé have been working, but Bailey gives Gasp a completely different look—direct, vertical, and unpredictable. He’s not afraid to run at defenders, which Roma has sorely lacked at times, and that could make him the spark in matches where the attack feels too static.
Okay, now onto the players Roma missed out on: Which failed transfer will the club regret the most and why?
JonAS: We were linked to a ton of players, that’s for sure. I’m glad Bailey is here, but what if we had gotten Paixao? I think he would have thrived in Rome. It’s a pity we couldn’t arrange something for Saelemaekers as well; it seemed like he truly loved life in Rome and he posted impressive numbers in 2024-2025.
I would have liked Krstovic, Mainoo, or Echeverri as well, but beggars can’t be choosers, I guess.
Bren: My knee-jerk reaction was Richard Rios because he seems like an absolute wrecking ball and star in the making—I can’t imagine he’ll be with Benfica for too long. But, man, Paixao would have been AMAZING for this team, and he seems to be entering his prime years, too
He would have been the perfect addition for this club, and I’m surprised they didn’t make more of an effort to get him, as far as we know anyway.
ssciavillo: As exciting as the Echeverri links were, I’d have to go with Rios. He just seems like he’d be the perfect complement to Koné with his ability to disrupt opposing play. That being said, when you see that he went to Benfica for roughly the same as Roma was offering, I wonder if he ever really intended to come to Rome.
Jimmy: I didn’t think Evan Ferguson would ever happen, so my dream signing actually landed for once. If I have to choose a rumor mill option gone awry, though, I’d say Fabio Silva. Although his start at Dortmund has been pretty disappointing (he’s already injured), he strikes me as exactly the forward GPG wanted. Hopefully, Dovbyk and Ferguson can find a way to make it all work out regardless.
Since Roma missed some key targets, what implications do those misses have for players like Tomasso Baldanzi, Niccolo Pisilli, and even Lorenzo Pellegrini?
JonAS: Probably more playing time, although Baldanzi doesn’t seem to be a favorite of Gasperini. But the good news is both he and Pisili will be highly motivated to prove him wrong. I can see both players getting some significant EL and Coppa minutes.
Pellegrini is a tricky case because we all know he’ll leave on a free transfer next season (or this winter for pennies). So, should we keep him around for a few minutes here and there? Or will he have a bigger role when the schedule gets tougher and busier? He missed the entire preseason as well. Why not give his minutes to players like Baldanzi, SES, or Pisili? Roma probably won’t get much for a 30-year-old Pellegrini anyway, so I foresee a slow and painful end to his Roman career. Such a shame.
Bren: I made the case in our U-23 countdown that Pisilli could be for Gasperini at Roma what Koopmeiners was for him at Atalanta. I don’t know, man. I just hope they don’t piss away his career (no pun intended) and send him on a bunch of loans before selling him to Sassuolo in 2028 and watch him become a 30M player.
ssciavillo: I agree with Jonas on Pellegrini. It’s a shame that it’s going to end this way. He’s been a loyal player for Roma and had some really good seasons here. His main flaw has been not being Totti or De Rossi. If he wasn’t the Roman captain, I believe he’d get much less criticism.
I’m not sure what the deal with Baldanzi is. I guess he just doesn’t fit the profile that Gasperini wants, but it feels like they’re wasting a strong talent who is still only 22 years old. I was excited when he arrived. I’m hoping that as the schedule ramps up, Pisilli starts to get some serious minutes in the midfield. With only three other true CM on the roster, I think he’ll get his chances.
Jimmy: More time. I hope that Baldanzi and Pisilli get a real chance to impress when possible; I still think they have the juice, like Steve said. Let’s hope that Roma goes deep into EL and both youngsters get serious chances. As for Pellegrini, I concur with the rest. It’s a shame that this is how it’s ending for him, and I hope his career gets a second life either in Rome or elsewhere.
Finally, give us your closing thoughts on Roma’s mercato
JonAS: Ah, the classic question. For now, I’d say 7/10. Obviously, the LAM didn’t arrive, but we’re not Liverpool; we can’t just point at a player and catch him like he’s a Pokémon or something.
I always remember past Roman summer mercato deals, especially those involving Pit, Ibarbo, Barusso, Defrel, Coric, or Santon. Or the yearly sacrifices (Alisson, Pjanic, Radja, Salah, Marquinhos, Samuel, etc.) which luckily didn’t happen this summer. Compared to those, this one is actually pretty good. A younger squad, exciting prospects, plus more depth.
A breakout season for Ferguson and Wesley could turn this into an 8/10. My only regrets are the dragging transfer sagas like Rios or Sancho and the inability to sell players for good prices like Kumbulla, Pellegrini, Shomurodov, Saud, or Salah-Eddine.
Bren: It’s classic for a reason, Jonas! I’ll agree and give it a 7/10, if only because they didn’t sell any core players. That’s a win and an improvement over previous transfer windows. Wesley looks like Roma’s next great Brazilian, and I have every confidence that Ferguson will be worth his rumored €40 million option. Landing Paixao or someone similar would’ve made it nearly perfect, but I guess that’s just the way the cookie crumbles.
ssciavillo: I’ll go just slightly higher at 7.5 to make it interesting. No core players have been sold. Some big talents like Ferguson and Wesley have arrived. A few other nice youngsters arrived in Ghilardi and El Ayanoui. Throw in a couple of veterans in Bailey and Tsimikas to give Gasperini a different type of player in attack and as a LWB.There are also a few developmental pieces, like Arena and Ziolkowski. The negatives are obviously the absence of a left winger and missing out on Rios. I also wonder what Dovbyk’s mindset is after the failed Gimenez swap.
Jimmy: 8/10 because I’m bullish on both Ferguson and Wesley. Compared to the chaotic summers of the past, this was a coherent, forward-looking window. Roma didn’t lose any core players and managed to bring in a mix of exciting youth and useful veterans under heavy financial pressure. Yes, Roma missed out on some targets, but I would prefer fewer signings and keeping the core intact—which Roma did—than more signings and more sales.
