AS Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini has stated the club still needs to sign a full-back and an external attacker to complete their transfer business. The news comes on the eve of their Serie A match against Lecce, scheduled for Monday, August 31 at 18:30, and just hours before the transfer window closes on Tuesday, September 1, as reported by Sky Sport IT.
Roma travel to the Via del Mare stadium sitting fourth in the table, with 3 points from one win, having scored 4 goals and conceded none. The Giallorossi are 3 points behind leaders AC Milan and face a Lecce side currently in seventh place. Gasperini has already secured two signings, bringing in Dutch midfielder Marten de Roon from Atalanta and Argentine centre-back Leonardo Balerdi from Marseille.
Who are AS Roma's new signings
Marten de Roon arrived in rapid fashion, within 24-48 hours, after the manager contacted Luca Percassi directly as the player was no longer part of Atalanta's plans. The Dutch midfielder, described as a captain, replaces El Aynaoui. The Moroccan performed well until December but struggled after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations and is now leaving Roma for a bigger challenge, with RB Leipzig set to sign him.
Leonardo Balerdi, born in 1999, arrives on an expensive loan costing 1 million euros from Marseille, with an option to buy that becomes an obligation under certain conditions. He is also seen as a captain-type figure and will wear the number 26 jersey. These moves, however, do not conclude the market for the Giallorossi management.
What is still missing from Gasperini's squad
"Mancano ancora un terzino e un attaccante esterno, come ho sempre chiesto," Gasperini stated in his press conference. The manager specified that the needed attacker could be either right-footed or left-footed, as a player like Wesley can play on the inverted foot. For the full-back role, Nahuel Molina is a valid option and, according to the coach, is in better condition and will be part of the match against Lecce, possibly from the start or during the game. Molina has World Cup final experience.
Another name for the flank is Matías Soulé, often used in that role by Claudio Ranieri, but Gasperini prefers him in a more advanced position. Soulé has received no official offers this summer and is likely to play against Lecce, despite ongoing contacts with Fulham. For the winger role, Roma are assessing targets like Luiz Henrique of Zenit, Jamie Gittens of Chelsea, and Jamie Leweling of Stuttgart, who has already seen an initial offer rejected.
How the squad prepares for Lecce and the Champions League
With the market still open, Gasperini must manage an evolving squad. Edoardo Bove has provided important responses but cannot be overloaded with responsibility, while Lorenzo Pellegrini remains an option in midfield. The manager also noted the growth of young Luigi Cherubini, known as Pisilli. The immediate focus is the away trip to Lecce, but eyes are already on the 2026/2027 UEFA Champions League.
Roma have been drawn in a tough group with Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain, in an edition featuring 36 teams. "L'obiettivo è stare dentro gli spareggi. E respirare l'aria della Champions," Gasperini said. To follow the league and European campaign, fans can check our standings page and the full fixtures schedule. The team, with 4 goals scored and 0 conceded, shows defensive solidity but is still seeking the missing piece in attack to compete on all fronts.
