Roma keeps Antonio Nusa as priority amid Rashford and Schjelderup talks

Antonio Nusa remains Roma’s top transfer target amid complex negotiations, with RB Leipzig’s €55 million valuation proving a major hurdle. Despite the Norwegian winger’s modest output of four Bundesliga goals last season, Leipzig insists on a price exceeding the €50 million previously linked to Crysencio Summerville’s Saudi Arabia move. This parity in goal tally with free-agent Lorenzo Pellegrini highlights why Roma’s pursuit has stalled, despite coach Gian Piero Gasperini’s renowned ability to boost attacking returns, as seen with his transformation of Ademola Lookman at Atalanta.

Roma’s urgent need for three offensive reinforcements—two wingers and a backup striker for Donyell Malen—has seen several targets slip away, including Arnaut Tzolis’s transfer to Arsenal. Nevertheless, the club remains focused on three primary options. Nusa stands as Plan A, benefiting from his synergistic partnership with Erling Haaland on Norway’s national team. Cologne’s El Mala is the Plan B option for the attacking third, with Leipzig’s interest in El Mala potentially unlocking negotiations for Nusa in a strategic transfer triangle.

Adding further intrigue, discussions involving Manchester United have introduced Marcus Rashford as a possible trade component in talks centered on Roma’s pursuit of Manu Koné. Meanwhile, Gasperini has expressed interest in Fenerbahçe’s Kerem Aktürkoğlu and Benfica’s Andreas Schjelderup as alternative winger options. Roma’s strategy for the trequarti role involves blending a seasoned performer with a promising young talent available at a lower fee, with PSG’s 18-year-old Mbaye and Feyenoord’s Sauer both long-term targets of sporting director Tiago D’Amico. Should these pursuits fail, Lorenzo Tresoldi could re-enter consideration.

With nearly two months of transfer window time remaining and Roma’s financial capability intact, the club’s executives are under pressure to maintain composure and decisiveness. The drawn-out negotiations reflect the complexities of balancing ambition, valuation, and squad needs as Roma aim to reinforce their attack ahead of the new season.