Romа strengthens squad as transfers reshape Serie A

What's happened

AP News reports that Roma signs De Roon from Atalanta and Balerdi on loan, while Leão moves to Galatasaray; Kessie signs with Atalanta; Bologna start under Tedesco with a defeat; the window features a mix of captaincies and leadership changes across clubs.

What's behind the headline?

The deals center around leadership changes: De Roon and Balerdi are introduced as captains, strengthening defensive and midfield leadership.
Roma aims to return to Champions League competition after a gap, signaling ambitions under new setup.
The market activity indicates tactical shifts and financial constraints shaping clubs’ decisions, with several players moving to balance squads for domestic and European duties.
The coming weeks will reveal how these changes translate on the pitch, especially for Roma’s cohesion and Bologna’s response to Domenico Tedesco’s leadership.

How we got here

The summer transfer window has seen Roma secure De Roon and Balerdi, enhancing leadership on and off the pitch, while other Italian clubs adjust their rosters amid new coaches and Champions League aspirations. Intermittent moves include Leão's transfer to Galatasaray and Kessie's multi-year deal at Atalanta, reflecting a busy market across Serie A.

Our analysis

AP News reports on Roma’s two-signing (De Roon and Balerdi) and Leão’s move to Galatasaray; Juventus’ Kessie signing; Bologna’s season-opening loss under Domenico Tedesco; other related transfers included. The Scotsman covers Bologna’s opener under Tedesco and Ferguson’s captaincy changes; the wider market context remains fluid.

Go deeper

How will Roma integrate De Roon and Balerdi into Gasperini’s system?
What impact will Leão’s move have on Galatasaray and Ivory Coast’s World Cup performance?
Will Bologna’s leadership shift under Tedesco affect results in the next fixtures?