Yesterday’s 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund marked the official end of Roma’s pre-season, a period filled with the usual highs, lows, hyperbole, and overreactions we see every August. While the Giallorossi looked much sharper in Dortmund than at any point during the summer schedule, there was still a noticeable lack of pace on the left side of the attack, a wrinkle they haven’t been able to smooth out for several years.
Since Sunday is typically a day of rest, we’ll spare you the trauma of recounting Roma’s many failures in this department over the past few years. Instead, we’ll focus on a relatively new name in the Giallorossi transfer web: Lyon left-winger Malick Fofana. A 21-year-old winger, Fofana began his professional career with Gent in his native Belgium before signing with Lyon on a €19.5 million transfer in January 2024.
In his first 18 months with the club, Fofana scored 15 goals and provided five assists in roughly 1,000 minutes across all competitions, an impressive start for an 18- or 19-year-old making the jump to Ligue 1. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to build on that success last season after missing nearly six months due to ankle surgery. Still, during his brief time on the pitch last season, Fofana managed two goals and an assist in 749 league minutes.
Despite the injuries, Fofana has the necessary pace and trickery to take flight under Gasperini. The problem, as you’re no doubt aware, is cost and competition. According to Nicolo Schira, Roma have lodged an official €40 million bid for the Belgian international but face a stiff challenge from Galatasaray, which can offer Fofana a higher salary.
With opening day only a week away, the time for delays has long since passed. Whether it’s Fofana, Rodrigo Mora, or a mysterious dark horse candidate, Roma’s attack needs an injection of speed and creativity.