Report: Roma could turn to free agent Zaha to fulfil Gasperini's winger request

Roma were ultimately unable to bring in a new left winger before the close of the summer transfer window, despite Gian Piero Gasperini’s requests, but the latest reports in Italy claim that the Giallorossi could turn to the free agent market and that Wilfried Zaha is among the potential options.

Report: Roma could turn to Zaha on free agent market Roma brought in six new players over the course of the summer transfer window in Santiago Castro, Rodrigo Mora, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Nahuel Molina, Leonardo Balerdi and Marten De Roon.

Official: Rodrigo Mora joins Roma on a permanent transfer from FC Porto (via www.asroma.com) However, head coach Gasperini had made it clear throughout the summer that he also wanted another left-sided attacker to provide enough natural options in his preferred 3-4-2-1 system.

Despite deadline day negotiations for VfB Stuttgart’s Jamie Lewelling, on top of previous links to the likes of Mason Greenwood and Crysencio Summerville, Roma were ultimately unable to bring in that winger that Gasperini was after.

According to Thursday’s reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, however, Roma’s transfer business might not be done just yet. The Pink Paper claims that sporting director Tony D’Amico is evaluating options on the free agent market and that former Crystal Palace star Zaha is one of the potential options.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 01: Wilfried Zaha #10 of Charlotte FC is honored as man of the match following the MLS match between Charlotte FC and Atlanta United at Bank of America Stadium on March 01, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) Zaha, 33, has been out of contract after seeing his deal with Galatasaray expire on June 30. The Ivory Coast international has spent the last 18 months based in the USA on loan with Charlotte FC in MLS.

Zaha made a club-record 458 appearances for Crystal Palace across his two spells with the South London outfit, providing 90 goals across all competitions including 68 from 291 outings in the Premier League. He had also been linked with Roma prior to his joining Galatasaray from Palace in the summer of 2023.

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 30: Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Brentford FC at Selhurst Park on August 30, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images) According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Roma are also considering potential moves for former Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich wideman Raphael Guerreiro, available for free after a 10-year stay in the Bundesliga, and 27-year-old Krepin Diatta, who left Monaco after five years earlier this summer.

Though Roma have only named 24 out of a maximum 25 players in their Champions League squad list, their selections are now locked in until the end of the league phase. The Giallorossi will not be able to register any new signings to their UEFA squad list until the next squad deadline, which falls at 22.59 GMT (23.59 CET) on February 4.