Transfer rumour · archive

Morato to Roma

Quiet since 26 August 2026. Last report: Fabrizio Romano. Probability when it went quiet: 9%.

Roma have made a club to club approach for Nottingham Forest defender Morato, with an initial loan on the table. The Serie A side want a new centre-back after Jan Ziolkowski's imminent move to Monza, and Morato is described as keen on the switch. There is no permanent fee under discussion yet. This is a loan idea, live and moving, but still short of anything formal between the two clubs. The sourcing is strong. Fabrizio Romano, one of the most reliable voices in the business, reports the official approach, and he is backed by Gianluca Di Marzio, another top-rank name, who says Roma are assessing Morato to replace Ziolkowski. Gianluigi Longari, a solid operator, adds the same loan angle. Three credible reporters aligned on the same day is about as clean as early sourcing gets. Even so, this one sits against the odds for now. Morato only turned 25 and is tied to Forest until June 2029, valued at around €14m, so the English club hold every card and have no need to let him leave. For the deal to happen, Roma must persuade Forest to sanction a loan and Morato's own eagerness has to carry the day. The player wanting it is the reason this is alive at all. The structure is the sticking point. Roma have shopped in this range before. They paid €13m to Palmeiras in 2021 and €12m to Atalanta the same year, so a defender at Morato's level fits their usual spend, though a loan is a different shape of deal. Watch for Forest's response to the approach and whether the loan gains permanent-option terms.

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