According to Corriere dello Sport and La Gazzetta dello Sport, a Roma emissary was present at the BayArena on Saturday for Bayer Leverkusen's Bundesliga fixture against RB Leipzig — the two clubs where Nusa and midfielder Xaver Schlager play respectively.
Nusa, 20, has been identified by Gasperini as his first choice for the wide attacking position, while Schlager, 28, is considered a low-risk, high-value option as his contract with Leverkusen expires this summer, making him available on a free transfer.
Nusa joined Leipzig from Club Brugge last summer for a fee of €30 million after a season in which he registered 10 goals and 11 assists for the Belgian club. He has since struggled to impose himself on a Leipzig side in transition, starting just 14 Bundesliga matches, but his underlying profile — pace, directness and the ability to operate both centrally and wide — fits precisely the kind of forward Gasperini favours.
AS Roma will face competition. Tottenham Hotspur have also had him watched, and reports from Germany earlier in the season linked Borussia Dortmund with a summer approach.
A second Roma scout had been at the Istanbul derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe to observe left-sided defender Jayden Oosterwolde. The Dutch centre-back or left-back, 25, is being targeted as a potential replacement for Evan Ndicka, whose departure is considered likely given Roma's need to generate a minimum of €60 million in sales this summer under La Liga's — and in this case UEFA's — financial fair play requirements.
Roma had a €15 million winter offer for Oosterwolde rejected by Fenerbahçe, who value him at around €20 million. Fenerbahçe lost the derby 3-0, and Oosterwolde had a difficult afternoon, but Roma's assessment of him as a long-term option has not changed.
Sporting director Frederic Massara is continuing to work on recruitment despite uncertainty over his own future at the club, with a meeting between Gasperini and Roma's American owners the Friedkin Group expected soon to set strategic and financial parameters for the summer.
Until that meeting takes place, no signings can be formally agreed upon. The scouting operation, however, continues with full autonomy — a sign that whoever shapes the squad will have detailed reports ready the moment a decision is reached.