Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Double Arsenal deal, unusual Chelsea move, £85m for Gakpo

31 Aug 2026 06:52 BST | 8 min read

Fabrizio Romano, Honest Anahor, Cody Gakpo — © IMAGO

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

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Fabrizio Romano provides major late-window updates on Tottenham, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United as the transfer deadline approaches.

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Tottenham waiting on Richarlison decision before Ndiaye move

Romano says Tottenham have an agreement with Iliman Ndiaye, but Richarlison's decision will determine whether the deal can happen.

“Today, Monday, it is going to become immediately clear what is going to happen with Iliman Ndiaye. Ndiaye is Tottenham's No.1 target. Tottenham have an agreement with Ndiaye on the contract and an agreement with his agents,” Romano explained on his YouTube channel.

“They are ready to do the deal with Everton between the two clubs, but the point is what Richarlison wants to do. If Richarlison accepts going to Everton, Ndiaye can become a new Tottenham player.

“Otherwise, his future could be open again. He could go to Tottenham in a different way, or there could eventually be the possibility of joining another club because he is also on the list at other clubs. For example, he has been on Manchester City's list for some time.

Current ETV

Iliman Ndiaye

F (R), M (RL)

Everton

Iliman Ndiaye

F (R), M (RL)

Everton

ETV Range

€38.1M - €46.5M

“Let's see what happens with Cody Gakpo, but for sure, the wingers' situation is going to be hot in the next hours.”

Liverpool have £85m Gakpo bid ready, but one condition remains

Romano reveals Manchester City have agreed personal terms with Cody Gakpo, while Liverpool's stance is dependent on finding a replacement.

“Then, talking about the Cody Gakpo situation, the agreement is done. Cody Gakpo and Manchester City have an agreement on the contract, all set already,” he said.

“Manchester City have also sent an £85m bid to Liverpool. Liverpool will only accept if they get the right winger before the end of the deadline. Otherwise, they will keep Cody Gakpo.

“So this is the domino now. Who is the winger they want? At the moment, the favourite, more than Yankuba Minteh, is Ismaila Sarr. Ismaila Sarr is the favourite candidate.

“My understanding is that Crystal Palace are still saying no to Sarr's exit. At the same time, they are also exploring possibilities for wingers on the market in case they get the right proposal for Sarr.

“Liverpool had a bid rejected earlier this week. There were zero links in the media between Ismaila Sarr and Liverpool, but I told you Liverpool sent a bid. It was £50m and was rejected by Palace.

“All people denied this, but now they are all talking about Ismaila Sarr and Liverpool because there was a bid and it got rejected. I can guarantee 100% that there was a bid sent by Liverpool in writing, so an official bid, not a verbal proposal.

“It was £45m plus £5m in add-ons, for a £50m package, but Crystal Palace are not selling the player for this money.

“So, let's see what is going to happen there. Ismaila Sarr wants the move. He wants to go to Liverpool, but now it depends on the two clubs.

“Again, as I told you in the last video, Liverpool are being offered wingers every minute because all the clubs and all the agents know that Liverpool obviously need a winger.”

Current ETV

Cody Gakpo

F, M (L)

Liverpool

Cody Gakpo

F, M (L)

Liverpool

ETV Range

€50.4M - €61.6M

Gabriel Jesus completes Barcelona move as Martinelli heads to Saudi Arabia

Romano confirms two major Arsenal departures, with Gabriel Jesus joining Barcelona and Gabriel Martinelli moving to Saudi Arabia.

“Gabriel Jesus today will be in Barcelona to sign as a new Barca player. Done deal, here we go, confirmed, everything done,” Romano said.

“Arsenal authorised the travel after the two clubs exchanged documents overnight. The deal is worth €10m fixed fee, €4m in add-ons, with a 20% sell-on clause. It is a two-year contract with a one-year option for Gabriel Jesus at Barcelona.

“Gabriel Martinelli will fly this week to Riyadh, joining Al-Hilal, as I told you. It is going to be a deal worth more than €65m for Arsenal, so they will get very good money for Gabriel Martinelli.

“Martinelli will also get very good money in terms of his contract. It is a four-year deal for Gabriel Martinelli, who is now leaving Arsenal.

“So, Gabriel Jesus out, Gabriel Martinelli out. Let's see if Arsenal will do something in these final hours of the market because we should not rule out anything.

“I think there will still be movement at Arsenal in terms of players being offered and in terms of attacking options. So let's see what is going to happen with Julian Alvarez and all the rest.”

Compared

Gabriel Martinelli

F, M (L)

Arsenal

Gabriel Martinelli

F, M (L)

Arsenal

VS

Gabriel Jesus

F (C)

Arsenal

Gabriel Jesus

F (C)

Arsenal

€40.2M	ETV	€17.3M
€36.2M - €44.3M	ETV Range	€15.6M - €19M
25 years old (18 Jun, 2001)	Age	29 years old (03 Apr, 1997)
Brazil	Nationality	Brazil

Chelsea's £40m deal leads to Crystal Palace loan for teenage defender

Romano explains the unusual structure behind Chelsea's agreement for 18-year-old Italian defender Honest Ahanor.

“Crystal Palace today in London will welcome Honest Ahanor, the defender, an 18-year-old Italian, joining from Chelsea,” Romano said.

“But what is the deal? Let me explain this. Earlier this week, Honest Ahanor, an 18-year-old Italian defender, went from Atalanta to Chelsea. Here we go, £40m.

“I can confirm that Chelsea see a big potential in the player. I can reveal that Honest was in London on Thursday to have his medical and sign his contract at Chelsea. So everything is done.

“The player already took his pictures in a Chelsea shirt. The player signed the contract. The player did the medical. Honest is a Chelsea player.

“The point is that this is going to be a pre-agreement for Chelsea to sign Honest in summer 2027, in one year. Then I told you the player is going to play in England this season because Chelsea want Honest to adapt to English football.

“That club is going to be Crystal Palace. How? On loan from Atalanta, because Chelsea cannot loan any other player for Premier League regulations to Atalanta. After Axel Disasi, they cannot do another loan to Crystal Palace.

“So Atalanta will loan Honest Ahanor to Crystal Palace. Then, on July 1, 2027, Chelsea will unveil Honest Ahanor as a new defender.

“Everything is done. Everything is agreed. Now it is time for the medical for Honest in London, flying today, and then everything will be completed.”

Zirkzee rejects Fiorentina as Beto prepares to leave Everton

Romano confirms Joshua Zirkzee has rejected a move to Fiorentina, who are instead closing in on Everton striker Beto.

“Tonight, Joshua Zirkzee, the Dutch striker of Manchester United, rejected a bid from Fiorentina,” he said.

“So Zirkzee to Fiorentina is not happening. Zirkzee said no. Fiorentina offered a €5m loan fee plus a €25m option clause, a €30m package.

“Manchester United were not accepting yet. We were still discussing internally, but the player is against this move. It is not happening.

“Fiorentina will sign Beto, the Portuguese striker from Everton, for €17m. Let's see who is going to Everton. It could be Richarlison if he accepts, or if he rejects, let's see other options, including Folarin Balogun.

“So they have some options at the club. New strikers will come because Beto today will be in Florence to undergo a medical as a new Fiorentina player.”

Current ETV

Joshua Zirkzee

F (C)

Man Utd

Joshua Zirkzee

F (C)

Man Utd

ETV Range

€20.5M - €25.1M

Chelsea still talking to Monaco over Lamine Camara

Romano says Chelsea have not yet reached an agreement for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara despite reports suggesting a deal is already done.

“Then more to mention also about Chelsea. Many of you are asking me, is it true that Lamine Camara is going to Chelsea? Is it done? There were rumours tonight, I think in France or Belgium, about Lamine Camara being a done deal with Chelsea,” Romano continued.

“According to my information, as of tonight, late night, nothing is done, nothing is agreed.

“Monaco still hope to keep the player, but Monaco know that Chelsea might come before the end of the window. So let's follow the situation of Lamine Camara.

“Monaco still dream of the possibility of keeping Lamine Camara and eventually selling him in 2027. But Chelsea might come.

“It might depend on the Enzo Fernandez situation. So, if Enzo Fernandez is leaving, obviously Lamine Camara could be needed. But it is not guaranteed that the two deals are linked.

“Chelsea are talking, for sure. I told you this, with Monaco for Lamine Camara. Chelsea are having discussions with the agents.

“Lamine Camara would be ready to go to Chelsea even without European football, but now it is Chelsea who have to decide whether they want to proceed or not.”

Manchester City have still not bid for Enzo Fernandez

Romano says Manchester City are continuing talks with Enzo Fernandez, but Chelsea have yet to receive an official proposal for their midfielder.

“Meanwhile, as of tonight, 2am in Italy, 1am in London, they are yet to receive an official bid from Manchester City for Enzo Fernandez,” Romano said.

“City keep talking with the player, but at the moment, club to club, City and Chelsea, there is still nothing agreed.

“So, a very interesting case, the one of Enzo Fernandez, to follow until the end of deadline day.”