Fabrizio Romano’s latest transfer news: ‘BIG SURPRISE’ as Chelsea and Man Utd updates drop

Updated: 6 Jun 2024 06:51 BST
5 min read

Fabrizio Romano has revealed the latest football transfer news, including a “big surprise” at Barcelona, an update on Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher and information on the left-back that Manchester United may target this summer.

In a YouTube video, Romano touched on numerous different subjects involving clubs from all over Europe, beginning at Barcelona, where the Camp Nou side appear to have performed a surprising U-turn on a player they had been expected to sign.

Article continues under the video

However, it’s been all change at Barca in recent weeks, apparently collapsing this transfer.

EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea reject Osimhen and turn attention to Dovbyk

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“Barcelona nearly closed a deal with Argentinian midfielder Guido Rodriguez, who was set to be the first signing for the new season,” Romano said. “Out of contract at Real Betis, he would join as a free agent on a two-year contract with a one-year contract. There was a verbal agreement done but Barcelona’s position was very clear.

“Xavi was calling the player and he was really involved on that signing. But now Xavi has gone and there is Hansi Flick. My understanding is that the verbal agreement between Barcelona and Guido Rodriguez expired at the end of May, so now it’s June and everything is open again for him.

“So Barca and Guido Rodriguez, the deal could totally collapse.

“Meanwhile, Barcelona are still working on options for the midfield. One of the players they like is Mikel Marino, who is doing very well at Real Sociedad. He is out of contract next year and at the moment is not in advanced negotiations to extend his contract. So there’s a concrete possibility for Marino to leave the club this summer.”

Gallagher transfer latest

Romano also touched on the latest on Chelsea’s Gallagher, a player who is front and centre of the transfer market currently as the Blues try to raise big money to allow them to sign superstars.

The Stamford Bridge side are asking for big money for the player – but that does not mean they will get it.

“We know the situation with Conor Gallagher is very open,” Romano says. “There is no advanced negotiation between Chelsea and Gallagher to extend his contract. At the moment, the situation has gone totally quiet. Conor is still really focused on Chelsea, he’s not desperate to leave, he loves the club and would be more than happy to stay.

“There is interest from Aston Villa and Tottenham, who wanted him one year ago. Ange Postecoglou is a big fan of Gallagher.

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“Chelsea’s position is clear: they want more than £50 million for him. They are comparing the situation with Mason Mount. They sold him for more than £50m one year ago with a year left on his contract so they see Gallagher in a really similar position. That’s why we have to see if the clubs talk around that amount of money.

“This makes life difficult for other clubs. For example, Atletico Madrid will not pay €60m for Conor Gallagher. This is the current situation around the player who is for sure one to watch.”

Man Utd face Chelsea competition for transfer target

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Romano has revealed that one of the players Man Utd appreciate in the left-back area is Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez, who is off to Euro 2024 with Hungary.

He has confirmed the Old Trafford club’s interest in the player, but warns Chelsea could be a threat in this instance.

“Man Utd are looking at left-backs and Milos Kerkez is one of the players they appreciate for that position. He’s not the only one but he’s one of the options they are discussing internally, so he could be a solution for the summer,” Romano says.

“Chelsea have been scouting him but there’s been no direct contact.

“Bournemouth would really ask for big, big money, so they are not open to a cheap deal or swap opportunity. They want important money for Milos Kerkez.”

Man City’s Julian Alvarez demands

And finally, Romano says that the situation between Manchester City and Julian Alvarez is not a straightforward one.

While the World Cup winner wants to move to get more game time, Pep Guardiola’s side are not open to a loan and will only allow him to depart for seriously big money, with PSG and Atletico Madrid both looking at a possible deal.

“Manchester City are not considering any loan for Julian Alvarez. We heard about the possibility of a loan to Atletico Madrid and at the moment this is not the case,” Romano insists.

“There is interest but what I’m hearing, there is also strong interest from PSG. Several clubs are asking for information about him because they know from those close to the player that he wants to play more.

“Manchester City are showing no interest in making it cheap or letting Alvarez go easily. If anything happens because Julian wants to play more, it has to be for big money.”