Fabrizio Romano transfer news: De Ligt WANTS Man Utd, Chelsea deals DONE, PSR CHAOS, Isak TRUTH

Tom Weber

Updated: 29 Jun 2024 18:17 BST
6 min read

Fabrizio Romano has provided the latest on all the big transfer stories from around the Premier League.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, the Italian transfer expert shed light on the Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) chaos that has been engulfing some top sides, chief among them Newcastle.

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Romano dropped updates on the failed deal to help the Magpies alleviate their financial issues by sending Anthony Gordon to Liverpool, Man Utd's pursuit of Matthijs de Ligt, Chelsea's multiple done deals and much more.

Dewsbury-Hall, Guiu and Anselmino to Chelsea

Romano kicked off today's update by reaffirming that Chelsea are trying to complete the hijack of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who was close to joining Brighton from Leicester until the Blues came calling.

"Let's start with Chelsea because they are always, always busy on the transfer market. They keep discussing for Dewsbury-Hall with Leicester City, they have the green light from the player, working on a deal with Leicester City. Let's see what happens there. While I'm recording, the two clubs are still talking."

Romano also revealed that Marc Guiu is set to join Chelsea from Barcelona and Aaron Anselmino will do the same from Boca Juniors. "Marc Guiu is a done deal from Barcelona, Aaron Anselmino will be a new Chelsea player in the next days."

"But overnight Chelsea had a new direct contact with Boca Juniors and the agreement between the two clubs for the centre-back born in 2005 is imminent. The agreement on the money is done, it's going to be less than the $25 million release clause."

"Chelsea will pay around $18m, $19m with better payment terms compared to triggering the release clause in one solution. But the final detail to clarify is Anselmino staying at Boca Juniors on loan. Boca Juniors are asking for him to stay one more season, Chelsea could consider six months, so they are negotiating about that."

Anselmino is expected to travel to London next week. Romano also confirmed that Man Utd were never seriously in for the player despite some reports. "The 'here we go' is coming," the transfer expert claimed.

Newcastle's PSR chaos

Next up, Romano provided the latest on Newcastle's PSR problems, with the Magpies thought to be under pressure of having to raise some €30m by June 30.

"Newcastle are looking for solutions...Newcastle already had many conversations with many clubs about many players, so let's see the final solution. But Newcastle are talking with Nottingham Forest about the possibility to sign [Anthony] Elanga and send [Elliot] Anderson or [Yankuba] Minteh."

"Both players have been discussed with Forest. Minteh has been discussed with Olympique Lyon. Lyon made the best proposal for Minteh, they were prepared to pay over €30m for him, but Minteh doesn't want to go there, he wants to stay in the Premier League. Everton and Brighton are showing genuine interest in Minteh, but are still not paying what Newcastle want."

"Let me tell you that the interest of Liverpool in Anthony Gordon is absolutely genuine. We had rumours on several clubs, I'm told that PSG were offered the possibility to go for Gordon, but at the moment, PSG have different targets in that position, different priorities."

"Liverpool really considered that possibility, they had a discussion with Newcastle about Gordon, but at the moment, there is still no agreement on the value of the player and how much Newcastle would require to sell the player, but for sure the interest is genuine and what I'm hearing is that the player would be open to a move to Liverpool."

According to the transfer expert, selling Gordon would only be a last resort. He also revealed that Newcastle had been in talks with Milan over potential deals for Malick Thiaw and Kieran Trippier, but nothing came of it. Nevertheless, "Newcastle are the club to watch in the next hours and days."

Isak truth

Romano also provided an update on another Newcastle player: Star striker Alexander Isak, who continues to be linked with a potentially record-breaking move to Chelsea.

"For Newcastle, the only way to make it happen is with a world-record fee and, at the moment, Chelsea are not paying that money. The only way for Chelsea to activate the option is to include one or two important players in the deal, but at the moment, it looks very complicated."

"I'm told that Eddie Howe is pushing, absolutely pushing to keep Isak at the club. He has no intention to give the green light to this exit, so it looks really difficult for Isak to leave Newcastle in the final hours of this 'Financial Fair Play deadline.'"

De Ligt keen on Man Utd

Finally, Romano confirmed The Athletic's reporting that Man Utd are considering Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt for the centre-back position. According to the Italian, De Ligt would be open to joining.

"Man Utd keep working on the centre-back [position]. We know that [Jarrad] Branthwaite remains absolutely on the list, but at the moment, Everton insists on £65m, £70m - too expensive. Man Utd will still go for Branthwaite but for different value, not for that money So it depends on Everton, the player is keen on the move."

"Man Utd in the last hours also reached out to the camp of Matthijs de Ligt...at the moment still no bid, still no direct negotiation with Bayern. Probably after the Euros, this will become something really concrete between the clubs if Man Utd want."

Current ETV

Matthijs de Ligt

D (C)

Bayern

Matthijs de Ligt

D (C)

Bayern

ETV Range

€37.9M - €63.2M

"Man Utd took the information from the player's side that he could be open to a move to Man Utd even without Champions League football. So, De Ligt is a possibility for Man Utd."

Romano reports that the Red Devils are aware of Bayern's willingness to cash in on the Dutchman due to their signing of Hiroki Ito and the seemingly impending deal for Jonathan Tah.

The expert also reiterated Man Utd's interest in other potential options such as Leny Yoro, who remains a "dream target" for them, but who is still waiting for Real Madrid.