Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Calafiori to Arsenal DONE, Chelsea goalkeeper DOMINO, Man Utd BLITZ

Tom Weber

Updated: 21 Jul 2024 10:18 BST
7 min read

Manuel Ugarte, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Fabrizio Romano, Joao Cancelo, Riccardo Calafiori — © IMAGO

Fabrizio Romano has revealed the latest on the big stories around Europe, including Riccardo Calafiori to Arsenal, Chelsea's goalkeeper situation and Man Utd's upcoming business.

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In likely the biggest news of the day, Arsenal are finally closing in on a deal to sign Bologna superstar Riccardo Calafiori. The talks had been stalling for weeks due to a discrepancy between the Serie A side's demands and the money the Gunners were prepared to pay.

However, according to Romano, a total agreement has now been reached after a fresh round of 'behind-the-scenes' talks. Arsenal will pay around €45 million, including add-ons, for the Italy star, who is expected to sign a contract until 2029.

Chelsea's new priority

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano also confirmed that Chelsea have a new transfer priority as they have decided to pursue a new goalkeeper. FootballTransfers understands that the push to add a No.2 who can compete with Robert Sanchez has come directly from coach Enzo Maresca.

"Chelsea have decided to bring in a new goalkeeper," Romano said. "It's a really strong and concrete possibility. Why? Because Chelsea, at the moment, want a new goalkeeper who can play and do a good job in distribution. This is the crucial part."

"So today we have links with Andriy Lunin from Real Madrid. Lunin is out of contract in one year at Real Madrid, so it's an interesting situation. He has a new contract proposal on the table from Real Madrid, but at the moment, has still not accepted. His agent Jorge Mendes is considering several opportunities."

"At the moment, I'm hearing that Chelsea have not made any approach to Real Madrid for Lunin, so the situation is quiet between Chelsea and Lunin, despite reports, but Lunin could still leave Real Madrid in case of a good opportunity around Europe. For Chelsea, Lunin is not the candidate in this moment, but Chelsea are looking at the market."

"First of all, they have to sell or offload Kepa and Kepa is waiting for Real Madrid, because in this domino, if Lunin leaves, Kepa is a strong candidate for Real Madrid to be the new back-up goalkeeper. Real Madrid are very happy with Kepa, top professional, very good player, so they would be happy to bring him back, but only in case Lunin leaves."

"Robert Sanchez will start the season as the first goalkeeper, this remains the intention, and the idea. Enzo Maresca, since he arrived, has always been very clear on that point. He wants him to be an important part of the squad. So Robert Sanchez is trusted by Enzo Maresca and the staff, but to bring in one more goalkeeper to provide some competition with his distribution that's the point."

"So when you see goalkeepers linked like [Giorgi] Mamardashvili, who is a fantastic goalkeeper, I love him, for example, in the goal, but [he is] not the kind of goalkeeper they are looking for."

Real Madrid's targets after Yoro

Romano then revealed that Real Madrid are satisfied with their centre-back position despite the departure of captain Nacho and missing out on Leny Yoro to Man Utd.

"As of now, Real Madrid are not negotiating for a new centre-back. The situation remains quiet. They believe that they have, obviously, [Antonio] Rudiger, [Eder] Militao, [David] Alaba returning in the next months. Then, Tchouameni can play there. So, Real Madrid are not panicking."

"In case there will be an opportunity in the final weeks of the transfer window, Real Madrid will consider signing a new centre-back. But as of now, they are not in negotiations for a new centre-back and they are not in a rush for a new centre-back. So it has to be the right opportunity. Otherwise, they will stay with the same squad."

Diaby in, Kante out at Al-Ittihad?

One of the big storylines in the Premier League revolves around Saudi side Al-Ittihad, who are keen to snap up Aston Villa's record signing Moussa Diaby. Additionally, West Ham are trying to sign Ittihad midfielder N'Golo Kante.

"Moussa Diaby is getting closer to moving from Aston Villa to Al-Ittihad," Romano said. "Around €55m, negotiations at the final stages. N'Golo Kante, a target for West Ham. They approached Al-Ittihad to ask for N'Golo Kante. The answer from Al-Ittihad is that they don't want to sell the player. So at the moment, it's not something advanced or concrete because Al-Ittihad want to continue with N'Golo Kante."

"Let's see the position of the player, but Al-Ittihad consider Kante as a crucial part of their project, as a top professional and top player. So at the moment, the situation is still this one, but West Ham had this crazy, amazing idea to bring back N'Golo Kante to European football."

Barcelona business besides Williams

Barcelona are set for a busy transfer window, with the priority currently on snapping up Nico Williams. However, there are also other moving parts, according to Romano.

"Barcelona are obviously working on the deal for Nico Williams. We are mentioning that on a daily basis, but there is someone who is leaving Barcelona and it is Sergi Roberto. We can say that it's almost guaranteed that Sergi Roberto will leave Barcelona as a free agent."

"He's already a free agent, but he's been waiting for Barcelona for weeks to extend this contract. Now, between Sergi Roberto and Barca, the situation is in total standby, not advancing, and so Sergi Roberto started talking to other clubs in England, in Italy, around Europe, to consider opportunities, and so Sergi Roberto and Barca are really expected to part ways this summer."

"Barcelona keep thinking of the situation of Joao Cancelo because he can help playing, obviously, as right-back, with [Jules] Kounde helping also as a centre-back, with [Ronald] Araujo out until December. Also, Cancelo can play on the left when needed. So the idea of Barcelona remains to bring in a new right-back."

"We know Hansi Flick is a big fan of Jeremie Frimpong, but he's still expensive. Joao Cancelo remains a name on the list of Barcelona for the right-back position and Cancelo is also waiting and hoping for Barca. So the priority is Nico Williams, but then also the right back will be a topic with Sergio Roberto expected to leave the club."

Man Utd pushing for Ugarte

After revealing on Thursday that Man Utd have agreed personal terms with PSG midfielder Manuel Ugarte, Romano stated: "Man Utd [are]being very active, they are in contact with PSG for Manuel Ugarte and we will mention more details of this story because discussions are taking place between Man Utd and PSG."

"It will take some time, so it's not something happening today for Manuel Ugarte to Man Utd. Patience, also because they signed [Joshua Zirkzee] last week, Leny Yoro this week, so step by step, but Man Utd conversations are very positive."

Arsenal to lose Obi-Martin and Smith Rowe

Additionally, Romano also spoke about Man Utd's interest in Arsenal wonderkid Chi Obi-Martin and the future of Emile Smith Rowe. "What I can tell you on the situation of Chido is that two weeks ago, Arsenal presented a very important proposal from a financial point of view, a very big proposal. They did their best to keep the player at the club."

"Mikel Arteta was also involved in the conversation, but at the moment, Chido is still not giving the green light to a new contract at Arsenal. So Chido is keeping his options open and still not accepting Arsenal's proposal. This is why Arsenal internally start to feel that he wants to go elsewhere. Arsenal are still waiting for the final answer, but they believe that Chido is probably gone."

"Chido already visited several clubs in Germany, in England. We know also the interest of big clubs and links with Manchester United. They are among many clubs interested in Chido Obi-Martin, and so Arsenal believe that the player could really leave, but they did their best. They presented a big proposal, and so they've been waiting for weeks for Chido to decide."

On Smith Rowe, Romano said: "After the bid rejected by Arsenal from Fulham in the recent days, now a bid is coming also from Crystal Palace. Oliver Glasner wants to bring Emile Smith Rowe to Crystal Palace. He's really convinced that would be an important signing for their project."

"So, the bid is coming from Crystal Palace for Smith Rowe. They also believe that the player could be keen on the move. Discussions are taking place and so Palace are expected to bid for Smith-Rowe. Let's see what Arsenal will decide to answer, because he remains an important player for Mikel Arteta."