Fabrizio Romano transfer news: ‘BIG OPTIMISM’ at Chelsea, Arsenal next steps, PSG win €70m race

Robin Bairner

26 Jul 2024 08:35 BST
6 min read

Fabrizio Romano has given an update on the latest transfer news, with updates from Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Barcelona and PSG, including star names like Victor Osimhen and Joao Neves.

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Jorgensen to Chelsea close

Romano says that Chelsea are close to completing the signing of Filip Jorgensen from Villarreal, with only minor details over the goalkeeper’s transfer fee yet to be resolved. It is not a done deal yet, but the Blues believe a deal is close.

“For Jorgensen there is no big distance between Chelsea and Villarreal. The negotiations are advancing well. Chelsea bid €20m on Wednesday, Villarreal want something like €25m. Jorgensen wants to move to Chelsea and so now they’re working to close the deal. There’s big optimism,” Romano confirmed.

Current ETV

Filip Jørgensen

Villarreal

Filip Jørgensen

Villarreal

ETV Range

€16.4M - €27.4M

FABRIZIO ROMANO TRANSFER NEWS: Chelsea deal CLOSE, Calafiori LATEST, Man Utd RUMOURS

Osimhen still an option as PSG beat Man Utd to Joao Neves

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has long been linked to Chelsea, but Romano says PSG is a likelier destination for the striker. His situation is only likely to be resolved once Joao Neves has signed for the Parc des Princes club from Benfica.

“I’m not aware of anything fresh between Chelsea and Osimhen,” Romano said after being asked about ongoing rumours linking the Nigeria ace with the Stamford Bridge side.

“The situation of Victor Osimhen, just to clarify two things. The first is that PSG are closing in on a deal for Joao Neves, so he will be a PSG player. It’s just a matter of time, it will be days to close the deal. It’s imminent.

Current ETV

Victor Osimhen

F (C)

Napoli

Victor Osimhen

F (C)

Napoli

ETV Range

€53.3M - €88.9M

“They had a new round of talks that were very positive, €70m and one player will be included. It should be Renato Sanches, but they’re still talking. PSG are very confident Joao Neves will join them. He’s very enthusiastic about the project, the excellent coach Luis Enrique, who is very famous for the excellent quality he brings to his players, especially midfielders.

“PSG and Victor Osimhen? First of all, Osimhen wants to leave Napoli and the intention of Napoli remains to sign Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea.

“So what happens to Osimhen? At the moment, PSG have no intention to accept the first two conditions that Napoli discussed with PSG almost seven days ago. Napoli asked for Kang In-lee to be part of the deal, PSG said no, then Napoli asked for the possibility for the release clause [in Osimhen’s contract] to be paid and PSG said no.

“But if the price drops we can still consider PSG as an option because the player would love to go there and has given his green light.”

Barca still ‘obsessed’ with Nico Williams

Although Barcelona have been linked with a string of major players, Romano says the Camp Nou side are laser-focused on securing the future of Athletic Club winger Nico Williams.

Reports in Spain suggest that the Catalans are starting to panic over the attacker, with PSG and Chelsea both monitoring him.

“Nico Williams, I keep repeating what I’ve been saying. Barcelona’s obsession, Barcelona’s dream target and Barcelona’s target number one, two and three is Nico Williams,” Romano said.

Current ETV

Nico Williams

M (L)

Athletic

Nico Williams

M (L)

Athletic

ETV Range

€34.2M - €57M

“Barca will not close any other deal until they have a guarantee of what happens with him. They are working on a deal for him and they are waiting on Nico Williams giving them the green light and they are waiting for LaLiga to give them the green light to proceed with this deal.

“Barcelona have contact with other agents and they are in regular contact with the agent of Dani Olmo. The feeling is that Dani Olmo is giving his priority to them and could be really attracted by the possibility of going to Barca, who are quite confident of that. But Bayern are still there and there are possibilities in the Premier League.”

Vitor Roque on the move again?

One player who could help unlock Barcelona’s financial situation is 19-year-old striker Vitor Roque, who is being linked with a move away from the Spanish side just months after arriving at the club.

Romano confirmed the rumours are legitimate and that the Brazilian’s future is up in the air.

“The reports from Saudi are almost correct. Al-Hilal have made contact with Barcelona and with the camp of Vitor Roque. They’re prepared to start a negotiation with Barca,” Romano said.

“It’s not correct to say that it’s done, but there’s contact. Al-Hilal are really interested in Vitor Roque. There’s a new regulation in Saudi that allows the club to sign two players under 21, so it’s really important to have talents in the squad now.

“This story could be very important for Financial Fair Play for Barcelona because obviously it will help Barca with signings, but it depends on Vitor Roque. A year ago, he had the chance to go to Tottenham, to Man Utd, to Italian clubs, but he decided to go to Barca. Does he want to go to Saudi or continue in Europe? The interest of Al-Hilal is something true.”

Current ETV

Vitor Roque

F (C)

Barcelona

Vitor Roque

F (C)

Barcelona

ETV Range

€28.1M - €46.8M

Calafiori close to Arsenal move: What’s next?

Arsenal are close to tying up a deal for Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna. Once that’s done, Mikel Arteta already has his plans.

Romano said: “Arsenal are formally completing the deal for Calafiori. It’s done, it’s here we go. We’re wating for the formal steps. He’ll be in London for his medical then he will complete everything in the USA.

Current ETV

R. Calafiori

D (CL)

Bologna

R. Calafiori

D (CL)

Bologna

ETV Range

€12.9M - €21.5M

“After Calafiori, the focus will be on the midfield. Obviously for Arsenal, it’s important to make some sales in midfield as well as something in defence. We know that Emile Smith Rowe is close to Fulham, that they’re working on a deal with Eddie Nketiah to go to Marseille, so they’re working on several outcomes.

“But Arsenal want to add one more midfielder this summer. Mikel Merino remains a strong option. They’ve had contact on the player side but they’ve still not presented any proposal to Real Sociedad.

“Arsenal like to work deal by deal. They’ll work to close out Calafiori and then they’ll start negotiations for Merino.”

Read more about: La Liga Serie A Liga Portugal Bwin Bundesliga Ligue 1 Premier League Al-Hilal Arsenal Barcelona Bayern Benfica Bologna Chelsea Man Utd Napoli PSG Eddie Nketiah Emile Smith Rowe Filip Jørgensen João Neves Nico Williams Renato Sanches Riccardo Calafiori Romelu Lukaku Victor Osimhen Vitor Roque