Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Man Utd signing CLOSE, Nico Williams BOMB, Juve ONE STEP from Sancho

Updated: 8 Jul 2024 14:48 BST
8 min read

Fabrizio Romano has dropped the latest football transfer news, including stories on Joshua Zirkzee to Man Utd, Riccardo Calafiori to Arsenal and Leny Yoro to Real Madrid.

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Zirkzee one step away from Man Utd

Romano says that Zirkzee is poised to become Manchester United's first signing of the Ineos era.

"The first new signing of Ineos is expected to be and will probably be Joshua Zirkzee. The here we go is expected very soon," Romano told his YouTube channel.

"One solution is to pay the release clause. Give Bologna €40m and get the player. But Bologna owe 50% of the deal to Bayern Munich. They had a 50% sell-on clause. It makes sense for Bologna, it could make sense to negotiate with Manchester United, maybe for a higher fee but paid in four or five years. Everything is going to plan. The here we go is coming.

Current ETV

ETV Range

€15.5M - €25.8M

He added that the Red Devils are close to securing both Zirkzee from Bologna and Matthijs de Ligt from Bologna.

“It’s been a really important couple of days on Joshua Zirkzee. Manchester United are getting everything ready to make a deal work. Now we can say Zirkzee is one step away from becoming a Man Utd player,” Romano said on his YouTube channel.

“It’s expected to happen and in the next few days. They’ve got an agreement with him – contract length, salary, all the details – they’ve got the green light of the player.

“They already had the green light from Matthijs de Ligt, who remains another top target, but now it’s also from Zirkzee. Both players say yes to Manchester United.

“For Zirkzee, there’s also an agreement with the agent, Kia Joorabchian, who has an excellent relationship with the Man Utd board.

“Man Utd are going very quick, very fast, for this deal.

“A here we go is expected soon.”

© IMAGO - Joshua Zirkzee, Netherlands, Euro 2024

Romano also stressed the importance of Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag in the deal.

“For both Zirkzee and De Ligt, Erik ten Hag has been in direct conversation with both players,” he revealed. “The Man Utd manager, with a new contract now, has been in touch with both, calling them, texting them. He had an influence in these signings and had already approved them weeks ago.

“Let’s see what happens in terms of timing.”

Greenwood bid in

Romano says Man Utd are also working towards the sale of both Mason Greenwood and Jadon Sancho.

"Marseille are advancing in talks with Manchester United," Romano says. "They have presented a formal proposal to have the English winger, who did very well on loan at Getafe last season. Now negotiations are ongoing, with Marseille confident to make it happen.

"It could be a loan with an obligation to buy. Manchester United are open to that, but they also want a big sell-on clause included to maintain some sort of control over a player who could make a big transfer. This is why they want that type of opportunity.

"Marseille consider Greenwood a priority target. Roberto De Zerbi wants him, all the people at the club want Mason Greenwood, believing he can be a crucial player.

"They’re very confident of signing him."

Current ETV

ETV Range

€15M - €25M

Juventus one step from Sancho?

Juventus are closest to landing Sancho, according to Romano.

"Manchester United want to sell Mason Greenwood and Jadon Sancho. Erik ten Hag has not included Jadon Sancho in his plans for the future. For Sancho, there is interest from Juventus," he confirmed.

Current ETV

ETV Range

€31.1M - €51.9M

"Juventus want to sell Federico Chiesa, and this is a crucial step to go and sign one more winger. He’s out of contract next summer, there is no intention to extend because Thiago Motta doesn’t trust Chiesa so now the priority is to find a new club for him.

"With that money – around €25m – they can reinvest in several new positions. In terms of wingers, Jadon Sancho is one of two or three players they have on their list. They already wanted him around November last year. Dortmund were able to convince him with their special relationship.

"Juventus have had some contact on the player’s side, but still nothing agreed. He’s one to watch for Juventus but also other clubs."

Nico Williams latest

Barcelona have made a bold statement about potentially signing Nico Williams, but Romano has warned it is not a done deal, indicating both Arsenal and Chelsea hold a legitimate interest in the player.

"Nico Williams, we know he has a release clause of €58m plus taxes," he said. "It’s important to say that Joan Laporta, talking to Catalunya Radio today, said that Barcelona can afford Nico Williams. He also said that he’s a big fan of the player and confirmed that on a financial point of view, Barca can sign him. It depends on them and an agreement with the player, which is not a big problem. But for sure, Nico Williams is the top target for Barcelona.

Current ETV

ETV Range

€34.2M - €57M

"There is also interest from the Premier League. Arsenal appreciate the player a lot, but at the moment they’re not advancing negotiations. They know how expensive he is. Chelsea are probably the biggest fans of Nico Williams but the only way they can sign him is if he reduces his salary request. At the moment, salary and release clause is considered a package too expensive for Chelsea."

"So at the moment they’re not going for Nico Williams but they appreciate him, and if the conditions change, he could be one of the big names for Barca and for Premier League clubs."

Yoro transfer hijack?

Romano discussed the possibility of a club hijacking Real Madrid’s anticipated transfer for Lille centre-back Leny Yoro, with Man Utd one of three clubs monitoring the issue.

“Manchester United are also one of the clubs mentioned with Leny Yoro. They’ve been tracking him for a long time: United, Liverpool and PSG. These three clubs have always been there around Leny Yoro. They keep trying to understand if there’s a chance to enter the race,” Romano revealed.

Current ETV

ETV Range

€21.4M - €35.6M

“As of today, Real Madrid remain in control and favourites. They are still in contact with Lille. We know Yoro wants to go to Real Madrid, will wait for Real Madrid, so these clubs are still around to understand what’s happening.

“Real Madrid are in communication with Lille over the Leny Yoro deal. It’s about the amount, the fee and the package. But for sure, he’s a top priority for Real Madrid. The only chance to change the story is if they pull out of the race. “

Calafiori to Arsenal latest

Arsenal are increasingly close to signing Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori, who delivered some eye-catching displays at Euro 2024.

“Arsenal want to close and complete the deal for Riccardo Calafiori next week,” Romano says.

“So what’s going on? They understand the deal will be around €50 million. Now they need to clarify the structure of the deal. How much is fixed? How much in add ons? How many years? What are the payment terms? They’re discussing all these kinds of details.

Current ETV

ETV Range

€12.9M - €21.5M

“Arsenal and Bologna hope to get the deal done. We know the player has, multiple times, said yes only to Arsenal.

“He said yes to Juventus, but it was February, March, April, May – and then Juventus had no possibility to close the deal with Bologna. They didn’t want to sell the player to Juve. Now Bologna are prepared to give the green light to Arsenal.

“Chelsea are no longer there. They’re going to sign Renato Veiga. Arsenal are advancing on all sides of this deal. They have an agreement with Calafiori: it’s over five years, €4m a season.

“Bologna have to give 50% to Basel.”

© IMAGO - Riccardo Calafiori, Italy, Euro 2024

Three-way fight for Doue includes Tottenham

Rennes winger Desire Doue has been linked to some major clubs already this summer, and Romano has fuelled these transfer rumours, picking out the three frontrunners.

“Bayern are one of the clubs monitoring Desire Doue, a very big talent at Rennes. A very good player and many clubs are interested in several countries,” Romano says.

Current ETV

ETV Range

€15.5M - €25.8M

“PSG have been following the player, Bayern have been in contact with the player, Tottenham have Desire Doue, alongside other targets, on their shortlist. Many clubs are keeping a close eye on the player.

“His family will have a big influence on his future, but Doue is for sure on the transfer shortlist of these three clubs: Bayern, PSG and Tottenham. They’re waiting for them to make a move.”