Fabrizio Romano transfer news: Osimhen EXPLAINED, ‘VERY POSITIVE’ for Arsenal, Gallagher BOMB

Robin Bairner

Updated: 31 Jul 2024 18:55 BST
5 min read

Victor Osimhen, Fabrizio Romano — © IMAGO

Fabrizio Romano, the football transfer news expert, has given the latest updates from the market, including information on Victor Osimhen’s future as Chelsea eye a loan deal, Conor Gallagher and a deal looking “very positive” for Arsenal.

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What’s happening with Victor Osimhen?

Victor Osimhen’s future took another twist on Tuesday.

Following the revelation that Arsenal are back in for the Nigeria international forward, it has been claimed that Chelsea are now seeking to take advantage in PSG’s failure to negotiate transfer terms with Napoli.

Romano outlined exactly where the transfer stands.

“Napoli and Osimhen agree to part ways this summer, this is the intention. With the deal with PSG in standby – not between PSG and Osimhen because the player has already said yes to PSG 20 days ago, he’s keen on the move – but between the Ligue 1 side and Napoli, everything is completely in standby and not advancing,” Romano said.

“Napoli could be open to adding Osimhen to the negotiations with Chelsea for Romelu Lukaku. Napoli and Chelsea discussed the possibility.

“This is what has happened in recent days. I can confirm Osimhen wants to leave, Napoli want to find a solution for him and that Napoli want to sign Lukaku.

“Napoli and Chelsea have also been talking in the last 24-48 hours.

“The agent of Victor Osimhen released a statement on social media. In that, he said Victor Osimhen is not considering a move on loan. He didn’t deny the interest from Chelsea, but he rejected the possibility of a loan move.”

Current ETV

Victor Osimhen

F (C)

Napoli

Victor Osimhen

F (C)

Napoli

ETV Range

€53.3M - €88.9M

Romano explained why the 25-year-old will not make a loan switch without a guaranteed purchase at its conclusion.

“On Osimhen’s side, they are against a loan move with an option to buy. In this case, a loan with a buy option is something that the agent and the player don’t want to consider today,” he said.

“Osimhen has the intention to leave Napoli not with the possibility to return there in a year. Secondly, the salary. It’s a crucial part of the story. To go to Chelsea on loan from Napoli, he would have to reduce his salary. Napoli will never loan the player and cover his wages. It would be crazy.

“Osimhen is on a big salary at Napoli – around €11m net per season – so he doesn’t want to cut that. With a loan, you’re probably forced to do that.

“Napoli and Chelsea are still in touch over Romelu Lukaku. To involve Osimhen, they say on the player’s side they need a different form of deal – a permanent transfer. But it’s still early stages of the discussion. It’s going to take time.”

Conor Gallagher to Atletico Madrid: Will he or won’t he?

Chelsea are close to agreeing a transfer fee with Atletico Madrid over Conor Gallagher… but Romano warns that does not mean the England international will leave Stamford Bridge this summer.

“We know that Chelsea and Atletico Madrid are in advanced talks, club to club, over Conor Gallagher,” Romano said.

“I told you in May and June that he’s a top target for Atletico Madrid. For Chelsea, giving Gallagher to Atleti is a perfect solution. It avoids giving the player away on a free next summer and especially avoids the player going to an English club. What’s needed is an agreement between the two clubs, which will be around €30-40m, add-ons included.

“Then, the agreement with the player. The crucial part of the story is what Conor Gallagher wants to do: go there or wait for an opportunity in the Premier League. We know about the appreciation of Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou.

“Atletico Madrid are exploring the market but Gallagher is their top target.”

Current ETV

Conor Gallagher

M, DM (C)

Chelsea

Conor Gallagher

M, DM (C)

Chelsea

ETV Range

€37.7M - €62.8M

Arsenal closing in on Merino

Atleti had Mikel Merino as an alternative to Gallagher, but they appear to be resigned to seeing Arsenal snap up the Spain Euro 2024 star, whose future has tended towards the Emirates Stadium for several days.

“Atletico Madrid also had Mikel Merino of Real Sociedad on their list. Atleti and Barcelona are still thinking of Merino but they feel he is giving total priority to Arsenal,” Romano said.

Current ETV

Mikel Merino

M (C)

Real Sociedad

Mikel Merino

M (C)

Real Sociedad

ETV Range

€15.9M - €26.5M

“He’s on the shortlist of Arsenal, he’s high up the shortlist. It could happen soon. Arsenal are having a very positive conversation on the player’s side. He’s very tempted by Mikel Arteta, who’s considered the perfect coach for him.

“Merino to Arsenal remains a topic but we’re still waiting on concrete talks club to club.”