Fabrizio Romano transfer news: Arsenal fans GET READY, Sterling, Osimhen and McTominay rumours

Robin Bairner

Updated: 19 Aug 2024 08:34 BST
5 min read

Fabrizio Romano, Raheem Sterling, Victor Osimhen — © IMAGO

Fabrizio Romano, the football transfer news expert, has given the latest updates from the window, including information on Victor Osimhen, Raheem Sterling and Scott McTominay.

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Romano kicked off his daily bulletin by discussing an imminent transfer for Arsenal: “Mikel Merino his days are coming for Arsenal, so get ready. Merino is expected to become a new Gunner very soon. They’re working on the final details of this deal.

“We still don’t have a substantial update on Chelsea’s move for Joao Felix or for Conor Gallagher. It’s been a matchday for Chelsea. In the next hours, Chelsea will keep working to complete the agreement. They’re getting very close on the deal.”

Romano judges Sterling-Chiesa swap rumours

With Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling having released a statement expressing his unhappiness at being left out of the squad to face Manchester City on Sunday, it seems inevitable that he will be sold.

Rumours of a swap with Juventus for Federico Chiesa have resurfaced, but Romano is not giving them too much credibility.

“Enzo Maresca has confirmed that the plan is probably to part ways with Raheem Sterling. He was not part of the squad for Chelsea,” Romano said on YouTube.

“You have to respect the player’s position. The player believes he still has a very good relationship with Maresca. He still has three years of contract at Chelsea. He’s not desperate to leave. But Chelsea will be in contact with Sterling to handle the situation.

READ MORE: Latest Chelsea transfer rumours

Compared

Raheem Sterling

M (L), AM (R)

Chelsea

Raheem Sterling

M (L), AM (R)

Chelsea

VS

Federico Chiesa

F (C)

Juventus

Federico Chiesa

F (C)

Juventus

€52.1M	ETV	€27.6M
€39.1M - €65.1M	ETV Range	€20.7M - €34.5M
29 years old (08 Dec, 1994)	Age	27 years old (25 Oct, 1997)
England	Nationality	Italy

“The reality is that when Maresca was asked about the situation of Sterling, he said: ‘We have 30 players. I’d love to keep all of them but some have to leave.’ So the message looks quiet clear: Chelsea are looking for solutions. Remember, he’s on a good salary and has three years left on his contract.

“We had rumours of a swap deal with Juventus’ Federico Chiesa. He’s on the market and that’s an important point because Chiesa could be an important story.

“Thiago Motta, the Juventus manager, has said that their position has not changed. It was a position made public in August but has been ongoing longer. Juventus will not extend Chiesa’s contract, which expires in June 2025. But he’s not just on the market today – he’s been on the market since the beginning of June and Chelsea haven’t reached out.

“Chelsea know Juventus are looking for wingers, this is why there are so many opportunities. Sterling could be a name to watch but Juventus have not made contact with the agents.”

McTominay one of two leaving Man Utd

Romano has dropped a significant update from Man Utd, explaining that the Red Devils are set to offload two players – but that Casemiro now looks likely to stay at the club.

“We know Man Utd want to add at least one more player – maybe two,” Romano says.

“The situation of Manuel Ugarte, who is waiting for Man Utd, is that there is still no breakthrough in talks this weekend. If they can sell one midfielder or if they can reduce the asking price from PSG, the deal can be done.

“McTominay could leave Man Utd before the end of the summer transfer market but they want something around £30m.

Current ETV

Scott McTominay

DM, M (C)

Man Utd

Scott McTominay

DM, M (C)

Man Utd

ETV Range

€11M - €18.4M

READ MORE: Man Utd top scorers 2024/25

“Napoli were in London this week and had conversations with Man Utd for McTominay but they were thinking of a loan with a buy clause. Man Utd have been very clear: they want £30m.

“Fulham had two bids rejected but the interest, especially the manager Marco Silva, is still very strong. They’re still in conversations.

“Casemiro was made available on the market. One of the big changes was the Al-Ettihad president resigned. Everything changed and they didn’t move for Casemiro, who it now seems is staying and McTominay is the one who will go. But Man Utd will not accept a loan move.

“Pellistri is leaving Manchester United on a permanent deal to Panathinaikos. There are still a few things to be agreed but the deal is in its final stages. The manager is pushing a lot. That’s an important factor.”

Osimhen latest

Victor Osimhen continues to be linked with Chelsea and PSG, though the situation is not one that is expected to move swiftly.

“Napoli are working on a solution for Victor Osimhen,” Romano said.

“Conversations are ongoing with the agent of the player. I can guarantee you that the situation will not be clarified now. It’s still in early stages.

“Chelsea have separated their conversations: Lukaku to Napoli and the other is Osimhen. Interest from Chelsea is there. As of today, they only see this deal as a loan. And as of today, Osimhen doesn’t want to go on loan and doesn’t want to reduce his salary.”

Current ETV

Victor Osimhen

F (C)

Napoli

Victor Osimhen

F (C)

Napoli

ETV Range

€53.3M - €88.9M

Saudi in talks for massive Dybala deal

Romano has confirmed that Paolo Dybala is discussing moving from Roma to the Saudi Pro League.

There have been rumours the Argentine’s deal could be worth up to €100m, and while these were not confirmed, Romano did verify talks are taking place.

“Paolo Dybala is in negotiations with Saudi side Al-Qadsiah, the same team where Nacho from Real Madrid and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are playing. They’ve made an important proposal to Dybala,” Romano said. “It’s a three-year contract for a very big, big salary. There are discussions ongoing.

“Roma are waiting for the official proposal. But the situation is one to watch. He had a release clause worth €12m but that expired at the end of July so a negotiation with Roma is required.”