Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Next Chelsea GEM, Trent to Real TRUTH, Barcelona contract BOMB

Tom Weber

Updated: 16 Sept 2024 16:33 BST
7 min read

Fabrizio Romano has provided the latest on all the big transfer stories from around the world, including updates on Adrien Rabiot's next move, Trent Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool contract, Chelsea's next wonderkid Estavao and Barcelona's desire to extend with some of their biggest names.

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Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano revealed that Olympique de Marseille-bound Adrien Rabiot - a player often cynically branded 'greedy' - rejected several more lucrative offers to join the Ligue 1 giants.

"Adrien Rabiot is a new Olympique Marseille player. The super ambitious project of Olympique Marseille, with the president Pablo Longoria, with the director Mehdi Benatia, with the manager Roberto de Zerbi, who was involved in conversations with Adrien Rabiot, have made the impossible possible.

"Impossible because Marseille have been trying for weeks and weeks to find a way for Adrien Rabiot, but now they've been able to get the green light from the player. Two-year contract, medical ready, Rabiot will be in Marseille this week to complete his move despite bigger, way bigger proposals from Saudi, from Turkey and other countries, he decided to continue Europe and sign for Marseille."

"So Adrien Rabiot finds his new club after leaving Juventus, rejecting €7 million net per season for four years at Juventus as new contract now he is going to Olympique Marseille."

Barcelona's contracts

Romano then provided an update on Barcelona's efforts of handing several big-name players new contracts. "The new contract is a topic at Barcelona, not just for Gavi, as I told you in the past few days. Gavi is returning step by step. So it will take some days probably to see him back on the pitch.

"But meanwhile, he's already back in training. Barca want to extend this contract in the next months. But also Pedri. Pedri is out of contract in 2026 and one of the discussions taking place at Barca, one of many - [Ronald] Araujo, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and others - but Barca are working on a new deal for Pedri.

"This is something they already promised to the player a long time ago and now the conversations are ongoing. Deco has also confirmed that, and so Barca want to extend the contract of Pedri. The conversation is ongoing and Barca are confident to get it done.

"Also because everything is very positive at Barca now. The relationship between Pedri and Hansi Flick is already excellent. And this is really important to get also a financial agreement as soon as possible."

Chelsea infatuated with Estevao

Regarding Chelsea, Romano reports that the Blues are closely monitoring the performances of Estevao at Palmeiras, who is set to head to Stamford Bridge next year.

"I can guarantee to you guys that Chelsea believe internally that they have signed a future star. Willian Estevao is not just a talent, Willia Estevao is not just a very good player with a very good potential, Willian Estevao is special - this is what they think at Chelsea, this is why they invested important money.

"He keeps scoring goals, providing assists for Palmeiras. This is very good news for Chelsea for the future but also for Palmeiras because they are performing very well. Also they are making money because part of the add-ons in the contract of Willian Estevao are also for the performances this season at Palmeiras before joining Chelsea in 2025.

So every goal, every assist is also money for Palmeiras. But also Chelsea are happy to see the player developing, the value of the player growing, and then they wait for him in 2025 in London because Chelsea are closely monitoring all the performances of Willian and very happy with this boy, very happy with his potential, his quality, his attitude, so they are really looking forward to welcome him in London in 2025.

He can play on the wing, can play as number 10, this is what Chelsea feel, and so it's going to be a very interesting one to follow in the next months."

Real Madrid secure another extension

Barcelona are not the only LaLiga giant busy with contract extensions. According to Romano, Real Madrid have agreed a new deal with Ferland Mendy.

"After Andriy Lunin, who was out of contract in 2025, Real Madrid had been able to extend this contract till 2030 so it is a really important extension to keep the player, but also not to lose him on a free. So a very good one for Real Madrid from a strategic point of view.

"Same with Ferland Mendy. Out of contract in 2025. You remember here in August I told you that Real Madrid and Mendy's agents reached an agreement in principle over a new deal. Now that agreement is 100% confirmed. So new deal is ready for Mendy and Real Madrid.

"Let me mention Carlo Ancelotti. Ancelotti was key, was crucial in this discussion to keep Mendy at the club. He loves Mendy. He believes that Mendy is the future of Real Madrid. He's a fantastic defensive left-back and he considers really Mendy one of the best in the world in his position.

"So this is why Real Madrid have reached an agreement with Mendy. New deal, almost done, waiting for the formal steps. And then Ferland is going to be the next one to extend his contract with Real Madrid. After Lunin, one more dangerous situation out of contract in 2025, becoming a solution for Real Madrid because the player is staying and the contract is longer. 2027, three years for Mendy at Real Madrid."

Alexander-Arnold latest

Amid frequent speculation that Real Madrid are trying to convince Trent Alexander-Arnold to swap Liverpool for Spain's capital in 2025, Romano has urged people to pump the brakes on the rumours.

"I can guarantee that for Trent is the same situation as [Virgil] van Dijk, the same situation as Mo Salah. Priority to Liverpool. Conversations to follow between Trent, his agents and Liverpool to understand what's going to be next between Liverpool and Alexander-Arnold.

"I can guarantee that no decision has been made on Liverpool's side, on the player's side. They are still taking their time to discuss, exactly the same as Van Dijk and Mo Salah. Then on Real Madrid, I know you keep mentioning what I said in March this year, that Real Madrid keep following the situation of Alexander-Arnold.

"This is very normal for Real Madrid. Real Madrid always do that. Real Madrid are always following top players, always following top players out of contract in a few months. This is Real Madrid's strategy, we know that very well. And so Real Madrid have always been monitoring Trent because he's one of the best players in the world. So Real Madrid are attentive to many situations, not just Trent, also others.

"But at the moment, it's not a negotiation. It's not that Real Madrid are reaching an agreement with Trent. So we are not at the stage at all. Just monitoring the situation. But again, let's respect Liverpool. Let's give them some time to negotiate, to discuss and see what happens in the conversations. Priority to Liverpool."

Kimmich an option for PSG, not the Premier League

Finally, Romano revealed that Joshua Kimmich was seriously considered by PSG in the summer. Now, however, he could extend his Bayern Munich contract.

"Bayern, now in public with their director Max Eberl, confirmed that they are prepared to have face-to-face talks with Joshua Kimmich over a new deal. Out of contract in 2025, also Joshua Kimmich. So there will be a conversation Bayern-Kimmich.

"He confirmed also that the player is open to having a conversation with Bayern on his future. Which club really wanted to sign Kimmich this summer? We had many rumours from the Premier League. There was some interest, but never something really concrete from Premier League clubs.

"The most concrete opportunity was PSG. PSG is considered to do a double investment. The top priority was Joao Neves and then they were considering internally Kimmich as the perfect player to play together with Neves. So for PSG, it was not Neves or Kimmich. For PSG, it was Neves - priority - and Kimmich - perfect to play with him.

"But then nothing happened also because PSG decided to go with a different financial strategy on different positions. Also Kimmich is happy to continue and stay at Bayern, but important to say that now this conversation, Bayern-Kimmich, is going to be very soon an important step to understanding the future of one of the biggest players currently out of contract in 2025"