- 23 hours ago
Fabrizio Romano transfer news: Sesko GUARANTEE, Neymar SURPRISE, Rashford OPTIONS
Robin Bairner
- 17 Jan 2025 07:08 GMT
- 6 min read
Football transfer news reporter Fabrizio Romano has given the latest on the biggest transfer stories of the day, from Arsenal’s interest in Benjamin Sesko, to Marcus Rashford leaving Manchester United and an astonishing twist in Neymar’s future.
Neymar: Door open for January MLS deal
Neymar has sensationally been snubbed by Al-Hilal, with the Saudi Pro League club refusing to register him for the second half of the season, leaving the Brazil international, who is out of contract in the summer, in limbo.
Romano has revealed that the former Barcelona and PSG star could leave the club in January.
STATS
Neymar
F (L), M, AMC
Al-Hilal
Neymar
F (L), M, AMC
Al-Hilal
“Neymar will not be registered for the second half of the season by Al-Hilal. What does it mean?” Romano said on his YouTube channel.
“Neymar could really consider leaving Al-Hilal immediately. It’s a strong possibility. It depends on the negotiations. He’s got a big salary, a big contract.
“In the last 24 hours, we’ve had many reports about MLS side Chicago Fire. What’s the reality of it? Chicago Fire have big interest in Neymar, but according to my information, there’s been no green light to advance in talks. Neymar has not opened doors. But we have to keen an eye on him because again he could leave Al-Hilal now, so there could be a surprise on the market for sure.”
Omar Marmoush to Man City: Here we go!
Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush is one of three players on the verge of signing for Manchester City, with the Premier League champions in the midst of a January transfer splurge that will cost them around €150m.
Romano announced: “On Manchester City’s side, Omar Marmoush is a here we go. They’ve completed everything. In recent hours, we’ve had reports that there is still something to do – there’s an agreement between City and Frankfurt. After that, there’s always something to do until we’ve had the official announcement. But the agreement is there.
“Victor Reis, €35m, medical on Friday, Khusanov, the centre-back from Lens, the deal is done for more than €35m, and now also Omar Marmoush, who will cost under €80m. There could be more.”
Marcus Rashford: Three clubs chasing Man Utd exile
Manchester United struggled to beat Southampton 3-1 at Old Trafford on Thursday in the Premier League, with Amad Diallo the hero as his late hat-trick turned a losing position into a winning one.
There was no Marcus Rashford in the Man Utd squad, and Romano has outlined what his status is as an exit appears inevitable.
“AC Milan remain interested but still no green light from Man Utd because the loan is so expensive with regards coverage of the salary and all the rest. Milan are still working on the deal to sign Kyle Walker from Manchester City and they can only sign one because of Italian regulations,” Romano said.
“On Rashford, there’s strong interest from Borussia Dortmund - they’re also working on deals with Chelsea to get a player on loan - but also Barcelona. With them, it depends on Ansu Fati. If he agrees to leave the club, and they find a good solution on the market, Rashford could be an option for Barca. Otherwise, he’s a strong option again for Dortmund.”
STATS
Marcus Rashford
F (CL), M (L)
Man Utd
Marcus Rashford
F (CL), M (L)
Man Utd
Benjamin Sesko: Only leaving Leipzig for crazy money
Although there have been reports of Arsenal signing RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko on loan this month, Romano has echoed the position of David Ornstein by confirming that there is no possibility of this.
Instead, he offered a guarantee that the Gunners will keep monitoring him until the summer as he outlined the position of the deal, revealing that only a crazy bid could open the door to a January transfer.
“We’ve had reports in the last 24 hours about Arsenal going to sign him. We’ve had reports of the possibility of a loan with a buy option – that’s not a possibility,” Romano said. “I had the chance to an interview with his agent, who told me a loan is not a possibility.
Current ETV
Benjamin Sesko
F (C)
RB Leipzig
Benjamin Sesko
F (C)
RB Leipzig
ETV Range
€44.6M - €74.3M
“Sesko has said he’s not a player for loan and he’s a player RB Leipzig want to keep – those aren’t words from the agent. Everyone at Leipzig wants to keep him.
“His release clause is not active until the summer. The only way for Arsenal to change this story is to go there and put crazy money on the table. In that case, things can happen. In general, RB Leipzig consider this story more than complicated.
“Arsenal will keep monitoring the player, Chelsea are also constantly watching Sesko, but they’re doing the same with Liam Delap and more players. Delap remains a player high on their list. They’re also monitoring Sesko but Arsenal are really, really closely following him. You’ll remember that they tried to sign him in the summer transfer window but it was not possible and the player extended.
“Arsenal remain interested in him and will keep monitoring him, and that’s guaranteed. In terms of making the deal happen in January, they’ll need to do something completely crazy.”
Manager movement: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gets a new job
Romano has confirmed a couple of important managerial moves, with former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in line for a new job.
“Solskjaer will become the next head coach of Besiktas. He’s flying to Istanbul today [Friday] and he’ll sign his new contract,” Romano revealed.
“Massimiliano Allegri, former Juventus manager, is on the verge of becoming the new Al-Ahli manager. There are just some final details to be resolved in the next 24-48 hours and then he’ll be in the Saudi Pro League to coach Al-Ahli. The current coach will be fired, there will be a caretaker manager until June, and then in the summer Allegri will be the new manager of Al-Ahli.”
