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Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Chelsea’s Camara fury, Man Utd secret deal, Arsenal clause
5 Sept 2026 07:54 BST |
8 min read
News
Fabrizio Romano reveals the latest behind-the-scenes details on Nick Woltemade, Karim Benzema, Lamine Camara, Nico Tagliafico and Ethan Nwaneri.
Woltemade was offered to Barcelona before Juventus swoop
Romano has revealed that Barcelona considered Nick Woltemade before deciding Gabriel Jesus was a better fit for their squad.
“Let me start with the situation of Nick Woltemade, the German striker who joined Juventus on a straight loan from Newcastle. Again, there is no buy option clause, no buy obligation. Juventus will cover the salary of the player and Juventus will also pay £3.5m as a loan fee for Nick Woltemade,” Romano told his YouTube channel.
“So all was done very quickly with Newcastle because the player was available on the market on a loan. Juventus wanted to find a new striker and they decided to approve the exit of Jonathan David on loan with a buy option clause to Atletico Madrid, €25m.
“This was the decision made by Juventus to go for Nick Woltemade. But to go behind the scenes of this story, we also have to reveal that Barcelona too considered, and were offered, the possibility to sign Nick Woltemade.
Current ETV
Nick Woltemade
F, M (C)
Juventus
Nick Woltemade
F, M (C)
Juventus
ETV Range
€47.4M - €58M
“Basically, in the industry, everyone knew that Barcelona were open to considering a different striker in the final two or three days of the window if they couldn't get Julian Alvarez. For some weeks they considered staying with the current squad, but then if they had the opportunity to add one more striker last minute to complete the squad and to give Hansi Flick one more No.9 for the rest of the season, they were more than hoping to do that.
“And this is why several strikers were offered to Barcelona over the summer transfer window. Among them, Nick Woltemade was also offered to Barcelona.
“Barca decided not to proceed with this one, not because they don't like Woltemade, but because they believe that Gabriel Jesus was the ideal solution.
“Woltemade was available on loan, so in terms of the formula, it was probably going to make a lot of sense for Barcelona. Get the player for one season and then, in 2027, you can consider what to do.
“But Barcelona were delighted with the opportunity to go for Gabriel Jesus because he can help in the League Cup without the strikers. He has international experience. He's the kind of No.9 that Barcelona wanted.
“Obviously, he's different from Julian Alvarez, but he's also very different from Nick Woltemade. They believe that Gabriel Jesus is the right man to help this season. This is why they preferred a permanent transfer for Gabriel Jesus, also eventually to have a backup striker in summer 2027.
“Don't forget that Barcelona lost both Lewandowski and Ferran Torres. And now they have Gabriel Jesus.
“But then if Julian or any other striker will join in 2027, they still have a backup like Gabriel Jesus. So they didn't want to proceed for Woltemade.”
Benzema has two options as European return is ruled out
Romano says Karim Benzema was not offered to Barcelona and is not expected to join another European club.
“My understanding is that Karim is not going to play in Europe,” he said.
“Karim Benzema's plan is between two ways. One way is to retire and to leave professional football. The other way is to continue in the Middle East.
“So these are the two ways for Karim Benzema. There is no anticipation, no expectation for Karim Benzema's free move to any European club.
“So this is the situation around Karim. Now he's deciding with his agents, he's deciding with his family, he's deciding with those close to him what he wants to do next.
“But this is the situation with Karim Benzema. So I would skip all the rumours regarding European clubs because what I'm told is that it's between retirement and continuing in the Middle East.”
Chelsea furious after Lamine Camara deal collapses
Romano has provided further insight into Chelsea's dramatic deadline-day pursuit of Lamine Camara, revealing just how close the midfielder was to completing his move.
“Then, Lamine Camara and Chelsea. It's been one of the craziest stories on deadline day and in the next days I will tell you more also about what's next for this boy because it's been a really crazy story for sure,” Romano explained.
“What I wanted to reveal to you is that Lamine Camara was already on his way to do the first part of his medical at Chelsea. So Lamine Camara was already preparing for a medical in a private hospital in order to become a Chelsea player. Everything was really set.
Current ETV
Lamine Camara
M, DM (C)
Monaco
Lamine Camara
M, DM (C)
Monaco
ETV Range
€26.9M - €32.8M
“Chelsea are completely furious and very upset with Monaco and this is going to probably affect the relationship between the two clubs, at least until this is the management at both clubs.
“And it's an important news because obviously Chelsea and Monaco always shared, until last week, a very good relationship. So seeing that affected is obviously going to be a big part of the narrative for the next years.
“But Lamine Camara was very ready to go to Chelsea. He was excited about that opportunity.”
Why Chelsea may not return for Camara in January
Romano explained why the Camara situation was markedly different from Chelsea's interest in Manu Kone and why a future move could now be complicated.
“Lamine Camara's story was very different compared to Manu Kone. For Manu Kone, Chelsea were calling, trying to understand the situation, but they never sent an official bid. This was confirmed by Roma's director and by Roma's manager,” he said.
“For Lamine Camara, Chelsea sent a bid. Chelsea agreed the deal. Chelsea got the document signed by Monaco. Then they decided not to reply anymore when it was time to close the deal because of the Balogun story, as I told you on deadline day.
“But Lamine Camara was very advanced. So obviously, my feeling is that these two clubs will not do business for some time. Again, at least until the management will be the same.
“And this is going to probably affect a future move for Lamine Camara to Chelsea. This is not the kind of situation where Chelsea are sure to return for the same player in January because of what happened.”
Manchester United considered surprise Tagliafico move
Romano has revealed the experienced left-back who was secretly considered by Manchester United as an alternative to more high-profile options.
“There was a kind of secret name discussed internally in Manchester United,” Romano stated.
“You probably remember when I told you there is going to be, among options, also a kind of Reguilon player.
“You remember when Man United signed Reguilon from Tottenham, he did quite well at the club. So kind of an experienced option, not Alejandro Balde, so not a top, top name, but an experienced name, a player with good quality who can help for the rest of the season.
Current ETV
Nicolás Tagliafico
D (L)
Lyon
Nicolás Tagliafico
D (L)
Lyon
ETV Range
€1.5M - €2.3M
“That name was Nico Tagliafico. Tagliafico was under consideration at Manchester United.
“Also, Juventus and Atletico Madrid tried to sign him, but it was not possible on deadline day. It was too late. But Tagliafico was also under consideration at United.
“Then they decided not to proceed, so it was United's choice not to advance anymore. But there were contacts, there were conversations about Tagliafico and Manchester United.
“Then they decided against proceeding and they wanted to continue with the current squad. They have Luke Shaw covering in that position, Patrick Dorgu, so for sure Manchester United decided to continue with their current team.”
Arsenal inserted key Nwaneri recall clause in Dortmund loan
Romano has detailed a crucial condition that Borussia Dortmund accepted in Ethan Nwaneri's loan move from Arsenal.
“And then I also want to discuss something to explain to you how it works for one of the exclusive stories on deadline day, Ethan Nwaneri,” Romano stated.
“I told you first news of the deadline day, early morning, I think it was 7, 8am: Nwaneri to Borussia Dortmund, here we go.
“My understanding is that it's a straight loan, no buy option clause, no buy obligation, but Borussia Dortmund have conceded to Arsenal, and it was a crucial condition.
“Without that condition, the deal was not going to happen. Borussia Dortmund have accepted to include into the deal with Arsenal a specific recall clause.
“They paid a loan fee and the salary of the player for Ethan Nwaneri. But if Arsenal activate the recall clause for Ethan Nwaneri, and it's not at any moment of the January window in terms of the timing of the clause, they will concede Borussia Dortmund eventually some time to find a replacement if they want to recall Nwaneri.
“But apart from the timing, in terms of money, if Arsenal trigger the recall clause for Ethan Nwaneri, Borussia Dortmund get their money back from the loan fee. They only cover the salary, eventually.
“So this is how it works, this special clause into the contract of Ethan Nwaneri.”
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