Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Osimhen to Chelsea ‘ABSOLUTELY ON’, Merino FINAL STAGES, Sancho TALKS

Updated: 17 Aug 2024 12:21 BST
5 min read

Fabrizio Romano, transfer news — © IMAGO

Fabrizio Romano, the football transfer news expert, has given the latest updates from the window, including information on Victor Osimhen, Joao Felix, Mikel Merino and Jadon Sancho.

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Eze release clause shock

Crystal Palace winger Eberechi Eze has been on the radar of numerous clubs this summer, but according to Romano, signing him just became a whole lot harder.

Eberechi Eze had a release clause in his contract for £60m but the clause has expired. It’s over for the clause,” he told his YouTube channel.

“Any club that wants him will have to go there and negotiate with Crystal Palace, which is already something very difficult with the release clause – as they saw with Michael Olise. It’s a really interesting situation. Eze, with his release clause gone, could be one less player available in the final two weeks.

“He was on the list of Manchester City one year ago but they chose to sign Jeremy Doku.”

Current ETV

ETV Range

€37.2M - €62M

Lukaku before Osimhen for Chelsea

Chelsea expect to sell Romelu Lukaku before doing a deal for Victor Osimhen – but the Nigeria international striker could “absolutely” move to Stamford Bridge.

“On Victor Osimhen and Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea see these case in a separate way,” Romano explained. “They’re not expected to consider a swap deal. First, they want to sort the future of Romelu Lukaku. That means reaching an agreement with Napoli because they already have an agreement with the player: it’s a three-year contract, the salary’s OK, the conversation is constant.

“The name of Victor Osimhen has been mentioned several times so the interest remains but the big story will not be today, tomorrow or this weekend. It’ll go closer to the end of the window.”

Compared

VS

€36.2M	ETV	€71.1M
€27.2M - €45.3M	ETV Range	€53.3M - €88.9M
31 years old (13 May, 1993)	Age	25 years old (29 Dec, 1998)
Belgium	Nationality	Nigeria

Romano adds on this transfer saga: “Chelsea want to sort the future of Lukaku and then see what happens with Osimhen. It could be a loan deal closer to the end of the transfer window. We know that the position of the player has always been clear: Osimhen has no intention of going on loan or reducing his salary. So the formula of the deal’s not going to be easy. Osimhen doesn’t want the risk of coming back to Napoli in a year. But Chelsea see him as an opportunity.

“Chelsea are not discussing a swap with Lukaku because they’re not investing that super-big money, so they’re looking for creative ways to do a deal.

“The deal remains absolutely on.”

Joao Felix breakthrough at any moment

Chelsea are making progress to signing Atletico Madrid attacker Joao Felix.

“The Gallagher and Joao Felix saga might have gone quiet in the media but the conversations continue. The negotiations – especially for Joao Felix because Gallagher was already there – now it’s important to find an agreement with Joao Felix,” Romano says.

“The conversations are going very well. Joao Felix is open to the move. Chelsea and Atletico are negotiating. Chelsea are not going to pay €60-70m as guaranteed. They want to start lower and add some bonuses on the longer term. The expectation is that this is not going to be resolved in the final hours of the transfer window, so this weekend will be important to find a final solution.

“He had the chance of going to Aston Villa but they were waiting on the final days of the window because the deal was very expensive. They wanted him and will still wait and see what happens. Unai Emery is in love with Joao Felix. Aston Villa are keeping a close eye on the situation but Chelsea are the clear favourites.

“The conversations could have a breakthrough at any moment.”

Merino deal in final stages

Arsenal are closing in on a deal for Mikel Merino at last.

“Arsenal and Real Sociedad in contact again this weekend to get Mikel Merino deal done,” Romano says.

“Negotiations at final stages after Arsenal advanced more than two weeks ago, fee almost agreed while working on deal structure/payment terms.

“All parties remain optimistic.”

Current ETV

ETV Range

€15M - €25.1M

Sancho transfer update

Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho continues to hold talks with PSG after being left out of the Premier League opener against Fulham on Friday.

Romano explains: “The situation of Sancho is still open. The agents of Sancho spoke to PSG in July and the conversation is constant but PSG are still not offering an official bid to Man Utd but there is also Manuel Ugarte. There is a possibility for Sancho to leave Manchester United in the final days of the transfer window.

“Keep an eye on Kingsley Coman. There is interest from England, from PSG and Coman is also on the list of Barcelona. He’s appreciated by Hansi Flick. Liverpool have said that Luis Diaz is not available on the market.”