Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Man Utd boost, Alvarez latest, Man City’s next deal

24 Aug 2026 07:01 BST | 8 min read

Fabrizio Romano, Alejandro Balde, Julian Alvarez — © IMAGO

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

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Fabrizio Romano delivers the latest transfer news on Christopher Nkunku, Nico Gonzalez, Julian Alvarez, Rafa Leao, Alejandro Balde and Nicolas Jackson.

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Nkunku agrees Leipzig return as Milan make Leao available

There have been major developments at AC Milan, with Rafael Leao being put up for sale after Christopher Nkunku was signed.

“Christopher Nkunku is leaving AC Milan and joining Leipzig. The deal is agreed, it's a loan deal, €3.5 million, with a buy option clause that is not mandatory for €30m. So the former Chelsea striker returns to Leipzig. An exclusive story of the day,” Romano told his YouTube channel.

“Leipzig are bidding for Matias Fernandez-Pardo from Lille, but at the moment Lille have no intention to accept around €35m. So a new proposal would be needed in order to get it done.

“And then watch out for Rafa Leao. There will be movements this week. His agents, his lawyers, Jorge Mendes as well, are all working to find a solution because the player is up for sale. The player remains available on the market, and around Leao there could be movements.

Current ETV

Rafael Leão

F (CL), M (L)

Milan

Rafael Leão

F (CL), M (L)

Milan

ETV Range

€48.5M - €59.3M

“There is interest from Turkey and interest from Saudi. Let's see if some European club will try to get the deal done with AC Milan, but Rafa Leao could be one to watch in these final days of the summer transfer window.

“Again, today he was not available due to injury, but in general, AC Milan's position is clear. The player is available, the player is on the market, and so we have to follow this situation.”

Barcelona open to selling Balde amid Man Utd interest

Barcelona have also been active, with Alejandro Balde's future becoming a major talking point after their opening La Liga game.

“Barcelona had their opening game, with the Spanish champions facing Elche and winning 5-0. Beautiful news for Barcelona. Adeyemi, debut goal. Also Anthony Gordon, debut, delivering two assists. So, a very good impact for the Barcelona new players.

“And also for Barcelona, good luck to Pablo Gavi, who suffered an injury. We have to see what happened there.

“But then, after the game, Hansi Flick was speaking about Alejandro Balde's situation. Flick said: ‘On Balde, I didn't tell Balde you have to leave the club. I had a conversation with Balde and I told him, think about your situation, clarify your situation and we'll speak tomorrow.’

“So what's the reality? At the moment, Barcelona are open to selling Balde in case of a good proposal. But Balde, I can tell you once again, is not pushing to leave Barcelona.

“So it has to be a top proposal for the club and a good proposal for the player because Balde is not accepting anything. To be honest, I saw some clubs linked with Balde that Balde would never take into consideration. I'm not going to mention them out of respect, but Balde is never going to mid-table clubs. It has to be top, top, top clubs.

“So, for example, Manchester United is a club that called Jorge Mendes. Manchester United are in a conversation and are a possibility, but it depends on the conditions, not only on the transfer fee, but also on the salary, because Balde is on a big salary at Barcelona and that's going to be a point.

“So let's follow the Balde situation, but for sure, Man United are still looking for a left-back.”

Man Utd told to forget about Hall transfer

Manchester United's search for a left-back has suffered another setback, with Newcastle closing the door on a move for Lewis Hall.

“On Man United, Lewis Hall. Today, Matthias Jaissle definitely closed the deal, definitely closed the door to any option for this deal because he said no chance when he was asked about Manchester United trying to sign Lewis Hall,” Romano said.

“So forget about Lewis Hall for Manchester United, said by Newcastle's new boss, Matthias Geisle, after the game against Liverpool.”

Current ETV

Lewis Hall

D (L)

Newcastle

Lewis Hall

D (L)

Newcastle

ETV Range

€30.5M - €37.2M

Newcastle close in on Nico Gonzalez deal

Newcastle are, meanwhile, showing major confidence in completing a deal for Manchester City's Nico Gonzalez, with negotiations now at an advanced stage.

“My exclusive update of the night is that there is big, big, big confidence at Newcastle to get a deal done in the next hours for Nico Gonzalez from Manchester City,” Romano added.

“The situation has been the following in the recent days. Manchester City opened doors to the exit of Nico Gonzalez. For Manchester City, the player is not untouchable at all.

“In the Sunday game, the opening game of Enzo Maresca at home, nothing changed in terms of midfielders because Nico Gonzalez was not playing and was not starting for Manchester City. So the message from the coach was quite clear.

Current ETV

Nico González

DM, M (C)

Man City

Nico González

DM, M (C)

Man City

ETV Range

€38.9M - €47.6M

“Imagine that Manchester City lost Bernardo, Manchester City lost Rodri, Manchester City lost Tijani Reijnders in this emergency situation, waiting for Ayyoub Bouaddi. He's arriving tomorrow and waiting for the new signings. Nico Gonzalez is not even playing. There was Marc Guehi in midfield, so the message is clear: you can go.

“And Nico Gonzalez now understands the club position. So despite Nico fighting to try and stay at Manchester City, they are open to selling and now Newcastle have confidence.

“My understanding is that the agreement between Newcastle and Manchester City is at the final stages and also the conversation with the player is now underway. So, work in progress, it's not a done deal yet.

“Newcastle want to be careful until the very end because it's not been an easy window. Newcastle fans know. But Newcastle are working hard on this one.”

Julian Alvarez future enters crucial week

The situation surrounding Julian Alvarez remains tense at Atletico Madrid, while Barcelona continue to consider their options.

“Talking about opportunities and big names, I also wanted to mention to you the situation of Julian Alvarez. It's been a very tense afternoon at the Metropolitano,” Romano said.

“Julian Alvarez played in the second half. At the beginning of the game, when the speaker mentioned his name, the fans were going against him and then in the second half he was playing but not making any impact.

“You can see in his face that the player is not calm at all, he's not relaxed at all. And we can understand it's a difficult situation for everyone, for the club, for the player, for everyone involved.

“And then after the game, Julian left while his team-mates were saying hi to the fans. Julian left the pitch alone and so it was a significant moment.

© IMAGO - Julian Alvarez, Atletico Madrid

“Then Diego Simeone said it was the club, it was us telling Julian to go straight to the tunnel and not go to say hi to the fans.

“But at the same time, the situation around Julian is tense. So it's going to be an important week because Atletico Madrid insist on their position. They don't want to sell to Barcelona.

“But Barcelona, as of tonight, Sunday night, almost Monday, they didn't send any bid for any other striker yet.

“So this week will be crucial to understanding if Barcelona will move on a different target or will keep waiting for a miracle on the Julian Alvarez story. So let's see what's going to happen there.”

Current ETV

Julián Alvarez

F (C)

Atlético Madrid

Julián Alvarez

F (C)

Atlético Madrid

ETV Range

€84M - €102.7M

Arsenal can afford Alvarez but face one huge problem

Arsenal remain interested in Alvarez, with the financial side of a potential deal viewed as manageable if Gabriel Martinelli leaves for Al-Hilal.

“And then don't forget about Arsenal. Because my understanding, I told you in the recent videos and I keep telling you today, is that Arsenal financially believe internally they could afford a deal for Julian Alvarez,” Romano explained.

“Especially if Gabriel Martinelli goes to Al-Hilal, and this deal is ongoing. The player is open to joining Al-Hilal. So Martinelli to Al-Hilal is possible.

“If Martinelli goes to Al-Hilal, it will be extra money for Arsenal. And so financially, Arsenal could afford a deal for Julian Alvarez. That's the feeling at the club.

“Even if the price is high, they believe they could strike an agreement with Atletico Madrid. The point is the player.

“The player, until today, never opened doors to Arsenal. But Arsenal are still there, following the situation. If Julian changes his mind, decides to open doors to England and to Arsenal, Arsenal are still there, still watching the situation.

“So still watch out for Arsenal and Julian until the end of this summer transfer window, in case the player changes his position.”

Nicolas Jackson wanted by Villa and Atletico

Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson is set for a busy final week, with Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid both pushing to sign him permanently.

“And then, a quick one by mentioning also Nicolas Jackson, because this week, also for Nico Jackson, is going to be busy,” Romano concluded.

“There is Aston Villa attacking, because only Watkins is very close to joining Al-Hilal and so Aston Villa are trying for Nico Jackson.

“Also Atletico Madrid, regardless of the Julian Alvarez situation, Atletico are trying for Nico Jackson and are prepared to make a big sacrifice financially to try and get Jackson.

“So it's going to be a big battle for the Senegalese striker, but for sure, leaving Chelsea on a permanent deal. Chelsea are not loaning the player, permanent or nothing. This is Chelsea's position, and so let's follow this one together.”