Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Man Utd get Rashford twist as Arsenal explore 'number one option'

1 Jul 2026 07:02 BST | 10 min read

Morgan Rogers, Marcus Rashford, Fabrizio Romano — © IMAGO

Suraj Radia | Editor

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Football news expert Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on several major transfer stories, including the latest on Bradley Barcola, Mateus Fernandes and Morgan Rogers.

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Liverpool continuing Barcola chase

Bradley Barcola’s future at Paris Saint-Germain continues to be uncertain, with Romano revealing that Liverpool have been in talks to sign the winger for the better part of a year.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: “Barcola contract talks are on complete standby, and have been on standby not one month, not two months, but since last summer.

“Last summer, Liverpool were already keen on Barcola. Liverpool, probably in the media, was not that strong, but last summer they tried to enter into the Barcola deal. PSG closed the doors and they didn't want to sell the player and, at that stage, they were expected to get a new contract done for him after rejecting a big proposal from Liverpool. But this contract has been stalling since then.

“And so, if PSG really want to go for it, the exit of Barcola could be a possibility. I'm not telling you Barcola is 100% leaving Paris Saint-Germain, because I can't tell you this—this would obviously take a big amount of money, a big proposal, and the player's will. So there are several factors, but today I can't tell you Barcola is 100% staying at Paris, because I'm told there is movement around him. He's a player very high on Liverpool's list, and it's been the case for the last year. So Liverpool love Barcola and Liverpool would like to go for Barcola.

“Then we have to understand the numbers. If someone can convince Paris Saint-Germain—of course, he's an important player for them, scoring at the World Cup, performing for PSG, fantastic player, so obviously it's not going to be an easy one—but Liverpool love him for sure."

Morgan Rogers to Arsenal

Romano also spoke of Arsenal’s interest in Barcola and Morgan Rogers, with Aston Villa’s price tag still a major roadblock for the Gunners.

“Arsenal also have an interest in Barcola but their number-one option remains Morgan Rogers. For Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa want to put a price around £130 million to let him leave this summer,” Romano said.

“Villa are aware of Arsenal's interest and of interest from other clubs, including Chelsea. But in this moment, Arsenal have made very good progress on the player's side for some time. And so, Arsenal keep pushing for Rogers.

“Barcola is on the list, but for Rogers, this depends on the price because Aston Villa want £130 million, but Arsenal hope to find a way to negotiate, maybe with add-ons, maybe with a different structure. Arsenal hope to be creative in order to find a solution for Rogers."

Rashford open to Man Utd stay after talks

Marcus Rashford could be set to stay at Manchester United this summer after fresh talks with the club following his return from his loan at Barcelona.

“Marcus Rashford is now showing positive messages to Manchester United about the possibility of staying at the club,” Romano revealed.

“The window is still very long—eight weeks—so we can't guarantee that Rashford is 100% staying at United. But Rashford is not closing doors to the possibility of restarting with United, to be part of the preseason under Michael Carrick. So Rashford is open, and that's a very good message.

“The message was sent directly; agents of the player and a Man United meeting took place two days ago, and it was a positive meeting. So now Rashford has the chance to continue at Manchester United.

“Then, if a good proposal for Rashford and for United arrives, Rashford could still leave the club in the summer transfer window. If he doesn't, maybe United could find one more player to use. So, United have a wildcard in Rashford, waiting to see what's going to happen on the market."

Gusto and Chavarria – Chelsea’s full-back situation

“From today, Xabi Alonso is officially the Chelsea manager and so can start working with the club,” Romano said. “And among the names I want to keep very high on mind for Chelsea, there is Pep Chavarria—this left-back/left wing-back from Rayo Vallecano.

“Club-to-club negotiations are also going, so official negotiations have started between Chelsea and Rayo. Now the player wants to move, and he told Rayo Vallecano that he's decided to go to Chelsea to work for Alonso.

“Xabi's staff know the player so well. Now it's down to reaching a financial agreement between the clubs, but according to my information, Chelsea are very optimistic to get this deal done for Chavarria.”

Speaking about Gusto, Romano added: “Malo Gusto is appreciated by Enzo Maresca at Manchester City and he is a player they are considering, but Manchester City made clear that they are not paying £75 million—the valuation made by Chelsea for Malo Gusto. So, either the price drops later on this summer, or Man City will go for a different full-back.”

Tottenham beat Man Utd to Fernandes transfer

Romano also detailed how Tottenham beat Manchester United to the signing of Mateus Fernandes, with the North London side also still in talks to sign Sandro Tonali from Newcastle.

“It's done—Matheus Fernandes will play for Tottenham Hotspur and not for Manchester United,” Romano said on YouTube. “Man United have been in conversation for a long time with Fernandes until Tuesday morning. I can guarantee to you that before lunchtime, Manchester United were still in contact with the agent of the player, still in contact with West Ham.

“But what made the difference is the transfer fee, because Manchester United were not matching the £85m valuation in full. They were never going to pay £85 million in full, but they were prepared to reach £85 million including add-ons.

“Tottenham arrived with an £85 million guaranteed fee—a fixed fee, no add-ons, no future stories. West Ham have the guarantee they wanted. £85 million for a player strongly wanted by Roberto De Zerbi.

“De Zerbi was pushing like crazy behind the scenes to get Fernandes. It was not easy for Tottenham to get the green light from the player with Man United involved to play in Champions League football. Tottenham were in trouble till the final day of the Premier League season, so it's a completely different situation.

“But now we can say that Tottenham have agreed all terms with Matheus Fernandes and also with West Ham. So, £85 million—the most expensive deal in history for Tottenham.

“Tottenham remain in conversations with Newcastle for Sandro Tonali. So we have to see also the outcome of that conversation between Tottenham and Newcastle, but for sure they are working very hard to rebuild the midfield."

Tchouameni to Man Utd

Manchester United will only pursue a deal for Aurelien Tchouameni if the Real Madrid midfielder drops his salary demands, according to Romano.

“Manchester United will still sign a midfielder,” Romano said. “Man United were planning to sign two. One is going to be Éderson, and they will still sign one more, at least one more.

“Now, Aurélien Tchouaméni is a dream signing for Man United—they love the player—but at the moment, the financials of the deal are considered still too high. It's not just about Real Madrid, it's also about the salary. The salary of Aurélien is considered too high.

“So the only way to open doors for Aurélien to Manchester United after missing Fernandes is to discuss a completely different salary, and at the moment, it's still not something happening.”

Bournemouth issue hands off warning to Arsenal over Scott

Bournemouth are refusing to entertain a sale for Alex Scott this summer despite Romano’s revelation that Arsenal have held talks to sign the England midfielder.

Romano said: “Arsenal had a bid rejected a few days ago for Bruno Guimarães. Arsenal also made a call for Scott—a conversation with Bournemouth took place. The message sent by Bournemouth is, 'We don't need money. We already sold many players over the last 12 months, so we want to continue with Scott.' And they are offering Scott a new contract with the possibility to include a release clause for a future exit.

“So at the moment, it's difficult to get Scott. There are still two months ahead, so we have to understand what's going to happen in terms of conversations if some clubs, including Arsenal, want to try again.

“But at the moment, the situation with Alex Scott is Bournemouth want to keep him. Bournemouth received a call from Arsenal, but at the moment they are not advancing."

Real Madrid latest

Real Madrid have a number of players on their shortlist but they cannot make too many deals until they shrink the size of their squad, Romano has confirmed.

Romano said: “About Nico Schlotterbeck—right after his injury, we can remove his name from the Real Madrid shortlist. Not because they don't like the player but, unfortunately, when a player gets injured, obviously Real Madrid are not taking the risk. It's not a super long-term injury, but Real Madrid are still not taking the risk. So, Schlotterbeck is a story that has gone cold since he got injured with the German national team.

“Then talking about Alessandro Bastoni…I can guarantee that as of today, Inter have received zero, zero approaches from Real Madrid. So to start an operation for Bastoni, obviously I imagine they would have to reach out to the club and start the conversation. At the moment, Inter have not received any kind of approach, and Inter remain convinced they can continue with Bastoni next season. So this is the intention of the club: to keep Bastoni and to continue with him. Then, if an official bid from Real Madrid arrives, we will keep you posted.

“But don't forget what I told you about Real Madrid—it's for the midfield, it's for the defenders, but they need exits. The squad is very big now, it's very large, and they need exits. This is the message coming from Real Madrid.

“For example, at center-back, a position where they want to make some space, just mentioning one name: Raúl Asensio is a player that Real Madrid consider for sale this summer, but at the moment, they have yet to agree anything on the player's side or on the club's side. So we have to see if there will be evolutions on exits.

“The appreciation for players is one thing, then going and signing them is another. Enzo Fernández, Bastoni—many rumours, but it depends on what's concretely happening.”

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Read more about: Premier League Alessandro Bastoni Alex Scott Aurélien Tchouaméni Bradley Barcola Bruno Guimaraes Enzo Fernandez Malo Gusto Marcus Rashford Morgan Rogers Pep Chavarría Sandro Tonali

Written by

Suraj Radia | Editor

Suraj Radia is an NCTJ-qualified journalist and editor with more than a decade of experience at some of the biggest sportsdesks and press agencies across the industry. He has been a regular freelance contributor to FootballTransfers since April 2022.

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