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Feature
- 23 hours ago
Fabrizio Romano transfer news: Saliba LATEST, Huijsen SCRAMBLE, Chelsea star LEAVING
Robin Bairner
- 5 May 2025 06:47 BST
- 5 min read
News
Football transfer news reporter Fabrizio Romano gives his latest update on the window, including stories at Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Three in for Huijsen
Romano says that Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen is subject to serious interest from three Premier League sides, while he has cast some doubt over the prospect of Real Madrid making a move.
Crucially, he says that a move could be decided soon.
Current ETV
Dean Huijsen
D (C)
B'mouth
Dean Huijsen
D (C)
B'mouth
ETV Range
€49.5M - €60.5M
On his YouTube channel, Romano says: “Some sources are telling me there’s a strong possibility of Dean Huijsen deciding his future this month and not having a transfer saga. Why? I told you he’s got a release clause of £50 million. So it’s quite easy to sign him. Then there’s the negotiation with the player.
“Three clubs remain interested in signing the player in a strong way. There was interest from Newcastle, Tottenham, Bayern have been calling for a long time, but they need time and feel English clubs can be faster.
“The three English clubs involved are Chelsea, who have an excellent relationship with the player’s side, Arsenal, who consider Huijsen as a top defender, and Liverpool. This isn’t an order. All three clubs are absolutely in the race.
“What about Real Madrid? There’s no indication that they’ll pay the release clause anytime soon. Huijsen would be really open and tempted to move there. But they’ve not received any indication that they’ll pay the clause.”
Will Saliba leave Arsenal?
Romano also discussed the case of William Saliba, who continues to be at the heart of rumours linking him with a move to Real Madrid.
The France defender is indeed someone the Bernabeu club want to sign, but he’s equally happy at the Emirates Stadium.
“On William Saliba, I’ve told you many times about the interest of Real Madrid. Someone at Real Madrid believes Saliba is the Bellingham of defenders. That’s their feeling. He’s a generational centre-back,” Romano says.
“If they ever get an opening to negotiate for him, whether it’s this summer or next summer, Real Madrid will be ready because they love him.
Current ETV
William Saliba
D (C)
Arsenal
William Saliba
D (C)
Arsenal
ETV Range
€59.6M - €99.4M
“But don’t forget Arsenal in this story. Saliba a month ago said how happy he is at Arsenal. Mikel Arteta said a few days ago how happy he feels Saliba is at Arsenal. Then there are contract negotiations.
“And now there are contract negotiations. It’s on Arsenal to negotiate a good contract, to present a project to win titles. So that’s going to be an important conversation.
“When there’s a top defender like Saliba, this is something very normal. If Real Madrid find an open door, they will be ready. But the point is that it really depends on Arsenal.”
Chelsea ready to dump Nkunku
Movement will take place at Chelsea, where Christopher Nkunku is destined to leave after two difficult years at Stamford Bridge.
Romano explains: “Nkunku was close to leaving Chelsea in the January transfer window. There were no real negotiations. All the approaches were for a loan deal and Nkunku was not keen – the same for the club. The clear feeling is for Nkunku to leave Chelsea in the summer transfer window.
“He is not finding the space he wants. In terms of skills, Nkunku is not the kind of player needed for Enzo Maresca’s vision and ideas. Also because he wants to play on a regular basis and at Chelsea this is not happening. There’s more than a strong possibility that he’ll leave.
“There was interest from Bayern in January, there was also interest from Manchester United but only for a swap deal. He’ll be one to watch.”
Luis Campos to Man Utd: Romano reveals the truth
Finally, Romano address the possibility of Luis Campos leaving PSG to hook up with Manchester United.
“Luis Campos is more than a director, he’s an excellent director,” Romano said. “He’s doing a great job for PSG but he’s also the same person who won titles at Monaco, who signed Kylian Mbappe, I could mention 50 top players… and the same at Lille, where he signed Victor Osimhen, Rafael Leao and many others. This PSG team is also thanks to Luis Campos.
“Now there are links to Manchester United. I’m told that Luis Campos is not negotiating with them. The situation is one to follow. There is interest from other clubs.”
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While Real Madrid may wish a sale, it may be difficult to manufacture given his large wages and chronic physical unreliability over the course of the last 18 months. Alaba would certainly represent a major gamble for any buying club.
