Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Isak LATEST, BIG Chelsea move, Man Utd talks CONFIRMED

Robin Bairner

• 25 Jul 2025 07:55 BST
• 6 min read

News

Football transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has all the latest updates from the market, including bombshell move on Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak.

Newcastle react to Isak transfer request

After Isak told Newcastle his intention of exploring a summer transfer, Romano explains that the Premier League side sprung into action.

“The player is exploring a move away from Newcastle. He’s been clear with the club. So they’ve started to react. Newcastle are going big – or at least trying to go big – on Benjamin Sesko,” Romano explained on YouTube.

Current ETV

Alexander Isak

F (C)

Newcastle Utd.

Alexander Isak

F (C)

Newcastle Utd.

€116.1M

ETV Range

€104.5M - €127.7M

View full profile

“From what I understand, Newcastle are prepared to make a proposal to the player. It’s not easy. There’s a gentleman’s agreement between Sesko and RB Leipzig that he can leave for a ‘special’ club. That ‘special’ is decided by Sesko. The price will be €70-80m range, plus €10m in add-ons. Newcastle know about that and want to speak to Sesko.

“Isak is pushing to leave the club. Liverpool are there. They’re the club working on the deal. Liverpool have already spoken to the player and are interested even after signing Hugo Ekitike. Liverpool are on it.

“It’s important to clarify the Luis Diaz situation as soon as possible. It’s not just a technical point, it’s a financial point. They need to raise some money and then reinvest in Isak. But Liverpool are ready, they want to go big and believe that if Newcastle open the door they will be there.

“Man Utd are not part of the conversations. They want a top striker but Isak is too expensive. They’re not working on this deal.

“It was rumoured that Chelsea might be interested but no, they’re not part of the conversation. They’re happy with the strikers they signed and the strikers they have. They wanted him a year ago but not now.”

Chelsea exits

There’s a developing situation at Chelsea, with the Blues getting close to selling Joao Felix – a player totally out of the picture at Stamford Bridge. The West London side are also pushing to offload several other players.

Looking at Joao Felix’s situation, Romano explained: “Benfica are going big. They’re working on a deal with Jorge Mendes, the agent of the player, and with Chelsea. It depends on the conditions. They don’t have crazy money to spend but they know the player is keen on a move back to Benfica. The relationship of Mendes with Chelsea and Benfica is excellent.

“For Raheem Sterling, back to Chelsea after a loan at Arsenal, Napoli have been offered the possibility to sign him. Let’s see what they decide to do. They were offered Jack Grealish in June but they were not so keen on the financial part of the deal. Let’s see what’s going to happen with Raheem Sterling.

“We know about Christopher Nkunku and possibly Nicolas Jackson, so many moves away from Chelsea.”

STATS

João Félix

F (L), M (C)

Chelsea

João Félix

F (L), M (C)

Chelsea

All Tournaments

2024/25

• 41

  Games

• 10

  Goals

• 2

  Assists

View all stats

Man Utd open Villa talks over two players

Manchester United’s slow progress in the transfer market continues, with Romano revealing that the Old Trafford club have opened conversations with Aston Villa over both Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez.

“Man Utd have had direct contact with Aston Villa in recent hours. They asked about the situation of Ollie Watkins. The answer was that Villa want to keep the player. It will have to be a very good proposal to change the story. Let’s see if Man Utd try to go big for him or move for other targets,” he said.

“They also asked Villa about signing Emi Martinez on a loan deal. Aston Villa told them: ‘No chance.’ It was very clear after the meeting that they will not let him go on loan. Man Utd have yet to decide if they want an experienced goalkeeper or if they want a younger goalkeeper. In that case, Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp remains the name.”

Compared

Emiliano Martínez

GK

Aston Villa

Emiliano Martínez

GK

Aston Villa

VS

Ollie Watkins

F (C)

Aston Villa

Ollie Watkins

F (C)

Aston Villa

€14.4M	ETV	€61.4M
€13M - €15.8M	ETV Range	€55.2M - €67.5M
32 years old (02 Sep, 1992)	Age	29 years old (30 Dec, 1995)
Argentina	Nationality	England

Douglas Luiz targets Premier League return

Former Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz wants back in the Premier League as his time at Juventus comes to an ugly end.

Romano explained: “Douglas Luiz didn’t show up today at training with Juventus. The relationship between the player and the club is completely broken. Juve will take disciplinary measures against Douglas Luiz. He’s expected to face a fine. The club is not happy at all.

“The player wants to go. There are opportunities in England. Many Premier League clubs have called in recent weeks to be informed of the situation. Keep an eye on this, it could be an important opportunity on the market.”

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