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FEATURE
- 17 minutes ago
Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Barco says yes to Chelsea, Diomande Man Utd decision, Bastoni latest
Tom Weber
- 4 Apr 2026 15:59 BST
- 6 min read
News
Fabrizio Romano has provided some massive updates on the biggest transfer stories from around Europe, including the latest on Valentin Barco, Yan Diomande and Alessandro Bastoni.
Diomande has a decision to make
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano confirmed reports from Germany that RB Leipzig wonderkid Yan Diomande could sign a new contract.
"Yan Diomande, this fantastic, electric winger from RB Leipzig. What's the situation now? Keep an eye on two ways. One way is to eventually sell the player this summer, with several clubs interested.
"Already in January, Man United were interested. They wanted Antoine Semenyo, then he decided to go to Man City, and for Man United, Diomande was already on the shortlist and remains a player appreciated. PSG and Bayern are both really attentive to the situation of the winger.
"Tottenham were keen on the boy in January, but it was not possible to make it happen. Let's see what's going to happen with Tottenham in general before they have a summer transfer strategy. But as you can see, many clubs are really keen on Diomande.
"But the other way is a new way that RB Leipzig are exploring with the new agents of the players - because the understanding is that Leipzig have proposed to Diomande to stay at least for one more season, sign a new contract at the club, improve the salary, as Diomande is now on a very low salary compared to the level of the player.
"He's probably an €80, €90, €100 million euros player, but with the salary compared to these numbers - it's really different. And so, sign a new deal, stay one more season, eventually play Champions League football at Leipzig if they qualify, and then leave in summer, maybe 2027 or 2028, with the potential inclusion of a release clause.
"Leipzig could be open to including a release clause in the contract of Diomande if he stays for at least one more season. This is the conversation ongoing. Now, let's see which way they decide to take, club and player.
"On Diomande, let me mention also, on a specific note, Liverpool. Because Liverpool are looking at wingers, Diomande is one of the players they have been monitoring and are following. Let me say that if Liverpool or one of the other clubs, United, Bayern, PSG, decided to attack with big money this summer, it could be difficult for Leipzig to resist."
Lukeba will definitely leave
Romano also corroborated that Diomande's teammate Castello Lukeba is expected to leave Leipzig this summer.
"The understanding is that Lukeba is going to leave Leipzig this summer. So there are already clubs interested in England. Bayern are also following the player. So there is a lot of interest in Lukeba.
"The release clause is around €80m, but the player can leave for less than this in the summer transfer window. So there are several clubs following the situation.
"I think for Diomande, it's a 50-50 story at the moment. For Lukeba, it's close to 80-90%, the possibility to see him leave Leipzig already in this 2026 summer transfer window."
Maguire, Mainoo deals close
Romano then announced that Man Utd are poised to confirm the contract extensions for Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo ahead of the summer.
"Man Utd, with Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo returning from the national team, are now prepared to accelerate and formally close both new contracts for the players before the World Cup.
"So this is the mission before the end of the season. Sign everything with Mainoo, 2031, and with Maguire to extend the contract for one more season, 2027, plus an option for 2028, a club option.
"The negotiation is already very advanced with Mainoo, it's almost done with Maguire, who will sign soon. Man Utd plan to announce everything before the end of the season. This is the club's wish, now working with the lawyers of the players, with the camp of the players to sort everything."
Barco greenlights Chelsea move
Next up, Romano revealed that Strasbourg midfielder Valentin Barco has already greenlit a summer move to Chelsea.
"I wanted to mention again the name of Valentin Barco because I told you that Chelsea have total control on the Barco situation. He's at Strasbourg, same ownership as Chelsea. But Barco is a player that Chelsea already have in their list for the 26/27 season, so for this summer.
"What I can tell you is that Barco, together with his agents, already gave his green light to eventually leave Strasbourg in the summer transfer window and join Chelsea. Barco is okay with that. Barco is ready to make his move to Chelsea.
"Now, obviously, club-to-club, it's the same ownership, so it's not going to be an issue. It's Chelsea deciding when and how to proceed. It's still not done, sealed, but Chelsea's intention is to control the Barco situation and to consider Barco as one of the first signings for season 26/27."
Bastoni latest
Lastly, Romano provided an update on the situation of Barcelona target Alessandro Bastoni.
"Today, Inter coach Cristian Chivu spoke, saying Bastoni's really happy here at Inter, then it's him deciding his future, I hope he stays, but it's him deciding.
"In Italy, there have been a lot of opinions after Bastoni got a red card in the crucial game between Italy and Bosnia for the World Cup. Many people mentioning about the future of Bastoni.
"For Barca, nothing has changed. So, that performance of Bastoni is absolutely not changing Barcelona's opinion of the player. Barca want Bastoni, Barca believe Bastoni is a fantastic, world-class centre-back, they are not changing their opinion, and Bastoni is aware of that.
"Barcelona made sure that Bastoni was going to be aware of their appreciation even after the criticism following the Italy-Bosnia game. Between Barcelona and Bastoni, Bastoni's camp, the feeling is very good.
"The conversations have already started regarding the contract, the salary and all the rest. Now, it's going to be about club-to-club. It's still early for club-to-club conversations. It's still early to understand the final pricing. We have to be patient, to understand more on this deal."
Football transfer news headlines today
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Chelsea Transfer News Today: Rosenior confirms summer plan as Enzo Fernandez sanctioned
Man Utd Transfer News Today: Talks confirmed as Carrick edges closer to first signing
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