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Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Chelsea double signing, Barcola to Liverpool, Rashford update
5 Jul 2026 11:50 BST |
8 min read
News
Football news expert Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on several major transfer stories, including the latest on Maxence Lacroix, Pep Chavarria, Bradley Barcola and Marcus Rashford.
Chelsea want Pep Chavarria and Maxence Lacroix
Chelsea are keen to oversee a major squad overhaul ahead of the 2026-27 season and several deals are expected to be announced shortly, according to Romano.
He told his YouTube channel: “For Chelsea, it's going to be an important week. The next one.
“For Granit Xhaka, as I told you in the last video, the situation has gone completely cold and also silent because Sunderland have been very clear. The player is not for sale. So Chelsea can only give up. It's not about the money. It's not about offering £8 million, £10 million or £15 million. It's not about the money. Sunderland do not want to sell the player.”
Current ETV
Granit Xhaka
DM, M (C)
Sunderland
Granit Xhaka
DM, M (C)
Sunderland
ETV Range
€15.4M - €18.8M
Romano continued: “Chelsea will keep negotiating next week for two players. One is Pep Chavarria, the left-back from Rayo Vallecano. Chelsea have an agreement with the player and are expected to return to the table next week with Rayo to try to advance the deal. So do not forget Pep Chavarria.
“Also, Maxence Lacroix. In recent days this name has gone a little quiet in the media, but I'm told that behind the scenes Chelsea are maintaining active contacts for Maxence Lacroix.
“The pricing is important because Crystal Palace are still asking for big money, but Chelsea remain in conversations. Then there is the replacement because we know Crystal Palace, when it is time to sell a really important player, want to find the right replacement. You remember what happened with Marc Guehi until the very end of the summer transfer window. That remains an important point.
“These two deals remain active and remain in conversations, so we have to keep tracking and following these stories over the next few days. Chelsea are continuing to work on both deals.”
Tyrique George joins Everton
Meanwhile, Chelsea have finalised their second sale of the summer, with Tyrique George set to join Everton on a permanent deal following a loan spell last season.
“Chelsea have completed an outgoing transfer because Tyrique George, the winger, is leaving the club to join Everton for a transfer fee close to £24 million,” Romano said.
“Everything has been agreed between Everton and Chelsea. It is going to be a permanent transfer. Everything is agreed between the clubs, so Tyrique George to Everton from Chelsea is here we go.”
Marcus Rashford future
Marcus Rashford has been heavily linked with a permanent Manchester United exit this summer, but Romano has confirmed that a decision won’t be taken until after the 2026 World Cup.
“Rashford spoke ahead of England's game against Mexico and made it clear that if anybody wanted a decision from him on a transfer, they had to make it happen before the World Cup. During the World Cup he is not going to entertain any negotiations. He wants to focus on the pitch,” Romano said.
“The message from Rashford has been very clear and very honest. He is not going to discuss it with any club at this point.
“Man Utd remain ready and convinced they can reintegrate Marcus Rashford into the squad during pre-season. That is the communication they made one week ago to the player's representatives.
“United want Rashford involved in pre-season. After that, both the player and the club will evaluate any offers. It is not guaranteed that Rashford stays, but the player will not discuss his future until after the World Cup. Then he will return to Manchester United for training and both parties will clarify everything.”
PSG want Yan Diomande and Maghnes Akliouche
Paris Saint-Germain secured their second consecutive Champions League title in May and they are set to back Luis Enrique in the transfer market yet again this summer.
“Negotiations for Yan Diomande continue,” Romano confirmed. “For sure, more than €100 million will be needed to sign the player this summer. If Paris Saint-Germain were prepared to wait until 2027, the price would be lower.
“However, if they want the player immediately, and the player also wants to move to Paris now, then the price has to be higher. More than €100 million is the key point.
“Paris Saint-Germain remain in conversations for Yan Diomande and also Maghnes Akliouche. They continue working on new additions.”
Romano continued: “In terms of departures, the name of Randal Kolo Muani remains important because Juventus have submitted an opening bid worth more than €30 million. Paris Saint-Germain wants more, so there is still no agreement between the clubs.
“There is already an agreement between Juventus and Kolo Muani on personal terms. The club-to-club agreement has not yet been reached.
“The departure of Kolo Muani could facilitate new arrivals because it would provide extra money and create additional squad space.”
Bradley Barcola to Arsenal or Liverpool?
Bradley Barcola has also been linked with a PSG exit and a move to the Premier League could be on the cards before the summer window closes.
“Keep an eye on Bradley Barcola,” Romano said. “Many of you have asked whether he prefers one club over another. At this stage I can guarantee that Barcola is keeping every option open.
“First, while he is at the World Cup with France, nothing will happen. Second, Paris Saint-Germain want a huge transfer fee. Third, he is not considered untouchable.
“According to my information, Barcola is an important player for Paris Saint-Germain, but he is not untouchable. The club would be happy to continue with him, but if a major proposal arrives for both the player and the club, then we have to keep watching this situation.
“Liverpool are there. Do not forget Liverpool. Arsenal are also interested. Arsenal's priority remains Morgan Rogers. Barcola is a possibility only if the Morgan Rogers deal does not happen.
“For Liverpool, Barcola is in the highest position among their winger targets.”
Jurgen Klopp returns to management
Germany have parted ways with Julian Nagelsmann and they are set to appoint Jurgen Klopp as his replacement.
“Jurgen Klopp will become the new head coach of the Germany national team,” Romano revealed.
“The deal is being finalised over these days and these hours. Klopp is on his way back to coaching, and that is fantastic news for football in general. Julian Nagelsmann is leaving the Germany national team, but having Klopp back is fantastic.
“After taking some time away from coaching and spending two years working with the Red Bull group in a different role, while remaining involved in football and working in television, we are finally going to see Jurgen Klopp back on the touchline.
“He is going to become the new Germany head coach.”
Rafael Leao and Dusan Vlahovic
Rafael Leao and Dusan Vlahovic are set to leave AC Milan and Juventus respectively, with possible moves expected to be finalised shortly.
“We also have to discuss two more players. They are Rafael Leao and Dusan Vlahovic because there will be movement regarding both players during the coming weeks of the transfer window,” Romano admitted.
“Rafael Leao is performing well at the World Cup, but according to my information he remains available on the market for AC Milan. If the right proposal arrives, Leao wants to leave. He wants to begin a new chapter in another country and AC Milan are prepared to sell.
“Keep an eye on Rafael Leao because his transfer can still happen despite the arrival of Portuguese head coach Ruben Amorim and despite his excellent relationship with Goncalo Ramos. They are very good friends and we also saw Leao provide the assist for Goncalo Ramos in Portugal's recent match against Croatia.
“Despite all of that, the reality of the market is that Rafael Leao can still leave AC Milan during this summer transfer window.”
Romano continued: “Dusan Vlahovic is available as a free agent.
“Vlahovic has received a very important financial proposal from Besiktas, exactly what he wanted financially. However, he is waiting before saying yes because he still hopes to receive an offer from a major European club.
“Vlahovic believes more movement could happen over the coming weeks. He is leaving Juventus as a free agent. Do not forget that he is available without a transfer fee and is open to every possibility.
“It is certainly a situation worth watching.”
Como want Chelsea duo
Finally, Romano confirmed that Como are interested in signing Chelsea centre-back duo Trevoh Chalobah and Mamadou Sarr.
“One of the centre-backs appreciated by Como is not only Trevoh Chalobah. Como continues working on that situation. Let's see who will sign the Chelsea centre-back who wants to move to Italy.
“Also, Mamadou Sarr is appreciated by Como. He is being considered for a possible loan move. At the moment it is only an internal discussion.
“Mamadou Sarr, born in 2005, is a talented defender whom Como like. We still have to understand whether Chelsea will open the door to a loan move because nothing has been decided yet.
“I can confirm there is interest from several clubs. Of course, everything is in Chelsea's hands because the club recalled Mamadou Sarr over the last few months and they believe strongly in his future.”
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