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Analysis
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Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Baleba expected at Man Utd, Martinelli shock, Alvarez latest
20 Aug 2026 07:03 BST |
8 min read
News
Fabrizio Romano reveals the latest on Carlos Baleba to Man Utd, Tottenham's pursuit of Savinho, Gabriel Martinelli's future, Ismaïla Sarr, Nico Gonzalez and Julian Alvarez.
Man Utd push ahead with Carlos Baleba deal
Romano confirmed that Manchester United have made another move in their pursuit of Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba.
“Manchester United have opened our day on the market by submitting an official bid for Carlos Baleba. Around £65 million, still not enough to convince Brighton. But the expectation is today, Thursday, to see Manchester United returning to the table of negotiations and trying to close the deal for Carlos Baleba,” he told his YouTube channel.
“So let's see if it's going to happen already this week, ahead of the Premier League opening matchday. But the deal is absolutely well underway for Carlos Baleba to Manchester United. There is an expectation they will reach an agreement quite soon.
“The agreement with the player is fully done and completed, and with his agents, as I told you, the dream of the player is very clear. Carlos Baleba has been pushing and pushing to go to Manchester United.
Current ETV
Carlos Baleba
DM, M (C)
Brighton
Carlos Baleba
DM, M (C)
Brighton
ETV Range
€48.1M - €58.8M
“One year ago, the deal was not possible for now because Brighton at that time didn't want to open the doors for Carlos Baleba to join Manchester United.
“But Manchester United are in love with the player, and Manchester United decided to go for him. So now the deal is on the right way. The expectation is to get it done.”
Ederson explains why Man Utd transfer collapsed
Romano also addressed Ederson's comments about the breakdown of his proposed move to Manchester United.
He explained: “Ederson said the deal was done with Manchester United, everything was agreed, he did the medical, it was fine. Then, ‘I don't know what happened’.
“Manchester United were pointing at medical tests. The feeling of those involved in the deal on the player side has always been that Manchester United changed their mind.
“So we can only respect these two points of view. The player today was speaking for the very first time about that and was quite surprised. But Manchester United already decided to move on.”
Man Utd could make two more signings
Romano says Manchester United's transfer business is not finished once Baleba arrives, with further additions possible before the window closes.
“Manchester United signed Senne Lammens, and the expectation is for the next one to be Carlos Baleba. But Manchester United are not done yet on the market,” he said.
“This is the way to go for a left-back, and let's see what happens up front if Joshua Zirkzee leaves. So it could be two more signings after Baleba for Manchester United.
“One left-back, I would say, is almost guaranteed, and then one more striker only if Zirkzee leaves.”
Tottenham maintain Savinho interest
Tottenham are continuing to work on several attacking options, with Savinho still their priority on the wing.
“Talking about more opportunities, keep a close eye on Tottenham because Tottenham are working on several opportunities. I always told you here on the channel, in all my videos, two wingers plus a striker,” Romano said.
“The winger wanted by Tottenham remains Savinho or Pedro Neto if the Savinho deal doesn't work. So one between Savinho and Pedro Neto, but the priority is Savinho.
Compared
Savinho
F (L), M (RL)
Savinho
F (L), M (RL)
Man City
VS
Omar Marmoush
F (C)
Man City
Omar Marmoush
F (C)
Man City
|
|
ETV |
|
| €40.4M - €49.4M | ETV Range | €44.5M - €54.4M |
| 22 years old (10 Apr, 2004) | Age | 27 years old (07 Feb, 1999) |
|
Brazil
|
Nationality |
Egypt
|
“There have been contacts today between Tottenham and Manchester City about Savinho. Also about Omar Marmoush. I expect more conversations.
“On the other wing, Cody Gakpo from Liverpool. These are the two wingers they want at the club.
“Then, at centre-forward, Omar Marmoush is an option. Nico Jackson is an option. I don't have any confirmation on the name of Viktor Gyokeres that was going around in the recent days and weeks.
“So this is the situation about Tottenham.”
Al Hilal join Tottenham in Pedro Neto race
Saudi Pro League outfit Al Hilal are also exploring the same winger market as Tottenham, with Chelsea's Pedro Neto among their options.
“Let me bring to the table also Al Hilal, because Al Hilal are also in the race for a winger,” Romano said.
“So now, when you arrive at the final weeks of the window, it's quite obvious that the same players are targets for both clubs, because when these kind of clubs are looking with the same kind of budget to the same kind of player, it's obvious that they are managing similar options.
“So Pedro Neto is the backup if Savinho doesn't work for Tottenham, but is also an option for Al Hilal. Another name being considered by the Saudi club is also Gabriel Martinelli.
“Gabriel Martinelli's preference would be to stay in Europe, but from Saudi, Al Hilal are showing some interest.
“But again, for Al Hilal there is Pedro Neto. There is this possibility with Martinelli, so we have to see what's going to happen.
“Gabriel Martinelli has chances to leave Arsenal in these final weeks of the summer transfer window.”
Martinelli's Arsenal position raises transfer questions
Romano points to growing movement around Martinelli, with his omission from Arsenal's Community Shield squad adding to the uncertainty over his future.
“There is movement around Martinelli because there are clubs calling and trying to understand the situation, and because Martinelli for Gabriel Martinelli is no longer untouchable,” Romano said.
“Imagine that for the Community Shield, Martinelli was not even on the bench. Then it's fair to say that the bench was selected with a few players, so Arteta could not include the whole squad.
“But at the same time, Martinelli used to be a starter, almost a regular starter, at Arsenal too.
“Jesus starting in the Community Shield, doing very well with an assist, and Martinelli not even in the squad without an injury, so you can understand that Arsenal are open to considering opportunities for him.”
Current ETV
Gabriel Martinelli
F, M (L)
Arsenal
Gabriel Martinelli
F, M (L)
Arsenal
ETV Range
€36.2M - €44.3M
Galatasaray bid for Ismaila Sarr rejected
Romano then reveals that Galatasaray have made an official offer for Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr, but the bid was rejected.
“Galatasaray have submitted an official bid in paper to Crystal Palace for Ismaila Sarr,” Romano confirmed.
“My understanding is that the bid was between €30m and €40m. Package rejected. Crystal Palace are not accepting these numbers. It has to be a crazy bid for Crystal Palace to accept because they want to keep the player.
“They want Ismaila Sarr to stay and to be an important part of the project.
“Then Ismaila Sarr is not closing doors to Galatasaray. My understanding is that Ismaila Sarr could be open to the move, but Crystal Palace really want him to stay and really want him to be an important part of the project.
“So now let's see if Galatasaray will try again. But for sure, Ismaila Sarr is a topic to follow in the next days and in the next week.”
Man City open to Nico Gonzalez departure
Manchester City could be prepared to sell Nico Gonzalez to Newcastle if the right offer arrives, but the midfielder remains keen to prove himself at the Etihad.
Romano stated: “On Nico, my understanding is that Manchester City are quite open to doing business with Newcastle United about Nico Gonzalez. So, for Man City, despite being short in midfield, Man City are not closing doors to the exit of Nico Gonzalez.
“It has to be the right proposal, but Man City are not closing doors to Newcastle.
“The point here is what the player wants to do because, from what I'm told, the player is still convinced he can be an important player at Man City and he can give his best to Manchester City now with this midfield shape.
“So at the moment, the point is on the player side. City could be open to letting him go for the right money.
“But at the moment with Nico, he's convinced that he can do more at Manchester City. So let's see what's going to happen also with this one for Newcastle in terms of a new midfielder.”
Current ETV
Nico González
DM, M (C)
Man City
Nico González
DM, M (C)
Man City
ETV Range
€38.9M - €47.6M
Barcelona's Julian Alvarez pursuit is now frozen
Romano says Barcelona have effectively accepted that their pursuit of Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez is not developing, despite their efforts to convince the player.
“I also want to clarify something on Julian Alvarez because today also the director and the president of Atletico Madrid, the director Alemany and the president Cerezo, made clear that Julian again is not for sale.
“The president said: ‘Barcelona? You can see the player is not for sale.’
“Alemany, the director, said: ‘Our CEO spoke in public, that's it. It's over.’
“So Barcelona understand now that the Julian Alvarez deal, despite waiting, hoping and showing Julian how much they want him, is simply not developing.
“So at the moment, the Julian story is completely, completely frozen for Barcelona, and the player is considered and expected to stay at Atletico Madrid, as the club has mentioned.”
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