Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Shock Chelsea deal, City’s Enzo plan, Alvarez to Arsenal

29 Aug 2026 09:51 BST | 8 min read

Fabrizio Romano, Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez — © IMAGO

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

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Fabrizio Romano reveals the latest on Chelsea's transfer dealings, Rafael Leao, Aston Villa's Ibrahim Mbaye move, Lamin Camara, Real Madrid's Endrick and Arsenal's Julian Alvarez pursuit.

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Chelsea complete another major sale as Marc Guiu heads for Leipzig

Chelsea's remarkable transfer-window sales continue, with Marc Guiu the latest player to leave Stamford Bridge permanently.

“Chelsea are again selling players. What Chelsea are doing in terms of sales is impressive. Liam Delap is going to Nottingham Forest for £45 million plus £5m in add-ons, and they are also selling one more striker because the update of the day is regarding a striker,” Romano said on his YouTube channel.

“But before that, obviously, Nicolas Jackson is going to Aston Villa for a £65m package. Jackson was not part of the plan. £65m.

“Also, Liam Delap was not part of the plan, a £50m package, and now the next is going to be Marc Guiu. The Spanish striker is leaving Chelsea on a permanent transfer with a big sell-on clause included, and he goes to RB Leipzig.

Current ETV

Marc Guiu

F (C)

Chelsea

Marc Guiu

F (C)

Chelsea

ETV Range

€14.8M - €18.1M

“It's here we go exclusive news, out of nowhere. There was nothing expected for Marc Guiu and Leipzig. Napoli were in negotiations for him, but Napoli today, their plan in the market completely changed.”

Rafael Leao makes decision as Aston Villa abandon pursuit

Rafael Leao's decision has changed the plans of several clubs, with Aston Villa now turning their attention elsewhere.

“Why has Rafael Leao changed the strategy of several clubs? Because Rafael Leao was a clear target for Aston Villa and Al Hilal. Both clubs were in conversations, both clubs were in talks trying to sign Rafael,” Romano said.

“This afternoon, Rafael has made his mind up and has decided to go to Al Hilal. Milan received €45m plus a sell-on clause. So Milan are very happy with their business because they get rid of a player they don't want anymore.

“How happy? Because it goes to Al Hilal. The ambition is fantastic, Osimhen is there, the big salary is fantastic, and so Rafael got what he wanted and also a fantastic signing for Al Hilal.

“But this deal is going to be completed over the weekend. Leao tonight says goodbye to Milan fans and then travels for medical tests and contract signing. It's going to be madness in Istanbul. I'm sure after that there are several consequences.”

Aston Villa turn to Ibrahim Mbaye after Leao decision

Aston Villa have reacted quickly to missing out on Leao by moving close to a deal for Ibrahim Mbaye.

Romano explained: “Aston Villa left the conversations and went all in for Ibrahim Mbaye. Ibrahim Mbaye is very close to joining Aston Villa, club to club at around €55m, and also player-side negotiations are underway to fix the contract and then travel for medical tests and contract signing.

“So, club to club done, working on the player side.

“Meanwhile, important to say that I know many Liverpool fans were asking me, ‘Why are you not reporting anymore Ibrahim Mbaye to Liverpool?’ because I told you this many weeks ago. Almost one month ago, I told you they had a meeting with the agent of the player, Mendes. They discussed the conditions.

“But Liverpool, before getting a deal done, were very clear that they didn't want to spend crazy money on two players from the same club, in this case Paris Saint-Germain, so also bringing the price down for both players, Barcola and Mbaye, was going to be difficult.

“So what I can tell you is that now Mbaye is very close to joining Villa. We still have to wait for Sunday on the player side. It could be any moment.”

Current ETV

Ibrahim Mbaye

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PSG

Ibrahim Mbaye

F (R)

PSG

ETV Range

€26.1M - €31.9M

Chelsea make Lamine Camara move as Monaco face a huge decision

Chelsea have opened talks over Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, who would be willing to move to Stamford Bridge despite their lack of European football.

“What I can tell you is that Chelsea are showing serious interest in the 22-year-old Senegal midfielder from Monaco, Lamine Camara,” Romano explained.

“Chelsea are trying for Lamine Camara. At the moment, they are yet to decide if they will go in, but the talks have started with the player's camp and with Monaco.

“Monaco hope to keep the player. Monaco still hope they can have the possibility to continue with Lamine Camara for this season, but they know that if Chelsea arrive with big money, it's going to be impossible.

“Monaco are talking with Pape Matar Sarr from Tottenham as a possible option in midfield, but at the same time, for Camara, the player is open to joining Chelsea even without European football, even without Champions League football. He's open to making this move.

“So Lamine Camara to Chelsea is a serious possibility. Obviously, we have to see what happens.”

Manchester City have yet to bid for Enzo Fernandez

Manchester City's interest in Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez remains a major story, but Romano says no official offer had arrived at the time of his update.

He said: “Chelsea are yet to receive any official bid from Manchester City for Enzo Fernandez.

“Then all parties involved, Chelsea and those close to the player, think this is a strategy from Manchester City. Obviously, this is probably the sense of the story, waiting for Manchester City to bid.

“But for sure, it's going to be an interesting one to follow because of the situation.

“I'm sure Manchester City remain in conversations. I'm sure that Manchester City are talking on a daily basis, and I can guarantee that with the agent of the player, so many City remain on it.

“But their strategy in terms of timing is different. So, as of now, they are yet to bid to Chelsea. Let's see what's going to happen, but for sure, the conversation is going to be the crucial moment to understand if City is going to happen or not.”

© IMAGO - Enzo Fernandez's transfer saga is ongoing

Arsenal will not sign Endrick as Real Madrid make position clear

Romano has dismissed reports linking Endrick with Arsenal, insisting Real Madrid have no intention of allowing the Brazilian to leave this summer.

“I wanted to answer someone asking me about Endrick. Someone telling me it's true that Endrick could go to Arsenal today. There were rumours in England, Arsenal making checks on Endrick, Arsenal asking about Endrick,” Romano explained.

“Fake news. Arsenal are not stupid. Arsenal know that Endrick is not on the market, but not today, not yesterday. It's two weeks that Real Madrid decided that Endrick is not on the market.

“Arsenal, who also share a very good relationship with the agents of Endrick and also with Real Madrid, the two clubs are in very good relationship and never had any sort of problem, Arsenal would never ask for a player who's not on the market.

“So, zero chances. Zero chances. Real Madrid already communicated to the agents and to the player that Endrick is going nowhere this summer.

“Xabi Alonso wanted him to stay. Endrick wanted to stay and continue from a football point of view. He's convinced he can do well at Real Madrid this season, and Jose Mourinho trusts him also from the private point of view.

“Endrick is about to become a dad in a few weeks, and so there are no changes expected. So Endrick is staying at Real Madrid.

“The decision is shared by the club, the management, the president and the coach, Xabi Alonso.

“The club that really tried, but not now, three weeks ago, to sign Endrick was Liverpool. Liverpool asked for Endrick as a possibility. I told you already in a video a few weeks ago. Not Arsenal.

“Liverpool tried for Endrick, but the player was not available on the market for Liverpool either.”

Current ETV

Endrick

F (C)

Real Madrid

Endrick

F (C)

Real Madrid

ETV Range

€28.5M - €34.8M

Arsenal continue to wait for Julian Alvarez breakthrough

Arsenal's pursuit of Julian Alvarez remains alive, but Romano says there has been no breakthrough despite another day passing.

“Arsenal, I keep telling you, they still look at the Julian Alvarez situation. They still wait for Julian Alvarez,” Romano said.

“One more day is passing, no breaking news, no breakthrough, no big stories. But Julian is not travelling with Atletico Madrid to go to Sevilla. Julian was not in the morning training session, but then back in the afternoon training alone.

“What I can tell you is that Arsenal remain there. Arsenal keep following the story. Arsenal remain attentive to the situation of Julian Alvarez.

“So for sure, it depends on the player. If Julian says yes, Arsenal already have everything. Otherwise, it's still going to be impossible on this.”