Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Enzo Fernandez, Alvarez deals on, Grealish latest

28 Aug 2026 06:57 BST | 8 min read

Fabrizio Romano, Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez — © IMAGO

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

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Fabrizio Romano brings major transfer updates on Emiliano Martinez, Enzo Fernandez, Nico Jackson, Rafa Leao, Iliman Ndiaye and Julian Alvarez.

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Romano confirms Emiliano Martinez to Chelsea

Emiliano Martinez is set to leave Aston Villa for Chelsea.

Romano confirmed on his YouTube channel: “Here we go. Deal done, deal agreed. One of the most iconic goalkeepers in the world, one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Emiliano Dibu Martinez, is leaving Aston Villa and is joining Chelsea Football Club.

“After I told you in the last 24 hours that Dibu Martinez had been offered to Chelsea and was ready to say yes to Chelsea, we now have the agreement. Yesterday, the rumour from Argentina was Dibu Martinez and London - Chelsea or Tottenham.

“Tottenham are very happy with their goalkeepers. Their goalkeepers this season will be Kinsky and Dubravka. That's it. Dibu Martinez was never in the conversation.

Current ETV

Emiliano Martínez

A. Villa

Emiliano Martínez

A. Villa

ETV Range

€15.1M - €18.4M

“Who is in the conversation? It's Chelsea, because they were offered this possibility almost 30 hours ago. They decided to consider that together with the coach, Xabi Alonso. The owners, directors, management and coach all together decided to move forward and close the agreement.

“So, deal done for Dibu Martinez, and he's going to be the new Chelsea goalkeeper. My understanding is Dibu will sign a two-year contract until June 2028, plus an option until 2029.

“Also, the club-to-club agreement is done and closed for £7.5 million. So Aston Villa get basically what they wanted. They were starting around £12m, but now they are getting less than that, also because they already signed another goalkeeper, Zion Suzuki.

“That's why the status of Emiliano Martinez changed at Aston Villa. The player is signing a two-year deal, and everything is set. Tomorrow, everything will be signed and Dibu Martinez will become the new Chelsea goalkeeper.”

Enzo Fernandez is dropped as Man City talks continue

Romano also revealed a significant development involving Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, with Manchester City continuing to explore a deal.

Speaking after Chelsea’s 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Luton, he said: “It's also important to say that Enzo Fernandez is not even on the Chelsea bench today. Xabi Alonso decides not to proceed with Enzo Fernandez. Yesterday, Xabi Alonso said in the pre-match press conference that the player was available and ready. Today, Enzo is not even on the bench.

“What's the situation now with Enzo Fernandez? Manchester City are in contact with the player's agents on a daily basis, and Manchester City are expected to have direct discussions with Chelsea to make a final decision on this deal very soon.

“At the beginning of the week, I already told you that Enzo Fernandez gave the green light to Manchester City. Enzo said, 'I'm ready to come. I'm open to joining your project. I'm open to rejoining Enzo Maresca.' The contract will be OK, so Enzo is ready.

“It's on the two clubs and it's on Chelsea to decide. Chelsea maintain their position: it has to be the right money and it has to be money that will help Chelsea to improve the squad. They don't want to sell a player with three or four days left in the window and have no idea what to do afterwards.

“So that's the answer from Chelsea. Let's see what happens, but for sure, Enzo out is a big update, and the story is absolutely on with Manchester City.”

Nico Jackson completes Chelsea exit to Aston Villa

Chelsea are also close to completing another major sale, with Nico Jackson set to join Aston Villa.

“We have the here we go for Nico Jackson,” Romano confirmed. “Yesterday, the updates were that there was an agreement club to club and they were working on the final details of the deal.

“Today, Nico Jackson had his medical, everything was completed in terms of the player side, and personal terms are also agreed verbally. Now they are preparing all the paperwork, which is going to get signed on the player side in the next 24 hours.

“I'm told that tomorrow morning Nico Jackson is expected to sign the final part of the paperwork and then become the new Aston Villa striker.

“So Nico Jackson is leaving Chelsea for £65m after £45m plus £5m for the Enzo Fernandez deal. Chelsea are making very good money with the sales and then reinvesting.”

Current ETV

Nicolas Jackson

F (C)

Chelsea

Nicolas Jackson

F (C)

Chelsea

ETV Range

€32.1M - €39.3M

Chelsea agree £40m deal for Atalanta wonderkid

Chelsea are also continuing to invest in young talent, with Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor arriving in another major deal.

“Honest Ahanor, the 18-year-old Italian defender from Atalanta, is joining Chelsea, and it's a here we go. Deal done,” Romano confirmed.

“Honest Ahanor is a centre-back who can also play as a left-back. He's left-footed. His ideal position so far, because he's still very young, has always been in a back three on the left. This is why Chelsea see big potential in this boy.

“Chelsea have an excellent relationship with Atalanta. They did the Marco Palestra deal this summer and have now also closed the deal for Honest Ahanor.

“The deal is done for a transfer fee worth £40m. All done between the two clubs. The player has also agreed terms with Chelsea.

“What's going to happen now? Honest is expected to sign with Chelsea first of all, and then Chelsea will find the right destination for Honest for this season.

“The player is not expected to stay at Chelsea this season. They are considering some possibilities in England and abroad. My understanding is that he's not going to Italy. So he's not going to Atalanta, he's not going to stay there, at least as of today.

“The preference is England or other countries in case of a good opportunity, in order to make sure he can play on a weekly basis. But they want him to play. They want him to be a regular starter.”

Current ETV

Honest Ahanor

D (CL)

Atalanta

Honest Ahanor

D (CL)

Atalanta

ETV Range

€21.4M - €26.2M

Man City explore Iliman Ndiaye swap with Jack Grealish

Manchester City are also working on a potential deal for Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye, with Jack Grealish potentially moving in the opposite direction.

“Manchester City are working on the Iliman Ndiaye deal. The swap deal is possible, with Jack Grealish potentially going back to Everton. I told you yesterday that Sunderland was not true. Sunderland are not working on Jack Grealish. Forget that,” Romano said.

“It's possible with Everton, and also Aston Villa are calling as a possibility. But Everton are ready to include Jack Grealish in a conversation for Iliman Ndiaye.

“Iliman Ndiaye said no to Al-Hilal and another Saudi club this summer. He wants to stay in the Premier League. Now Manchester City, who share a very good relationship with the player's agents, are working hard to sign Iliman Ndiaye.

“Negotiations are ongoing, so he's a serious option on Manchester City's list. For those who ask me who the other options are, Manchester City also have under consideration names like Cody Gakpo. They had a meeting with his agents.

“They also called again for Pedro Neto in recent days to understand the situation. But at the moment, Iliman Ndiaye, with Jack Grealish in the deal, is a concrete solution with a potential swap.”

Current ETV

Jack Grealish

F, M (L)

Man City

Jack Grealish

F, M (L)

Man City

ETV Range

€14.5M - €17.8M

Rafa Leao wanted by Galatasaray and Aston Villa

The race for Rafa Leao is also intensifying, with Galatasaray and Aston Villa both pushing to sign the Milan forward.

“Let's see what Rafa Leao will decide. Galatasaray have an agreement with Milan, waiting for the player's decision. Aston Villa are pushing with Jorge Mendes to try to reach an agreement,” Romano said.

“Today, Unai Emery called the player. Unai Emery spoke to Rafa Leao and is trying the hijack. So it's crazy. Many things are happening also around Rafa Leao. We will see what's going to happen and what the player will decide.”

Julian Alvarez transfer situation remains open

Atletico Madrid have ruled out selling Julian Alvarez to Barcelona, but Romano insists the striker's future remains unresolved.

“After the Champions League draw, Gil Marin, the CEO of Atletico Madrid, went to Movistar and said the player is having a bad time. It's a very difficult moment. But the situation with Barcelona is very clear,” Romano said.

“They are not going to sell the player to Barcelona. Impossible. No chance. Forget about that. And so it's officially over for this summer between Barcelona and Julian Alvarez.

“But Gil Marin said that, in case he doesn't want to stay there, they are open to finding a solution. So Julian's situation remains absolutely open.

“I told you, watch out for Arsenal because Arsenal are still there, and we will understand more for sure in the next days. But the situation is getting tense.”