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Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Alvarez tension, Baleba deal, Gakpo latest
22 Aug 2026 09:04 BST |
7 min read
News
Fabrizio Romano delivers major transfer updates on Julian Alvarez, Carlos Baleba, Endrick, Ollie Watkins and Cody Gakpo as Manchester United and Tottenham make moves.
Julian Alvarez agent fires back at Atletico Madrid CEO
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that there is a new escalation in the increasingly tense situation surrounding Julian Alvarez at Atletico Madrid.
Romano took to YouTube and explained: “Fernando Hidalgo, the agent of Julian Alvarez, has posted a statement. It says: ‘Never ask a liar why they lied. To explain it, they would have to lie again.’
“So, a strong message from Fernando Hidalgo, agent of Julian Alvarez. It follows the statement arriving from Miguel Angel Gil Marin, the CEO of Atletico Madrid.
“During the statement from Miguel Angel Gil Marin over the afternoon, there was a moment where he spoke about this Julian Alvarez situation. He said the camp of the player, and some people close to the player, were not suggesting the right things to do to the boy.
Current ETV
Julián Alvarez
F (C)
Atlético Madrid
Julián Alvarez
F (C)
Atlético Madrid
ETV Range
€84M - €102.7M
“So Miguel Angel Gil Marin sent a strong message to those close to the player. Tonight, Fernando Hidalgo, agent of Julian Alvarez, replies in public with this statement.
“The situation is getting tense because it is one week to go, a little bit more.
“And when there is a player like Julian Alvarez in this kind of situation, let me remind you, Barcelona have been trying and trying for months, waiting and waiting, but still there have been no doors open from Atletico Madrid.
“Arsenal, yesterday, made contact in London with the director of Atletico Madrid. Arsenal were asking about the deal conditions and possibilities, but Atletico are asking for a transfer fee that Arsenal cannot pay at this stage.
“And also the player, so far, has never opened doors to English clubs. So Arsenal made contact to understand the situation, but at the moment, the doors are not open even to Arsenal.
“So we have to follow the situation around Julian Alvarez for the final week. But tonight, Miguel Angel Gil Marin said: ‘We need Julian Alvarez. We count on Julian Alvarez. He's a great professional. He will do great. We will take care of Julian Alvarez.’
“And now his agent has sent a strong message again. So the war around Julian Alvarez with the agent is still ongoing. Big exclusive update of the night.”
Manchester United complete £65m Carlos Baleba deal
Manchester United have landed their latest midfield signing after agreeing a deal with Brighton for Carlos Baleba.
“Manchester United fans, you have a new midfielder. The third one of the summer transfer window, Carlos Baleba. Manchester United, here we go,” Romano declared.
“The deal has been agreed between Manchester United and Brighton. Everything agreed, Manchester United and Brighton. The transfer fee, after the first bid was rejected, the second one was the good one: £65m.
“Fixed fee, £5m add-ons, sell-on clause as well. The player is signing a five-year contract with a one-year option, the same as Andre Santos.
“And so, after Andre Santos, after Yuri Tielemans, and also after the Ederson story, now we have, here we go, also for Carlos Baleba to Manchester United.
“The one more signing for Man United in midfield. And so, Baleba is done.”
Current ETV
Carlos Baleba
DM, M (C)
Brighton
Carlos Baleba
DM, M (C)
Brighton
ETV Range
€48.1M - €58.8M
Manchester United still want a left-back as Zirkzee future emerges
Romano says United are not finished in the market, while Joshua Zirkzee has attracted interest from both Italy and England.
“Manchester United are not done, because Manchester United are looking for a left-back, and then let's see what's going to happen in the next days for the Joshua Zirkzee situation,” he added.
“Italian clubs are calling. I'm told there was a call, just a call at the moment, no bid, no negotiation, but just a call also from Aston Villa.
“Why Aston Villa? Because Al-Hilal are expected to return to the table for Ollie Watkins. Ollie Watkins is the top target for Al-Hilal.
“I told you about an official bid a few days ago. Al-Hilal are returning for Ollie Watkins. So the negotiation for Ollie Watkins is still ongoing.
“Aston Villa are trying their best to keep the player, to sign a new contract, to keep him at the club. Unai Emery loves him. But now the situation is getting complicated for Villa because Al-Hilal are not giving up, because Al-Hilal consider Ollie Watkins as a top priority.
“And so for Aston Villa, the number one target in the striker position is Nicolas Jackson.
“Aston Villa are going for Jackson. That's something I've been telling you for a long time and I maintain that information. They want Jackson.
“They are trying to understand if financially they can pay what Chelsea want. So Villa are going for Jackson.
“But Joshua Zirkzee is one of the names they considered internally and there was a call to understand the conditions of the deal and possibilities.
“So at the moment, let's call it just a contact, not an official negotiation.
“But in case Zirkzee leaves Manchester United before the end of the window, let's see if it's going to be Italy, England or whatever. In that case, we have to keep a close eye on a new striker for Manchester United.
“But at the moment, it's still not guaranteed. So what's guaranteed is Baleba done, and I expect movement at the left-back position.”
Current ETV
Joshua Zirkzee
F (C)
Man Utd
Joshua Zirkzee
F (C)
Man Utd
ETV Range
€20.5M - €25.1M
Real Madrid’s Endrick transfer stance amid Liverpool interest
Endrick has attracted approaches from several clubs, but Real Madrid have made it clear that they want the teenager to remain at the Bernabeu.
“Talking about strikers and more opportunities, let me tell you that the story around Endrick in the last two or three days is actually true,” Romano said.
“Because Italian clubs, Roma and Milan, over the last two weeks, have tried to make contact with the agents of the player to understand if there was room for negotiation. Loan deal, loan possibilities.
“Aston Villa also made a call two weeks ago, but the answer from Real Madrid was always no chance. No chance, no chance. No doors open for Endrick.
“Then, important to mention, Liverpool also made a call to understand if there was a chance to sign Endrick on loan with a buy-option clause, or on a permanent deal with a big proposal. Liverpool explored the possibility to sign Endrick.
“But Real Madrid, and when I say Real Madrid, I mean Florentino Perez, the president, and Jose Mourinho, the coach, decided to keep Endrick.
“So there is nothing in terms of chances as of today. I don't know what's going to happen in the future, but as of today, Real Madrid don't want the player to go.
“Real Madrid want Endrick to stay with the shirt number nine.
“Then, if at the end of December, Christmas time, Endrick is not playing on a regular basis, in that case we cannot close doors to another loan for Endrick, as it was at Olympique Lyon last season.
“But for sure, it's a situation to follow, the one of Endrick, eventually in January.
“But now Endrick is staying, Endrick is prepared to fight for the Real Madrid shirt and Endrick has all the intention to do his best for Real Madrid.”
Current ETV
Endrick
F (C)
Real Madrid
Endrick
F (C)
Real Madrid
ETV Range
€28.5M - €34.8M
Christopher Nkunku remains a striker to watch
The future of Christopher Nkunku is another situation to monitor, with Newcastle interested but the player favouring a return to RB Leipzig.
“In terms of strikers, as we're talking about strikers, another name to watch remains Christopher Nkunku,” Romano said.
“Newcastle are calling, but the player is giving priority to RB Leipzig. A return is a possibility.
“Let's see who is going to convince AC Milan, because AC Milan are still going to ask important money for a paid loan.”
Tottenham push for Cody Gakpo as Liverpool talks continue
Romano has also provided a fresh update on Tottenham's pursuit of Cody Gakpo, with negotiations continuing with Liverpool.
“And then let me finish by telling you, don't forget Cody Gakpo. Don't forget Cody Gakpo, because Savinho is going to Tottenham today in London for medical tests and contract signing,” Romano said.
“Omar Marmoush is expected to go to Tottenham as a centre striker, and he's a target that is going to probably happen in the next days, as I told you.
“But I told you always, right winger, left winger, centre striker. This was what I told you about Tottenham.
“And for the left winger, the name remains Cody Gakpo.
“Tottenham are working on it. Tottenham are working on the player side. Player terms are not an issue.
“And then Tottenham remain absolutely on it, on the club side with Liverpool.
“So Gakpo, Liverpool could be over in the next days if the total fee can be agreed. Watch out for that one until the end.”
Read more about:
La Liga
Serie A
Bundesliga
Ligue 1
Premier League
A. Villa
Arsenal
Atlético Madrid
Barcelona
Brighton
Chelsea
Inter
Liverpool
Man Utd
Milan
Newcastle
RB Leipzig
Real Madrid
Roma
Tottenham
Carlos Baleba
Christopher Nkunku
Cody Gakpo
Endrick
Joshua Zirkzee
Julián Alvarez
Nicolas Jackson
Ollie Watkins
