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Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Chelsea signing, Aston Villa surprise, Arsenal attack
27 Aug 2026 07:07 BST |
8 min read
News
Fabrizio Romano delivers major transfer updates on Nico Jackson, Emi Martinez, Rafael Leao, Jack Grealish, Ollie Watkins, Gabriel Martinelli and Chelsea's latest move.
Nico Jackson set for Aston Villa as Chelsea close £65m deal
Nicolas Jackson’s move from Chelsea to Aston Villa is now close to completion.
“The priority for Aston Villa is Nico Jackson. Aston Villa want to go for Nico Jackson. The priority number one, two and three,” Romano explained on his YouTube channel.
“And now Villa are almost there. The deal is almost done for Nico Jackson to Aston Villa. The here we go could be a matter of minutes, maybe hours, but it's not going to be that long because Nico Jackson and Aston Villa, the deal is almost closed.
“Chelsea will receive a £65 million package after selling Liam Delap to Nottingham Forest for £45m plus £5m, £50m in total, and now selling Nico Jackson for £65m. Imagine, Chelsea are making more than £100m for Nico Jackson and Liam Delap, two players out of their project.
Current ETV
Nicolas Jackson
F (C)
Chelsea
Nicolas Jackson
F (C)
Chelsea
ETV Range
€32.1M - €39.3M
“Now, what's going to happen with Chelsea? On Nico Jackson, it's important to say that the agreement is done between the two clubs. They started preparing the documents, and now Nico Jackson is completing the agreement on personal terms with Aston Villa.
“Just some final details to complete. It could be any second from now. And then Nico Jackson will be ready to travel for medical tests. The contract signing is wanted by Unai Emery.
“And so Nico Jackson to Aston Villa is happening.”
Ollie Watkins completes Al-Hilal move as Martinelli becomes next target
Aston Villa have also given the green light for Ollie Watkins to join Al-Hilal, with Gabriel Martinelli now being pursued by the Saudi club.
“Aston Villa have already given the green light tonight for Ollie Watkins to join Al-Hilal,” Romano explained.
“Here are the numbers: Ollie Watkins to Al-Hilal is Here We Go for €58.4m, plus €2m in add-ons. Ollie Watkins will travel on Friday for medical tests and contract signing as a new Al-Hilal player.
“Everything is agreed, and so Al-Hilal are signing Ollie Watkins, and now working to close Gabriel Martinelli next.
“Al-Hilal wanted to sign three players up front for Simone Inzaghi. The first one, Crysencio Somerville. The second one, Ollie Watkins, and now next, Gabriel Martinelli.
“Al-Hilal's attack on the market is going very strong for Gabby Martinelli. But Watkins done is the news of the night.”
Chelsea seriously considering Emiliano Martinez as Tottenham pull out
Romano then turns to Emi Martinez, with Chelsea emerging as a serious destination while Tottenham are not pursuing the Aston Villa goalkeeper.
“So, we said about Jackson, we said about Watkins, but we talk about Aston Villa and we have to talk also about Dibu Martinez,” he said.
“One of the stories of the day, because my understanding is that Tottenham are not part of the conversation. Today there were rumours about Tottenham and Dibu, Dibu and Tottenham.
“Spurs have their two goalkeepers for the season. Roberto De Zerbi is happy with Antonin Kinski and with Martin Dubravka. These will be the two goalkeepers for Tottenham. No changes are planned.
Current ETV
Emiliano Martínez
GK
A. Villa
Emiliano Martínez
GK
A. Villa
ETV Range
€15.1M - €18.4M
“Then, if tomorrow morning something changes, I will come here and let you know. But as of tonight, no changes. So Dubravka and Kinski, goalkeepers for Tottenham.
“And Chelsea are evaluating the possibility of going for Dibu Martinez. It's important to mention that Chelsea are not going to keep three goalkeepers like Mike Penders, Dibu and Robert Sanchez.
“So, either they find a solution for one of their goalkeepers, or it's going to be complicated. But Chelsea are seriously thinking about Dibu Martinez. It's a concrete possibility.
“Chelsea are discussing also with Xabi Alonso, who is involved in the strategy. And so Dibu Martinez would be keen on joining Chelsea. Dibu Martinez has already given his initial green light to the move, and so that's a serious possibility to see Dibu as a late deal for Chelsea.”
Why Aston Villa are ready to move on from Martinez
Romano explains why Martinez's position at Aston Villa has changed following the arrival of Zion Suzuki from Parma.
“Some of you are asking me, how is it possible Dibu is leaving Aston Villa? Because Aston Villa signed Zion Suzuki from Parma not to be a backup goalkeeper, but to be a starting goalkeeper,” he said.
“Aston Villa won a crazy battle with Paris Saint-Germain. PSG sent a private flight for Suzuki to join them, the deal collapsed, Villa entered the race, signed the player, and now Villa want Suzuki as a starter.
“Dibu Martinez as a backup goalkeeper, it already sounds very strange. It's Dibu Martinez, he's a top-class goalkeeper, and so there is a big chance now for Chelsea.”
Chelsea close in on €40m-rated Atalanta teenager Ahanor
Chelsea are also advancing towards a deal for Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor, who could initially spend a season elsewhere in England.
Romano said: “Honest Ahanor, defender, 18 years old, from Italy, Atalanta. Very talented player, can be a centre-back, can be a full-back, ideal for a three-back defence.
“For Ahanor, there is an agreement in principle done between Ahanor, his agents and Chelsea. So Ahanor said yes to Chelsea.
“Now Chelsea and Atalanta are negotiating. Talks are ongoing and the agreement between the clubs is understood to be likely, concrete, possible. My understanding is that the agreement will be around €40 million. This will be the package for Honest Ahanor.
“The request from Atalanta was €50m, but Chelsea are ready to close around €40m.
Current ETV
Honest Ahanor
D (L)
Atalanta
Honest Ahanor
D (L)
Atalanta
ETV Range
€21.4M - €26.2M
“What's the point? My exclusive understanding is that Chelsea are planning to send the player for one season to another English club.
“Let's see the formula of the deal, if it's going to be a loan or if they find a different kind of agreement with this potential club.
“But my understanding is that they are trying to find a solution with an English club to send a player to the Premier League, adapt to the Premier League and then join Chelsea in summer 2027.
“The relationship between Chelsea and Atalanta is excellent after they did the Marco Palestra deal this summer. And so Chelsea are going to sign Honest Ahanor from Atalanta.
“If nothing goes wrong in the negotiation, the deal is advancing well and could be another talent for the future.”
Jack Grealish transfer remains open as Sunderland claims dismissed
Romano rejects suggestions that Sunderland are close to signing Jack Grealish, with Aston Villa and Everton currently the two clubs to watch.
“It's true that Jack Grealish is going to Sunderland. It's true that Jack Grealish is almost done to Sunderland? My understanding is that there are two clubs for Jack Grealish: Aston Villa or Everton,” Romano said.
“A comeback to Aston Villa or a comeback to Everton. Let's see, because this could be a massive surprise, Aston Villa. Let's see, now they are busy with different things.
“And then Everton, obviously, always thinking about Jack Grealish. But at the moment, my understanding is that with Sunderland, there is nothing advanced.
“So that's what I can tell you about Jack Grealish.”
Current ETV
Jack Grealish
F, M (L)
Man City
Jack Grealish
F, M (L)
Man City
ETV Range
€14.5M - €17.8M
Rafael Leao to Galatasaray hinges on final player agreement
Rafael Leao could become one of the biggest moves of the final days of the transfer window, with Milan and Galatasaray already aligned on a deal in principle.
“For Rafael Leao, it's a crucial couple of days because there is an agreement in principle, verbal still, between AC Milan and Galatasaray for Rafael Leao,” Romano explained.
“The two clubs have the green light, around €45 million plus bonuses. So Galatasaray and Milan are ready.
“Galatasaray want Rafa Leao because the Ismaila Sarr deal is not happening. Crystal Palace rejected two proposals and, despite the player trying to force a move, Palace have been very strong on their position.
“They don't want to sell Ismaila Sarr, especially for the values offered by Galatasaray. So that's why Gala are going very strong for Rafa Leao.
“Now, many of you asked me over the recent days about Aston Villa. Aston Villa were offered the possibility to sign Rafa Leao, which is different.
“One thing is to negotiate for a player, one thing is to offer a player. It's completely different, and top clubs like Aston Villa get offered players every single day.
“Galatasaray have an agreement, €45m plus add-ons. Galatasaray are working now on the player side. In order to have a here we go, Galatasaray and Rafael Leao, what's needed is the green light from Rafa.
“And at the moment, Galatasaray are still working on this. The contract, the salary, the commission, the clauses, all details of the contract. So conversations are ongoing.
“Of course, guys, amazing Rafael Leao, Victor Osimhen and all the other superstars. Galatasaray would have a massive, fantastic team. But again, they need an agreement with the players.
“So let's stay tuned in the next hours because it's going to be crazy busy. But for sure, there is a lot of movement around Rafael Leao, who could be one of the faces of these final days of the summer transfer window.”
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