Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: €20m Rodri gap, ‘easy’ Arsenal target, Villa agreement

13 Aug 2026 07:38 BST | 8 min read

Fabrizio Romano, Rodri, Ezri Konsa — © IMAGO

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Fabrizio Romano brings the latest transfer news on Xavi Hernandez, Rodri, Julian Alvarez, Jed Spence, Joao Palhinha and Arsenal's centre-back search.

Article continues under the video

Xavi Hernandez makes Netherlands return official

Former Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez has agreed to become the new head coach of the Netherlands, Romano confirmed.

“Xavi will be the new head coach of the Dutch national team. It’s a here we go. Deal done. Four-year contract until the World Cup 2030,” Romano told his YouTube channel.

“Good luck to Xavi Hernandez, who several times said: ‘I want to be the new head coach of the national team. I feel it’s time for a national team. I feel the next chapter has to be a national team.’

“Now Xavi agrees on this new chapter to take over at the Netherlands and get this opportunity with the Oranje. Good luck to Xavi. Deal done, here we go, confirmed.”

© IMAGO - Xavi Hernandez: New Netherlands head coach

Vlahovic and Lukaku complete striker moves as Spence heads to Inter

Three major deals have been completed involving Serie A clubs, with Dusan Vlahovic, Romelu Lukaku and Djed Spence all on the move.

“Talking about strikers, Dusan Vlahovic is officially joining Besiktas on a three-year contract after leaving Juventus as a free agent,” Romano added.

“And now Romelu Lukaku. Romelu Lukaku left Napoli for a bit more than €6 million and is joining Fenerbahce. It is completed, it is done. Lukaku to Fenerbahce, Vlahovic to Besiktas, two strikers out of the market.

Current ETV

Djed Spence

D (RL)

Tottenham

Djed Spence

D (RL)

Tottenham

ETV Range

€28M - €34.2M

“Now, talking about done deals of the day, another exclusive story is regarding Djed Spence, because he was shining at the World Cup with England under Thomas Tuchel. He can play on the right, on the left, he was doing very well, he was one of the surprises of the tournament, and now Spence is leaving Tottenham Hotspur.

“Djed Spence is joining Inter. The deal is done and it’s a here we go. The deal has been agreed in the recent hours. Jed Spence will sign a long-term contract at Inter in the next few days.

“The two clubs are already exchanging documents, Inter and Tottenham. The transfer fee will be €31.5 million, plus €4 million in add-ons, so around €35 million in total.

“Tottenham gave the green light. Why? Because Spence wanted to go, wanted to have a new opportunity, wanted to play on a regular basis. Tottenham had a very appealing project, but they are not going to play European football, and so Spence didn’t want to be on the bench for the majority of the season.”

Tottenham keep Gakpo and Savinho at the top of their winger shortlist

More movement is expected at Tottenham, with Cody Gakpo and Savinho remaining the club’s priority targets.

“On the wings, Spurs are working on these two deals. No negotiations for Folarin Balogun. I know there have been many reports in the last 24 hours, but Tottenham are not working on a Balogun deal, at least as of today. What happens in the future, we will see,” Romano said.

“But the two top targets, wingers, remain: Cody Gakpo and Savinho. Alternative, Pedro Neto, who is very expensive.”

Rodri transfer to Barcelona remains alive despite €20m gap

Barcelona have increased their offer for Rodri, but Manchester City are still demanding considerably more for the midfielder.

“For the Rodri deal, what I can tell you is that for Rodri, Barcelona, as I revealed in the video this morning, already presented their second proposal and it’s reaching €60 million with the add-ons included,” Romano said.

“But the answer from Manchester City was €80m. So at the moment, there is still a gap between Barcelona and Manchester City.

Current ETV

Rodri

DM, M (C)

Man City

Rodri

DM, M (C)

Man City

ETV Range

€53.3M - €65.1M

“But the conversation is underway. Talks between Barcelona and Manchester City are continuing, even today. The deal is absolutely proceeding. Then there is still a distance.

“And so Barcelona, if, when, I would say, they want to complete the deal, they know they have to put something more on the table than €60m. But they also feel that €80m is not going to be the number. Probably midway, halfway between €60m and €80m, they can find a solution.

“Rodri remains a man of his word for Barcelona in this case, because he has an agreement with Barcelona. He wants to go to Barcelona and he’s not changing his mind.

“So Barcelona and Manchester City will be in contact again in the next hours to try to find a solution. But for sure, the Rodri deal remains absolutely, absolutely underway. So let’s follow more updates on this story in the next hours and days.”

Julian Alvarez tells Simeone he wants Barcelona dream to become reality

Julian Alvarez has once again made his desire to join Barcelona clear to Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone, but the final decision rests with the club.

“It’s been a busy day in Spain because Julian Alvarez in training today arrived and also his agents were there, Fernando Hidalgo as always. He had a conversation with Diego Simeone,” Romano explained.

“Julian was telling, in a very honest way, to El Cholo about his desire to go to Barcelona. Julian Alvarez was explaining his reasons, that it’s his dream move to go to Barca. His dream is to wear the Barcelona shirt. He wants to have this opportunity.

“He doesn’t want to leave in a bad way. He just wants to find a solution with Atletico Madrid, getting their money, and then he can move to Barcelona.

Current ETV

Julián Alvarez

F (C)

Atlético Madrid

Julián Alvarez

F (C)

Atlético Madrid

ETV Range

€84M - €102.7M

“From Simeone, the message is still the same. It’s a club decision. It’s not a coach decision. Diego Simeone will always be helping Julian Alvarez. This was the message to the player.

“But at the same time, it’s the club deciding, and especially Miguel Angel Gil Marin. The man who put his face a few weeks ago, telling two Atletico Madrid channels: ‘We are not selling Julian Alvarez,’ sending very clear messages to Barcelona.

“So at the moment, obviously, the deal remains complicated because, being a club decision, it is Miguel Angel Gil Marin who is not giving any green light at this stage.

“And so at the moment, the situation has not changed. Should anything change, I will let you know. But for sure, as of today, there is still no green light from Atletico.

“He spoke to the coach, but it’s the club and they have to decide on the Julian Alvarez situation. So one to follow for sure until the very end of this crazy window.”

Joao Palhinha wants Aston Villa as Bayern consider loan exit

Aston Villa have moved into pole position for Joao Palhinha after agreeing personal terms with the midfielder, although Bayern Munich want stronger guarantees on a permanent exit.

“Joao Palhinha has a verbal agreement on personal terms with Aston Villa. There is also Benfica interested in the player. So Benfica behind the scenes are still hoping for Palhinha to join, but at the moment, Villa are the favourites,” Romano explained.

“They have a verbal agreement with Joao Palhinha on the contract. Joao Palhinha told Bayern that he wants to go to Villa, but at the moment, it depends on the club-to-club agreement.

“Villa are offering a loan deal for Joao Palhinha. Bayern still hope for an obligation to buy or a permanent transfer because Palhinha is no longer part of Bayern’s plans and they want to sell.”

Current ETV

João Palhinha

DM, M (C)

A. Villa

João Palhinha

DM, M (C)

A. Villa

ETV Range

€20.2M - €24.7M

Arsenal consider Konsa and Pubill as centre-back targets

Arsenal remain determined to sign a new centre-back, with Ezri Konsa and Marc Pubill among the names on their shortlist.

“Don’t forget that Arsenal will also sign a centre-back,” Romano explained. “At the moment, on Jules Kounde, no big updates so far, so the situation remains quiet around Kounde.

“Talking about other defenders, two different situations. One is for a player who is for sure on the list, and it’s not a new name, and it’s Konsa at Aston Villa.

“He’s a defender really appreciated by Arsenal, and he remains a name they are having negotiations for on the club side and on the player side. So for Konsa, Arsenal are in the mix. We will see what’s going to happen there.

“And then another name really appreciated by Arsenal is Marc Pubill from Atletico Madrid. Marc Pubill is one of the names on Arsenal’s list.

“Arsenal had some contact to understand about the price and to try to understand if there is a chance to sign Marc Pubill. So he’s super appreciated by Arsenal. But Atletico Madrid absolutely want to keep him.

“So at the moment, also Marc Pubill looks like a difficult target.

“Cristian Romero was a name linked in the media, but Cristian Romero is expected to join Atletico Madrid. Tottenham are not selling to Arsenal.

“And Arsenal, in terms of intentions, they will go for a new centre-back. Pubill is appreciated, but Atletico don’t want to sell the player today. So let’s see what’s going to happen there.

“As for Konsa, probably the most easy solution at the moment on the market. Still not cheap at all. Still very expensive because Atletico will not make it easy for Pubill, but also Aston Villa will not make it easy for Konsa.

“But for sure, one to watch from now to the end of the window.”