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Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Baleba deal completed, Alvarez to Arsenal, Mudryk latest
23 Aug 2026 08:58 BST |
8 min read
News
Football news expert Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on several major transfer stories, including the latest on Carlos Baleba, Julian Alvarez and Mykhailo Mudryk.
Fabinho to Trabzonspor
Ex-Liverpool midfielder Fabinho left Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad earlier this summer and he has now reached an agreement to reunite with former team-mate Mohamed Salah at Trabzonspor.
That is according to Romano, who told his YouTube channel: “Let me start today with a ‘here we go’ because Fabinho, the Brazilian midfielder who left Al-Ittihad at the end of the season, is available as a free agent. He was also with the Brazilian national team at the World Cup and is now going to become a new Trabzonspor player.
“There is a verbal agreement between Trabzonspor and the agent of the player, Jorge Mendes. Fabinho will travel to Turkey in the next 24 to 48 hours for medical tests and contract signing. So, Fabinho already has a new chapter in Turkish football, and then we will have to follow more developments.”
Current ETV
Fabinho
DM, M (C)
Fabinho
DM, M (C)
ETV Range
€7.7M - €10.4M
Romano continued: “I can reveal something to you, but Aston Villa were considering the possibility of signing Fabinho. Aston Villa were in discussions with Fabinho. Then they decided to go for another free agent in the same position, Leon Goretzka. The deal is agreed also for Goretzka to Aston Villa.
“Goretzka will have his medical next week. Everything is set to be completed, and so Goretzka, Fabinho and two big names among midfielders available on a free transfer are set to find a new club.”
Carlos Baleba joins Man Utd
Man Utd have reached a full agreement to sign Brighton & Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba and the deal has now been completed.
“Carlos Baleba completed his medical as a new Manchester United player,” Romano said. “The contract between the two clubs is signed. So, Man Utd have their new midfielder.
“£65 million plus £5 million in a potential add-on clause, a five-year contract with a one-year option. Good luck to Carlos Baleba, who is going to be the new midfielder for Michael Carrick.”
Manchester City close in on Allan
Manchester City have agreed to sell Savinho to Tottenham Hotspur and they are now looking to finalise a deal for Allan as his replacement.
“New direct contact between Manchester City and Palmeiras took place for the 22-year-old winger Allan, and Palmeiras are going very, very strong for this one,” Romano confirmed. “They absolutely confirmed to Man City that their original intention was to keep the player, but my understanding is that Man City are ready to pay a little bit more than €40 million with add-ons.
“Man City are very confident now to close the deal in the next 24 to 48 hours. I think early next week Allan will join Man City, and Savinho will join Tottenham. This is the expectation. Let's wait for the formal steps. It is not done yet, but tonight Allan is very close to becoming a new Man City player.”
Lautaro Martinez latest
Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez has been linked with a blockbuster move to Barcelona, but the Serie A giants have no interest in sanctioning a sale.
“Talking about top players, also an important day in the Lautaro Martinez story,” Romano revealed. “I was never building this story too much in terms of hype and in terms of reporting on my account, despite many Barcelona fans asking me if Lautaro Martinez is going to be the new striker for Barca.
“Why? Because Inter's position, and when I say Inter, it is the ownership, the president, the sporting director, the coach, everyone at the club, Inter's position has always been, Lautaro is not for sale. We want Lautaro to stay. We don't want to negotiate for Lautaro. For the last three or four days, despite all the rumours, I have always maintained the stance, in private and now in public, with their president, with Martinez starting in the opening game against Monza.
“The president, Marotta, said Lautaro is going to stay with us. It's not even a topic of discussion. You should not even report about this. Marotta, because Lautaro is our captain, our history, and we count on him. So, Inter closed the doors of this Lautaro Martinez story.”
Julian Alvarez update
Meanwhile, Julian Alvarez continues to be Barca’s primary striker target, although a deal now looks increasingly unlikely. However, Arsenal could still swoop before the window closes.
“On Julian Alvarez for Barcelona, there is still no substantial update,” Romano confirmed. “The update of the day is that Julian is called up for Atletico Madrid's opening game at home at the Metropolitano, and so it's going to be important to follow the game to see also the reaction by Atletico Madrid fans. At the moment, still no development on Barcelona.
“What I can tell you on Arsenal is that Arsenal told those close to the deal to maintain them informed in case Julian decides to open doors to Arsenal and to English football. As of today, the position of Julian is still the same. Julian is not rejecting Arsenal. Julian only wants to go to Barcelona. So, that's the reality. It's not about Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Bayern and PSG. Julian wants to go to Barcelona, and this remains the position of the player. This has not changed.
“But Arsenal, after the contact they had on Friday with Atletico Madrid, meeting in London, Arsenal wanted to be informed by the player's side in case something changes. So, Arsenal's message is, ‘okay, we respect that the player is very expensive, but financially we can still try to find a way’.
“In the next eight days, if Julian changes his mind and says, ‘Okay, I go to Arsenal’, Arsenal want to get the information in order to re-enter the deal. So, keep an eye still on this situation. But at the moment, Julian's position remains clear. He only wants to go to Barcelona.”
Barcelona contract talks for Hamza Abdelkarim
Barcelona are also keen to finalise a contract extension agreement with youngster Hamza Abdelkarim.
“Another update I wanted to give you is about Hamza Abdelkarim, the Egyptian striker who joined Barcelona in the January transfer window from Al Ahly,” Romano said.
“I think we should give credit to Deco and to Joan Marcal, who is the head of scouting at Barcelona, because they signed this boy out of nowhere on loan with a buy option close to €2.5 million in the January transfer window.
“This boy in pre-season was fantastic, he was part of the Egyptian national team at the World Cup, so Hamza is seen as a very talented boy. My understanding is that Barcelona have already started the conversations, the negotiations, with a direct meeting in order to try to reach an agreement on a new contract for Hamza. At the moment, it's still not done. It's still not closed. It's just the opening of the negotiations. But Barca have started the conversation for Hamza to stay at the club and continue as a Barcelona player for the long term.
“That's not in doubt because the contract is already long. There is nothing urgent, no problem. But Barca see big potential in this boy, and so they prefer to give him a new contract now rather than finding themselves in the position, maybe in one year or in two years, with Hamza on a very small salary compared to his potential, and that could be a problem. So, Barcelona are very happy with Hamza, and Hamza is obviously very happy also with Barca.”
Chelsea loan exits
Finally, Romano confirmed that Dario Essugo and Mykhailo Mudryk could leave Chelsea on loan before Deadline Day.
“Strasbourg is a possibility for Dario Essugo and then there is Hull City asking for the boy,” Romano revealed. “My understanding is that Essugo would be open to joining Hull on a loan deal from Chelsea, but Chelsea prefer Strasbourg.
“It also depends on what happens with Mykhailo Mudryk. Mudryk is the next player who is going to leave Chelsea in the next few days. He's going to be on loan. I told you 10 days ago, I confirmed my information. Mudryk is leaving. Mudryk is going to play on loan. He needs to play. That's what Chelsea believe and the player as well.
Current ETV
Mykhailo Mudryk
F, M (L)
Chelsea
Mykhailo Mudryk
F, M (L)
Chelsea
ETV Range
€30.6M - €37.4M
“There is an offer from Leeds United rejected by Chelsea, but Leeds are still there. So, Leeds are pushing to sign Mudryk, and Mudryk wants to stay in the Premier League. Mudryk wants to play Premier League football.
“So, let's see what Chelsea decide because Chelsea for a few days were suggesting Strasbourg as a solution also for Mudryk. Now the player prefers the Premier League. So, there will be conversations on these topics, but for sure another very interesting one to follow on this and much more, guys.”
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