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Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Gyokeres to Barcelona, Man Utd 'fake news', Leao update
Updated: 18 Aug 2026 07:31 BST |
7 min read
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Football news expert Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on several major transfer stories, including the latest on Viktor Gyokeres, Gavi and Rafael Leao.
Viktor Gyokeres to Barcelona?
Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres has been linked with a sensational move to Barcelona in recent days, but Romano has poured cold water on such rumours in his latest YouTube video.
“There were many reports in Spain in the last 24 hours that Viktor Gyokeres might be the right man for Barcelona if they can't get Julian Alvarez.
“There is no confirmation of any operation for Gyokeres starting. There is nothing really concrete ongoing, no conversations, no negotiations, no discussions.
“Then, should anything change, I will let you know. But at the moment, the feeling at Arsenal is that Viktor Gyokeres is going to stay, that Mikel Arteta is happy with Viktor Gyokeres. Arteta believes Arsenal need a player like Viktor Gyokeres in the squad for his skills.
Current ETV
Viktor Gyökeres
F (C)
Arsenal
Viktor Gyökeres
F (C)
Arsenal
ETV Range
€49.2M - €60.2M
“Last season, he was still scoring a lot of goals. And also, not just in terms of numbers, in terms of contribution, Arsenal are convinced that the second season in the Premier League is going to be different. So Arsenal are very optimistic about Gyokeres.
“Then, if Barcelona arrive and the click happens, I will let you know, but that's not the case for today. So at the moment, the situation of Viktor Gyokeres is absolutely, absolutely quiet.”
Harry Kane contract talks
Harry Kane has been tipped to leave Bayern Munich on several occasions in recent months, but the England captain has now initiated contract extension talks with Vincent Kompany’s side.
“The conversation between Bayern Munich and Harry Kane's camp over a new contract has already started behind the scenes,” Romano said. “Remember that Kane is represented by his brother Charlie, who is taking care of these conversations, and my understanding is that Bayern have started the process.
“There are negotiations ongoing. There are discussions ongoing. There is optimism to reach an agreement for Kane to stay at the club, to extend his stay at the club. The current contract is expiring in 2027. They still have to discuss details of this new contract in terms of the length of the contract, in terms of the existence of an exit clause, for example. There was a clause to be activated in January, not in the summer, a specific clause in the previous contract and in the current contract of Kane at Bayern.
“So they have to discuss what to do with that clause. There were some kind of matching rights for Tottenham. We have to understand what's going to happen there, if Bayern will maintain that kind of option or not. So there are several things to discuss in order to get the deal done, but the conversation is ongoing between Bayern and Kane. Now the player is back from holidays, and so the conversation can be easier and faster.”
Gavi to Man Utd ‘fake news’
Manchester United have been linked with a shock move for Barcelona midfielder Gavi, however Romano has branded such claims as ‘fake news’.
“Many of you sent me Gavi to Man Utd. Absolutely fake news. I don't know where this is coming from. Many of you sent me on Twitter, but Gavi is not leaving Barcelona. Absolutely impossible,” Romano revealed.
“Barcelona are more than happy with Gavi. I would not be surprised if in the next months Gavi and Barcelona start discussing a new contract. It's not something imminent, so I don't want to throw out things that are not happening today, tomorrow or in a few days. But, I mean, in the next few months, I would not be surprised to see a conversation between Gavi and Barca over a new contract.
“But in general, Barca are super happy with Gavi. Gavi is super happy with Barca. Rodri joining Barca is only good news for Gavi. Gavi and Rodri have an excellent relationship, and so it doesn't mean that Rodri is going to Barca and so Gavi wants to go. It's not true at all, and Gavi is staying.”
Man Utd want new left-back
While Man Utd aren’t in talks to sign Gavi, they are eager to land a new left-back and Lewis Hall remains their top target.
“Man Utd are currently very focused on a new left-back,” Romano confirmed. “Conversations are happening behind the scenes on several profiles. We know that one of the favourites was Lewis Hall at Newcastle, but Newcastle don't want to sell the player. There are more candidates on the list at Man Utd being assessed, being discussed.
“So let's see what's going to happen there. For sure, Man Utd are working on a new left-back. That's the priority. In terms of midfielder, it might depend on opportunities. So if the right opportunity appears, I think Man Utd could still do something in midfield. Otherwise, they could stay with the current squad, as they already added Andre Santos and Ugarte to the team.
“So let's see if the right name appears on the market. Otherwise, Man Utd will still focus their efforts on the left-back. For sure, Michael Carrick, not just in public in the interviews but also in private in the conversations he's having with the club, is pushing to get one more player at least, maybe two. So we will be following that situation at Man Utd.”
Bruno Fernandes contract situation
Bruno Fernandes’ future at Man Utd has been a talking point throughout the summer, but the Red Devils will not sell the Portugal superstar and they are instead keen to tie him down to a new deal.
Romano revealed: “Man Utd have offered a new contract to Bruno Fernandes already at the end of May because Man Utd knew that Galatasaray, for example, but also clubs from Europe, top clubs from Europe, wanted to try to tempt Bruno Fernandes, and Man Utd decided to stop all the conversations by offering a new deal to Bruno.
“So Man Utd really want him to stay. The current deal of Bruno Fernandes at Man Utd is valid until June 2027, one more season plus an option to extend, a club option to extend. So Man Utd feel protected, but Man Utd still want to give Bruno the feeling of confidence with a new contract.
“So the conversation is ongoing. We have to follow the situation. For sure, it's going to be an important negotiation for United. The return of Marcus Rashford, in terms of salaries internally, is an important return because the salary of Marcus Rashford is a huge salary. So obviously, this is part of the conversation, the length of the contract, the salary Bruno has already disclosed into his contract with United currently. So is this clause going to stay or not?
“So this is the conversation with Bruno Fernandes and his agent, but Man Utd are on it, definitely. So we will be following that situation.”
Rafael Leao transfer situation
Finally, Romano provided an update on Rafael Leao, who could be set to leave AC Milan before the end of Transfer Deadline Day.
“Talking about situations to follow, keep a close eye also on Rafael Leao because Milan signed Diego Moreira from Strasbourg in the last 24 hours. The player is arriving soon in Milan for medical tests and contract signing, and it's an expensive deal, €50 million fixed, important, and also a sell-on clause. So the total package is going to be more than €60m for Diego Moreira to AC Milan.
“But what a signing, what a player, very talented. And Rafael could still leave. There is interest from Galatasaray. Fenerbahce already tried at the beginning of the July transfer window, and now we have to see if they're going to return. And then I'm told also Saudi clubs are calling to understand the situation of Rafael Leao.”
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