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Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Enzo deal close, Ndiaye hijack, Fofana to Arsenal?
1 Sept 2026 08:09 BST |
7 min read
News
Football news expert Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on several major transfer stories on Deadline Day, including the latest on Enzo Fernandez, Iliman Ndiaye and Malick Fofana.
Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City
Iliman Ndiaye had looked set to complete a move to Tottenham Hotspur, but Manchester City have hijacked the transfer and he is now heading to the Etihad Stadium.
"One of the surprises of the day, one of the exclusive stories of the day, Iliman Ndiaye is going to Man City and not Tottenham,” Romano confirmed on his YouTube channel. “What happened is that, according to my information, there was no agreement between Richarlison and Everton over his possible return to the club.
“Tottenham and Everton had an agreement. Richarlison to Everton, Iliman Ndiaye to Tottenham Hotspur. Tottenham also had a green light yesterday from the player on the contract, but there was no agreement on the details of the contract between Richarlison and Everton. Richarlison today shared a statement and, as I said, obviously he has his own reasons to decide his future. He's not the club deciding what Richarlison should do.
“And so, the deal to Tottenham is off for Ndiaye, and Man City, who had already negotiated for a few days ago, have now closed the deal. So, the Senegal winger is joining City. The medical is booked. The deal is worth £60 million plus £5 million in add-ons.”
Current ETV
Iliman Ndiaye
F (R), M (RL)
Everton
Iliman Ndiaye
F (R), M (RL)
Everton
ETV Range
€38.1M - €46.5M
Cody Gakpo stays at Liverpool
Ndiaye’s move to Man City comes after Liverpool decided against selling Cody Gakpo to Enzo Maresca’s side.
“Gakpo is the other big story of the day because all of this is why Ndiaye is going to Man City,” Romano said. “All of this started with Cody Gakpo because Gakpo already had an agreement done with Man City on personal terms, but the club-to-club deal didn't happen and is not going to happen because Liverpool decided to stop all the negotiations for Gakpo and keep the player at the club.
“They had £85 million on the table guaranteed from Man City, but Liverpool decided against selling Gakpo, a really important player for Liverpool. They believed that the alternatives on the market were not at the same level as Gakpo, that some of them were too expensive, like Ismaila Sarr, who was the player they wanted, but Crystal Palace were asking too much money.
“And so Gakpo is staying at Liverpool, and that's obviously important news, not just on the market, but I'm told also in the dressing room because really important players at Liverpool believe that Gakpo had to stay, and he's going to stay.”
Jack Grealish transfer race
Jack Grealish is set to be one of the biggest talking points of Deadline Day, with the England star expected to leave Man City following their agreement to sign Ndiaye.
“For Jack Grealish, I expect a ‘Here We Go’ in the morning, maybe in the night. Let's see because things are moving today,” Romano said.
“Aston Villa were calling the agents again to understand the situation of Grealish and if there is an opportunity for a sensational comeback of Grealish to Aston Villa. But my understanding is that Everton are favourites because Everton have been negotiating with Man City today for Grealish.
“Everton already have an agreement in principle with Man City for the loan deal of Grealish. So now, waiting to clarify the deal on the player's side with Jack, and then David Moyes hopes to welcome back Grealish, who is really close to rejoining Everton.”
Enzo Fernandez to Man City
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez will be one of the protagonists of Deadline Day and he is edging closer towards a Man City transfer.
“Enzo Fernandez to Man City deal is absolutely on,” Romano confirmed. “In the last video, I told you Man City are coming. Now I can tell you Man City have arrived.
“Man City, for the very first time after a very long summer for Enzo, had a direct club-to-club contact with Chelsea last night.
“My understanding is that there is an official bid on the table. So, the Enzo deal could be done any moment if Chelsea decide to give the green light. Enzo is going to City in the next hours already because Enzo is ready. Enzo has an agreement on personal terms.
“Enzo wants to go to Man City, and he told Chelsea that he desires to go to City and to rejoin Maresca. Now it's on Chelsea to make a decision.
"Obviously, the replacement would be important. Let's see what happens. For example, for Manu Kone, Gian Piero Gasperini, Roma coach, tonight said, ‘I have absolutely no feeling about Manu leaving us on deadline day.’ So, let's see if Chelsea eventually will decide to go for him or any other option.”
Tosin Adarabioyo and Mykhailo Mudryk to Tottenham
Meanwhile, Chelsea have agreed deals to sell Tosin Adarabioyo to Tottenham and to loan Mykhailo Mudryk to the north London outfit.
“[Tottenham are signing] Tosin because Kevin Danso is leaving. Sunderland are pushing and Danso wants to go to play on a regular basis.
“They were planning to sign Tosin on loan to replace Danso, but the Ndiaye deal is off and they are now signing Mudryk on loan instead, and they can't do two loans from the same club. So, it’s a permanent deal for Tosin to Tottenham from Chelsea, and a loan deal for Mudryk, who already said yes to Tottenham.
“He wants to go back with Roberto De Zerbi. They were together at Shakhtar. It was a fantastic relationship that De Zerbi at some point said one day Mudryk will win the Ballon d'Or. So imagine how much he likes Mykhailo Mudryk.”
Malick Fofana to Arsenal?
Arsenal have been linked with a late move for Malick Fofana as they prepare to sell Gabriel Martinelli to Al-Hilal.
“Malick Fofana has been offered to Arsenal,” Romano confirmed. “So, during the conversations about Gabriel Martinelli and all the other players, Arsenal and Roc Nation also discussed Fofana.
“Fofana was offered to Arsenal as a possibility and Arsenal are checking this option. Lyon want €40m for Fofana and my understanding is that Arsenal don't want to spend €40m. They want to spend way less for Fofana, or probably with a different structure of the deal. So, let's see if they can agree a deal in the next hours in terms of structure, or if Arsenal will go for someone else. But for sure, it's a story to follow.”
Striker deals
Several strikers will be on the move on Deadline Day, including Nick Woltemade, Jonathan David and Folarin Balogun.
“Nick Woltemade is off to Juventus,” Romano said. “There is a verbal agreement between Newcastle and Juventus - £3.5 million loan fee, no buy option clause, no obligation.
“Juventus are ready to welcome him because Jonathan David tomorrow is travelling to Madrid to join Atletico on a loan deal with a €25 million buy option clause.”'
Meanwhile, Romano added: “Folarin Balogun is very close to joining Everton. Exclusive update of the night.
“Agreement club-to-club is done between Everton and Monaco. The transfer fee is going to be more than €45 million. Balogun and his agent are now negotiating with Everton over personal terms. So, if personal terms will be okay, it will be a massive move for Everton to sign Folarin Balogun after Beto left to join Fiorentina.”
Robert Sanchez joins Como
Finally, Romano confirmed Robert Sanchez’s loan deal from Chelsea to Como following the Blues’ signing of Emiliano Martinez.
“Exclusive story, Robert Sanchez from Chelsea to Como,” Romano said. “New goalkeeper for Como, Robert Sanchez, who left Chelsea and will be a new Como player on a straight loan, no obligation to buy. So, Sanchez will be back officially to Chelsea next summer.”
