- 11 hours ago
Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Real Madrid CHASE Saliba, Huijsen DECISION, Frimpong Liverpool CLOSE
Tom Weber
- Updated: 13 May 2025 11:22 CDT
- 6 min read
News
Fabrizio Romano has provided some massive updates on the biggest transfer stories from around Europe, including the latest on William Saliba, Dean Huijsen and Jeremie Frimpong.
Liverpool advancing in Frimpong talks
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano announced that Liverpool are making progress in their talks with Jeremie Frimpong.
"Liverpool are looking at Jeremie Frimpong as a strong option to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is heading to Real Madrid. Real Madrid want Trent to be part of their squad for the Club World Cup. Conversations are advancing between Liverpool and Frimpong on the contract.
"A five-year deal is being discussed, the salary, and all the details of the project. Frimpong is understood to be super keen on joining Liverpool. He would love to join Liverpool in the summer transfer window, so Frimpong is absolutely pushing for this move.
"He wants to go, he wants to try something different, and so Frimpong wants to wear the red shirt next season, and also Liverpool are approaching Bayer Leverkusen to maintain a very good relationship with the club, to inform them of their intention to discuss a deal for Frimpong.
"He's the main candidate to replace Alexander-Arnold. There is a release clause - €35 million - but Liverpool and Leverkusen want to discuss the structure of the eventual deal, so conversations are ongoing."
Tah set for Bayern
Next up, Romano confirmed that Jonathan Tah is in very advanced talks with Bayern Munich.
"Bayern are back in the race, leading the race for Jonathan Tah. Let me explain one thing: Barcelona are not going to close the deal for Tah so far, not because of Financial Fair Play problems, but because they have many centre-backs.
"Of course, they have at the club players like Ronald Araujo, who extended the contract in January, [Andreas] Christensen, Eric Garcia, Inigo Martinez, who also extended the contract, Pau Cubarsi, who is part of the future project.
"So for Barcelona, it's already very busy in terms of centre-backs. In December, in November, they thought that maybe a defender was going to leave the club. This is not happening at this stage, and this is why Barcelona are still not closing the deal for Tah. It's not a financial problem.
"It's linked to the many centre-backs present in the squad for Hansi Flick. That's why Barcelona are not proceeding and that's why Bayern are advancing. Three-year deal on the table.
"Tah was already keen on joining Bayern one year ago. Bayern are now pushing to get the deal done, waiting for the final answer of the player. Bayern want the deal to happen before the Club World Cup. Negotiations are ongoing, also because Eric Dier will go to Monaco."
Real Madrid activate defender pursuit
Romano then revealed that Real Madrid have officially decided to sign a centre-back this summer.
"Real Madrid will go to sign a new centre-back in the summer transfer window. It's a decision made together with the coach, the new, the future coach, Xabi Alonso. In one of the first meetings he had with the Real Madrid board, he was very clear: he wants to proceed with a new centre-back for the summer transfer window.
"Real Madrid have accepted this desire. Now, Real Madrid have decided to go very strong on a new centre-back for the summer transfer window. There are three main names on Real Madrid's list. One is William Saliba, the dream target for Real Madrid.
"But for Saliba, the deal remains absolutely complicated because Arsenal have no intention to let the player go. Arsenal want to keep the player and Arsenal are speaking to Saliba to offer him a new deal, to improve his salary and to try keep the player at the club.
"They know Real Madrid are pushing. They know Real Madrid will be pushing also in the future if the deal doesn't happen this summer. But for sure, Arsenal want to keep Saliba at least this summer at the club for Mikel Arteta. But he remains a dream target for Real Madrid. They consider him the [Jude] Bellingham of the defenders.
"Then another name, Ibrahima Konate from Liverpool. Negotiations over a new deal, but there is still no full agreement on some crucial points, and so important to mention that Konate is also another name on the list of Real Madrid. Out of contract in 2026, so a situation to follow for sure.
Compared
William Saliba
D (C)
Arsenal
William Saliba
D (C)
Arsenal
VS
Ibrahima Konaté
D (C)
Liverpool
Ibrahima Konaté
D (C)
Liverpool
|
|
ETV |
|
| €59.6M - €99.4M | ETV Range | €51.5M - €62.9M |
| 24 years old (24 Mar, 2001) | Age | 25 years old (25 May, 1999) |
|
France
|
Nationality |
France
|
"The other name is Dean Huijsen. Huijsen has a release clause, so compared to the other two cases, it's not that difficult in terms of negotiations because you don't have to negotiate with the club. You can discuss the payment structure, but it's not a big problem in that case.
"£50m, but also Real Madrid already know that the player would be super keen on joining them. That's always been the case. English clubs are very aggressive, want to close the deal as soon as possible. Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, these three clubs are ready to pay the clause and go strong for the deal for Huijsen.
"But then there is also Real Madrid in the race because the player is still waiting and hoping to see what happens with Real Madrid. He's obviously Spanish, Real Madrid is an incredible opportunity for him, and so Real Madrid remain in the race for Huijsen.
"Huijsen wants to decide on his future club as soon as possible. Chelsea are there, Liverpool are there, Arsenal are also there, but Real Madrid have a special place in the heart of Huijsen.
"Real Madrid will sign a centre-back, but also left-back is a concrete possibility. The right-back position is covered. Alexander-Arnold is coming. Dani Carvajal is returning from his injury. Lucas Vasquez will leave the club after the Club World Cup. But on the left, Real Madrid could make one more signing."
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