Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Chelsea Maignan PROBLEM, Real Madrid HIJACK, Liverpool DOUBLE DEAL

Tom Weber

• Updated: 4 Jun 2025 10:41 CDT
• 6 min read

News

Fabrizio Romano has provided some massive updates on the biggest transfer stories from around Europe, including the latest on Mike Maignan, Milos Kerkez and Franco Mastantuono.

Modric set for Milan

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano revealed that AC Milan are closing in on a deal for Luka Modric.

"Luka Modric, dream target for Milan. The contacts are ongoing. Milan director Igli Tare had a direct meeting with Modric, offered Modric a one-year contract plus a one-year option, €3.5 million per season plus add-ons and bonuses.

"Milan are waiting for Modric's green light. Then, a massive signing, Modric on free, can be a reality. Milan are pushing to get the deal done for Modric after an official proposal was presented to the player. They are working hard on this deal for Modric."

Liverpool close in on double deal

Romano then confirmed that Liverpool are set to sign Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz.

"Liverpool are closing in on the deal for Milos Kerkez. The deal is very close, just waiting for one final meeting to get everything sorted and done between all parties involved with Bournemouth because the player already said yes to Liverpool.

"The contract is ready, the player is ready. Now, Bournemouth and Liverpool are finalising this deal for around £40m. So a new left-back after Jeremie Frimpong, and don't forget that Liverpool keep advancing on the Florian Wirtz deal."

Man City seal Reijnders deal

Similarly, Man City are closing in on deals to sign Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki.

"Man City, here we go for Tijjani Reinders. Now, it's done, new midfielder for Pep Guardiola. The contract is also ready, waiting to sign all the documents in the next days between Milan and City.

"But also Man City today made progress on the Rayan Cherki deal. Agreement done with the player, that's an important story. So Cherki said yes to the City project. And now Man City are preparing their first official bid to Olympique Lyon.

"After club-to-club contact over the weekend when Man City informed Lyon of their interest in Cherki, now they are ready to present an official proposal in the next 24, 48 hours. City will try to advance this week after Reijnders also on Cherki, and they also want [Rayan] Air-Nouri as a new left-back from Wolves."

Garcia set for Barcelona

Regarding Barcelona's interest in Joan Garcia, Romano corroborated that a deal is essentially done.

"Joan Garcia, a Spanish goalkeeper wanted by several clubs. More than six clubs wanted to go for him in the summer transfer window from England, from Germany. Bayer Leverkusen tried, then understood it was impossible.

"He was on Arsenal's list since last summer. More clubs, including Aston Villa, Newcastle, were interested. But Garcia will play for Barcelona because the players said yes to Barca. The contract is ready. It's a five-year deal.

"Garcia is ready to make this wish despite being an Espanyol player, so same city, big rivalry. But Garcia wants to play for Barcelona. We wait for Barcelona to trigger the release clause. They will be ready to activate the clause, pay €25m to Espanyol and have a new goalkeeper, an important one, a star like Garcia, who did very well this season."

Maignan deal complicated

Romano also spoke about Chelsea's pursuit of Mike Maignan, stating that a deal isn't as simple as anticipated.

"My understanding today is that after 24 hours, there are two clear positions. Milan want at least €30m for Mike Maignan. Meanwhile, Chelsea only want to spend something around, could be a bit more than this, but around €10m.

"Why? Because Milan still consider Maignan as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and they don't want him to go for a cheap fee. Meanwhile, Chelsea believe that Maignan will not sign any deal at Milan - out of contract in the summer transfer window 2026.

"So Chelsea say, if the player is not extending, for us, he's worth €10m. So at the moment, there is a big gap in valuation between Chelsea and Milan. Chelsea have no intention to wait too long. So until Monday, from what I'm told, then Chelsea could be prepared to move on and maybe continue with the goalkeepers they have.

"They consider [Djordje] Petrovic an important goalkeeper. There is [Robert] Sanchez, there is [Filip] Jorgensen, Mike Penders for the future. So Chelsea, they are not in a rush for a new goalkeeper. If there is a good opportunity - that's what they believe Maignan is - they are ready to jump into the market and make it happen, but on their conditions."

Real Madrid to hijack Mastantuono

Lastly, Romano confirmed that Real Madrid are trying to hijack PSG's move for Franco Mastantuono.

"Real Madrid, with their appeal, with their project, with the work of Juni Calafat, are trying once again to bring a top talent to the club. Probably you remember what happened with Arda Guler. The player was close to joining Barcelona, and then Real Madrid's mission, blitz, made everything change.

"Now Real Madrid are trying to do the same also with this super talent, Franco Mastantuono, one of the biggest gems in the world of football. PSG [are the] favourites because they've been working on this deal for three weeks. From what I heard, Mastantuono already had a direct contact with PSG.

"Real Madrid called in the last 24 hours to understand if the deal was already closed with PSG. The answer was no because PSG at the moment are in advanced talks, but it's not a done deal because PSG didn't trigger the release clause - €45m. So Real Madrid, with a mission in Argentina, are trying to understand if there is room for movement because they believe the player could be attracted by their project.

They believe Mastantuono is a top talent. Real Madrid were already in conversations between October, November, then there were some problems with agents, and this is why Real Madrid ended up slowing down on this deal for Mastantuono. But now they're back in talks.

"The two clubs are in a battle for one of the best talents in the world. Let me clarify River Plate's position: there is a clause, €45m, this is the pricing. But at the moment, both clubs, PSG and Real Madrid, are trying to find different solutions."

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