Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Isak LATEST, Chelsea VERDICT, ‘SPECIAL’ Gyokeres

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 26 Jul 2025 05:44 CDT
• 6 min read

News

Fabrizio Romano has dropped the latest transfer news, including updates from Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City.

Trafford completes Man City move

Manchester City have re-signed James Trafford from Burnley, with Romano giving the latest on the goalkeeper, who arrives at a discount from his €46 million (£40m) release clause.

“There is one more signing for Manchester City after a very busy start to the transfer window. Now Man City have agreed a deal with Burnley for James Trafford. The package is £27 million (€31m),” Romano told his YouTube channel.

Current ETV

James Trafford

GK

Burnley

James Trafford

GK

Burnley

€22.7M

ETV Range

€20.5M - €25M

View full profile

“Everything’s agreed with the player, who has said yes after direct contact with Pep Guardiola. He spoke to the player and Trafford said yes. Medical test will be on Monday, he’ll sign a five-year contract with a one-year option.

“Now let’s see what happens with the other goalkeepers. Man City who are looking for a solution for Stefan Ortega, who wants to be first choice. This season, there’s still Ederson there, so it’s not an easy one at all. Ederson spoke to Galatasaray but they never presented a bid to City.”

Chelsea to sign Hato and Simons

Romano, meanwhile, has fielded questions from anxious Chelsea fans concerned at a lack of progress on two big-money deals.

“Chelsea are working on Hato and Xavi Simons. They won’t always close deals in 24 hours. Sometimes you have to negotiate and discuss,” he said.

“For example, for Hato, Chelsea are using the old deal made by Arsenal a few years ago for Jurrien Timber – same position, same club – for the fee. They want to spend €40m and that’s their idea in negotiations with Ajax. Ajax want more, so talks are ongoing. Chelsea feel strong because the player has taken a strong position as he’s told Ajax he wants to go.

“My feeling is that this deal will happen. The relationship between the clubs is very good.

“Also on Xavi Simons, my feeling is the same. There are contacts ongoing, the relationship between the clubs is also good in this case. They are having two separate discussions, one for Carney Chukwuemeka, the other is for Xavi Simons. But Chelsea and RB Leipzig are in discussions.

“And the talks on personal terms are going very well. I think they’ll agree every detail of personal terms very soon. I still expect Xavi Simons has a very good chance of joining Chelsea this summer.”

Special Arsenal honour for Gyokeres

The long-running transfer saga that is Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal, meanwhile, is about to complete.

Romano explained: “Viktor Gyokeres is in London. The last 24 hours have seen important updates, with the player travelling and taking his medical today, on Saturday, and then signing a five-year contract. He’ll wear the shirt No.14 for Arsenal, something special for Arsenal fans, reminding of the legend Thierry Henry.”

STATS

Viktor Gyökeres

F (C)

Sporting CP

Viktor Gyökeres

F (C)

Sporting CP

All Tournaments

2024/25

• 52

  Games

• 54

  Goals

• 12

  Assists

View all stats

Messi suspension shock

Following the news that MLS has suspended Lionel Messi after failing to play in the All-Star Game, Romano expressed shock at the situation.

“Messi has been suspended by MLS officially along with Jordi Alba. He’s very upset. Jorge Mas announced that Messi is really upset. There’s a strange feeling around that,” he said.

“It feels incredible to see a player like Messi, more than a legend for MLS, not to be available, not to be available for an MLS game because he doesn’t take place in the All-Star Game. It makes no sense for that type of model. It feels strange and unexpected.

“Messi’s decision is not made out of nowhere. He needed to rest after five successive games playing 90 minutes following the Club World Cup.

“We know how the attention around MLS is increasing because of Messi. Also, the next MLS game was an opportunity for Inter Miami and adidas to present their new third kit, and now Messi won’t be on the pitch. It’s something we can’t understand.”

No Bayern bid for Luis Diaz… yet

It’s still quiet with regards an official bid from Bayern Munich for Liverpool’s Luis Diaz, but Romano says that it’s incoming.

“My understanding is that Bayern haven’t sent an official bid for Luis Diaz yet. They did make contact again with Liverpool to tell them to anticipate a bid. They’ll be back to the table and will negotiate with Liverpool and Bayern will make a new bid,” he says.

“Remember, they have a Plan B and it’s Malick Fofana at Lyon. But for Luis Diaz, they want to try again. Conversations are continuing.”

Current ETV

Luis Díaz

F (CL), M (L)

Liverpool

Luis Díaz

F (CL), M (L)

Liverpool

€50.4M

ETV Range

€45.3M - €55.4M

View full profile

What’s happening with Alexander Isak?

Sticking with Liverpool, Romano says they are the focus of Alexander Isak this summer after he expressed his desire to leave Newcastle United.

“Forget about Chelsea, forget about Manchester United. There are many of my colleagues reporting about Al-Hilal. I’m now aware of Al-Hilal working on a deal for Alexander Isak. I’m told there’s no conversation,” he said.

“The focus of the player is on Liverpool. Alexander Isak’s dream is Liverpool. Now it depends on Newcastle. Liverpool are ready to jump into it.

“Newcastle have to decide if they want to open the doors or face a difficult situation with Alexander Isak keen on a move away.”

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