30 Apr 2026 08:05 BST | 6 min read
Fabrizio Romano, Jose Mourinho, Sandro Tonali
© IMAGO
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has explained the latest stories from the market, with updates from Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Newcastle, Real Madrid and more.
Kobbie Mainoo signs Man Utd deal: Here we go!
Romano confirmed that Kobbie Mainoo has signed his new contract with Man Utd, with official confirmation set to follow soon.
“Kobbie Mainoo has signed a new contract at Manchester United today [Wednesday],” Romano told his YouTube channel.
“Yesterday I told you the agreement had been approved. Today, Mainoo, with his family and his agent, was at Carrington to sign the new deal until June 2031. The salary is increased, the official statement will follow, and everything is confirmed.
“Here we go! Kobbie Mainoo stays at Manchester United. Fantastic news for the Red Devils, and a huge credit also to Michael Carrick, who was part of this process and gave him the best possible confidence. Now he has put pen to paper on a new contract.”
Sandro Tonali update: Serie A return ‘almost impossible’
Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali has been linked with a move away from the Magpies, and while there has been interest from Serie A, Romano has downplayed the possibility of such a move taking place now.
“Despite some reports in England and in Italy saying that Tonali could favour a move back to Serie A this summer, my understanding is that a return to Serie A is something that could happen maybe in the next years, maybe in two, three, four or five years. But for this summer, summer 2026, it is considered almost impossible,” Romano explained.
“Why impossible? Because Newcastle would ask for big money, and it is very difficult for Italian clubs to pay €90, €100, or €110 million for a midfielder. That would be extremely complicated. Tonali is a special player, but financially this would be almost impossible for Italian clubs.
“Also, my understanding is that Tonali would like to continue in the Premier League. He is happy at the highest level and would be happy to stay in England. There is interest from Manchester United. There is interest from Manchester City. So both Manchester clubs are following the situation very closely.
“City are pushing for Elliot Anderson, and I maintain that name, but Tonali is also on their shortlist. With Manchester United, they want to understand how expensive the package would be for Tonali, because they believe, like they did one year ago, that it could be too expensive. But the appreciation from both Manchester clubs remains. So Tonali is definitely one to watch this summer.
“Let’s see also if Arsenal decide to jump into the race. They have interest in Tonali too, but at the moment they have not activated anything serious. So we will see what happens there. But for sure, Tonali would like to continue in the Premier League.”
Newcastle's Sandro Tonali in action for Italy
© IMAGO - Newcastle's Sandro Tonali in action for Italy
Arsenal target wonderkid Vasilije Kostov
Arsenal are exploring a move for Serbian wonderkid Vasilije Kostov, who has had a €12 million price tag put on his head.
Romano said: “He is an attacking midfielder playing for Red Star Belgrade, 17 years old, a very interesting player with potential. Italian clubs and German clubs have been tracking him, but now it is true what has been reported in Serbia: Arsenal are also following Kostov closely.
“They have made contact with people close to the player and are considering a move. Arsenal want to invest in talents, not only established players, so Kostov is one of the young players they are monitoring.
“It is still early to say whether Arsenal will close the deal, but there is genuine interest. They have been scouting him and following him, so this is one to watch ahead of the summer transfer window.”
Mourinho to make Real Madrid return?
The Real Madrid head coach role was also addressed following rumours that Jose Mourinho could make a spectacular return to the club.
Romano said: “We mentioned Jose Mourinho in a video yesterday, and in the next days I will tell you more about Mourinho, Klopp and what is happening at Real Madrid.
“Today Mourinho spoke from Italy and said that his focus is on Benfica. He wants to bring Benfica back to Champions League football and at the moment he is only focused on that.
“So Mourinho is not trying to play down any reports. He is simply focused on Benfica. But as I told you yesterday, Mourinho knows Benfica want him to continue. They are basically waiting for Real Madrid to decide.
“If Real Madrid go for Mourinho, Benfica know it will be almost impossible to keep him. If Real Madrid do not go for Mourinho, Benfica will be more than happy to continue with him. So that remains the situation.”
Jose Mourinho, Benfica
© IMAGO - Jose Mourinho, Benfica
Nicolas Jackson update
Finally, Romano looked at the situation of Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, who will return to the club after confirmation that his loan deal with Bayern Munich will not be extended.
“It became official this week, but I already told you a long time ago, since January I think, that Bayern would not activate the buy option clause for Nico Jackson. So he will formally return to Chelsea in the summer and will not stay at Bayern,” Romano said.
“There is interest from Italy, but for Italian clubs the only possible way would be a loan or another creative structure. We have to see what Chelsea want to do, because I am sure Chelsea will try to find a different solution before accepting any loan option from Italy.
“There is also interest from the Premier League. One year ago, in the final days of the August 2025 window, Aston Villa and Newcastle were interested. Let’s see if those clubs appear again.
“But Jackson is going to be one of the names to watch in the summer, returning to Chelsea and then possibly finding a new club after the Bayern loan. Bayern, through Max Eberl, have made it clear they will not activate the buy option, which is worth €65m.”
Robin Bairner
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Robin Bairner is an eminent digital football journalist who has been writing about the sport for major global publishers since 2006, specialising in Ligue 1 and Scottish football. He has been chief editor of the FootballTransfers global edition since its launch in 2020. Previously Bairner had been a key member of the editorial team which helped Goal.com become the world’s biggest football website. He covered multiple major competitions as a correspondent for Goal including the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where he had the opportunity to work in Fortaleza. Among his highlights of the competition was Brazil’s quarter-final victory over Colombia.
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