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Fabrizio Romano transfer news: Man Utd chance, Madrid’s Tchouameni stance, Nunez return

Updated: 9 May 2026 09:06 BST | 7 min read

Fabrizio Romano, Aurelien Tchouameni, Darwin Nunez

Robin Bairner

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has discussed the day’s biggest deals, including the latest on Aurelien Tchouameni at Real Madrid after his training ground fight, an unexpected chance for Manchester United, and the latest on Darwin Nunez and Anthony Gordon.

Atletico Madrid beat Man Utd to Joao Gomes

Manchester United had Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes on their shortlist heading into the summer, but Atletico Madrid will beat the Red Devils to the midfielder, Romano says.

“Atletico Madrid are close to completing their first signing for the 2026 summer transfer window,” he confirmed on his YouTube channel.

“The player they want is Joao Gomes, the midfielder from Wolves. He has been wanted by several clubs for some time because Joao Gomes has been on the list of Italian clubs, English clubs and Spanish clubs too. He has done very well at Wolves, and in January he already had the possibility to leave the club and try something different, but he decided to stay to finish the season. Now the summer is coming, and the move is coming too.

“Atletico Madrid are close to completing the agreement with Wolves for something around €40 million plus. That is the fee being discussed between the two clubs.

“There is also already an agreement between Atletico Madrid and Joao Gomes on the contract terms, so now they are working to close the deal between the clubs.”

Joao Gomes, Wolves

Man Utd get unexpected Ederson chance

While Atleti are close to one Man Utd midfield target, they have cooled on another, with Romano confirming that Ederson is still a player being watched by the Old Trafford outfit.

On this case, Romano said: “Atletico had an agreement with Ederson, but the deal is now completely on standby because Atletico do not want to spend €45m on a player who is out of contract in summer 2027. Atalanta are still asking for big money, despite Ederson not wanting to sign a new contract.

“Atletico are not willing to pay that fee, even if they have a very good relationship with Atalanta, with several operations done together in recent years. But now they have no intention to proceed. So they are closing for Joao Gomes, and that means the Ederson story is absolutely one to watch this summer.

“He is one of the names under consideration at Manchester United, not the only one, but United have several candidates for midfield. It could be two, it could be three, we will see. At least two, as I always told you.

“Ederson is a player United really like, but at the moment he is not the absolute top priority. He is on the list, and we have to see if they decide to activate that option because Ugarte is leaving and Casemiro is leaving.

“And for sure, Ederson also has one more Premier League club interested in his services. So this could be a big one for the Premier League too, because Atletico are not proceeding.”

Real Madrid’s Tchouameni stance revealed

Aurelien Tchouameni’s future at Real Madrid has been cast into doubt following a spectacular training ground bust-up with Federico Valverde that left the Uruguay international with a brain injury.

Romano revealed, however, that Los Blancos are not about to let the France international leave easily.

“Real Madrid have confirmed they have fined both players. It is €500,000 euros each. It is one of the biggest fines in Real Madrid history. The club believe that was the minimum after what happened over the last two days, Wednesday and Thursday,” Romano confirmed.

“It has been a terrible week for Real Madrid at the training ground. But both players have apologised publicly and also privately. There was a conversation with teammates and both players said sorry, so the situation has now been clarified.

Aurelien Tchouameni, Real Madrid

“Tchouameni will be available for the Clasico. Valverde will not be, because he is injured, but he will be back from next week.

“Now, of course, this situation is making Manchester United fans ask if they can go and sign Tchouameni. United love him, that is for sure. They believe he is one of the best midfielders in the world.

“But at the moment, I am still told that Real Madrid consider Tchouameni an important player for the present and the future. We have to understand what happens with the manager, what happens with the structure, and whether Madrid want to renew his contract or not. There are several things to check.

“Real Madrid are not opening the door to an exit. Tchouameni also said in his statement that the club has to be brought back where it belongs from next season, so he is already sending a message for the future.

“If at some point Real Madrid and Tchouameni decide to part ways this summer, Manchester United would love to be there. The relationship between his agents and United is very good. But at the moment, that is not happening because Real Madrid are in control of the situation. So I would not link this story directly to the fight.”

Darwin Nunez returning to Europe

Former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez is set to make his way back to European football after a spell in the Saudi Pro League.

“The situation between Darwin and Al Hilal is complicated. Darwin was left out of the Saudi Pro League squad, only playing in the Asian Champions Cup, but not in the league squad since Karim Benzema joined the club on deadline day in January. Obviously, that has had a big impact on Darwin, who wants to play regularly.

“So there is a serious chance of seeing Darwin Nunez leave Al Hilal in the summer transfer window. But at the moment, it is still not clear on what terms - loan, permanent deal, free transfer - because it is important to understand what Al Hilal decide to do. That is not public yet.

“After the final verdict in the Saudi Pro League, Al Hilal will clarify his situation. But there is definitely a chance for him to leave. There are European clubs and other Saudi clubs interested, so we have to see whether he gets a new opportunity in Saudi or whether European clubs can come back for him on different terms.”

Anthony Gordon to Barcelona truth

Finally, Romano touched on the situation of Anthony Gordon, who looks increasingly likely to leave Newcastle this summer. Barcelona, however, is not thought to be a likely destination.

“I am not aware of Barcelona actively working on a deal for Gordon at this stage. I am not aware of negotiations, contacts, discussions, nothing concrete,” Romano said.

“Barcelona are checking some wingers on the market, but from what I am hearing, Anthony Gordon is too expensive. He is going to be very expensive this summer. Newcastle start from €100 million, then maybe they can negotiate around that, perhaps 80, 85 or 90 with bonuses. But this is a very expensive operation.

“And do not forget, Bayern are interested in Anthony Gordon. Bayern are talking with the agents and also with Newcastle club to club. Bayern are working on the deal. It is not the only option, because they have two more players on their shortlist for the winger position.

“But Anthony Gordon is expected to leave Newcastle this summer, and there are also Premier League clubs interested. So this is definitely one to watch. At the moment, though, it is more Bayern and Premier League than Barcelona.”