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Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Man Utd dream signing, Joao Pedro truth, major Alvarez interest

25 May 2026 06:55 BST | 8 min read

Fabrizio Romano, Joao Pedro, Julian Alvarez

Robin Bairner

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

Manchester United’s midfield search, Harry Kane’s future at Bayern Munich and growing uncertainty around several elite forwards dominate the latest transfer discussion, with Fabrizio Romano providing fresh updates on targets including Aurelien Tchouameni, Julian Alvarez, Goncalo Ramos and Joao Pedro.

Tchouameni is Man Utd midfield ‘dream’

Romano confirmed that midfield remains one of the biggest priorities for Manchester United heading into the summer window.

“We know that Ederson is waiting for Manchester United. There is an agreement already in place between Ederson and Manchester United in terms of personal terms, personal details,” Romano said.

“Ederson will be more than happy to join Manchester United. Ederson is giving priority to Manchester United. United had face-to-face conversations with Atalanta, with a mission in Italy in the recent days to line up the deal, to prepare the deal, and then it's obviously going to be on Manchester United to decide whether they want to proceed, give the green light or not.

“Manchester United are talking to several midfielders, so there is always the appreciation for Sandro Tonali, the appreciation for Elliot Anderson when Manchester City are also there. Mateus Fernandes is going to be another big name to follow for top clubs in England this summer, so there is going to be a lot of movement for midfielders.

“But Aurelien Tchouameni, if you ask me, who is going to be probably internally considered as a dream midfielder target for Manchester United. He is for sure a player they love. He's a player they believe could be another Casemiro for Manchester United.

“Then, as I always mentioned, for Real Madrid, he's a very important player. So at the moment, the doors of Real Madrid are still closed for Aurelien Tchouameni. He's on a big salary, so it's a really, really difficult deal, really complicated.

“A few months ago, the conversation was about the manager. Who is the dream target as a manager? Probably was going to be Luis Enrique, but impossible. He's going to sign a new contract with Paris Saint-Germain and United are very happy with Michael Carrick.

“If you ask me in terms of midfielders, Tchouameni and Elliot Anderson are super appreciated. Obviously, both are impossible probably. But at the same time, these are two names that Manchester United really appreciate.

“Then we know, transfer window, you always have to be smart, try to understand the best opportunities. So let's see what's going to happen with all of them, including also Carlos Baleba, another name we have to include because the player is keen on the move. And then Manchester United will decide who are the midfielders they really want.”

Aurelien Tchouameni is Man Utd's dream transfer target

Bayern Munich close the door on Harry Kane exit

Romano addressed speculation linking Harry Kane with a surprise move away from Bayern Munich, insisting the German giants never considered selling the striker.

“Today Uli Hoeness spoke about that. There was no doubt. He was also quite aggressive talking about Barcelona. That's his style. We know that,” Romano explained.

“Yesterday was about Michael Olise, saying Jose Mourinho can keep five eyes on him and he's still not going to get him. And today on Harry Kane, saying Barcelona have no money for him and we are not a selling club. So it was a very strong statement.

“The reality, apart from statements, is that Bayern Munich never considered the exit of Harry Kane this summer. The release clause of Harry Kane at Bayern Munich is a release clause that had to be activated in January 2026. Now it's too late to discuss about release clauses.

“Bayern are very relaxed. Bayern want to discuss a new contract with Harry Kane as soon as possible. They are absolutely delighted with Kane. He's doing fantastic, 66 goals this season so far in all competitions with Bayern Munich and England.

“With the World Cup incoming, the doors are more than closed also because Barcelona are focusing on completely different things.”

Julian Alvarez attracting major interest

Romano also confirmed that the future of Julian Alvarez remains open despite Atletico Madrid wanting to keep the forward.

“I always say the same sentence since November, December on Julian Alvarez's future: keep all doors open. And all doors means Barcelona because they love the player, for sure. But also Paris Saint-Germain and Premier League clubs are very interested in Julian Alvarez. So they're going to be very aggressive this summer,” Romano revealed.

“And I think it's not going to be easy, obviously, for Atletico Madrid to keep the player. They have new ownership, so they can be ambitious. But when you get those kinds of proposals, you know, it becomes complicated.

“My understanding is that a new contract for Julian Alvarez at Atletico Madrid, despite all the stories around, is very, very unlikely.

“At the moment, it's more on Julian Alvarez to decide, announce what he wants to do, and then eventually negotiate.”

Goncalo Ramos could leave Paris Saint-Germain

Attention then shifted to another striker situation, with Romano identifying Goncalo Ramos as a player who could move this summer.

“I would keep an eye on Goncalo Ramos, because Goncalo Ramos could be on the move,” Romano explained.

“He could leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer. My understanding is that some movement already started.

“Now obviously the full focus is on the Champions League final. Goncalo Ramos is a fantastic professional, so never created any sort of problem, any sort of issue. He's been on the bench several times at Paris Saint-Germain in the big games in recent seasons, but always behaving in a fantastic way, fantastic in training, fantastic when he had the chance to enter.

Goncalo Ramos, PSG

“He was crucial in the UEFA Super Cup last summer. So he is very appreciated at PSG. But my understanding is that now the player wants to play. He wants to be an important part of the project at his next club.

“There could be movement on Goncalo Ramos for Premier League clubs, for Serie A clubs, for Spanish clubs as well. Let's see what happens at Atletico Madrid, for example.

“But for sure, Goncalo Ramos could be one to watch because there is movement around him. And the understanding is that Paris Saint-Germain could maybe add one more offensive player.

“Let's see what happens with Julian Alvarez. One player could be a possibility to be added up front for Paris Saint-Germain, and in that case, Goncalo Ramos could be the player to leave in terms of number nine.”

Barcelona interest in Joao Pedro

Romano finished by discussing growing interest from Barcelona in Chelsea forward Joao Pedro, though he stressed a deal currently looks extremely difficult.

“What we have to expect is that Barcelona, behind the scenes, have been trying to get in touch with his agents, to try and understand what could be the magic number to make things happen around Joao Pedro. They want to tempt Chelsea and the player,” Romano said.

“But the reality is that, as of today, again, it's end of May, very early. It's a long window. It's a long summer.

“Joao Pedro is not going to be at the World Cup, so the negotiations can be different. But in terms of Chelsea's desire, as of today, it's a very high wall around Joao Pedro.

“It's been a tough season for Chelsea, a very complicated season, three different managers. And so to let Joao Pedro go at this stage of the project with a new coach ambitious like Xabi Alonso incoming seems something really, really complicated.

“Chelsea have absolutely no intention to discuss. And it's not about €90 million, 100 million, 120. It's not about numbers.

“Chelsea want to restart their project with a top coach like Xabi Alonso and with top players like, obviously, Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer, and all the others. So this is going to be the focus.

“If Barcelona will decide to make something crazy happen, we will eventually let you know.”