11 Jul 2026 09:31 BST | 6 min read
Fabrizio Romano, Ederson, Alejandro Garnacho
© IMAGO
Robin Bairner
Robin Bairner | Chief Editor
Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006
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Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has delivered several major updates from the market, with Manchester United completing one signing as a deal for Ederson is off, while Barcelona snap up an attacker and Chelsea could sell Alejandro Garnacho.
Manchester United-Ederson deal off
Romano provided a major update on Manchester United’s midfield plans, confirming their move for Atalanta midfielder Ederson has collapsed.
“It’s been a crazy 24 hours. The Brazilian midfielder from Atalanta was expected to join Manchester United, but I told you over the last seven to 10 days, let’s wait for the medical check, let’s wait for the medical test, let’s wait for the next steps,” he said.
“Now we can say that Atalanta received a formal communication about the Ederson deal being off. Ederson to Manchester United is not happening.
“The communication has reached Atalanta today. The message coming from Atalanta is very clear. Atalanta’s message is: ‘We got a communication that the deal for Ederson is off, it is not happening.’
“But Atalanta insist, according to them, according to the club, that Ederson is 100% fit, ready to play football, as he did with Brazil at the World Cup.
“On the other side, Manchester United want to do extra checks on the player and they decided, after several sessions of medical tests, that Ederson has to be called back. So Ederson is not happening.
“Atalanta are more than happy to welcome back Ederson and have the player at the club. He has one year left on his contract.
Andrey Santos completes Manchester United move
Romano then confirmed that Man Utd have completed the signing of another Brazilian midfielder from Premier League rivals Chelsea.
“Andrey Santos is happening. Andrey Santos’ medical was perfect. The player joins for £48m plus £2m.
“Everything is done. The contract is valid for five years plus a one-year option.
“Andre Santos to Manchester United is 100% confirmed. It is a here we go.”
Andrey Santos, Chelsea
© IMAGO - Andrey Santos, Chelsea
Joao Gomes deal with Atletico Madrid collapsed
Continuing on the theme of Brazilian midfielders, Romano offered an update on Joao Gomes and Atletico Madrid, with that deal off but the Wolves man still destined to leave.
“Today it looks like the news went everywhere about Joao Gomes not going to Atletico Madrid,” Romano said. “But the deal is not off today. The deal for Joao Gomes has been off for weeks already, since the start of July, even the end of June.
“There were advanced negotiations, it is true, between Atletico Madrid and Wolves. The deal was very advanced, but it was never done and the deal has collapsed.
“Atletico Madrid sign Morten Hjulmand as their new midfielder. €40m plus €5m in add-ons, medical done, contract signed, here we go confirmed.
“Then Alejandro Grimaldo, new left-back, Kang-in Lee, new winger for Atletico Madrid, and everything is ready for their three signings.
“Joao Gomes remains on the market because for the level of the player, he cannot be in the Championship.
“I’m sure there will be more movements around Joao Gomes in the next weeks with new clubs reaching out to Wolves.”
Barcelona complete Karim Adeyemi signing
Romano then revealed another major deal, confirming Barcelona have completed the signing of Karim Adeyemi.
“Karim Adeyemi to Barcelona, here we go. €22m plus €7m in add-ons, with a sell-on clause for Borussia Dortmund,” Romano said.
“Karim Adeyemi will be in Barcelona on Wednesday for the medical test and contract signing.
“Adeyemi signs a five-year contract at Barcelona and he is going to fulfil his dream because he only wanted to go to Barca.
“It was his dream, as I told you, to go to Barcelona. Everything is done and Barcelona have one more offensive player after Anthony Gordon.”
Marcus Rashford returns to Manchester United
Romano also explained what the future now holds for Marcus Rashford after his Barcelona loan spell ended.
“Marcus Rashford returned to Manchester United. We know that Rashford’s deal with Barcelona is not advancing,” he said.
“Rashford is now at the World Cup. After the World Cup, Rashford will return to Carrington and will be available for Michael Carrick.
“As I told you around 10 days ago, Rashford will start pre-season with Manchester United under Michael Carrick.
“Then, if a good proposal arrives, he can still leave Manchester United. Otherwise, he can be part of the squad.”
Marcus Rashford is returning to Man Utd
© IMAGO - Marcus Rashford is returning to Man Utd
Al-Hilal want Raphinha but Barcelona star wants to stay
Raphinha has been linked with a big-money move to the Saudi Pro League, but Romano is insistent that the Brazil international’s plan is to remain with Barcelona.
“For Raphinha, there is a club obsessed with him, and it is Al Hilal,” the transfer insider confirmed.
“Al Hilal want to bring Raphinha to Saudi, but at the moment, Raphinha’s desire is to stay at Barcelona. Raphinha is still fully focused on Barcelona.
“If later in the summer this situation changes and at any moment Raphinha says he opens the doors to Saudi, I will come here and tell you. As of today, Raphinha is focused on Barcelona.”
PSG interested in Ferran Torres
Another Blaugrana star who could potentially depart the club is Ferran Torres, who is attracting interest from PSG.
“One year left on his contract at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are behind the scenes calling for Ferran Torres,” Romano said.
“PSG are talking with the agents of the player. PSG are interested in Ferran Torres.
“He could be a backup option after Gonzalo Ramos left, to cover several positions, number nine and winger.
“So Ferran Torres is an option for Paris Saint-Germain. Not the only one, but there are talks with his agents.”
Ferran Torres, Barcelona
© IMAGO - Ferran Torres, Barcelona
Roma consider move for Alejandro Garnacho
Finally, Alejandro Garnacho is in line for an express departure from Chelsea after arriving from Manchester United a year ago.
“Roma are considering the possibility to go for Alejandro Garnacho,” Romano said.
“But Roma are only considering an initial loan deal for Garnacho, not a permanent transfer.
“Chelsea, as of today, are only opening doors to a permanent transfer for the Argentinian winger.
“So now it is going to be up to all parties involved.
“Either Roma decide to invest big on Garnacho and give a guaranteed obligation to buy, or some different formula, or Chelsea could change their mind on how to let Garnacho leave.
“There are more clubs, not only Roma. But for sure Roma are involved.
“Roma wanted Mason Greenwood, but Greenwood is not happening. So Roma have genuine interest in Alejandro Garnacho and also Diego Moreira from Strasbourg.
“Chelsea are ready to let Garnacho go. Chelsea are ready to part ways with Garnacho after just one season at the club.
“And Garnacho is also open to joining Roma. Garnacho is not creating problems about the move.”
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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