18 Jul 2026 08:58 BST | 6 min read
Fabrizio Romano, Mohamed Salah, Julian Alvarez
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Robin Bairner
Robin Bairner | Chief Editor
Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006
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Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has delivered the latest updates from the summer transfer window, including the futures of Magnus Akliouche, Mohamed Salah, Julian Alvarez and Michael Olise, while also confirming the latest managerial developments involving Zinedine Zidane and Thomas Tuchel.
Zinedine Zidane set for France as Tuchel expected to stay with England
Romano began by confirming managerial decisions taken for the France and England national teams.
“First of all, Zinedine Zidane will be the new head coach of the French national team. It was never in doubt. I gave you the 'here we go' a long time ago, but now it's just a formal confirmation,” Romano declared on his YouTube channel.
“He will sign in the next few days. His staff is prepared, everything is set between Zidane and the French federation. Didier Deschamps will leave his job and good luck to Zinedine Zidane, who will take charge for the Nations League, the Euros and the 2028 World Cup.
“On Thomas Tuchel, the intention from both Tuchel and the English federation remains very clear. They want to continue together.
“As for the stories linking Pep Guardiola with England, it's true he was a strong candidate back in 2024, but nothing has changed since then. At the moment Pep Guardiola is not in concrete conversations with anyone.”
Thomas Tuchel: Staying with England
© IMAGO - Thomas Tuchel: Staying with England
PSG close in on Magnus Akliouche
Romano says Paris Saint-Germain are now firmly in control of the race for Monaco star Magnus Akliouche.
“Magnus Akliouche is a special player. He can play as a No.10 or as a winger, he's young, talented and wanted by several Premier League clubs,” Romano said.
“But Paris Saint-Germain have been leading the race for some time and now they have an agreement with the player on personal terms.
“Everything is done between Akliouche and PSG. The contract is ready and Akliouche has made it clear he wants to join Paris Saint-Germain.
“During the World Cup he spoke with his France team-mates and the message was very clear. He wants PSG.
“Now Paris Saint-Germain are advancing in talks with Monaco and I think from next week any moment could be the right one to complete the deal and get the final 'here we go'.”
Mohamed Salah assessing Besiktas, MLS and Saudi options
Romano also provided an update on Salah's next move following his Liverpool departure.
"Movements are starting for Mohamed Salah,” he said. “It's true that Besiktas are trying to enter the race. There are MLS clubs approaching Salah and his agent, while Saudi clubs have wanted him for three or four years. That interest has always been well documented.
“But Besiktas are trying too. After signing Leandro Trossard, they want another starting attacker and there is a conversation ongoing with Mohamed Salah.
“Obviously, financially, technically and for his family's future, Salah will assess every proposal together with his agent, Rami Abbas, over the next few days.
“Besiktas, MLS and Saudi are all involved, so it's going to be a very interesting race for one of the best free agents on the market.”
Mohamed Salah, Egypt
© IMAGO - Mohamed Salah, Egypt
Atletico Madrid issue emphatic Julian Alvarez response
Romano reacted after Atletico Madrid publicly insisted Julian Alvarez will not be sold.
“There have been important developments on Julian Alvarez,” he said.
“Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Gil spoke publicly and made the club's position crystal clear. He said Laporta already knows it's not about €100m, €150m or €200m. Atletico Madrid will not sell Julian Alvarez. He said Laporta is part of this media circus because he knows Atletico will not sell the player.
“Obviously there won't be any response from Julian Alvarez while he is preparing for the World Cup final. From next week we can expect reactions from the player's camp and Barcelona.
“Don't forget Joan Laporta himself admitted 12 hours earlier that Barcelona's offer is not unlimited and they could also explore alternative options.
“So Barcelona are beginning to accept they may have to look elsewhere, while Atletico Madrid's position remains that Julian Alvarez is simply not for sale.”
Barcelona not moving for Jhon Duran
Romano dismissed reports linking Barcelona with Jhon Duran.
"The name of Jhon Duran was circulating today in Spain as a possibility for Barcelona. But my understanding is that Duran is actually closing in on a move to Benfica,” he insisted.
“Benfica are in very advanced talks with Al Nassr and with the player's agents. So, at this stage, Jhon Duran is linked with Benfica, not Barcelona.
Real Madrid waiting patiently for Michael Olise opportunity
Romano finished by explaining why Real Madrid remain calm despite growing speculation over Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise.
“It's been a big 24 hours after L'Equipe reported that Michael Olise wants to join Real Madrid and leave Bayern Munich,” he said.
“But Bayern maintain exactly the same position. Their message is that Olise is not for sale. They want to keep him, they want to offer him a better contract and make him one of the three highest-paid players at the club.
“Real Madrid's reaction is very calm. They don't want to damage their excellent relationship with Bayern, especially between Florentino Perez and the club's senior figures. So Real Madrid are simply waiting.
“If they receive a call from the player's camp and Bayern saying there is a price and it's time to negotiate, then Real Madrid will be ready.
“I've told you before that Florentino Perez loves the player and is obsessed with him. But Real Madrid are not putting pressure on this situation. They believe everything depends on Bayern and on Olise. If Bayern keep the door closed, there's nothing to discuss. If Bayern or the player open the door at any point, then Real Madrid will be ready to move.”
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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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