Fabrizio Romano, Gabriel Martinelli, Enzo Fernandez
© IMAGO
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Fabrizio Romano delivers the latest transfer news on Liam Delap, Nico Gonzalez, Enzo Fernandez, Cody Gakpo, Nico Jackson, Gabriel Martinelli and several major deals.
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Delap seals £45m Chelsea exit to Nottingham Forest
Romano begins with Chelsea's latest sale, with Leon Delap set to join Nottingham Forest in a significant deal.
“Liam Delap is leaving Chelsea and joining Nottingham Forest. There is a verbal agreement between the parties at £45 million. The deal has been unlocked the day after a direct talk between Oliver Glasner and Delap,” Romano declared.
“So Glasner is absolutely involved in the transfer strategy at Nottingham Forest. And now the agreement is completed. Green light from Chelsea, waiting for the clubs to exchange all the documents and then complete all the paperwork.
“Delap is expected to become a new Nottingham Forest player this week, with medical tests and contract signing being scheduled. And so Delap is going to be another sale, extra money for Chelsea, important money for Chelsea, £45m.”
Aston Villa pushing hard to sign Nico Jackson
Romano then explains why Aston Villa's pursuit of Nico Jackson remains the priority, with negotiations with Chelsea expected to accelerate.
“Talking about strikers and talking about Chelsea exits, let me maintain my stance on Nico Jackson. I always told you, Nico Jackson is the wanted player for Aston Villa and Aston Villa is still there,” Romano said.
“Atletico Madrid also had meetings and calls for Nico Jackson. But as of now, Aston Villa are pushing. The agreement on personal terms with Jackson is very close. Negotiations are taking place today.
“And Aston Villa are preparing an opening bid to send to Chelsea. Still not sent at 6:17 UK time on Tuesday, so waiting for the bid to be sent, but the bid is being prepared. Around £65 million package, add-ons included, and so Villa are ready to go strong for Nico Jackson.
“Why didn't I tell you anything on Jean-Philippe Mateta? Because my understanding is that nothing will happen between Aston Villa and Mateta until they have a possibility to go for Nico Jackson.
Nico Jackson, Chelsea
© IMAGO - Nico Jackson, Chelsea
“Because Aston Villa want Jackson. Aston Villa wanted Jackson one year ago, in August 2025. Unai Emery used to work with Nico Jackson when he was at Villarreal, and so they want Jackson. They believe Jackson is the right player to sign.
“Now, let's see how the negotiation will go with Chelsea, but Villa are pushing for Jackson. And this is why all the stories on Mateta, according to my information, are not developing, are going nowhere, because this only depends on what happens with Jackson.
“If the Jackson deal collapses, because of Chelsea, because of Jackson, because Atletico Madrid sign a player or whatever, Mateta is an option for Villa. But now the priority is Jackson.
“And then, don't forget, also they're working on a new centre-back after Konsa left. Ordonez from Club Brugge is the top target for Aston Villa.”
Tottenham have green light for Omar Marmoush medical
Romano addressed the uncertainty surrounding Omar Marmoush, insisting the Manchester City forward's move to Tottenham remains on track.
“Important to say, Omar Marmoush has the green light from Manchester City to undergo a medical at Tottenham since Sunday evening. And that remains the case,” Romano explained.
“Then I understand, guys, when you go in the final days in panic because you want a final confirmation, I absolutely understand the fans' position.
“But guys, Savinho got a green light for travel, medical tests and contract signing on Friday night.
“The situation of Omar Marmoush is that there is a verbal agreement. It's a loan with obligation to buy. It's £50 million. There is authorisation.
“So everything is on track. Just waiting for the formal steps. To announce these deals can take some time. Look at Baleba, it took four days. Look at Savinho, look at these deals. Look at Nico Gonzalez.”
Compared
VS
### €44.9M ETV ### €49.5M
€40.4M - €49.4M ETV Range €44.5M - €54.4M
22 years old (10 Apr, 2004) Age 27 years old (07 Feb, 1999)
Brazil Nationality Egypt
Nico Gonzalez arrives for Newcastle medical
Romano reiterated his information that Nico Gonzalez is leaving Manchester City for Newcastle, with the midfielder now arriving for his medical.
“Nico Gonzalez is another big news of the day. Yesterday I told you Gonzalez from Manchester City to Newcastle is a here we go.
“This afternoon, everyone reporting Nico Gonzalez is arriving for a medical. Because the deal was agreed yesterday, and today, the player is arriving for a medical.”
Manchester City prepare huge Enzo Fernandez bid
The money generated by Manchester City's summer sales is allowing the club to make a major move for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
“So, important to say about Manchester City, work on the money. Because imagine Manchester City generated more than €400 million with all the exits this summer, from Rodri to Tijani Reijnders, to Nico Gonzalez, to Omar Marmoush, to Savinho and all the others.
“Manchester City are generating a crazy amount of money. Again, more than €400m, and Manchester City are now ready to go very strong on the market because they want to sign Enzo Fernandez.
“Manchester City bid is coming. It was the big bomb of the morning here on the channel. The bid is coming. The proposal is coming. And so Manchester City will bid for Enzo Fernandez.
“We will see when. Could be any moment. So stay tuned. And Manchester City will go strong for Enzo Fernandez.
“The agreement with Enzo is not a problem on personal terms. There is green light from Enzo to proceed. So for sure, a very interesting story to follow.”
Enzo Fernandez: Man City bid coming
© IMAGO - Enzo Fernandez: Man City bid coming
Tottenham still lead Manchester City in Cody Gakpo race
Romano revealed Tottenham already have an agreement with Cody Gakpo, although Manchester City have now met with the Liverpool winger's representatives.
“Talking about Cody Gakpo, guys, I maintain my information. Cody Gakpo has an agreement on personal terms with Tottenham since July. So Tottenham have an agreement with Gakpo and Tottenham are ready to give Gakpo what he wants,” Romano explained.
“On the other side, Manchester City yesterday, Monday, had a meeting with the agents of Cody Gakpo. But at the moment, still nothing agreed or done between Manchester City and Gakpo.
“So let's maintain Tottenham there and then Manchester City also meeting with the agents. What's the story on Gakpo? We have to understand if Liverpool will give the green light to the exit or not.
“Because this depends on Liverpool getting two wingers. If Liverpool can get two wingers, Gakpo can go to Tottenham or to Man City.
“Tottenham have an agreement with Gakpo, Man City at the moment not yet. Let's see if they can hijack.
“And then, it's important to mention that for Liverpool, it's two wingers or no chance to give the green light.”
Martinelli and Watkins both edging towards Al-Hilal moves
Romano believes both Gabriel Martinelli and Ollie Watkins could leave for Al-Hilal, although neither deal has yet been fully agreed.
“And then, important to say, guys, also, Gabriel Martinelli and Ollie Watkins to Al-Hilal, my feeling is for both deals to happen. Because the conversations are very positive, again today,” Romano said.
“Both deals are not fully agreed yet, so we have to be careful till the end because it's big negotiations, big money, big clubs involved, and so it's never easy.
“But Aston Villa are still negotiating with Al-Hilal for Ollie Watkins, despite Ollie Watkins returning to training and all the rest. The deal is still on for Ollie Watkins to Al-Hilal.
“So the deal is proceeding. Al-Hilal, Ollie Watkins, there is an agreement on the contract, and Al-Hilal and Aston Villa are in negotiations.
“And then, important to say, for Gabriel Martinelli, the agreement between Arsenal and Al-Hilal is almost there, around £55 million, working on the player-club side on the contract to try to reach the final agreement.”
Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli: Heading for Al-Hilal
© IMAGO - Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli: Heading for Al-Hilal
Barcelona offered Castello Lukeba but have not opened talks
Romano ended his transfer update by clarifying Barcelona's position on RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba.
“On Castello Lukeba, I received so many questions today. Can Lukeba go to Barcelona? Can Lukeba become a new Barca defender if Balde leaves and all the rest?” he said.
“My understanding is that Barcelona, as of today, on Lukeba, are not negotiating anything, neither with the agents nor with Leipzig.
“Barcelona have been offered Lukeba. ‘Do you want to take our player?’ That's it. But they didn't open any negotiation. They didn't bid. They didn't start any talks.
“So at the moment, Barcelona are not actively working on Castello Lukeba. It's a proposal to Barcelona. It's not Barcelona pushing for him. So at the moment, we have to remain patient and see.”
Nicolas Jackson, rumoursNews