Suraj Radia
Marcus Rashford, Fabrizio Romano, Cristiano Ronaldo
© IMAGO
Football transfer news reporter Fabrizio Romano has delivered the latest news from the market, with updates on Cristiano Ronaldo’s future, Manchester United’s attempts to sell Marcus Rashford and the saga around Liam Delap.
Ronaldo contract ‘open’ after cryptic Al-Nassr farewell
Romano described Cristiano Ronaldo’s situation as ‘open’ after the Portuguese legend wrote a cryptic message on social media" href="https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/sa-pro-league/2025/05/cristiano-ronaldo-transfer-market-frenzy-al-nassr-exit" target="_blank">wrote a cryptic message on social media after Al-Nassr’s final game of the season, declaring his ‘chapter’ as ‘over’.
Ronaldo’s contract with the Saudi Pro League side is set to expire next month and, despite earlier reports that he had agreed a two-year contract worth €200 million annually, Romano has revealed that the 40-year-old could move abroad or to another Saudi club if he doesn’t stay with Al-Nassr.
“At the moment, nothing is signed, nothing is completed between Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr,” Romano said. “Let's see what happens now, because the situation could be open for Ronaldo to other opportunities, to other clubs, not only abroad but also internally in Saudi.
“So several opportunities for sure, or stay at Al-Nassr but with a different kind of approach, different kind of project. Ronaldo wants to win. The goals are important. The records are important but Cristiano Ronaldo mentality is always the same. He wants to win.”
Chelsea eye Emegha agreement
Romano also expanded on his initial story" href="https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/fr-ligue-1/2025/05/fabrizio-romano-confirms-chelsea-pre-agreement-transfer-wonderkid-striker-emanuel-emegha-strasbourg" target="_blank"> expanded on his initial story of Chelsea lining up a pre-contract agreement to sign Emanuel Emegha from affiliate club Strasbourg in 2026.
Romano said: “Emegha is doing very very well, he is not leaving this summer, that's for sure. I can guarantee to you that Emegha is staying at Strasbourg. Emegha will be the face of the line at Strasbourg playing Europe next season.
“Emegha is staying but there is the possibility to do a pre-agreement for Omega to join Chelsea in 2026, to do the deal now for 2026.
Emanuel Emegha
© IMAGO - Emanuel Emegha
“Chelsea are considering that because they like the player. They believe it is a good opportunity and they think this can be a smart deal for Chelsea, for Strasbourg and for the player. So there is this possibility. The appreciation is 100% confirmed.”
Liam Delap to decide future
Chelsea will accelerate their transfer business after Wednesday’s Europa Conference League final and, among their top targets is Liam Delap, with Romano giving the rundown on the Ipswich star’s future.
Chelsea will be hoping Enzo Maresca’s relationship with the striker will carry some weight after managing him as a youth prospect at Manchester City, along with Manchester United and their director Jason Wilcox.
“Chelsea and United already had direct meetings with the player, Everton did the same. Newcastle approached the agents, so all these clubs are in the mix,” Romano said.
“The player is meeting to understand the project, the vision, what could be the best solution for him also because his future is basically in his hands, the player is now assessing all these options.
Liam Delap
© IMAGO - Liam Delap
“Everton are prepared to make a very big financial proposal to the player then giving him the possibility maybe to leave the club in two or three years, something like that.
“But obviously Mam United and Chelsea are fully involved in this race trying to convince the player trying to tempt the player. Chelsea can offer Champions League football.
“Man United could offer the possibility to be an important part of their building with Matheus Cunha coming to the club. So different ambitions, different vision.”
’Several options’ for Rashford transfer
Marcus Rashford will return to Manchester United this summer after his loan at Aston Villa, although he could still return to Unai Emery’s side or join another team for £40 million.
Villa’s failure to secure Champions League football next season has complicated their chances of financing a deal but Romano has claimed that more clubs are still interested in Rashford this summer.
He said: “Rashford is going back to Man United but Rashford could still leave May United in the summer transfer window. The appreciation for example of Barcelona, and Ansu Fati is going to Monaco, and so Barcelona maintain Marcus Rashford as one of the players they like, but it's not the only one, there are several options at the winger position.
“There are more clubs involved for Rashford, who will now return to Man United, take his time to assess all the possibilities and decide the best option for his future.”
Arsenal midfield plans confirmed
Romano also confirmed that Martin Zubimendi is still on course to join Arsenal, with Thomas Partey also ‘expected’ to renew his contract with the Gunners.
“Martin Zubimendi will be an Arsenal player. I already told you ‘here we go’, I maintain my position. It's just a matter of time to complete everything formally. Martin Zubimendi will play for Arsenal,” Romano said.
“With Thomas Partey, the conversation with Arsenal over a new deal is still ongoing. The player is showing interest in extending his contract at Arsenal. He also has other possibilities.
“Two years ago, he was close to Juventus. Two years ago, he was in the list of Saudi. He's always been appreciated around Europe, also in Spain where he played at Atletico Madrid in the past.
“But now Arsenal are in negotiations with Thomas Partey over a new deal. These conversations, from what I'm hearing, are going quite well. The possibility of Thomas Party staying is concrete also because Mikel Arteta wants the player to stay.
“Jorginho is already leaving to Flamengo on a three-year contract. And so to keep one of the midfielders, experienced player, knows the dressing room, knows how important is some experience for Arsenal, for sure is something that could prove important for the Gunners. So the expectation is for Thomas Partey to stay at Arsenal.”
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