Fabrizio Romano, Levi Colwill, Michael Carrick
© IMAGO
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Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
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Football news expert Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on several major transfer stories, including the latest on Levi Colwill, Michael Carrick and Castello Lukeba.
Michael Carrick latest
Michael Carrick remains under huge pressure at Man Utd following their 4-4 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday, with the club now 18th in the Premier League table, having only won one of their opening 10 matches.
However, he is yet to be sacked, with the Red Devils not in contact with any possible replacements, despite reports to the contrary.
“Internally at the club, from the inside, the message I'm still getting tonight is still calm around Michael Carrick,” Romano revealed in his latest YouTube video.
“After the game, Michael Carrick was speaking to the press and Michael Carrick said in a clear way, ‘I expect to go forward. I expect to continue’. So, Carrick is feeling the confidence.
“Man Utd, as of today, are not advancing on any other solution. As of Sunday night, Man Utd have not contacted any other manager officially. A manager they had under consideration, under serious consideration, over the last few weeks, I can confirm 100%, was Unai Emery. But Unai is untouchable for Aston Villa, and Aston Villa have already offered Unai a new contract. So, Aston Villa are counting on Unai to stay, and then Unai will stay. Let me clarify, it's now just about reaching the agreement, the contract and all the terms, but it's already very advanced and is expected to be signed.”
Michael Carrick, Man Utd
© IMAGO - Michael Carrick, Man Utd
Romano continued: “As of today, Man Utd are still in the position where Michael Carrick has a very good chance to continue to stay and to have more opportunities after the international break. So, that's the status around Carrick.
“Obviously, Man Utd are expected to move in the next weeks ahead of the January transfer window because they need to do something. I keep saying it's not only Michael Carrick here. Every time we come here and we talk about Michael Carrick, that's normal. But it's also about the directors, the people of the club. This can't be only the manager. This has to be also someone else, not only the coach. That's very clear.”
Michael Carrick backs Diogo Dalot amid Manchester United criticism
After the draw against Aston Villa, Carrick criticised the Man Utd fans for their treatment of Diogo Dalot, and Romano has confirmed that the defender remains a key part of the Old Trafford dressing room.
“Why is Carrick backing Dalot in public in that way despite so many fans booing him at Old Trafford? Because Diogo Dalot is a role model,” Romano said.
“In these years at Man Utd, not only this season, in general, over these difficult years at United, not so many players have been so serious. Not so many players have been so professional. Not so many players have been so good in terms of behaviour. Always help your team-mate. Help the coach. Try to do your best for the team. Never say no if you have to play in a difficult position, not in your position.
“Dalot is not a left-back, but if he has to help, even if I can expose him, he is saying yes. Then maybe he's not the best left-back, for sure, in the Premier League, but Dalot is always willing to help. And so, for Michael Carrick and for Man Utd in general, and you can ask all the other managers before Carrick as well, that is a guarantee that every day you will have the best from him, the best in every single training session.
“Then obviously, to play with so many fans against you is not easy. The situation at Man Utd is already complicated, then to be in this kind of situation is not easy. This is why Carrick is backing Dalot. This is why Carrick wants Dalot to continue at Man Utd. If Carrick will survive and will arrive at the January transfer window, for Carrick to keep Dalot is important because Dalot can improve his performances, for sure.
“Now is a negative moment, not only for Dalot, for so many players, but for Carrick to keep a player like Dalot is important because he's considered a crucial figure also in the dressing room.”
Levi Colwill to join Barcelona?
Barcelona have been tipped to pursue a surprise move for Chelsea defender Levi Colwill in recent days, but Romano has poured cold water on such reports.
“Someone in England linked Barcelona with Levi Colwill, a Chelsea player, as an option for Barca in general,” the transfer expert said.
“I'm told that Chelsea, as of today, are not in contact with anyone from Barcelona and nothing is happening at all between Barca and Levi Colwill. So, at the moment, there is nothing concrete in this link.
“Then, as I always say, it's still very early. If Barca will arrive for Levi Colwill in January, I will tell you. But as of today, the situation is very quiet around the English centre-back, and he remains an important player for Chelsea. Obviously, a Chelsea boy, and so not easy to accept to sell the player. So, at the moment, it is very quiet around Levi Colwill.”
Levi Colwill, Chelsea
© IMAGO - Levi Colwill, Chelsea
Barcelona interest in Luka confirmed for the summer
Finally, Romano revealed that RB Leipzig star Castello Lukeba has set his sights on a move to Barcelona.
“For who's asking about Lukeba, what I told you over the recent days, the release clause is dropping in the summer, not in January. In the summer, it will be €65 million,” Romano confirmed.
“The player is changing agent because he wants to leave RB Leipzig as soon as a top club arrives. Lukeba would love Barcelona. Lukeba has a dream, and the dream would be to go to a top European club. Barcelona is one of the clubs he would love to join, for sure. So, if you ask Lukeba, Barcelona would be a dream, that's for sure.
“But then, that's it. Also in the summer, in August, there were many reports of Barcelona trying for Lukeba, Barcelona negotiating for Lukeba. [However] Barcelona never sent a bid in August for Lukeba.
“Now, a new agent, and the player is open, but that's it. It's on Barcelona to decide what they want to do, when they want to do it, how much they want to spend. So, it's still not decided before saying Barcelona-Lukeba. It's just a movement around the player because now he has a new agent.”