Fabrizio Romano has dropped the latest football transfer news, including a series of updates on some of Europe’s most wanted strikers, with Victor Osimhen and Benjamin Sesko notably hitting the headlines.
Osimhen has been a prominent figure for transfer rumours for much of the last year, with the Napoli striker notably linked with Chelsea and Arsenal over the past 12 months.
While it is unclear where the Nigeria international may move this summer, Romano says that a deal is looking likely.
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“Victor Osimhen’s priority is still to leave Napoli in the summer transfer window. Next week, he will speak to his camp and assess all the possible options. He’s not going to Chelsea, but there’s still movement around Victor Osimhen,” he says.
“On the subject of Napoli, their priority target is Romelu Lukaku. It’s not going to be easy as Chelsea are insisting on £38m. At the moment, it’s expensive for Napoli and Antonio Conte loves Lukaku and will try to make it happen.
“He’s also had some contact in Saudi and that’s also a possibility for his future.”
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Sesko transfer latest
Sesko’s future has also been addressed by Romano, who says it is unclear where the RB Leipzig striker may wind up after the summer. Indeed, the football transfer news specialist hinted there is a strong chance the Slovenia international remains with the German side.
“For Benjamin Sesko, he will have to decide first of all on the RB Leipzig proposal, contract extension, bigger salary and a release clause to change in 2025. So he has to tell Leipzig whether he will stay or leave and try a new experience,” he says.
“Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal: these three clubs have presented their projects. All of them have different projects and different ideas. All are waiting for Sesko to decide.”
Romano: Something important happening with Zirkzee
If the Sesko deal is static for the moment, there is definite movement with Joshua Zirkzee, who has previously been looked at by Arsenal and Manchester United among others.
“There is something important happening around Joshua Zirkzee, one of the most interesting, talented strikers in Europe,” Romano says. “He had a fantastic season in Italy with Bologna.
“He has two specific clauses. One is for Bayern to buy him back for around €20m. But even if they have this big possibility, they still need to agree with the player. At the moment, Bayern have not started talks. The priority of the player is to stay in Italy. He believes it’s the perfect opportunity for him to continue his career after he did very well at Bologna.
AC Milan are really advancing on this deal. It’s really concrete.
– Fabrizio Romano
“AC Milan are really advancing on this deal. It’s really concrete. They informed Bologna in the last 24 hours that they are prepared to pay the release clause of Zirkzee: €40m.
“They need to agree with everything else on the player’s side. The player is very keen on AC Milan, the family of the player is very keen on AC Milan. Length of the contract, salary, bonuses and commission, all these points need to be clarified to close the deal.”
All quiet around Sterling
Romano says there is nothing to rumours linking Sterling to Fenerbahce.
“Between Raheem Sterling and Fenerbahce, there is absolutely nothing. Zero. There is no contact ongoing, no negotiation ongoing, no talks ongoing. The idea of Raheem Sterling from what I’m hearing is absolutely not to move to Turkish football in the summer transfer window,” he says.
“Everything is really quiet around Sterling and there is absolutely nothing happening between him and Fenerbahce.”
Liverpool make Ederson bid?
He also revealed the latest on Liverpool’s interest in Atalanta midfielder Ederson.
“We’ve had reports of a bid from Liverpool for Ederson. What I’m hearing is that Atalanta have not received any official bid,” he says.
“They know there’s interest. They absolutely want to keep him at the club. Why? Because the expectation is for Atalanta to sell Teun Koopmeiners to Juventus. They are already advanced on personal terms. What looks likely is for Koopmeiners to leave and for them to keep Ederson.”
Real Madrid’s Guler plan
Finally, Romano says Real Madrid have no intention of loaning hot prospect Arda Guler out – at least for the moment.
“Real Madrid have received more than six or seven proposal for Arda Guler on loan. It’s not about proposals, but clubs who want to sign him for one season so he can get plenty of game time. There are plenty of options for Arda Guler but the situation is that Real Madrid want to continue together with him together,” Romano concluded.