Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has posted a new video in which he’s discussed at length the latest transfer developments between Chelsea and Barcelona, involving a number of key players like Frenkie de Jong, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Marcos Alonso.
The Italian journalist’s latest YouTube post began by discussing the latest with Manchester United and the implications of their statement-making deal to sign Brazil international Casemiro from Real Madrid – in terms of what that means for top midfield target De Jong.
“They don’t feel they are close to De Jong, or progressing, they feel that at the moment it’s total standby and Man United know that if something happens, Chelsea will be there,” Romano said.
“So more than difficult, for Frenkie de Jong, for Manchester United, because there is nothing going on between United and De Jong since July, and also because Chelsea will be in the list in case he changes his mind.”
After talking through the latest with De Jong and United, Romano then moved on to what’s next for Barcelona and Chelsea in what’s been a wild and hectic summer window, with both clubs being extremely active in chasing new recruits.
Barcelona have gazumped Chelsea to the signings of Raphinha and Jules Kounde, while they have reportedly been pursuing the Blues’ Spanish duo Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta all summer.
Chelsea captain Azpilicueta has committed his future to Stamford Bridge by signing a new deal that runs until 2024.
But things remain up in the air with Alonso, while business could still be done in the other direction for former Arsenal striker Aubameyang. He only arrived at Barcelona in January but could be deemed surplus to requirements following the marquee signing of Robert Lewandowski.
“For Chelsea, Wesley Fofana is not going to play in the next Leicester game with Southampton,” began Romano in the Chelsea section of his new video.
“Because he’s focusing on a transfer. This is the position of the club. But I’m told on the players’ camp side, he was ready to play, but he respected Leicester’s decision, so two different positions here from Leicester and Fofana.
“The reality is that the deal with Chelsea is still there. There is no new bid yet, but Chelsea will submit a new proposal. They hope to tempt Leicester with a new proposal.
“They have an agreement with Fofana, who wants to join. He’s obsessed with Chelsea, he’s waiting for Chelsea, he has an agreement on personal terms on a six-year deal. It’s now up to Chelsea to close a deal with Leicester next week.
“For Aubameyang, a meeting in the night to discuss the proposal coming from Chelsea. Barcelona don’t want to include Marcos Alonso in this deal. They want to discuss Marcos Alonso in a separate deal.
“They are very advanced in negotiations for Alonso, but they don’t want to include him because they need to register players, so to include Alonso could be a problem.
“They want to do a separate negotiation for Aubameyang, who Chelsea wanted to include in Alonso negotiations, but they know it is almost impossible due to Barcelona’s situation.
“So what’s going on? There will be a bid from Chelsea, but Chelsea have no intention to spend more than £15million, maybe with some add-ons, while Barcelona are asking for €30million. So there is a gap. Let’s see what happens. Aubameyang almost agreed personal terms with Chelsea on Thursday night in a meeting in London. So now it’s up to the clubs.
“Depay, still with Juventus pushing to sign him by terminating the contract with Barcelona.
“To end up this episode, Bernardo Silva. The feeling internally at Manchester City is still the same. If Frenkie de Jong will not leave Barcelona, for Bernardo Silva a deal will be really really difficult.
“Manchester City are convinced in the end that they have good chances of keeping Bernardo at the club, they want to keep Bernardo, Pep Guardiola is speaking to the player, because he really wants Bernardo to be an important part of the story at Man City this season.
“So, at the moment, Bernardo is still open to join Barcelona, but he will not force the move. Bernardo would love the Barca move, but he will never create a problem with City.”
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