Fabrizio Romano: The Truth About Alvarez to Arsenal + Barcola & Gakpo Latest
Fabrizio Romano delivers the latest on Liverpool's move for Bradley Barcola, Cody Gakpo's future, Arsenal's chase for Julian Alvarez and Manchester City's pursuit of Enzo Fernandez as deadline day approaches. Sophie Evans and Ben Jacobs are live with another edition of Market Madness as the transfer window enters its final stretch. Fabrizio joins us for a deadline-day mailbag, covering whether Liverpool could sign another winger alongside Barcola, Manchester United's search for a new left-back and potentially another striker, plus the latest on Tottenham, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Newcastle. The Guardian's Jamie Jackson breaks down both sides of Manchester, from the fallout of United's defeat to Hull and Michael Carrick's midfield rebuild to City's plans after Rodri's departure and the potential arrival of Enzo Fernandez under Enzo Maresca. Plus, The Athletic's James Pearce brings the latest from Anfield, including where the Barcola deal stands, whether Liverpool still need to strengthen their midfield, and what could happen next with Cody Gakpo, Ismaila Sarr and their search for another winger. Ben also delivers the latest breaking transfer news as clubs race to complete their business before the window closes. Chapters: 00:00 Market Madness: Deadline Day Transfer Latest 01:31 Fabrizio Romano: Julian Alvarez, Arsenal & Liverpool Latest 03:47 Enzo Fernandez to Man City: The Latest 07:01 Man Utd Want a Left-Back AND Could Sign a Striker 08:00 Rafael Leao, Aston Villa & Newcastle Transfer Latest 15:15 BREAKING: Liverpool Close In On Bradley Barcola 21:33 Man Utd's Problems Under Michael Carrick 29:03 Man City: Enzo Fernandez, Alvarez & Life After Rodri 38:53 Liverpool: Barcola Deal, Midfield Plans & Gakpo Future 53:30 BREAKING: Rafael Leao Transfer Takes a Major Turn All that and more on Market Madness. Listen back later on your podcast app of choice… Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1h6IrtpKRvgXiOc3N1FBQn Apple…
Transcript
[music] Hello and welcome to Market Madness, the podcast from Give Me Sport, where every day is like deadline day. I'm Sophie Evans and we are live. So if you miss anything here, catch up with us on Market Madness on your favorite podcast app and on givemeport.com. Now for this show as well as the latest transfer news, we've got a huge lineup for you. The Guardians Jamie Jackson joins us with his read on the latest from Old Trafford and the Etihad. Plus the Athletics James Pierce is here with redhot updates from Anfield as Liverpool look to finalize their summer plans. And with me as always is Give Me Sports senior football correspondent Ben Jacobs bringing us all the latest breaking transfer news. Ben, how are you? This is such a busy time of year for you. >> Countdown begins indeed. I think we're in for a busy Friday and I'm sure Fabitio Romano will have more. >> Let's get straight to it. This is Market Madness from Give Me Sport. As we just said there, there's no wasting time today. Let's get straight to it. For Britzio Romano is here. For Britzio, how are you? >> Oh, I'm very good. I'm very good. Thank you for the invitation. And uh busy busy time of the year, but ready for it. >> Definitely a busy time of year. So, let's dive straight in. You actually broke some exclusive news for us here at Give Me Sport just yesterday on the Julian Alvarez situation. Arsenal have been long-term admirers of him. both Andrea Berta and Artetta, but it was always this preference to go to Barcelona. So now that Athletico has firmly shut the door on that, where exactly can you bring us up to speed on Arsenal? >> I think Arsenal strategy is very clear and it's been clear now for almost one week since last Friday there was a meeting in London between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid and Arsenal are very clear on their position. They would be ready to do business with Atletico Madrid. The two clubs also share a very good relationship. So financially my understanding is that Arsenal would be ready to try and ready to reach an agreement with Atletico Madrid. So there would still require a negotiation but my expectation is for an agreement club to club to happen if Julian Alvarez decides to open doors. As of now this could change any minute but as of now as of today there is still no indication from Julian Alvarez his agents his family to change his mind and then go to Arsenal. So Arsenal are waiting and I think they will for the next days till the deadline then we will see what's going to happen. Obviously for Barcelona now looks more than unlikely in my opinion it's almost impossible to see Julian going to Barcelona this summer and so Julian to decide whether he wants to stay at Atletico Madrid or maybe get this opportunity to go back to England and go to to Arsenal >> and moving over to Liverpool now. Are they still looking to sign a second winger too as they close in on Barcela? Yes, they are because Barclaya obviously was the top priority and they got the man they wanted. But if Kodi Gakpo leaves and that's the point because Tottenham and City both clubs are talking with the players agents. So in case of exit for Kodi Gakapo in this final days of the window, Liverpool are still considering the possibility to add one more winger. So Gakpo only leaves if one more winger joins. That's always been the plan since the start of the summer transfer window. So they had bids rejected for Yakuba Mint. They had a bid rejected for Isma Lassar with Crystal Palace insisting to keep the player. It's not easy. It's so late in the window to find the right player. But Liverpool are talking to several candidates. So I'm sure there is going to be movement there. Earlier they also asked about the situation of Ibrahim Abaya at Paris and German a player really admired and appreciated by people at Liverpool. So I'm sure if Gakpo goes to Mor City, in that case Liverpool will add one more week. >> Fabricio, great to see you as ever. Let's move on to Chelsea. I remember four years ago you broke Enzo Fernandez to Chelsea from Benfica with about 3 minutes of the transfer window to spare. Are we going to get another deadline [laughter] day move or close Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City? What's the latest? >> Well, that would be that would be fun but at the moment what I'm told is that as of now and also that's another case that can change any minute. Chelsea are yet to receive any official bid from Manchester City. At the same time, City keep talking on daily basis with the agent of Eno Fernandez. So the conversations are ongoing. I think City have their own strategy in this case to try arrive at the right moment with the right money and get Enso. Enso already gave indications to Man City that he wants to move. He wants to rejoin Enso Mareska after they were in very good relationship at Chelsea. So Enso is ready. Now it's on Manchester City to make their move. Chelsea anticipate Man City to arrive to the table, but at the moment they didn't yet. So let's see in terms of timing when they will show up with the proposal and how it's going to be the conversation. Chelsea position is very clear and is only leaving if they can find the right players to improve the squad and if the money is right. So I don't expect Chelsea to accept less than 120 million pounds. The verbal exit close they agreed until the deadline a few weeks ago. >> And Chelsea will need a replacement even if it's not like for light. Reports in the last 24 hours have suggested that Lem Kamar might be one possibility. What's your take? Yeah, he's one of the players appreciated by Chelsea. From what I told there was a meeting yesterday between Chelsea and Monaco, a direct club to club meeting to explore different opportunities. The two clubs share a very good relationship. Chelsea signed some players like Balia from Monaco in the past. So the relationship is very good. They were discussing about Laminar is a possibility. My understanding is that Monaco still hope to keep the player but at the same time they are preparing for a late departure in the final days of the window because they're talking with Pap Matasar from Tottenham as potential new midfielder. So there are conversations ongoing. I think Amala could be an option especially if Ano leaves. >> Let's move on to Tottenham then. They're going to be active, aren't they, in the closing days of the market. It feels like it's Manchester City versus Tottenham for Cody Gapo, but of course he could stay at Liverpool as well. And might it be Manchester City versus Tottenham for Ilman and Jai? Could you see both of those players on the move? Maybe one to City and one to Spurs. We just don't know what way round it's going to be. >> I think it's a possibility. Yes, these are two of the best wingers available on the market right now. Well, available is definition because obviously both clubs have hope to keep as Liverpool still hope to keep and have a chance to keep Kodi Gako but there are negotiations ongoing and so Manchester P are talking with the agents of Kodiako again today. Kodi already gave the green light on personal terms to Tottenham in July. So I still think Tottenham as a priority. they have kodi gako and then mandaya could be a possibility in case the gako deal doesn't happen is a player who is appreciated they could discuss also Richardson as part of the conversations with Everton so that's an option too I'm sure there is also some sort of lastm minute option for Tottenham from what I'm hearing maybe a player on loan in the final days of the window in case they can't land one of these two targets so I'm sure Tottenham will give Roberto one more winger about that I'm 100% sure >> and turning our attention now to Manchester United do you think they're going to sign a new center back or striker before the deadline or is their focus really going to be on a new left back? >> I think left back total priority is left back. They are talking to agents. They are talking to intermediaries to find the right solution. Obviously, it's not easy. So, late in the window they had one week ago, 10 days ago, a contact with George Mendes, the agent of Alejandro Bald to understand the conditions of the deal, but to buy the player because Barcelona are not considering Alona is almost impossible in terms of transfer fee and also he's on a big salary at Barcelona. So, Bald is not happening at the moment. And then United are exploring more more options. So I'm sure they want to get a new left back and then let's see what happens with Zerz. I think if Jerz goes to Italy with Fentina talks and more clubs interested in that case may United could add one more striker because obviously there is Champions League football this season and they need one more apart from Benjamin Chesco or Kuna or Rashford who can play there. So United are exploring several possibilities. I think left back is almost guaranteed as new signing and then they will go also eventually for a striker. Lots of outgoings over at Aston Villa, but is there some positive news? Will they win the race for Raphael L'Oreal? >> Well, they are on it. They are discussing uh with Rafael agents and also with Simulan because Simulan have an agreement since three days ago with Gatasai 45 million euros plus 5 million. Aston Villa started this conversations on a loan with an obligation to buy, but Similan want a guaranteed sale for Rafael. So that's a part of the conversation. And then the player the player will have to decide in the next hours what he wants to do. If he wants to go to Premier League, join Una Yam. I'm told that Dunai is calling Rafaela on daily basis to try get a red line sorry green light. And then also there is a direct line between Victor Oimen and Rafa with Gatasai because he's pushing to have Rafa with him in Istanbul. So there are conversations on both sides and Villa but Villa are absolutely part of this race and I'm sure this weekend the situation for Leo will be clarified. Let's talk about Newcastle United Fitzio. Matez, Fernando Parardo seems to be one of the names on their list. There's some suggestions that Nick Volultard might be allowed to leave between now and the end of the window. What are you hearing? >> Yeah, Fernandez Parardo for sure is a target. Lacy get a bid rejected last week for him. It was around 35 million euros package. For sure, it's going to be more from Newcastle if they want to land Fernandez Parardo. At the moment, he's out of the squad at Leil because he wants a move and Newcastle are on it. Newcastle are trying to make it happen. So I think they still have a chance to land him before the end of the window. Matia Jiz puts to have more and more offensive players. So that's a possibility. And for Nick Fult, there is Napoli. Napoli open talks with Newcastle yesterday asking for a loan deal for Nick Volult. They are also talking to the player agents to understand if he would be keen on a move to to Napoli. So there are conversations going on this one. There is still no final verdict, no final answer from Newcastle and from the player. But Napoli started talks yesterday. So I think there are chances of movements at Newcastle and I expect them to get a new striker for sure. What's your sense from outside of the Premier League for Britzio? Atletico Madrid have toyed with bringing in a striker, but Julian Alvarez is still there. Real Madrid haven't moved to replace Rodri, who was a target after he joined Barcelona. Some suggestions Barca want another source of goals as well. And of course, Balde, we've heard a lot of suggestions about alone, a permanent exit, player wanting to stay. What's going on in Spain? Yeah, look for Atletico Madrid, apart from what's going to happen with Julian Alvarez, in any case they want to add one more striker. They were trying for Nikico Jackson, but he's going to Aston Villa, they were trying also for Christopher Kunku, but they decided to go back to Germany to to Lepig. So, Atletico Madrid are looking for a new striker, and I think that's going to be probably the final movement they will make before the deadline. Real Madrid are very happy with the squad they have now. So, there is no concrete movement about Real Madrid in this moment. There were reports today about Andri, but Andri is not leaving the club. is staying and so at the moment Real Madrid no movement at all and then Barcelona we have to see if they decide to add one more striker before the end of the window with the Julen Alvarez doors now closed by Atletico Madrid but at the moment bars are also very happy with the players they have up front they signed Karim Dei Gordon both of them can play also eventually as a number nine when needed Rafin is doing well there they have Hanza who is a talented striker from Egypt who they believe can be also a player to develop this season so I'm not sure that Barcelona will add one more striker for them was always cool in Albert's number one, two, and three despite reports on Loaro and many others. And so Barcelona are quite on the moment. Then if an opportunity arrives in the final days, we are going to see. And just finally, take your pick from some stories in Saudi and Turkey, two fascinating markets. We know obviously Rafael could be Aston Villa or a move to Turkey. In Saudi, you've already reported Gabrielle Martinelli and Ollle Watkins to Al Hilal. What else can we expect from one or both of those regions between now and the end of the window? >> Well, we have to see what's going to happen with Glatas because if Lao is not joining, they still need a top winger. They tried for Isma for example. No was one of the players under consideration. He was already there on loan in the second part of last season. So, let's see what's going to happen. But this depends on Leo. So, Leo remains the priority as of now. And then also Fenerbash are looking for one more offensive striker. They tried also to contact Marcus Rashford camp several times but Rashford doesn't want to go to Tark at this stage of his career. So I don't see this move happening and then I expect in Saudi movements in the final days as you say the Gabriel Martinelli is going to be the next one but I'm sure there are going to be more clubs busy for example Mabi left Aliad so they need a winger Rando is a possibility they are discussing so there are several clubs who have to move and I'm sure it's going to be fun as always. >> And one final important question for you for Britzio. How much sleep do you expect to get before the first of? [laughter] >> Yeah, the two, three hours per night. Unfortunately, I'm only waiting for Wednesday to arrive to be honest. [laughter] >> Thank you so much for joining us and we'll be checking back in with you on deadline day. We'll see you then madness. >> I will see you on deadline day. Thank you. Ciao >> day. This is Mark. [music] Well, Ben, which of those stories particularly caught your eye? >> Yeah, I think Enzo Fernandez is the story. Everybody knows it. The expectation from City is there's a deal to be had. It reminds me a bit of the Bruno Gimarez story and we have to respect both sides. Newcastle said throughout that saga, no contact, no bid. And yet it got done because behind the scenes there were ways and means of negotiating before you kind of go through the front door. And we know Enzo Fernandez wants Manchester City. We know Enzo Moresca wants Enzo Fernandez. And ultimately Jia Alonzo said before the game players available. Then after the game he said it was the club's decision not to pick the player. And then after the game the Chelsea position is no contact, no bid, nothing moving. So if there's no bid, nothing moving and the player was going to be available before the game, then why have the club decided because that's their position not to field the player. And obviously some reports in Argentina say Enzo Fernandez wasn't in the right frame of mind. Jabi Alonzo kind of hinted a bit at that today. So all in all, I think this is player protection. This is player desire to leave, whatever way you want to look at it. And as long as Chelsea's valuation is met, and that's the really big crux of this story, then they are going to be willing sellers. And if they can find a replacement, of course, as well. And I know it feels like it's all being left until the last minute, but five days of the window is more than enough time in my opinion to get this deal done. So, if I had to predict, I would say Enzo Fernandez will be a Manchester City player between now and the end of the window. >> And I think everyone else is feeling that way. But like you said, it's just so difficult for a manager when they're faced with that question to be able to give an answer until it's concrete because why would they want to jeopardize not only that selling relationship, but also any future relationship with that player. So, I'm sure lots of people will be expecting that little piece of transfer news in the coming days. But coming up, we are hearing from Jamie Jackson to discuss both Manchester clubs, followed by James Pierce, as we get the latest on Liverpool. However, right now, the transfer siren is rolling, which means it's time for some breaking news. West Bromage Albian first of all have reached an agreement with Manchester United signed Toby Collier who was on loan in the back half of last season at Hull City and Hull were also in talks as well and my information is Hull could have done a deal at 3 million but they chose not to and that allowed as I revealed earlier today West Brom to resume talks having backed off a few days ago and now they've got an agreement in principle it is3 million pounds plus4.6 million in potential add-ons and Manchester United retain a 40% sell-on clause as well. So Toby Collier is going to be off to West Bromage Albian one of their top targets. I can also tell you from the Championship another exclusive across the GMS network. Sheffield United are working on a deal to sign Joe Warl on loan from Burnley. Nothing is done yet, but talks are expected to continue in the coming days. And then Bradley Barker, my understanding is this one should be finalized in the next 24 to 48 hours. As of last night, there was a broad agreement in place for just over 100 million pounds plus around 20 million in bonuses. But it's the bonuses specifically that this morning were being finalized and Liverpool and PSG are all on the same page. Now, Bara will become a Liverpool player and he's waiting for permission to travel and that could come as soon as today, but I'm told certainly within the next 24 to 48 hours. Liverpool are confident of going from abroad or a verbal agreement to a full agreement and then from there Barker will become a Liverpool player pretty quickly. So, only the bonuses to resolve. And by bonuses, I don't mean what the numbers going to be because that's all in place. It's more ultimately just things like the payment terms or alternatively changing a few things here and there, a million up, a million down to get PSG in a position where they feel maybe one or two of them are a little bit more attainable. And by that, just to give you a bit of market context, I mean, let's say you've got an add-on which is 1 million when the player plays every 20 games. Maybe PSG go, we're fine with the total number of bonuses. we're fine with the package, but we want 1 million every five games. And then you just haggle a little bit over these tiny little things specifically around the bonuses. That's been going on over the last 24 to 48 hours. And my full expectation is that Bradley Barker will become a Liverpool player formally, sooner rather than later. >> How exciting a prospect do you think he is for Liverpool fans given that they were probably feeling a little bit deflated after the performance against Newcastle United last weekend? Yeah, I think it was a strange one against Newcastle because Liverpool dominated a lot of that game, but they didn't take their