Latest news with #FabrizioRomano
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
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Fabrizio Romano Drops Hint on Liverpool's Striker Pursuit
Liverpool Position Themselves for Hugo Ekitike After Chelsea Cool Interest Liverpool are actively working behind the scenes to reshape their forward line this summer, with the club keen to recruit a new striker amid mounting expectations that Darwin Nunez will depart. According to Fabrizio Romano, Nunez is now 'guaranteed' to leave Anfield, and Napoli are understood to be leading the chase for the Uruguayan forward. Advertisement That exit, long anticipated by many within the club and the fanbase, has prompted Liverpool to step up plans for an elite-level replacement. Despite winning the Premier League title in Arne Slot's first season in charge, there is clear intent to strengthen and evolve, particularly in the attacking third. Ekitike Interest Remains Strong Despite Price Tag Among the most frequently linked names is Hugo Ekitike. The French forward has attracted attention from several top European clubs, with Liverpool showing consistent interest in the 22-year-old since January. Reports indicate that the Reds have been monitoring Ekitike's situation closely, despite hesitation over the €100 million valuation placed on him. Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg recently confirmed that Liverpool were actively competing with Chelsea for the striker's signature. Advertisement While the fee has proved a stumbling block for many suitors, Liverpool's recruitment department has not been deterred. The club continues to assess their options, with the long-term value and ceiling of Ekitike making him an attractive proposition. Romano Hints at Breakthrough in Pursuit In his latest YouTube update, Fabrizio Romano dropped a noteworthy development that could significantly affect Liverpool's path forward. Romano revealed that Chelsea are now prioritising a move for Brighton's Joao Pedro, a player who has also impressed Liverpool scouts in the past but who has not been pursued formally. Romano said: 'Chelsea are firmly interested in Joao Pedro of Brighton.' Advertisement Crucially, he added that Chelsea have cooled their interest in Hugo Ekitike, largely due to the fee involved. This shift appears to remove one of Liverpool's most significant rivals from the race, offering Arne Slot's team a potentially clear run at the player if they choose to push ahead. This update is being interpreted as a major signal that Liverpool are now favourites for Ekitike, should they decide to table a formal offer. The club's activity behind the scenes suggests that such a move is very much on the table, particularly if priority target Alexander Isak is deemed unavailable. Photo: IMAGO All Eyes on Liverpool's Next Move With the exit door now open for Nunez and Chelsea's interest in Ekitike appearing to cool, Liverpool find themselves in a promising position. The Reds have the financial firepower and Champions League football to tempt the Frenchman, and Arne Slot's project already boasts a title-winning foundation. Advertisement Romano's latest comments are not an outright confirmation, but they serve as the clearest hint yet that Liverpool have edged into pole position for one of Europe's most highly regarded young strikers. As it stands, the decision now appears to rest with Liverpool.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chelsea could derail João Pedro transfer to Newcastle
Newcastle United may be about to miss out on top summer target Joao Pedro, after transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed that Chelsea are now tracking the Brighton forward. Eddie Howe's side have been exploring options to strengthen their attacking line ahead of their return to Champions League action. Their interest in Pedro had appeared to intensify in recent weeks, with a deal looking more likely than not. Advertisement However, Newcastle's pursuit could now be derailed, with Chelsea understood to have added the Brazilian striker to their shortlist of summer targets. That's according to Romano, who claimed that Enzo Maresca's side 'highly rated' the 22-year-old, who netted 10 times in 27 Premier League outings last season. 'Joao Pedro is going to leave – expected to leave,' Romano said on his YouTube channel. 'He is open to leaving Brighton in the summer transfer window. Let's see what happens with the clubs. 'Newcastle already tried to sign Joao Pedro before he joined Brighton. A deal was done verbally but it collapsed for different reasons. Now he remains a player on the list of the recruitment team at Newcastle. Advertisement 'They want Joao Pedro at Newcastle. They made contact with Brighton, as was reported in England in recent days, but there is still no club-to-club agreement. What I can confirm is Joao Pedro is on Chelsea's list. 'He is highly rated by Chelsea. They see him as an interesting option because he can cover different positions and knows the league. He can be a different option for the squad. For sure, Joao Pedro is a name on their list.' In a surprising twist, Pedro's Brighton teammate Igor Julio has already publicly revealed that the striker informed the club of his desire to move on this summer. 'Joao Pedro had already told Brighton some time ago that his desire was to leave, seek new things, take the next step,' Igor told Trivela. 'It seems it will be difficult and complicated for him to stay here. 'We have to be honest, the club already knows that. [I am] very happy for him. He deserves it. He's been here in England for five years and hasn't played for a big team yet. It's his moment, his time, so he can make the best decision and be happy wherever he is.'
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
🚨 Still cash left after Wirtz? LFC reportedly seal next deal
Despite the substantial investment in Florian Wirtz, which is said to cost Liverpool around 150 million euros, it appears that Liverpool is still not satisfied. After 'Sky' reporter Florian Plettenberg initially spoke of a "Done Deal" today, Fabrizio Romano has now followed suit and given his "Here we go" for the transfer of Milos Kerkez. The 21-year-old caught the eye in the past Premier League season with AFC Bournemouth. So much so that, according to reports, Liverpool is said to be willing to pay up to 47 million euros for the left-back – who could potentially succeed Andrew Robertson in the long term. Advertisement This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here. 📸 Ryan Pierse - 2025 Getty Images
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chelsea could derail João Pedro transfer to Newcastle
Newcastle United may be about to miss out on top summer target Joao Pedro, after transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed that Chelsea are now tracking the Brighton forward. Eddie Howe's side have been exploring options to strengthen their attacking line ahead of their return to Champions League action. Their interest in Pedro had appeared to intensify in recent weeks, with a deal looking more likely than not. Advertisement However, Newcastle's pursuit could now be derailed, with Chelsea understood to have added the Brazilian striker to their shortlist of summer targets. That's according to Romano, who claimed that Enzo Maresca's side 'highly rated' the 22-year-old, who netted 10 times in 27 Premier League outings last season. 'Joao Pedro is going to leave – expected to leave,' Romano said on his YouTube channel. 'He is open to leaving Brighton in the summer transfer window. Let's see what happens with the clubs. 'Newcastle already tried to sign Joao Pedro before he joined Brighton. A deal was done verbally but it collapsed for different reasons. Now he remains a player on the list of the recruitment team at Newcastle. Advertisement 'They want Joao Pedro at Newcastle. They made contact with Brighton, as was reported in England in recent days, but there is still no club-to-club agreement. What I can confirm is Joao Pedro is on Chelsea's list. 'He is highly rated by Chelsea. They see him as an interesting option because he can cover different positions and knows the league. He can be a different option for the squad. For sure, Joao Pedro is a name on their list.' In a surprising twist, Pedro's Brighton teammate Igor Julio has already publicly revealed that the striker informed the club of his desire to move on this summer. 'Joao Pedro had already told Brighton some time ago that his desire was to leave, seek new things, take the next step,' Igor told Trivela. 'It seems it will be difficult and complicated for him to stay here. 'We have to be honest, the club already knows that. [I am] very happy for him. He deserves it. He's been here in England for five years and hasn't played for a big team yet. It's his moment, his time, so he can make the best decision and be happy wherever he is.'
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fabrizio Romano: Liverpool striker talks SET
Fabrizio Romano confirms that talks for a Liverpool striker are now set. This one could move quickly. Liverpool are all about strikers this summer as they look to strike deals in both directions. Principally, their dream is to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United. Advertisement Just how possible that is remains up to debate. Newcastle qualified for the UEFA Champions League, removing any need to sell - the question is whether they'd just like to. Isak is worth an incredible amount of money, after all, and Newcastle lack PSR room. Selling the Swede would free up an incredible amount of space, allowing them to upgrade their squad in several places. Though, whether those upgrades make up for losing Isak is another matter. And even then, Liverpool can't actually move for Isak until they've cleared a bit of space in their own squad. Things are moving forward on that front, however. Darwin Nunez in Napoli talks Fabrizio Romano confirms that Napoli are to enter a final round of talks with Darwin Nunez's representatives as they see if a deal is possible. The Uruguayan is fully expected to leave Liverpool this season - it's just a question of where. Advertisement Napoli appear to be the favourites right now. That's after Nunez reportedly rejected a mega-offer from Al-Hilal ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup. Atletico Madrid are also supposedly looking into a possible deal for Liverpool's no.9. Napoli, though, look like frontrunners. They're trying to offload Victor Osimhen and use the money to buy a new striker to lead the line. Nunez fits the bill but does he want to move there? We're not sure what kind of wages they're offering, though Nunez's rejection of a Saudi Pro League move suggests he's not chasing money here. Instead, we imagine he's after a solid role with a top European club. Advertisement Napoli will try to offer him that. If he likes what they say in this last round of talks, Liverpool can fully expect an offer. And it's one they're very open to receiving as they plan their own major moves.
