Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Gakpo hijack, Martinez-to-Barca truth, trio want Spurs exit
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Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on several transfer stories, including the latest on Cody Gakpo, Lautaro Martinez and Richarlison.
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Man City hijack Gakpo move to Tottenham
Cody Gakpo has agreed personal terms with Manchester City ahead of a possible move from Liverpool, according to Romano.
Romano understands the Netherlands forward is now poised to join Man City for €99.3million (£85m), provided Liverpool can source a replacement.
In a new YouTube video, Romano said: “The hijack in terms of [reaching a] personal agreement [with Gakpo] is done.
“Tottenham were also in advanced talks over personal terms, [they] were almost agreed with Cody Gakpo since July, as I told you several times.
“But now Manchester City have entered the deal very strongly, very aggressively and now [they] have got a deal done on [the] player’s side.
“What’s missing for this deal of Cody Gakpo joining Manchester City [is] Liverpool [need] to find a replacement.
“As soon as Liverpool find a replacement winger, Cody Gakpo will be allowed to travel and have his medical at Manchester City.”
Richarlison, Sarr and Danso ask to leave Spurs
Wantaway Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison has received interest from Everton and also clubs in the Middle East, Romano says.
The news comes after Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi confirmed Richarlison, Pape Matar Sarr and Kevin Danso have all asked to leave the club.
Romano said: “We will have to see what happens with Richarlison. There was some interest from Everton to bring the player back to the club, Everton fans love Richarlison! So let’s see if they can find a way to bring him back.
“He also has some possibilities in the Middle East so let’s see if it’s going to be Saudi [Arabia] or some other opportunity. But there is movement.”
And on the future of Spurs midfielder Sarr, Romano continued: “He is going to leave Tottenham and he has an agreement with Juventus on personal terms.
“So the salary is okay, the length of the contract is okay, everything is in place. What’s missing now is the club-to-club agreement [between Spurs and Juve].
“Why terms? Because Tottenham had a permanent transfer option from Besiktas, Besiktas were ready to buy the player but [he was] not convinced about the move.
“Monaco have been in talks over a loan [deal] for weeks but now Juventus have entered the deal and Juventus have an agreement with the player.
“So now Juventus need to reach an agreement with Tottenham to close the deal. The expectation is to do a loan deal with an option to buy. Tottenham are also asking for an obligation to buy [clause] as part of the conversations.”
And on Spurs defender Danso, Romano added: “Danso could be one to watch for sure. There was interest from Sunderland [and] also more clubs.”
Inter and Barcelona not discussing Martinez swap
There is “zero chance” of a dramatic swap deal taking place between Inter Milan and Barcelona for Lautaro Martinez, Romano continued.
Inter captain Martinez has been mentioned as a possible alternative to Julian Alvarez, who has been blocked from joining Barcelona by Atletico Madrid.
“We had many questions on possible swap deals between Inter and Barcelona, we had many questions also on Lautaro Martinez," said Romano.
“Inter and Barcelona will not do any [swap] deals, forget about that. Zero chances, zero possibilities.
“It is like that for Lautaro and, at the beginning of the market, the Alessandro Bastoni story, already decided by [Barcelona boss] Hansi Flick not to proceed with Bastoni.
“So forget about any [swap] deal between Inter and Barcelona, in this transfer window nothing [has] happened, nothing will happen.”
Casado future uncertain as Leipzig move for El Aynaoui
The future of Barcelona ace Marc Casado remains up in the air after RB Leipzig decided to turn their attention to other targets, according to Romano.
Midfielder Casado is believed to have been put up for sale by Barcelona but previous suitors Leipzig are now close to signing Neil El Aynaoui from Roma.
“Marc Casado is no longer going to Red Bull Leipzig,” said Romano. “They were asking [his agent] Jorge Mendes for the player as a possible [signing].
“But now they [are] signing El Aynaoui and so [there is] no movement anymore for Marc Casado [to join Leipzig].
“The conditions of the deal [with Barcelona] were way different. For El Aynaoui, Leipzig will pay a €4m (£3.4m) loan fee with a €25m (£21.4m) buy option clause. For Marc Casado, Barcelona were insisting for a permanent transfer.”
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