Football news expert Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on several major transfer stories, including the latest on Yan Diomande, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Sandro Tonali.
Article continues under the video
Sandro Tonali to Spurs latest
Tottenham Hotspur are firmly in the race to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali this summer and Romano has confirmed that Spurs are actively working on a deal to sign him.
He told his YouTube channel: “There has been speculation that Tottenham are being used by those involved in the deal to attract interest from other clubs. My understanding is that this is not the case. Tottenham are genuine contenders for Tonali, they are taking this opportunity very seriously, and they remain firmly in the race.
“The £75 million bid reported by the media over the last 12 hours was actually submitted several days ago. As I reported, Tottenham entered the race strongly and followed that up with an official offer to Newcastle United. The bid was rejected because Newcastle want a higher fee.
“This is a normal part of negotiations. The first offer for a player of this calibre is rarely accepted unless there is a release clause involved. Tottenham's intention was to send a clear message to both Newcastle and the player, demonstrating their commitment by submitting an official offer immediately.
“That bid was quickly rejected, but it is no longer the most important aspect of the story. Tottenham remain in discussions with people close to Tonali and are working on the possibility of submitting a new proposal to Newcastle.
“Tottenham continue to work hard on this deal and remain determined to secure Sandro Tonali. At this stage, this is the most significant development I can share regarding the situation.”
Rodri transfer update
Manchester City want to sign Elliot Anderson as a replacement for Bernardo Silva this summer, but additional midfield change could take place at the Etihad Stadium, as per Romano.
“Another midfield situation worth monitoring, not only this summer but also over the next year, concerns Rodri. His contract with Man City expires in the summer of 2027,” the transfer expert said.
“Rodri is not an ordinary player. He is a Ballon d'Or winner and one of the finest midfielders of his generation. Because of his status, his contract situation deserves close attention.
“Man City offered Rodri a new contract in May and negotiations are ongoing. However, my understanding is that the two parties remain some distance apart and there is currently no agreement in place.
“There is still plenty of time before the contract expires, but as things stand there is no breakthrough. Financial aspects and personal considerations will both play important roles in determining his future.
“It is not guaranteed that Rodri will leave immediately. One possibility is that he remains at Man City for another season and then departs as a free agent in 2027. Equally, if he stays, there will be ample time for both parties to continue negotiations and potentially reach an agreement.”
Yan Diomande to Liverpool heats up
RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande is Liverpool’s preferred candidate to replace Mohamed Salah and they are set to return to the table with a second bid shortly.
“Liverpool have already seen a €100 million offer rejected. The proposal was structured as €90 million plus €10 million in add-ons. Despite that setback, Liverpool remain fully committed to pursuing the player.
“I can confirm that Liverpool will return to the negotiating table. The club are working intensively on the player's side of the deal, presenting a strong financial package and outlining their long-term project.
“Behind the scenes, Liverpool are doing everything possible to secure the player's approval. They believe he can become an important part of their future plans.
“RB Leipzig continue to insist that they want to keep Diomande. Their preference is to offer him a new contract, improve his salary and include a release clause that would allow him to make a decision about his future in 2027 after gaining further Champions League experience.
“However, with each passing week it becomes more difficult to retain the player. Interest from multiple clubs continues to grow and Liverpool are being particularly aggressive in their pursuit.
“Liverpool are prepared to exceed the €100 million mark with a new proposal. They are working simultaneously on the player's contract package and on negotiations with the club in an effort to complete what could become one of the biggest deals of the summer.”
Nico Schlotterbeck to Real Madrid?
Real Madrid have already signed Ibrahima Konate so far this summer, but they are still in the market for another central defender and Nico Schlotterbeck is among their top targets.
“Turning to Real Madrid-related matters, the first update concerns Nico Schlotterbeck. He has a release clause that is valid this summer following the signing of a new contract,” Romano said.
“However, Schlotterbeck has suffered a ligament injury and further assessments will take place with the German national team. Comments from Julian Nagelsmann suggest that the situation may be serious.
“If the injury is confirmed as expected, a transfer this summer could become very complicated. In that case, a move in 2027 may be a more realistic possibility. This is an important point to clarify given the number of questions received about his future in recent days.”
Romano continued: “Another important topic concerns Raul Asencio. Real Madrid are considering allowing the defender to leave during the summer transfer window.
“I have already reported that this was the club's plan and that the matter had been discussed internally. It has also been a topic of conversation with Jose Mourinho and other defensive options being considered by the club. It is important to remember that Ibrahima Konate has also joined Real Madrid.
“Real Madrid are prepared to give the green light to Asencio's departure. From a financial perspective, the move could be beneficial because the player emerged from La Fabrica, meaning any transfer fee would represent significant profit for the club.
“Mourinho has approved the possibility of Asencio leaving and it would not be surprising to see him depart this summer.
“Of course, any deal would still depend on the right proposal arriving. The player would need to be convinced and Real Madrid would require a satisfactory transfer fee. Nevertheless, the current direction of the situation points towards a potential exit.”
Ayyoub Bouddai to leave Lille?
Morocco starlet Ayyoub Bouaddi has been tipped to leave Lille amid significant transfer interest, although a move is far from advanced as things stand.
“I have already reported interest from English clubs, while Paris Saint-Germain have also been monitoring the player despite currently prioritising reinforcements in attack and defence,” Romano revealed.
“Many supporters have asked about reports in Spain linking Bouaddi with Real Madrid. To clarify the situation, Real Madrid's interest is currently limited to scouting and monitoring. The club followed his progress during the season and have continued to observe him closely at the World Cup. His strong performances have not come as a surprise to the Real Madrid scouting department.
“At this stage there are no official negotiations and nothing imminent is taking place. The situation remains one of observation rather than active pursuit.
“However, patience is required because there is certain to be significant interest in this player. Whether it comes from Premier League clubs, Real Madrid or others, developments are likely in the future and I will continue to provide updates as soon as concrete negotiations begin.”
Related stories:
Build The FIFA World Cup 2026™: LEGO© releases stunning football-inspired collection
Premier League summer transfers 2026: All the Done Deals
Transfer Rumours: Sandro Tonali 'deal on' as midfielder greenlights Man Utd move
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:
•Google Play
