The Argentina international has spent recent weeks at the centre of a transfer battle involving the Serie A and La Liga clubs. Both are pushing to convince Spurs to sanction a move before the end of the window.

According to journalist Gianluigi Longari, however, Romero’s representatives are also keeping Barcelona updated on everything happening behind the scenes.

Longari explains the defender’s entourage are informing the Catalan club of every development because they are hoping Barcelona will eventually decide to enter the race.

Waiting on Barcelona

For now, though, Longari says Barcelona’s focus lies elsewhere. The journalist states the Spanish champions’ priority is currently Rodri.

Therefore, Romero is not at the top of their transfer plans despite the regular updates being passed on by his representatives.

That leaves Atlético Madrid and Inter Milan as the clubs doing the most concrete work on a deal. Both have been heavily linked with the Tottenham defender in recent days.

Door not completely closed

Barcelona have been credited with interest in Romero before. However, Longari’s latest information suggests there has been no decisive move from the Camp Nou.

Catalan outlet El Nacional also says Barcelona remain attentive to the defender’s situation alongside Atlético Madrid and Inter Milan.

However, it stresses negotiations would not be straightforward because of Romero’s salary and the overall cost of the operation.

The report adds that Ronald Araújo’s future remains uncertain after losing prominence under Hansi Flick. It suggests his situation could eventually become part of the domino effect. This could happen should Barcelona decide to pursue Romero later in the window.

For the moment, though, Longari’s information points to Barcelona watching events unfold while Romero’s entourage waits to see whether the club’s priorities change.

Entourage del Cuti avvisa il Barcelona di tutto quello che succede, perché sperano che si muova il Barca. La priorità del Barcelona oggi però è Rodri.

— Gianluigi Longari (@Glongari) August 7, 2026

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The Brighton manager has been speaking in Germany today. He appears excited ahead of a season in which he will be leading Brighton back into Europe.

Brighton stay extended

The Brighton coach signed a new three-year deal with the Seagulls back in May, extending his deal on the South Coast to 2029.

That came after reports in Germany that had linked him with a potential move to RB Leipzig. Indeed, Sport Witness covered a report stating that he was tempted by the switch and keen on a return to Germany.

Instead, he has elected to remain where he is, with Brighton set to compete in the Europa Conference League this season. It’s just the second time they’ll compete in Europe in their 122-year history.

They head into the season after a summer that’s seen big changes to the squad, with Danny Welbeck and Jan Paul van Hecke already departing.

Challenge to embrace

And it seems Hurzeler is keen to embrace the challenges that will bring for him and his team. In fact, it was those challenges that has convinced him to extend his contract with the club.

“We’ve had a big upheaval again in the summer,” he said.

“Of course, that’s another challenge that I’m happy to face, that I want to face because I can learn even more as a person and as a coach, and also to shape these upheavals.

“In addition, we hopefully have the chance to play internationally, which is of course another new challenge for me.

“And also, to experience something new, including the trips, playing every three days in the Premier League, which will definitely be a new challenge again. There are many motivations that have then moved me at the end to stay here.”

Im exklusiven Sky Sport Interview hat sich Fabian Hürzeler unter anderem zu Brighton, Jürgen Klopp sowie den Vuskovic-Brüdern geäußert.

Das ganze Interview findet ihr auf https://t.co/8YKd4tUQxr oder in der Sky Sport App pic.twitter.com/c1Mz7SLXmX

— Sky Sport (@SkySportDE) August 6, 2026

The post Fabian Hurzeler hints he could have left Brighton – Reveals ‘motivations’ that made him stay appeared first on Sport Witness.

Calciomercato.it report that Gian Piero Gasperini’s side have turned their attention to the Bologna winger this summer.

Roma in the mix again

The Italian outlet reports that after signing Nahuel Molina from Atletico Madrid – another player who was on Everton’s radar – Roma are now ready for a ‘new major financial push’.

They want to give Gasperini the ‘long-awaited’ attacking winger he’s been targeting throughout the summer transfer window. The name at the top of the list if Antonio Nusa, but he’s took expensive at this moment in time.

RB Leipzig want a deal worth €55-60m for the forward, which is too much for Roma. So, they’re looking at alternatives.

According to CM.it’s information, they have now begun knowing Bologna’s door for Jonathan Rowe. They like the player as he boasts ‘great technique, has pace and can be deployed on the right or the left’.

€40m asking price now

His current deal with Bologna expires in 2029 and the outlet value him at around €40m. That’s a significant figure, to say the least, but more within Roma’s reach compared to Nusa.

Interestingly, that price is far from the one Everton have been quoted in the last few weeks. They also have Jonathan Rowe on their radar. A report this week indicated it could take €50m upwards to get him.

Now Roma are being quoted Roma are being quoted €40m, hinting Bologna were always adding a Premier League tax just for Everton’s benefit.

Having said that, a report this week did indicate that €45m would be enough to tempt Bologna. That was followed by a claim that the Italian side were more vulnerable than ever.

Now Roma appear to have taken note and, it CM.it are to be believed, are now ready to gazump their Friedkin related brethren once again.

Dopo aver preso Nahuel Molina dall’Atletico Madrid, la #Roma è pronta a un nuovo importante sforzo economico per regalare a Gian Piero Gasperini il tanto atteso esterno d’attacco. Il nome in cima alla lista dei desideri della dirigenza giallorossa rimane quello di Antonio… pic.twitter.com/ys8MrtAjMu

— calciomercato.it (@calciomercatoit) August 7, 2026

The post Everton facing Roma competition yet again – And Italians get a better asking price too appeared first on Sport Witness.

EPSN have comments from the young defender today. He is very much not a player pushing to depart at any point.

Nottingham Forest opportunity

Givairo Read was asked for his thought on a potential move to Roma collapsing this week.

The Italian side had been pushing to sign him and submitted several bids to Feyenoord to try and make that happen. They eventually gave up, though, frustrated by Feyenoord’s high demands and signed Nahuel Molina from Atletico Madrid.

That potentially left the door open for Nottingham Forest to sign Read this summer. They have also made several bids for the youngster over the last fortnight. But it seems he’s not particularly interested in pushing for a departure, nor is he disappointed on missing out on Roma.

“I wasn’t actually disappointed. It could have gone either way,” he said.

“As I’ve said before, I didn’t *have* to leave Feyenoord; I wasn’t here on loan. I’m happy to be here. Of course, it was an opportunity, but whether I’d call it a missed opportunity… you know what I mean. Ultimately, I’m just happy to be here.”

No transfer disappointment

He’s not entirely shooting down a transfer – to Nottingham Forest or anywhere else – but for now he believes he’ll be staying where he is.

“It could still happen, but it really looks like I’ll be staying here this season,” he added.

“We’re playing in the Champions League, and I know I still have a lot of room for improvement. Those are two really important things to experience this season.”

Indeed, he is not letting the attention of various clubs get to his head at that point.

“I realise what *could* have happened, but I’m staying very calm about it,” he concluded.

“I talk to the people around me – my family and my agent, of course. They keep me grounded, but I’m naturally a calm person anyway. It’s not really swirling around in my head.”

Givairo Read is niet teleurgesteld na afketsen toptransfer naar AS Roma

“Lijkt erop dat ik gewoon hier blijf” pic.twitter.com/wT6A2nddYf

— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) August 7, 2026

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Gazet van Antwerpen, in their Friday printed edition, report that talks are ongoing over the 21-year-old. Club Brugge are targeting him as a replacement for Cristos Tzolis.

Crystal Palace counter

The newspaper explains that Club Brugge have set their sights on RCD Mallorca winger Jan Virgili as a replacement for their former star, who joined Arsenal earlier in the summer. A bid has already been made for the forward according to reports.

But he is not the only name on their transfer shortlist. In fact, Brugge’s intention is to sign another winger in addition to Virgili.

At the moment, Crystal Palace’s Romain Esse appears to be the ‘leading candidate’ alongside the Mallorca man.

Crystal Palace have already rejected an initial bid. However, they have made a counterproposal to the Belgian side.

Brugge are not considering their next effort, but the transfer is expected to go through. Crystal Palace are ‘certainly willing to cooperate’ in the negotiations.

Crystal Palace ready to move on

The Eagles appear ready to move on from Romain Esse this summer. he was signed from Millwall as the potential long-term replacement for Eberechi Eze.

But the youngster has struggled to settle at Selhurst Park since his arrival. A loan spell at Coventry City as they were promoted from the Championship last season also failed to aid his progression.

A move to Brugge, then, could be the ideal option. They are proving to be something of a place for revival for players who have struggled in England.

Tzolis is the prime example of that after his struggles at Norwich City but there is also the likes of Carlos Forbs offering strong evidence for the argument as well. Perhaps they are now hoping for a similar trajectory with Esse.

First, they need to find an agreement with Crystal Palace, who it seems are willing to negotiate a deal this summer despite rejecting that first offer.

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Journalist Sercan Hamzaoğlu provides details on the Manchester United goalkeeper’s loan deal at Celta Vigo.

Celta Vigo proposal wins

The 28-year-old goalkeeper joined the Spanish side on loan this week until the end of the season, after playing number two to Senne Lammens last season.

He’s moved to the Spanish side in search of regular playing time, having found himself out of the picture at Old Trafford for large periods since his arrival in 2023.

The hope is to become a regular in Vigo this season, and Hamzaoğlu reports that the loan deal with Manchester United includes a ‘special clause’ regarding that in particular.

According to his information, the Turkish goalkeeper received offers from a total of 7-8 clubs from Europe’s four major leagues this summer. He had offers from England, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands on the table.

However, it was Celta Vigo who presented the ‘strongest project’ to him.

Special transfer clause

The Premier League also tried to get involved right at the end of the transfer. Bayindir preferred the move to Celta Vigo, who had been pursuing him for a long time.

That is, perhaps, because the contract with the Spanish club includes a special clause regarding playing time. Hamzaoğlu offers no further detail on what that clause is or how it is made up.

The indication, though, is that he has been guaranteed the playing time that was not on offer at Manchester United. Perhaps if that doesn’t happen there will be penalties for the Spanish side.

Either way, it appears that Celta Vigo’s proposal was the best on the table. That’s something in itself given the numerous offers that Bayindir received this summer. He now appears focused on getting the first-team football that he’s seemingly been longing for.

The post Manchester United deal includes ‘special clause’ – Premier League clubs ‘tried to get involved’ appeared first on Sport Witness.

The Magpies have identified the Porto midfielder as one of the players capable of replacing Bruno Guimarães. The Brazilian is expected to complete his move to Arsenal this week.

Contacts have already been made with Froholdt’s representatives. However, the latest information from Portugal points to growing obstacles on both sides.

Froholdt not sold on Newcastle project

Friday’s newspaper edition of A Bola reports Victor Froholdt is fully aware of Newcastle’s interest. But the Danish international does not see St James’ Park as the next step he wants to take in his career.

According to the newspaper, the 20-year-old and those around him believe that when he eventually leaves Porto, it should be for one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

The report even goes as far as suggesting that, if Newcastle were to trigger his €85m (£73.7m) release clause, Froholdt still would not agree to the move. This is because he does not view the Magpies as belonging to that very top tier.

The midfielder is said to feel valued at Porto, where he is an undisputed starter under Francesco Farioli. He is in no rush to leave. Moreover, he has no intention of forcing a transfer during an important stage of the season.

Instead, the report says he remains fully committed to Porto. He expects to continue his development in the Champions League unless one of Europe’s elite clubs arrives with an offer capable of changing the picture.

Newcastle also cooling interest

O Jogo, meanwhile, says Newcastle’s own thinking may also be shifting. The newspaper reports that Porto’s insistence on the €85m (£73.7m) release clause has made the deal difficult to justify. This is particularly true for a player of Froholdt’s profile.

It adds that Newcastle are now leaning towards signing someone with more experience to replace Bruno Guimarães, believing the Brazilian’s influence on and off the pitch demands a readymade replacement instead of another young midfielder.

According to the report, Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller and Roma’s Manu Koné, both 25, are now considered a closer fit for what Newcastle are looking for. Furthermore, Correio da Manhã points to Benfica’s Richard Ríos, which had already been identified as an attainable target.

Both papers also notes that, despite Saudi-backed ownership, Newcastle still have financial restrictions to work within under UEFA and Premier League regulations, making any deal of that size harder to complete.

Taken together, the two Portuguese reports suggest the Froholdt story has cooled from both directions.

Porto’s valuation remains unchanged, and the player is in no hurry to leave. At the same time, Newcastle appear to be weighing up more experienced alternatives.

The post Newcastle United interest in Bruno G replacement stalls – Two issues come to light appeared first on Sport Witness.

Sport Witness have covered how the Italian side have taken major steps towards the Frenchman’s signature. The deal was progressing on the basis of a loan with an option to buy.

Napoli and Chelsea were expected to have a key meeting this week to iron out the final details.

Badiashile would come in as a replacement for the injured Alessandro Buongiorno. But there are fears he may not be ready.

Major doubts about fitness

Journalist Federico Casotti has spoken about the centre-back’s switch to Naples. Casotti talked about the kind of player Max Allegri is getting, as the Partenopei look to play in the Champions League.

While initially praising Badiashile, the Italian hinted at the drawbacks of a deal

He said: “He’s a physically imposing centre-back. From this point of view, his strength is his main asset, his greatest strength. He’s a player who, at Monaco, managed to develop even in the context of a typical French central defender. 

“He’s a player who, however, raises questions especially about his physical fitness, because his experience at Chelsea certainly wasn’t as satisfying for him as it was when he left Monaco.”

Casotti also made it clear that he will not be a regular Napoli and he will take some time to get back to speed.

“I see him as a rotation player, and I’d be surprised if he could make an immediate impact.

“Looking back at his last few seasons, he’s played very little, so he’s clearly a player who will need to be ready when needed, considering that Napoli have the legitimate intention of having a stronger and longer run in the Champions League this year than last season, and therefore playing more games.

“In terms of the pecking order, I still see him as a second-string player.”

Our take: Player would hope to turn things around

During his time at Monaco, the 25-year-old was seen as one of the brightest defenders in France. At Chelsea, that reputation has faded and the club’s instability hasn’t done him any favours.

While he played less than 500 minutes in the Premier League last season, this is Badiashile’s chance at getting things back on track.

He is still at the right age and just needs to play regularly. Buongiorno is out for the next few months but even generally, the Italy man hasn’t impressed in the last few months.

This shows that if Badiashile gets his fitness on track, he could yet become a reliable player in Italy.

The post “A second-string player” – Chelsea player facing question marks ahead of transfer appeared first on Sport Witness.

Earlier today we covered reports from France that the 34-year-old was expected to arrive in England to undergo his medical after Manchester City and Marseille reached an agreement worth €3.5m (£3m).

That last step now appears to be complete. Argentine journalist Esteban Edul reports Rulli “have already undergone his medical and is a new Manchester City player”, indicating the formalities have been successfully completed before the transfer is officially announced.

The update follows a busy few days in negotiations. Manchester City initially saw a €2m (£1.7m) offer rejected. However, they later increased their bid to match Marseille’s asking price.

The clubs then settled the remaining details. And as a result, the goalkeeper was allowed to travel. Now looks like it’s all done.

Announcement now the next step

Gerónimo Rulli has long agreed personal terms with Manchester City, with reports stating he accepted a two-year contract last week.

The veteran arrives after James Trafford’s departure to Leeds United. He is expected to provide experienced cover for Gianluigi Donnarumma this season.

Marseille have also been acting as though the deal is complete. The French club have already moved for a replacement by making a loan offer for Neom SC goalkeeper Marcin Bułka.

Unless there is an unexpected hitch at the final stage, Manchester City’s announcement now looks like little more than a matter of time.

The post Announcement on the way for Manchester City arrival – Medical sorted appeared first on Sport Witness.

Spanish newspaper La Nueva España, in their Friday print edition, reports the clubs have made significant progress over the deal. They have been working through the final details since Thursday.

If there are no late complications, the transfer could be completed in the coming days.

Celtic offer convinces everyone

The newspaper explains Hassan always wanted to remain in European football. This made Celtic an attractive destination as they prepare for another season in continental competition.

Hassan’s stance has also played a part. La Nueva España says the winger rejected a financially attractive offer from Saudi Arabia. He did this because he wanted to remain in European football.

After impressing for Egypt at the World Cup, he believed stronger opportunities would arrive. Celtic’s proposal ultimately matched the sporting project he had been waiting for.

Interestingly, the newspaper claims Saudi Arabia had provided the only formal offer received by Real Oviedo before Celtic accelerated their interest this week.

That suggests the Scottish champions moved quickly once they decided Hassan was a priority. Therefore, they did not become involved in a lengthy bidding war.

While no figures have been disclosed, La Nueva España says the Scottish champions’ proposal has satisfied all parties. This is despite falling well short of the €12m (£10.4m) release clause.

Oviedo have their own reasons to sell

The report adds the transfer is also important for Real Oviedo. They are still looking to balance their finances following relegation from La Liga.

The Spanish club have invested in several new signings this summer and now need a major sale to increase their La Liga salary limit and register their squad without issues.

That financial reality appears to have helped Celtic’s negotiations, with La Nueva España reporting the deal is now close enough that an official announcement could arrive within the next few days.

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