Transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has explored the latest stories involving Manchester City, Manchester United and more.
Man City target 16-year-old sensation Kennet Eichhorn
Romano has revealed that Pep Guardiola’s side are studying Hertha Berlin talent Kennet Eichhorn and are ready to secure his future – even if they could not use him until he turns 18.
“He is 16 years old, born in 2009, and already considered a huge talent. He plays for Hertha Berlin, and several clubs are now in the race to sign him. The latest club to enter seriously is Manchester City,” Romano told his YouTube channel.
“There are other Premier League clubs keen on him, and also German clubs, of course, because he is a German talent. So the race is between Germany and England for Eichhorn. My information is that City are closely tracking him and following his progress.
“He is very young, so if City go for him, the idea would probably be to sign him and loan him out for one or two seasons. We will see how he develops, but City are definitely very interested.
“Bundesliga clubs are also very attentive because they want to keep this talent in Germany. So keep an eye on Kenneth Eichhorn, because this race is going to be interesting.”
Jack Grealish to Everton: The latest
Everton have helped to resurrect the career of Jack Grealish, who lost his way under Pep Guardiola, and the Liverpool club are ready to fight to retain the former Aston Villa star on a longer basis when his one-year loan runs out.
Romano revealed: “Everton have now started conversations with the camp of Jack Grealish to try to find a solution to keep him beyond this season.
“Grealish is on loan at Everton from Manchester City. He suffered an injury recently, but when he was playing, he was fantastic for Everton. The perfect context, doing very well, quality, goals, assists. So Grealish is always appreciated there.
“Everton want to try to find a solution with the player’s camp and with Manchester City to continue together next season too. The conversations have started. The player is open to this possibility, but obviously it does not depend only on Grealish. It also depends on the financial side, because he has a big salary and City are an important club in this story.
“So let’s see what they can do. But this is definitely one of the topics to follow in the coming weeks.”
City fighting Real Madrid for Rodri: New deal offered
Rodri’s future in the Premier League hangs in the balance, with the Spain midfielder mulling over the possibility of signing a new contract with Man City or returning to his homeland with Real Madrid.
“Manchester City are working on a new contract for Rodri. And I maintain that,” Romano said.
“There is a new contract proposal on the table, with a very important salary. Now it is on Rodri to decide.
“What about Real Madrid? Many of you are asking how much Madrid could be prepared to pay for Rodri. My understanding is that Real Madrid will not do anything crazy to get him this summer. If the deal requires huge money, they do not intend to move forward under those conditions.
“The interest from Real Madrid is real and Rodri is discussed internally, but whether they advance depends on the fee. And the fee depends on what Rodri wants to do.
“City want to keep him because they believe he is back to his best after the ACL injury. They think the real Rodri is returning now, which is natural after a serious injury. So Manchester City are pushing hard to renew his contract, and this is an active conversation.”
Elliot Anderson transfer battle
Man Utd have earmarked Elliot Anderson as their dream midfield signing, but City are also seriously tracking the Nottingham Forest star and seem to be in the lead to sign him. Here’s what Romano has to say about the situation:
“Manchester City are very serious on this deal.
“City are in conversation with the player’s camp and they really like him. But when you look at the transfer fee and the final price, nothing is done yet. There is also a kind of respect between Manchester City and Nottingham Forest to understand the right moment and the right valuation.
“Forest are in a relegation battle, and that will affect the final price. So when you see numbers today, they are not guaranteed to be the final ones in the summer. It depends on Nottingham Forest and the Marinakis family, and how they want to handle the situation.
“City are there for sure and have been working on the player side for months. I maintain that they are really pushing for Anderson. Manchester United are also attentive. Until the deal is done with City, United want to stay in the conversation and keep Anderson on their shortlist too.
“There is also Sandro Tonali, and more names, because United will have a busy summer in midfield. But Anderson is definitely one of the top names to watch.”
Rafael Leao to Barcelona rumours rubbished
Finally, Romano played down any possibility that Barcelona will sign Rafael Leao from AC Milan in the summer after rumours emerged of such a move.
“With maximum respect to the sources reporting this, as always, anyone can have their own information. My information is that the name of Rafa Leao at Barcelona has been discussed and offered several times in recent years, but not by AC Milan,” Romano said.
“So Milan are not actively trying to sell Leao. That is not the case. It is more that agents have been offering this opportunity to Barcelona, especially to Joan Laporta. This is not something Barcelona are actively pursuing right now.
“There is no negotiation between Leao and Barca, no negotiation between his agents and Barca, and no negotiation between Barca and Milan either. That is not the case. It is more a story of Leao being proposed to Barcelona over a long period of time, even before Deco was there as sporting director.
“But at the moment, there is nothing more than that. Nothing is changing on Leao’s future today, tomorrow, or this week. Nothing is imminent, nothing is close, nothing is decided.”
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Transfer Rumours: €138m Anderson deal expected as final Man Utd decision made
Man City put pressure on Pep Guardiola over quit claims
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