Exclusive: Bellingham Liverpool, Man City transfer decision, Neves Barcelona & more – Fabrizio Romano

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·13 February 2023

Exclusive: Bellingham Liverpool, Man City transfer decision, Neves Barcelona & more – Fabrizio Romano

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Atletico Madrid

Memphis Depay on his decision to join Atletico Madrid: “I’m very happy. I came to this beautiful club to score goals. I’m just waiting for more opportunities to score more to be important for the team.”

OneFootball Videos

Barcelona

Ruben Neves has been discussed with Barcelona but they have different priorities for the summer including Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, so let’s see how they will decide to proceed.

Barcelona are working on new contracts for Sergi Roberto and Alejandro Balde, but Ousmane Dembele could be one to watch in the next months. Yes, he extended his contract in the summer, but only until 2024. He’s now in fantastic form for Barca, Xavi is happy with him, so now there will be conversations about another new deal.

Bayer Leverkusen

Piero Hincapie has just signed new long term contract with Bayer Leverkusen — deal will be valid until June 2027. A highly rated young centre-back, Hincapie has been on the list of many big clubs — Ecuador keep producing talents such as Moises Caicedo, young gem Kendry Paez, Hincapie & more.

Piero Hincapie

Chelsea

Malo Gusto: “I’m happy to join Chelsea, it was almost last minute — was a good proposal, with a good project behind it. We spoke for months. Chelsea are very big club. I know what to expect, and I sign to play and impose myself there.”

Graham Potter: “Long-term doesn’t exist in this job. You have to acknowledge there’s a long term but there’s a short term and medium term that’s challenging for us in terms of results. We all want to win, all of us and the supporters.”

Chelsea are among the clubs monitoring Brentford goalkeeper David Raya ahead of the summer (Football London)

Eintracht Frankfurt

Daichi Kamada’s contract expires in June, this is why there are many clubs linked and interested. Nothing is advanced or decided yet, there are clubs in England, Italy and Germany keeping an eye on him. But the feeling is the decision will be made later this year.

Fulham

Kevin Mbabu leaves Fulham, done deal. Agreement completed and now set to be signed with Swiss side Geneve Servette on loan until June. Understand medical tests will take place today — Mbabu is already in Geneva and documents are 100% ready.

Inter Milan

I’m aware of some reports linking Andre Onana with Premier League clubs, but my understanding is that there’s nothing between English clubs and Onana at this stage. The expectation is for him to stay at Inter, he’s really happy in Milano and there are no negotiations at all.

Liverpool

There was a story recently that got a bit of attention, as the agent of Virgil van Dijk and Harvey Elliott joined the Roof agency, but that’s all that happened, it was not a change in representation for the players, as such. There’s nothing changing about their future, they are both key parts of Liverpool plans.

For sure Liverpool want to support Klopp in the summer with the new signings. Jude Bellingham is the top priority but there’s a chance they can go for one more midfielder because of Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain contract situation. I’d keep an eye also on the centre-backs situation.

Jurgen Klopp: “I’m not happy with our situation, but how you deal with the situation and behave in the situation decides how the time will be after it. I am responsible for all this. If you want to criticise, criticise me. Don’t go for the wrong people.”

Cody Gakpo: “I spoke to Van Nistelrooy a lot about Manchester United in the summer when the transfer looked like it may be coming. But in the winter, not really. It was Ruud’s wish that I went to a big club – and I think I have achieved that with Liverpool. When I heard about interest from Liverpool in December, I did not think about anything else. There was also Chelsea interest maybe but I already had my mind made up.”

Manchester City

Man City haven’t made a decision on Kalvin Phillips yet. This is a crucial step to understand what’s going to happen next summer. Pep Guardiola’s opinion will be really important to decide on Phillips’ future. West Ham are not working on it at this stage; but we have to see how they will act if/when Declan Rice will leave.

Pep Guardiola: “If Man City’s officials want me here, I will be here. The results, they put me out because here is a business; you have to win. But if they want me, I will not let them down, not now and with my players, I want to convince them of that…”

Manchester United

Manchester United have already sent the new contract proposal to Alejandro Garnacho and his representatives. Talks are at a very advanced stage. Image rights and final contract length among points discussed, but Man Utd have always been confident of getting it done soon.

Erik ten Hag: “Rashford is one of the best strikers in Europe, definitely — and I was convinced from the first moment. I was really excited to work with him. I can get more out of him. He has such high potential.”

Napoli

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored again, taking him to 9 goals and 11 assists in 18 Serie A games, alongside his 2 goals and 3 assists in 5 Champions League games.

Reminder: Napoli signed this gem for just €10m in the summer!

Newcastle United

Rumours on Newcastle and Ruben Neves were around also in January but it was never close in the winter transfer window. He’s been discussed with Barcelona but they have different priorities for the summer including Martin Zubimendi, so let’s see how they will decide to proceed.

Ruben Neves

PSG

It’s just matter of time and then PSG will confirm new deal for Marquinhos, it’s almost agreed as expected. He’s agreed a four-year contract – the deal is in place and will be official soon.

Southampton

Official. Southampton now confirm it has parted company with the manager Nathan Jones. “Chris Cohen and Alan Sheehan have also left the club. Ruben Selles will now take charge of training and prepare the team ahead of next game vs Chelsea,” club statement says.

Tottenham

Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur will miss the rest of the season — he’s going to need 6-7 months to recover after sustaining an ACL injury.

West Ham

West Ham are not working on signing Kalvin Phillips at this stage; but we have to see how they will act if/when Declan Rice will leave. We also need to see what Pep Guardiola and Man City will decide on Phillips’ future.