Fabrizio Romano Discusses Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Gabriel Jesus, Darwin Núñez, More on Action Network’s Wondergoal Podcast
Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images. Pictured: Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland.
The Action Network hosted Fabrizio Romano, the world's most renowned European football reporter on one of its podcasts on Wednesday.
Romano joined Michael Leboff and Anthony Dabbundo on the Wondergoal podcast to discuss transfer rumors for this summer's window.
On Erling Haaland joining Manchester City this summer:
Yes, Erling Haaland's deal is an important one because it will start the domino effect for strikers around Europe. So it's an important piece for these dominos during the summer.
On Manchester City's interest in Harry Kane:
Editor's note: Kane sought a deal to join Manchester City last summer that was rebuffed by Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy. City aggressively pursued this deal, too.
Harry Kane's interest from Manchester City is now over. It was a really important negotiation last summer because it was really close between Harry Kane and Man City. But then Tottenham and Daniel Levy were able to say no to really important proposals. They were close to €130 million ($135 million) for Harry Kane, so from Tottenham there was a big effort to say no.
But now, what I'm told is that Manchester City is, of course, happy with Erling Haaland. They're not going for any other striker.
For Harry Kane, everything [from Manchester City] is over.
On Tottenham's chances to sign Harry Kane to an extension:
Editor's note: Kane has two years remaining on his contract with Tottenham.
I think it's positive news for Tottenham because they have one more chance to keep him at the club [and] to negotiate a new deal with Harry Kane.
Let's see what happens with this new Kane deal on two points: The first is for Champions League football. For Tottenham, that's a very important point to be able to negotiate with Harry Kane and make Harry Kane happy with a new proposal.
But also Antonio Conte. I'm sure if Antonio Conte stays at the club as a manager next season, it's because they'll guarantee to him that Harry Kane will be untouchable this summer.
What [Conte] means in his press conferences when he says he "wants to see ambition" from the club, it means "We need to keep Harry Kane, we need to keep our best players."
On Gabriel Jesus' Man City spot now that Haaland has been acquired:
Gabriel Jesus is leaving the club. I'm pretty sure that it will happen. The conversations have already started with many clubs with his agent. Arsenal in particular, they had direct conversations with his agent. They explained the project and the player is pretty happy with the project from Arsenal.
Also in this case, Champions League football is very important. Let's see what happens between Arsenal and Tottenham.
There are six clubs in the chase to sign him. He is not going to extend his contract with Manchester City that expires in June 2023.
On Raheem Sterling's new contract with Manchester City:
They have been discussing a new deal with him for a long time. But there's still no agreement. He's out of contract next summer, so it will be crucial for City to have an agreement with him this summer or they will be open to a transfer.
On where Kylian Mbappé will land this summer:
Editor's note: The World Cup winner's contract is up this summer and he's been incessantly linked for months with a move to Real Madrid.
Kylian Mbappe is now open to talk with Paris Saint-Germain. Despite the rumors, there is still no agreement between Mbappe and Paris Saint-Germain. And there is still nothing between Mbappe and Real Madrid. He's still in the process of deciding with his family, with his lawyers.
On Mauricio Pochettino's chances of staying at Paris Saint-Germain:
I'm told Mauricio Pochettino has a very poor chance at staying with the club. It's expected for him to leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season and for Paris Saint-Germain to have a new manager.
But this new project is part of the proposal for Kylian Mbappe on the Paris Saint-Germain side. They've improved their offer to Kylian Mbappe since last week. They're offering an incredible offer to the player, even a short-term contract for two or three years to have him at the club.
On Real Madrid's state of mind ahead of Mbappé negotiations:
On Real Madrid's side, they're still very relaxed. They're still very confident about Kylian Mbappe. They feel that Kylian Mbappé will be a Real Madrid player.
I think in the coming days, we'll have our answer, but in the meantime Real Madrid is still very, very confident.
On Benfica striker Darwin Núñez and where he might land:
I'm very curious to see what happens with Darwin Núñez because I see him leaving Benfica this summer, I'm sure.
It will depend on the price because, for example, in January on deadline day, West Ham made a proposal of €45 million ($47 million) and it was turned down because Benfica wanted €55 million ($57 million).
Now I think with €55 million, you are absolutely not buying him. So what is needed is around €75 to 80 million ($78 to $83 million) for Darwin Núñez to open negotiations with Benfica.
He has a new agent that is really close to Jorge Mendes so it’s gonna change the future of the player.
What I'm told is that his name is being discussed internally with Manchester United. Richarlison and Darwin Núñez are both being discussed internally.
But the final decision will be made by Erik ten Hag, so we need to wait a bit because he's still fighting with Ajax to win the Eredivisie. (Editor's note: Ajax manager Erik ten Hag has reportedly signed a deal to become Manchester United's manager after the end of this season.)
There are many other clubs interested. For example, Paris Saint-Germain had some conversations to explore the potential price for Darwin Núñez. So it's absolutely open, but I'm sure Darwin will be ready to leave Benfica in the summer and he's ready to make a big move.
Listen to the rest of the podcast here:
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