Fabrizio Romano joins Market Madness with major updates on Rodri to Barcelona, Bradley Barcola to Liverpool and Marcus Rashford’s Manchester United future. Prime Minister Andy Burnham also delivers a blunt verdict on Gianni Infantino as FIFA’s leadership crisis deepens.
Sports
Arsenal Must Sign ‘Elite’ £140m Forward Instead of Vini Jr
Arsenal have suffered a major transfer blow with the news that Vinicius Junior is set to sign a new contract to extend his stay with Real Madrid, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Arsenal chiefs and manager Mikel Arteta will be well aware that while the club don’t need a major overhaul of the squad this summer, they also can’t afford to stand still if they want to retain their Premier League title and go one step further in the Champions League by winning it next season.
Their summer transfer window has been underwhelming so far in that regard, with Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier the only arrivals so far, with both likely to be back-up options.
Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes is set to join them in north London after the Gunners agreed a deal worth £75m with their Premier League rivals for the Brazilian, in a statement deal.
Arteta will want more though, with the attacking area one that still needs work, given the Spaniard is yet to land the left-sided player he wants, while the club continue to be linked with new strikers too, such as Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez.
The Argentina international is viewed as a dream signing for Arsenal, although his situation is complicated with Real Madrid and Barcelona both making bids for him this summer, and Atletico making it clear they have no interest in selling him to one of their LaLiga rivals.
Arsenal Miss Out on Vinicius Junior Deal
Arsenal had made the Brazil international their top transfer target as they looked to add a high-profile left-sided attacker to Mikel Arteta’s squad ahead of the new season, having missed out on signing Morgan Rogers to Chelsea.
The Gunners were all in on trying to persuade the 26-year-old to move to the Emirates, but it looks like they have failed in their mission with the Brazilian set to remain at the Bernabeu, according to Romano.
With 128 goals in 376 appearances for Real, it is no surprise that the north Londoners viewed Vinicius as a statement signing who could take them to the next level.
Arsenal Must Seal Bradley Barcola Move Instead
If Arsenal want a similarly high-profile player who could be available on the market this summer, they should look no further than Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola.
The ‘elite’ France international has decided he doesn’t want to extend his contract at the Parc des Princes, with his deal due to expire in the summer of 2028.
PSG are ready to cash in on the 23-year-old this summer, but they are also demanding that their reported £140m valuation is met by any suitors.
Liverpool are determined to sign Barcola after seeing their bid to sign Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig fall through, but while they are willing to pay around £100m for the Frenchman, there is still a gap in valuation.
Reports suggest that while Barcola is currently prioritising a move to Anfield, he is also ‘open’ to joining the Premier League champions, should they make their move.
Arsenal have a big opportunity to not only hijack their top-flight rivals to sign Barcola, but also land a player of huge quality who showed his top-class finishing ability for his country at the 2026 World Cup.
Sports
The Truth About Vini JR with Fabrizio Romano and Ben Jacobs
Sports
Fabrizio Romano Shares What He’s Hearing on Man Utd’s Next Signing
Manchester United are looking at signing a left-back in the remaining weeks of the transfer window, Fabrizio Romano has told GIVEMESPORT’s Market Madness podcast.
The Red Devils have prioritised a midfield rebuild all summer and completed deals for Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans for a combined £83m, from Chelsea and Aston Villa respectively. The club has also brought in Karl Darlow for their goalkeeper department, which has allowed Altay Bayindir to join Celta Vigo on loan, while young winger Tynan Thompson has also joined from Tottenham.
Reports have suggested the club are still keen to bring in at least one more midfielder during this window, having seen Casemiro join Inter Miami at the end of his contract and Manuel Ugarte suffer a serious knee injury at the World Cup, but it is not the only position the club are looking at.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Romano: Movement in Next Weeks for Man Utd Signing
Question marks remain over the future of Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee in attack, with both players linked with moves away before the September 1st deadline. That has seen the club linked with a move to bring in a new forward to ensure they aren’t short on numbers, having qualified for the Champions League.
However, left-back is a position that is reportedly featuring more prominently in discussions behind the scenes, with Newcastle United star Lewis Hall earmarked as a top target.
While appearing on the Market Madness podcast (Aug 6), Romano was asked about the business United could do in the final weeks of the window, and revealed that left-back is something they are looking at doing, although it may not end up being Hall.
“They are looking at left backs, so I think also in that position there could be some movement in the next weeks,” he said.
“It’s not easy for Lewis Hall because Newcastle now want to keep the player after making profit with Bruno Guimarães, but for sure Man United are looking at that position.”
|
Lewis Hall Premier League Defensive Stats (per 90) |
|
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
24(6) |
|
Minutes |
2181 |
|
Tackles |
1.8 |
|
Interceptions |
0.9 |
|
Clearances |
2.6 |
|
Blocks |
0.5 |
Lewis Hall Top Man Utd Target
Hall is a very highly-rated defender, and he earned the praise of Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney after Newcastle claimed a draw with Barcelona in the Champions League last season.
“First of all, I thought you were terrific tonight,” he said. “We were talking about it before the game, the challenge you had ahead of you against Yamal, and I thought you were brilliant.”
It’s been reported that Hall is the top target at Man Utd for the left-back position, but after bringing in around £240m for Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, it’s no surprise that Newcastle are not interested in selling.
But Hall, 21, is understood to be unhappy at St James’ Park after a fallout with previous manager Eddie Howe, and GMS understands he would be open to a move to Old Trafford.
Statistics courtesy of WhoScored – Correct as of 06/08/2026.
Sports
Arsenal More Keen on Ezri Konsa Than Liverpool
Arsenal and Liverpool are both keen on Aston Villa star Ezri Konsa this summer, with the Gunners holding a stronger interest, Fabrizio Romano has told GIVEMESPORT’s Market Madness podcast.
The Gunners have had a decent summer window, completing deals for Illan Meslier and Christos Tzolis, while an agreement is in place with Newcastle United for midfielder Bruno Guimaraes too. But the team have been rocked by William Saliba picking up a back injury, which could see him ruled out until 2027.
That has seen the Premier League champions look at options in the market to strengthen their defence, and England international Konsa is someone who has been heavily linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium.
Romano: Arsenal and Liverpool Like Konsa
Konsa, who has been described as ‘elite’ by Breaking the Lines, emerged as a target following his performances at the World Cup, but talks with Villa saw a £60m valuation, which was seen as too high.
That reportedly opened the door to Liverpool, who are looking for a senior replacement for Ibrahima Konate after he left on a free transfer to Real Madrid this summer, and they are considering the former Watford star as an option too.
While appearing on the GIVEMESPORT Market Madness podcast, reliable transfer guru Fabrizio Romano was asked about the situation involving the 28-year-old defender, and admitted that it’s Arsenal who are pushing the hardest currently.
“They [Arsenal] will be busy for sure,” he said. “I’m sure.
“On some of the names you ask me: on Konsa, I’m told there is more interest from Arsenal than Liverpool at this stage, but let’s see.
“Still [a] long [time to go]. I think both clubs will be keen on defenders, so there will be movements from now [until] the end of the window.”
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Rogers: Konsa ‘One of the Best’ Defenders
Konsa has seen his reputation within the game grow over the last two seasons in particular, establishing himself as a regular under Unai Emery and Thomas Tuchel at the heart of their defences.
His performances for Aston Villa last season saw him make 48 appearances in all competitions, as the team finished fourth in the Premier League and ended a 30-year trophy drought by lifting the Europa League. He has also earned the respect of his teammates, with Morgan Rogers singing his praises recently.
|
Ezri Konsa Defensive Stats at World Cup 2026 (per 90) |
|
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
7(1) |
|
Minutes |
647 |
|
Tackles |
0.6 |
|
Interceptions |
1 |
|
Clearances |
2.4 |
|
Blocks |
0.5 |
“I think he’s one of the best centre-backs in football, if I’m honest.”
“I think at this World Cup, the ability that he’s got and everything that he can do as a centre-back. He never gets beaten, strong in the air, strong in the tackle, unbelievable on the ball. I honestly don’t know a flaw in his game.
“I think that [him not getting enough credit] has helped Villa in terms of nobody from a bigger club taking him in the last few years. I think that’s helped us because I honestly don’t know a problem in his game.”
Statistics courtesy of WhoScored – correct as of 06/08/2026
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