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 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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The Truth About Vini JR with Fabrizio Romano and Ben Jacobs
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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
Fabrizio Romano Shares What He’s Hearing About Liverpool Signing Djed Spence
Liverpool are not currently eyeing up a move to sign Tottenham Hotspur star Djed Spence despite reports, Fabrizio Romano has told GIVEMESPORT’s Market Madness podcast.
The Reds are looking to bolster their squad for new manager Andoni Iraola after seeing Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate, and Andy Robertson depart on free transfers this summer, while so far Spaniard Victor Munoz has arrived as a new signing, alongside Jeremy Jacquet, who signed in January for this window.
Robertson’s departure, plus injury to Conor Bradley, has seen the full-back positions emerge as a position the club is reportedly targeting to strengthen, which has seen links to England international Spence, after it emerged he is likely to leave Spurs this summer.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Romano: Liverpool Not Interested in Spence
Spence enjoyed a fine season with Spurs last season as he helped the team to avoid relegation, before starring at the World Cup with England under Thomas Tuchel, with the Three Lions finishing third.
His ability to play on both flanks is seen as a huge positive for many, but Tottenham are understood to be willing to sanction a move away for the 25-year-old as they are well stocked on full-back options currently and he wants to play regularly.
Liverpool have been strongly linked with the former Middlesbrough star, but when asked about the situation on the Market Madness podcast, Romano revealed that he has been told there is nothing to the rumours.
“Djed Spence, at the moment, I don’t have any concrete information on Liverpool, to be honest,” he said.
“So let’s see if they will jump into the race. But at the moment, I’m told there is not something concrete between Djed Spence and Liverpool so far.”
|
Djed Spence Defensive Stats at World Cup (per 90) |
|
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
4(4) |
|
Minutes |
403 |
|
Tackles |
2.4 |
|
Interceptions |
0.8 |
|
Clearances |
2.1 |
|
Blocks |
0.3 |
Spence ‘England’s Best Defender’
Spence has been a late bloomer at the top level, having struggled to get game time for Leeds in the Championship during the 2023/24 season, before becoming a regular for England earlier this year.
Thomas Tuchel has sung his praises regularly, calling him the fastest player in the squad, while Arsenal and Man Utd legends Ian Wright and Gary Neville described him as England’s best defender during the World Cup.
“Djed Spence was our best defender…he made decisive tackles.”
Manchester United have been linked with a move for Spence as an alternative to Lewis Hall, while the Magpies are also looking at him as a potential replacement for the 21-year-old.
But Liverpool are not currently in the race for his signature despite their squad needs.
Statistics courtesy of WhoScored – correct as of 06/08/2026.
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