Transfer Talk with Fabrizio Romano: Liverpool, Man Utd & Chelsea

Following on from the most expensive transfer window of all time where £1.9bn was spent by Premier League clubs alone, journalist & transfer expert Fabrizio Romano is back with us to discuss potential activity and big money deals for Liverpool, Manchester United & Chelsea.

There will be many movements on the market in the next months, as 2023 is going to be a key year for the transfer market with some top players and top talents on the move.

Liverpool

Liverpool saved money last summer in order to sign a top midfielder in 2023. This is why the club decided to go for a last minute opportunity like Arthur Melo on loan and not to invest on any midfielder, Jurgen Klopp wants a top class player in that position; Liverpool will be 100% in the race for Jude Bellingham, but they will face competition from Real Madrid, Manchester City, Manchester United and let’s see how Chelsea will decide to invest their budget once they will have new director of football.

But Bellingham is top of the list for Liverpool, especially after they missed out on Aurelien Tchouameni who was top target at the end of May: Klopp called the French midfielder many and many times to persuade him but there was no chance, as Tchouameni was dreaming of Real Madrid since he was a kid and so it was impossible for Liverpool to change his mind.

For Jude, everything is absolutely open and Borussia Dortmund are not having talks with any club yet as they want to wait after the World Cup. It’s part of the club strategy, this is why they are not discussing any price tag yet.

Joao Gomes is considered a good talent that Liverpool scouts are following, but there are no negotiations with Flamengo as of now and nothing is advanced at this stage. Liverpool are simply keeping an eye on him alongside many other clubs, while decision will be made in the next weeks and months on contracts situation: Roberto Firmino is waiting to speak with the club, Naby Keita has already had talks with Liverpool board but he wants guarantees on future role before signing a new deal. Finally, Oxlade-Chamberlain has chances to leave on a free if a new midfielder arrives in the summer.

Manchester United

Manchester United are also planning the future together with Erik ten Hag. There’s still no update on Cristiano Ronaldo, as his agent Jorge Mendes was trying to find a solution during the whole summer but Thomas Tuchel blocked a potential move to Chelsea, while Bayern and other European clubs like AC Milan decided not to proceed. Cristiano wants to focus on Man United now.

Man United will try to find a solution for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, he’s considered available on the market as Erik ten Hag already tried to bring in Sergino Dest in August but it was impossible because of Wan-Bissaka staying; there’s no update on Harry Maguire, still expected to stay at the club in January.

Decision on David De Gea’s contract will be made after November, as Pickford is considered an important goalkeeper but talks have not started yet as of now – it depends on De Gea situation, absolutely open.

The new striker will be one of the top targets for Man United in 2023; it was a priority for summer 2022 but ten Hag wanted to invest big money on Antony and this is why the plan changed, so Manchester United will consider the opportunities in 2023.

Rumors on Victor Osimhen for January are not confirmed as Napoli have no intention to sell him, unless they receive an official bid for more than € 100 / 120m, so it looks extremely unlikely. It’s still an open situation for Man United striker, it will take time before deciding on the next big investment.

Chelsea

Chelsea will be really busy in 2023 too. The strategy is still not 100% clear as Todd Boehly is in the process of appointing a new director of football to work together with him and Graham Potter.

It was done on verbal agreement with Christoph Freund from Salzburg, but then it collapsed because of Red Bull Group pressure. This step will be crucial to understand the next transfer targets; for sure, Josko Gvardiol remains in the list after €90m bid (add ons included) has been turned down by RB Leipzig in the final week of August.

Chelsea will be busy also with midfielder, winger, striker positions in 2023 so it will take time to decide for the new director with Boehly and Potter. There will be important decisions to make also about Jorginho and N’Golo Kanté‘s contracts, as both of them have the contract expiring in June 2023 but there’s still no full agreement on new deal.

The situation has not changed about Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian striker is only focused on Inter as things stand, he wants to shine there and there are no contacts to bring him back at Chelsea at the end of the season despite Tuchel leaving the club; Lukaku wants Inter as priority, and Chelsea have already discussed with Inter about the possibility of a second-season loan for 2023/2024 in case the Italian club wants to proceed with that agreement for a loan fee around € 10m.

It’s still too early to say what’s gonna happen, it also depends on Inter and not just on Lukaku; but as of now, Chelsea are not planning to bring Romelu back to the club and he wants Inter as priority for his career even if there’s no buy option clause included in the agreement between the two clubs.

The winter transfer window is due to open on 1st January 2023, closing on the 31st for clubs across the UK and Europe’s top leagues.