Fabrizio Romano football readout — August 23, 2026

Here are the major developments from Romano’s latest run of updates via https://x.com/FabrizioRomano

1. Tottenham reach agreement for Omar Marmoush

Omar Marmoush is closing in on a move from Manchester City to Tottenham, with Romano reporting a verbal agreement between the clubs.

The proposed transfer would initially be a loan but includes a clause that could make the deal permanent for £50 million if specified conditions are met. Marmoush has accepted Tottenham’s proposal and is expected to travel for his medical on Monday.

It represents another major attacking addition for Spurs as they reshape their squad under Roberto De Zerbi.

2. Manchester City agree €100m Bouaddi transfer

Manchester City have struck one of the biggest deals of the window, reaching an agreement with Lille for 18-year-old Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.

Romano gave the transfer his trademark “here we go”, reporting a package worth €95 million plus €5 million in add-ons.

Bouaddi had already agreed personal terms with City and is now set to join Enzo Maresca’s squad. Independent reporting also confirms the deal could reach €100 million.

3. Ollie Watkins agrees personal terms with Al Hilal

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins is another major name who could move before the window closes.

Romano reported that Watkins was left out of Villa’s squad while negotiations with Al Hilal continued.

The Saudi club are expected to make another bid and believe an agreement can be completed after Watkins agreed personal terms.

Aston Villa are consequently working on potential replacements.

4. Gabriel Martinelli appears on Al Hilal shortlist

Watkins is not Al Hilal’s only Premier League target.

Romano says Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli is on a three-man shortlist alongside Chelsea’s Pedro Neto and another winger.

Martinelli would reportedly prefer to remain in European football for the next stage of his career, but Al Hilal are continuing to explore the possibility of signing him.

The development comes amid uncertainty surrounding the Brazilian’s Arsenal future after he was omitted from recent matchday squads.

5. Hull City agree £13m Mohamed Ali-Cho transfer

Hull City have reached a verbal agreement to sign Mohamed Ali-Cho from Nice, according to Romano.

The deal is worth £13 million guaranteed, with significant additional payments potentially due if Hull remain in the Premier League.

Romano gave the transfer his “here we go” confirmation, with the 22-year-old forward expected to undergo the remaining formalities.

6. RB Leipzig submit €35m bid for Fernandez-Pardo

RB Leipzig are attempting to raid Lille for Matias Fernandez-Pardo.

Romano reported that Leipzig submitted an official proposal worth around €35 million including add-ons.

Lille president Olivier Letang is personally involved in negotiations, with discussions continuing over the attacker’s potential move to Germany.

7. Barcelona links with Gonçalo Inacio played down

Romano has poured cold water on reports suggesting Barcelona are closing in on Sporting defender Gonçalo Inacio.

According to his update, there is “nothing agreed, advanced or close” between the parties.

Barcelona sources have played down the reports, meaning talk of an imminent transfer appears premature.

8. Julián Álvarez situation creates Atlético tension

The uncertainty surrounding Julián Álvarez continues at Atlético Madrid.

Club president Enrique Cerezo criticised Barcelona over their conduct surrounding the Argentine’s situation, saying the Catalan club had not behaved as would normally be expected.

Álvarez subsequently appeared against Villarreal and was greeted by loud whistles from sections of the Atlético support.

The match finished level, keeping attention firmly on the striker’s future as the transfer deadline approaches.

9. De Zerbi admits his team are behind schedule

Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has delivered a worrying assessment of his team despite the club’s aggressive transfer activity.

“We are not a team yet,” De Zerbi said, adding that he could not establish realistic targets until his players begin functioning collectively.

He also revealed he had concerns following their Hoffenheim game and admitted his side were “late for the start of the Premier League.”

Those comments help explain Tottenham’s continued activity in the market, including the move for Marmoush.

10. Maresca expects more Manchester City business

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has also indicated that his club’s business is not finished.

With roughly a week remaining in the transfer window, Maresca predicted that “something will happen on the market for sure.”

Asked specifically about Bouaddi immediately after City’s match, Maresca joked that journalists knew more than he did because he had been concentrating on the game.

11. Real Madrid face competition for Sergio Martinez

Another Romano update concerns highly rated Spanish prospect Sergio Martinez of Racing.

Real Madrid are in discussions over signing the youngster, but they are not alone.

Romano reports that Premier League and Bundesliga clubs are also interested, including teams capable of offering Champions League football.

That competition could turn Martinez into another significant transfer battle before the market closes.

12. Courtois hits back at Espanyol

Away from transfers, Thibaut Courtois responded strongly to Espanyol following criticism directed towards Real Madrid.

The goalkeeper questioned whether Espanyol would publish similar messages when controversial incidents involved other opponents and told critics to examine their own actions before judging Madrid.

Courtois also argued that Calatrava should have been dismissed earlier following incidents involving Vinicius Junior and Carreras.

13. Mohamed Salah scores first Trabzonspor goal

Finally, Romano highlighted Mohamed Salah’s first goal for Trabzonspor, marking another milestone following the Egyptian star’s move to Turkey.

Romano celebrated the moment with a brief update after Salah found the net for his new club.

Biggest transfers to watch

The final days of the window could therefore revolve around Marmoush to Tottenham, Bouaddi to Manchester City, Watkins to Al Hilal and Martinelli’s Arsenal future.

Bouaddi appears essentially settled, while Tottenham’s agreement for Marmoush has pushed that deal towards completion. Watkins is also one to watch closely after agreeing terms with Al Hilal, while Martinelli’s situation remains less advanced because of his preference to continue in Europe.