Matteo Moretto Transfer Column: Samu Omorodion, Alexander Sorloth, Vitor Roque and Jules Kounde | OneFootball

Matteo Moretto Transfer Column: Samu Omorodion, Alexander Sorloth, Vitor Roque and Jules Kounde | OneFootball

Icon: Football Espana

Football Espana

·8 July 2024

Matteo Moretto Transfer Column: Samu Omorodion, Alexander Sorloth, Vitor Roque and Jules Kounde

Article image:Matteo Moretto Transfer Column: Samu Omorodion, Alexander Sorloth, Vitor Roque and Jules Kounde

Matteo Moretto gives Football España exclusive information on the latest deals dominating the papers in Spain, as revealed in Fabrizio Romano’s Daily Briefing.

AC Milan on the home stretch with Tottenham Hotspur

AC Milan and Tottenham Hotspur will discuss the transfer of Emerson Royal again next week. There is a desire from both sides to close the negotiation, so that bodes well for the move going through. In terms of the fee, Spurs have been asking for €20m, and they will come close to getting that, the final sum should be slightly less than that though.


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A sign of it being close is that the Brazilian defender is already planning his life in Milan for next season. The deal is in the process of closing, Emerson already has a full agreement with Milan on personal terms for a long-term contract.

Roma face uphill task to sign second-top scorer in Spain

After early interest from Atletico Madrid this summer in Alexander SorlothRoma are now in permanent contact with the Villarreal striker’s agent to reach an agreement on personal terms.

Article image:Matteo Moretto Transfer Column: Samu Omorodion, Alexander Sorloth, Vitor Roque and Jules Kounde

The most complicated part of it will be the negotiation with the Spanish club, because Villarreal does not want to budge on the amount of the clause, which has been reported by other outlets to be €38m. Roma intend to try and reduce the fee from that release clause, but new contacts are expected between both clubs in the coming days, and we shall see if Roma are successful in doing so.

Arsenal not interested in Barcelona star as Riccardo Calafiori deal nears

At the moment, I am not aware that Arsenal have Barcelona and France defender Jules Kounde in mind for a transfer this summer. Arsenal are currently focused on Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori, and are willing to close a deal for him for around €50m, hence Kounde is not a name that is being realistically considered at the moment for the Gunners.

Regarding Barcelona and potential movements in defence, Uruguayan defender Ronaldo Araujo is the one to watch. He just picked up an injury at Copa America that will keep him out for some time, but Araujo’s situation has yet to be resolved, and Barcelona will have to think about what to do with him, with or without a contract renewal. The club has been in talks with his agents since the beginning of the year, but have not yet reached a deal.

Barcelona President rules out exit until Hansi Flick gives green light

New Barcelona manager Hansi Flick wants to evaluate Vitor Roque during the preseason, and then decide what route they should take with the young Brazilian from there.

Article image:Matteo Moretto Transfer Column: Samu Omorodion, Alexander Sorloth, Vitor Roque and Jules Kounde

Despite his agent Andre Cury stating that he would have to leave on a permanent deal or play, the option of him going out on loan is not off the table. Depending on how the next few weeks go – Barcelona return to preseason training next week – there are still teams that are interested waiting to see what happens, and they could well have a chance to get Roque. However, Barcelona President Joan Laporta has blocked any decision for the moment, he will defer to Flick’s verdict on the matter before any movement happens.

Chelsea yet to give up on Atletico Madrid striker Samu Omorodion

The only thing I can say regarding Chelsea target Samu Omorodion is to repeat what I reported a couple of weeks ago: so far, Atletico have said no to Chelsea’s offers. Atleti are clearly keen to hold onto him, and it helps that Omorodion himself dreams of succeeding at Atleti before considering a move in successive summers.

That said, we have to tell it like it is – Chelsea are definitely still keeping a close eye on his situation, as he is a player that the board at Chelsea and their new manager Enzo Maresca absolutely love. We shall have to wait and see if anything new comes of it.

Matteo Moretto will be back with more transfer news in the coming days, providing exclusive information on the biggest stories in Spain and Italy.

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