Fabrizio Romano: Barcelona target wonderkid, Kane agreement, Joao Felix latest
Fabrizio Romano delivers the latest on Riyad Mahrez, Joao Felix, Barcelona target Ruud Nijstad, Gilberto Mora and Harry Kane’s new Bayern contract.
Riyad Mahrez set for surprise Qatar move
Romano started with the latest development in the free-agent market, with former Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez closing in on a move to Qatar.
“Let me start with free agents. We saw during this international break some players finding new clubs, with Chris Smalling going to Porto and David Alaba going to Udinese, which was a big surprise,” he said.
“Today, I can give you another story because Riyad Mahrez, the former Manchester City star who left Al Ahli after the World Cup with Algeria, is set to become a new Al Shamal player.
“Riyad Mahrez was offered to clubs in Italy, in England and across Europe. There was no agreement with any club, and now he is moving to Qatar.
“Riyad Mahrez is going to play for Al Shamal, starting a new chapter in his career. The deal is verbally done, just waiting for the medical test and the contract signing. Then Riyad Mahrez will go to Qatar, following Marcelo Brozovic, another player and another big name in the Qatari league.”
Joao Felix wants Europe return - but Barcelona talks are not happening
Romano then addressed the major questions surrounding Joao Felix after the forward hinted at a future return to European football.
He revealed: “I’m receiving so many questions on Joao Felix. Basically, what happened is that after his fantastic performances with Portugal, Joao Felix decided to give an interview in Spain and say: ‘One day I want to return to Europe. One day I want to play Champions League football again. Europe is in my mind.’
“Joao Felix did fantastic last season at Al Nassr. He was the best player in the league last season according to the votes of the Saudi Pro League, and this season started very well. So Joao Felix is doing really well in Saudi Arabia.
“With the Portuguese national team, in this new cycle with Jorge Jesus, he started in a fantastic way with goals and quality performances. Joao Felix is experiencing a very good moment.
“So what’s the point with Joao? He wants to go back to Europe. That is a fact. But let me clarify a couple of things.
“First, Joao Felix would like to go back to Europe, but Joao Felix is not pushing to leave Al Nassr. Joao Felix is happy at Al Nassr. Al Nassr have an ambitious project.
“When his time at Al Nassr is over, he will be more than happy to return to Europe. So the message is ‘after Al Nassr’. It’s not Joao Felix saying: ‘I want to leave Al Nassr, I want to go back to Europe.’ Joao Felix would like to return only when his cycle at Al Nassr is over.
“That’s the first point to clarify on Joao Felix. Then many of you are asking me about the rumours from Spain involving Barcelona. Joao Felix, Barcelona, Joao Felix, Barcelona. What’s the reality?
“My information is that there is zero between Barcelona and Joao Felix today.
“If your question is, would Joao Felix like to go back to Barcelona? Of course. Joao Felix loves Barcelona. Joao Felix is a Barcelona fan. It’s a similar situation to Joao Cancelo - he’s a big Barca fan.
“So if at any point in the future Barcelona return to the table, Joao Felix would be more than excited to go back to Barcelona. But Joao Felix is not talking with Barcelona. Barcelona are not talking with Joao Felix.
“There is no negotiation, no conversation and no approach to open the doors. Joao Felix is open to returning to Europe. It’s not just Barcelona and it’s not that he wants to go only to Barcelona.
“Joao Felix loves Barca, that’s a fact, but if Barcelona don’t appear on stage, Joao Felix would consider different opportunities. So it’s not something advanced, it’s not something discussed, and it’s not even something being talked about or negotiated between the parties.
“There is zero between Barcelona and Joao Felix today. That’s important to clarify.”
Barcelona keep close eye on Ruud Nijstad
Romano also highlighted one of Europe's most highly rated young centre-backs, with Barcelona maintaining concrete interest in FC Twente defender Ruud Nijstad.
“On Barcelona, one name to watch for sure for the near future is Ruud Nijstad. Save the name because we’re talking now about talents,” Romano explained.
“This is a defender, 18 years old, from Twente in the Netherlands. Twente were already aware during the summer transfer window that Barcelona were interested. They closed the doors to his exit because they wanted him to stay and become a star of their team.
“He’s a defender, 18 years old, and Ruud Nijstad is seen as one of the best talents in Europe when it comes to centre-backs.
“Barcelona are monitoring him. Barcelona are following him. Barcelona had contacts in August for him and there was no possibility to make it happen, but Barcelona will keep following the player.
“So the attention is very concrete. There are more clubs travelling to watch the boy play over recent months, and it’s going to be the same in the near future for sure.
“I’m sure the Nijstad situation is going to be one to watch. In this situation, there is already something concrete in terms of interest and conversations.”
17-year-old Mexico star Gilberto Mora attracting Europe’s elite
Romano then turned to another teenage talent, with Gilberto Mora emerging as a major target for clubs across Europe.
“As we are talking about talents, keep a close eye on Gilberto Mora, the youngest goalscorer ever for the Mexican national team. This boy is special. This midfielder is special,” he said.
“He is 17 years old, born in October 2008, and Gilberto Mora is considered in the industry as one of the best talents in midfield around.
“We are talking about a player who has a lot of quality and a lot of potential. Clubs from Spain, England and beyond are monitoring him, so there is a lot of attention from European top clubs.
“I’m sure in the near future there will be conversations with his camp because these clubs have already started working around Gilberto Mora to understand the price and the possibility of bringing him to Europe in the near future.
“So there is movement around Gilberto Mora. In Mexico, he is considered the next big thing, and it’s going to be a very, very interesting situation to follow.”
Harry Kane closing in on new Bayern contract
Romano finished by providing an update on Harry Kane, with Bayern Munich increasingly confident of securing the striker to a new contract.
“Talking about experienced players and top players in the conversation for the Ballon d’Or, one of the best in the world, Harry Kane, there is good news for Bayern,” he said.
“The agreement between Bayern and Harry Kane, his father and his brother Charlie, who takes care of his future, is going very, very well. The final details left between Kane and Bayern are also getting closer.
“I told you they have almost done a financial agreement with Harry Kane, so the salary is ready for his new deal. Now it’s about the length of the contract and clarifying whether there is a close, no close, matching rights, no matching rights.
“There are a few things to clarify between Bayern and Harry Kane, but these things are getting reduced day by day, week by week.
“Bayern are getting closer, Harry Kane is more than tempted, and so I think this new deal for Harry Kane at Bayern is going to be completed quite soon. It’s a matter of days.
“Now Harry is completely focused on the England national team to help his national team at the best level possible, as he always did.
“Then it’s back to Bayern, Bundesliga, Champions League football and the Ballon d’Or. October 26 in London is going to be a big moment for Harry.
“So it’s going to be a very interesting situation and a very interesting couple of weeks. I expect also in these weeks and months Harry Kane to meet again with Bayern to close his new contract at the club.”
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