Fabrizio Romano's Arsenal, Chelsea and Crystal Palace transfer update: Deal 'extremely close', another in 'final stages'

The Premier League season is now underway, and we have seen mixed fortunes for the two London teams who have already been in action. Fulham lost to Manchester United on Friday night, but Arsenal got their campaign up and running with a 2-0 win over Wolves on Saturday.

Chelsea face Manchester City on Sunday, while Brentford face Crystal Palace, and on Monday Tottenham face Leicester City. In the meantime, transfer efforts continue, and with that in mind, we have rounded up the latest from transfer ‘insider’ Fabrizio Romano.

Arsenal close in on Merino

Speaking on his YouTube, Romano discussed the latest on Arsenal’s attempts to sign Real Sociedad star Mikel Merino, with progress now reportedly being made. “Get ready, guys, because these could be important hours,” he said. “My feeling, talking to my sources, is that could be something like 24-48 hours, but we are really at the final meters, at the final details of the Mikel Merino deal. The here we go to Arsenal is really, really close. We can say almost there.

“They are working on the final steps and then Mikel Merino will be a new Arsenal player. As I told you, there is already an agreement on the final fee ,they’re working, it’s already two-three weeks on the payment terms, the deal, structure, the add-ons. So, the details of the deal, but they’re getting closer on everything, even on the details.

“So, Mikel Merino is extremely close to becoming a new Arsenal player. He already had some conversations with Mikel Arteta. He can’t wait to play for Mikel Arteta, as I told you these weeks. Really similar to the Calafiori story. The player is super-attracted by the project, he believes that Arsenal is the perfect place to be and so, work in progress on this one.

“We are really at the final steps of the summer for Mikel Merino to go to Arsenal. The player (Merino) is not called up for the opening game in La Liga for Real Sociedad. Also, Imanol, the manager of Real Sociedad, confirmed that in this moment, it was better not to call the player because there are negotiations and the negotiations are with Arsenal. The negotiations are very advanced. The director of Arsenal, Edu, has been in Spain in recent days to advance on the deal. So getting definitely closer to the here we go for Mikel Merino.”

Chelsea make Felix progress

Chelsea are said to be making real progress with their bid to take Joao Felix back to Stamford Bridge, with a deal with Atletico Madrid said to be close. Felix previously spent time on loan with the Blues in 2023.

Romano tweeted: “Chelsea have today advanced to the final stages that will see Joao Felix return to the club. The expected transfer fee for will be €40-45million + add-ons.”

Palace discuss Lacroix deal

Palace are well aware that they could lose Marc Guehi this summer, but they are already making provisions. According to Romano, Wolfsburg defender Maxence Lacroix, who has worked with Oliver Glasner in the past, is a possible target, following reports elsewhere claiming the same.

“Crystal Palace keep advancing in talks with Maxence Lacroix as top priority if one centre back leaves before the end of the window,” he said. “Marc Guehi (Newcastle) or Joachim Andersen (Fulham), one could leave and Glasner considers Lacroix as ideal choice as replacement.”