Matteo Moretto Transfer Column: Nico Williams, Andriy Lunin, Leny Yoro, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Rafa Marin | OneFootball

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

Barcelona have advantage over Premier League clubs in Nico Williams race

Following news reported by Relevo that Barcelona have been in contact with Nico Williams’ camp explaining their plans to sign him, it’s worth recalling what we reported earlier here that there are clubs in the Premier League that have contacted his agents. But as we’ve been saying, Williams would prefer to stay in Spain. He looks on the opportunity to go to Barcelona favourably, with many friends there too.

It’s true that Barcelona President Joan Laporta is crazy about signing him. Within Barcelona, between the directors, Nico has convinced everyone, and Sporting Director Deco also agrees on him – doing so at Barcelona is not easy, so that’s significant. Financially, I think Barcelona still have some work to do, someone has to leave, despite Laporta’s statements today. There’s some way to go, but there interest is real and it is genuine. It is also true that they have spoken with his camp.

I would say Barcelona have an advantage over the others, due to the fact he prefers Barcelona. It won’t be an easy deal for Barcelona to do though, and there is a long way to go.

Real Madrid deal for Leny Yoro could be around the corner

Real Madrid have sped up talks with Lille for Leny Yoro, and they are discussing it with Lille at the moment to see if they can find some common ground on a fee. He wants to go to Real Madrid and is prioritising that. The English sides and Paris Saint-Germain know that he is doing so, and it is in some ways similar to Jude Bellingham’s deal. The other teams are offering more, but the preference of the player could be key.

If it is not this week, then I think by next week we could have news on the deal. Real Madrid need a centre-back and want to move quicker, it depends on the figures involved, but Lille don’t want to lose him for free next summer. You never rule anything out, and maybe one of the others puts a lot of money on the table, but right now Real Madrid are favourites, and they are the one trying to move things along.

Andriy Lunin has doubts about Real Madrid future ahead of Jorge Mendes meeting

There are clubs in the Premier League that enquired about him, that much is true. I think there will be more teams that go for him. With Lunin, there’s no denying there has been a change in his situation, above all in the final stretch of Real Madrid’s season. Thibaut Courtois came back and right now I believe Lunin is having doubts.

Real Madrid basically had everything done to sign him to a new deal, it was pretty much agreed verbally, but currently, the situation is open. I can also confirm that Real Madrid have thought about Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga as an option if they need to replace Lunin, and they have enquired again about him.

Rafa Marin deal a consequence of careful observation by Napoli Sporting Director

The details of the deal, as reported by Fabrizio Romano, are that Real Madrid will receive €12m for Rafa Marin, and will maintain a €25m buyback clause in 2026, which rises to €35m in 2027. Should Napoli then go an take up an option next summer to pay a further €10m for Marin, they can double those buyback clauses to €50m in 2026 and €70m in 2027 respectively.

The Napoli Sporting Director Giovanni Manna has been to see Marin in person on many occasions, mostly during the final stretch of Alaves’ season, where he was on loan last year. So it’s a signing that has been in the works for some time, and it’s a signing that more or less can be attributed to Manna. New manager Antonio Conte gave the green light, today he did the medical, and tomorrow he will be available for Conte’s first day as manager. Napoli are also awaiting the medical for Alessandro Buongiorno of Torino, who has to fly to Rome in order to do it shortly.