David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano have established themselves as soccer’s undisputed switch kings.
As soon as the season ends and the switch window opens, the 2 reporters are must-follows on social media for anybody with an insatiable urge for food for breaking information. They get extra scoops than anybody else within the enterprise – however which ones has the extra spectacular observe report?
We’ve highlighted 9 notable transfers whereby Ornstein beat Romano to the punch.
Jurrien Timber — Ajax to Arsenal
Late within the night of June nineteenth, 2023, Ornstein completely broke the information that Arsenal had been engaged on a deal to signal Netherlands worldwide Timber from Ajax.
“#AFC have made a gap provide price ~£30m. #Ajax need ~£50m however optimism a compromise can be reached. Private phrases with Netherlands int’l regarded as in place,” the reporter tweeted at 10:46pm.
Simply 13 minutes later, Romano posted the identical information whereas crediting Ornstein for getting there first.
Certain sufficient, the deal finally went by way of. Each Ornstein and Romano tweeted updates on the switch saga, which was formally concluded a few month later, nevertheless it was Ornstein with the unique scoop.
Declan Rice — West Ham to Arsenal
Soccer obsessives are available all types of sorts.
For some, they’ll always remember the place they had been when their membership secured a much-coveted trophy. Others have their precise vantage level of an iconic objective burned into their retinas.
However for a very trendy kind of soccer fan, they’ll at all times keep in mind refreshing their Twitter feed and getting an ‘Orstein bomba’ of a very juicy piece of switch gossip.
Soccer within the 2020s is a bit bizarre, isn’t it?
Rice to Arsenal is a type of moments, and it was Ornstein (naturally) who broke the information.
At precisely 11:00pm on June twenty seventh, 2023, The Athletic’s prime switch sleuth introduced the Gunners had made a British switch report bid to West Ham for the midfielder.
Romano adopted swimsuit sixteen minutes later.
Bryan Mbeumo — Brentford to Manchester United*
*TBC
After all, this one is but to undergo on the time of writing. We’ll see if a deal between the golf equipment may be struck, though negotiations are regarded as ongoing.
On June 2nd, Ornstein broke the unique information that the Brentford ahead favoured a transfer to Manchester United over the likes of Newcastle United, Tottenham and Arsenal (all of whom confirmed curiosity).
Romano tweeted out the identical story precisely 20 minutes later.
READ: Premier League transfers: Each confirmed signing, sale & launched participant in 2025-26
Scott McTominay — Manchester United to Napoli
The writing had been on the wall for McTominay’s Outdated Trafford exit all through the summer season 2024 switch window, nevertheless it was Ornstein who completely revealed that Manchester United and Napoli had come to an settlement for the midfielder late in August.
Romano tweeted out the identical information simply two minutes later that very same afternoon.
The Gazza in opposition to Germany of switch tales. Agonisingly shut.
Georginio Rutter — Leeds United to Brighton
Recent from a chastening residence defeat to Middlesbrough in 2024, Ornstein rubbed salt into Leeds followers’ wounds by asserting that Brighton had met the discharge clause for the membership’s fan favorite ahead.
Minutes earlier than midnight, it was revealed that Leeds had been powerless to cease Rutter from leaving if he determined to take up the Seagulls’ provide.
Certain sufficient, the switch went by way of within the following days.
Romano waited till the following afternoon earlier than corroborating the story. Perhaps he does get some sleep throughout the switch window.
Mason Greenwood — Manchester United to Marseille
Sir Jim Ratcliffe appeared to depart the door open for Greenwood to be reintegrated at his father or mother membership following his mortgage away to Getafe in 2023-24.
However it quickly transpired that the academy graduate could be bought, and it was Ornstein who first broke the story of his eventual vacation spot – Marseille.
In late June, he completely revealed that the Ligue 1 outfit had been “exploring a deal” to signal Greenwood and that the participant “favoured them over different choices”.
Romano had posted continuously about Greenwood, however he was behind his colleague on this explicit scoop.
Roughly three weeks later, the deal went by way of.
Joachim Andersen — Crystal Palace to Fulham
Not lengthy after Ornstein revealed the defender was making the change from one London membership to a different, Romano adopted and as soon as once more credited his fellow reporter.
He’s well-known for being notably properly linked with tales involving Arsenal and Manchester United, however this story demonstrated he’s bought his ear to the bottom in relation to golf equipment throughout the nation.
Matthijs De Ligt & Noussair Mazraoui — Bayern Munich to Manchester United
In early August 2024, Ornstein broke the story that Manchester United had submitted a double bid to bolster Erik ten Hag’s defence.
With the wheels in movement, a deal was quickly struck to signal each De Ligt and Mazraoui from the Bundesliga giants.
Romano gave common updates on negotiations between the 2 golf equipment, however he credited Ornstein’s unique story.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Corridor — Leicester Metropolis to Chelsea
“Chelsea contact Leicester Metropolis to specific curiosity in signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Corridor. No formal bid but however 25yo midfielder eager to hitch solely #CFC if leaves #LCFC,” Ornstein tweeted on June twenty seventh, 2024.
“Seen as an ideal match for model of play below head coach Enzo Maresca.”
The next day, he completely revealed that Chelsea had really bid for Dewsbury-Corridor.
Just a few days later, the switch went by way of.
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