Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Man Utd Garnacho SWAP, Chelsea flop Felix WANTED, Davies DECISION

Tom Weber

• Updated: 20 Jan 2025 20:56 GMT
• 6 min read

Fabrizio Romano has provided some massive updates on the biggest transfer stories from around Europe, including intriguing information on a potential swap deal for Man Utd winger Alejandro Garnacho, the latest on the growing interest in Chelsea flop Joao Felix and Alphonso Davies' final contract decision.

Davies to extend Bayern deal

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano confirmed that, after many twists and turns, Alphonso Davies is now close to extending his Bayern Munich contract.

"Bayern hope to complete the final details and then extend his contract, complete the contract negotiations. There are just a few details left to complete the agreement after the important steps made by Bayern last week around Thursday, Friday when the agent of the player was in Munich to discuss some final points.

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"A very positive meeting, Bayern improved their proposal to Davies after some tense moments. Remember we had several reports of Bayern going to extend that contract before Christmas, then before the end of the year 2024, that was not the case because Davies' agent wanted to take some time also to hear from other clubs in the recent weeks, since the 1st of January, he was allowed to do that also officially.

"And so now the decision of Davies looks clear: continue at Bayern. Still not signed but for sure Bayern have made very good progress on this one. Real Madrid have been there, Real Madrid have been interested, but remember what I always told you on Real Madrid: Trent Alexander-Arnold [the priority] and then on the list [was] also Davies.

"They made contact, they spoke several times. So Davies has been on the list of Real Madrid for a long time. But the top target for Real Madrid is Alexander-Arnold. Even if it's not going to be possible now, and that's completely unlikely, the idea is for the summer."

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Haaland has a release clause

Next up, Romano insisted that, contrary to other reports, Erling Haaland's historic 9.5-year contains a release clause.

"On Erling Haaland's contract, there is one point many people keep telling me: 'Fabrizio, you reported about a release clause. Other reports are saying there is no release clause.' My information is that there is a release clause from 2029. It's not an easy release clause. It's a very high number.

"So it's not a normal number, a number that allows clubs to trigger that release clause in an easy way. So from my information, there is a release clause. That's the case, but it's from 2029, so not this year, not next year, not the following one, not the following one."

Garnacho to leave Man Utd via swap?

Romano then revealed that Chelsea have been considering a possible swap deal for Man Utd winger Alejandro Garnacho.

"Alejandro Garnacho, a big topic of this January transfer window because he's a dream target for Napoli. We always say how appreciated he is by Napoli, especially by the manager, Antonio Conte. He's not the only option because Napoli started trying for [Edon] Zhegrova from Lille, the player was very keen on the move, but Lille said no, the president of Lille is really strong in negotiations.

"In the case of Garnacho, the situation is different because Napoli have been pushing a lot on the player side. So Napoli made contact, Napoli have been pushing from the financial point of view but also from the technical point of view: the project they have, the top coach.

"Antonio Conte has been pushing for Garnacho, but Manchester United are asking for very big money. So when you see reports of €40, €45 million, United are absolutely not accepting that kind of fee for Garnacho.

"And then there is Chelsea. Because Chelsea, from what I'm hearing, already since the end of December, started making inquiries for wingers. After what happened with Mykhailo Mudryk, they started making inquiries. In these inquiries, there is Jamie Gittens. And then Chelsea also made an inquiry at the end of December and in recent days again for Garnacho.

"They see the talent, they see the potential and they feel there is a possibility for Man Utd to open doors for Garnacho's exit in the January transfer window, also for Financial Fair Play [reasons]. Again, it has to be a big proposal, but Chelsea have a feeling that this could be a possibility.

"My information is that Chelsea, at the beginning of the transfer window, end of December, wanted to consider a potential swap deal with Man Utd. Then nothing evolved.

"You remember a similar case in the summer transfer window, Chelsea and Man Utd were speaking also about Ben Chilwell, but then Man Utd decided against the swap deal and the Jadon Sancho deal was completed without any player involved.

"Now, I'm not aware of anything imminent in terms of swap deals. But Chelsea's idea at the beginning of the window was to try to discuss a swap with Man Utd now."

Tel still not keen on Chelsea

Regarding Chelsea incomings, Romano also confirmed again that Mathys Tel is still determined to remain at Bayern Munich, which is potentially blocking the exit of Christopher Nkunku.

"We know that for Nkunku, Chelsea asked for €70m, the same transfer fee as [Khvicha] Kvaratskhelia and so it's not easy for Bayern to proceed without a swap deal. The swap deal that Chelsea wanted to do was with Mathys Rel, obviously with the valuation of the players to be discussed.

"But Chelsea wanted Tel to be included in the deal, but Tel, as of today, is still insisting to continue at Bayern. In case he changes his mind, he remains an option, absolutely, for Chelsea. Nkunku remains on Bayern's list, but at the moment, too expensive.

Felix suitors increasing

The last Chelsea player discussed is Joao Felix, who is increasingly receiving interest from European clubs in addition to AC Milan.

"For Joao Felix, some clubs are starting to call from several countries. So, at the moment, I don't want to come here and mention five, six, seven clubs for Felix because that's not the case, but really many clubs are reaching out to understand what is happening with Felix.

"'Can we make a bid, what sort of formula, what's the player position, why he's not playing constantly?' So, many clubs are reaching out to understand the situation of Felix. At the moment, it's not guaranteed that Felix leaves Chelsea. It's not easy, for sure. But there is some movement in terms of calls to the agent of Felix, Jorge Mendes, to be informed on the situation."

Rashford to Barcelona still depends on Fati

Finally, Romano discussed Barcelona's interest in Man Utd winger Marcus Rashford and how a deal depends on Ansu Fati leaving first.

"The player has been not called up for recent games, so Barcelona are open to letting Ansu Fati leave immediately, and remember that Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund, these two clubs are pushing to have Marcus Rashford.

"On the other side, Fati still has this big desire to succeed at Barcelona. So at the moment, Fati is still not convinced to say, 'okay, I'm going, I'm leaving.'

"But it's a few weeks to go. Any day can change anything. So we will follow the situation because obviously, Fati wants to stay at Barcelona, but he [also] wants to play football."