Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: SHOCK Man Utd target, Arsenal Cunha BOMB, CRAZY Chelsea plan

Tom Weber

• Updated: 2 Feb 2025 15:41 GMT
• 6 min read

Fabrizio Romano has provided some massive updates on the biggest transfer stories from around Europe, including the latest on Man Utd's pursuit of offensive reinforcements, Chelsea's 'crazy' plan for the final days of the window and the bombshell detail in Matheus Cunha's new contract.

Aston Villa agree Rashford deal

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano has confirmed that Aston Villa have reached an agreement to sign Man Utd outcast Marcus Rashford while he also provided an update on the Birmingham club's ongoing pursuit of Marco Asensio and Joao Felix.

"Unless something crazy happens, Marcus Rashford will play for Aston Villa. Loan deal, buy option included, from what I'm told around £40 million, and then ready to proceed with Manchester United to sign all the documents and with Aston Villa to present Rashford.

READ MORE: Ruben Amorim drops HUGE Man Utd transfer hint

"Rashford is a separate story from Marco Asensio, and on the Asensio case, we have the 'here we go,' because Aston Villa closed the deal with PSG. They sold Cher Ndour, who was on loan to Besiktas, back to PSG, [now] joining Fiorentina, so they have one more spot now for loans.

"Straight loan to Aston Villa, no buy option, Unai Emery wanted him, Spanish connection. Aston Villa will pay his salary till the end of the season. And always with Joao Felix in their thoughts. So Felix remains a dream target for Emery, even after signing Asensio and soon Rashford."

Cunha has a release cause

Romano then revealed that Arsenal target Matheus Cunha has a summer release clause in his new Wolves contract.

"Mateus Cunha is staying at Wolves. It's official, the new deal is signed till 2029, but Cunha will be a name for the summer because there is a release clause in his contract active from June, so it's going to be one of the bombs of the summer, the future of Cunha.

"Arsenal [were] in talks with his camp around November, December, then in January never presented an official bid to Wolves, and now the player decided to extend his contract. So congratulations to Wolves because it was not easy at all to agree a new deal with a superstar like Cunha, and they have been able to do so.

Man Utd getting busy

Next up on the agenda, Romano revealed Man Utd's transfer plans after signing Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven, with the latter surprisingly expected to immediately be part of Ruben Amorim's first team.

"Patrick Dorgu, new Man Utd player, for €30m plus €5m in add-ons. Then, for Man Utd, deal collapsed for Tyrell Malacia to Benfica. The deal was quite advanced, but Benfica wanted to include the buy option clause, no agreement with Man Utd on the value.

"And now Man Utd will look for a different solution for Malacia on loan. So Malacia still expected to leave Man United. On Man Utd, also official, Ayden Heaven, the centre-back from Arsenal. A talent born in 2006, but important to say, a player who will be part of the first team immediately.

"Man Utd, for the final two days still looking at options up front because Rashford is leaving and so one more player could come. The desire remains Mathys Tel. He was not in the squad for Bayern [on Saturday], not even on the bench.

"Tel is still deciding his future with his agents and his family in Munich. [He said] no to Tottenham. Chelsea want a permanent transfer. At the moment, the boy is more focused on a loan deal, with an option to buy, or to stay at Bayern. These are the two possibilities.

"And Man Utd are prepared to accept a loan deal, with or without a buy option. So Man Utd are absolutely in the race. Pushing, trying to make it happen, trying to be attractive in terms of present and future project, now it depends on Tel and let's see what they will decide with Bayern because Bayern also confirmed that there is a possibility for the boy to stay.

"Some links with Leon Bailey at Aston Villa, it's a possibility for Leon Bailey to leave Aston Villa before the end of the window. If they add one more player to the squad. In that case, Bailey could be one to watch. Man Utd are one of several clubs informed on the situation of Bailey. For sure, Man Utd want to do something up front for the final two days."

Crazy end to Chelsea's window

Similarly to Man Utd, Romano also expects a 'crazy' end to Chelsea's January transfer window.

"On Chelsea, Axel Disas [has] interest from Tottenham, but he agreed on personal terms with Aston Villa already three days ago. And so Aston Villa remain confident to sign Disasi in the next 24 hours.

"Then important to say something also on the situation of Carney Chukwuemeka. Reports of loan deal with a buy option to Borussia Dortmund. What I'm hearing is that Dortmund tried, but Chelsea are not accepting any bid with a buy option included.

"Straight loan or Carney is not going to move. My feeling is that he is going to leave, but it's going to be on loan. Chelsea are considering the pathway, Chelsea are considering salary coverage, Chelsea are considering th loan fee.

"Borussia Dortmund, they will attack again. Interest also from Strasbourg from the same group, BlueCo Group, so it could be a possibility and let's see what happens also with more clubs in France.

READ MORE: Chelsea fans in DREAMLAND as Romano confirms transfer talks

"And then, Aaron Anselmino, interest from Olympique Marseille. They almost agreed with the player's side. He gave the green light to the move. But now it depends on Chelsea because loan spots are limited.

"And so what happens? Let's see what happens with Carney, what happens with Ben Chilwell? Crystal Palace in negotiations. What happens with Joao Felix? Aston Villa still thinking about him. So, many things to clarify for Chelsea, but there might not be any space for Anselmino to go on loan.

"And then remember, Chelsea are still in the market for a midfielder, still in the market for something else, exploring opportunities. Two days to go. It's going to be crazy for sure. Chelsea are trying to be active, to find the right opportunities."