Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: HISTORIC Chelsea deal, Liverpool Nunez BOMB, Sancho DRAMA

Tom Weber

• Updated: 11 Feb 2025 21:37 GMT
• 6 min read

Fabrizio Romano has provided some massive updates on the biggest transfer stories from around Europe, including the details on Liverpool almost selling Darwin Nunez, Chelsea sealing a historic signing and the truth behind the latest Jadon Sancho drama.

Nunez was close to Saudi

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano revealed that Liverpool almost sold Darwin Nunez to Al-Nassr in January.

"What really happened around Darwin Nunez? During the January window, we had some rumors, and I was also here on YouTube confirming to you that from Saudi there was interest in Darwin, some contacts, but today we're able to tell you that it was more than contacts, even more than a negotiation, a very advanced discussion between all parties involved for Nunez to Saudi."

"The club really close to signing Nunez in the January window was Al-Nassr with Cristiano Ronaldo. We know they signed Jhon Duran, they are very happy with Duran. Top talent, scoring goals already, big investment. But, at the beginning of January, Aston Villa didn't want to open doors to a Duran exit.

READ MORE: Barcelona handed opportunity to solve €60m transfer problem

"What Al-Nassr did from the beginning of January till day 20, 22, 23, so for more than 20 days, was to negotiate with all parties involved for Nunez. Al-Nassr had two bids on the table for Nunez and an advanced discussion with Liverpool. Also, very advanced on the player's side. So if you saw some reports saying that Darwin didn't want to go to Saudi, my understanding is that is not true. Nunez was open to negotiate, open to discuss, [but] he was not desperate to leave Liverpool.

"The money on the table was a very good amount. So something that for Liverpool was probably okay from the financial point of view. Something around €85 million add-ons included. For Darwin - big money, big contract, so the player also open to that kind of move.

But it didn't happen because of one reason. The timing, the January transfer window is not easy and Liverpool internally felt that there was no replacement on the market, no player they wanted in their shortlist for the summer already available in January. So Liverpool didn't want to take any risk, didn't want to overpay for any player they were maybe not that convinced about, and didn't want to create a problem to Arne Slot."

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Cherki to leave Lyon in the summer

Romano then revealed that Rayan Cherki, after his failed January move to Dortmund, is expected to leave Lyon in the summer.

"Borussia Dortmund were pushing [for Cherki], Dortmund got the green light from the player, but no green light from Lyon. He had an exit agreement with Lyon, but it was a verbal agreement, not an official release clause. In France, release clauses are not allowed, and so it was a verbal agreement. According to Lyon owner, John Textor, the conditions of that agreement were not met.

"What's the feeling for the summer? Borussia Dortmund will be back. That's the understanding. We have to see who's going to be the manager, if [Niko] Kovac is going to stay, what Borussia Dortmund want to build, if other clubs will join the race. But the feeling is that in the summer, Cherki has huge chances to leave Lyon with an €22.5m exit agreement."

Sancho drama at Chelsea?

Next up, Romano revealed the truth behind Chelsea's supposed unhappiness with Jadon Sancho.

"We saw some criticism [of Sancho] in the recent weeks. He's not performing like at the beginning of the season, but I can guarantee to you that Chelsea are still very happy with the signing of Sancho. The obligation to buy is not in doubt, so that's not going to change. It's just the amount of money that is going to change based on the final position of Chelsea in the Premier League table.

"But he's going to be a Chelsea player by the end of the season, no doubts, that's guaranteed. So no chances to return to Man Utd. The obligation to buy will be triggered and it's just about the amount of money between €22m-€25m.

"Obviously now is not the best moment for the player, but in general to invest in a player like Sancho was - that's what they believe internally - a good idea. So they keep protecting the investment, they keep protecting the player and there is no expectation of changes."

Barcelona not in for Doku

Romano also revealed that Barcelona are not interested in Man City winger Jeremy Doku despite recent reports.

"On Jeremy Doku and Barcelona - it's never been a concrete option. First of all, because Barcelona were never really in advanced talks for any player at left wing. Barcelona's only focus was on the opportunity for Marcus Rashford, but then Ansu Fati didn't want to leave the club.

"So that was never really concrete. And also at the moment, my understanding is that Doku is not the top priority for Barcelona and also Doku is not planning to leave Man City. Man City are not planning to let the player go, so the situation is very quiet around Doku in general.

"I think that Barcelona have some different priority in their shortlist at the left winger. Doku is a player they appreciate for sure, the skills are there, so very fast, [strong] 1v1, exactly what Barcelona are looking for. But in terms of pricing and several factors, in this moment it is not something really close or concrete."

Fati still keen to stay at Barcelona

Also on Barcelona, Romano reiterated that Ansu Fati has always been determined to stay despite recent interest from Turkey.

"With the Turkish market still open in the past two, three days, Besiktas have tried to approach Fati. We also had rumours about Fenerbahce, but the position from Ansu was always the same: No intention to negotiate with Turkish clubs, no intention to negotiate with any club.

"My understanding is that Fati received some interest from Italy and from France in the January transfer window, but his answer was always the same: 'I'm not leaving Barcelona. I want to fight for my place, I want to train in my best way possible.' Between Ansu and Barcelona, the situation is very clear."

Chelsea complete historic signing

Lastly, Romano disclosed that Chelsea believe they pulled off a real coup when they made 16-year-old Dastan Satpayev the most expensive player in the history of the Kazakhstani Premier League.

"Chelsea are always working on future talents and the name is Satpayev. He's a striker from Kazakhstan, 16 years old, will join Chelsea when he will turn 18. Chelsea closed the deal for €4m Everything agreed with the player, the contract is already okay, so everything is registered for Satpayev to be a Chelsea player in the future.

"What's important to say is that Chelsea really believe that this boy has special skills. They were able to win the race against a German club, who were really pushing and offering even higher money, but Chelsea were able to reach an agreement on the player's side and so Satpayev is the next signing for Chelsea."