Fabrizio Romano transfer news: Late Chelsea SIGNING, Mathys Tel BATTLE, Nkunku to Man Utd UPDATE

Robin Bairner

• 3 Feb 2025 09:04 GMT
• 6 min read

Fabrizio Romano has dropped a Deadline Day update with all the latest football transfer news, including information on Nico O’Reilly, Mathys Tel and Christopher Nkunku.

Mathys Tel transfer latest

Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel is set to be the subject of Transfer Deadline Day, with Arsenal and Manchester United both battling for his signature.

The Frenchman is eager to leave Bavaria, but he rejected a move to Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern are demanding a large fee to sanction a sale.

READ MORE: Deadline Day - Every confirmed transfer around Europe

“What’s going on with Mathys Tel? One hour we hear that he chose Man Utd then we hear it’s over there,” Romano told his YouTube channel.

“There are many different stories. At this time, Tel is still pushing for a loan move. Bayern are insisting for a permanent move. They had €60m guaranteed from Tottenham but the player said no.

“The clubs interested in him are still pushing, calling and trying to understand what’s happening. Man Utd have done that, Arsenal are calling. The player is open to a loan. Now it depends on what the player and Bayern decide. There’s strong interest in a big last-minute deal.”

READ MORE: Premier League January transfers 2025 - All the Done Deals

Chelsea try to repeat Palmer trick

Chelsea have also been linked with a move for Tel, however their current focus appears to be on a shock pursuit of Manchester City teenager Nico O’Reilly.

“Chelsea are still looking for a midfielder,” Romano revealed. “They’ve made contact with Manchester City for Nico O’Reilly, this talented young player. Chelsea see him as a top talent. Direct contact with Man City has been made.

“You’ll remember the shocking story of Cole Palmer going to Chelsea. That deal changed the way City manage these deals. Now City don’t want to lose the control of Nico O’Reilly in case he goes to Chelsea on a permanent transfer. Chelsea are willing to pay an important transfer fee for him but now City are pushing for a buy-out clause or matching rights.

“Chelsea are also assessing other options. Among them is Mathis Amogou from Saint-Etienne. He’s French, he's a talented player. He was on the list of Strasbourg. These aren’t the only names on their list.”

Four leaving Chelsea

In addition, Romano also admitted that four players could leave Stamford Bridge before the end of Deadline Day.

The transfer expert said: “There’s many things happening at Chelsea. First of all, Ben Chilwell’s medical is booked at Crystal Palace, waiting on some final details of the salary details, but he’ll sign for Palace if nothing goes wrong.

“There is an agreement for Aaron Anselmino to go to Marseille. It’s a loan deal with no buy option and his salary will be covered but it now depends on how Chelsea want to manage their international loan pot.

“On Axel Disasi, there’s an agreement between Chelsea and Tottenham. You can tell me that Spurs have already signed a centre-back in Kevin Danso for Lens, but Dragusin’s injury is very serious and Tottenham want one more. So they’re trying for Disasi. There’s a loan agreement with a big fee but the player, as of now, is not accepting Tottenham.

“Why’s he not accepted? He wants to go to Aston Villa to play football. He’s spoken to Unai Emery but Chelsea are saying no to Aston Villa for Disasi and Joao Felix because they’re seen as direct competitors for the Champions League spot. Let’s see what happens.”

Romano added: “Carney Chukwuemeka to Borussia Dortmund is a here we go. He joins on loan and even if there’s a buy option clause, it will be above the release clause of the player, which is set at £40m, which is why it looks really unlikely. It’s an interesting signing.”

Nkunku Deadline Day move?

However, Christopher Nkunku is unlikely to join a mass exodus at Chelsea, with the France international now set to remain in west London until at least this summer.

He has been heavily linked with both Bayern Munich and Man Utd, but Romano has stated that a transfer isn’t currently on the cards.

“My information is that there are no concrete movements for Christopher Nkunku,” the transfer expert said.

“As of today, Nkunku doesn’t want to leave on loan. If a club pays €60-70m, never say never. But a loan isn’t expected to be attractive to the player. The links between Man Utd and Chelsea over a loan are something that, at the moment, I can’t confirm.”

Bailey uncertainty

Although Man Utd are set to miss out on Nkunku, unless a late deal is concluded, they are interested in signing Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey.

The Red Devils have sent Marcus Rashford on loan to Villa Park for the remainder of the season, and although Bailey is buoyed by the Englishman’s arrival, he could be on his way out of the club today.

Romano admitted: “At the moment, Aston Villa can’t sign Joao Felix, so they have to decide what to do with Leon Bailey. Both Man Utd and Tottenham called to be informed on him. But it depends on Villa. There’s still no open doors.”

Sergio Ramos’ next club announced

Sergio Ramos has been a free agent since leaving Sevilla back in July, but he is close to finalising a return to competitive football with Mexican side Rayados, as per Romano.

“Sergio Ramos is going to play in Mexico. He has an agreement with Rayados,” Romano said.

“It’s been signed tonight [Sunday]. He’s ready to travel for a medical test and formal signing. Good luck to Sergio Ramos, who left Sevilla in the summer. He’s been a free agent for some months and there were some rumours about Saudi, but he’s going to Rayados.”

Brighton secure top talent Tzimas

Finally, Romano confirmed that Brighton & Hove Albion are set to complete a deal for Greek youngster Stefanos Tzimas.

The talented forward was on Liverpool’s radar amid Saudi Pro League interest in Darwin Nunez, but Fabian Hurzeler’s side have reportedly finalised a deal.

“Brighton have signed Stefanos Tzimas from Nurnberg,” Romano told his YouTube channel. “£22 million for the striker. He was in the list of several top clubs from around Europe. Aston Villa wanted to sign him.

“Brighton will sign him now but he will stay in Germany on loan and so Tzimas is a here we go. This boy is a fantastic talent, a fantastic prospect for the future.”