Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Real Madrid DONE DEAL, Liverpool move CONFIRMED, Huijsen, Wirtz EYED

Tom Weber

• Updated: 19 Mar 2025 16:45 GMT
• 6 min read

News

Fabrizio Romano has provided some massive updates on the biggest transfer stories from around Europe, including the latest on Raul Asencio, Dean Huijsen and Florian Wirtz.

Asencio to extend Real Madrid deal

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano revealed that Raul Asencio is on the verge of signing a new long-term contract with Real Madrid.

"One of the best talents around who is doing fantastic this season and who is going to be part of the present already and future for sure of Real Madrid - the player is Raul Asencio, who had a breakthrough this season in the Real Madrid squad.

"He came into the squad after the emergency and then started being a leader, a regular starter for Real Madrid, also against Atletico Madrid in a crucial Champions League game. He started next to Antonio Rudiger. I was there at the Metropolitano and the performance was excellent.

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"You can feel, you can see the leadership of this defender and this is why Real Madrid are almost done in terms of advancing in negotiations for a new contract for Asencio. I told you already in December that Real Madrid started these negotiations and now the progress is at the final stages.

"There are just some final details to discuss between the agents of Asensio and the Real Madrid board, but they are not in a rush because Asensio only wants to play for Real Madrid because Real Madrid are very happy with the player.

"When I say Real Madrid, it's the management, it's the coaching staff, it's the manager, Carlo Ancelotti. It's also the president, Florentino Perez, who is very happy to see a player coming from the academy, a Spanish player, to be part of the Real Madrid squad. So Florentino is very, very happy about Asencio, who is now also part of the Spanish national team.

"First call-up received in the recent days, so it's a fantastic moment for Asencio. Very good news for Real Madrid. They will also remove the release clause, which was around €50 million, now going to be removed from the new contract."

Huijsen to leave Bournemouth

Romano then revealed that Bournemouth wonderkid Dean Huijsen is likely to depart this summer.

"Not expected to sign a new deal and expected potentially to leave in the summer is Dean Huijsen, another fantastic centre-back, another top talent, another Spanish player, in this case playing for Bournemouth, sold by Juventus in the summer. Juventus have a 10 per cent sell-on clause for Huijsen.

"Bournemouth have a release clause included in his contract. This release clause is worth £50m. We know that several clubs are monitoring Huijsen. I could mention many really in England and not only in England because in the last 24 hours, we saw some statements from Huijsen on Real Madrid.

"He said, 'I feel proud when I see my name linked to Real Madrid.' He mentioned Sergio Ramos as an absolute idol. Real Madrid still need to decide whether they want to invest in a new centre-back in the summer or not, because Asencio changed their plans. He's doing fantastic.

READ MORE: Dean Huijsen gives green light to €60m summer move

"[David] Alaba is back. [Eder] Militao will be back in the summer, so Real Madrid need to decide what they want to do with centre-backs. But for sure, Huijsen is attracting many clubs. Real Madrid are monitoring his progress, excellent progress he's having in England with Bournemouth.

"Also English clubs. Chelsea but also Newcastle and Liverpool, these three clubs are really closely monitoring Huijsen. We also have to see what happens with more clubs. For example, Bayern. Bayern sent their scouts several times to follow in Huijsen and they keep having his name on their list.

"So there are many clubs interested in this player and you don't need to negotiate with Bournemouth because the clause is £50m. You can go there, pay the clause or try to find an agreement on the structure of the clause and then agree with the player."

Liverpool to offload Nunez

Another player likely to be on the move this summer is much-maligned Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez.

"We expect Darwin Nunez to be one of the names to watch in the summer. And there is movement. The movements have already started around Nunez, who is now in an important moment of the season with Liverpool.

"Of course, they are focusing on winning the Premier League. That's the mission for Darwin, win the Premier League and then consider a move in the summer. Because Darwin, according to my information, was very open already in January to joining Al-Nassr.

"He was ready to say yes to Saudi. He was ready to say yes to that project. Then Liverpool decided to keep the squad, not to change anything. Also because in January there was no player available in terms of their own transfer targets. They have a list for the summer, but those players were not available in January.

"So Liverpool decided against investing money on a player they didn't trust 100% in January and to wait for the summer transfer window. Now let's see what happens with Darwin. European clubs, Saudi clubs and more - there will be movement, my sources keep telling me that the expectation is for Darwin to leave Liverpool in the summer transfer window."

Wirtz to make a decision soon

Finally, Romano stated that Bayer Leverkusen superstar Florian Wirtz is expected to make a decision on his future soon.

"What's the situation with Florian Wirtz? We keep having many stories, many rumours on several clubs in England and not only. It's important to say that Bayer Leverkusen keep their offer on the table for Wirtz, so the new contract proposal is still there. The new contract proposal is already at very advanced stages in terms of talks between Wirtz, his father and the club.

"So they are negotiating this new deal and Leverkusen are open to including a release clause in the contract for the player to leave after the World Cup 2026. So basically what Leverkusen are telling Wirtz is: 'Sign the deal today, get a better salary, and from summer 2026, you will have a release clause in excess of €100m to potentially leave the club and try a new chapter.'"

"There are several clubs interested in England, but also Bayern for sure. For Bayern he is a dream target, all people at the club agree that it would be fantastic to have [Jamal] Musiala and Wirtz together for a new era of Bayern.

"Remember that Wirtz will not be part of the German national team in this break because he's injured. Wirtz will use this time and these weeks to discuss with his father, to discuss with Leverkusen and then to make a final decision on what he wants to do in terms of a new contract.

"In general, the Wirtz situation, I think in April will have an important moment to try and make some decisions. Then obviously the final green light, the final decision is up to the player. But pressure from clubs is coming. Leverkusen want to discuss this contract situation as soon as possible."