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FEATURE
- 21 hours ago
Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Neymar BACK to Barcelona, De Bruyne NEGOTIATIONS, Ancelotti SACK
Tom Weber
- Updated: 18 Apr 2025 12:25 BST
- 6 min read
News
Fabrizio Romano has provided some massive updates on the biggest transfer stories from around Europe, including the latest on Neymar, Kevin de Bruyne and Carlo Ancelotti.
Van Dijk snubbed Saudi
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano revealed that Virgil van Dijk snubbed Saudi interest in favour of extending his Liverpool contract.
READ MORE: Stay up to date with the latest transfer news with the FootballTransfers app
"Virgil van Dijk, after Mo Salah, signs a new deal at Liverpool until 2027, so two more years for Van Dijk. Important to say that he said 'no' to very big proposals also from Saudi.
Van Djk was really committed to Liverpool, really wanted to do his best for Liverpool, stay at the club. He's not taking a pay cut, so the salary will basically be the same he had until now.
"Van Dijk puts pen to paper, stays at Liverpool and keeps sending these messages on Liverpool's future to be a big summer. Liverpool, in terms of the summer transfer window, they want to have an important window to help Arne Slot and to improve the squad."
READ MORE: The Transfers Podcast - Wirtz future DECISION, Yamal contract CLOSE, Iraola REJECTS Tottenham
De Bruyne in talks with Chicago
Romano then revealed that Kevin de Bruyne is in talks with MLS side Chicago Fire.
"Kevin de Bruyne, despite all the rumours we had about Inter Miami in the recent weeks, what I'm hearing is that he's in negotiations with the Chicago Fire. Inter Miami can also be an option, there are more clubs interested in De Bruyne.
"The player will take his time together with his agents and his family to decide the best step in terms of the country, league, team, so assessing all the projects all, the options. Chicago Fire already wanted Neymar some time ago, Chicago tried to sign Neymar, then he rejoined Santos.
"Chicago are still looking for a superstar, and from what I'm told, they presented an official bid and an important project to De Bruyne. Now the player is going to assess all the opportunities, especially with his family because this is a life decision, not only a sport decision."
Neymar not in Barcelona's plans
Next up, Romano revealed that Barcelona are not considering re-signing Neymar this summer.
"It was probably February, March when many people were mentioning Neymar returning to Barcelona, now the story has gone quiet. What I can tell you is that Barcelona never started a real concrete negotiation or discussion to bring back Neymar.
"It was more on Neymar's side, and it remains on Neymar's side. He would love to play for Barcelona again, so Neymar, if Barcelona called, would be ready to go tomorrow morning. Obviously, he's happy at Santos.
"But it's also important to say that at Barcelona, they are looking at different plans, different strategies. Let's see how Neymar will arrive for the summer transfer window, maybe in good condition and so maybe for Barca, he could be an opportunity but at the moment, I'm not aware of concrete contacts for Neymar."
Griezmann stays at Atletico
Regarding the situation of Antoine Griezmann, Romano confirmed that the Frenchman is set to stay at Atletico.
"The desire of a fantastic player like Antoine Griezmann was to consider the opportunities on the market. He had several conversations with LAFC, with the possibility to go to MLS. LAFC already have two important French players, Hugo Lloris and Olivier Giroud, players who know Griezmann very well, World Cup winners with Griezmann.
"But Griezmann, his agents, his family decided to continue at Atletico Madrid. Contract until 2027 for Griezmann at Atletico. He's not going to MLS. His salary will be reduced first of all in 2026 and then for the final season in 2027, so different salary but same love."
Arsenal's trust paying off
Romano then spoke about Arsenal's trust in their players and refusal to panic in January paying off now.
"Arsenal are doing something special. The amount of injuries they have is incredible. Top players out for a very long time, players like Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, also Gabriel Magalhaes at the back, Riccardo Calafiori, but especially the striker situation.
"Arsenal were not crying or complaining. Mikel Arteta, I told you they will not sign a free agent [in January] because Arteta sent a clear message to his players, his coaching staff, all together. His coaching staff is really important, the job they're doing together.
"The coach and the staff, they said, 'let's not cry, let's find solutions, no problems, let's not complain.' They found [Mikel] Merino as a striker - great mentality. Keep fighting, don't consider the season over because of injuries.
"What I can tell you today is that Arteta will be backed on the market. Arteta will have a lot of power on the market, together with Andrea Berta. They will plan the strategy. [Martin] Zubimendi is a top target. A new striker will arrive. Arsenal will also do more on the market."
Ancelotti facing the Real Madrid sack
Lastly, Romano confirmed that Carlo Ancelotti is fighting for his job at Real Madrid after their Champions League exit against Arsenal.
"There is big tension at Real Madrid in the last 24 hours in terms of what's going on behind the scenes, in the background, in terms of planning for the future. Xabi Alonso remains absolutely the top target for Real Madrid, but there are many other stories to tell in terms of how it works for Xabi, for Ancelotti and more because Real Madrid's future planswill be an important topic in the next days and weeks.
"What I can tell you after the bad game against Arsenal, the defeat at home and away, is that the situation is quite tense, is that the job of Ancelotti is not safe at all, was not safe before this game and now even less so."
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