Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Arsenal HIJACK, Man Utd Nkunku TRUTH, Chelsea Garnacho SWAP

Tom Weber

• Updated: 25 Jan 2025 06:47 CST
• 6 min read

Fabrizio Romano has provided some massive updates on the biggest transfer stories from around Europe, including the latest on Arsenal's interest in long-time Man Utd target Sverre Nypan, the truth behind the Red Devils' fresh links with Christopher Nkunku and the potential for a swap deal with Chelsea for Alejandro Garnacho.

Arsenal, Man City want Nypan

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano confirmed that Arsenal and Man City are in talks to sign Sverre Nypan, whom Man Utd had been scouting for years.

"For Man City, visits are coming because Man City and Arsenal are fighting to get the signature of one of the best talents around Europe, Sverre Nypan, this Norwegian talent who is now in England. He will be in Manchester to visit Man City.

"They are prepared to present their project and also to include a potential move to Girona before joining Man City. But Arsenal also there as they like the player. And so this could be an interesting fight to follow for Sverre who is a big, big talent for the future."

READ MORE: Exclusive - Arsenal battle Real Madrid for Valencia’s Yarek Gasiorowski

Man Utd keep working on Dorgu

Man Utd, meanwhile, are still working on outgoings and incomings, chiefly Patrick Dorgu.

"Man Utd gave the green light today to Antony to fly and complete his move this weekend to Real Betis. It was already a 'here we go' at the beginning of the week, then it took some time for Man Utd and Betis to check all the documents, especially for the taxes, the salary coverage, all these sorts of things.

"Now everything is okay. He's arriving in Spain to sign his contract at Betis and complete his loan move, no buy option, so back to Man Utd at the end of the season.

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"Meanwhile, Man Utd have spent the day working with Lecce to get the deal done for Patrick Dorgu, but at the moment still no agreement. btween Man Utd and Lecce. Lecce are insisting on €40 million or nothing.

"Why? Because they believe that in the summer Napoli will be there and more clubs will be there to sign the players. So they feel they can get this money in a few months and keep the player till the end of the season to fight against relegation in Serie A.

"Man United offered €27m a few days ago, rejected, then €34m, add-ons included. Today, again, not enough to convince Lecce. Lecce remain on their position. On the player side, there is no problem because Dorgu would be open and happy to go to Man Utd."

Man Utd in talks to sign Heaven

Romano then revealed that Man Utd are also in talks to sign Arsenal youngster Ayden Heaven.

"Ayden Heaven, this talented center-back, playing for Arsenal, born in 2006. We had many stories about Eintracht [Frankfurt] in the recent weeks and they are one of the clubs made contact to understand the situation around this boy because he's out of contact at Arsenal.

"Remember what happened one year ago with Chido Obi-Martin? Obviously, he was a striker, but still a big talent wanted by many clubs. He ended up at Man Utd. Eintracht are interested in Heaven, same also with Barcelona, who called to understand the situation of the player.

"Arsenal presented a contract proposal, but Man Utd want to hijack this new deal for the player and bring Heaven to Old Trafford. They believe that he's a top player for the future. They are building a lot for the future.

"They have positioned themselves in a very good position. The player was in attendance at Old Trafford on Thursday, so really tempted by Man Utd."

Swap for Garnacho and Nkunku?

Next up on the agenda was an update on the situations of Christopher Nkunku and Alejandro Garnacho, with Man Utd interested in the former and Chelsea keen on the latter.

"Man United are perfectly aware of the situation of Alejandro Garnacho, they expect Chelsea to submit an official bid any moment. We will see when it's going to be. But direct contact between Man United and Chelsea already took place.

"I told you at the beginning of the transfer window, end of December, so not even officially the beginning of the window, Man Utd and Chelsea discussed a swap deal for Garnacho and maybe another player obviously to go the other way.

"One of the names mentioned by intermediaries, so it was not direct club-to-club by intermediaries proposing this opportunity, was Christopher Nkunku. Because Nkunku remains a possibility for Bayern. But at the beginning of the market, kunku was one of the names discussed between intermediaries as a possibility to do the Garnacho deal.

"Now the situation is different, so at the moment the full focus is on Garnacho, I'm not aware of any concrete progress on Nkunku at this stage, but what we can say is that for Garnacho, Chelsea are expected to bid. Ut's not going to be an easy one because Man United insist on €70m for Garnacho.

"Napoli offered a €50m package - not enough to convince Man Utd. Napoli are now focused on Adeyemi, while they still keep an eye on the situation of Garnacho in case something changes in the final days.

"Chelsea are working on Garnacho. They feel that the player could be open to making the move, so that's Chelsea's feeling after some contacts."

Felix has suitors

Romano also reiterated that Joao Felix could still leave Chelsea before the window shuts.

"Today Enzo Maresca said 'he's a top player, but I play with one offensive midfielder, and that is Cole Palmer, so there is not much space.' Keep an eye on Joao Felix for the final week because there are some clubs still calling, still being informed of the situation of Felix.

"For example, you remember how much Unai Emery wanted Felix at Aston Villa in the summer, and then he ended up joining Chelsea. Let's see if Villa could still be a destination for Felix. There are several clubs from all over Europe calling his agent Jorge Mendes."

Endrick not leaving Real Madrid

Regarding the fresh links surrounding young Real Madrid striker Endrick, Romano insisted that he is going nowhere.

"There was a story many Real Madrid fans were sending me about the possibility of Endrick going on loan in the final days of the window. Real Madrid are not expected to change anything in their squad for these final days of the transfer window. They want to stay with the same squad, then focus on the summer.

"Endrick is not considered a player available for loan. We had stories about Real Valladolid, Roma, Villareal, Southampton. Endrick wants to stay, Endrick wants to fight for his place, Endrick wants to develop at Real Madrid, Real Madrid want Endrick to stay, so they are on the same page.

"They are happy with his development, he did very well against Celta Vigo in a crucial game for Real Madrid in a difficult moment, so handling the pressure very well, and so Real Madrid are convinced to continue with Endrick."

Pedri agrees new Barcelona deal

Finally, Romano has revealed that Pedri has agreed a new contract with Barcelona.

"The verbal agreement for Pedri’s new deal at Barcelona is done and the contract will be valid until June 2030. Final formal details are to be sorted with his agents soon, as there’s still no day indicated for an official signature. But Pedri has already committed to a new deal."