Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Chelsea swap LATEST, Zirkzee Man Utd TRUTH, ANOTHER Man City deal

Tom Weber

• Updated: 17 Jan 2025 09:49 CST
• 7 min read

Fabrizio Romano has provided some massive updates on the biggest transfer stories from around Europe, including the latest on Christopher Nkunku's potential Chelsea departure, the truth behind the rumours of Man Utd axing Joshua Zirkzee and Man City's pursuit of their fourth January signing.

Man City eye Cambiaso

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano revealed that Man City are interested in Juventus full-back Andrea Cambiaso.

"In the next hours, Man City will have a direct contact, from what I'm hearing, it's going to be a video call, so not a direct meeting but a video call between Man City and Juventus for a fullback. And the player is Andrea Cambiaso. Italian national team, Juventus, can play on the right, can play on the left.

"From what I'm hearing, [he is] really appreciated by Pep Guardiola. So Pep considers him important. a player for present and future, a player who has big talent but also Juventus consider Cambiaso as a big talent, as a top player. So let's see how the conversation will go.

"The negotiation has not even started between Juventus and Man City, so we have to be careful, we have to wait and see if City decide to bid, how much they decide to bid, for when they decide to bid, January window, summer window, let's see what they decide to do.

READ MORE: Man Utd Transfer News Today - Garnacho SHOCK, Rashford OPTIONS, contact CONFIRMED for key target

"Man City, from what I'm hearing, already spoke to the agents of the player. They discussed about the contract. Let me clarify an important thing for Juventus fans, Cambiaso is not pushing to leave Juventus. Cambiaso is a super serious professional. He loves Juventus. He loves Italian football.

"But obviously when Man City is calling you, you don't say, 'okay, goodbye, I'm not interested.' That's absolutely obvious. So he's talking to Man City, but it's not Cambiaso who is pushing to leave Juventus. It's an opportunity coming from the market and Cambiaso is listening.

"And the conversation was positive on the contract with the player side. Five-year contract, one-year option. So the discussion is already advanced on the player side. Now it depends on the clubs."

Davies or Alexander-Arnold for Real Madrid?

Romano then provided an update on Alphonso Davies' contract talks with Bayern Munich and revealed that he is only Real Madrid's plan B.

"Watch out for the situation of Alphonso Davies. We heard in December many reports coming from several sources saying that Davies was on the verge of signing a new deal at Bayern, maybe before Christmas, maybe before the end of the year. I was coming here and telling you it's not going to happen before the end of the year.

"Davies wanted to wait for the first weeks of January because now he and his agent, of course, they are allowed to talk to more clubs. So till the 1st of January, they were not officially allowed to talk to any club. Now they have this possibility. So Alphonso was never going to sign any contract before that because he wants to explore all the options.

"Among his options remain Real Madrid. Real Madrid are still there. Real Madrid are still interested. Real Madrid are still having contacts for Davies. He's a player they have on the list. I keep repeating, top priority, Trent Alexander-Arnold. And then there is Davies.

"You can tell me this ia s different position. Yeah, of course, but it's still very expensive and it's still two very offensive full-backs, playing on the right, one on the left. But to sign both players means two very offensive fullbacks. So Real Madrid are still discussing internally.

"What I'm hearing is Trent is the priority, second position is Davies, but still very interested in Alphonso and still talking to Alphonso. So Alphonso remains on Real Madrid's list. There is some opportunity also in the Premier League. And then there is the bid from Bayern.

"Bayern made a very good proposal. The proposal is on the table. Now it depends on what Alphonso wants to do. So, everything remains in Alfonso's hands, but no decision has been made yet, so we have to be careful, we have to wait, and we don't have to guarantee anything because there is still no decision made with the agent of the player, who is travelling around Europe for opportunities, doing his job."

Nkunku to Bayern stalling

Next up on the agenda, Romano revealed that Bayern have not held fresh talks with Chelsea after being quoted a €70 million price tag for Christopher Nkunku.

"Contacts continue between Christopher Nkunku's side, so the agent, and Bayern. Very good conversations, player keen on the move. As I told you several times, Nkunku has not completed the agreement on personal terms with Bayern. We are not at the stage, but that's not going to be a problem.

"The problem is money on Chelsea's side. Because Chelsea, again, they want €70m. So at the moment, there are still no fresh contacts. From what I'm hearing in the last 24, 48 hours, no contact between the two clubs. And still not advancing. And a lot depends on Mathys Tel.

"Because again, as of today, Tel is still not opening doors to a January exit to any other club because he wants to succeed at Bayern. So let's see what happens in this conversation with Tel, with Nkunku, but especially between the two clubs. That is the crucial part of the story.

READ MORE: Confirmed - Chelsea want to sign Alejandro Garnacho

Zirkzee to stay at Man Utd

Additionally, Romano provided an update on Joshua Zirkzee's situation at Man Utd and set the record straight on the club's interest in Juventus-bound Randal Kolo Muani.

"We saw how complicated the situation with Zirkzee was a few weeks ago, then credit to Ruben Amorim, he was able to put the situation back on with Zirkzee. Credit to the player because Zirkzee, despite a difficult moment, I think it was against Newcastle at Old Trafford, he was able to fix the situation, to be back in good form, to do very positive things in the recent games.

"So he's improving, working hard, and Amorim is the kind of coach who, when he sees the player working hard, he's always backing and trusting the player.

"Randal Kolo Muani is a new Juventus player, the deal is done, a loan from PSG, no buy option included. Someone told you, Man United are close to Kolo Muani. Guys, the reality is that Man United only made one call for Kolo Muani.

So let's not say that Man United were in the race, in advanced talks or whatever for Kolo Muani. That was not true. Man United made one call. 'What are the conditions of the deal? Okay, bye, stop.' That's what Man United did. The real club in contention for Kolo Muani was Tottenham. But the player decided to go for Champions League football.

"But that's another story. For Zirkzee, before signing Kolo Muani at the beginning of January, from what I'm hearing, Juventus presented an informal approach to Man Utd for Zirkzee. That was an important approach from Juventus. Juventus decided to go with a loan, yes, but they also wanted to include a buy option, an important buy option, covering the salary, a loan fee too.

"So Juventus were prepared to do an important loan deal, but United closed the doors to a loan deal, and United decided to keep Zirkzee but also Zirkzee in a conversation he had with Man Utd confirmed his intention to stay at the club, to fight for his place, and to fight for Man Utd's shirt.

Optimism over new Ronaldo deal

Lastly, Romano responded to the news of Cristiano Ronaldo being on the verge of signing a new deal at Al-Nassr.

"What I can tell you is that the expectation is for the conversation between Cristiano Ronaldo, his camp, and Al-Nassr to enter into important stages after the transfer window. So after the January transfer window, we will follow the conversations.

"Very positive atmosphere. Everything is going very good between Cristiano, Saudi in general as a country, Al-Nassr as a club, the relationship with people at the club. Everything is great. They are very happy with Cristiano. Cristiano is very happy with them.

"And then I don't expect anything imminent. After the transfer window, we will follow all the steps. I will keep you posted. But again, there is big optimism. There is big confidence. And they are very happy all together."