- 20 hours ago
Fabrizio Romano transfer news: Cunha BOMB, GAME OVER for Man Utd, Nkunku SURPRISE
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 8 Feb 2025 07:09 CST
- 6 min read
Football transfer news reporter Fabrizio Romano has given the latest updates from the ever-active world of the market, with surprising news over Matheus Cunha and Christopher Nkunku as well as a blow for Man Utd.
Cunha release clause revealed
Matheus Cunha may have signed a new contract with Wolverhampton Wanderers, but that doesn’t mean he will remain with the Molineux club beyond the summer, with Romano announcing that the Brazil international has a release clause that makes him a viable target.
Romano confirmed the interest of Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Chelsea and Manchester United in Cunha for the winter transfer window, and says these clubs have a chance to sign him again in the summer.
“We know that Arsenal have had Cunha on their list for a long time, but they wanted to save a big amount of money for a different kind of player, a proper No.9 in the summer,” Romano said. “So Arsenal’s interest was there, but it was never something that they were prepared to do in the January transfer window.
STATS
Matheus Cunha
F, AM (C)
Wolverhampton
Matheus Cunha
F, AM (C)
Wolverhampton
“Then there was interest also from more clubs. Nottingham Forest, they wanted to try to make a very big, crazy proposal for Matheus Cunha, but Wolves were insisting that the player was not for sale and he had to extend his contract.
“And then, there was also some calls in December, before the January transfer window, from Manchester United, who wanted to be informed on the situation of the player. He could be an interesting profile of those who can play behind the striker in the football area of Ruben Amorim.
“Now Cunha stays, he has signed a deal until 2029, but there is a release clause. And the release clause is worth £62.5 million. It is available for all clubs. So in summer 2025, Cunha has a concrete chance to leave Wolves because the clause is active. It is really interesting to many clubs.”
Nkunku didn’t do what Joao Felix did at Chelsea
In the case of Chelsea attacker Christopher Nkunku, Romano has made the revelation that the player never requested to leave the club – unlike team-mate Joao Felix.
“Christopher Nkunku, at the end of January, was very clear with Chelsea,” Romano said. “No chance of leaving in January on loan.
“Permanent transfer, he would consider Bayern Munich and Man Utd, but not on loan. So it was a permanent move or nothing.
Nkunku didn’t go to Enzo Maresca and ask him to leave.
- Fabrizio Romano“But Nkunku didn’t go to Enzo Maresca and ask him to leave. This is something that, for example, Joao Felix did.
“If Chelsea accepted a proposal, Nkunku was open. Otherwise, he was very happy to stay and fight for his place.
“Now the second half of the season will be really important. If there’s no space for him, my expectation for Nkunku is that a he will be a big name to watch in the summer transfer window. Bayern Munich will be there and let’s see what Man Utd will do.”
Current ETV
Christopher Nkunku
F (C), M (CL)
Chelsea
Christopher Nkunku
F (C), M (CL)
Chelsea
ETV Range
€53.4M - €65.3M
Game over for Man Utd as PSG announce cascade of new contracts
Manchester United have missed out on their dream left-back target, Nuno Mendes.
“It's game over between Manchester United and Nuno Mendes,” Romano announced.
“You remember we had several rumours in the January transfer window, especially in December of people saying that he was probably going to Manchester United, not extending the contract to Paris Saint-Germain. PSG internally always maintained their stance: Nuno will extend, Nuno will put pen to paper.
Current ETV
Nuno Mendes
D (L)
PSG
Nuno Mendes
D (L)
PSG
ETV Range
€45.1M - €55.2M
“Nuno has signed a new deal until 2030 at Paris Saint-Germain. His salary will put him among the best-paid players of Paris Saint-Germain.
“PSG also extended the contract of Luis Enrique till 2027, so a new deal for the Spanish manager, who has an excellent relationship with the club, very happy in terms of performances, in terms also of feedback they have from Luis Enrique on daily basis on the planning with the squad, with the players.
Then new a deal for Achraf Hakimi and for Vitinha. So PSG are busy with several contract extensions already completed.
“And then there will be more to do in the next months, in the next weeks.”
Grealish heading out of City
Manchester City’s January business is set to have a knock-on effect in the summer, with Jack Grealish now looking likely to leave.
“Grealish is giving his best for Manchester City. He’s not desperate to leave the club. He’s not creating issues or a problem. He’s a top professional,” Romano said. “Man City rate him highly and are very happy with his attitude.
“But in terms of the future, we have to be attentive to the situation of Jack Grealish, because in case of good proposal for the player and for the club in the summer, there is a chance for him to go.
“He's no longer untouchable for Manchester City, and it's a situation to watch for the summer transfer window. Again, at the moment we can't mention clubs, because at the moment there is nothing really concrete, but it's just a feeling internally in Manchester City that there could be some movement in that position with Jack Grealish potentially involved.”
Van Dijk contract latest
Romano also touched on the situation of Virgil van Dijk, confirming that the Netherlands international centre-back has still not made a decision regarding his future, despite some reports suggesting that both he had Mo Salah had signed new Liverpool deals.
“It is true that the agents of Virgil van Dijk were sitting next to the director of football at Liverpool, Richard Hughes, for the game against Tottenham,” Romano confirmed.
“There is still a very good conversation, a very good relationship between Liverpool and the agents of Virgil van Dijk.
Current ETV
Virgil van Dijk
D (C)
Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk
D (C)
Liverpool
ETV Range
€19.2M - €23.4M
“At the moment, the decision has still not been made. But the conversations continue.
“What we can say today is that Liverpool are still there. Liverpool are still talking to Virgil. Liverpool still want to extend the contract. And Liverpool are still optimistic because they want Virgil to stay and they hope to have a green light.
“As Virgil van Dijk said, nothing is decided. And if it's the player to say so, we believe that he's not a liar, of course.
“But it's also important to say that Liverpool maintain their stance, their position. They want Van Dijk to stay and they will push their best to keep him. So that's the club position.
“It's time to see how the negotiations, the financial package, the view of the club and Virgil, how they will go. But for sure, the conversation remains ongoing.”
