Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Liverpool signing CONFIRMED, FOUR Barcelona deals, Lookman GUARANTEE

Tom Weber

• Updated: 23 Feb 2025 10:50 CST
• 6 min read

Fabrizio Romano has provided some massive updates on the biggest transfer stories from around Europe, including the latest on the futures of three Barcelona stars, Liverpool's summer plans and Ademola Lookman's next move.

Asencio to extend Real Madrid deal

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano reiterated that young Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio is set to sign a new contract.

"Real Madrid and Raul Asencio advancing well. Now I can confirm to you that the progress is continuing between the agents of Asencio, who is doing a really fantastic for Real Madrid. Also in the Champions League against Manchester City, he was brilliant.

"You can see the leadership, you can see the quality. And so the new contract will happen. This is the clear indication from all parties involved. And now they are discussing the final details, the clause of €50 million will be changed in the contract. Asensio is obviously very happy at the club."

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Barcelona set for busy months

Romano then reported that Barcelona are in the midst of a busy period with regards to transfers and contracts.

"Inigo Martinez at Barcelona, his new contract is done until 2026, waiting for league approval to proceed with the official announcement. So after Gerard Martin, Ronaldo Araujo, Pedri, Gavi, Barcelona are working on many contracts, the next one will be Martinez.

"So Martinez, one more season, approved directly by Hansi Flick. Flick is big fan of Inigo, professional, every single training session at the best leadership. These sorts of players are really important for the coach.

"There are players who are clearly not part of the project anymore. So now it's quiet because it's February, but in the summer it will be different. My expectation is for Ansu Fati to go in the summer. One game he is in the squad, one game he is not in the squad. The situation is still not clear.

"The idea for Barcelona is to find a solution for Ansu. The feeling is that in the summer, also with the agent of the player, Jorge Mendes, they will assess the situation again and then proceed to find a new club for the former Brighton loanee.

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"Vitor Roque, there is Palmeiras pushing to sign the player on a permanent transfer now with a fee for a package around €25m, €27m plus a sell-on clause. Now, Barcelona want to sell the player.

"Betis have to decide because there is something to clarify internally at Betis, also with the coach, [Manuel] Pellegrini, who has to make a choice on the future of Roque. So keep an eye on 'Tigrinho' because he could really leave Barcelona immediately.

"Otherwise in the summer, they will still look for a permanent solution. Vitor Roque is no longer part of Barcelona's plans. Flick was not happy with the attitude of the player in pre-season last summer when Roque didn't even want to try to convince Flick. He wanted to leave, he wanted something different.

"And then Andreas Christensen. The situation of Christensen will be assessed in the summer. There is a possibility for Christensen to leave Barcelona. He was on the list of Juventus in the January window. Christensen remains a player who could leave Barca in the summer for a good proposal."

Liverpool to sign centre-back

Next up, Romano revealed that Liverpool will sign a new centre-back in the summer.

"Liverpool are really, really advancing in the process to identify the centre-back they want to sign in the summer. Liverpool will go for an important centre-back.

"In an internal meeting they had with Richard Hughes, with people in the board involved and that includes Arne Slot too, they all agreed on bringing in an important centre-back in the summer transfer window.

"When I say important, it could be an important talent, could be an established player. But my information is that Liverpool want to invest on young players for the present and future. We know the appreciation for [Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen], Liverpool, Chelsea, Bayern, several clubs are keen on signing him, also Newcastle.

"Liverpool are also monitoring other players. Liverpool are actively working on the new centre-back, working to identify who the player they really, really want to bring in. But for sure, the centre-back position is the one they want to cover 100 percent in the summer."

Kimmich close to Bayern extension

Regarding Joshua Kimmich's contract talks with Bayern, Romano states that there has been a breakthrough.

"Joshua Kimmich, negotiations underway with Bayern over a new deal. Bayern made their proposal. Bayern also changed in the last 10 days some of the bonuses involved in this proposal for Kimmich.

"Sometimes it's about winning the Bundesliga, sometimes it's about the appearances, sometimes it's about winning the Champions League. So they adjusted some points in this contract proposal to Kimmich, waiting for the player to make a decision.

"For Kimmich and Real Madrid, my information is that Real Madrid never made a proposal to Kimmich, never started any advanced conversation with Kimmich over joining the club in the summer.

"He was an option on the table, so Real Madrid are also informed on players who are free agents in a few months, informed about the situation, informed about the conditions of the deal, but Real Madrid never made a proposal to Kimmich."

Lookman to leave Atalanta

Finally, Romano reiterated that Ademola Lookman will leave Atalanta in the summer despite his coach Gian Piero Gasperini apologising for his outburst after his missed penalty in the Champions League.

"Gasperini said 'he's one of the worst penalty takers I've ever seen.' Lookman felt offended. He published a statement. Really, really disappointed with the manager.

"Gasperini, in a press conference, was saying good words for Lookman. He's trying to speak to the player to change the situation between Lookman and the coaching staff. Despite Gasperini saying many things in public, despite Atalanta trying to clarify the situation for this final part of the season, my understanding is that Lookman will leave Atalanta in the summer.

"He already had the possibility to leave one year ago, then Atalanta decided to sell to [Teun] Koopmeiners and so Lookman was not leaving anymore. Now, in summer 2025, Lookman will go.

"There was interest from the Premier League already last season and he remains on the list of Premier League clubs There is interest also from other countries, including Italy, where Lookman is attracting interest. Lookman will go in the summer and is definitely going to be one to watch in the next months."