Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Xavi Man Utd TRUTH, Barcelona deal DONE, De Bruyne Man City SHOCK

Tom Weber

• Updated: 24 Feb 2025 10:49 CST
• 7 min read

Fabrizio Romano has provided some massive updates on the biggest transfer stories from around Europe, including the truth behind Man Utd's links to Xavi, Kevin de Bruyne's Man City future and Barcelona's potential sale of Vitor Roque.

Modric could extend Real Madrid deal

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano revealed that Luka Modric could yet continue at Real Madrid for one more season.

"Luka Modric is just fantastic, the goal he scored for Real Madrid over the weekend against Girona was incredible and the message from Carlo Ancelotti is quite clear when asked about the contract of Modric.

"He said, 'Modric has to continue as long as he wants, he's a gift for football.' So this is the message from Ancelotti. And also internally, Real Madrid, they are really happy with Modric. It's not just about the performances. It's obviously about the leadership, but it's also about the professionalism.

"They believe at Real Madrid that also for all the youngsters to see what Modric is doing at 39 years old is the perfect example for the new generations. And so it's something really, really valuable for Real Madrid in terms of performances because Modric is still making the difference but also in terms of approach, in terms of mentality for modern football.

"This is why the feeling is that Real Madrid and Modric can really continue together at least for one more season until the World Cup 2026. It's not time for decisions now. It's not time to close any deal in this moment. But in terms of feeling between Modric and between Real Madrid, it's very positive."

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Barcelona want to sell Roque

Romano then reiterated that Barcelona are ready to sell Vitor Roque to Palmeiras but acknowledged that the final decision is in the hands of loan club Real Betis as their new striker signing Cucho Hernandez is not registered for the Conference League.

"For Vitor Roque, Barcelona have given the green light to Palmeiras. So the 'here we go' could come really soon. Agreement Barcelona-Palmeiras for Roque on a permanent transfer for a €25 million transfer fee and 20% sell-on clause. So everything is agreed. What's missing now?

"Betis have the player on loan from Barca, yes, but with a buy option and also their new signing in the attacking position in January, Cucho Hernandez, can't play European football. So that's why for Betis it's really important to clarify what they want to do.

"If they want to give the green light to this move or not, that's the crucial part of the story and probably compensation could be important to get the green light and let Roque go back to Brazil, go to Palmeiras. Roque is leaving Barcelona for sure in any case, he's out of the project at the club."

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No talks between De Bruyne and Man City

Next up, Romano confirmed that Kevin de Bruyne leaving Man City is a 'concrete' possibility as there are still no talks over a contract extension.

"It will be a busy year and busy summer for Man City because Man City will change a lot of things. Many players are expected to leave, for example, I think the situation of Ederson at Man City will be assessed again, there are also other players.

"We already mentioned Jack Grealish in January as a potential name to watch for the summer transfer window. There are chances for Grealish to leave Man City in the summer transfer window. Today I wanted to focus also on Kevin De Bruyne.

"It's not the best season possible for Kevin de Bruyne, for Man City in general. So what's the situation now? The contract is expiring in the summer and, as of today, Man City and De Bruyne are not talking about a new deal.

"So when you arrive almost in March and you still don't have a conversation over a new contract, it really means that the opportunity to go and part ways is really, really concrete. De Bruyne is also aware of the situation.

"When you see in the media that De Bruyne already received information from Man City about being out of their plans, I'm told that this is not correct because Man City are not doing this kind of job now in February or March. But in the next weeks, the expectation is to talk between them and to see De Bruyne probably trying something different.

"He had interest from MLS. MLS is a strong possibility for De Bruyne. He also had interest from Saudi. There are several opportunities, several chances for De Bruyne. We have to wait and see what he decides to do. It's also about the family. He always mentions that. So it's a life decision, not just a sporting decision."

Alonso remains Real Madrid's top target

Romano also once again stated that Real Madrid view Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso as their ideal next coach.

"What I wanted to tell you on Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid is something very simple and clear. If Alonso decides to go to Real Madrid, and obviously Real Madrid decide to go for Alonso as their future coach, in that case Bayer Leverkusen will not block the move.

"So everything is in the hands, first of all, of Real Madrid and then Xabi, if they decide to advance and proceed together. It's not going to be a problem to get the green light from Bayer Leverkusen because of the relationship between Xabi and Bayer Leverkusen.

"Now it depends on Real Madrid. Real Madrid are fully focused on the present. Real Madrid are respecting Ancelotti and waiting for Ancelotti to complete the season. And then we will see. The favourite manager for Florentino Perez, the president, is Alonso for the future.

"Alonso is more than appreciated. They really like Xabi, they believe Xabi is a top coach, Florentino loves Xabi as a person, as a coach, as a Real Madrid-style man, so for sure, Alonso is the candidate in case they decide to change in the summer. But at the moment, again, waiting and trusting Ancelotti."

Xavi and Ten Hag ready to return for the new season

Finally, Romano addressed the situations of coaches Xavi and Erik ten Hag, who are both currently out of a job.

"It's true that Xavi would love to return to work in the summer, so from the new season, so keep an eye on Xavi Hernandez because Xavi could be one of the names to watch in the manager's market.

"In the summer after he left Barcelona, he decided to take some time [off]. Despite the rumours we had of Man Utd, he was never really close to the Man Utd job. The top target for Man United was Ruben Amorim. They never made any official contact with Xavi.

"Also Juventus, we had rumours, [but] Juventus and Xavi never made any sort of contact. But Xavi can be an interesting candidate for other jobs in the summer transfer window because he's ready, he's now fully recharged after difficult, tough years at Barcelona.

"And then Erik ten Hag, speaking to SEG Stories, he confirmed that now he's not taking any job. There were rumours about Borussia Dortmund, but Ten Hag is not taking any job now, mid-season, so he's really relaxed, recharging also in this case, preparing and studying for the future.

"Ten Hag wants to be back in the summer. He announced that he's ready to restart eventually from July, not now, so let's wait, let's see also what happens with Ten Hag, what kind of projects there will be on the table."