Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Chelsea and Man Utd WANT Mastantuono, Alonso to Real Madrid

Tom Weber

Updated: 29 Apr 2025 14:53 CDT
7 min read

Franco Mastantuono, Fabrizio Romano, Xabi Alonso — © IMAGO

Fabrizio Romano has provided some massive updates on the biggest transfer stories from around Europe, including the latest on Franco Mastantuono, Jonathan Tah and Xabi Alonso.

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Ancelotti set for Brazil

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano announced that Carlo Ancelotti has reached an agreement to become the head coach of Brazil's men's national team.

"Now it is confirmed, the agreement between Carlo Ancelotti and the Brazilian federation to become the new head coach of the national team for the World Cup 2026. As always reported, the agreement is valid from the end of the season. So it was never, ever possible to see Ancelotti doing the Club World Cup for Real Madrid and then going to become the new Brazil coach.

"Why? Because Brazil always made it clear in their conversations that they wanted their new coach to be ready for the first week of June, when they will start this new chapter with the new coach after Dorival Junior. So the message was very clear. Ancelotti was obviously aware of that. And now Ancelotti has decided to accept the proposal from Brazil.

"Now, in terms of timing, we all wait, and also the Brazilian Federation wait for Real Madrid to proceed with the exit process for Ancelotti. They will do it in a super nice way with a beautiful farewell. They have an excellent relationship, Florentino Perez, all people at Real Madrid and Ancelotti, so maximum respect.

"They will say goodbye in the best way possible and then Ancelotti will sign for Brazil. He will be one of the best-paid national team coaches in the world. Some sources close to the Brazilian federation even say he will be the best-paid in the world as national team head coach. So a big opportunity to do the World Cup, a very important contract, a nice chance, something new in the fantastic career of Ancelotti."

Real Madrid to push for Alonso

With Ancelotti out of the picture, Real Madrid are expected to appoint Xabi Alonso as his successor.

"Real Madrid are expected to proceed with Xabi Alonso as the new head coach. Real Madrid and especially the president Perez are in love with Alonso. The contract agreement will not be a problem.

"The green light from Xabi will not be a problem. So Alonso feels ready to be the new Real Madrid head coach. Now it's about formal steps. So Alonso needs to meet Bayer Leverkusen. Real Madrid need to contact Leverkusen and inform them about their decision to go for Alonso.

"So we have to wait for these steps. But the idea, the intention, is clear since one year ago when Alonso said no to Bayern to stay at Leverkusen and then opened doors to a future move to Real Madrid, where Perez has always been waiting for him."

Chelsea, Man Utd interested in Mastantuono

Next up, Romano addressed the situation of River Plate wonderkid Franco Mastantuono, who previously held talks with Real Madrid.

"Franco Mastantuono, this boy is really special. The release clause is there, we know about that. It's something around 41 million plus taxes and it's probably the only way to convince River Plate to sell Mastantuono. That's the very clear message.

"My understanding is that Real Madrid, from the point of view of the agent's side - commission, total package of the Mastantuono deal - already a few months ago, when they had meetings around October, November, December, they were not so happy with that package. So that's why Real Madrid, at the moment, are not proceeding, despite the reports, for Mastantuono.

"They know the player, they like the player but at the current conditions - and it's not just about the clause, it's also about the player's side - Real Madrid are still not proceeding. English clubs are interested. Chelsea, Man Utd, all these clubs are well informed on the situation of Mastantuono.

"He'll be one to watch for sure, but it's an open race because you need to pay the clause, you need to convince the player, and you need also to reach an agreement with the agents. It's a deal that needs a big structure before saying it's done."

Flick to sign Barcelona extension

Romano then provided an update on Hansi Flick's contract situation at Barcelona.

"Big moment for Barcelona. They won the Copa del Rey against Real Madrid, fighting for La Liga, semi-final Champions League against Inter. A big moment for Hansi Flick, who is doing a fantastic job. Two titles available, Super Cup and Copa del Rey, he won both of them, still competing for the rest.

"The expectation is for Flick to sign a new deal at the end of the season. So it will take a few weeks before they sort the final details with Barcelona. But this is not something new. It's the clear intention of president [Joan] Laporta, of sporting director Deco, who is always very much underrated in this story.

"Deco really wanted Flick at Barcelona. Deco did special work to build something around Flick, together with the coach. Laporta, Deco, Flick himself, he wants to continue at Barcelona. They want to be all together. This contract was never a problem, ow it's about fixing the details of the deal.

"One more season from 2026 to 2027. Flick will stay next season and the following one with the contract at Barcelona. Everything is set, just working on the lawyers, the details and all of this. Everything will be sorted at the end of the season, so there are no doubts on Flick extending his contract at Barcelona."

Tah to Barcelona not done

Regarding Flick's compatriot Jonathan Tah, Romano reiterated that despite talks with Barcelona, a deal is not done yet.

"My information is that the Jonathan Tah deal is not done with Barca. They've been in conversations for a long time with Tah, available as a free agent, German player, well known by Flick, same agent as Flick. But the plan was maybe [Ronald] Araujo leaves in January to Juventus and they need one more centre-back.

"Tah was perfect, but then Barcelona knew that Araujo wanted to extend his contract. Then you have Araujo, [Pau] Cubarsi, [Andreas] Christensen, Eric Garcia, and all the others at the centre-back position, obviously including also Inigo Martinez, who extended his contract. It's very clear that they have many centre-backs.

"So Barca need to decide whether they want to proceed for Tah or not. But at the moment, it's not a done deal yet. It's still a conversation, but still not a done deal. My understanding is that also Bayern maintain their interest in Tah. Of course, German player, a player they wanted one year ago.

Barcelona not in for Grimaldo

Lastly, Romano dismissed reports that Barcelona are looking to re-sign La Masia graduate Alejandro Grimaldo from Bayer Leverkusen.

"Many Barcelona fans are asking me about rumours on Barcelona negotiating to sign Grimaldo, €35m, €40m. My understanding is that Barca are not in negotiations for Grimaldo. I'm not aware of talks, I'm not aware of negotiations, and my understanding is that Barcelona want to sign a right-back in the summer.

"Barcelona are looking for a right-back in the summer, not for a left-back in this moment, also because they have Alejandro Balde, Gerard Martin. So to spend big money on a fantastic left-back like Grimaldo, who is a special player but still a very expensive one, in this moment, Barcelona have different plans."

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