Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Williams Arsenal DECISION, Guardiola's Wirtz DREAM, Ancelotti SACK

Tom Weber

• 10 Apr 2025 00:21 CDT
• 6 min read

News

Fabrizio Romano has provided some massive updates on the biggest transfer stories from around Europe, including the latest on Nico Williams, Florian Wirtz and Carlo Ancelotti.

Wirtz is Man City's dream target

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano revealed that Florian Wirtz is Pep Guardiola's dream target for Man City.

READ MORE: Arsenal win Gyokeres race with sensational contract offer - Chelsea and Man Utd beaten

"Man City are already discussing internally some ideas, some potential targets to replace Kevin De Bruyne and the dream target they have in mind is Florian Wirtz, who is a wonderful player, of course.

"Dream target because he would probably be the perfect player in the idea of Man City to replace De Bruyne, but dream target also because it's not an easy story at all. Wirtz has a new contract proposal on the table since the end of February from Bayer Leverkusen. That proposal is still valid on the table.

"So Leverkusen are patiently confident to have an answer soon from Wirtz. It's a new contract proposal with an important salary and with a release clause included. So basically what Leverkusen are telling Wirtz is, 'Stay with us for one more season, play the World Cup as a Leverkusen player in one year, have the opportunity to still be the star of Leverkusen, and then in 2026 you will have a release clause in case you want to go to any other club.'

"Now it's up to Wirtz whether to sign that contract or maybe say, 'No, I want to leave now.' In case Wirtz decides to stay, he signs the contract and game over. Otherwise, he has opportunities, of course. One is Man City because Man City appreciate Wirtz, because Man City know his situation, Man City know people close to the player, his father is taking care of the situation, so Man City are following that story closely.

"For Man City, it's not easy also because there is Bayern. Bayern, in Germany, obviously, we know the influence, we know the power. Bayern, internally, at the highest level, and when I say the highest level, those who really decide things in the management, they believe that Wirtz has to be a Bayern player. It means that they have to do everything in their power to make it happen.

"Obviously, it's up to the player, it's up to the negotiations with Leverkusen. It doesn't mean that it's going to happen, but Bayern will try with all their possible efforts, financially, with their technical project, to convince the player to sign for them. Whether it's this year or in one year, Bayern want to be there. Bayern want to recreate Wirtz-Musiala, the dream couple of the German national team."

READ MORE: Victor Osimhen makes Chelsea transfer decision

Alonso to Real Madrid inevitable

Roman then addressed the situation of Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid and his inevitable replacement Xabi Alonso.

"One day, Xabi Alonso will be Real Madrid manager. It could be this summer, could be next summer. We will see what happens with Ancelotti. Of course, it's not an easy moment for Real Madrid after losing the game with Valencia in LaLiga.

"Complicated situation now in the LaLiga table for Real Madrid. And then in Champions League with Arsenal, there is the return game. So let's see what happens there. We know Real Madrid can do magic things. But after a 3-0, obviously, the situation is quite difficult. But for sure, the feeling of those internally at Real Madrid is that one day Alonso will be there.

"I told you one year ago, if Alonso didn't join any club, Bayern or any other one year ago, it's because Alonso knows that one day he will go to Real Madrid. So Alonso is now focused on Leverkusen, but he knows that Real Madrid have prepared a plan for him to be the coach.

"Florentino Perez sees Alonso as an excellent coach, but also the style of Alonso is really appreciated. And so Xabi remains absolutely on the shortlist of Real Madrid as target number one, two and three. So, let's keep following the situation, but also let's respect Ancelotti, who still has the opportunity to change his personal story at Real Madrid after being a legend of the club and of the game."

Arsenal confident over double deal

Next up, Romano provided an update on Arsenal's contract talks with Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

"Arsenal are talking to the representatives of the players, no rush because both of them want to stay, both of them are very happy at Arsenal. Arsenal are preparing this contract, now there is a new director, Andrea Berta, who is taking care of the process. So it's obvious it takes some time to have a new director, speak with the agents, speak with the players, prepare the pathway and everything.

"But absolutely total confidence to get the new contracts done. Arsenal are working on that. And so Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly fully expected to sign. The direction is very clear. What they're doing with their academy is absolutely impressive."

Williams will take his time to decide

Lastly, Romano confirmed that Nico Williams has yet to make a decision on his future amid interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and others.

"Last summer, Arsenal, Barcelona, and also Chelsea, these three clubs tried to sign Nico Williams, but the player decided to stay at Athletic Club. One of the reasons why he decided to stay is obviously he loves the club, he loves the city, his family is there, so the relationship, the feeling between Nico and Athletic Club Bilbao is excellent.

"But also, they have the Europa League final in Bilbao at San Mames and they hope to be there. Basically, what they feel at Athletic Club is that the player will not entertain any negotiation now. So, forget about Williams committing to any move now. Nico is going to be fully focused on Athletic, fully focused on the Europa League, LaLiga and everything with Athletic Club.

"Closer to the end of the season, he will make a decision on his future. His agents are obviously working on his future. They had contacts with Arsenal. They know about Chelsea's interest. Let's see what Barcelona decide to do. Arsenal will sign a striker but will also sign a winger and Williams is considered the perfect player by Mikel Arteta.

"But also Chelsea appreciate the player, so there are several clubs interested in Nico. It's going to be a big race. Arsenal will be there for sure, but not only them. But to convince the player and get the green light from the player, it's going to take time. They will need to respect the timing of the player."