Tom Weber
Tom Weber
Updated: 21 Jan 2026 14:50 GMT
6 min read
Mikel Arteta, Fabrizio Romano, Michael Carrick
© IMAGO
Fabrizio Romano has provided some massive updates on the biggest transfer stories from around Europe, including the latest on Ethan Nwaneri, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Vinicius Jr.
Marseille sign Nwaneri
Ethan Nwaneri
© IMAGO - Ethan Nwaneri
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano confirmed that Marseille are set to sign Feyenoord's Quinten Timber and Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri.
"Olympique Marseille closed two deals. Quinten Timber is confirmed for €4.5 million to Feyenoord. Timber is in Marseille today to become a new Olympique Marseille player, and with him, Ethan Nwaneri is joining the club from Arsenal.
"Deal agreed yesterday between Nwaneri, Marseille and Arsenal. Remember, this is very important, that Mikel Arteta spoke directly with Roberto De Zerbi and then told Nwaneri that the best solution is Marseille. Nwaneri knows that De Zerbi can help in terms of development, in terms of game time.
"Remember also that there is a no-buy option clause in this deal, so Nwaneri will be back at Arsenal at the end of the season. There is a kind of penalty clause linked to the loan fee. So the loan fee number will be flexible based on the appearance of the player. So this can go up to €3.5m-€4m based on the appearances of Nwaneri."
Bournemouth agree Rayan deal
Rayan
© IMAGO - Rayan
Next up, Romano revealed that Bournemouth have agreed a deal with Vasco da Gama to sign Rayan.
"This could be an important day for Bournemouth because they are signing a fantastic talent, and so maybe Bournemouth fans will remember this day for a long time. Bournemouth have agreed a deal to sign Rayan, a winger, very talented Brazilian winger, young player wanted by several clubs around Europe.
"Bayern have been interested in Rayan, but as an investment for the future, not to bring the player immediately. They had his name in the shortlist of the scouting team. More clubs also in Italy and in England were interested, but Bournemouth, with fresh money after all the sales they did in recent years, now are ready to close the deal for Rayan.
"€35m to Vasco da Gama, agreement with the player and with the family of the player receiving a part of the transfer fee. And so Rayan to Bournemouth is a here we go, is a huge signing for Bournemouth, waiting for medical tests and contract signing."
Mateta wants to leave Palace
Jean-Philippe Mateta
© IMAGO - Jean-Philippe Mateta
Romano also confirmed that Jean-Philippe Mateta has informed Crystal Palace that he wants to leave the club this month.
"The decision of Jean-Philippe Mateta has been communicated today to Crystal Palace. After negotiations - Mateta, Juventus, Mateta, Aston Villa. After Crystal Palace rejected a bid from Juventus for a loan with an obligation to buy around €28m-29m, and then rejected also an approach from Aston Villa, Mateta and his agents today told Crystal Palace that the player wants to go, the player wants to try a different chapter.
"Mateta made clear that he wants to leave and asked to leave the club in this January transfer window. Now, it's Crystal Palace deciding whether they want to keep the player, but he's not going to sign a new contract at the club. It's expiring in 2027.
"Palace are now facing an important decision. They can keep him, but the player wants to go, and his contract won't be extended. Or they can let the player go with Juventus and also Aston Villa interested in the French striker. Aston Villa are also talking to Besiktas for Tammy Abraham. They have an agreementon personal terms. Still no agreement with Besiktas."
Loftus-Cheek truth
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
© IMAGO - Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Regarding the situation of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Romano dismissed links with Man Utd but corroborated that Aston Villa are interested.
"Aston Villa also have genuine interest in Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Loftus-Cheek has been linked with Man Utd in the recent days as a potential secret option for the midfield. I'm not aware of contacts between Man Utd and Milan.
"I'm not aware of contacts between Man Utd and the agents of Loftus-Cheek as of today. I'm told there is no secret between Man Utd and Loftus-Cheek. Aston Villa, without any secret, approached the player, also approached AC Milan.
"They have an interest in Loftus-Cheek because [Boubacar] Kamara is injured. So they are trying to enter this deal for Loftus-Cheek. Milan have already started some initial conversations with Loftus-Cheek over a new contract at the club."
Barelona closing in on Abdelkarim
Hamza Abdelkarim (right)
© IMAGO - Hamza Abdelkarim (right)
Barcelona are closing in on a deal to sign Al-Ahly youngster Hamza Abdelkarim after reigniting talks, according to Romano.
"Abdelkarim Hamza, this talented striker from Al-Ahly, Barcelona are very close to getting the deal done. Talks are back underway. There are still some small details to sort, and then Hamza is expected to leave Al-Ahly in Egypt and join Barcelona.
"This is a signing for the academy. This is a signing for Barcelona B. This is not a signing for the first team immediately, but he's a player considered with huge potential. For the player, it's a dream to go to Barcelona, so he immediately said yes to this possibility."
Vinicius Jr wants to stay at Real Madrid
Vinicius Jr
© IMAGO - Vinicius Jr
Lastly, Romano spoke about Vinicius Jr and his Real Madrid future.
"Important quotes by Vinicius Junior after the game, after his Man of the Match performance against Monaco in the Champions League. 'I want to stay at Real Madrid for a long time.' Important message by Vini, important because it's public, because it's very strong after a difficult moment, after the boos from the Bernabeu a few days ago.
"So, a powerful message by Vini, but don't forget the part when Vini speaks about Florentino Perez. After what happened with [Diego] Simeone in the Super Cup - Simeone was telling him, 'Florentino will kick you out of Real Madrid.' This is not the reality. Probably Simeone was just saying that to create some tension.
"But the reality is that Florentino wants Vinicius to stay. Florentino wants Vinicius to sign a new contract. Florentino loves Vinicius and wants him to stay. Vinicius also said, 'I know the president loves me. I know the president wants me here. And I have great relationship with the president.'
"It's no coincidence that Vinicius was mentioning Florentino yesterday because he knows how Florentino has been close to him, even in difficult moments under Xabi Alonso in the recent months. Now, the new contract remains on the table. It's on Vinicius to decide. It's also a financial, technical decision. But sending that message, I want to stay at Real Madrid, is for sure an important indication."
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