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Analysis
- 1 hours ago
Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Xavi WANTS Man Utd, Southgate TRUTH, Wirtz UPDATE
Cameron Smith
- 28 Sept 2025 18:00 BST
- 6 min read
News
The 2025 summer window may be over, but there have been several movements in the market in recent days and Fabrizio Romano has dropped a major update on Xavi, Gareth Southgate and Florian Wirtz.
Ruben Amorim latest
Ruben Amorim has been heavily linked with a Manchester United departure in recent weeks, but Romano has confirmed that a decision is unlikely to take place anytime soon.
“The situation around Ruben Amorim remains quite the same, with Man Utd showing support and trusting the manager. But, at the same time, Man Utd, and especially the co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, intend to see developments and they intend to follow the situation on a daily basis,” Romano told his YouTube channel.
“Ratcliffe has been very present in recent weeks to see what's working and what's not working - [such as] before the Chelsea game and after the Chelsea game. Despite winning the game, Ratcliffe wants to understand the direction of the project and to be very present.
“So, for sure, the Man Utd situation remains one to follow because they can't continue like that. That's very clear.
“After the game against Brentford, Amorim was again asked about the system. [But] Amorim has no intention to change anything just because people are telling him to change.
“This remains the mentality and this will not change. This is what Amorim is telling people close to him. If he wants to change something it’s because he has a feeling that is the right moment to change. He doesn't want to change just because of the media pressure.”
Gareth Southgate to Man Utd?
Gareth Southgate is among the favourites to replace Amorim if he is sacked by Man Utd and Romano has revealed why the ex-England manager is on the Red Devils’ radar.
“On Man Utd, we have started to have several stories, several rumours on a potential new manager and on a potential replacement for Amorim,” Romano said.
“Let me start talking about one name: Gareth Southgate. Southgate has always been in the rumours and he was one of the names on the shortlist before they decided to continue with Erik ten Hag.
“Why Southgate? Because he has a very good relationship with people close to Ineos and with influential important people at Ineos. He's appreciated by people at Ineos this is why the link is always around for Man Utd.
“Now, what I can tell you is there are still no active conversations or active talks for Southgate to become the new Manchester United manager. I am sure that from what I'm told if Man Utd decide to change at any point, Southgate could be one of the candidates, but it's not just Southgate.There could be more managers eventually interested in the Manc Utd job and on their shortlist.
“He's a potential candidate in case they decide to change, but it’s not something guaranteed, not something in conversation is not something advanced.
“Let's also respect Amorim and let's respect the timing of Man Utd to decide what they want to do with their manager.”
Al-Ittihad’s target Xavi, but he wants Man Utd!
Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad have shortlisted Barcelona legend Xavi as a potential replacement for Laurent Blanc, but Romano has confirmed that he is aiming to join Man Utd.
“Al-Ittihad are looking for a new manager as they have fired the coach Laurent Blanc,” Romano explained.
“They won the league last season and this season the controlling people at Al-Ittihad decided to fire the manager after they lost against Al-Nassr. Who will be the new coach? There are some candidates and three names are now being considered. One is Xavi Hernandez.
“The former Barcelona manager is one of the names being discussed internally. There is still nothing advanced at this point, but he’s one of the names. I can guarantee to you, as I also get many questions about Xavi and Man Utd, that Xavi is studying Premier League. Xavi is monitoring the Premier League and Xavi would go immediately to Man Utd even without European football.
“He would go immediately to the Premier League and he would love a Premier League opportunity. But, at the moment, again, nothing at all.
“Luciano Spalletti is another candidate for Al-Ittihad and there's been direct contact between Spalletti and Al-Ittihad to ask and understand the situation.
“Another name they have on the short list is Sergio Conceicao - the former AC Milan and Porto manager. Conceicao would be keen on a move to Al-Ittihad but at the moment there is still nothing done or accepted.
“Al-Ittihad are deciding internally and keep an eye on this one because it could influence some of the candidates eventually for the Man Utdjob if Man Utd decide to change.”
Florian Wirtz truth
Finally, Romano also clarified the truth about Liverpool’s opinion of Florian Wirtz after a difficult start to life at Anfield.
“I also wanted to mention the situation of Florian Wirtz because I'm getting some questions from Liverpool fans asking me what the Liverpool feeling on Wirtz is.
“Liverpool remain very calm, very confident and very optimistic,” Romano admitted. “They know that Wirtz is not the player we've seen in the first weeks in the Premier League. He might need some time to adapt to a new league and a different approach in the Premier League. But they have zero doubts on Wirtz.
“They see how he's training, they see how serious he is, a hard worker, and Liverpool maintain their absolute confidence in Wirtz.
“They will keep protecting him, trusting him and playing him for sure. Arne Slot has no intention to change and Wirtz remains a crucial piece of the Liverpool project.
“The start was not the one expected for sure, but Liverpool keep protecting Wirtz and Slot is talking directly to him almost on a daily basis to try to support him in the best way possible. So Liverpool are not changing their mind, Liverpool remain very confident and are convinced that it's just a matter of time before we see the real Wirtz.”
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