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Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Vinicius Jr to Chelsea BOMB, Baleba to Man Utd UPDATE, Arsenal PLANS
Cameron Smith
- 17 Nov 2025 09:43 GMT
- 8 min read
News
Football transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has dropped a major update on several key developments ahead of the January window, including the latest on Vinicius Junior, Carlos Baleba and Arsenal.
Niclas Fullkrug to leave West Ham
West Ham United are expected to be fairly active during the January transfer window in a bid to avoid relegation and Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Niclas Fullkrug is set to leave the club amid his struggles since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund.
“Let me start from a player who is set to leave his club in this January transfer window, and that’s Niclas Fullkrug. It’s over between West Ham and the German striker,” Romano revealed in his latest YouTube video.
Current ETV
Niclas Füllkrug
F (C)
West Ham
Niclas Füllkrug
F (C)
West Ham
ETV Range
€9.9M - €12.1M
“A very difficult first part of the season for West Ham in general, with Graham Potter fired and Nuno Espírito Santo the new manager. The players, apart from a few of them, are not performing as expected. One of these players is Fullkrug, who joined West Ham United one year ago and is now already out of the project.
“So Fullkrug will leave West Ham in the January transfer window looking for opportunities, looking for the opportunity to be a starter. That’s a very important point for Fullkrug, who wants to play, who wants to feel comfortable with the new project he’s going to pick.
“There are some possibilities in Germany, some opportunities in Italy. So let’s see what’s going to happen with this striker who was wanted by several clubs, then signed by West Ham United one year ago, and is now ready to make a new chapter, ready to make a new step in his career by leaving West Ham in this January transfer window.
“So it’s over between Fullkrug and West Ham. It’s going to be one to watch, one that is not confirmed at this stage.”
Vinicius Jr or Rodrygo to join Chelsea?
Real Madrid superstar duo Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo have both been linked with a blockbuster move to Chelsea in recent weeks, however Romano has poured cold water on such claims.
He admitted: “I wanted to talk with you guys about Chelsea because we had reports from Brazil about Rodrygo and I told you, ‘No, this deal is not true. There are no talks, no conversations’.
“From what I’m told, Rodrygo is not even on the list at Chelsea. So at the moment there is absolutely zero in these reports on Rodrygo and Chelsea.
“From Spain in recent days, we also saw links between Vinicius Jr and Chelsea. Some links in Spain, some reports in Spain, saying that Vini is probably one of the players being considered by Chelsea in case he decides to leave Real Madrid.
“Guys, what I can tell you is that also in this case, similar to Rodrygo, for a reason that is not the quality of these players - it’s not about liking or not liking players like Rodrygo or Vinicius as these are fantastic players - but Chelsea are going in a different direction.
“Chelsea are going in the direction of Estevao. Chelsea are going in the direction of Cole Palmer. Chelsea are going in the direction of the new signings I told you with an exclusive story two days ago: Deinner Ordonez.
“Chelsea are going in that direction. Talented players, of course, also important players ready to make an impact, but opportunities. In the case of these names, the salaries, the cost of the eventual deals would be massive. Chelsea are going in a different direction.”
Romano continued: “I always say: remember the Victor Osimhen deal from summer 2024. Chelsea had conversations to sign Osimhen in 2024, but then they decided not to proceed because they didn’t want to change the salary structure. So salary is something really important when you mention Chelsea and when you mention transfer news about Chelsea. Don’t forget the direction they’re going.
“That’s really, really important. So zero in these stories for Rodrygo and also for Vinicius Jr.”
Arsenal target new contracts
Meanwhile, Arsenal have turned their attention to finalising deals with their existing stars following an extremely busy few months of recruitment.
“For Arsenal, guys, the focus is on contracts because Arsenal did a fantastic job in the summer transfer window,” Romano said. “Arsenal will have a new man as part of their recruitment team, and he’s going to come from Italy. Same as Andrea Berta, who was the director at Atletico Madrid but is Italian. And another Italian man is coming to Arsenal, and that is Maurizio Micheli.
“Maurizio Micheli is one of the key figures at Napoli. Now he’s going to leave the club with immediate effect. He’s already communicated his intention to go to Arsenal. Micheli is one of those men who, together with the former director Cristiano Giuntoli, helped Napoli build some of their best signings in recent years - such as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Kim Min-jae. Always a leading figure when it’s time to scout players and decide who is the right signing.
“Meanwhile, Arsenal are working on new contracts. For Arsenal, contracts are very, very important. We saw that because they extended the contract of William Saliba. They did a very good job with Myles Lewis-Skelly and with Ethan Nwaneri. So Arsenal are always on point when it’s about new contracts and I wanted to mention three more.
“For Bukayo Saka, Arsenal are making very good progress. There is a negotiation ongoing, but the exchange is quite positive between Arsenal and Saka’s camp over a new contract. Saka wants to stay. Arsenal obviously want Saka to stay. So the conversation is very good at this stage between Saka and Arsenal.
“Jurrien Timber: conversations underway between the Dutch defender and Arsenal over a new contract. So also in this case, talks are ongoing. Arteta is a big fan of the player. Timber is helping in several positions. Arsenal believe that his potential is still huge. He is already doing fantastic, but he can do even better in the future. And so Arsenal want to give him a new deal as soon as possible, and the conversation is well underway with Saka and with Timber.
“So let’s follow these two situations because Arsenal are really working hard on them,” Romano added.
“And then what’s next? Now the priorities are Saka and Timber. Don’t forget that they also gave a new salary to David Raya - same length of the contract but higher salary to make him happy. He was already happy, but to make him happier and reward him as he deserved, as Raya is doing fantastic for Arsenal this season and not only.
“After all of this, not today or tomorrow as it’s going to take time, but in Arsenal’s plans there is also the idea to offer a new contract to Declan Rice. Arsenal also want to discuss with Rice and offer him a new deal. It’s part of the plans, it’s part of the conversation. So let’s follow that situation because also Rice is going to be one of the names being mentioned internally for a new, deserved contract.”
Man Utd still want Carlos Baleba
Finally, Romano once again confirmed that Brighton & Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba remains a top target for Man Utd.
“I want to close this video with midfielders, guys, as many of you keep asking me. There is a lot of confusion in the media: who is the dream target for Manchester United in midfield?
“My information, guys, remains that there are several names, and we will discuss all of them in the videos these days. But I keep telling you that Man Utd want Carlos Baleba and Baleba wants to go to Man Utd,” Romano clarified.
Current ETV
Carlos Baleba
DM, M (C)
Brighton
Carlos Baleba
DM, M (C)
Brighton
ETV Range
€60.2M - €73.6M
“The conversation with the player and his agency is very good. In August, Brighton didn’t want to sell the player. In January, it is likely to be a difficult deal again because Brighton insist on not selling the player. But for the summer, let’s say for 2026, Man Utd see Baleba as a priority target.
“I gave you a video last summer saying Baleba will remain a target if the deal doesn’t happen now. Man Utd want to insist on the deal in 2026, and that remains the case. Man Utd still want Baleba and Baleba is still very keen on a move to Man Utd.
“So, Baleba is a name we have to keep very high on Man Utd’s shortlist for the midfield.”
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