Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Semenyo Man Utd BOMB, Maresca Chelsea LATEST, Barcelona SIGNING

Tom Weber

• 20 Dec 2025 07:02 GMT
• 7 min read

News

Fabrizio Romano has provided some massive updates on the biggest transfer stories from around Europe, including the latest on Antoine Semenyo, Enzo Maresca and Endrick.

Endrick to Lyon practically done

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano confirmed that Endrick's January loan move from Real Madrid to Lyon is on the verge of completion.

"What I can tell you is that the deal for Endrick to Olympique Lyon will happen. So it's about the final details; it can be at any moment. But Endrick to Lyon is set to become reality in January 2026.

"Straight loan, I also expect a clause to be included in the deal - not by option clause, not a buy obligation clause because Endrick will be back at Real Madrid in summer 2026 - but a clause for an extra extra payment to Real Madrid if Endrick doesn't play a certain number of games.

"They want guaranteed game time for Endrick, the player, Real Madrid, and so the direction is very clear. Endrick already spoke to Paulo Fonseca, and so I fully expect Endrick to be one of the first names of the January transfer window to join Lyon."

Semenyo clause expires on 10 January

Next up, Romano revealed the latest on Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo, including the expiration date of his release clause.

"There is a clause, £65 million. It's going to be valid until the beginning of January. It is not official, it's a private document, but sources say around the 10th of January. That would be the expiry of the release clause for Semenyo from Bournemouth.

"A January move is expected to happen because, in November, Liverpool called to be informed on Semenyo. Liverpool appreciate the player, but at the moment, Liverpool have not made official contact with Bournemouth or with this camp to start negotiations.

"It was just a call in November to understand the structure of the release clause. Tottenham have been interested, but at this moment, what I can tell you is that after the last two, three days, at the moment, Tottenham are not advancing on this topic for Semenyo as of today.

"Then, the two clubs from Manchester. Man Utd and Man City both called for Semenyo. I can confirm that. Man City and Man United are both involved in the conversation for Semenyo.

"United are in the race eventually to have Semenyo to play in different positions. He can play in the current system for Ruben Amorim, or eventually they can change the system, and Semenyo could still be an important player with a different kind of tactical approach.

"And then there is Man City, looking for a winger in 2026. Semenyo is not the only name on their shortlist. Man Utd already had Semenyo on their list in the summer, but then they invested in [Bryan] Mbeumo and [Matheus] Cunha.

"Amorim is a big fan of Semenyo, and Man City are also there, with their management very interested in the player. So City and United are fully involved, Liverpool made a call in November, Tottenham liked the player, but at the moment, the deal is still not advancing."

Maresca a contingency option for Man City

Romano also provided an update on the links of Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca to Man City as a potential replacement for Pep Guardiola.

"Pep Guardiola said in a very clear way that he's fully focused on Man City. He said, 'You always ask me about this question, if I can leave City or not at the end of the season, but maybe when I will be 75 or 76, I will be leaving Man City.'

"Of course, Pep is joking, but what I can tell you is that internally at Man City, what they are doing is just preparing a contingency plan in case Pep leaves in summer 2026. Is that decided? No. Is that guaranteed? No.

"But Enzo Maresca is part of a shortlist of managers appreciated by Man City. Let's call it an appreciation because at the moment there are no agreements, nothing done, nothing decided for Pep, for Enzo. That's the situation.

"Let's respect all these managers doing their hard job for Man City, for Chelsea. It's an appreciation, it's a contingency plan. Pep has not communicated anything, has not decided anything. Maresca, in a press conference, said that he can guarantee that he will be Chelsea manager next season.

"He said, 'I'm under contract in 2029,' and Enzo Maresca is doing a fantastic job at Chelsea. Some special nights for Chelsea, winning the Club World Cup, the Conference League, bringing Chelsea back to Champions League football, that night with Barcelona.

"Chelsea and Maresca, the situation has been excellent in terms of results so far. We have to say that. Then there is the appreciation from City, but as Maresca said, calm down, it's speculation."

Barca interested in Abdelkarim

Lastly, Romano corroborated reports from Spain and Egypt that Barcelona are negotiating a deal for Al-Ahly youngster Hamza Abdelkarim.

"Barcelona are always working on players for the future, and one of the names I wanted to mention is called Hamza. He's an Egyptian striker, 17 years old. He did very well in the U17 World Cup. Barcelona were monitoring and scouting the player at the U17 World Cup.

"They were very interested in this player. Despite some calls from France, from Germany, and also from Italy, Hamza has one dream, and this is to play for Barcelona. Hamza would be more than happy, more than excited to join Barcelona.

"Conversations already started between the agents of the player, the player himself and Barca. My understanding is that the deal would be for Barca Atletic. If Barcelona agree a deal with Al-Ahly, his club in Egypt, and eventually sign the player, it is not to play for the first team immediately.

"The conversation has been very positive on the player's side. He's dreaming of this opportunity. And then there is the club side, there is a conversation ongoing. Of course, it's not expected to be a crazy expensive deal, but he's a talent for the future, interesting to many clubs, and so Al-Ahly want to follow up with the negotiation in the best way possible for them. Barcelona are talking.

"Barca have been doing, let me say, a special job in terms of talents. Not just the talents they have at home, of course, with La Masia, but also, for example, Rooney Bardghji. Bardghji is a player who is now playing Champions League football, LaLiga football on a regular basis and was signed for a super cheap fee because this is also how [sporting director] Deco wants to work."

Football transfer news headlines today

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