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Analysis
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Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Bruno Fernandes release clause, Nicolas Jackson Chelsea return truth
Tom Weber
- Updated: 20 Dec 2025 23:21 GMT
- 6 min read
News
Fabrizio Romano has provided some massive updates on the biggest transfer stories from around Europe, including the latest on Bruno Fernandes, Nicolas Jackson and Dayot Upamecano.
Bayern in contract talks with Upamecano, Gnabry
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano confirmed that Bayern are pushing hard to get Dayot Upamecano and Serge Gnabry to sign new contracts.
"Don't forget the future of Dayot Upamecano, the centre-back of Bayern. Because Bayern, financially, I will not enter into details, but Bayern have made a really, really, really good financial proposal to Upamecano in terms of money, in terms of contract, in terms of project.
"Manager Vincent Kompany is directly involved. Bayern, in recent days, after new direct contacts with the agents of Upamecano, have made a really good proposal financially to the French defender. Upamecano is taking his time to consider his options.
"Paris Saint-Germain are one of the clubs attentive to the Upamecano situation. It's not only PSG, there are more clubs keeping a close eye on the situation. Bayern made their proposal, they are waiting for an answer.
"Bayern will not wait forever, of course, they want an answer as soon as possible, but at the moment, the proposal is still fresh, so they are waiting for Upamecano. He's out of contract in summer 2026, and so that could be an interesting situation in case he decides not to sign a new deal.
"Serge Gnabry, the Bayern winger, is also expected to sign a new contract very soon. The agreement, in this case, is considered close. Still some details to clarify, and then Gnabry is expected to put pen to paper and sign a new deal at FC Bayern."
Jackson to be sold by Chelsea
Romano also addressed the situation of Nicolas Jackson at Bayern and what the future will hold once he returns to Chelsea.
"Now, obviously, there is the AFCON. So we will see from February, March, how is going to be the situation of Jackson at Bayern. The obligation to buy will not happen. They still have an option to buy for Jackson.
"But at the moment, from Bayern, the intention to spend that huge amount of money [€65 million] for Jackson is something that people at the club don't see as realistic. It will depend on what Jackson will do in the second half of the season.
"Maybe Jackson will be very important for Bayern, and in that case, they can try to negotiate. Otherwise, it could be complicated to spend that money on Jackson. Eventually, Chelsea will look for a different solution because between Jackson and Chelsea, the story is considered over.
"I don't see any chances for Chelsea and Jackson to change their relationship and to continue together. That's not the case. From what I'm hearing, this situation for Jackson and Chelsea is completely over. [Emmanuel] Emegha is arriving from Strasbourg."
Fernandes has a release clause
Next up, Romano revealed that Bruno Fernandes has a release clause in his Man Utd contract.
"In January, I don't expect any movement despite all the interviews, all the quotes from Bruno. My expectation is not for Bruno to move in January. Bruno is expected to stay at Man Utd. We will see in summer 2026 what happens. From Saudi they are still interested.
"There is a release clause in the contract of Fernandes. And the clause is not valid for Premier League clubs. It's only valid for clubs from abroad.
It's slightly over €60m, so there would be the possibility for several clubs to attack. But in that case, it depends on what Bruno wants to do.
"Bruno said already in an interview a few days ago that he said no to Saudi, it was Al-Hilal in the summer transfer window. Bruno wanted to stay at Man Utd, but the clause is going to be still there in summer 2026.
"It's going to be up to Bruno to decide what he wants to do next and what's going to be the mission for him on the transfer market for summer 2026. As of now, I can guarantee that the focus of Bruno is completely on Man Utd. Bruno wants to do his best for Man Utd.
"Then there is the World Cup with Portugal as well. But in terms of club football, Bruno only wants to focus on United. He is not planning any transfer. It's from Saudi that they are still very interested in Bruno, but it's not Bruno entertaining talks or opening discussions already for 2026."
Mainoo still wants to leave Man Utd
Lastly, Romano reiterated that Kobbie Mainoo remains keen to leave Man Utd in search of game time.
"Ruben Amorim made clear that the shirt, "Free Kobbie Mainoo," that the brother of Mainoo, Jordan, was wearing, he didn't see that, but he also said, I'm not going to sanction or punish Mainoo because of a shirt he was not even wearing, it was someone else from his family.
"It's not that Kobbie is going to play because of that, or he's not going to play because of that, so no consequences. What I can tell you is that Mainoo, in his mind, still has this desire to play more, still has this intention to go on loan, still has this plan to go play, develop, grow and then return to Man Utd.
"It's an opportunity for Man Utd to have a better player in the near future. It's an opportunity for the player to have a chance to go to the World Cup 2026 with England. So far, he has started zero games in the Premier League, and Kobbie doesn't want to be in this situation also for the second half of the season.
"We will see how the conversations will go because this story is up to Man Utd. From Napoli, they are really hoping for a solution. Napoli want Mainoo. It's more than 10 clubs, but Napoli, after [Scott] McTominay, after Rasmus Hojlund - they are both doing very good there - hope that they can have the opportunity to get also Mainoo from Man Utd.
"But this will be up to Man Utd and Amorim. So, Mainooo is waiting. Napoli are waiting. They are waiting to see what Man Utd will do. At the moment, still no sort of green light."
Football transfer news headlines today
FIFA blocks Mohamed Salah joining Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr
Amorim is right to challenge a Man Utd tradition the fans love
Everton can unlock striker problem as England star goes on the market
Nico Williams transfer bomb: Spain star ‘determined’ to move after 10-year deal agreed
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