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Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Smit LATEST, Man Utd CONFIRMATION, Real Madrid PLAN
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 30 Dec 2025 16:17 GMT
- 7 min read
News
Football transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has dropped an update on several major stories ahead of the January window, including the latest on Joshua Zirkzee, Kees Smit and Real Madrid.
Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace
Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a deal to sell Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace, although Romano has confirmed that a transfer has not yet been accepted by the player.
“The first one I wanted to mention is about Brennan Johnson,” he said in his latest YouTube video. “What’s happening is that there is an agreement in principle between Tottenham and Crystal Palace for a transfer fee of £33.5 million.
“So now Brennan Johnson has to decide whether he wants to go to Crystal Palace or wait for other opportunities.
Current ETV
Brennan Johnson
F, M (R)
Tottenham
Brennan Johnson
F, M (R)
Tottenham
ETV Range
€44.5M - €54.4M
“My understanding is that Bournemouth are also ready to pay the £33.5 million transfer fee, and Sunderland and Everton have both called in the last 24 hours for the player. So now Johnson has to decide what he wants to do in terms of a technical project, in terms of contract, in terms of the city. He’s based in London and with Crystal Palace he could stay in the same city.
“So let’s see what’s going to happen there. But Johnson is expected to leave Tottenham in the January transfer window.”
Oscar Bobb to leave Man City?
Oscar Bobb is another Premier League player who could be on the move in January, with a Man City exit understood to be on the cards.
“I expect Oscar Bobb to leave Man City, especially if and when Man City complete the deal for Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth,” Romano admitted.
“There is a club-to-club conversation between Borussia Dortmund and Man City about a loan with an option to buy. There are also clubs interested in England - Crystal Palace have called as well, before they had this progress for Johnson.
“I’m told there are more than four clubs interested in Bobb and so he could leave Man City, with Omar Marmoush expected to stay at the club.”
Joshua Zirkzee latest
Joshua Zirkzee has already agreed to leave Manchester United next month, but the club will not sanction a transfer unless they land a replacement, as per Romano.
He revealed: “The negotiations between Man Utd and Roma for Joshua Zirkzee continue. Zirkzee is prepared to go to Roma, he is very open to joining the Roma project, so he would be happy to return to Italy to be a regular starter under Gian Piero Gasperini.
“Man Utd and Roma are negotiating a loan with an obligation to buy. What I’m told is that Man Utd will only approve this solution for Zirkzee to leave the club if they can get a replacement.
“So Man Utd have started exploring the market again after they failed to reach an agreement with Antoine Semenyo. They are back in the market for an attacking player, because in that case Joshua Zirkzee could leave the club and go to Roma.
“We know about the midfield, but keep an eye also on that topic about the forward situation, with Joshua Zirkzee who could leave and join Roma.”
Real Madrid latest
Several Real Madrid stars have been tipped to leave the club in January, but Romano has emphatically poured cold water on such speculation.
“From what I’m told, for Real Madrid it is absolutely, absolutely impossible to see Franco Mastantuono leave the club in the January transfer window,” the transfer expert said.
“I know there have been reports on Napoli and I know there have been reports on a possibility to go on loan, but I’m told that this is absolutely impossible. There are no conversations, no negotiations, no talks.
“For Gonzalo García, talks about Juventus in Italy in recent days are not true from what I’m hearing. Real Madrid see Endrick to be their only and last move in the January window. Endrick joined Olympique Lyon on loan from Real Madrid a few days ago, and Real Madrid are not expected to approve any other exit for Mastantuono or for Garcia.
“Real Madrid deny all the possibilities about Napoli for Mastantuono and about Juventus for Garcia. Real Madrid insist that these players will not leave the club.”
Kees Smit to leave AZ?
AZ Alkmaar wonderkid Kees Smit has established himself as a key transfer priority for a number of top clubs, however a January deal is unlikely to take place.
“I keep repeating that Kees Smit will be absolutely one to watch in 2026. From what I’m told, it’s unlikely to be a January transfer window move, more likely to be a summer transfer window move,” Romano disclosed.
“There is a club, for example, prepared to pay big money, and that club would be Newcastle. Newcastle love Smit, but forget about €40m, €45m or €50m - the price will be higher. The price will be big and huge.
“Newcastle, at this stage, understand that the player in January is very unlikely to move. There are many other clubs interested - top, top clubs in the Premier League top, top clubs - and also Real Madrid are following the player.
“There is a lot of interest in Smit, and for sure it will be a bigger transfer fee compared to the recent reports about €40m. It’s going to be way more than this.”
Al-Hilal open to Joao Cancelo exit
Finally, former Man City star Joao Cancelo could be set to leave Al-Hilal next month.
“I think Joao Cancelo could be another interesting name to follow in the January transfer window,” Romano admitted. “Why? Because of the Saudi Pro League rules, Al-Hilal have to make a decision in terms of the list of registration of the players they have in the squad.
Current ETV
João Cancelo
D (RL)
Al-Hilal
João Cancelo
D (RL)
Al-Hilal
ETV Range
€9.7M - €11.8M
“And at this moment, there is the possibility to see Cancelo eventually out of the squad. And this is why Al-Hilal are open to the possibility of letting Cancelo leave the club on loan in the January transfer window.
“There is some interest in the player on a loan deal, but remember that he’s on a huge salary at Al-Hilal, and obviously Al-Hilal eventually would let the player go on loan, but the salary would be a big topic.”
Football transfer news headlines today
TRANSFER RUMOURS: Man Utd start fresh talks as first January deal agreed
Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Man Utd OFFER, Real Madrid SIGNING, Semenyo HIJACK?
Man Utd given January GREEN LIGHT as agreement reached
Three strikers Rangers should target in January
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