Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Arsenal BOMB, Man Utd WANT Diomande, Man City LATEST

Cameron Smith

20 Jan 2026 11:38 GMT
7 min read

Fabrizio Romano, Mikel Arteta, Yan Diomande — © IMAGO

Fabrizio Romano has provided a major update on several January transfer stories, including the latest on Ethan Nwaneri, Yan Diomande and Oscar Bobb.

Article continues under the video

Oscar Bobb close to Fulham transfer

Manchester City winger Oscar Bobb is on the verge of completing a permanent January move to Fulham, as confirmed by Romano in his latest YouTube video.

“Fulham are very close to signing Oscar Bobb on a permanent deal from Man City,” the football transfer news expert said. “Developments go back to Christmas when it was already clear that Bobb was expected to leave during the January transfer window after the arrival of Antoine Semenyo.

Current ETV

Oscar Bobb

F (R), M (CR)

Man City

Oscar Bobb

F (R), M (CR)

Man City

ETV Range

€34.7M - €42.4M

“Fulham have made a verbal proposal to Manchester City and the clubs are close to agreeing a £35 million package for Bobb.

“Bobb is leaving because Man City currently have several players in his position. They have added Semenyo to the squad and, if you look at what Pep Guardiola said in yesterday’s press conference, he was not fully happy with the situation around the player.

“Despite many rumours, Fulham are going all in on this deal. An agreement with Man City is almost done, while negotiations continue on the player's side. There is still some work to do, but Fulham are optimistic about getting it completed.”

Romano added: “Borussia Dortmund, as I mentioned back on 26 December, are also targeting Oscar Bobb. They are aware of the opportunity but need to understand whether they can make the deal happen financially.

“Fulham are ready to close the deal with Manchester City, while the player is waiting to see what Borussia Dortmund can do. This is a situation to follow between Fulham and Dortmund, but Fulham are pushing very strongly.

“Borussia Dortmund have known about this possibility since December and now it is on them to communicate clearly with the player, his agents and Manchester City. What is certain is that Oscar Bobb will leave Manchester City in this January window and that was never in doubt.”

Ethan Nwaneri to join Marseille

Meanwhile, Arsenal wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri is in advanced talks over a short-term loan move to Ligue 1 side Marseille.

“Another important story is about Ethan Nwaneri, an Arsenal gem and one of their top young talents. After approaches from Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Borussia Dortmund and several Italian clubs, Nwaneri is now on the verge of joining Olympique Marseille,” Romano confirmed.

“The deal, from what I understand, is almost done, with only final details to be sorted. The player is ready to say yes to the move to Marseille and it has been approved by the player, his agents and his family, who are very involved in his career.

“Marseille were chosen because their style of play has been approved directly by Arsenal. There is also a very good relationship between Mikel Arteta and Roberto De Zerbi.

“My understanding is that Arteta and De Zerbi spoke directly about this possibility in the last 24 hours and now the move to Olympique Marseille is really close. It could be completed very soon.

“This deal is separate from the Quinten Timber story. As reported previously, Timber to Marseille is also almost done, with a transfer fee of around €4 million plus add-ons, just waiting to sort some final details.”

Romano continued: “Marseille also want a creative player and this is why they are advancing on this deal. Marseille will pay the full salary of the player until the end of the season, plus an important loan fee of around €3 to €4 million for six months.

“The loan fee will change depending on the number of games played by Nwaneri over the next six months to incentivise Marseille to give him as much playing time as possible.

“There is no buy option included in the deal. The player will return to Arsenal in the summer, this is the clear plan, and everything is very close to being completed.”

Dro Fernandez update

Barcelona are also set to lose a talented academy graduate, although Dro Fernandez’s move to PSG will be a permanent one.

“Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona will be in contact this week to close a deal for another young talent Dro Fernandez. There is a €6 million release clause, but PSG, because of their good relationship with Barcelona, want to speak with the club before activating it.

“PSG already have an agreement with the player and now the formal steps are expected, with the two clubs set to speak ahead of the transfer.”

RB Leipzig stance on Yan Diomande

RB Leipzig starlet Yan Diomande has emerged as one of the most sought-after prospects in world football, but Romano has ruled out a January transfer.

“The name of Yan Diomande continues to return in the news and in questions because he is considered one of the best young wingers in the world. However, RB Leipzig insist that they want to keep the player in January,” he revealed.

“Despite Manchester United sending scouts again and Tottenham being ready to do business immediately in January with an important financial proposal, Leipzig’s intention is clear.

“RB Leipzig insist that Diomande will not leave in this January window. They are not looking for money after making major sales in the summer, including Benjamin Sesko, Lois Openda and Xavi Simons.

“The message from Leipzig is that the player will stay in January, but in the summer it will be a crazy battle. Man Utd are sending scouts, Tottenham are involved and PSG are also following the player closely.”

Kees Smit and summer transfer battle

Finally, Romano confirmed that AZ Alkmaar youngster Kees Smit is also unlikely to be on the move this month.

He said: “Do not forget about Kees Smit, the talented midfielder from AZ Alkmaar. Behind the scenes, the market is moving, with Jorge Mendes in control of the situation for January and also for the summer transfer window.

“My understanding is that a January move is very unlikely, despite Newcastle trying again and again. AZ Alkmaar are not accepting proposals during this transfer window.

Current ETV

Kees Smit

M, DM (C)

Kees Smit

M, DM (C)

ETV Range

€14.6M - €24.3M

“In the summer, the big battle will be ready. Real Madrid are following the player, top Premier League clubs are monitoring him and it will be a serious fight to sign Kees Smit.

“Forget about figures of €40 or €45 million. It will take much more for AZ Alkmaar to sell, as the club are not desperate for money and this is why they are not accepting offers now.”

Football transfer news headlines today

DONE DEALS: Every official completed transfer around Europe today

TRANSFER RUMOURS: Man Utd in bidding war as Arsenal talks confirmed

Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Arsenal DEAL, Jacquet AGREEMENT, Man Utd PLAN

Jeremy Jacquet: Chelsea’s new €65m signing has one problem no one is talking about

The FootballTransfers app

Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.

The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:

•Google Play

•App Store