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Analysis
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Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Chelsea PUSHING for Jacquet, Man Utd UPDATE, Emery to Real Madrid?
Cameron Smith
- 29 Jan 2026 18:11 GMT
- 7 min read
News
Football transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has provided a major update on the market ahead of Deadline Day on Monday, including the latest on Jeremy Jacquet, Ruben Neves and Unai Emery.
Crystal Palace double deal
Crystal Palace have been searching for a replacement for Jean-Philippe Mateta for several months and Romano has confirmed that a deal has now been agreed in his latest YouTube video.
“We have several developments happening around the market. There is a verbal agreement reached between Crystal Palace and Wolves for striker Strand Larsen, with a deal worth £45 million plus £5 million in add-ons. At the same time, there are discussions involving Kristjan Asllani, with Inter considering options for the midfielder.
“There is movement all around the world, and we will see what happens in the next hours. Also, Evann Guessand is leaving Aston Villa and joining Crystal Palace on a loan deal with a buy option included. It is going to be a very busy end of the transfer window.”
Current ETV
Jörgen Strand Larsen
F (C)
Wolves
Jörgen Strand Larsen
F (C)
Wolves
ETV Range
€43.2M - €52.8M
Ruben Neves to sign new contract
Meanwhile, former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves is close to rejecting a move back to Europe, amid interest from Man Utd, in favour of signing a lucrative contract extension at Al-Hilal.
“There are advanced negotiations between Al-Hilal and Ruben Neves, with his agent Jorge Mendes, over a new contract,” Romano revealed.
“After several possibilities were considered, Ruben Neves was linked with a potential move to Real Madrid in the January window. He was also under consideration at the beginning of the window at Manchester United, before the arrival of a new manager and a new strategy.
“Man Utd had discussions with Jorge Mendes at the end of December, but they never made any bid or formal proposal. Ruben Neves was an option for several clubs, but now he is close to signing a new three-year contract at Al-Hilal.
“The negotiations are at an advanced stage. Al-Hilal want Ruben Neves to stay, and the player is quite keen. Some details still need to be resolved, and we will see if everything is completed, but for sure this is a situation to follow closely in the next few days.”
Moussa Diaby latest
While Neves is set to stay in Saudi Arabia, ex-Aston Villa winger Moussa Diaby could be set to leave the Middle East before the end of Deadline Day.
“There is also a big story coming out of Saudi Arabia involving Al-Ittihad. Moussa Diaby wants to go to Inter. Inter have offered a loan deal with a buy option close to €35 million at the moment, but there is still no green light from Al Ittihad,” Romano admitted.
“At the same time, the player is also attracting interest from Fenerbahce. Negotiations are ongoing between Al Ittihad and Fenerbahce on the transfer fee. Fenerbahce have made an official proposal to sign the player immediately, and talks are still ongoing.”
Karim Benzema update
Karim Benzema may also leave Al-Ittihad after being left frustrated by their latest contract offer, as per Romano.
He said: “Now let me explain what is happening with Karim Benzema. As reported and confirmed, Karim Benzema has received a new contract proposal from Al-Ittihad, but it is not what he expected.
“Karim Benzema feels that the promises made by the club in recent months, already since last summer, were very different from what has now been put on the table. The proposal is for him to continue at the club and sign a new deal beyond June 2026, when his current contract expires.
“The structure of the offer would see him effectively playing without any additional salary, with only image rights paid immediately. This is the structure of the proposal made by Al Ittihad, and Karim Benzema will not accept this solution.
“In the last 24 hours, Karim Benzema communicated to Al-Ittihad that he does not want to be part of the matchday squad this week. The reason is that he believes this proposal is far from what he expected and also disrespectful.
“We will see the position from Al-Ittihad, but for sure this is a tense situation to follow. Karim Benzema is under contract until the end of the season, but he has been the face of this project and a crucial part of the club’s title ambitions over the last year.
“He was expecting a very different proposal, and this is why he is not included in the matchday squad at the moment. This is a situation that must be followed very closely.”
Jeremy Jacquet transfer battle
Chelsea remain in talks over a deal for Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet, but an agreement is proving difficult to finalise.
“The race for Jeremy Jacquet is now open. Chelsea really want the player and are pushing to move now,” Romano confirmed.
“This situation reminds me of Enzo Fernandez in January 2023 after the World Cup. Benfica did not want to sell him in January and preferred a summer move, but Chelsea went all in and completed the deal on Deadline Day.
“In this case, however, the situation is not close. It would take crazy money to make it happen in this window. Rennes insist that the player should leave in the summer, not now, as they want to keep him for the rest of the season.
“Chelsea want to insist, they want to push, and they want to try to bring Jeremy Jacquet in immediately, fully aware that it would be very expensive. This is definitely a situation to follow.”
Romano added: “Liverpool are also in contact with the player’s agents, respecting the fact that Rennes want to sell only in the summer, not in January. Liverpool are working on a different strategy and are holding conversations with the agents.
“Bayern Munich have also called and met with the agents in recent weeks, again only for the summer. Internally, Bayern feel there is a chance that Kim Min-jae could leave in the summer transfer window, and Jeremy Jacquet could be a candidate.
“At the moment, the feeling is that the Premier League is leading the race, with Chelsea and Liverpool both interested. Chelsea are very aggressive and prepared to go all in now, while Liverpool are focusing more on a summer strategy.
Unai Emery to Real Madrid clarification
Finally, Romano has confirmed that Unai Emery is focused on Aston Villa amid rumoured interest from Real Madrid.
“I have received many questions about the situation involving Unai Emery and Real Madrid. Let me clarify something. At Real Madrid, the process to select a new manager has not started yet,” Romano said.
“They will give Alvaro Arbeloa the opportunity to manage the team from now until the end of the season. It has not been an exciting start, especially in the Champions League and domestic cup competitions, although the situation in La Liga has been quite good.
“Several candidates are being discussed internally, but this is only internal conversation at this stage. Real Madrid are trying to understand who could be on a shortlist if they decide to change the manager in the summer.
“It is still very early. There are no negotiations, no talks, and no guarantees. It is simply a potential plan for the summer. For now, Unai Emery remains fully focused on Aston Villa from now until the end of the season, and we will have plenty of time to see what happens next.”
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