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DONE DEALS
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Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Chelsea HIJACK, Jacquet BATTLE, €50m Man Utd DEAL
Tom Weber
- 27 Jan 2026 18:14 GMT
- 7 min read
News
Fabrizio Romano has provided some massive updates on the biggest transfer stories from around Europe, including the latest on Douglas Luiz, Jeremy Jacquet and Rasmus Hojlund.
Villa complete Luiz hijack
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano confirmed that Aston Villa have beaten Chelsea to the signing of Douglas Luiz.
"Douglas Luiz is leaving Nottingham Forest, going back to Juventus, and his new loan will be at Aston Villa. It's a done deal. Chelsea last week tried to explore the conditions of the deal for Luiz in contact with Juventus, but Chelsea only wanted to do a straight loan.
"Not even a buy option clause included, straight loan almost for free, just as a fourth midfielder in their squad with [Dario] Essugo and [Romeo] Lavia currently out, so not being a crucial part of the project, but just a backup option.
"At that point, they were not convinced to proceed under the conditions wanted by Juventus. This is why the deal didn't advance between Luiz, Juventus and Chelsea. Chelsea are exploring different options. Chelsea are still in the midfielders market, still exploring options around.
"Luiz is going back to Aston Villa. He really wanted to go back to Aston Villa. After the injuries to Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans, Villa this week returned to talks for Luiz. It's a loan deal with an option to buy. Everything agreed, also with the player who is excited to return to Aston Villa to have the opportunity to work again under Unai Emery."
Fermin agrees Barca deal
Next up, Romano revealed that Fermin Lopez has agreed terms with Barcelona on a new contract.
"The new contract is now done for Fermin Lopez at Barcelona. It will be signed very soon. Improved salary, a higher release clause - it is going to be an impossible release clause - and Fermin is set to put pen to paper.
"Positive meetings between Stellar, the agency of Fermin and Barcelona, and the deal is now in place for Fermin to sign a new contract at Barca. All agreed with Deco. It's going to be valid until June 2031.
"Barca believe that the player deserves this new contract and a better salary after his fantastic season. But also after last summer, when he was not convinced about leaving Barcelona despite Chelsea offering important money and the opportunity to go to the Premier League.
"Chelsea have always been around Fermin. Already one year ago, January 2025, then at the end of the summer transfer window, then always remaining around the player because they love Fermin Lopez but from Barca, the answer has been clear. New contract for the player."
Jacquet battle rages on
Regarding Chelsea's interest in Jeremy Jacquet, Romano reiterated that Liverpool and Bayern are also firmly in the mix for his signature.
"Chelsea remain absolutely in the conversation for this talented French defender from Rennes. It's a big battle. Trust me, all these clubs are talking to the player's camp and talking to Rennes to understand what they can do.
"Chelsea made progress two weeks ago on the player's side in terms of numbers for the contract, Chelsea are already in advanced conversations, but not yet with Rennes. Rennes want to keep the player in this January window and let him go in the summer.
"Liverpool are trying, Chelsea are trying and Bayern are trying, but only for the summer. For Bayern, Jacquet is an opportunity, as was Marc Guehi, because they want to replace Kim Min-jae, who could probably leave the club in the summer transfer window.
"Chelsea and Liverpool would love to do the business now, but Rennes insists on selling the player for the summer, not for January."
Juve want Kolo Muani
Romano also confirmed that Juventus are trying to re-sign Randal Kolo Muani.
"Juventus are trying to make something happen around Randal Kolo Muani. Juventus are trying because they feel that Kolo Muani could be open to leaving Tottenham in these final days of the window.
"But at the moment, Juventus don't have the green light from Tottenham. Juventus are still waiting to understand if Tottenham decide to let Kolo Muani leave the club or not. Remember that Kolo Muani is on loan from PSG, so it's on Spurs to decide what they want to do with this loan.
"Eventually, Juventus have to negotiate with PSG after a very difficult relationship following what happened last summer when Juventus spent basically three months negotiating with PSG for Kolo Muani and then on Deadline Day, the deal collapsed."
Endrick remains in Real Madrid's plans
According to Romano, the chances of Endrick remaining at Lyon beyond this season are slim.
"The start of his career at Lyon has been unbelievable. Five goal contributions, and Endrick has already delivered. Endrick is doing fantastic, for sure. But from Real Madrid, the message is very clear.
"Endrick is part of our future. Endrick is part of the Real Madrid project. This was the message from Real Madrid even before he went on loan to Olympique Lyon. So they were like, Endrick will go on loan because he has to develop, he has to play, he wants to play, and it's absolutely okay, but he's going to be part of the long-term project.
"Let the player play, let the player be part of this project at Lyon, let the player deliver goals, assists and fantastic performances and then we will have plenty of time to see what's going to happen.
"I can guarantee that Real Madrid are not considering Endrick as a player on loan because he's out of the project. They're considering Endrick as a player on loan because he's developing and improving to be a future Real Madrid player."
Hojlund to stay at Napoli
On Rasmus Hojlund, Romano reiterated that Man Utd will receive a €50 million windfall when his move to Napoli becomes permanent.
"Man Utd already received a €6m loan fee. Plus, there is a buy option clause included in the contract with Napoli, which becomes an obligation if Napoli qualify for the next Champions League group stages for €44m. So, a potential package of €50m for Hojlund.
"At the moment, the message is very clear. Between Hojlund and Man Utd, the story is considered over. Man Utd want to receive the money. Man Utd believe that Napoli, in the end, with or without this clause, will still go and sign Hojlund on a permanent transfer.
"Man Utd feel that the player will be a Napoli player. Hojlund already feels he's going to be a Napoli player. Man Utd want the money. Man Utd trust that the €50m package is going to be part of their budget for the summer."
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