Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Chelsea manager hunt, Man City deal, Liverpool plans

Robin Bairner

3 Jan 2026 08:58 GMT
6 min read

Fabrizio Romano, Transfer News — © IMAGO

Chelsea step up talks over their next head coach as Manchester City close in on a first January signing, Liverpool secure a future defender and Manchester United clarify their stance on exits, according to Fabrizio Romano.

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Chelsea managerial search latest

Chelsea’s pursuit of a new head coach is advancing, with one candidate now clearly leading the process.

“Chelsea are making progress in their search for a new manager, and as I have been telling you for some time, the leading candidate is Liam Rosenior. He is doing a very good job at Strasbourg, and after one year and a half of rebuilding the project, the results are now very positive,” Romano told his YouTube channel.

“The timing is important to explain. Chelsea and Strasbourg share the same ownership group, so before finalising anything, BlueCo want to make sure they have the right replacement in place at Strasbourg. They do not want a normal solution; they want another elite young coach to continue the project.

“Other names mentioned in England have been ruled out. Francesco Farioli is fully focused on Porto, Andoni Iraola has confirmed he is staying at Bournemouth, and Cesc Fabregas has said he is committed to Como. Conversations are ongoing for Rosenior to replace Enzo Maresca, and if everything goes to plan, he is expected to become the new Chelsea head coach in the coming days.”

© IMAGO - Liam Rosenior, Strasbourg manager

Manchester City close in on Antoine Semenyo

Manchester City are moving towards their first signing of the January window,” Romano says.

“My understanding is that a verbal agreement is already in place between Manchester City and Bournemouth for Antoine Semenyo, close to £65 million. The two clubs have spoken, and the deal is almost ready,” he said.

Current ETV

Antoine Semenyo

M (RL)

B'mouth

Antoine Semenyo

M (RL)

B'mouth

ETV Range

€46.2M - €56.5M

“This is now about timing. Bournemouth and Manchester City have a good relationship, and they are working together to decide the best moment to allow Semenyo to travel, complete his medical and finalise the documents.

“As I told you on Christmas Eve, Semenyo has indicated City as his preferred destination. Despite reports about Liverpool or Manchester United, my information has always been about Manchester City, and that remains the case today. Semenyo will be the first signing for Pep Guardiola, we just need to wait for the final green light between the two clubs.”

Manchester United stance on January exits

Manchester United are taking a firm position on player departures this month.

“Today Ruben Amorim was very clear in his press conference. He said that as of now, no player has come to his office asking to leave the club,” Romano explained.

“The manager’s position is very simple. If any player leaves Manchester United in the January transfer window, there must be a replacement. No one will leave without a replacement coming in.

“This message has been communicated publicly and privately. With the AFCON ongoing, it is very difficult for United to let players go, and this is why targets like Kobbie Mainoo or Joshua Zirkzee are not expected to move unless solutions are found.”

Compared

Kobbie Mainoo

M, DM (C)

Man Utd

Kobbie Mainoo

M, DM (C)

Man Utd

VS

Joshua Zirkzee

F (C)

Man Utd

Joshua Zirkzee

F (C)

Man Utd

€60.9M	ETV	€36M
€54.8M - €67M	ETV Range	€32.4M - €39.6M
20 years old (19 Apr, 2005)	Age	24 years old (22 May, 2001)
England	Nationality	Netherlands

Liverpool secure future centre-back signing

Liverpool have completed a deal for a highly rated defensive talent for the future.

“We have a here we go for Liverpool and a talented centre-back from Austria Vienna. Ifeanyi Ndukwe, 17 years old and turning 18 next summer, will join Liverpool in summer 2026,” Romano said.

“The agreement is done. The player has agreed terms, and last summer there was interest from Italian and German clubs, but he decided to wait. Liverpool moved early and closed the deal.

“He is considered a very interesting talent, tall but also fast, and he will start pre-season with Liverpool in the summer. Liverpool wanted to anticipate competition again, and they have done that.”

Current ETV

Ifeanyi Ndukwe

D (C)

Austria Wien

Ifeanyi Ndukwe

D (C)

Austria Wien

ETV Range

€0.6M - €1.0M

Harvey Elliott and loan options

Harvey Elliott’s short-term future remains unresolved as Liverpool assess their options.

“Liverpool and Aston Villa will speak soon to understand the situation. Liverpool do not believe they currently have space to bring Harvey Elliott back into the squad,” Romano explained.

“Because of regulations, Elliott cannot move to another European club on loan, having already played for Liverpool and Aston Villa. One option on the table is Charlotte FC from MLS, who are offering a loan with regular playing time.

“At the moment, those close to the player say he is not keen on moving to MLS. He believes the Premier League and Europe are the right level for him, so let’s see how this develops.”

Current ETV

Harvey Elliott

M (C), F (R)

Aston Villa

Harvey Elliott

M (C), F (R)

Aston Villa

ETV Range

€35.3M - €43.1M

Liverpool scouting but no deal for Joel Ordonez

Reports linking Liverpool to another defensive signing are premature, Romano revealed.

“I am told the relationship between Liverpool and Club Brugge is excellent, but at this stage there is nothing agreed for Joel Ordonez,” he said.

“Liverpool are scouting several centre-backs, including Ordonez, but there is no deal done and nothing agreed at this moment.”