Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Ordonez TRUTH, Sterling LATEST, Guardiola to LEAVE?

Cameron Smith

4 Jan 2026 17:45 GMT
6 min read

Fabrizio Romano, Joel Ordonez, Raheem Sterling — © IMAGO

Football transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has dropped an update on several major stories ahead of the January window, including the latest on Joel Ordonez, Raheem Sterling and Pep Guardiola.

Article continues under the video

Real Madrid’s Nico Paz plan

Real Madrid are expected to re-sign Nico Paz from Como this summer and Romano has confirmed that a deal is set to take place.

“Real Madrid are always monitoring the market and they are always monitoring the players they already own for the future,” he said in his latest YouTube video. “As I told you several times, Real Madrid count on Nico Paz as one of the players for their future. He’s not a move for the January transfer window; it’s a move they consider for the summer transfer window.

“This is what Real Madrid want to do: activate the buy-back clause for €9 million for Paz, or they can negotiate a different price with Como. Real Madrid see Paz as a guaranteed star of the team for their future and they already have an agreement with Paz in terms of contract.

Current ETV

Nico Paz

AM, M (C)

Como

Nico Paz

AM, M (C)

Como

ETV Range

€62.7M - €76.7M

“Last summer, Tottenham wanted to sign Paz, but the answer from Real Madrid was very clear: ‘Whoever arrives should know that we are ready to buy back the player’.

“Real Madrid have total control of Paz, who is doing fantastic in Italy. Como are more than happy to keep him until the end of the season and beyond that if that’s possible, but Real Madrid still insist on having Paz as part of their team for the future.”

Romano added: “Let’s see also what’s going to happen for another Como player who joined from Real Madrid: Jacobo Ramon. The defender is also doing very well in Italy, and Real Madrid have a buy-back clause of around €8 million to re-sign him.

“The centre-back situation at Real Madrid, with Toni Rudiger out of contract, with David Alaba expected to leave the club and with Eder Militao having some injuries, is going to be a crucial area of focus for Real Madrid in 2026. For Jacobo, Real Madrid are monitoring his progress for sure.”

Joao Cancelo to Barcelona?

Al-Hilal defender Joao Cancelo has been tipped to leave the club in January and a return to Barcelona could be on the cards.

“What I can tell you is that the contacts between Jorge Mendes, the agent of Joao Cancelo, and Joan Laporta, the president of Barcelona, are constant. Now Barcelona have to decide,” Romano revealed.

“This story is still open. Barcelona still haven’t sent a bid to Al-Hilal or a contract proposal, but they are considering internally what to do with Cancelo. It would not be a permanent move, it would be a loan deal covering part of the salary.

© IMAGO - Joao Cancelo is keen to re-join Barcelona

“So let’s see what happens. What I can tell you is that as of today, Inter are prepared to do the Cancelo deal immediately with Al-Hilal, but Cancelo is still waiting to see what happens with Barcelona.

“Cancelo dreams of a Barcelona return and if Barcelona decide to proceed, he will go to Barcelona. Otherwise, Inter are ready to make the deal happen.”

Pep Guardiola update

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been touted to leave the club this summer, with Enzo Maresca potentially set to replace him, but Romano insists a final decision hasn’t yet been made.

“Pep Guardiola is really happy with his job at Manchester City,” the transfer expert admitted. “He has one more year left on his contract at Man City, but in general this is a feeling we will check closer to the end of the season. Not in January, not in February.

“As of today, Pep hasn’t told anyone from Man City that he’s going to leave the club at the end of the season. There is no formal communication, no informal communication, no private communication. So what City are doing is preparing the future for the time when Pep will decide to leave. But it’s not Pep telling Man City: ‘I have decided to leave the club.’

“That’s a really important point. Once again, the feeling between Pep and the people at Man City is a very good feeling. The team is doing fantastic, and so Pep Guardiola at the moment remains fully committed to Man City.

“There is a feeling in the industry that the possibility of Pep leaving in summer 2026 is concrete, but nothing is decided at this stage.”

© IMAGO - Pep Guardiola has been linked with a Man City exit

Raheem Sterling future

Chelsea outcast Raheem Sterling is set to leave the club before the end of this month and Romano has revealed that a permanent move abroad could take place.

“There is interest from West Ham and there is interest from Fulham as well. Fulham were already interested last summer, but from what I’ve heard, Raheem Sterling would also be open to trying a different experience. Not only London-based, obviously England could be a priority, but he’s also open to opportunities abroad.

“So let’s see what kind of clubs will approach Chelsea for Sterling. What I can tell you is that Sterling wants a permanent move.

“I think there is a possibility to see Sterling leaving in this January transfer window. West Ham and Fulham are monitoring, but Sterling would be open to a permanent move abroad in this case.”

Joel Ordonez truth

Finally, Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez has been linked with a January move to Liverpool, but Romano has downplayed rumours that an agreement is close.

“Liverpool are following the player for sure. He’s a player they are tracking, monitoring, scouting. But Liverpool follow thousands of players every year and so at this stage, nothing more than this,” Romano said.

© IMAGO - Liverpool have not agreed a deal for Joel Ordonez

“There is a very good relationship with Brugge, and this is probably why the links are being pushed so much in the media, but Liverpool have not agreed any deal for Ordonez.

“They have not agreed personal terms and they have not started any official conversations. They are following the player, yes, but there is nothing official or concrete.”

Football transfer news headlines today

DONE DEALS: Every official completed transfer around Europe today

Next Chelsea manager: Liam Rosenior makes surprising admission

Man Utd ROCKED by €100m transfer hijack

Antoine Semenyo: Bournemouth make transfer statement on 'ultimate modern-day player’

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