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Analysis
- 8 minutes ago
Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Vinicius Jr to Chelsea TRUTH, next Man Utd manager, HUGE Bayern offer
Tom Weber
- 7 Jan 2026 18:27 GMT
- 7 min read
News
Fabrizio Romano has provided some massive updates on the biggest transfer stories from around Europe, including the latest on Vinicius Jr, Marc Guehi and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Ole back at the wheel
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano confirmed that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the clear favourite to become Man Utd's next interim head coach.
"Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is becoming stronger and stronger in the internal ideas of Man Utd. Today, a face-to-face meeting between Solskjaer and Man Utd's management to discuss this opportunity. Michael Carrick is also having conversations with Man Utd.
"Meanwhile, Jonny Evans has returned to the club as part of the backroom staff to help Darren Fletcher - busy today on the touchline in the Premier League. And so it's going to be a huge moment for Man Utd.
"I can confirm to you that the feeling is quite good around Solskjaer. He's ready to take the job. He's ready to return to Man Utd. He's ready to accept any condition in terms of financials, in terms of contract, in terms of length of the contract. Ole is ready.
"And so conversations are going quite well. Again, let's wait in terms of timing for Man Utd to make a final decision, but there is a good chance to see Solskjaer back at the club after he offered himself to Man Utd right after they decided to part ways with Ruben Amorim, and so now Ole is the clear favourite for the job."
Vinicius Jr to Chelsea downplayed
Romano then addressed the rumours linking Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr with a move to Chelsea.
"I received tons of messages about Vinicius Junior and Chelsea. The story was about a €135 million proposal to Real Madrid for Vinicius. What I can tell you is that this is not true. Chelsea have not sent any bid for Vinicius.
"Chelsea are not planning to send any bid for Vinicius. Chelsea are not in negotiations for Vinicius. Vini, at this stage, is not planning for a January exit, so the situation is completely, completely not true, from what I understand.
"It's being played down also from people close to the clubs, to the player, so only denials on this story about Vinicius and Chelsea. Remember that Real Madrid's desire remains to get a new contract sorted for Vinicius as soon as possible, but at the same time, it's also up to Vinicius to decide.
"Of course, this situation is one to follow in the next months to see if Real Madrid and Vini will be able to seal the agreement over a new contract for the Brazilian. But at the moment, there is nothing ongoing with Chelsea. That's very, very clear. Chelsea are going in a different direction."
Bayern to extend several contracts
Next up, Romano revealed that Bayern are set to hand bumper new contracts to Serge Gnabry, Dayot Upamecano and Lennart Karl.
"First of all, Serge Gnabry, the agreement over a new contract until 2028 is almost done. It's very close. Dayot Upamecano, I was telling you that Real Madrid and PSG were following the situation but never sending an official bid for Upamecano because Bayern made the best financial proposal.
"Bayern also had to be optimistic because they made the best salary contract proposal to the player. Well, now, Bayern's proposal in terms of fixed salary and bonuses has been accepted by Upamecano and his agents. There is an agreement between Bayern and Upamecano on the structure of the contract, on the salary, on the bonuses, on the length of the contract.
"What's being discussed now is the release clause for Upamecano to be included in the agreement. Obviously, Bayern don't want to guarantee anything for this summer, 2026, they only want to eventually accept a release clause valid from 2027 or 2028. Let's see what Upamecano will counter.
"This is the final step before we have the final green light, and Upamecano is expected to stay at Bayern with a really huge salary. Bayern made a big effort after the proposal made a few months ago. It was very close in April last year when Bayern were negotiating with Upamecano, then the summer transfer window changed the plans, then back in talks.
"On Lennart Karl, after that statement, saying that his dream club is Real Madrid, the situation, obviously, with the fans has not been the same. But at the same time, we should remember, this is a 17-year-old guy, very honest. He's not the kind of guy who is doing a strategy around that.
"Don't forget how Bayern are also protecting the player now. Max Eberl, Christoph Freund, all the people at the club have been talking about that as something that can happen with a 17-year-old kid who is just sharing his childhood dream. That's it.
"But about his future, his contract will be automatically extended until 2029. It's part of the agreement already in his former contract. But Bayern are prepared to offer a better contract to Karl this year, in 2026, with a better salary, because the explosion of the player has been fantastic and unexpected.
"They knew he was a huge talent, and this is why they extended the contract in the summer, but they didn't expect to see six goals, two assists. The impact has been massive for a 17-year-old kid, and so now prepared to discuss a new contract with a better salary. There is no urgency, but it's a club desire to sort the situation in terms of salary."
Guehi confirmation
Lastly, Romano spoke about Marc Guehi following Oliver Glasner's admission that the Crystal Palace captain could leave this month.
"Don't forget Marc Guehi because Man City are in an emergency and today Oliver Glasner said, 'Well, if we receive a good financial proposal and if the player wants to go, yes, Guehi could leave the club in January.'
"So the doors are not closed to a January exit for Guehi. Man City are on it, Man City are negotiating with Crystal Palace for Guehi, but it's not done, it's not agreed.
"Don't forget about Bayern calls, don't forget about Liverpool calls. The situation is moving around Guehi because Bayern and Liverpool are tracking this opportunity for the summer transfer window.
"Liverpool internally believe that it's going to be difficult to do the deal in January, but never say never. I would keep everything open on this story because Liverpool had the player in their hands in the summer transfer window. Then we know the deal collapsed."
Football transfer news headlines today
DONE DEALS: Every official completed transfer around Europe today
CONFIRMED: Chelsea hold talks over Vinicius Jr signing
The Cult of Sir Alex vs Wenger's restraint: Fletcher highlights Man Utd's biggest problem
Oliver Glasner sends Man Utd next manager message: We’ll definitely talk more
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