Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: JJ Gabriel favourites, Arsenal shock move, Endrick’s future

17 Sept 2026 07:06 BST | 8 min read

Fabrizio Romano, JJ Gabriel, Endrick — © IMAGO

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Make us your Google favourite

Fabrizio Romano delivers the latest on JJ Gabriel, including Real Madrid and Barcelona interest, while discussing Rodrygo, Arsenal, Endrick and Luis de la Fuente.

Article continues under the video

Luis de la Fuente set to sign new Spain contract until 2030

Luis de la Fuente is set to remain Spain head coach after agreeing to continue with the national team.

“Luis de la Fuente is one of the best managers in the world and a candidate at the Ballon d'Or for the best coach alongside others. But Luis de la Fuente won the Euros, won the World Cup, and now he's going to sign a new contract with Spain until July 2030,” Romano explained on his YouTube channel.

“So he will lead Spain into the Nations League, Euros and then the 2030 World Cup. It's really important news for them because Luis de la Fuente is considered absolutely a crucial part of this project and this long-term vision.

“He's a manager who is super appreciated by the players, and I think he's been a big part of what Spain have built in recent years.

“Obviously, now it's time to finalise all the details of this contract, but de la Fuente already made it clear after the World Cup to the federation that, despite winning, sometimes managers win big trophies and then decide to quit.

“Luis de la Fuente wants to continue. Luis de la Fuente is absolutely in love with his team, in love with his guys, and so he will continue as Spain head coach.”

Man Utd ready to fight for JJ Gabriel

Manchester United are still trying to resolve the complicated situation surrounding 15-year-old wonderkid JJ Gabriel, despite the player wanting to leave.

“It's a really complicated situation from several points of view, because when you have a wonderkid like JJ Gabriel, 15 years old and about to turn 16 in October, obviously you want to keep him. You want to trust him and you want to see the boy after he was already discussed internally at Man United for a long time - years, actually - as one of the best talents they've ever seen at the club,” Romano said.

“So they absolutely want to keep him and want to continue with him. They are still in shock with what happened in recent days.

“On the other side, when a player so young, and his camp, of course - his family - decides to take a strong position, as JJ Gabriel and his camp did by asking to leave the club, obviously the disappointment is very strong.

“What United want to make sure is that if there is even a small chance to continue together with JJ Gabriel, to resolve the situation and to keep him at the club, it has to be with the right attitude and the right feeling.

“United don't want to force anyone. Obviously they want to keep the boy. Obviously they don't want to lose one of the best talents in the world at 15 years old, but at the same time they don't want to force anyone.

“What they will do these days is try to have a conversation with the family of the player, with the agents of the player and with the player himself to try to resolve the situation.

“So Man United are not giving up. Man United are still hoping to keep JJ Gabriel at the club. They know and recognise that it's going to be complicated, that it's not easy and that, as of today, their chances are not so high, but Man United are still trying.

“I think this case will involve the most important people at the club. I mean Sir Jim Ratcliffe, I mean the directors, I mean the coach. So it's going to be about everyone at Manchester United to make sure whatever happens is the right situation.

“At the moment, the reality tells us that the player wants to go, the player wants to leave, he wants his contract terminated, and the player is not even training, as I said yesterday here on the video. So you can understand how complicated this situation is.”

Real Madrid are favourites for JJ Gabriel as Barcelona stay in contact

If JJ Gabriel does leave Manchester United, Romano says Spain currently appears to be his most likely destination.

“If he leaves, Spain is going to be the most likely destination for JJ Gabriel. Spain - I mean Real Madrid, Barcelona,” Romano explained.

“At this stage, if you ask me today, Real Madrid are considered the favourites to land JJ Gabriel. But Barcelona are also in contact.

“In terms of clubs calling, many other top clubs called. Bayern called, PSG called, English clubs called as well.

“There was a feeling until yesterday in the media that maybe England could be the most likely destination. Why? Because Manchester City one year ago were very close to signing JJ Gabriel and then he decided to stay at Manchester United and continue at the club.

“But Man City were really this close to signing JJ Gabriel, so it was not just a conversation or a negotiation. Then he changed his mind at the final minutes and decided to stay at United.

“So my understanding is that now the most likely destination is Spain. Real Madrid and Barcelona are discussing completely different projects and pathways for the boy.

“So obviously it's going to be on him, on his family and on his camp to decide what's the best solution.

“But for sure, Spain today is seen as the most attractive destination for the boy, while we wait to understand what's going to happen, because I can repeat, as of today, Wednesday, Manchester United are yet to give up.

“So it's a story we have to follow until the very end, with Real Madrid and Barca involved.”

Arsenal interest in Rodrygo remains one to watch for 2027

Rodrygo remains a player Arsenal have admired, but Romano says there is currently no movement towards a transfer.

“It's something that we have to monitor ahead of the 2027 transfer window. It's something we always have in the rumours because Rodrygo has always been mentioned as a transfer target for Arsenal,” Romano said.

“You remember in summer 2025, but then this summer, 2026, obviously there were no movements because the boy has been injured. So there was no possibility to make anything happen for him.

Current ETV

Rodrygo

F (R), M (RL)

Real Madrid

Rodrygo

F (R), M (RL)

Real Madrid

ETV Range

€36.1M - €44.2M

“For Rodrygo Goes, now what I can say is that for sure is his mission is to return to the pitch. Rodrygo wants to get back on the pitch, get into the best conditions possible.

“There is a feeling he can be ahead of schedule in terms of being back as soon as possible. There was an original indication of February as the right month to see Rodrygo back on the pitch.

“Now the feeling at Real Madrid is that by the end of 2026, let's say December, maybe January, he could already be available for Jose Mourinho.

“Obviously, they will not force anything because they want Rodrygo to be 100% fit after the serious injury he suffered.

“On Arsenal, for sure he's a player they wanted in summer 2025, but it was not possible. In summer 2025, the real possibility for Rodrygo Goes was Manchester City.

“Manchester City at that point were considering Rodrigo if Savinho left the club, but Savinho ended up staying and then he joined Tottenham this summer.

“So at the moment, about Arsenal, I cannot say anything else that is not appreciation. Obviously they like the player. But now is not the time for movements because in January nothing will happen. Rodrigo will stay in the summer. It's way too early to predict anything.

“What I can guarantee is that Rodrygo is really grateful to Real Madrid for how they are helping him and trusting him and believing in him despite the difficult moment in terms of injury.

“And so at the moment the situation remains under control.”

Endrick has several clubs ready if he wants to leave Real Madrid

Real Madrid rejected approaches for Endrick in the summer, but Romano says plenty of clubs would be ready to move if the forward eventually wants a change.

“On Endrick, it's normal to already have stories because Endrick was wanted by several clubs in the summer,” Romano stated.

“Real Madrid decided to say no as a club, with the president Florentino Perez, the directors and then Jose Mourinho himself. All of them said there was no chance for Endrick to leave.

“But if he wanted to leave, he had clubs in England - Liverpool, Aston Villa - clubs in Italy, Roma, Milan, several clubs really keen on signing him with any formula, even on a permanent transfer.

“So it's obvious to always have rumours on Endrick.

“Now, he was not available in these first weeks because he's not ready to play in terms of injury. So he's recovering.

“But Real Madrid remain absolutely confident in Endrick. They believe in Endrick. They trust Endrick. They don't want any imminent changes.

“So at the moment, the Endrick situation is calm. Let him play. Let him return. Let him work under Jose Mourinho in the best way possible.

“There is a very good feeling between Mourinho and Endrick. Then we will see.

“If Endrick wants to find a solution, January or summer, there are going to be plenty of clubs for sure. But at the moment, the solution is Real Madrid.”