Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: De Zerbi sack update, JJ Gabriel truth, Barcelona done deal

20 Sept 2026 09:04 BST | 6 min read

Fabrizio Romano, Roberto De Zerbi, JJ Gabriel — © IMAGO

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

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Football news expert Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on several major transfer stories, including the latest on Roberto De Zerbi, JJ Gabriel and Dany Freire.

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Roberto De Zerbi sack update

Tottenham Hotspur are now 19th in the Premier League table following their 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday, but Roberto De Zerbi will not be sacked yet, according to Romano.

The transfer expert told his YouTube channel: “I'm receiving many questions after the game between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur regarding the situation of Roberto De Zerbi. After the game, Roberto said: ‘I'm disappointed, I'm frustrated. We cannot concede this goal, so we absolutely cannot lose the game in this way.’ So, for the very first time, De Zerbi goes from confidence to disappointment and frustration.

“It's also important to say that Tottenham have only two points and have scored two goals in the first five games in the Premier League. So, it's been a terrible start for Tottenham. That's clear. The questions I'm receiving from you are about the future of Roberto. What's happening? What's going on? What are the talks about the future of the Italian coach?

“Tottenham decided to back Roberto in the summer by trusting his ideas. Obviously, not everything was possible, but it was still a very ambitious market, a very expensive market. When I say not everything, for example, Cody Gakpo was a top target but was no longer available, and then also more things they wanted to do. But it's normal, and probably nowhere can they complete the perfect market at any club. But still, big investments, top players signed.

“So, the message from Tottenham as of today remains a message of confidence in Roberto. So, at the moment, I don't have any indication of Tottenham exploring different ways.”

Romano added: “I'm told that Tottenham still believe in the manager. I'm told that Tottenham knew that it was going to take time. It's not as simple as you make it from 17th in the league, saving themselves from relegation on the final game of the season, to two Champions League spots just because you spent big money.

“Tottenham knew there was going to be a process and it cannot always be fast. Obviously, they all, including De Zerbi, had different expectations. The club, the coach, everyone had different expectations, not two points in five games, but at the same time, they maintain confidence in the process. So, that's the feeling today. Should anything change, guys, as always, I'm here to keep you posted, to keep you updated, but that's the situation.”

Barcelona sign Dany Freire

Barcelona significantly bolstered Hansi Flick’s squad over the summer, with Anthony Gordon, Rodri and Karim Adeyemi all arriving, and they have now added to their academy ranks with the signing of a 16-year-old midfielder.

“We have to talk about players now, and we have to give a few updates, especially regarding Barcelona. First of all, here we go, even off-season now, mid-September. Dany Freire to Barca is a ‘here we go’. A 16-year-old, a big talent, attacking midfielder.

“The player is coming from Luxembourg, had a trial at Barcelona, and the exclusive update of the morning is that Barcelona decided to proceed and to sign Dany Freire. So, it's here we go. The player signed his contract. It's a three-year deal until 2029 for Dany Freire.

“Everything signed with his agents today, and a talent because he's already representing Portugal for the youth national teams, a player who has impressed Barcelona during the trial. And so, Barcelona decided to anticipate other clubs interested and to make sure the player signs a new contract, turning 16 and so being able to proceed with this new deal.”

🚨🔵🔴 Barcelona sign 16 year old talent Dany Freire, deal agreed and here we go!

Portuguese attacking midfielder passed the trial and signs his Barcelona contract today.

All set for formal steps. 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/YeDP2yVv83
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 19, 2026

JJ Gabriel talks

JJ Gabriel is determined to leave Manchester United, although Romano has poured cold water on reports that he travelled to Barcelona to engage in direct talks with the Blaugrana hierarchy.

“My information, guys, is that JJ Gabriel did not hold direct talks with Barcelona in person. I don't want to deny any stories, anyone can have his own information. But my information is that the camp of JJ Gabriel is having conversations with clubs. I told you in all my videos here on the channel this week, Real Madrid, Barcelona and more clubs. Spain, likely, but there are more clubs in the race. So, this is the situation.

“It's not that JJ Gabriel travelled to Barcelona to negotiate directly with Barca, personally with Barca, or sign with Barca. That's not the case. They are talking, the camp of the player, his family, his representatives, to discuss the future. That's the situation, conversations, talks, but it's not the player flying to talk with Barcelona because otherwise it looks like, first of all, that the player is directly involved, and at the moment, not yet.

“He is not yet at that stage, and also the player in this moment is waiting to understand which club is going to be the best solution for his future. So, I will tell you more on JJ Gabriel in the next days, but we are not yet at the stage of the player travelling to close a deal.

“Not yet. So, for this weekend, we can stay quiet. We will see what happens in the next weeks.”

Barcelona contract updates

Finally, Romano confirmed that Barca have agreed contract extensions with Raphinha, Xavi Espart and Marc Bernal.

“Barca are working hard, as always, with Deco on the contracts. Apart from the good team they have, apart from the good signings they do, I think we have to underline one thing, the work Deco is doing on the contracts. Barcelona are always making sure that all the players are at the same level in terms of contract length and then the salaries.

“And now, with Raphinha, the contract is going to be valid for four years. So, another great move by the director Deco to get everything done with Raphinha and his camp. So, deal done, a four-year contract until 2030, a salary improved for Raphinha, and so Raphinha stays.

“We had rumours over the summer about Saudi League clubs but Raphinha never wanted to go to Saudi this summer. Raphinha was always going to stay because he wants to win the Champions League at Barcelona. He wants to win titles at Barcelona.”

Romano continued: “Not only Raphinha, because Xavi Espart, the left-back, one of the most talented left-backs around, another player from La Masia, signs a new contract at Barcelona as well until June 2030. So, two more years of his contract, he had until 2028, it will now be until 2030. And then Marc Bernal, who was expiring in 2029, signs a new contract until 2031.”