Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Chelsea DEMAND Maresca compensation as Zidane AGREES new job

Suraj Radia

• 18 Dec 2025 13:07 CST
• 6 min read

News

The latest transfer updates from Fabrizio Romano including news on Enzo Maresca, Pep Guardiola and Zinedine Zidane.

’Two factors’ leading to Man City interest in Maresca as Guardiola successor

Romano gave more details on the news that Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca could be considered by Manchester City as a replacement for Pep Guardiola when he eventually leaves the club.

“It’s important to mention two things,” Romano said on YouTube. “The first one is Maresca is a former City man. He used to work at the club’s academy and as assistant of Guardiola as well.

“The appreciation for Maresca has always been there and, if one day Guardiola will decide to leave Manchester City, Guardiola is going to be involved in the conversation internally to suggest who could be the best man to replace him. That's not guaranteed to happen now in 2026

“Pep really appreciates Maresca, so for sure it’s a name that has always been circulating internally at Manchester City.

“The second factor is City’s connection with Jorge Mendes, one of the most powerful agents in the world who is also the agent of Maresca. Maresca, a few months ago, decided to sign with Mendes as his new representative. So we have these two elements.”

Guardiola could leave Man City in 2026

Romano also revealed that Guardiola has not made a decision over his future but admitted there is a ‘possibility’ that the Spaniard leaves Manchester City next summer.

“Yes, there is a possibility but it's not something decided,” Romano said. “It is not something guaranteed. Pep believes that Man City can compete to win all titles this season and so Pep’s focus remains absolutely on the Manchester City project.

“Pep is involved in the transfer strategy of Manchester City and that's also a very important point. So Pep is not thinking just about himself. Pep is fully involved on what Man City are doing. Sign a winger, sign a right back, ask Pep who could be the right player.

“So it's not that Pep is already preparing to leave the club. Not at all.”

Chelsea to demand ‘important’ compensation for Maresca

Neither Maresca nor Chelsea are considering severing ties at this point and the Blues would demand major compensation if Man City did make an approach for their manager.

Romano said: “Chelsea are quite happy with the work Maresca is doing and has been doing at the club. So that's for sure. Then you remember in the summer Maresca said in public in August that he wanted a new centre back after the injury of Levi Colwill and this transfer didn't happen.

“So there were some moments where maybe Chelsea and Maresca were not 100% aligned, but this can be part of football. What I can say is that Chelsea at the moment are not looking to get rid of Maresca at all.

“Maresca is doing a very good job at the club there is an appreciation from Man City, he is under contract at Chelsea. So anything happening in summer 2026 would require a really important compensation. Chelsea remained fully focused on this season with Maresca.

“Chelsea always mentioned that they reviewed the manager situation at the end of the season. So Chelsea will not talk about that or focus on that now.

“Maresca is fully focused on Chelsea job and he is not thinking about anything else just to try succeed with Chelsea in the best way possible. You can see the connection also with the fans. At the moment it's too early to mention something else.”

He added: “One coach they appreciate because he's already part of the BlueCo group is Liam Rosenior, who is doing a great job at Strasbourg, but it's just an appreciation for someone they know internally and they've been working with.”

Slot safe at Liverpool – for now

Romano also opened up on Arne Slot’s future at Liverpool, saying: “After the recent wins, it’s a way better situation internally after what happened with Mohamed Salah.

“Arne Slot, you can feel how important his role is for Liverpool’s management because Liverpool decided together with Slot on how to handle the Salah story, and so the power of Slot is very clear in terms of receiving the support from Liverpool.

“They trust the manager even in difficult situations and so Slot remains in control at Liverpool. Of course, the results have to improve but recently it already improved so they will have to continue this way.”

Zidane set for France job as Alonso Real Madrid future drags on

Romano also gave updates on Xabi Alonso’s future at Real Madrid as well as Zinedine Zidane, who has an agreement to become France’s manager after the 2026 World Cup.

“Xabi Alonso won the last two games and this was for sure helping to change the pressure around him,” Romano said. “At the same time the next games will still be important. So the position is at the moment under control but it's still not 100% safe.

“The next games Sevilla, Betis and then really important the Spanish Super Cup. Those moments are going to be really important to understand what Real Madrid and Alonso will do for their future. Alonso will have the opportunity to keep his job and to keep doing his best for Real Madrid.

“Also on Zinedine Zidane, he remains in verbal agreement with the French Federation to be the head coach from 2026 after the World Cup. It’s not signed so anything can still happen. We never know in football what happens. Let's keep doors open. But the verbal agreement is with France.

“Zidane at the moment is not negotiating with English clubs. You ask me about Man City, Chelsea, Real Madrid. At the moment, despite him being at the Bernabeu, despite the rumours on English clubs, the focus for Zidane is a future at the French national team, with maximum respect for Didier Deschamps, because there is a World Cup coming.”

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