Fabrizio Romano: JJ Gabriel legal battle, Chelsea decision, Raphinha deal

Fabrizio Romano provides major updates on JJ Gabriel's expected Real Madrid move, Raphinha's Barcelona contract, Estevao's Chelsea future and Inter's Federico Dimarco.,

JJ Gabriel is expected to become a Real Madrid player, but there are still several formalities to complete before the deal can be officially confirmed.

“Let's get into the details of this story, which has been everywhere. It's about JJ Gabriel, who is expected to become a new Real Madrid player. Why expected? Because, as of today, there is still nothing signed,” Romano told his YouTube channel.

“According to my information, JJ Gabriel will not sign for Real Madrid this week. It's going to take some time before we have the paperwork completed and FIFA approval secured.

“Obviously, this is not a normal transfer when it's a 16-year-old kid who is so young. There is also the topic regarding regulations, his out-of-contract situation and all the rest of these stories. Real Madrid know they have to be very careful until the end of the process.

“So, it's going to be a Here We Go 99.9%. Yes, because the verbal agreement is ready. JJ Gabriel wants to go to Real Madrid. The decision has been made.

“His agents spoke to Paris Saint-Germain. His agents spoke to Bayern Munich. His agents spoke to Barcelona. All these clubs are not being rejected. Let me clarify that. You can have conversations and discussions. Then the clubs can form an idea, and the player can form an idea.

“It's not that JJ Gabriel is rejecting everyone. He wanted to hear from all these clubs. These clubs also wanted to understand the situation because, financially, this is not a normal investment. It's a big financial investment in a 16-year-old top talent, one of the best around.

“After all the evaluations, JJ Gabriel wants to go to Real Madrid. He considers Real Madrid the best club in the world. That's what I'm hearing, and so the decision has been made.

“Now, it's going to take some time. It could be days or weeks, but it won't be this week before everything is completed. So, let's be patient.

“But it's important to mention that Real Madrid have always been in the driving seat for JJ Gabriel. They started working on this deal back in September, when I told you here on the channel that I thought he was going to La Liga.

“JJ Gabriel is not going to be in the Premier League anymore. He's going to be a La Liga player. He's going to play in Spain, and Real Madrid have won the race.

“Now, I told you one thing, and it's really important. A legal battle over the JJ Gabriel story is obviously a possibility. Man Utd want to be respected. Man Utd will fight legally over this situation. They are losing the player on a free transfer. A very young player.

“On the other side, Real Madrid want to be absolutely respectful and don't want to break their relationship with Manchester United.

“So, what's going to happen is that the two clubs will be in conversation. They will talk and discuss, trying to find a compromise over the JJ Gabriel situation.

“Let me clarify: Man Utd will only receive compensation. It's called training compensation in the technical formalities. Man Utd will receive money, but it's not going to reflect the actual value of the player because it's different.

“It's just something guaranteed by FIFA to ensure that the club does not lose the money it invested in developing the player. But obviously, the value is completely different.

“So, from a legal point of view, this is now a situation where Real Madrid want to be very careful. But the player's decision was the most important part, and the direction is Real Madrid.”

Raphinha's new Barcelona deal has been completed for weeks, with an announcement now expected after he finalises his switch to a new agency.

“Another story I want to tell you today is about Raphinha. Many of you have asked me why he hasn't signed a new contract at Barcelona yet, because it was supposedly done weeks ago,” Romano said.

“The reality, guys, is that Raphinha has already signed his new contract at Barcelona. The paperwork is done. The documents are done. The legal side is done. Everything has been completed for his new Barcelona contract.

“Why hasn't it been announced yet? Because Raphinha has entered the process of being represented by a new agent.

“Raphinha will be announced by a new agency very soon, with Epic Sports, from Ali Barat, the favourites to land Raphinha.

“So, technically, before announcing Raphinha's new contract, taking the pictures and making the official statement, they have to respect all the formal steps.

“This is why there is still no announcement. But Raphinha is ready for the official ceremony for his new Barcelona contract in the next 24 hours.

“Raphinha didn't want to go to Saudi Arabia over the summer. Even before the World Cup, we had some stories about Raphinha and Saudi Arabia. Raphinha wanted to stay. Hansi Flick wanted him to stay. Deco has known Raphinha for a long time and loves him.

“So, everyone is on the same page, and Raphinha will now have a new contract at Barcelona. There is no case here. Everything is going to be completed.”

Chelsea have no intention of allowing Estevao to leave in January, either on loan or through a permanent transfer, despite speculation linking him with PSG and Barcelona.

“I told you 10 days ago that there was no transfer alert and no transfer drama around Estevao,” Romano continued. “There were no discussions about Estevao going to PSG or Barcelona, or perhaps leaving on loan. The idea was always for Chelsea to continue with him.

“Then Xabi Alonso also spoke about this situation and played Estevao against Manchester United as a starter. Obviously, that was a big move by Xabi Alonso to show his trust in Estevao.

“What I can tell you now, guys, is that Chelsea's message on Estevao is that they have absolutely no intention of considering any sort of move in January.

“That means a loan to any club or a permanent transfer, even in the case of a big proposal.

“Chelsea have always believed, and they maintain this feeling, that Estevao is going to be a top player in the future. So, Chelsea have no intention of giving the green light to any sort of solution.

“Someone said Estevao could go to Paris Saint-Germain because Kvaratskhelia is injured. Someone else said it could be interesting for Barcelona. Barca wanted Estevao a long time ago, before he decided to go to Chelsea.

“So, there have been many stories. Obviously, when a young player like him is not featuring, you can have speculation.

“The reality is different. Will Estevao will stay at Chelsea. At least today, this is the position of the club. They are not considering a January move. They want to continue with him.

“So, unless something crazy or extraordinary happens, Estevao is expected to continue at Chelsea and complete the next steps of his future in a Chelsea shirt.

“Then, a new contract is something we will see, because some time has passed since Chelsea signed Estevao. So, I would not be surprised to see Chelsea negotiating a new contract with him. That would not surprise me.

“But, again, at the moment, the focus is on January, and Chelsea absolutely want Estevao to stay, continue and develop under Xabi Alonso.”

Federico Dimarco's future at Inter is now secure until 2028, with the club also expected to discuss a separate long-term agreement with the Italian.

“Over the summer transfer window, there were rumours about Dimarco, Balde and a potential swap deal between Inter and Barcelona,” Romano explained.

“It was never close or possible because Inter wanted to keep Dimarco, and because Balde was not leaving in the summer.

“Now, Dimarco has signed a contract extension at Inter until 2028. It's an automatic extension that has now been activated by the club.

“Dimarco and Inter will also discuss a separate new long-term deal, including the figures, salary and everything else, in order to continue together.

“So, forget about this Dimarco story, at least for now in January.”