Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Gusto to Man Utd truth, Araujo update, De Bruyne latest

Football news expert Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on several major transfer stories, including the latest on Malo Gusto, Ronald Araujo and Kevin De Bruyne.

Malo Gusto has fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea this season, and Romano has confirmed that an exit could potentially be on the cards next year.

“I want to start from one name to watch in 2027, and that name is Malo Gusto from Chelsea,” Romano said in his latest YouTube video.

“We said about the interest in Alex Scott and we said that Estêvão is going nowhere. But talking about Chelsea, the situation of Malo Gusto could be an interesting one to follow, because it’s not been the easiest start of the season for Malo Gusto.

“It’s also true that Chelsea in that position have Reece James and Marco Palestra, who joined in the summer for €55 million. So obviously Chelsea have so many players who can fill that spot, and so it’s not easy also for Malo to find the game time in a season without European football for Chelsea.

“There are many clubs keeping a close eye on him in England and also abroad. So there are clubs calling and trying to understand the situation of Malo Gusto. Let’s see what’s going to happen next, because many of you asked me about Pochettino. Pochettino was very happy with Malo Gusto when he was at Chelsea, so there is a connection.

“At the moment, Man Utd priorities are the centre-back position and the striker position. These are positions I want to cover. So let’s see what’s going to happen next. In the summer, there was interest from Manchester City, but they ended up without doing any deal for Malo Gusto. Let’s see what’s going to happen, but Malo is a situation to follow.

“Let’s see if in January or in the summer, based on the proposals, because Chelsea were clear in the summer when clubs were interested. Chelsea indicated a price of €75 million for Malo Gusto.”

Brajan Gruda rejoined RB Leipzig on loan this summer and Romano has confirmed that a permanent deal will be finalised next year.

“Talking about players who are doing well at their club and also with the national team, a quick one about Brajan Gruda, because this boy is doing very well with Leipzig and also with the German national team, scoring last night under Jurgen Klopp against Serbia,” Romano said.

“There is a buy clause into the contract at €25 million, and Leipzig will 100% activate it. So unless something completely crazy happens, Leipzig will buy Gruda and will go ahead with this signing for the next season.

“So, for 2027-28, because this season alone he’s doing very well, it’s a very smart signing, obviously, for them. And so Gruda is definitely expected to continue with a permanent transfer.”

Ronald Araujo joined Liverpool on loan from Barcelona ahead of the 2026-27 campaign and it’s understood that his €55m buy option could be triggered next year. However, a final decision has not yet been made.

“Araujo is doing fantastic at Liverpool. It’s the reality. He can play right-back, centre-back, a smart loan signing by Richard Hughes at Liverpool. A very good addition for the Reds.

“And also, let me say, Andoni Iraola. Iraola has a very good connection with Araújo. So the relationship between them is very good. Araújo is trying to learn some English. That’s important, obviously, when you play in the Premier League. Also, Araújo as a leader is really appreciated in the dressing room. He has international experience. He can cover several positions.

“Now many of you ask me, there are rumours on Liverpool activating the €55m buy clause in the January transfer window. The answer I got is that Liverpool are not deciding anything now, November, December or probably even January. Liverpool have all the time to decide whether they want to activate the clause or not, whether they want to negotiate with Barcelona or not.

“Because one thing is the clause and another thing is the salary. For example, the contract of the player, Araújo, is on a big salary at Barcelona. Obviously, Liverpool are aware of that. But when you buy the player on a permanent deal, obviously it’s different. You need to negotiate, to discuss and to reach an agreement also, and especially on the salary part. So that’s going to be a part of the conversation.

“Liverpool want to take their time. Liverpool are delighted and very happy with his performances. But before saying Araújo stays, Liverpool will negotiate with Barcelona, that’s something that they will decide in 2027, not now. So all the rumours coming out now about Liverpool, from what I’m told, are not true. They are just speculation, because Liverpool are very happy with the boy. But the decision will be made later on.”

Kevin De Bruyne faces an uncertain future at Napoli and it’s reported that an exit could be finalised as soon as January.

“Keep a close eye on Kevin De Bruyne, because De Bruyne could be the surprise and one of the biggest names of the January transfer window,” Romano revealed.

“For Napoli, it’s a complicated start to the season. They lost so many games. The coach, Massimiliano Allegri, has been in danger for a few weeks now. He looks safe, but obviously the next games are going to be important. Kevin De Bruyne is not that happy. We can see also how the connection with some of the team-mates is not the best, and that’s why PSV Eindhoven have been calling over the recent days and weeks to understand the situation of Kevin De Bruyne.

“What are PSV Eindhoven offering? Obviously, the possibility of getting closer to his home and the possibility to still play European football at a high level, without the pressure and without the tension of playing in a very competitive league like Italy.

“So let’s see what De Bruyne will decide on a personal point of view, on a financial point of view, because obviously the numbers of the contract offered by PSV Eindhoven can’t be the contracts of the Premier League at Man City, or at Napoli or eventually MLS. So there has always been a lot of movement around Kevin De Bruyne in terms of conversations about the salary and all the rest.

“But now it’s a decision he has to make from a personal point of view. Also on Kevin De Bruyne, Napoli have a say in this story because De Bruyne is still under contract. So if De Bruyne wants to leave in January, any club, PSV Eindhoven or any other, needs to reach an agreement with Napoli. But keep an eye on De Bruyne, because he could be one of the names for the January transfer window. So it could be an interesting, interesting situation to follow.”

Finally, Romano confirmed transfer interest in Man City defender Rayan Ait-Nouri.

“Keep an eye also on Ait-Nouri, because he wanted to leave Man City in the final days of the summer transfer window, but it was not possible because Man City decided to keep him and to maintain the depth in their squad,” he said.

“Now let’s see what’s going to happen in January, because there is still interest from clubs in England and in Italy. Let’s see what’s going to happen next as Ait-Nouri is another player to follow in the January transfer window in case of a good proposal.”