Fabrizio Romano transfer news: Madrid signing confirmed, Spurs Paz bid, Ngumoha panic
Fabrizio Romano reveals Tottenham's failed €72m move for Nico Paz, Liverpool's stance on Rio Ngumoha and Aston Villa’s raid on Barcelona.
Arda Guler signs new Real Madrid contract as Nico Paz transfer claims addressed
Romano has provided updates on Real Madrid's contract plans for two of their most exciting young talents, Arda Guler and Nico Paz,” Romano says.
“Let me talk briefly about Real Madrid and something regarding Arda Guler. Arda is doing incredibly well. He has seven goal contributions in his last six games and 11 goal contributions since the start of the season.
“His performances have been fantastic, including a goal and an assist against Valencia.
“For Arda Guler, the new contract at Real Madrid has been signed, completed and sealed. The legal representatives of Real Madrid and Arda Guler have also completed all the documentation. They are just waiting for the formal communication from the club.
“But Arda Guler signed his new contract at Real Madrid in October. Everything is done and completed.
“We can say Arda Guler 2032. That's beautiful news for Real Madrid.
“The next one is going to be Thibaut Courtois. Another top player in this Real Madrid team, he is ready to sign until 2028.
“I also want to answer something else regarding Real Madrid, and that is Nico Paz.
“What I want to tell you about Nico Paz is that Real Madrid do not have any specific clause for a January signing. So Nico Paz is going nowhere in January. Nowhere. There is no chance of him joining Real Madrid or any other club.
“The only club that has genuinely tried to sign Nico Paz, apart from Real Madrid having their buy-back clauses, is something I want to clarify. Some people have asked me about Manchester United and the other clubs.
“As things stand, over the last two years, the club that tried to sign Nico Paz was Tottenham. This happened in the summer of 2025, not last summer. Last summer, it was a question of Real Madrid or Como, and the player decided to stay at Como for at least another season.
“But in the summer of 2025, Tottenham presented a proposal worth €50 million in fixed fees plus €22m in add-ons. Some of those add-ons were easy to achieve, while others were more difficult. The potential total package was €72m.
“However, Como, Real Madrid and Nico Paz himself all decided to say no. Nico wanted to stay at Como, so nothing happened.
“When you see all these reports about clubs wanting Nico Paz, the only club that genuinely made a bid for him was Tottenham. But all the parties said no.
“There are many clubs who admire and like Nico Paz, of course. But Real Madrid have a buy-back clause for 2027 worth €80m. That does not apply in January. Nico is 100% staying at Como in January.”
Liverpool determined to keep Rio Ngumoha despite Bayern Munich interest
Romano has addressed Bayern Munich's reported interest in Liverpool youngster Rio Ngumoha, insisting that the Premier League club have no intention of selling him.
“Many of you keep asking me about Bayern because the rumours from Germany regarding Rio and Bayern are coming back. Rio is attracting interest from Bayern,” Romano confirmed.
“But these are two separate things. One thing is to say that Bayern like Rio. That's not in doubt.
“If you want me to come here and tell you about all the clubs who like players such as Rio or Nico Paz, all the top clubs like these players. It's obvious. These are the best talents in the world.
“So Bayern liking Rio is one thing. Liverpool is another. Liverpool deserve respect in this story.
“Last summer, there were so many stories and links involving Bayern and Rio that it was almost as if there was panic. There was no panic.
“For Liverpool, the player was never for sale. There was never even an option to negotiate. They didn't want to indicate a price. €50m, €60m, €40m, €70m, €80m or €100m. No, Liverpool didn't want to negotiate.
“Liverpool want to get a new contract done for Rio Ngumoha as soon as possible. The conversation is already underway and is going quite well.
“Rio doing well is also an important factor because finding game time is obviously crucial for a young player.
“The direction is for Liverpool to push and try to complete this new contract for Rio as soon as possible. Liverpool absolutely want to keep him.
“The appreciation from Bayern is one thing. The real concrete negotiations are a different story because Rio is focused on this contract.”
Barcelona reject Aston Villa interest in La Masia gem Ebrima Tunkara
Romano believes Barcelona have another La Masia gem on their hands in Ebrima Tunkara, with the teenager increasingly impressing in training.
“The first thing I want to tell you about Ebrima is to stay tuned, because I think Ebrima Tunkara is going to be the next gem from La Masia to feature in the Barcelona first team,” Romano said.
“I don't know when, obviously, because this is under Hansi Flick's control. But Ebrima is starting to shine in training, and this boy is seen by Barcelona as a top talent.
“There are rumours about Aston Villa in the media, but there is no chance Barcelona will open the door to an exit for Ebrima Tunkara.
“Barcelona love Ebrima. Hansi Flick is also very happy with him. Again, the boy is doing very well in training, so I would not be surprised to see Ebrima Tunkara finding some playing time at Barcelona in the coming months.
“Obviously, he plays in an attacking position where Barcelona have so many top players, so it's difficult to say he is going to start or play so many minutes.
“But having the opportunity to start wearing the Barcelona shirt in the first team is something that would not surprise me.
“So Aston Villa can forget about that, because Ebrima is staying at Barcelona. I also would not be surprised if Barcelona decide to discuss a new contract with Ebrima Tunkara at some point in the coming months.”
Alisson could leave Liverpool as Juventus interest resurfaces
Romano has discussed Alisson Becker's future at Liverpool after manager Andoni Iraola was asked whether this could be the goalkeeper's final season at Anfield.
He explained: “Andoni Iraola was asked about the Alisson situation at his press conference ahead of this weekend's game. The question was whether this would be Alisson's last season at Liverpool.
“Iraola said: 'I hope not. I hope he's going to stay. He's a crucial player for us, but obviously it's down to the club and the player. It's not a question for me.'
“The answer, guys, is that Liverpool are aware of the fact that Alisson was considering a move to Italy, specifically Juventus, in the summer of 2026, initially around May or June.
“Liverpool then decided to extend his contract for a further season, and Alisson decided to stay. He wanted to help the club through a period of transition from Arne Slot to Andoni Iraola, at a time when they had already lost Mo Salah and other important players, such as Andy Robertson and then Curtis Jones.
“He didn't want to leave in a summer when Liverpool were starting this transition. He respected the club's decision and wanted to stay and fight for Liverpool for another season.
“If you ask me whether there is a chance this will be Alisson's last season, as Iraola was asked, I think it's a serious possibility.
“It's not something that has been decided 100%, but it's a serious possibility because there is interest from several countries and Alisson could explore these opportunities.
“Let's see how the season ends. It's still very early. Maybe Liverpool will decide to tell Alisson: 'No, we absolutely want you to stay here.' They could offer him a new contract.
“So let's see what's going to happen. But I can also tell you that Liverpool are very happy with Mamardashvili. Every time he's been involved, he has done quite well.”
