Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Man Utd CRAZY about Diomande, Baleba TRUTH, Cancelo WANTS Barcelona

Fabrizio Romano has provided some massive updates on the biggest transfer stories from around Europe, including the latest on Yan Diomande, Carlos Baleba and Joao Cancelo.

Cancelo wants Barcelona

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano revealed that wantaway Al-Hilal defender Joao Cancelo is keen on a return to Barcelona.

“Joao Cancelo, the Portuguese right back, is completely, 100 per cent out of the project at Al-Hilal. It’s over with the coach Simone Inzaghi. Cancelo is still hoping for the possibility to sign for Barcelona, following some contacts between his agent, Jorge Mendes, and the president of Barcelona, Joan Laporta

“Then there is a technical and financial situation to consider. Because Barcelona, in order to go for Cancelo, have, first of all, to approve that possibility on the technical point of view. And so it means Laporta, yes, but also Deco, the director, and Hansi Flick, the manager. So let’s see if Barca decide to go for Cancelo or for a centre-back.

And then also the financial aspect, because Cancelo is on a big salary, and obviously for Barca, it’s also about Financial Fair Play and LaLiga, registration. These two topics remain the two issues for Cancelo to Barca. But the player, at the moment, is waiting for Barcelona.

“If the Barcelona deal can’t happen, Inter are ready. Inter are ready to include a player in the deal with Al-Hilal. It could be [Francesco] Acerbi or [Stefan] De Vrij, a centre-back for Inzaghi, who knows those players so well.”

Huge battle for Smit

Next up, Romano reiterated that there will be a big summer battle for AZ wonderkid Kees Smit.

“For Kees Smit, for January, the move is considered really unlikely. It’s not expected to happen in January. In the summer, it’s going to be different. Newcastle would be prepared to put a lot of money on the table for Smit immediately, but at the moment, it looks, again, unlikely.

“Many clubs are following the boy for the summer, especially clubs from England and especially clubs from Spain. Real Madrid are scouting the player. There are more clubs interested.

“The pricing is going to be higher than the reported €50 million or €60m. It’s going to be a big transfer fee for AZ Alkmaar if everything continues like this. This is the position of the club.”

Man Utd crazy about Diomande

Another player driving European clubs “crazy” is RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, according to Romano.

“Leipzig don’t want to sell the player in January. Leipzig will do their best to keep the player in January. So eventually it could be a move for the summer, or in order to make it happen in January, they need to convince Leipzig. And it’s never easy with Red Bull Group.

“Many clubs are following him. Man Utd are following Diomande, are really interested in Diomande for the future. Tottenham are doing the same. PSG are also following Diomande. And I’m told that more Premier League clubs are also tracking the situation.

“Similar to Smit, it’s going to take a big amount of money. I don’t think €60m or €70m is going to be enough to convince Leipzig. The pricing is going to be higher. But for sure, Diomande and Smit, two names that are already now driving clubs crazy for the summer transfer window.”

Rodrygo not moving January

Regarding the situation of Rodrygo, Romano reports that nothing has changed at Real Madrid and that he is expected to stay.

“Rodrygo will not leave Real Madrid in January. That’s 100 per cent guaranteed, 100 per cent decided already between the player, his agents, Xabi Alonso. Xabi is very happy with Rodrygo, especially in the last two months. The attitude, the level of Rodrygo has completely changed.

“In the summer, we will see what happens, but at the moment still nothing is planned or prepared. Last summer, the club that really tried this possibility was Man City, but then Savinho didn’t end up leaving. Also PSG were tracking Rodrygo, but only in case [Bradley] Barcola left.

“It depends on how the second half of the season will go. There is a World Cup coming for Brazil. We know that with Carlo Ancelotti, the connection is very good. He’s a really important player.”

Man Utd still talking to Baleba’s agents

Lastly, Romano spoke about Man Utd’s fresh links with Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba.

“Man Utd didn’t send any official bid to Brighton. Man Utd did not reach out to Brighton to start an official negotiation in January. But Man United keep talking with the players’ camp.

“Man Utd started conversations with the player’s camp in July, continued in August. Then Brighton decided not to sell the player in the summer. Man Utd still consider Baleba as a key target for 2026. Baleba, Elliot Anderson, they are following several midfielders for 2026.

“They might sign one or two in 2026. Baleba, for sure, remains on Man Utd’s shortlist. Man Utd remain in contact with people close to the player. It’s not a secret, Carlos Baleba would love to move to Man Utd.

“But in terms of making it happen in the January transfer window, from Brighton, the message is very clear. They want to keep the player. They don’t want to sell Baleba in January. So I think the only way to make this deal happen in January would be a very big and crazy proposal.

“We know Brighton, like Red Bull, with these clubs, it’s not easy to negotiate. You really need to put crazy money on the table. And that’s not even a guarantee of making things happen.”

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