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Fabrizio Romano brings the latest news on Barcelona contracts, Declan Rice and Arsenal, Julian Alvarez, Dani Carvajal, Antonio Conte and Nico Paz.
Barcelona tie down another La Masia talent as more deals loom
Barcelona have been working to secure the futures of their key players, with another La Masia product now tied down on a long-term contract.
“Barcelona have officially announced one of these new contracts that was already agreed and managed by Deco. Xavi Espart, one of the most recent talents produced by La Masia and the Barca Academy, has signed a new contract at the club until June 2030,” Romano told his YouTube channel.
“It is really important news for Barcelona, with a new long-term deal for Xavi Espart. It is a longer contract, also including a better release clause and a better salary. Everything has been agreed.
“Barca did not want to take any risk. They already extended Hamza, now Xavi Espart, and very soon there will be the announcement for Raphinha.
“Raphinha has already signed his new contract at Barcelona. I can tell you this. The official ceremony will be soon, and it could be very, very soon.
“Raphinha has already signed the official documents with his agents and lawyers, and now it is about the official ceremony. Raphinha will go to Barcelona headquarters, take a good picture with the president, show the shirt and confirm that the captain stays absolutely untouchable for Barca.
“Then there is going to be Marc Bernal, until 2031, so one more year of contract. Marc Bernal will also have a better salary. Everything has been agreed.
“Deco, Barcelona’s sporting director, really believes in this strategy to make sure the players can be very happy and everything is in balance with the salaries.
“Barca want to avoid any surprise, and this is why Hamza was first in September, now Xavi Espart in October, next Raphinha and Marc Bernal, and then they want to discuss with Gerard Martin and more.”
Arsenal close in on major Declan Rice contract decision
Arsenal are following a similar strategy by ensuring their key figures are tied down, with Declan Rice now approaching the final stages of his new deal.
“Talking about contracts, for Arsenal it is quite similar. Arsenal also want to make sure contracts are all in line and all in order,” Romano said.
“Extending Mikel Arteta was an absolute priority, but it is not a surprise.
“There were those months, March and the beginning of April, which were not easy for Arsenal in terms of results. There was a lot of pressure after a fantastic first half of the season.
“In that moment, Arsenal’s directors and owners wanted to back Mikel Arteta. They wanted to tell Mikel Arteta: ‘We trust you. We are ready to give you a new contract.’
“They then reached an agreement with the Spanish manager in the recent weeks, also with his backroom staff. So everything is done with Mikel Arteta.
“Then it is really important to mention Arsenal and the players. They want to make sure they are all very happy about their contracts.
“With Declan Rice, the agreement is very, very close. I would say it is at the final stages. The information is absolutely confirmed.
“I always told you that for Arsenal it was a priority to keep Rice and make sure the salary was going to reflect his status as one of the best midfielders in the world. Arsenal are absolutely convinced about that.
“Now Declan Rice is ready to put pen to paper soon. It is about the final details. Declan has already decided to stay and decided to continue, so that is obviously important news for Arsenal.”
Julian Alvarez makes big change as January plans remain unclear
Julian Alvarez’s future continues to generate questions, but Romano insists that everyone involved wants the Atletico Madrid star to be left alone for now.
“Some of you keep asking me what is going on with Julian Alvarez. Is it true that Julian Alvarez is leaving his agent? Is it true that Julian Alvarez is changing his mind for January?” Romano said.
“Let me separate these things.
“On one side, the answer is yes. Julian Alvarez is ready to make a change in his camp after the summer. Julian Alvarez is working on a change in terms of those who are close to him, to change the strategy and to change who is taking care of his future.
“On the other side, if you ask me about the January window, let me say that the answer from everyone involved, from Julian’s side, from the club side, from everyone, is: ‘Let Julian play football. Leave Julian alone.’
“But at this moment, the mission of everyone involved, after a very difficult summer for everyone involved, is to leave Julian alone.”
Dani Carvajal transfer blocked despite Getafe agreement
Dani Carvajal’s proposed move to Getafe has hit an unexpected obstacle, with La Liga questioning the financial terms of the deal.
“What is going on with Dani Carvajal? It is a very strange story,” Romano said.
“Dani Carvajal is available for free. Do not forget that. He is a free agent after leaving Real Madrid.
“David Alaba went to Udinese and, for Dani Carvajal, there is the opportunity to go to Getafe.
“Getafe, since three days ago, reached an agreement with Dani Carvajal. Getafe are based in Madrid, a Madrid team, and they reached an agreement with Carvajal for a salary of around €500,000.
“The answer from La Liga, despite the agreement between Carvajal and Getafe, Carvajal having a medical with Getafe, so the deal is done between them, and him being a free agent, meaning there is no club-to-club agreement, it is only club-to-player.
“La Liga is blocking the transfer so far.
“Then let us see what is going to happen in the next days, because La Liga have control over the financial fair play of the clubs.
“La Liga told Getafe: ‘You cannot proceed because Carvajal was receiving a completely different salary at Real Madrid and we do not trust that this is the agreement for the player now.’
“€500,000 compared to what he was earning at Real Madrid.
“So La Liga are blocking this transfer. Getafe have an agreement with Carvajal but now have a financial decision to make.
“So let us see what is going to happen there because obviously that is a topic.”
Antonio Conte sends Manchester United a clear message
Antonio Conte has signalled that he is ready to return to management, while his comments have inevitably prompted questions about Manchester United.
Romano explained: “Antonio Conte gave a strong quote to The Athletic over the recent days, saying, ‘I like when there are clubs with a top history who are maybe now in a difficult moment and they want to go to a club. I can help to restore the tradition, to restore the history and to win together again.’
“So Antonio Conte is sending you a clear message.
“Some of you are already asking me about Manchester United and what can happen.
“What I can tell you is that Antonio Conte is absolutely ready to restart.
“Antonio Conte left Napoli in the summer and Antonio Conte would be ready to restart. He rejected approaches from Saudi Arabia. He rejected approaches from Turkey because he wanted to go to a historical club and in a top, top league.
“So this is the mission.
“Then let us see what is going to happen. At the moment, it is the intention from Antonio Conte. We will see all the rest.”
Nico Paz emerges as Argentina’s next potential No.10
Argentina have yet to decide who will inherit Lionel Messi’s famous No.10 shirt, but Nico Paz is generating significant excitement.
“Still nothing is decided. Everything is still very fresh, so we have to wait and see what they are going to decide – Scaloni, the players, the federation, everyone together,” Romano said.
“But I can tell you that in Argentina they are very excited about Nico Paz.
“Nico Paz is doing fantastic at Como. Como bought the player from Real Madrid in the summer, but Real Madrid maintained a buyback clause only for summer 2027.
“So Real Madrid will have a decision to make with Nico Paz in the summer, for sure.
“Como are very happy with him, Fabregas is very happy with him, everyone in Italy is super excited about Nico Paz, but also in Argentina.
“So there is a chance he becomes the next No.10 of the national team.
“Let us see what they decide. Nico Paz is a candidate; it is not still a final decision.
“But for sure, I can guarantee everyone is very excited about Nico, with Real Madrid having that clause.”
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