Fabrizio Romano transfer news: Camavinga future, Joao Pedro latest, Slot message
15 May 2026 06:59 BST |
7 min read
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has given his take on the big stories of the day, from Carlo Ancelotti’s new Brazil deal and Eduardo Camavinga’s shock France World Cup exclusion to the possibility of Joao Pedro leaving Chelsea for Barcelona and Arne Slot’s future.
Ancelotti signs new Brazil deal
“Carlo Ancelotti has officially signed a new contract with the Brazilian Federation, with the CBF, valid for this World Cup and the next one, until July 2030,” Romano confirmed on his YouTube channel.
“Brazil are trusting Carlo Ancelotti’s work. Even before this World Cup, they are renewing his contract for four more years, until July 2030. They want Ancelotti for this and the next World Cup.
“That’s a big message from Brazil. From what I heard, Brazil had the feeling some important clubs in Europe could have tried to tempt Carlo Ancelotti after this World Cup, to return to Europe and try for a new opportunity at a top club after the incredible job he did basically everywhere, from AC Milan to Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea. The career of Carlo Ancelotti is unbelievable.
“They had a feeling that some club could try to approach Ancelotti after the World Cup, or maybe the Italian Federation, in case he wasn’t staying with Brazil, as Italy don’t have a coach now after they got eliminated from the World Cup playoff.”
Camavinga dropped by France for World Cup
Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is the highest-profile absentee from France’s 26-man World Cup squad. What does this mean for his future?
“My understanding remains the same as I told you two weeks ago: Eduardo Camavinga doesn’t want to leave Real Madrid. He is not imagining that leaving Real Madrid means going back to performances at the best level possible. He’s not connecting Real Madrid problems with his own problems,” Romano said.
“Camavinga believed it was an unlucky season, but he wants to play for Real Madrid. He loves Real Madrid and wants to find his place at Real Madrid for the future. So the intention of the player is to stay.
“If a big proposal comes in the summer, we have to see what happens. Real Madrid could be open to discussions, but Real Madrid are not considering Camavinga a player who has to leave the club. Not at all.
“If there is a big proposal, Real Madrid could be open to discussions, but the player has to be open to discussions too. At the moment, my understanding is that Camavinga wants to fight for his place at Real Madrid, wants to try, stay at Real Madrid and be part of the Real Madrid project, also for the long term.
“This story with the French national team leaving him out is obviously complicated for him, but he will fight to be back in the Real Madrid squad for the future.”
Will Arne Slot stay at Liverpool?
Romano is confident that Arne Slot will remain at Liverpool next season, despite the pressure that has been building on him.
“Slot told the media: ‘I believe I will be the Liverpool coach next season,’” Romano said. “He’s sending a clear message.
“He says, I really believe I will be the coach. I’m involved in conversations. I’m involved in player talks for those who want to join Liverpool.
“Arne Slot is already working together with the Liverpool board on the future project. I always told you this: Liverpool never approached any other coach so far. Should anything change, I will be here and tell you. But till today, Liverpool didn’t approach any other coach. Not Xabi Alonso, not any other coach.
“Arne Slot’s message is very clear. I told you in the past few days, Liverpool are expected to continue with Arne Slot. There will be an end-of-season review, players, board, manager, but the expectation is to continue with Slot, to give him one more season.
“That’s the feeling, that’s the story. Slot is confirming. Obviously, Champions League football is crucial, and so for Liverpool the next games are going to be important, but that’s the direction, a very clear direction, and so Arne Slot is expected to stay and continue at Liverpool.”
Robert Lewandowski latest
Romano responded to the reports that Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski is ready to sign a bumper contract with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
“At the moment, it’s unlikely to see Lewandowski staying at Barcelona. But at the same time, my understanding is that it’s not true that Lewandowski already agreed a deal with Al Hilal.
“I know there are some stories around. I’m sure there will be interest from Saudi, and Al Hilal is one of the best teams in Saudi, so let’s see what’s going to happen, because Lewandowski will have options in Saudi, MLS, and not only. But it’s not true that Lewandowski has already agreed anything with Al Hilal, from what I understand.
“Also, with Barcelona, at the moment it’s unlikely, but we have to wait for official communications, and now there is still no official communication between Barca and Lewandowski. So let’s see what’s going to happen, because Lewandowski didn’t tell Barcelona: ‘I’m leaving,’ yet.
“This depends on Barca, on what Barca want to do. If tomorrow morning, in one week, in two weeks, Barcelona decide to try once again to offer a short-term contract to Lewandowski on a reduced salary, and Lewandowski decides to accept, there is still a chance he could stay at the club.
“It’s unlikely. It’s complicated. It’s seen as a complicated outcome. So the most likely solution is for Lewandowski to go. But it’s still something we need to understand, because Lewandowski has not signed with any other club and has not agreed any terms with Al Hilal, according to my information.”
Barcelona striker targets: Julian Alvarez and Joao Pedro
Barcelona’s targets to replace Lewandowski should he leave are widely thought to be Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez and Chelsea’s Joao Pedro.
“For Joao Pedro, my understanding is that Chelsea have absolutely no intention of letting Joao Pedro leave the club this summer. Chelsea believe the new project that has to start this summer, 2026, has to start with Joao Pedro as a crucial part of that,” Romano said.
“Chelsea want Joao Pedro to stay. I already told you Barcelona love Joao Pedro. Deco already wanted to sign Joao Pedro when he was at Brighton. Joao Pedro is a player super appreciated by Barcelona, that’s for sure.
“If Barcelona could go for Joao Pedro for a normal price, they would do that for sure, guaranteed. The conversations are real, but the chances? At this moment, Chelsea have absolutely no intention. Then summer is long. If anything changes, I will let you know. But as of today, Chelsea have no plans to let Joao Pedro go.
“And obviously for Julian Alvarez, it’s complicated. There is Paris Saint-Germain. Barcelona want the player, but Atletico Madrid are making it very expensive and very difficult.
“The Julian Alvarez story has all the doors open. I keep telling you that sentence: all the doors open. Not only the Barcelona one. There are more doors open for Julian Alvarez. But it’s the player who needs to understand what he wants to do next, and that’s going to dictate his future.”
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Robin Bairner is an eminent digital football journalist who has been writing about the sport for major global publishers since 2006, specialising in Ligue 1 and Scottish football. He has been chief editor of the FootballTransfers global edition since its launch in 2020. Previously Bairner had been a key member of the editorial team which helped Goal.com become the world’s biggest football website. He covered multiple major competitions as a correspondent for Goal including the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where he had the opportunity to work in Fortaleza. Among his highlights of the competition was Brazil’s quarter-final victory over Colombia.
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