Romano Silences Chelsea-Vinicius Talk

The football world’s most trusted source for transfer news, Fabrizio Romano, has definitively shut down the sensational rumors linking Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr. with a move to Chelsea. Despite a flurry of reports suggesting the Premier League giants were ready to shatter transfer records for the Brazilian winger this January, Romano has labeled the speculation as entirely baseless.

The rumors gained significant traction over the last few days, with claims that the West London club was preparing a staggering £135 million bid. Sources behind the gossip cited growing friction at the Santiago Bernabéu between Vinicius and Real Madrid’s manager, Xabi Alonso, who took over the reigns of the Spanish giants last summer. It was suggested that Chelsea’s newly appointed manager, Liam Rosenior, had identified the 25-year-old as the crown jewel for his 2026 project.

However, the “Here We Go” specialist took to his social media platforms on Wednesday to set the record straight. Romano’s assessment was blunt, stating that there have been no talks, no formal bids, and certainly no active negotiations between the two clubs. He clarified that the reports coming out of Spain and England are “completely wide of the mark” and do not reflect the current reality of the January window.

According to Romano, Vinicius Jr. remains fully committed to his life in Madrid. While it is true that the winger has entered the final 18 months of his contract—which runs until June 2027—the player’s focus is exclusively on his performance on the pitch. The contract situation is a matter that both the player and Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez intend to assess in due course, but a mid-season exit is not on the cards.

The debunked rumor had initially suggested that Chelsea’s hierarchy was willing to abandon their strict wage structure to land the Brazilian icon. This seemed unlikely to seasoned observers, given the club’s recent pivot toward younger, lower-wage profiles. Romano reinforced this by noting that Chelsea is moving in a “different direction,” focusing on emerging talents like Estêvão and Deinner Ordonez rather than established superstars with massive salary demands.

Within the Real Madrid camp, the environment remains professional despite the inevitable pressure of the winter window. Manager Xabi Alonso, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti after the 2024-25 season, has continued to emphasize Vinicius’s importance to the squad as they chase further domestic and European glory. While the home crowd at the Bernabéu has been demanding lately, the bond between the player and the club remains intact.

For Chelsea fans, the news may come as a disappointment, but it provides much-needed clarity. The club is indeed active in the market under the guidance of Liam Rosenior, but their priorities appear to lie in strengthening the defense and finding “market opportunities” rather than launching a blockbuster raid on the reigning European champions.

As the January window progresses, the focus for Vinicius will shift back to the pitch, where he aims to re-establish his dominance in a front line now featuring Kylian Mbappé. The contract standoff will undoubtedly resurface as the summer of 2026 approaches, but for now, the Brazilian remains a “Madridista” through and through.