"PSG offered a crazy salary at night" – Fabrizio Romano admits his 2 'biggest mistakes' in transfers involve Barcelona
Fabrizio Romano has claimed that two of his most notable mistakes in the world of journalism were about Adrien Rabiot and Georginio Wijnaldum possibly moving to Barcelona.
During a recent chat with YouTube channel Rising Ballers, Romano was queried to name instances where he was ultimately wrong about his reportage. The journalist responded:
"The biggest mistakes I made was with some free agent players. With them, sometimes you can say that the deal is almost done. But probably you have to wait a little longer because with free agents every thing can change in five seconds."
Opening up on how he suggested that Rabiot was close to joining the Catalan club after leaving Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), he continued:
"I remember Adrien Rabiot was a free agent after leaving PSG [in 2019] and he signed a pre-contract agreement with Barcelona. You can do that when you're a free agent, but then the deal was not completed because of different reasons. And in the end, Rabiot decided to go to Juventus."
Shedding light on Wijnaldum's move to PSG in 2021, Romano said:
"Gini Wijnaldum was also similar, one step away from joining Barcelona. The deal was almost done, a three-year contract, everything was set. Even the medical tests were booked and PSG offered a crazy salary at night and the player decided to go there in 24 hours."
Claiming that he has learned from his mistakes, Romano concluded:
"So with free agents, I've now changed my approach. In the beginning of my career, I was reporting when it was close to being done, but now the lesson is to be careful until it's officially signed."
While Rabiot is a free agent after departing Juventus earlier this month, Wijnaldum is currently plying his trade for Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq.
Englishman's dream move to Barcelona on verge of collapsing, says Fabrizio Romano
Taking to X, acclaimed transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claimed that Hull City star Jaden Philogene is unlikely to join Barcelona. He wrote:
"Jaden Philogene's move to Barcelona looks now complicated and unlikely as he's giving priority to a Premier League move. Understand three clubs have sent him proposals: Crystal Palace, Ipswich Town, and Everton. Decision expected soon."
Philogene, 22, has emerged as a topic of speculation following his fine displays for Hull in the 2023-24 season. The English winger scored 12 goals and registered six assists in 32 EFL Championship matches.
Hansi Flick's side, on the other hand, are allegedly keeping tabs on Nico Williams' situation at Athletic Club ahead of the next campaign.