Fabrizio Romano has made a name for himself as a “transfer expert”. But now a newspaper is publishing serious allegations.
For years, the football transfer market has been dominated not only by players and clubs, but also by a journalist who has made a name for himself worldwide as a “transfer expert”: Fabrizio Romano. Through his channels on X and Instagram and TV appearances, Romano has made a name for himself as a well-connected, always well-informed expert. If he announces his now infamous “Here we go!” about a transfer, then the transfer usually actually occurs. Romano is now a cult figure and almost determines what happens with his reporting. But now the Italian’s image could be starting to crack.
The Danish daily newspaper “Tipsbladet” has now published explosive allegations against Romano: his reporting is for sale. An example is a statement about midfielder Roony Bardghji from FC Copenhagen. Romano reported that the 18-year-old is currently not getting any playing time at the top Danish club because he is refusing to discuss an early extension of his contract, which runs until 2025. Copenhagen denied this report to the newspaper.
Is Romano acting “on behalf of player agents”?
The paper cited the Danish transfer market expert Troels Bager Thögersen. “I know that Romano is very popular with the public,” Thögersen is quoted as saying. “But I have to note that he often acts on behalf of player agents from whom he gets his information.” His report about Bardghji, whose contract runs until 2025 and who would probably have to be sold this summer in view of a transfer fee, was intended to put FC Copenhagen under pressure.
The paper is also said to have documents that would prove that a company associated with Romano contacted clubs themselves with the offer that they could buy advertising. In return, Romano would then give them attention through his social media channels – he has a total of 47 million followers on X and Instagram. Thögersen continued: “This is not journalism. This is a business in which clubs and consultants ultimately have to pay for advertising.”
Romano declined a Tipsbladet interview request.