Liverpool will reportedly have to fork out €20 million (£17m/$22m) to meet Ruben Amorim's release clause at Sporting CP this summer.
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Karim Benzema has pointed blame at his Al-Ittihad team-mates for not supporting him in defence of his three-month goal drought.
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Chelsea could be offered a big name club's player in part-exchange for one of their "brilliant" wantaway men, according to a report this week.
In terms of outgoings, the west Londoners managed to offload a host of unwanted players either temporarily or permanently in the summer transfer window. Indeed, Kalidou Koulibaly, N'Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount, Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Cesar Azpilicueta, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ethan Ampadu and Callum Hudson-Odoi all come as the Chelsea players sold or loaned out this year.
After spending nearly £400 million on new arrivals, Chelsea's exit deals generated around £230 million in total as Todd Boehly, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart made an effort to balance the books. However, with January now approaching, we could see more players depart. Chelsea are reportedly interested in a new striker and new centre-back, but with FFP to consider, Mauricio Pochettino must perhaps consider selling more surplus members of his squad.
Ian Maatsen is set to leave Chelsea in January, according to reports, while Thiago Silva looks likely to depart the club as well as things stand. Fabrizio Romano has also claimed that Trevoh Chalobah is "90%" likely to exit Chelsea as well, with uncertainty surrounding Marc Cucurella and his future at Stamford Bridge.
While the aforementioned quartet may we all leave on a permanent basis, they could be joined by Arrizabalaga, who is enjoying a brilliant loan stint at Real Madrid right now. The Spaniard is even willing to pay a cut so he can leave Chelsea for good and join Carlo Ancelotti's side permanently. The feeling is mutual at Real who wish to take him indefinitely, and they could even sweeten the deal.
According to The Sun, Chelsea could be offered goalkeeper Andry Lunin in a part-exchange swap deal. The Galaticos are ready to make Arrizabalaga's loan permanent just a few months into his loan spell, and the player himself is also just as willing.
While Chelsea have signed Robert Sanchez from Brighton as their Arrizabalaga replacement, they're apparently still on the look out for goalkeepers, with Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale among the targets. Lunin has started two La Liga games for Real this season, but according to this report, a swap deal may well be on the cards.
|
Andriy Lunin strengths |
|---|
|
Penalty saving |
|
Stoppng long shots (WhoScored) |
Arrizabalaga's exit could mean a huge loss on the fee Chelsea originally paid to sign him, with the Spaniard's spell at the Bridge coming as a real mixed bag. Despite this, he has won some admiration, namely from ex-Chelsea keeper Petr Cech who called the player "brilliant".
"I must touch on Kepa, too," said Cech on Arrizabalaga to Chelsea's official website (via The Standard).
"He had to fill those big boots while Edou has been away, and he has been brilliant in all those games under even more scrutiny than usual. You need a strong team and every person ready to help. The goalkeeping group work so hard together to make sure they are all ready for when the moment comes, so Kepa deserves credit too.”
Arsenal could move forward in their attempts to sign one club's rising star in January, and he's even drawn comparisons to Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets.
The north London side, lead by sporting director Edu off the field, are said to be planning various ways to strengthen manager Mikel Arteta's options ahead of the new year. Arsenal are currently unbeaten over their first 10 games of the new Premier League season, but it is believed that they're still keen to sign a new striker.
Brentford star Ivan Toney is wanted by the Gunners as a major option to shore up their attacking options, according to reports, which state that Arsenal are among the frontrunners for Toney who is ready to leave his club. Elsewhere in the team, it has been suggested that Arteta is a fan of Pedro Neto from Wolves as he seeks an alternative to Bukayo Saka on the right wing.
Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz is an Arsenal transfer target too, as per the gossip mill, with other more obscure names being mentioned alongside the Brazilian to partner Declan Rice. One of them who's regularly mentioned is Royal Antwerp sensation Arthur Vermeeren – a player who's also said to have admirers from across Europe.
Indeed, according to a report by Spanish news outlet Sport, Arsenal "could advance their signing" of Vermeeren for €15m with La Liga giants Barcelona falling behind in the race. While they view the 18-year-old as a "Busquets-style player", a decision has not yet been made on whether they'll make a formal move.
The same cannot be said for Arsenal, though, who've already "taken a step forward" in their interest. While he is seen as a "risky" option, those at the Emirates Stadium believe he could adapt well and quickly to life in the Premier League. Arteta's side apparently wish to reinforce their midfield in the winter, as previous reports surrounding Luiz would suggest, and the teenage Vermeeren could be an interesting option.
According to WhoScored, the midfield gem stands out as one of Antwerp's best-performing players per 90 this season. Vermeeren has been praised by former Spurs defender Toby Alderweireld, who recently admitted to being a huge admirer of his "fantastic" progression in the Jupiler Pro League.
"Do I sometimes watch with my mouth open? Certainly," said Alderweireld on Vermeeren.
"Everyone knows perfectly what to do when in possession of the ball and when losing the ball. Then the qualities of such a boy come to the fore. What he shows at his age is fantastic. I have rarely seen that."
Another big name to have praised the Belgium international youngster, who recently earned his first cap for the Red Devils, is Antwerp sporting director and footballing icon Marc Overmars.
"I have no doubt that he has a fantastic level," said Overmars on Vermeeren.
"The first time I saw him he reminded me of Xavi and Iniesta, a footballer of the same profile."
Ruben Amorim has reportedly drawn up a three-man shortlist of players that he wants Liverpool to sign in the summer if he takes charge at Anfield.
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Defeat to Arsenal in the Continental Cup final and FA Cup elimination at the hands of Manchester United has raised questions, but it shouldn't
Emma Hayes’ final season at Chelsea is not following the Hollywood script. When it was revealed in November that the iconic manager will depart at the end of the campaign to become the new head coach of the United States women’s national team, fans – and even some neutrals – were hopeful that the news could galvanise this team to go further than they ever have, to encapsulate their dominance of English women’s football in one last hurrah, to win an historic quadruple.
It was always going to be a big ask. After all, it’s only ever happened once in England, that in 2007 when Hayes was the assistant at an all-conquering Arsenal side. And so it has proved, with only a double left on the table for Chelsea now after March’s Continental Cup final loss was followed up with elimination in the semi-finals of the FA Cup on Sunday.
Hayes’ post-match press conference after that 2-1 defeat to Manchester United was soaked in perspective. Asked how she balanced her own disappointment with being a leader for her team when speaking to them after the game, she replied: “I think always being mindful. No one died. We lost a football match.” Quizzed on whether the past two weeks, which have included those two cup defeats, have been the worst of her professional career, she was extremely dismissive, pointing to her underwhelming time in the U.S. with the Chicago Red Stars as “much worse”. And when asked what success in this last season would look like in her eyes, she joked: “Getting out alive.”
But while Hayes acted to counter the disastrous manner in which this defeat was being taken, some saw it as her checking out, a sign that she didn’t care anymore, that the standards had suddenly dropped. There were even jumps to suggest a disappointing final season in charge would affect the dynasty she has built. It’s all a little dramatic.
By their standards, Manchester City haven't exactly been perfect so far this season. Pep Guardiola's side have suffered blips along the way against Wolverhampton Wanderers, in what was a shock defeat, and Arsenal, before being held to a thrilling 4-4 draw by Chelsea. Yet here we are with the Manchester club sitting top of the Premier League, one point clear of Liverpool as the Reds prepare to come to The Etihad in their first game back after the international break.
Guardiola isn't one to settle for anything other than perfection and that could see some huge changes next summer, potentially resulting in a shock return for one former Premier League forward.
What Man City want they usually get in the transfer market, thanks to their position as one of the richest clubs in world football and a hugely attractive proposition to young players. They wanted Jeremy Doku in the summer and they got him. They wanted Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes and, well, you can guess the rest. City's recruitment has arguably been the most successful that English football has ever seen, especially when considering last season's treble win. Their expertise doesn't end with last summer, either, with reports suggesting they could make a major move in next summer's window.
According to Christian Falk, Manchester City are interested in signing Leroy Sane next summer to beat Premier League rivals Liverpool to the Bayern Munich winger. It remains to be seen just how much the Germany international will cost, but City's position as his former club could leave them in better stead than the Reds to secure his signature.
Given how well Doku has started, a front three of the aforementioned Belgian, Erling Haaland and Sane is a mouth-watering prospect to say the least.
The fact that Sane went out with more of a whimper than anything else at Manchester City could suggest that the door has been closed, rather than left ajar at The Etihad. But a club in City's position are always able to tempt players with the idea of silverware in the Premier League. The winger is back to his best these days, too, and is unlikely to find himself rotting away on Guardiola's bench. Sane's stats this season prove that he's finally found his feet at Bayern.
|
Player |
Goals |
Assists |
Progressive Carries |
Progressive Passes |
Successful Take-ons |
|
Leroy Sane |
8 |
6 |
61 |
57 |
47 |
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Jeremy Doku |
3 |
5 |
78 |
22 |
40 |
|
Phil Foden |
3 |
3 |
22 |
54 |
22 |
It's no surprise when looking at his numbers that Sane has been at the centre of praise by Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel, who told DAZN via iMiaSanMia: "He played very well today, with very few ball losses, even though he took risks. He was very brave in his dribbling and his running lanes. He has the physical qualities and eagerness to play and when he's clear in the head, he can make the difference. We have a connection – the chemistry is right. When he plays with freedom and desire, he makes the difference. He can also lead the way. Physically he is a machine, he can dominate the league."
Erik ten Hag responded to fans' booing as he explained why he replaced Kobbie Mainoo against Burnley.
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Manchester United could be set to lose one of their senior squad members next year, with a reliable journalist revealing that he’s been the subject of internal talks at a club who want to buy him in January.
The Red Devils have Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans as their natural options at centre-back as it stands, but there’s a strong possibility that three of them could soon be heading for the exit door.
Both Lindelof and Evans will have reached the expiration of their deals at the end of the current season (Man Utd contracts), whilst Maguire could attract attention once again having been the subject of interest over the summer despite not leaving before the deadline.
Another player who is facing an uncertain future is Raphael Varane, who has fallen significantly out of favour this season having made just four starts and the same number of substitute appearances in the Premier League (WhoScored – Varane stats).
The France international is therefore expected to receive offers from clubs in the Saudi Pro League during the upcoming window, and with CaughtOffside having since claimed that Erik ten Hag could sell him for the right price, the 30-year-old has emerged as a serious target for a high-profile admirer overseas.
Taking to X, Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg confirmed that European giants Bayern Munich are interested in Varane and have held talks over a possible move, but as it stands, a deal is unlikely to take place due to his unbelievably high salary.
He wrote: “Excl. News #Varane: Internally, FC Bayern has considered the 30 y/o. Discussions took place. Internal opinion: interesting but currently unrealistic because of his salary. It's not a hot topic yet, but he remains under observation in the next weeks.
"Bayern informed that his departure in winter is possible / #MUFC. Price valuation: €20-30m [£17-26m] / a loan is not an option at this stage. Salary: more than £17m.”
Standing at 6 foot 3, Varane provides a fantastic physical presence at the heart of Man United’s backline with his height where he’s currently averaging 2.5 clearances per game in the top-flight. The Lille native is also extremely calm and composed in possession, recording a 92.4% pass success rate at this moment in time which shows how good he is with the ball at his feet as well as when he’s trying to get rid of the danger off the ground.
Sponsored by Puma, Ten Hag’s colossus even has the versatility to operate out wide at right-back and higher up as a defensive midfielder alongside his usual role at centre-back (Transfermarkt – Varane stats), so the fact that he’s able to easily adapt to positions outside of his own makes him a great option to have in the building.
As per journalist Josh Bunting, Varane is a “leader” in the defence and he’s arguably one of the strongest options that the manager has at his disposal, so sanctioning his sale at the start of next year could be the wrong decision to make, but by th looks of it, it's a possibility.
Wrexham are back in Las Vegas for another promotion party, with Paul Mullin quizzed on who is most likely to get a Hangover-esque face tattoo.
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