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A highly sought-after midfield player who hopes to return to the Premier League in the upcoming weeks has been linked to both Newcastle United and Aston Villa.
In an effort to move past a difficult season in which Eddie Howe’s team were seriously hampered by injuries and midfielder Sandro Tonali’s lengthy suspension, the Magpies are hard at work compiling a list of transfer targets.
The Magpies are interested in Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, however they face competition to sign him according to TBR Football.
As his future at the King Power Stadium is still uncertain, he is reportedly admired by Aston Villa, Brentford, Crystal Palace, and Fulham, among others.
The Newcastle United manager has put in a lot of effort to keep his team competitive on several occasions.
The Toon Army are now focused on securing European football for the second straight season.
Newcastle have identified their transfer targets
Newcastle United are thought to be willing to bolster their squad in all positions.
As evidenced by their reported interest in Fulham centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo and Bournemouth star Lloyd Kelly, they are willing explore all options, including the free transfer market.
Ndidi’s contract at the King Power Stadium is set to expire at the end of the season.
The Leicester midfielder has been a key component of their team as they battle to win the race for Premier League promotion.
Ndidi has shown how impressive he can be in the Premier League when Leicester were playing in the top flight before their relegation.
Ndidi has wealth of experience
He has experience of playing against the best teams in the country and his performances have been noticed by clubs all across Europe.
Only a few months are left on the 27-year-old’s contract at Leicester after joining from Belgian team Genk for a reported £17 million in 2017.
He has made 271 appearances for the Foxes thus far.
The post Newcastle and Aston Villa battle to sign former Premier League midfielder appeared first on CaughtOffside.
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/04/26/newcastle-villa-premier-midfielder/
Arsenal have reportedly opened contract talks with defender Gabriel.
That’s according to a recent report from the Daily Mail’s Sami Mokbel, who claims the Brazilian centre-back has begun early discussions over the possibility of signing a new deal.
Although the Gunners are in no danger of losing Gabriel, 26, with his current deal not set to expire until 2027, securing his future will be high on the club’s agenda.
Gabriel closing in on new Arsenal contract
And highlighting the 26-year-old’s importance to Mikel Arteta’s plans, the Londoners are understandably eager to tie the South American down on new, and presumably, improved, terms.
Securing Gabriel’s signature would be a real coup for Arsenal and could have the same impact as a new signing.
The Sao Paulo-born defender has been one of the club’s most consistent performers since joining from Lille back in 2020.
Featuring in 164 games in all competitions, Gabriel is one of the first names on Arteta’s team sheets week in week out. The centre-back isn’t shy when it comes to scoring either — boasting a total of 15 goals throughout his four years at the Emirates, Arsenal’s number six has certainly chipped in when needed.
Lifting this season’s Premier League would be the icing on the cake for the 26-year-old, who is one of the fanbase’s most loved players — although overcoming a relentless Manchester City with just five games left to play will be a huge challenge.
The post Arsenal open contract talks with 26-year-old first-team star appeared first on CaughtOffside.
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/04/26/arsenal-open-gabriel-contract-talks/
Premier League CEO, Richard Masters, was put right on the spot during a press conference that took place for the European Leagues, with one question going directly for the jugular regarding Man City’s outstanding 115 charges for alleged financial irregularities.
Sat alongside Pedro Proenca, President of the European Leagues & Liga Portugal, Jacco Swart, Managing Director of the European Leagues and Alberto Colombo, Deputy General Secretary of the European Leagues, Masters, to his credit, didn’t shirk the question.
Man City case to be resolve soon
“We can’t comment on the case as you know, but the date has been set and it will resolve itself in the near future,” he said to gathered and online media, including representatives from CaughtOffside.
It wasn’t the only difficult question that Masters and his colleagues were subject to either, as topics ranged from the amount of games having to be played to games being played abroad and government regulation.
“There is a growing pressure on the match calendar,” Jacco acknowledged when a comment concerning player welfare had to be addressed.
“UEFA have presented full details of the new international calendar and you will definitely see decisions that will be taken.
“There has to be a balance between international and domestic competitions.”
Masters appeared to agree. “It’s getting to a tipping point,” he added.
“We’re proud to be different in England but if you pour more liquid into the cup that is already full, it will overflow.
“It stands to reason if you overload the calendar, something’s got to give.”
The idea of a government regulator in England is a topic that has been discussed before and the press wanted to understand what Masters et al thought FIFA and UEFA’s reaction would be.
“What happens in England is something that European Leagues won’t interfere in,” Jacco interjected.
“We see that domestic football markets all across Europe are under enormous pressure. We are in general agreement that governments have good intentions but regulation could be self-harming.
“Government would need to be wary of the quickly changing landscape of international club football.”
One of the more interesting questions related to multi club ownership and how European Leagues intended to stop supposed the supposed lesser leagues in European football becoming feeder leagues for the major leagues.
“The board of directors will take a decision on this big topic at a future meeting,” Proenca noted.
“It’s a complicated topic, and needs a growing conversation with UEFA as well as internally. It’s high on the priority list.”
The post ‘In the near future” – Premier League CEO Richard Masters hints at Man City hearing timeline appeared first on CaughtOffside.
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/04/26/premier-league-man-city-hearing/
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that Destiny Udogie will miss this summer’s European Championship due to injury.
The Spurs full-back has suffered a quadriceps injury while taking a shot on goal in training.
Confirming the 21-year-old will now be ruled out for a prolonged period, Ange Postecoglou has explained how the ‘unfortunate incident’ has put the Italian out for the rest of the season.
“It was an unfortunate incident,” the Aussie boss told reporters, as quoted by Ben Jacobs.
“He’s had the op, it’s gone well, and hopefully it gives him time to be back for pre-season.”
The Verona-born defender made his senior international debut six months ago and had secured three caps since so it is fair to assume he would have been included in Luciano Spalletti squad for the Euros.
Therefore, this development will serve as a massive blow to the player and Italy. Nevertheless, injuries are a big part of top-level sport and the player’s strong mentality will now be needed as he begins his recovery in time for the 2024-25 season.
The post Ange Postecoglou confirms Spurs star out of Euros with injury appeared first on CaughtOffside.
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/04/26/destiny-udogie-injured-euros/
Following his retirement from football, Gareth Bale has joined Steph Curry’s ‘Underrated Golf’ as an ambassador for the tour’s maiden European run.
Bale, 34, quit football after captaining Wales at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
During his playing career, the five-time Champions League winner was well-known for being an avid golfer.
Bale is joining NBA star Stephen Curry in his golf endeavors, following weeks after the player autographed a jersey for him while he was courtside at a Golden State Warriors game in Los Angeles.
The golf tour is hosting its debut event in the UK at the Walton Health Golf Course in May, marking its expansion from the US into Europe.
According to a report in the Mirror, Bale said:
“It’s an honour to join Stephen Curry and his Underrated Golf European Tour as ambassador as they expand their presence internationally this year.
“I’ve admired the work the tour has done in the U.S. to grow the game of golf, a sport I love and believe in the vast opportunities it provides.
“My role as an ambassador allows me to fuse my enthusiasm for the sport with my passion for creating multi-faced sports opportunities for youth within Wales, and I look forward to seeing the young athletes’ skills when they step out on the greens at Walton Heath this May.”
As an ambassador, Bale joins Henni Koyack, a presenter for Sky Sports and a former player on the Ladies European Tour.
Gareth Bale will help young golfers
While providing direction and assistance, he will enlist athletes to compete in their events.
96 participants between the ages of 12 and 18 will compete in a 36-hole stroke play tournament over the course of two days in Surrey for the first-ever Underrated Golf competition in Europe.
The boys’ and girls’ champions will be guaranteed a spot in the Curry Cup Tour Championship in September.
The post Gareth Bale lands first job after retiring from football appeared first on CaughtOffside.
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/04/26/gareth-bale-lands-first-job/
Raheem Sterling will reportedly miss Chelsea’s Premier League game against Aston Villa due to injury.
That’s according to a recent report from journalist Simon Jonson, who claims the English winger is suffering from lower back pain and is therefore ruled out of Saturday evening’s game at Villa Park.
There has been some good injury news though. Mauricio Pochettino, while speaking to reporters recently, confirmed Cole Palmer is back following a brief spell of illness — fans can therefore probably expect the 21-year-old to start on the right flank against the Villains.
As for Sterling, with the Englishman’s future heavily speculated in recent times, there is a possibility the former Manchester City attacker could leave Stamford Bridge this summer.
Linked with a high-profile move away, Sterling could be one of this year’s big movers and should that be the case, with this latest injury setback, there is a genuine possibility that the 29-year-old could have already played his last competitive match for the Blues.
Since signing for the Londoners from City two years ago, Sterling, who has three years left on his deal, has scored 17 goals and registered 12 assists in 78 games in all competitions.
The post Chelsea dealt injury blow ahead of Villa clash; attacker ruled out appeared first on CaughtOffside.
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/04/26/chelsea-injury-news-raheem-sterling/
Arsenal are in the market for a new number nine this summer and the Gunners have a very strong relationship with Kia Joorabchian, the agent of Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee.
The Gunners have netted plenty of goals without a proper striker this season as they continue to chase the Premier League title, but there have been several times when a natural goalscorer would have been useful.
Names such as Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres and Brentford’s Ivan Toney have been linked to the Emirates over recent months, but a name that has also appeared is Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee.
The 22-year-old is having a great season in Serie A, scoring 11 goals and assisting a further five across 31 games for I Rossoblu.
This has attracted the attention of not only Arsenal but also AC Milan, who have the Dutch star as their top target for the summer and are in frequent contact with the player’s team ahead of the summer transfer window says transfer expert Matteo Moretto.
Arsenal have very strong relationship with Joshua Zirkzee’s agent
Writing in his latest exclusive column for CaughtOffside, Matteo Moretto has stated that AC Milan are pushing for Zirkzee but Arsenal cannot be ruled out of the race due to the Gunners’ relationship with the player’s agent.
The transfer journalist has said: “In terms of Joshua Zirkzee, he remains the number one target for Milan, there are frequent contacts, and it is not something that started in February and has gone quiet, they are working on it. That is the one concrete interest that we have in terms of Zirkzee, and as it stands, they have to be leading the race.
“Currently Milan are focused on sorting out the managerial situation, but Zirkzee is their top target, and the contacts are regular. In Italy, Inter and Juventus have been linked by other outlets, but it is Milan who have made movements. Zirkzee is very, very attracted by Milan, they have history, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and a project for him.
“With the Arsenal links, basically Zirkzee’s agent Kia Joorabchian has a very strong relationship with Arsenal, so no doubt, there have been talks about him. But so far, it hasn’t gone beyond that.”
It will be interesting to see if the Premier League club make a move for the 22-year-old but by the time they decide what target to pursue, Milan might already have acquired the services of Zirkzee.
The post Exclusive: Arsenal have “very strong” relationship with agent of striker target appeared first on CaughtOffside.
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/04/26/arsenal-joshua-zirkzee/
Man United target Thomas Tuchel says that Bayern Munich fans wanting him to stay is a “pleasant topic” but admits that he is not focussed on that ahead of a big week for the European giants.
The Bundesliga club host Eintracht Frankfurt at the weekend before facing Real Madrid in their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday night.
This campaign has been very underwhelming for Bayern but their run in Europe has sparked up support for Tuchel as he prepares to leave at the end of the season.
Some fans of the Munch outfit would like the German coach to stay at the Allianz Arena and speaking about this topic at his press conference on Friday, the 50-year-old says that it is “pleasant” but not something he is focused on.
“For me, this is a pleasant topic that people want to keep me here. But it has no priority for me,” Tuchel said via Fabrizio Romano.
“I don’t want to take it as an excuse or distraction. We are in full focus on the final games.”
Thomas Tuchel interested in the Man United job
Many outlets, such as Christian Falk, have reported that Tuchel wants the Man United job should the Premer League club sack Erik ten Hag at the end of the season.
Football Insider are reporting that the German coach and Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi are the two top contenders for the manager’s role at Old Trafford and the former Chelsea coach’s credentials will likely put him ahead of the Italian.
The report states that it’s increasingly likely the Dutchman will head out of the exit door at Old Trafford before next season due to the poor campaign that has unfolded over the past few months and with Tuchel being a free agent, there is a high chance he could take over from Ten Hag.
The post Man United target comments on “pleasant topic” as fans of European giants want him to stay appeared first on CaughtOffside.
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/04/26/man-united-thomas-tuchel/
Chelsea fans could soon welcome Cole Palmer back following illness.
Currently sitting top of the Premier League’s goalscoring charts, Palmer, 21, is enjoying a fantastic season and is proving to be one of the Blues’ only good signings in recent windows.
Despite his emphatic form, the 21-year-old was absent from Chelsea’s last game against Arsenal due to illness. Suffering a humiliating 5-0 defeat, Chelsea were handed their heaviest-ever defeat against their cross-town rivals.
And although Palmer’s presence may not have prevented Chelsea from losing earlier in the week, he was certainly missed.
However, good news has been provided by Mauricio Pochettino, who has confirmed he is expecting his number 20 to be available for Saturday evening’s league game against Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.
“He’s training well,” he told reporters ahead of Saturday’s game against Aston Villa (as quoted by Ben Jacobs).
“We assume he’ll be available [for Aston Villa].”
Tomorrow’s game, which will be played at Villa Park, is scheduled to kick off at 8 p.m. (UK time).
The post Mauricio Pochettino delivers positive Cole Palmer injury update appeared first on CaughtOffside.
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/04/26/chelsea-injury-news-cole-palmer/
Though there are still a few games left to play in the current Premier League campaign, it appears that Man United are already feathering their nest ready for a new arrival in the Old Trafford dugout.
Erik ten Hag has flattered to deceive as manager during 2023/24, and the standard of performances as well as results of late, speak of a man that is no longer able to motivate a group of players to the standard that’s required.
Perhaps that’s why so many rumours regarding his continuity continue to be making the headlines at the moment.
Bologna want to keep hold of Thaigo Motta
One of those has come via Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia), and it could spell bad news for the Red Devils.
They suggest that Man United have been keeping tabs on Bologna’s highly-rated manager, Thiago Motta.
Unfortunately, his current employers are keen to keep him and want to extend his contract, particularly if he manages to ensure Bologna qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history.
Motta has really made a name for himself in Italy and it’s no wonder why one of the best teams in the world would be after his services.
However, aside from a stint as manager of Paris Saint-Germain’s u19 side, Motta has exclusively spent his managerial career in Italy as before Bologna, he spent time at Spezia and Genoa.
That doesn’t mean he would be averse to moving elsewhere, but at just 41 years of age, he still has plenty of time to move on to a bigger club later in his managerial career.
It just seems that, for now, the position that’s likely to become available at Old Trafford has come too soon for him, and it will likely force Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team to look elsewhere.
The post Serie A side set to scupper Man United’s pursuit of ten Hag replacement appeared first on CaughtOffside.
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/04/26/man-united-pursuit-ten-hag/
