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Express Sport keeps you up to date with the day's latest transfer developments.
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1706833/transfer-news-live-man-utd-chelsea-hijack-sofyan-amrabat-world-cup
Manchester United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka won’t extend his loan spell beyond this season.
Dubravka signed for Manchester United during the summer transfer window to play second fiddle to David De Gea. The Newcastle loanee is yet to feature for United in the Premier League, but recently made his debut against Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup.
After Manchester United sent Dean Henderson out on loan, they were left short in the goalkeeper department, and with De Gea out of contract at the season, United may have considered extending Dubravka’s stay.
However, according to ESPN, Manchester United won’t be looking to extend Dubravka’s loan or sign him on a permanent deal and are currently in talks to sign Yann Sommer as another goalkeeping option.
Due to a lack of first-team opportunities at United and with Newcastle signing Nick Pope, a permanent transfer away from St James Park is probably for the best for Dubravka.
The Slovakian played a key role for Newcastle before their Saudi investment, but they’ve now looked to strengthen that position and he’s become surplus to requirements.
The post Manchester United star won’t extend his stay beyond this season appeared first on CaughtOffside.
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2022/12/08/manchester-united-star-wont-extend-his-stay-beyond-the-end-of-the-season/
Chelsea are willing to splash the cash on young German talent Youssoufa Moukoko.
Moukoko was called up to the German national team squad to head to the Qatar World Cup, despite being just 18 years old. The young forward has grown into a first-team regular at Borussia Dortmund, scoring six league goals already this season.
His performances have attracted the interest of clubs around Europe, with managers hoping to find the next talent to have been developed by Borussia Dortmund.
Now, according to SPORT, Barcelona are looking at Moukoko after Real Madrid look set to win the race for Endrick, but Chelsea are reportedly willing to pay a fortune to secure his signature.
Moukoko is out of contract next summer, so if he’s looking for a move to a club like Barcelona or Chelsea, there’s a good chance he could run down his current deal.
Since Todd Boehly took over at Chelsea, his philosophy has been to identify the young talent around Europe and look to convince them to make the move to Stamford Bridge, a refreshing change from their usual recruitment strategy of spending hundreds of millions on ready-made players.
The post Chelsea willing to splash the cash to secure signing of young German talent appeared first on CaughtOffside.
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2022/12/08/chelsea-willing-to-splash-the-cash-to-secure-signing-of-young-talent/
Express Sport keeps you up to date with the day's latest transfer developments.
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1706833/transfer-news-live-man-utd-chelsea-hijack-sofyan-amrabat-world-cup
Chelsea are looking to rival Arsenal and Liverpool in the race to sign Villarreal youngster Alex Baena.
Baena spent last season on loan at Girona where he learnt his trade in the second division of Spanish football. Since returning to Villarreal, Baena has become a regular in the first team, despite being just 21 years old.
However, the Spanish club may struggle to keep hold of him, with multiple Premier League sides now showing an interest in the young winger.
A report from Fichajes has claimed that Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal are all in the race to sign Baena.
With four goals in 13 appearances in La Liga this season, it’s no surprise to see some of the biggest clubs in Europe taking a look at the youngster.
With former Villarreal manager Unai Emery leaving to join Aston Villa, they’re also reportedly now interested in signing Baena, and his relationship with his former coach could give Villa an advantage.
However, with the other aforementioned clubs significantly more attractive than Villa at this moment, Baena may opt to join a Champions League club.
The post Chelsea looking to rival Arsenal and Liverpool in race to sign Villarreal star appeared first on CaughtOffside.
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2022/12/08/chelsea-looking-to-rival-arsenal-and-liverpool-in-race-to-sign-villarreal-star/
Good morning guys! Enjoy today’s Daily Briefing – click here to SUBSCRIBE and get this in your email inbox five mornings a week, including for FREE on Thursdays.
Arsenal
Some fans have asked me about why Cody Gakpo didn’t get a big move in the summer, but it’s easy to make judgements with hindsight after his incredible start to this season and performances at the World Cup.
I’m not surprised because it’s not easy to invest €50m on a player with that track record, but he’s a top talent and many clubs were monitoring him, even if they weren’t ready to pay up for him at that time.
Arsenal were interested last March, Man United last August – and then many other Premier League clubs including Leeds.
Atletico Madrid
Joao Felix on his future: “I’m completely focused on the World Cup. My agent doesn’t tell me anything about what’s going to happen, nor does he want to. I need to be focused on the now to play a great tournament.”
I can reveal that Joao Felix has chances to leave Atletico in 2023, for sure. His asking price will be more than €100m, around €120m – then it will depend on the proposals. As I recently reported, there have been several approaches, but no official offers.
Now it’s early to say where he could go, his agent is exploring the market and is speaking to many clubs. Felix dreams of the Premier League one day. I think he’d be perfect in any club in the world, but he desperately needs to play – he has to be a starter.
He’s had a good relationship with Atletico fans, but it’s true that his relationship with Diego Simeone has been tense.
Barcelona
Barcelona director Jordi Cruyff: “Frenkie de Jong is not for sale. He’s key player for us, so that time has passed. He’s here and he’s important for us. At the end last summer after Fair Play discussions he stayed here and Frenkie is really loved at Barca”.
Cruyff on Memphis Depay: “Why should we sell Depay in January if it’s difficult to sign new players because of Financial Fair Play? He’s always been a great professional. He can be really helpful. Free agent in June? We will see in the next months.”
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich want to offer Jamal Musiala a new deal, according to director Hasan Salihamidzic: “We told Jamal’s mother and his management that we’re very happy with Jamal. We want to sit down with them after the World Cup to talk about Jamal’s further future at Bayern.”
Belgium
Official. Eden Hazard has retired from international football after Belgium’s World Cup exit.
The Real Madrid forward bows out after 126 appearances and 33 goals for his country. He’s fourth on their all-time appearances list, and their second highest goal-scorer.
Chelsea
Josko Gvardiol continues to be the subject of much speculation, but he wants to focus on the World Cup and right after will be time for talks with top clubs. Chelsea remain keen on signing him, then many other clubs around the world are following Josko. It’s an open race, nothing is agreed.
Fiorentina
Sofyan Amrabat’s agent Mohammed Sinouh tells me on Premier League links: “Of course, I get a lot of phone calls for Sofyan. The whole world has seen he’s the best holding midfielder of the World Cup. Sofyan is top professional, he’s focused on World Cup with Morocco.”
Germany
It’s officially confirmed – Hansi Flick will stay on as Germany manager despite a disappointing 2022 World Cup.
Jurgen Klopp was never keen on being appointed as new Germany manager. He’s 100% focused on Liverpool now, though former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel was open to talking about the job.
Juventus
Adrien Rabiot on his future ahead of his contract expiring in June: “Premier League attracts me. I’ve always said I’d like to play there — will it be at the end of my contract at Juve? I don’t know. I don’t have favourite team in England, no team where I’d necessarily like to play.”
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp was never keen on the Germany job. He’s 100% focused on Liverpool now, already discussing new signings with the board and insisting for Jude Bellingham. Klopp and Liverpool board will also decide together on player contract situations.
Manchester United
Manchester United wanted Cody Gakpo in the summer and they are still in talks with people close to the player. It’s not just them, though, with other clubs also showing an interest. PSV’s plan had been to keep Gakpo this January and then sell in the summer, but if a €50m bid comes in in January there is a chance for him to leave. I’m told there is a very serious chance of a move, so keep an eye on him in the next few weeks.
Erik ten Hag is really happy with Alejandro Garnacho’s development. He’s doing very well also in training, he’s part of present and future plans. The idea of the club is to extend his contract as soon as possible, negotiations are ongoing.
Josko Gvardiol has been linked with Man Utd by some reports, but I’m not aware of any change on his future. His focus is on the World Cup and nothing is agreed with any other club. I expect several top teams from England and Spain will be in for him in 2023.
Portugal
Not just Nuno Mendes, now the World Cup is also over for Danilo Pereira after his injury, with the midfielder expected to return to Paris soon.
One more blow for Portugal after the PSG left back’s injury last week.
PSG
PSG appreciate Jude Bellingham, as hinted by their president Nasser Al Khelaifi, but they know it’s going to be difficult to enter the race now. Liverpool are really pushing for Bellingham, and Man City, Chelsea and Real Madrid remain in the race.
Marco Verratti has accepted all details of Paris Saint-Germain’s new contract proposal. His lawyers have approved it and the new deal will be signed soon.
Reminder: Verratti joined PSG from Italian 2d division side Pescara in 2012… and new agreement will be valid until June 2026. A remarkable career for the Italian midfielder.
PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi on Cristiano Ronaldo: “Signing Ronaldo? The three players that we have [Messi, Neymar and Mbappe] it’s very difficult to think about Ronaldo. I wish him all the best. He’s fantastic and he’s still an amazing player.”
PSV
Cody Gakpo: “I haven’t heard from Manchester United yet. If they come, I will think about it with God’s help. I thought about Man Utd last summer, but when that didn’t happen, I didn’t know anymore. Then Leeds arrived, I had doubts… now I wait and see.”
Real Madrid
An important clarification: there’s no way for Real Madrid to bring Endrick to Europe in 2023. International rules only allow Endrick to arrive in July 2024, when he turns 18.
Real are prepared to invest more than €60m now as they consider Endrick a special talent, but it will still be some time before we see him at the Bernabeu.
Spain
Official, confirmed: Luis Enrique has left his position as manager of the Spanish national team.
Tottenham
Sofyan Amrabat has had a great World Cup and we’re now seeing more and more transfer rumours about the Morocco midfielder.
I spoke to his agent Mohammed Sinouh today and he told me that there are many calls but no advanced negotiations. Sofyan only wants to focus on the World Cup and Fiorentina will try to keep him until June.
Tottenham were close to signing him last January then Fiorentina made the deal collapse, he’s always been in the list of Antonio Conte since he was Inter Milan manager.
West Ham
West Ham are making it a priority to sign a new striker in the January transfer window (Sun)
Wolves
Negotiations between Wolves and Atletico Madrid for Matheus Cunha are still ongoing, progressing to find full agreement on all details. Timing will be key, as there are other clubs interested too. Felipe’s also discussed between the two clubs, as I revealed a few days ago.
The post Exclusive: Gakpo Arsenal, Bellingham PSG, Felix exit, Endrick transfer date, and more – Fabrizio Romano appeared first on CaughtOffside.
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2022/12/08/exclusive-transfer-news-endrick-bellingham-gakpo/
Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has earned huge praise from former Chelsea and Brazil midfielder Ramires.
The ex-Blue is pleased to see a young Brazilian talent doing so well in the Premier League right now, with Martinelli certainly proving to be one of Arsenal’s most important players so far this season as they’ve climbed to the top of the Premier League table.
Still, Ramires believes it’s inevitable that elite clubs like Real Madrid and Juventus will eventually come calling for the 21-year-old, and he’s warned the Gunners that they need to do everything they can to keep him at the Emirates Stadium.
Ramires, speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes at the launch of their World Cup Free-To-Play Halftime Quiz, said: “Gabriel Martinelli is a terrific player, he’s been absolutely tremendous for Arsenal this season, and it’s great to see a young Brazilian coming through and showing so much maturity.
“It’s inevitable that huge clubs like Real Madrid and Juventus will come knocking on the door. At Arsenal, he is playing for a huge club with lots of ambition, but of course, there’s always going to be another level.
“I’d say it’s down to Martinelli and what he wants, you know, it’s natural for players like him to think about teams such as Real Madrid, the size and stature of that club, and how it was maybe a childhood dream to play for them.
“I personally believe that Martinelli still has another level within himself that he’s yet to find, because he’s still so young, and he’s developing. He’s improving with every single game, and if Arsenal can keep hold of him, they have a top, top player who can bring so much happiness to the fans in the shape of trophies.
“Arsenal have to do everything within their power to keep Gabriel Martinelli.
“There’s always going to be talk around him. even in Brazil, people are wondering where his next move is going to be. Arsenal must do everything they can to keep hold of him, because he’s an amazing player and I’m confident there’s another level he can reach.”
Martinelli could have an even more important role to play for Arsenal in the second half of the season after the injury to Gabriel Jesus at the World Cup.
It remains to be seen what Mikel Arteta will do to cope with that injury, but it could make sense for him to use Martinelli in a more central role, though one imagines this will depend on what the club decide to do in the transfer market, or how Eddie Nketiah performs after a run of games up front.
The post “It’s inevitable” – Arsenal warned they face fight to stop big clubs trying to sign one of their best players appeared first on CaughtOffside.
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2022/12/08/arsenal-given-gabriel-martinelli-transfer-warning/
West Ham manager David Moyes has heaped praise onto Sevilla and Morocco striker Youssef En-Nesyri after his fine performances at the World Cup.
En-Nesyri has been linked with the Hammers several times in the past, and there have been fresh transfer rumours about the east Londoners looking to sign a new striker as a priority this January.
It’s clear Moyes remains a fan of En-Nesyri, if his latest column in the Times is anything to go by.
“In Youssef En-Nesyri they (Morocco) have a centre forward who is an incredible good runner and gives them an outlet,” the Scottish tactician wrote.
West Ham would surely still do well to move for En-Nesyri at the next opportunity.
Moyes brought in Gianluca Scamacca during the summer but he hasn’t got going just yet, while Michail Antonio’s form has dipped.
The post ‘Incredible good runner’ – Moyes admits he is in love with striker West Ham want to sign appeared first on CaughtOffside.
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2022/12/08/moyes-praises-west-ham-transfer-target-en-nesyri/
Former Chelsea midfielder Ramires has urged his old club to seal the transfer of Borussia Dortmund and England sensation Jude Bellingham.
The 19-year-old midfielder is taking the 2022 World Cup by storm this winter, and much has been made about what will likely be a fierce battle in the transfer market for his signature in the summer of 2023.
Chelsea are expected to be one of the names involved in the race to sign Bellingham, according to Fabrizio Romano in his exclusive CaughtOffside column, but the Blues will face plenty of competition from other big names.
The England international would be a tremendous signing for Chelsea if they could pull it off, though, with Graham Potter in need of upgrades on ageing duo N’Golo Kante and Jorginho, who are both out of contract at the end of the season.
Ramires, speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes at the launch of their World Cup Free-To-Play Halftime Quiz, called on Bellingham to choose a move to Stamford Bridge to further his development.
“I’m always watching English football, and I’ve seen every England game so far in Qatar,” Ramires said.
“They have so many exciting young players, but Jude Bellingham is the one for me. He’s the one boy who has caught my attention; I believe he’s on a different level altogether.
“Some of the guys that are coming through are incredible, but Jude is a different level, for me. I’ve been so impressed by him.
“Bellingham and Declan Rice have both been linked with moves to Chelsea in the past. If it was up to me and I had to choose out of the two to sign for the club, I’d go with Bellingham.
“I could see him carrying on his development at Chelsea, for sure. He’d absolutely be an amazing signing.”
Ramires played for Chelsea between 2010 and 2016, forming a key part of that 2012 Champions League-winning side.
The post “He’s on a different level” – Former Chelsea ace urges Blues to seal “amazing signing” of World Cup sensation appeared first on CaughtOffside.
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2022/12/08/chelsea-urged-to-seal-jude-bellingham-transfer-by-ramires/
Manchester United are keeping tabs on Portuguese youngster Joao Moreira as Erik ten Hag looks to build his squad for the long term.
With Aaron Wan-Bissaka barely featuring for Manchester United this season, and Diogo Dalot only beginning to find consistent form, a new right-back could be a priority for Ten Hag over the next two transfer windows.
Dalot has kicked on immensely this season, so bringing in a backup right-back with a long-term view could be a smart idea from Manchester United.
Now, according to Globo (via The Top Flight), United are keeping tabs on 18-year-old full-back Moreira. The Portuguese defender currently plays in Brazil with Sao Paulo, making 11 appearances since the beginning of the year.
Despite now featuring too much, at the age of 18 it’s never going to be easy to cement a regular place in a senior side.
The chances of Moreira breaking into the United starting eleven immediately would be slim, but signing young stars of the future can be just as important as signing ready-made players for the first team.
The post Manchester United keeping tabs on Portuguese star as Erik ten Hag looks to build long-term appeared first on CaughtOffside.
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2022/12/08/manchester-united-keeping-tabs-on-portuguese-star-as-erik-ten-hag-looks-to-build-long-term/
