Transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Arsenal actually had two suitors in the market for Jakub Kiwior during the summer transfer window.

The Gunners only signed Kiwior during last January’s window, bringing the talented young Polish defender in from Serie A side Spezia, and he’s quickly shown his value as a versatile and reliable squad player in Mikel Arteta’s side.

Still, writing in his Daily Briefing column today, Romano explained that Kiwior quickly attracted suitors during the summer, with Sevilla and an unnamed Italian club apparently keen to sign the 23-year-old on loan.

However, Arsenal wanted to keep hold of Kiwior, and it looks the right decision too as he’s settled in well at the Emirates Stadium and can surely have an important role to play over the course of a long season when the club are bound to have injuries or a need to simply rest players from time to time.

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Exclusive: Arsenal had two transfer suitors for important squad player this summer, says Fabrizio Romano

Nov 1 2023, 8:07

20-year-old with over 100 first-team appearances already is a target for Liverpool

Nov 1 2023, 7:53

England international to spark £80m bidding war between Arsenal and Chelsea

Nov 1 2023, 7:20

Discussing Kiwior’s situation, Romano said: “It’s been reported that Mikel Arteta stopped Jakub Kiwior from leaving Arsenal on loan in the summer.

“Sevilla were interested in the Polish defender, it’s true, and there was also an unnamed Italian club keen on signing him.

“But Arsenal always wanted Jakub to stay and be part of the rotations this season, so there was never a concrete chance of leaving the club.”

The post Exclusive: Arsenal had two transfer suitors for important squad player this summer, says Fabrizio Romano appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Tottenham are interested in signing Inter Milan’s Hakan Calhanoglu to reinforce and complete their midfield.

Ange Postecoglou has revolutionised the North London side in such a short space of time as they currently sit top of the Premier League after 10 games played.

The summer signing of James Maddison from Leicester City seems to have been a masterstroke by the club as he has shown that he can perform at the highest level consistently, making an instant impact to help the club climb to the top of the table.

Alongside Yves Bissouma, the pair make a formidable partnership in the middle of the park but Postecoglou still wants to add another midfielder.

More Stories / Latest News

Exclusive: Arsenal had two transfer suitors for important squad player this summer, says Fabrizio Romano

Nov 1 2023, 8:07

20-year-old with over 100 first-team appearances already is a target for Liverpool

Nov 1 2023, 7:53

England international to spark £80m bidding war between Arsenal and Chelsea

Nov 1 2023, 7:20

According to reports from InterLive, Calhanoglu is viewed as the perfect man to come in and complete the midfield.

At 29, Inter Milan will reportedly demand in the region of £43m from Spurs if they do enter the market from him in either the winter or summer transfer windows.

The post Tottenham eye up Serie A star to complete their midfield appeared first on CaughtOffside.

The host of the World Cup in 2034 will be Saudi Arabia as FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed the tournament will return to the Middle East 12 years after it hosted its first in 2022. 

It was reported on Tuesday that rival bidders Australia decided against putting their bid forward, having been given a 25-day deadline by FIFA to express interest when the deadline was unexpectedly brought forward to 4pm GMT on Tuesday.

This left Saudi Arabia as the sole bidder for the 2034 edition of the World Cup and President Gianni Infantino has confirmed the Middle Eastern country as the host nation in 11 years’ time.

The 52-year-old said about the decision via Fabrizio Romano: “Football unites the world like no other sport, a World Cup is the perfect showcase for a message of unity and inclusion.

“Different cultures can be together”.

?? OFFICIAL: World Cup 2034 will be hosted by Saudi Arabia, as president Gianni Infantino has confirmed. ??

“Football unites the world like no other sport, World Cup is perfect showcase for a message of unity and inclusion”.

“Different cultures can be together”. pic.twitter.com/ScNJqPzPf7

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 31, 2023

More Stories / Latest News

Exclusive: Arsenal had two transfer suitors for important squad player this summer, says Fabrizio Romano

Nov 1 2023, 8:07

20-year-old with over 100 first-team appearances already is a target for Liverpool

Nov 1 2023, 7:53

England international to spark £80m bidding war between Arsenal and Chelsea

Nov 1 2023, 7:20

The decision to award Saudi Arabia the tournament was met with a lot of questions regarding human rights issues, which was similar to that in 2022 as Qatar hosted the World’s biggest sports competition.

According to Insidethegames, FIFA has been accused by Human Rights Watch of ignoring its own rules through its process for awarding the 2030 and 2034 World Cups.

They believe that FIFA set it up for the Saudis to win by setting a tight deadline of October 31 for countries to register interest in hosting the 2034 World Cup, and ruled it can only be held in Asia or Oceania. Therefore, Saudi Arabia became the only country to bid for the 2034 tournament.

This is an issue that will not go away in the lead-up to the tournament in 11 years’ time as it is a major question that once again needs to be answered by football’s governing body.

The post FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirms the host of the 2034 World Cup after potential bidder pulls out appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Chelsea will enter both transfer markets in 2024 in search of a striker and transfer expert Ben Jacobs has provided an update on where the West London club are at with their search. 

The Blues signed Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal this summer, who has originally meant to provide backup to Christopher Nkunku, but the French star picked up a serious injury during pre-season which has kept him out of action ever since.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side have struggled to score goals at times this season, with Chelsea netting just 13 so far, half of what Aston Villa and Newcastle have managed.

Two names that have been linked to Stamford Bridge have been Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney and journalist Ben Jacobs has an update on Pochettino’s search for a number nine.

More Stories / Latest News

Exclusive: Arsenal had two transfer suitors for important squad player this summer, says Fabrizio Romano

Nov 1 2023, 8:07

20-year-old with over 100 first-team appearances already is a target for Liverpool

Nov 1 2023, 7:53

England international to spark £80m bidding war between Arsenal and Chelsea

Nov 1 2023, 7:20

Ben Jacobs on Chelsea’s search for a striker

Writing in his latest exclusive column for CaughtOffside, Jacobs said that Chelsea have a chance of landing Toney but Osimhen will be nearly impossible.

The journalist said: “Chelsea do want another striker in 2024 but no final decision has been made yet as to whether to move in January or wait until summer. There is faith in Nicolas Jackson and Armando Broja and a feeling within the club that Christopher Nkunku’s return from a knee injury could make all the difference.

“It will be near impossible for Chelsea to sign Victor Osimhen mid-season. Although the Nigerian forward hasn’t extended his Napoli contract, Aurelio De Laurentiis just doesn’t want to sell in January. There’s no doubt Osimhen will leave for over €100m if he doesn’t extend, but Napoli are prepared to wait until summer unless they receive an astronomical offer.

“Ivan Toney is a more ‘gettable’ target in January. Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs have all held internal discussions about him. Brentford want at least £65m, but several sources feel that number could be closer to £80m.”

The post Exclusive: Transfer expert says £80m Chelsea target is “gettable” in January but Osimhen ruled out appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United have reportedly been tipped as one to watch in the potential transfer race for AC Milan forward Rafael Leao.

It seems the Portugal international’s future at the San Siro is no longer as certain as it was in the recent past, and that could mean Man Utd are one big name who could pounce for his signature, according to Calciomercato.

Their report explains that there are some issues brewing between Leao and Milan manager Stefano Pioli, though it remains to be seen if the Red Devils will definitely move for him after only fairly recently tying both Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho down to new deals.

The pair are good options for United on that left-hand side, so it’s not immediately clear that Leao would necessarily be seen as a priority for the club any time soon.

More Stories / Latest News

Exclusive: Arsenal had two transfer suitors for important squad player this summer, says Fabrizio Romano

Nov 1 2023, 8:07

20-year-old with over 100 first-team appearances already is a target for Liverpool

Nov 1 2023, 7:53

England international to spark £80m bidding war between Arsenal and Chelsea

Nov 1 2023, 7:20

Still, MUFC could do well to consider Leao after the dip in form suffered by Rashford this season, while other attacking players like Jadon Sancho and Antony have also struggled.

One imagines Leao will also surely have interest from other top clubs in the Premier League, so United might live to regret it if he ends up strengthening one of their rivals.

The post Manchester United tipped as one to watch for potential transfer of Serie A forward appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez has spoken out on his future amid recent transfer rumours linking him with Real Madrid.

The Argentina international is one of the finest attacking players in Europe on his day, and there’s long been speculation about him potentially moving to the Premier League or to another major Champions League club.

During the summer, Martinez was said to be on the radar of both Manchester United and Chelsea, according to Football Insider, though those clubs ended up making different signings up front, with Rasmus Hojlund moving to Old Trafford while Nicolas Jackson made the move to Stamford Bridge.

It seems Martinez isn’t that keen on leaving Inter anyway, if his quote below, as cited by Fabrizio Romano on X, is anything to go by…

?? Lautaro Martinez when asked about Real Madrid: “It’s clear that Real Madrid are an important team… but my head and heart are always with Inter”.

“I’m very happy there”, Lautaro said from Paris. pic.twitter.com/q86lCrFkzL

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 31, 2023

More Stories / Latest News

Exclusive: Arsenal had two transfer suitors for important squad player this summer, says Fabrizio Romano

Nov 1 2023, 8:07

20-year-old with over 100 first-team appearances already is a target for Liverpool

Nov 1 2023, 7:53

England international to spark £80m bidding war between Arsenal and Chelsea

Nov 1 2023, 7:20

Martinez could undoubtedly be a fine signing to help Real Madrid replace club legend Karim Benzema, though of course it would also still be exciting to see him in English football at some point.

Chelsea could probably still do with a striker as Jackson has been unconvincing so far, while Hojlund has also been a little below expectations for Man Utd.

The post Former Man United & Chelsea transfer target responds to Real Madrid links appeared first on CaughtOffside.

It’s very clear indeed where West Ham’s problems lie this season, even if they began the 2023/24 campaign in reasonable enough fashion.

With 10 games gone in the campaign so far, they’re one of only two teams in the top 11 sides in the Premier League with a negative goal difference.

Why? It’s because they don’t score enough goals.

With 33-year-old striker, Michail Antonio, not getting any younger and Danny Ings being a complete waste of space so far this season, the Hammers front line boast an embarrassing two goals between them, both scored by Antonio, per WhoScored.

If David Moyes doesn’t want to be spending the second half of the season battling against a slide down the table, then acquiring a striker in the January transfer window is a must.

More Stories / Latest News

Exclusive: Arsenal had two transfer suitors for important squad player this summer, says Fabrizio Romano

Nov 1 2023, 8:07

20-year-old with over 100 first-team appearances already is a target for Liverpool

Nov 1 2023, 7:53

England international to spark £80m bidding war between Arsenal and Chelsea

Nov 1 2023, 7:20

It beggars belief why the club didn’t prioritise one in the summer window but there’s no use worrying about that now.

According to Calciomercato, West Ham are one of a clutch of teams that are ‘vigilant and determined to obtain new information’ on Roma’s England striker, Tammy Abraham.

Though injured at present, he would surely represent an affordable incoming transfer in Janaury and is unlikely to do any worse than his contemporaries, Ings and Antonio.

The Irons need to be right on it in terms of a striker hunt so that as soon as the window opens, they can hit their ground running with their new purchase.

The post West Ham want to bring England striker back to Premier League as Ings replacement appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Fiorentina and Argentina winger Nicolas Gonzalez has been linked with Chelsea recently after also attracting the interest of Brentford during the summer.

Responding to these transfer rumours, Fabrizio Romano took to his exclusive column in the Daily Briefing to discuss the latest on Gonzalez’s future, explaining that there’s not been anything concrete going on with the player since Brentford made a bid for him in the summer transfer window.

The 25-year-old has impressed in Serie A and could be good enough to make a big move to the Premier League soon, with Romano clearly a fan of the player and his abilities, even if there doesn’t appear to be much to the links with Chelsea at the moment.

“Another Chelsea rumour is that Nico Gonzalez is now on their radar, but honestly I’m not aware of any contact with Chelsea at this stage,” Romano said.

More Stories / Latest News

Exclusive: Arsenal had two transfer suitors for important squad player this summer, says Fabrizio Romano

Nov 1 2023, 8:07

20-year-old with over 100 first-team appearances already is a target for Liverpool

Nov 1 2023, 7:53

England international to spark £80m bidding war between Arsenal and Chelsea

Nov 1 2023, 7:20

“It’s a very quiet situation since Fiorentina rejected £40m from Brentford last summer. He’s a very good player in my opinion, but he probably needs one more year in Fiorentina before thinking about a big move to somewhere like Chelsea.”

The Blues have been big spenders under Todd Boehly’s ownership, so one imagines we could see further changes to Mauricio Pochettino’s squad this January, though we’ll have to wait and see how likely it is for Gonzalez to be one of their priorities.

The post Exclusive: Fabrizio Romano responds to Chelsea transfer links with Argentina international appeared first on CaughtOffside.

The case of Victor Osimhen and Napoli is a strange one indeed, given that the club are believed to have offered him the highest salary in club history but then mocked him on social media.

That’s not the way to treat your best players and from Osimhen’s own point of view, he’ll know that he could walk into just about any other side in European football and improve them, so it would very much be Napoli’s loss were that to happen.

It’s a story that does appear to get stranger by the day too.

The official Napoli website were even forced into making a statement after club president, Aurelio De Laurentiis had suggested that Osimhen wasn’t interested in signing the new contract offered.

The statement simply confirmed that the president hadn’t said anything negative about the player, but the fact that the club felt it needed to clarify the position is a strange one indeed.

Now, however, things could be set to work out between club and player, which would disappoint both Liverpool and Chelsea.

More Stories / Latest News

Exclusive: Arsenal had two transfer suitors for important squad player this summer, says Fabrizio Romano

Nov 1 2023, 8:07

20-year-old with over 100 first-team appearances already is a target for Liverpool

Nov 1 2023, 7:53

England international to spark £80m bidding war between Arsenal and Chelsea

Nov 1 2023, 7:20

The Reds were linked with a move for Osimhen by the Mirror whilst the Blues interest is noted by ESPN.

According to Il Mattino (h/t Fichajes), the concession by the club to allow Osimhen to visit Nigeria for a few days has softened the relationship between the parties and has given rise to the notion that the player may once again be willing to commit his future to the Partnopei.

The post Napoli’s personal concession to Osimhen could see Liverpool and Chelsea disappointed appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Although they’re keeping pace at the top of the Premier League table, one Arsenal ace is clearly unhappy with his lot at present.

Mikel Arteta has worked wonders with his first-team staff to ensure that the disappointment of last season’s failed title challenge hasn’t affected how the team began the current campaign.

It would have been easy to allow thoughts of what might’ve been to dominate the working processes of what is still essentially a young side, but their experienced manager, thanks to the backing of the board, has brought in the right players to push them on again.

One of those was former West Ham captain, Declan Rice, and it’s right to say that he’s been an absolute revelation in north London.

He’s settled in like hand-in-glove and aside from some brilliant midfield play, he’s come up with the odd, crucial goal (Man United, Chelsea).

His magnificent form, and injury concerns for Thomas Partey has meant there’s been no regular place for the 30-year-old Ghanaian.

TuttoJuve note that the player’s frustration at not playing is threatening to boil over.

More Stories / Latest News

Exclusive: Arsenal had two transfer suitors for important squad player this summer, says Fabrizio Romano

Nov 1 2023, 8:07

20-year-old with over 100 first-team appearances already is a target for Liverpool

Nov 1 2023, 7:53

England international to spark £80m bidding war between Arsenal and Chelsea

Nov 1 2023, 7:20

So far, Partey has made just four appearances (one as sub) in the Premier League this season according to WhoScored.

Help may be at hand in the form of Italian football’s Old Lady, however.

TuttoJuve suggest that Partey is being monitored by Juventus and, once Paul Pogba’s ban from the game has been officially ratified, the Bianconeri will look to make their move.

The post Frustrated Arsenal man could be offered a way out of his personal hell by Juventus appeared first on CaughtOffside.