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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.

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Exclusive: Super League isn’t the way forward but clubs won’t turn down billions says Collymore

Jason Pettigrove — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 13:02:35 +0000

The spectre of a European Super League raised its ugly head again earlier in the week with news that a judgment would be made on it during December.

No one other than those making the judgment can know which way it’s going to land, but it’s safe to say that former pro and now pundit, Stan Collymore, isn’t a fan.

‘No, I don’t think a European Super League is the way forward. UEFA particularly have bent over backwards, with concessions, more games, more money. If you have a European Super League what’s it going to be predicated on?’ he wrote in his exclusive CaughtOffside column.

‘It’s gonna be very, very difficult for clubs such as Villa and Forest, who have won European Cups in the past, Celtic too, to get into if it’s invite only. That will have a massive impact.

‘I could certainly see an example of clubs already owned by oil states or oligarchs or hedge funds, that are now spending €400m on players and are mopping up their domestic league, will just give a cursory nod to the league that they come from whilst going on and playing in the Super League.

‘Any attempt to start to be able to get momentum, however, should see supporters put their clubs under the greatest pressure to say their clubs must not, under any circumstances, enter a European Super League.

‘I think that particularly with the English clubs, if they were to say no again, we will never join the ESL because the whole idea would be dead in the water. There would be no European Super League that would be worthy of the name.’

Supporters came out in force back in 2021 when it was announced that there had been an agreement for the Super League to come into force.

The protests were almost immediate and forced the clubs that had made the agreement to drop out one by one and even go so far to apologise to their supporters.

Only Barcelona and Real Madrid are left from the original 12 clubs and their fate in the project rests in the judges hands.

Even if the ESL isn’t a going concern post-judgement, Collymore believes we’ll see a derivative of it because of the money that is now in the game.

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‘Saudi Arabia, big American banks… the groundwork has already been laid in some respects. The pre-season International Champions Cup in America is their attempt at giving English and European clubs an insight into what potentially is possible,’ he added.

‘Come to America and play in front of 100,000 at the University of Michigan and we can make you richer than than you ever imagined. I could see a situation whereby the Saudis and the Americans, maybe even countries like India or China may want a little foothold.

‘Several entities will be needed to make it possible but just imagine if Manchester United are offered a billion pounds a season to play in any competition. The odds are that their owners are going to go absolutely yes because they then wouldn’t have to worry about whatever money comes into their club.

‘It’s a very persuasive argument.’

Essentially any organisation that has the money could effectively dangle clubs on a string and send them to all corners of the earth in the name of profit.

That’s a worst-case solution for many, who prefer the old traditions of the game which seem all but left in the past now.

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Silver lining for Sandro Tonali regarding Newcastle star’s 10 month ban

Darren Looney — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 15:00:53 +0000

Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali is set to be banned from football for 10 months as a result of his admittance to betting on matches but there is a silver lining for the Italian star.

The 23-year-old is one of many Italian football stars caught up in an investigation into illegal gambling and the first player given a sentence was Juventus’ Nicolò Fagioli, who has been banned from the sport for seven months.

Having admitted to betting on AC Milan and Brescia games while at both clubs, Tonali will be banned for 10 months. However, there is a silver lining for the Newcastle star as it appears he will be permitted to train with the club during his suspension, reports the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope.

? Sandro Tonali will be banned for 10 months from football. However, there is a silver lining for both Tonali as it appears he will be permitted to train with his club Newcastle during his suspension.

(Source: @CraigHope_DM) pic.twitter.com/MhDWktKbUk

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) October 25, 2023

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Fagioli’s ban is less due to the Juve star reporting himself and it will now be interesting to see what others involved get handed out.

Being allowed to train with Newcastle is huge for Tonali as it will allow him to remain part of the squad’s achievements over the course of the season. This was not a luxury Ivan Toney was allowed as the Brentford striker couldn’t train with the Bees for the first part of his ongoing eight-month suspension.

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Liverpool “obsessed” with trying to bring 21-year-old star to Anfield

Darren Looney — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 19:20:09 +0000

Liverpool added four new midfielders to their squad this summer but Jurgen Klopp is “obsessed” with trying to bring another young star to Anfield in 2024.

The Reds added Alexis MacAllister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch to their squad ahead of the current season but have been linked to several midfielders ahead of the winter transfer window.

One target is said to be Man City’s Kalvin Phillips as the England star is expected to leave the Etihad but according to Gazzetta dello Sport, Liverpool are “obsessed” about signing Boca Juniors midfielder Ezequiel Fernandez despite interest in the player from AC Milan and Benfica.

? Liverpool are 'obsessed' about signing Boca Juniors midfielder Ezequiel Fernandez despite AC Milan and Benfica also being interested in the player.

(Source: Gazzetta dello Sport) pic.twitter.com/eXFXYfyY0B

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) October 24, 2023

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The 21-year-old is making a big impression in Argentina at such as young age having already played 43 times for Boca.

According to the Liverpool Echo via TeamTalk, Alexis Mac Allister is a huge fan of his countryman and has urged the Reds to make a move for the defensive midfielder as soon as possible.

The World Cup winner could play a role in Liverpool winning the race for Fernandez but it remains to be seen if the Merseyside club makes an official move for the Boca star.

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PSG vs AC Milan team news

Connor Holden — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 12:30:00 +0000

PSG (2nd in Champions League Group F) take on AC Milan (3rd in Champions League Group F) on Wednesday 25th of October, at the Parc des Princes, at 20:00 PM (BST).

The last time these two sides faced, it was a 1-1 draw back in the 2000/01 season. They faced twice that year in the group stage of the Champions League, both games ending 1-1 draws.

PSG lost their last Champions League game, losing 4-1 to Newcastle at St James’ Park. Goals from Miguel Almiron, Dan Burn, Sean Longstaff and Fabian Schar for Newcastle, and a goal from Lucas Hernandez for PSG.

AC Milan drew their last Champions League game, in a 0-0 stalemate with Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park.

How to watch PSG vs AC Milan

Date: Wednesday, October 25th, 2023
Kickoff: 20:00 PM (BST)
TV Network: TNT Sports
Venue: Parc des Princes

Team News:

PSG will remain without the likes of Nuno Mendes, Presnel Kimpembe, Sergio Rico and Marco Asensio who are all out through injury. The rest of the squad looks to be fit and available to face Milan on Wednesday.

AC Milan will be without Ismael Bennacer, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mattia Caldara, Samuel Chukwueze and Marco Sportiello all out through injury. The rest of the squad looks to be fit and available to face PSG on Wednesday.

Predicted XI:

PSG: Donnarumma, Hernandez, Pereira, Marquinhos, Hakimi, Vitinha, Ugarte, Lee, Mbappe, Ramos, Dembele.

AC Milan: Mirante, Florenzi, Tomori, Kalulu, Calabria, Adli, Musah, Reijnders, Leao, Pulisic, Giroud.

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Premier League clubs on alert as Super League back on the agenda

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 11:56:54 +0000

Although the thought of a European Super League looked to have died a death, it could soon be back on the agenda of clubs across the continent.

That’s because a ruling is due to be made shortly, and if it falls in favour of A22, a European sports development company who are seeking to move the game forward, it really does put the cat amongst the pigeons as far as UEFA and all of its member clubs are concerned.

A broad agreement was made amongst a number of clubs in 2021, which included Liverpool, Man City, Man United, Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea, but it quickly collapsed because of the pressure put on all of the clubs across Europe by their supporters.

It was evident that, certainly in the form it had been presented at that time, fans wanted nothing to do with it.

Club owners were even forced to publicly apologise for essentially not reading the room correctly.

"Fans, clubs, players and the sport of football would be the winners in a market that is open for a competition of ideas and in which clubs could govern and organise a European football competition without fear of threats.”

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) October 24, 2023

Journalist and CaughtOffside columnist, Ben Jacobs, has posted an update on X (formerly Twitter) regarding a recent statement from A22.

The words used could be interpreted as the company trying to put some outside pressure on those making the decision, though they’re hardly likely to be swayed one way or the other by that.

Were the European Court of Justice to rule against A22’s proposals, it’s hard to see how any Super League, in whatever form, could be resurrected at a later stage.

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Loftus-Cheek speaks out on feeling trapped at Chelsea, referring to it as being “a caged animal”

Connor Holden — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 20:11:13 +0000

Ruben Loftus-Cheek told La Gazzetta dello Sport that he felt like “a caged animal” at Chelsea, as he wasn’t allowed to express himself.

Loftus-Cheek who played a variety of positions across his Chelsea career never really managed to nail down one position for himself, with his later managers such as Thomas Tuchel even using the midfielder as a wing back.

The closest Loftus-Cheek came to cementing his spot was under Maurizio Sarri in a midfield three, playing as one of the number eights. However in the 2018/19 campaign with Sarri, Loftus-Cheek sustained an achilles injury in a friendly which saw him out for a prolonged period of time.

Since joining AC Milan, Loftus-Cheek has made eight appearances for the Italian side, scoring one goal, providing two assists and totalling 506 minutes. He has found himself in his natural central midfield position, often in a midfield three alongside Rade Krunic and Tijjani Reijnders.

He has also played a few games in the attacking midfield position as a number 10, which he was used to doing in his early Chelsea days, especially in the academy. These central midfield areas are where Loftus-Cheek is at his best, driving through midfield and being aloud to express himself.

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Video: “Very difficult” – Eddie Howe provides an insight into how Tonali is feeling amid betting investigation

Darren Looney — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 09:47:18 +0000

Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali is set to be banned from football for a significant length of time having admitted to betting on AC Milan matches while at the club.

The Italian star is caught up in a betting scandal that has rocked football in his home country that has already seen Juventus’ Nicolò Fagioli banned for seven months.

Tonali knows a ban is coming but is available for selection when Newcastle host Crystal Palace this weekend. Ahead of that match, Eddie Howe has given the media an insight into how the 23-year-old is feeling and the Magpies boss has admitted it has been a difficult few weeks for his new signing.

“He trained twice with us this week, he is very much available for selection,” Howe told the media at a press conference on Friday.

“He’s had a very difficult couple of weeks, he has been dealing with a lot. From what I can see, he’s handling himself very well and he’s dealing with his emotions incredibly strongly.

“But underneath that, I’m sure there is a lot going on. So I’ll have to make a call.”

? "He's handling himself very well and he's dealing with his emotions incredibly strongly"

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe says Sandro Tonali is available for selection, despite being under investigation for alleged illegal betting activity. pic.twitter.com/enBZb7dQy9

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 20, 2023

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Exclusive: Fabrizio Romano explains AC Milan priorities amid transfer links with Man United star

Mark Brus — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 08:01:00 +0000

Fabrizio Romano has commented on the recent transfer rumours linking Manchester United defender Harry Maguire as a possible target for Italian giants AC Milan.

Maguire has fallen out of favour at Old Trafford in recent times, but it seems the links with Milan may be a bit premature, with Romano writing in his exclusive Daily Briefing column that he’s not aware of anything concrete happening there at the moment, with the Rossoneri focusing on strengthening other positions, rather than defence.

One imagines the England international could be a decent option for Milan or other top clubs, but Romano expects that we’ll know more about his future a little closer to January, with no negotiations going on at the moment.

“We know Harry Maguire has been facing an uncertain future for some time, and West Ham was an option for him in the summer,” Romano said.

“AC Milan have now been linked with an interest, but I’m not aware of contacts between Milan and Maguire so far.

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“Milan are working on different positions as a priority as of now, and nothing concrete is happening yet with Maguire and any other club, we’ll have to see closer to January.”

Man Utd fans will surely want Maguire’s future resolved as soon as possible, with the 30-year-old never really looking good enough for the Red Devils, despite initially seeming like such an exciting signing when he made that big-money move from Leicester City in 2019.

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The time Sandro Tonali is set to miss after admitting to betting on AC Milan games

Darren Looney — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 11:01:49 +0000

Newcastle could be about to receive a huge blow as it is being reported that summer signing Sandro Tonali could receive a ban of up to 12 months for his part in the gambling scandal that has recently hit Italian football.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Tonali has told prosecutors heading up an ongoing investigation into illegal gambling involving Italian football players that he placed bets on AC Milan matches whilst at the club.

It is claimed, however, that the midfielder only bet on the Rossoneri to win matches when he wasn’t involved in the matchday squad – which could constitute an act of sporting misconduct under the country’s Sports Justice Code.

The Newcastle star could receive a ban of up to three years from football, but 12 months is more likely, according to the report.

Tonali is one of three players who have been named in the investigation related to the betting scandal, which includes Aston Villa’s Nicolo Zaniolo and Nicolo Fagioli of Juventus.

Fagioli became the first player to speak directly to prosecutors and work with the investigation after news broke last week, and on Tuesday, the 22-year-old was handed a seven-month ban from football.

The Juventus star’s ban is a significant reduction from the usual minimum sanction of three years after the player admitted his guilt and confessed to a gambling addiction.

Tonali could be the next to receive a ban and this will be a huge blow to Newcastle who spent £55m on the 23-year-old this summer.

The Magpies recruited the Italian to strengthen their squad for the Champions League’s return to St James’ Park and it looks like they will lose him before his career in England has properly taken off.

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