Inter Milan &#8211; CaughtOffside

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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.

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Former Man United & Chelsea transfer target responds to Real Madrid links

Mark Brus — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 12:49:17 +0000

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

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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.

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Exclusive: Talks over deal for Newcastle target now moving to final stages says Romano

Jason Pettigrove — Sun, 29 Oct 2023 09:30:00 +0000

As the January transfer window comes ever closer, Newcastle United will be one of the clubs most likely to enter the market, particularly given Sandro Tonali’s 10-month ban from the game.

Eddie Howe’s side currently sit in a respectable sixth place in the Premier League table, however, they remain a cavernous nine points behind leaders Tottenham.

A maiden Premier League title already looks to be beyond the Magpies this season, though not impossible of course, but in any event the club need to strengthen the squad to help give them the depth they need to mount a consistent challenge in the biggest competitions.

One player they’ve recently been linked with acquiring, by Fichajes and other outlets, is Inter Milan’s highly-rated ace, Federico Dimarco.

Federico Dimarco in action for Italy

The 25-year-old wing-back would give Newcastle some balance given his excellence down the left channel.

Kieran Trippier has been brilliant for the Magpies on the right, with his diligence and determination being a huge part of Newcastle’s recent success.

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However, they’ve lacked something on the opposite side of the pitch which has to be a concern for Howe and his backroom team.

Unfortunately for the club, it looks like they’ll need to hunt elsewhere for someone to fill that particular role.

‘Despite a lot of links with top clubs, negotiations between Inter and Federico Dimarco over a new deal are now advancing,’ CaughtOffside columnist, Fabrizio Romano, wrote in his exclusive Daily Briefing.

‘Talks continue and are moving to the final stages, and I think this could be completed by the end of the year.’

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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.

‘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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Exclusive: Arteta & Edu blocked star from leaving Arsenal during the summer transfer window, says expert

Mark Brus — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 06:57:43 +0000

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and director Edu were both key to the club keeping hold of in-form full-back Takehiro Tomiyasu this summer as Inter Milan showed an interest in signing him.

That’s according to Fabrizio Romano in his exclusive column for the Daily Briefing, with the reporter explaining that the Gunners rate Tomiyasu highly and have now clearly been vindicated in fighting to keep him at the Emirates Stadium.

Tomiyasu has not always been a regular starter for Arsenal, but he’s rarely let the side down when he has played, and he’s recently stepped his game up a level, performing well in some important matches for the north London giants.

Inter seemingly wanted the chance to bring the 24-year-old back to Italy this summer after he previously impressed in a spell at Bologna, but Arsenal chiefs Arteta and Edu clearly value the player and fans will be glad they moved to block this sale.

Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal

“Takehiro Tomiyasu is another player earning praise for his recent performances and although I don’t currently have any information on the possibility of a new contract soon, Arsenal are very happy with his performances,” Romano said.

“I can also reveal that Inter Milan wanted Tomiyasu in July but Arsenal said no; Mikel Arteta and Edu wanted to keep him and it was clearly a successful decision, he’s really appreciated at the club and is really showing his value and versatility at the moment.”

Romano added that he did not currently have much of an update on Ben White, who is in line for a new Arsenal contract.

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He said: “I mentioned recently that Arsenal’s next priority for a new contract, after renewing the likes of Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba in the last few months, will be Ben White.

“Some fans have been asking me for updates but at the moment talks are still ongoing, let’s see when we have final steps of the negotiation.”

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Exclusive: Fabrizio Romano on Chelsea star’s future and potential transfer replacement

Mark Brus — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 06:56:56 +0000

Fabrizio Romano has an update on the latest Chelsea transfer news in his exclusive column for the Daily Briefing today, featuring a look at Thiago Silva’s future and who could replace him if he does leave.

The Blues have Silva nearing the end of his contract, with the veteran Brazilian defender set to be a free agent at the end of this season, with Romano acknowledging that there’s already some speculation that he could be a target for Fluminense.

Still, Romano insists there’s not been a decision made on Silva’s future yet, with the player ultimately set to have the final say on what happens to him next.

Meanwhile, Romano seems unconvinced by the transfer rumours involving Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni being a target for Chelsea.

The Italy international is a top player and could be ideal to replace Silva at Stamford Bridge, though Romano has pointed out that he only recently signed a new deal with his current club, so this doesn’t look a particularly likely story.

“One player with an uncertain future is Thiago Silva – we know he’s heading towards the end of his contract, currently making him a free agent in summer 2024, and there are some reports that he could move back to Brazil with Fluminense at the end of this season,” Romano wrote.

“Still, my understanding is that Silva has not decided anything at this stage and no decision will be made now. It will be up to the player, and he will decide in 2024. In my opinion Thiago is still a fantastic defender but for him and Chelsea to continue together they need to be 100% convinced on both player and club side.

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“If Silva were to leave Chelsea, could they sign a replacement? There’s nothing concrete on that for now as Silva’s future hasn’t been decided anyway, so I’d say recent rumours linking the Blues with Alessandro Bastoni are quite premature. I’m not aware of any contact with the Inter defender, though of course it’s easy to mention “interest” for one of the most talented left footed centre-backs in Europe.

“Bastoni recently signed new deal at Inter, and as far as I’m aware there’s nothing else happening at this stage.”

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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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Exclusive: Chelsea have enquired about transfer of Serie A star, big name likely to be summer 2024 target

Mark Brus — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 09:20:33 +0000

Chelsea have enquired about the potential transfer of Inter Milan left-back Federico Dimarco, though he is expected to sign a new contract at the San Siro instead.

CaughtOffside understands Manchester City have also shown an interest in Dimarco, but it seems the Italy international will stay where he is, with a contract extension with his current club expected to be finalised soon.

This interest in a new left-back from Chelsea comes amid doubts over Ian Maatsen’s future, though there is more positive news on the future of Conor Gallagher in our report here.

Another Serie A-based player to watch for the Blues is Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who is not expected to move in January but who looks likely to be a top target for the west London club in summer 2024.

Victor Osimhen in action for Napoli

Federico Dimarco in action for Italy

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Osimhen is no closer to signing a new contract with Napoli, so that could present an opportunity to Chelsea and others, with Mauricio Pochettino surely in need of more quality in his attack.

Nicolas Jackson looks a promising young player but is probably not quite good enough yet, while Armando Broja only recently returned after a lengthy injury lay-off.

Osimhen could have other suitors soon as well, though, so it remains to be seen if Chelsea will end up being in pole position for the Nigeria international.

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Man United ready to go head-to-head with PSG to secure 25-year-old ace

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 15:44:42 +0000

As Man United ease towards a quarter of their Premier League season gone, it’s clear that they need to up their game massively if they want to be in contention at the top end of the table in a few months time.

Erik ten Hag’s side haven’t really got going in 2023/24, but they don’t want to allow the rot to set in.

There’s plenty of matches to be played over the coming months and one or two positive results is all that they need to bring the confidence flooding back.

The January transfer window is just around the corner of course, and with Sir Jim Ratcliffe likely to have a say in signings should his offer for 25% of the club be ratified in the coming days, it will be interesting to see which targets the club goes after.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Moreover, there’s the issue of whether Sir Jim’s idea of what makes a good signing for the club aligns with that of his manager.

In any event, Calciomercato have reported that both the Red Devils and Paris Saint-Germain are ready to do battle for Inter Milan’s €50m-rated left-back, Federico Dimarco.

Quite what that would mean longer-term for Luke Shaw isn’t clear, though it’s perfectly understandable why United might be running the rule over the 25-year-old Dimarco.

His marauding runs down Inter’s left and importance to them in their run to the Champions League final earned him a place in last season’s UEFA Champions League Team of the Season.

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Exclusive: Journalist responds to Sheikh Jassim links with Tottenham after Man Utd takeover failure

Mark Brus — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 16:05:00 +0000

Ben Jacobs has provided an exclusive update on the situation with Sheikh Jassim as he’s linked with possible interest in buying Tottenham or Inter Milan after his attempted takeover of Manchester United fell through.

Writing in his exclusive column for the Daily Briefing, Jacobs provided some insight into what went wrong with Sheikh Jassim and his attempt at purchasing Man Utd, while it seems his failure there will not immediately necessarily lead him to try to get his hands on Spurs or Inter instead.

United fans will no doubt be disappointed not to be rid of the Glazers, but Jacobs also has some interesting insight into the kind of role Sir Jim Ratcliffe could play as he bids for a 25% stake at Old Trafford.

Still, it seems there’s nothing to report on Tottenham for now, so it might be some time before there’s anything more concrete on that particular story.

“A lot of people have also asked me why Sheikh Jassim withdrew from the process and whether he could return,” Jacobs said.

“The withdrawal came in part because Nine Two Foundation held final talks last week and couldn’t reach a breakthrough. They also grew fatigued by the process. The timing of their withdrawal would also suggest they knew Ratcliffe had made significant progress. I was always told the group would walk before they were formally rejected if they felt they couldn’t win.

“Sheikh Jassim’s bid obviously looks very appealing on paper. He offered over £5bn, he would have wiped Manchester United’s £1bn debt and there was £1.4bn allocated for pledged investment. This figure was raised from £0.8bn after April to essentially match what Ratcliffe will pay for a 25% stake. This may not have been intentional but it certainly presents a clear contrast. Sheikh Jassim specified his pledged investment whereas it’s unclear how money from a Ratcliffe sale (for around the same amount) will be used within the club, and how much of it.

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