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

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

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

Partey is still out of action and won’t return for another few weeks said Arteta during his press conference on Friday.

The 30-year-old will find it hard to get into the starting team upon his return, which makes leaving in January an option.

Juventus are one team that have had a long-term interest in the Arsenal star but it remains to be seen who would make a move for the midfielder during the winter window or even if Arsenal will allow him to leave midseason.

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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.

The post Exclusive: Super League isn’t the way forward but clubs won’t turn down billions says Collymore appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Clear destination emerges for Man United’s Jadon Sancho in January

Darren Looney — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 16:37:05 +0000

Jadon Sancho looks set to leave Man United in January and Saudi Arabia is currently seen as the destination the winger will most likely end up at.

The Englishman is currently exiled from the Man United first team by Erik ten Hag following the pair’s falling out after the Red Devil’s Arsenal defeat in early September and it has been widely reported that the 23-year-old will leave Old Trafford in January.

Borussia Dortmund and Juventus have been two clubs linked to the Man United star but Laurie Whitwell is reporting that the Saudi Arabia route is seen as the most plausible option for the player in January because European teams will struggle to match his wages of more than £200,000-a-week.

? The Saudi Arabia route is seen as the most plausible option for Jadon Sancho in January because European teams will struggle to match his wages of more than £200,000-a-week. ??

Dortmund could not afford even half that salary.

(Source: @lauriewhitwell) pic.twitter.com/YyOiEPLLKh

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) October 26, 2023

More Stories / Latest News

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Sancho has previously stated that he did not want to move to the Middle East given the fact that he is still only 23 but that may be his only option if he wants to play football during the first half of 2024.

The other option would be to lower his wage demands as climbing back up the football ladder should be seen as more important at this stage in his career.

The money will come back to him if he rediscovers the form he showed a Dortmund and that may go unnoticed by European clubs if he chooses to move to Saudi Arabia.

The post Clear destination emerges for Man United’s Jadon Sancho in January appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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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Jadon Sancho very likely to leave Man United in January says Fabrizio Romano in latest update

Darren Looney — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 10:48:34 +0000

Manchester United feel that a January exit for Jadon Sancho is now very likely as the winger’s issues with manager Erik ten Hag have not been resolved over the last six weeks.

The 23-year-old has been outlawed from the first team by the Dutch coach after the Englishman essentially called the Man United boss a liar following the Manchester club’s defeat to Arsenal at the start of September. This came after Sancho was left out of the squad for not performing in training as per his manager.

In the six weeks that have passed since, there has been no resolution as the coaching staff waits for an apology. It has recently been reported by the Daily Mail that so much time has passed since the incident that fears are growing that Ten Hag would now view an apology as an empty gesture, meaning there is no way back for Sancho at the Manchester club.

This means a departure is very likely in January and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed so in his latest update regarding the Man United star.

? Manchester United feel that January exit for Jadon Sancho is now very likely.

There's still no clarity with the coaching staff and United will be open to let him leave in 2024 as tense situation remains.

Only way to fix it has always been for Sancho to apologize. pic.twitter.com/CGUoFOpBrq

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 20, 2023

More Stories / Latest News

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

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

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

A move in January will likely be a loan deal but the Mail’s report states that Man United are prepared to take a significant loss on Sancho next summer having spent £73m on the winger in 2021.

Sky Sports reports that there are several clubs across Europe interested in the winger ahead of the winter transfer window with several outlets saying that Borussia Dortmund and Juventus are the two teams most interested in the 23-year-old star.

The post Jadon Sancho very likely to leave Man United in January says Fabrizio Romano in latest update appeared first on CaughtOffside.

The end is near for Jadon Sancho with Man United ace’s representatives in talks with European giants

Jason Pettigrove — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 09:50:24 +0000

The January transfer window can’t come soon enough for Jadon Sancho and Manchester United.

After the 23-year-old effectively called his manager, Erik ten Hag, a liar over social media for the reasons the Dutchman gave for omitting Sancho from his starting XI, his career at Old Trafford was effectively over at that point.

Despite the player’s ill-advised outburst, ten Hag is believed to have offered an olive branch and suggested an apology in front of the whole squad would see the matter closed and Sancho able to carry on with his career at the club.

To date that apology still hasn’t been forthcoming, hence why Sancho has been banished from having any contact at training with the first team, and is being forced to change away from them.

With just under two and a half months before the transfer window opens again for business, FourFourTwo have cited reports which suggest that the player’s representatives have already held talks with both Juventus and Sancho’s previous employers, Borussia Dortmund.

? Manchester United feel that January exit for Jadon Sancho is now very likely.

There's still no clarity with the coaching staff and United will be open to let him leave in 2024 as tense situation remains.

Only way to fix it has always been for Sancho to apologize. pic.twitter.com/CGUoFOpBrq

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 20, 2023

Transfer guru and CaughtOffside columnist, Fabrizio Romano, has also suggested that a January move now seems the most likely option for the player.

It will be a sad end to a Manchester United career that promised much but delivered little, and Sancho will surely hope that he can recover the form elsewhere which saw the Red Devils register their interest in the first place.

The post The end is near for Jadon Sancho with Man United ace’s representatives in talks with European giants appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Cristiano Ronaldo has major reason to be happy after Al Nassr’s latest acquisition

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 18:49:34 +0000

When Cristiano Ronaldo upped and left Manchester United and decided on the Saudi Pro League as his next destination, it’s fair to say that eyebrows were raised.

The Portuguese isn’t quite the player he was, but dropping down to a league that’s ranked 66th best in the world according to TeamForm appeared to be a poor decision.

Of course, money will have played a significant part in any decision making process, with MARCA noting that he earns a mind-boggling $548,000 (€517,605/£450,951) per day at Al Nassr.

Given that he is fast reaching the end of his epic playing career, one that has taken in Sporting, Man United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Man United again before his Saudi adventure, that kind of money could never be turned down.

The news that his son, Cristiano Jr., is going to play for Al Nassr’s U13 side, will surely supercede any thoughts about money.

??? Cristiano Ronaldo Jr signs with Al-Nassr U13 team — here we go!

The agreement has been signed as Cristiano’s son will start training in the next days.

He will wear number 7.

Cristiano once said: “My son tells me: dad, hold on a few more years, I want to play with you!”. pic.twitter.com/uUp25lelRJ

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 19, 2023

Transfer expert and CaughtOffside columnist, Fabrizio Romano, broke the news on X (formerly Twitter), and gave it the ‘here we go’ treatment.

If Cristiano Jr. can follow in the old man’s footsteps he will be some player, and if he can progress quickly through the ranks there’s every chance that he might even be able to take to the pitch alongside his dad before Ronaldo Sr. finally hangs up his boots.

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Exclusive Jonathan Johnson column: What Man Utd can expect from Sir Jim, new Real Madrid deal imminent & more

Jonathan Johnson — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 16:25:00 +0000

Hello and welcome to my latest column for CaughtOffside – click here to subscribe to the Daily Briefing for more from myself, Fabrizio Romano, Ben Jacobs and our other columnists!

What Manchester United fans can expect from Sir Jim Ratcliffe

We’re seeing Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS move closer to purchasing a 25% stake in Manchester United, but as much as fans of the Red Devils might not want to read this, their ownership of Nice hasn’t been a huge success.

We have to recognise that when INEOS came in they had a very ambitious project to challenge PSG at the top of Ligue 1 and they haven’t done that. They haven’t really made any kind of progress domestically or in Europe, so it’s been a very frustrating period for the club’s fans.

Ratcliffe’s continual flirtation with clubs in England has also been a source of frustration to the Nice fan-base, as it’s not just Manchester United he’s shown an interest in, but also Chelsea and Liverpool in the past. Had it just been Man United, given his childhood support of the club, then I think fans might have been a bit more understanding, but given that there’s clearly been a long-running interest in buying a Premier League club, I think the Nice fans have tired of it.

More recently, Nice have made some encouraging changes – they’re the only team unbeaten in Ligue 1 and they’re going very well under highly-rated new manager Francesco Farioli. They’ve got a couple of real gems in their ranks as well, but overall you can’t paint a picture of Ratcliffe’s reign and make it look like a success. It’s been largely a tale of frustration and wasted potential.

It looks like we could see Paul Mitchell brought in as sporting director at United if the INEOS deal goes through, and it’s no surprise to see him being linked with a big Premier League job after leaving Monaco.

Even if things didn’t go quite as well for him at Monaco as he perhaps would’ve hoped, I do rate Mitchell. He did a very good job of streamlining a very bloated squad, and also did well to strengthen that connection with their Belgian feeder club Cercle Brugge.

More Stories / Latest News

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

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