CaughtOffside

Video: Celtic legend tips Ange Postecoglou for Man United job

Exclusive: Fabrizio Romano responds to apparent Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid transfer hint

Exclusive: Arsenal & Chelsea transfer target with €60m release clause could move in 2024, says expert

Arsenal or Chelsea would surely have little trouble affording that, and could feel it’s a worthwhile investment to give them more depth in attack, though both sides already have a lot of talent in that position, so it remains to be seen if Olmo would opt to move there or to consider other options where he might be more of a regular starter.

“Dani Olmo – As I reported at the beginning of June, there’s a release clause for €60m starting from 2024; it was not available this summer,” Romano said.

“I think it’s a possibility for him to leave next summer but not something advanced or guaranteed yet, too early; also, he’s now injured.”

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Video: Celtic legend tips Ange Postecoglou for Man United job

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 09:08:33 +0000

Currently sat 11 points behind leaders Tottenham with five losses in their first 10 games, Man United manager, Erik ten Hag, finds himself under incredible pressure at present.

Compare and contrast his position with that of Ange Postecoglou, who has taken over the reins at Spurs and turned them into one of the best teams in the division.

More Stories / Latest News

Exclusive: Arsenal & Chelsea transfer target with €60m release clause could move in 2024, says expert

Nov 1 2023, 9:14

Video: Celtic legend tips Ange Postecoglou for Man United job

Nov 1 2023, 9:08

Exclusive: Fabrizio Romano responds to apparent Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid transfer hint

Nov 1 2023, 8:37

Coming from Celtic, it’s not unfair to suggest that not much was expected of the Australian in his first season in the Premier League, so just how well Tottenham are playing has probably shut a few mouths.

Another former Celtic employee, Chris Sutton, speaking on the All Kicking Off podcast, was unequivocal when asked who should replace ten Hag should the Dutchman be sacked by the Red Devils.

“Big Ange,” was the immediate response, before he went on to discuss why.

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Exclusive: Fabrizio Romano responds to apparent Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid transfer hint

Mark Brus — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 08:37:00 +0000

Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe may have appeared to hint that he’ll be completing a transfer to Real Madrid when he becomes a free agent in summer 2024, but Fabrizio Romano insists we shouldn’t read too much into whatever the player did at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

Mbappe winked when asked by reporters about ending up at Madrid as his next club, but Romano has provided an update on the France international’s situation in his exclusive column for the Daily Briefing.

Real Madrid have long been linked as a future destination for Mbappe, but it seems nothing is going to be decided now, even if the 24-year-old is just months away from becoming a free agent.

We’ll have to wait a bit longer before learning what Mbappe decides to do next, as well as Real’s plans for the summer transfer window, according to Romano, who is one of the most trustworthy journalists when it comes to these matters and never one to sensationalise stories.

More Stories / Latest News

Video: Celtic legend tips Ange Postecoglou for Man United job

Exclusive: Fabrizio Romano responds to apparent Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid transfer hint

Exclusive: Arsenal & Chelsea transfer target with €60m release clause could move in 2024, says expert

“Kylian Mbappe attracted some attention with his reaction to being asked about moving to Real Madrid next summer, but I’m afraid I still have nothing at all to report at this point,” Romano said.

“I don’t expect any big movement now in this moment of the year. Mbappe is focused on PSG and Real Madrid are happy with their current situation, then in 2024 it will become clear what he wants to do with PSG on the contract situation… and at that point, with Real Madrid too.

“We’ll have to wait and see, but there’s nothing happening now, despite stories.”

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Newcastle looking at red-hot striker with 21 goals in 42 games

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 08:20:20 +0000

The January transfer window can’t come soon enough for Eddie Howe and Newcastle United, as injuries threaten to derail their start to the 2023/24 campaign.

An apparent long-term issue now means that the Magpies won’t have Sven Botman to call upon for the foreseeable future, and as Premier Injuries report, he joins the suspended Sandro Tonali and fellow injured team-mates, Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy, Elliot Anderson, Lewis Miley and Alexander Isak on the treatment table.

To that end, it’s easy to understand why Newcastle could be major players in the January window, Financial Fair Play rules notwithstanding.

One player that they’re apparently showing an interest in according to UOL is Santos hit-man, Marcos Leonardo.

The outlet report that he’s scored an incredible 21 goals in 42 games during 2023, and he’d surely become a prized striking addition at St. James’ Park.

A strategy from the north east giants is apparently being undertaken at present, with a view to securing his services from early next year.

Given that his reported transfer fee will be somewhere in the region of €20m/€25m (£17.3m/£21.7m), the player is well within the club’s grasp financially.

The player was strongly linked with Roma last summer but the deal to bring him to Europe on that occasion never materialised.

Newcastle will undoubtedly be hoping that they have more success than the Serie A giant in that regard.

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

Mark Brus — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 08:07:20 +0000

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.

More Stories / Latest News

Video: Celtic legend tips Ange Postecoglou for Man United job

Exclusive: Fabrizio Romano responds to apparent Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid transfer hint

Exclusive: Arsenal & Chelsea transfer target with €60m release clause could move in 2024, says expert

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.”

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

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 07:53:49 +0000

Liverpool have had a great start to their 2023/24 campaign under Jurgen Klopp, which may have come as quite the surprise to many given how much under par the Reds were in the previous Premier League campaign.

Some studious transfer business together with the squad seemingly getting the bit between their teeth again has manifested itself into some high quality performances, and results have followed.

At the time of writing, Liverpool are nestled nicely in fourth place, just three points behind leaders Tottenham Hotspur, and with the experience of a recent Premier League winning season behind them.

Whilst it’s true that they also have serial winners, Man City, and Arsenal above them, Liverpool are in an ideal position at this point in the campaign and, as long as they can keep pace with the top three, there’s no reason why, January purchases notwithstanding, they can’t be in the title conversation towards the business end of the campaign.

Transfer business in the new year for any of the clubs in the English top-flight could be the difference maker in terms of relative success or failure, and that’s perhaps why Liverpool are keeping tabs on highly-rated Ajax ace, Devyne Rensch.

According to Football Insider, the 20-year-old, who has already played over 100 first-team games for the Dutch giants, is a target for both the Reds and, potentially, Arsenal.

An experienced right-back who can play in other roles when required, it’s clear why his versatility may be of interest.

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

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 07:20:49 +0000

The fortunes of both Arsenal and Chelsea in the second half of the Premier League season could be dictated by their dealings in the upcoming transfer window.

At present it’s fair to say that the Gunners are in a healthier position than the Blues, however, the 2023/24 season is still only 10 games old.

With 28 games left to play, that’s a whopping 84 points to play for. Once Mauricio Pochettino gets his side to click, there’s every chance that they’ll climb back into the upper echelons of the Premier League table.

That could be easier to achieve with Brentford’s Ivan Toney in situ.

The England international forward will be champing at the bit to play after eight months out and for £80m, according to the Evening Standard, any other club stands a chance of seeing the hit-man line up for them in the second half of the campaign.

If there’s one thing that Toney guarantees it’s goals.

Chelsea are still suffering in that regard so their need for a proven scorer is obvious, whilst his goals could help push Arsenal forward to their first title in 20 years.

It isn’t clear at this point with one, either or neither will place a bid for Toney’s services, but it’s not often that a player of his calibre comes onto the market at what is a relative bargain in terms of fees by today’s standards.

At 27 years of age, he remains in his prime as a player, albeit with a little rust after so long out of the game.

Let battle commence…

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Man United’s pursuit of Chelsea ace could kick-start defensive merry-go-round

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 06:47:56 +0000

The winter transfer window could be a really interesting one for both Man United and Chelsea given that they both appear to be looking at the same targets to bring to their clubs in January.

As CaughtOffside columnist, Fabrizio Romano, wrote in his exclusive Daily Briefing, the Red Devils and the Blues are hunting for high-quality centre-backs in order to shore up their defences.

Given that real top-level players in that position are hard to come by, there’s a very real prospect of them trying to outbid each other for the same targets.

In one case in particular, a trade between the Premier League pair could be possible.

What next for Trevoh Chalobah?

Romano noted that Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah will leave the club, even though the 24-year-old’s preference is to stay.

There appears to be no place for him under Mauricio Pochettino and therefore his future lies elsewhere.

According to TeamTalk, that could open the door for United who would challenge Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund for his signature.

It’s believed that Chalobah’s preference is to stay in the Premier League, and to that end, Erik ten Hag could well steal a march on his rivals.

With two months still to go until the January transfer window opens, however, there’s plenty that can happen in the meantime.

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Contract talks stall for Man United crowd favourite hinting at more problems for Erik ten Hag

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 06:28:18 +0000

It appears as though Erik ten Hag is becoming more beleaguered at Man United by the day.

The Dutchman has overseen one of the worst periods in the club’s history both on and off the pitch, with the performance in the derby a real low point this season.

United were so far behind neighbours City as to be embarrassed, and it’s no wonder that ten Hag has apparently refused to face the press ahead of the Carabao Cup tie against the team that they beat in last season’s final, Newcastle United.

Now, according to the Daily Mail, contract talks have stalled with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and, to stop him speaking to other clubs in January – as his current deal runs out at the end of June – United are planning to give him a year’s extension in order that they can resume talks in the new year.

The fact that talks have stalled in the first place is a bit of a worry, given that when he’s fit Wan-Bissaka is one of the first names on the team sheet.

However, by activating the extension shows some foresight and proactiveness on United’s part and gives them the breathing space they need to ensure that they can agree upon the right deal for all parties.

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Tottenham eye up Serie A star to complete their midfield

Sean Walker — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 22:24:46 +0000

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

Video: Celtic legend tips Ange Postecoglou for Man United job

Exclusive: Fabrizio Romano responds to apparent Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid transfer hint