Tag Futebol

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is "really close" to signing a new contract, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Which Man United players are leaving?

Erik ten Hag is planning a revamp of his squad this summer, with six players set to leave, including club captain Harry Maguire, as well as Donny Van de Beek, who are both searching for more game time after only playing limited roles last season.

David De Gea's future hangs in the balance, with the goalkeeper's contract set to expire at the end of the month, amid Man United running the rule over a number of potential replacements, including Diogo Costa, David Raya and Andre Onana.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Rashford is set to replace De Gea as the club's top earner, with a £375k-per-week contract on the table, and Romano has now provided an update on the progress that has been made.

In an interview with GiveMeSport, the transfer expert said: "It's really, really close to being signed. Everything is verbally almost agreed. It's about the final points, but Rashford has decided to stay. This is also thanks to Erik ten Hag."

Is Marcus Rashford staying at Man United?

All the signs indicate the England international is set to commit his long-term future to Man United, and while it is a bold decision to make him the club's top earner, it is still exciting news that he is set to remain at Old Trafford for his peak years.

Hailed as "incredible" by Fabrizio Romano, the 25-year-old bounced back from a subpar 2021-22 campaign by recording 30 goals in all competitions last season, while also amassing nine assists, by far the highest combined total of any player in the squad.

Considering his age, the United academy graduate is only likely to get better in the coming years, and the aim should now be to bring in some additional attacking options, in order to bolster the frontline even further.

Given the number of top strikers the Red Devils have been linked with in recent weeks, Rashford may continue to predominantly feature at left-wing, as he did last season.

A meeting is pencilled in with the entourage of Victor Osimhen, who could be set to depart Napoli this summer, while Harry Kane reportedly wants to move to Old Trafford, although it may be a difficult transfer to orchestrate, given Daniel Levy's unwillingness to sell.

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani’s proposed takeover of Manchester United is still up in the air, with the Glazers stalling due to family drama, according to reports.

What’s the latest Man United takeover news?

Jassim has made five separate bids to take 100% control at Old Trafford from the Glazers, with the most recent offer coming earlier this month. It has been relatively quiet in recent weeks in regards to a takeover, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe another who is keen and waiting to see if his bid has been successful.

Reports on Wednesday did claim that Jassim was growing increasingly confident he has won the bidding war, but a new report has thrown doubt into a deal, with the Glazers at odds.

According to Global Finance, Man United was about to get sold to Jassim, however, drama among the Glazers is stalling the sale. An M&A source close to talks at Old Trafford described the process as being a “shambles”, also saying:

“It’s getting the kids to agree. Not all five (Avram Glazer, Kevin Glazer, Bryan Glazer, Joel Glazer and Edward Glazer) want to do the deal.”

Is a takeover impacting Man United’s transfer plans?

As we know, the ongoing takeover saga has coincided with a slow start to the transfer window, with no major incomings or outgoings at Old Trafford and frustrations growing amongst supporters.

There were previous concerns at Old Trafford that the takeover process could derail Erik ten Hag’s summer plans, but Sky Sports have said the money is available to the Red Devils regardless of the outcome, which is at least some good news.

That is a boost for Ten Hag and United, and it looks as if the club are working on potential deals. Moises Caicedo appears to be the latest midfielder on the wishlist, with an approach expected to be made to Brighton over the coming days. As we know, a £55m bid for Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount is also still on the table.

However, should Jassim eventually get a takeover finalised, he could look to make an immediate statement signing to win over supporters. Recent reports claimed the Qatar group were planning a sensational move to sign Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe, who will soon be entering the final 12 months of his PSG deal.

A lot needs to happen before supporters can think of Mbappe playing at Old Trafford under the ownership of Jassim, though, with the first being the Glazers coming to a final agreement over whether to sell or stay.

Tottenham Hotspur are one of two teams interested in a move for Lyon star Maxence Caqueret this summer…

Tottenham transfer news – Maxence Caqueret

That's according to French outlet Foot Mercato, who claim that the Premier League outfit have put the 23-year-old midfielder on a shortlist, as have Bundesliga runners-up Borussia Dortmund.

It's thought that Spurs have other pressing priorities to deal with first but the young Frenchman is a player that Ange Postecoglou and his staff could look to sign before the end of the transfer window.

However, Caqueret renewed his contract through to 2027 last year, so he won't come cheap, with CIES Football Observatory currently valuing him in the region of €30m (£26m), nor will the Ligue 1 outfit be forced into a sale this summer, especially with a handful of other young talents catching the eye, such as Rayan Cherki and Castello Lukeba.

Who is Maxence Caqueret?

Following the departure of Lucas Paqueta to West Ham United, the France U21 international stepped up to the plate and delivered four goals and seven assists from a deep midfield position, a feat that saw him rank second to only Alexandre Lacazette for average match rating (7.04) in Ligue 1 last season, via WhoScored.

As a box-to-box animal, Caqueret also sat second in the Lyon squad for both tackles (2.4) and key passes (1.7) per game, which merely highlights how much of a lethal threat he is in the engine room as a machine capable of influencing a match at either end of the pitch.

It's perhaps little surprise to have seen talent scout Antonio Mango hail the 5 foot 9 "workaholic" as an "absolute delight to watch" earlier this year.

He isn't the only one to have waxed lyrical about Caqueret's undoubted ability and potential either, The Athletic contributor Alex Barker – also known as the 'Euro Expert' – suggested he was an "all-rounded midfielder", whilst BBC sports writer and Arsenal podcaster Oli Price-Bates claimed in 2021 that he had "huge potential".

There is no denying that the Venissieux-born sensation would really elevate Postecoglou's engine room at Hotspur Way, especially as one of the two no.8s – perhaps alongside Yves Bissouma – and whilst he may not be a pressing need right now, Spurs would be foolish to not swoop for him before deadline day.

With Caqueret clearly on the Aussie's shortlist, the Tottenham hierarchy must look to win the race for his signature or risk losing out on another top talent.

Tottenham Hotspur announced their first signing of the Ange Postecoglou era last week, as they made Dejan Kulusevski's loan move a permanent one.

Although the second season of his stint in north London had not impressed as much as his first, scoring just twice, he remained an important cog of this side, and a fine option to have within the squad.

However, the Australian will be far from content to allow that to be his sole purchase of the summer, given the vast scale of the revolution that is required in north London.

He will likely look to other teams around him, akin to Manchester United and Arsenal, and hope to replicate how they have improved to steadily climb the Premier League table. This means that his transfer dealings must be shrewd and focused on a brighter future, likely relinquishing any chance of instant success to get to that level.

Investment in a younger type of player is a must, rather than those just entering their prime.

Whilst a war wages on with Newcastle United to sign James Maddison from Leicester City, another star resides within the King Power Stadium which they also seem to be working on tempting. That man is Harvey Barnes.

In acquiring this wide man, Postecoglou could copy Erik ten Hag even more than he could have imagined, by securing his very own version of Marcus Rashford to terrorise full-backs down the wing.

Would Harvey Barnes be able to emulate Marcus Rashford?

Whilst both Barnes and the England international are right-footed left-wingers, their direct play style and decisive pace and power further draw comparisons. Pundit Alan Hutton even suggested that the former was a true "livewire", to emphasise these claims.

FBref seeks to outline these similarities too, as the 25-year-old is included in the former's similar players model.

It is not just their play style that is shared though, as both boast a penchant for goalscoring from the flank.

It is likely just the comparative quality of their respective squads that led to the gulf in actual goals, as Barnes' tally of 13 is not a far cry from the 17 league goals Rashford notched, whilst one finished third and the other got relegated.

The 24-year-old shone in a lacklustre Leicester side that fell to the drop, just like Maddison, and it seems like Postecoglou has developed an interest in these downtrodden stars who have already overcome hardship in their short careers.

The £35m-rated speedster has seen both the highs and lows of English football, having been lauded in the past by Jurgen Klopp whilst his side was in form: "Barnes is probably one of the biggest talents, I’m not sure if he is respected or appreciated as much as he should be, he is an unbelievable player to be honest, a proper Leicester product."

Opta's analyst tool serves to showcase the foremost assets of such a star, with a clear emphasis on his outstanding figures for dribbles completed, shots taken and all-around goalscoring. He is a constant threat, never afraid to shoot or take on his man. Defenders will never feel comfortable around this sparkling gem, just as they never do around a certain Rashford.

With the Manchester club having finished third in their most recent term, it seems the platform is there for future success of which Rashford will be an imperative cog.

Postecoglou will hope that he too can make steady progress with each year he is in charge, using Barnes as his dynamic left-sided star to emulate an already-successful formula.

There has been an update regarding Tottenham Hotspur's apparent interest in Southampton talisman, James Ward-Prowse…

What's the latest on Ward-Prowse to Tottenham?

According to Football Insider, the Lilywhites – as well as rivals West Ham United – are believed to be the frontrunners in the battle to land the England international, with the Premier League pair said to be 'pushing hardest' to get a deal over the line.

The piece adds that Spurs, in particular, have been keeping tabs on the 28-year-old over an extended period of time, with the north Londoners now having the perfect chance to pounce following the Saints' recent relegation.

If Ange Postecoglou and co are to make a move for the 11-cap playmaker, previous reports earlier this month suggested that it could require a fee of around £40m, with three years still left to run on the player's existing deal.

Should Tottenham sign Ward-Prowse?

A deal for Ward-Prowse could potentially allow Tottenham to finally fill the creative, midfield void that was left behind by Christian Eriksen following his departure for Inter Milan back in 2020, with journalist Dean Jones having stated last summer that the club "haven't replaced Eriksen's profile and creativity".

Club legend Glenn Hoddle has also spoken of the need to replace the experienced Dane after stating his desire to see Daniel Levy recruit 'a player who can pick passes', before going on to name Ward-Prowse – who he described as a 'major asset' – as a possible candidate for that vacancy.

While filling the shoes of a player who racked up 90 goals and 69 assists for Spurs in 305 games would not be easy, the Saints star also possesses the quality to make a telling impact in the final third, having registered 53 assists and 55 goals in 409 games across all fronts for the south coast side.

Lauded by teammate Jan Bednarek for having the "best delivery in the league", Ward-Prowse also mirrors Eriksen due to his set-piece quality as he has scored 17 Premier League free-kicks to date, with the current Manchester United man – who has scored eight top-flight free-kicks – also having "very, very good set-piece delivery, both from corners and direct free kicks", according to Brentford boss, Thomas Frank.

The introduction of an Eriksen-like figure could also potentially benefit Tottenham's free-scoring talisman, Harry Kane, with talkSPORT pundit Darren Ambrose claiming earlier this year that Ward-Prowse could help his compatriot to score "an extra ten goals a season", due to his devastating delivery.

While there have been claims that Kane could be on his way out of the club this summer – amid links to both Manchester United and Real Madrid – Ambrose even went as far as to suggest that if "you sign James Ward-Prowse, Harry Kane stays."

Whether that proves true or not, it would certainly be a benefit for both Kane – and for new boss Postecoglou – if Spurs could find an heir to Eriksen this summer…

Even Arsenal fans were likely taken by surprise when William Saliba strolled into the first team with such ease. The Frenchman, who had been signed under Unai Emery, had been long-forgotten by most casual Premier League enjoyers given his loan spells back in his home country.

It seemed like the £27m expended to bring him in was due to be a bust, and one that Mikel Arteta would have to deal with rather than profit from.

However, after a season in which they pushed Manchester City so close to the title, it is incredible just how important the 21-year-old proved to be. He was imperious at the back alongside Gabriel Magalhaes, and it was no surprise to see their charge collapse after the injury he sustained in March.

In the ten league games in his absence, they have only mustered just four wins, as opposed to the five-game win streak they had been enjoying prior to it.

Despite that, his work in propelling them back into the Champions League has already been achieved. It has returned the Gunners' stock to a level that can finally attract the biggest names again, and the Emirates has suddenly announced itself as an attractive proposition for prospective stars.

Ironically enough, this could lead to assets being brought in who will actually surpass the young stopper. For example, should their reported pursuit of the €60m (£52m) Kim Min-jae come to fruition, no longer would fans clamber to laud Saliba. The South Korean would immediately take precedence.

How good is Kim Min-jae?

The reason that such awe would be attached to the 26-year-old stems back to his work in helping Napoli claim the Serie A title, a feat that Arsenal could not achieve in their own league.

Kim was so instrumental that he has missed just two matches in the league all season. For all his qualities, it is this reliability that stands above all else.

That even seems to surpass the praise of Italian journalist Ivan Zachoroni, who has boldly claimed: "He is the best defender in the world. There is no player to compare in terms of skill and consistency. Kim Min-jae is the perfect defender with no flaws."

This kind of superlative adulation is clear to see in his statistics, which far outperform even Saliba. His 7.24 average rating is only bettered by two others within his title-winning squad and is upheld through a 91% pass accuracy, 1.2 interceptions, 1.6 tackles and 3.6 clearances per game, via Sofascore.

For comparison, although this has been his breakthrough term, the former Saint-Étienne man has only mustered 1.3 tackles and three clearances per game, having also given away two penalties, made three errors leading to a shot and one leading to a goal, per Sofascore.

It is clear that Saliba's youth makes him raw and often culpable. Kim, on the other hand, has experience at the top level, challenging for elite honours. There is a precedent that in time that gulf in quality could be bridged, but for now it is a lofty gap. Bringing him to the Emirates would be a dream come true, not least for the France international to learn from such a fine centre-back.

An agonising end to the season has blown Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes far from their reach after dominating the majority of the campaign.

Mikel Arteta’s side lead the pack for 248 days this term, yet a sour April and damning home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion has all but shattered their dreams of claiming their first league title since 2004.

While it has been a successful season away from the title charge, claiming their first Champions League finish since 2015/16, the Gunners are reportedly looking to push on to new heights through the summer transfer window.

With just two games left, the club are turning their attention to business as the north Londoners hope to strengthen their squad ahead of a busy schedule next campaign.

Despite scoring goals not being an issue for the Gunners, they have been linked with a forward in the pursuit to improve in all areas.

What’s the latest on Moussa Diaby to Arsenal?

Bayer Leverkusen forward Moussa Diaby is reportedly a player on Arsenal’s radar according to L’Equipe (via the Daily Mail).

It’s speculated that Paris Saint-Germain could rival the Gunners for the winger’s signature, who is believed to be valued around £65m, according to Evening Standard.

What could Moussa Diaby bring to Arsenal?

The 23-year-old has maintained a Sofascore rating of 7.18 this season, ranking him as Leverkusen’s second-highest performer in the Bundesliga.

In 31 league appearances, the Frenchman has contributed to 17 goals through eight assists and scoring nine himself on the right flank.

Once described as “electrifying” by journalist Aaron Stokes, the Leverkusen dynamo is a player being monitored by a handful of clubs, as per the aforementioned sources.

The signing of Diaby could impact Arsenal in several ways, most evidently through depth and adding goals, but also by being introduced as a player that could seriously challenge Bukayo Saka.

The Englishman has had a formidable season at the Emirates, however, he has undergone a dip in form alongside his team, perhaps somewhat attributive to the absence of William Saliba, as highlighted through a graphic presented on Sky Sports.

Since March the forward’s rate of shots on target has dipped from 0.9 to 0.4 per 90 minutes, as well as his total shots minimising from 2.6 to 1.7.

With few options on the flanks, Saka has not lost his place in the starting eleven, which brings the topic of depth and ability to chop and change if players aren’t performing in order to boost their level of competition.

The success of competition is evident on the opposite flank, where after being dropped for Leandro Trossard against Aston Villa, Gabriel Martinelli was introduced and scored in a change that inspired the squad to win on the day.

Diaby, like Saka, has been integral to his side’s success this season, with the two players sharing many comparisons in their game.

Both enjoy being on the ball, with the Arsenal man averaging 54.5 touches per game to Diaby’s 42, and the Englishman maintaining a 48% successful dribble rate (1.7 per game) to the Leverkusen winger’s 51% (1.5 per game), relative to their appearances this season, as per Sofascore.

The signing of the Leverkusen "demon" – as once highly regarded by 'The Euro Expert' Alex Barker – would not only strengthen Arsenal’s squad but provide options for starting places to fuel competition amongst the forward’s to ultimately enhance performance, only time will tell if Arteta can get his man.

أعلن نادي برشلونة تشكيل الفريق لمباراته أمام أتلتيك بلباو، في بطولة كأس ملك إسبانيا، المقرر خوضها مساء اليوم الأربعاء.

ويلتقي برشلونة وأتلتيك بلباو في إطار منافسات ربع نهائي بطولة الكأس لموسم 2023/24، على ملعب “سان ماميس”.

وتنطلق مباراة برشلونة وأتلتيك بلباو في تمام الساعة العاشرة والنصف مساءً بتوقيت “القاهرة”.

اقرأ أيضًا | فالفيردي عن الجدل التحكيمي بين برشلونة وريال مدريد: جيرونا يتصدر الدوري بدون ضوضاء تشكيل برشلونة أمام أتلتيك بلباو

حراسة المرمى: بينيا.

خط الدفاع: كوندي، أراوخو، كريستنسن، بالدي.

خط الوسط: جوندوجان، فرينكي دي يونج، بيدري.

خط الهجوم: فيران توريس، ليفاندوفسكي، لامين يامال.

📋 𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗜𝗢́𝗡 pic.twitter.com/XORaR2SyOk

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) January 24, 2024

Arsenal are pushing to sign Barcelona winger Raphinha this summer, with sporting director Edu making constant calls to try and orchestrate the move, according to recent reports from Spain.

What's the latest Arsenal transfer news?

90min have recently reported the Gunners are looking at signing a right-sided winger during the summer transfer window, with Mikel Arteta keen for more strength in depth next season, and Barcelona's Ferran Torres has been shortlisted.

Another winger who could be targeted by the north London club is Wolverhampton Wanderers' Pedro Neto, as reported by Fabrizio Romano, although the transfer guru clarifies that nothing is concrete at this stage.

There may be stiff competition for Moussa Diaby this summer, with Manchester United, Newcastle United and Real Madrid interested, however the Bayer Leverkusen star is now emerging as a priority target for Arsenal.

According to a report from SPORT (via Sport Witness), Raphinha is concerned by the potential arrival of Lionel Messi at Barcelona in the summer, which would push the 26-year-old down the pecking order at the Camp Nou.

As such, the Brazilian is now considering leaving the La Liga club, and he has a number of Premier League clubs vying for his signature, with Newcastle, Chelsea and Arsenal all named as potential suitors.

Edu has been making constant calls to try and orchestrate the winger moving to Arsenal, but he will not come cheap, as Barca would be looking to receive around €70m – €80m (£62m – £71m) in order to sanction his departure.

Is Raphinha really worth £71m?

There is no doubting the Brazil international's ability, weighing in with eight goals and nine assists for Barcelona this season, the second-highest number of goal contributions in the entire squad, behind Robert Lewandowski.

For a winger, the "incredible talent" is also very adept in the defensive side of the game, ranking highly for both interceptions and blocks completed per 90 in the past year, when compared to his positional peers.

That said, the asking price for the Porto Alegre-born star is huge, and it would be unwise to spend so much money on a right-winger, when Arteta is already blessed with a top-class option in that area, in Bukayo Saka.

Saka has recorded more goal contributions than any other Arsenal player this season, so the Gunners would be better off targeting a young back-up option, who would be more willing to play second fiddle to the England international.

Aston Villa have enjoyed a lot of talent over the years, the club have been the home for a number of Premier League greats, including Manchester City winger Jack Grealish, who lifted the title last season after being raised as a professional at Villa Park.

In football, players come and go, whether it be in good nature or controversy, the game is constantly rolling in an influx of new talents and offloading expired names as each season runs by.

A fan-favourite at Villa Park was subject of a controversial ending to his career in the Midlands last summer, as Anwar El Ghazi departed the club to return to his homeland with PSV.

The 27-year-old made 105 appearances in both the Championship and Premier League over his four and a half seasons in claret and blue, scoring 21 goals and assisting 10 in the respective league competitions.

The Dutchman was an integral member of Villa’s promotion side in the 2018/19 season and continued his form into the top division where he was a valued member of the squad. The winger was praised by pundit Adrian Clarke for the “great balance” he offered to Villa as a dynamic wide player back in 2020, so where did it all go so suddenly wrong for El Ghazi?

What could have been for El Ghazi at Villa?

Steven Gerrard’s 11 months in charge of Villa was a tough time for the Englishman, made even tougher by his squad’s difficulty in adapting to his playing style, one that finally brought success back to Glasgow Rangers.

El Ghazi – who was once hailed as a "technician" and as "magnificent" by pundit Michael Brown – was one that came out of Gerrard’s regime worse off, as his system had little place for flank dominating wingers, with the preference placed on creativity coming from central midfield.

Subsequently, the Barendrecht-born winger went from a hero at Villa to an out-of-favour squad player, ending in a loan move to Everton that January. Things went from bad to worse for the wide man, as he appeared just twice for Everton in the half-season loan, ultimately bringing his time in England to a damning close.

Speaking to The Athletic last year, the Dutchman admitted he misses England and Villa “a lot” following his move to Eredivisie back where it started, this time with PSV, who paid just £3.5m for him in the summer.

The 27-year-old has had an impressive season in the Netherlands, seeing him contribute eight goals and two assists across 27 appearances in all competitions. These are returns that are more than the likes of Leon Bailey (seven G/A), Emi Buendia (seven G/A) and Philippe Coutinho (one G/A), including the latter two combined, as per WhoScored.

It’s good to see the winger enjoying his football again, El Ghazi was in the news last week for his converted penalty in the KNVB Cup final that saw PSV beat his boyhood club Ajax to the prize.

Things are now a case of what could have been for the attacker, as Emery has revolutionised Villa in his short time at the club so far.

The Spaniard admitted his wishes in January to sign a “specialist winger” which prompted a question of nostalgia to just how well the Dutch international could have fared had Emery arrived in the Midlands sooner.