Wednesday, March 25, 2026

^ ^ Arsenal and Man Utd among suitors for Bournemouth star with huge release clause

Bournemouth v Aston Villa - Premier League
Rayan has made an impressive start to life at Bournemouth (Picture: Getty Images)

Arsenal and Manchester United are among the heavyweight clubs interested in Bournemouth teenager Rayan.

The 19-year-old only joined the Cherries in January, signing from Brazilian club Vasco da Gama for an initial £24.7m, with potential add-ons worth £5.6m.

He made a blistering start to life in England, coming off the bench on his debut and providing an assist, then scoring on each of his first two starts for Bournemouth.

His impressive form has seen him called up to the Brazil squad for the first time this month and with the chance to make a late bid to make this summer’s World Cup.

Brazil take on France and Croatia in friendlies during the current international break and the winger will be doing his best to impress Carlo Ancelotti and make the final cut this summer.

That would only further his reputation, which is quickly growing as some of the world’s biggest clubs are keeping an eye on the exciting teenager.

Brazilian publication RTI Esporte report that Manchester United and Arsenal are both keeping tabs on Rayan, as are Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

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Wolverhampton Wanderers v Bournemouth - Premier League
Rayan has only been at Bournemouth for two months (Picture: Getty Images)

Bournemouth will not be letting the youngster leave cheaply, having inserted a huge release clause in his contract worth €100m (£86.5m).

Rayan is under contract at the Vitality Stadium until 2031, having signed a four-and-a-half year deal in January.

The forward will be hoping to prove that he is worth that kind of money when he represents his country in the coming days.

Speaking after being called up to the senior squad for the first time, he said: ‘We know there’s a lot of competition, especially in the Brazilian national team, which has more titles than any other country.

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Rayan has starred for Brazil at youth level but has now been called up to the senior squad (Picture: Getty Images)

‘I just have to do my job and work hard. I hope to be called up for the World Cup, to be here with the national team. God willing, in two or three months, I want to be playing in a World Cup and win it, which is the greatest dream of any player.’

Explaining the qualities he brings, Rayan added: ‘I’m a player with a lot of mobility; regardless of the role, mobility is a big part of my game.

‘I hope to do that for the national team as well. In my game, I also have a strong header and long-range shooting. There’s a lot of competition for the striker position, but I hope to keep working hard. Everything will work out.’

Brazil Coach Carlo Ancelotti announces squad for friendlies against France and Croatia
Carlo Ancelotti will lead Brazil into the 2026 World Cup (Picture: Getty Images)

Ancelotti said of the Bournemouth star: ‘Rayan is a powerful, disciplined player with quality and a good attitude on the field.

‘He’s performed very well in a difficult league like the Premier League. I believe he’s young and that he’s a future star for the national team.

‘I don’t know if he’ll be in the next World Cup squad, but based on what he’s doing, he deserves to be on the technical committee’s list.’


^ ^ Sandro Tonali makes decision over Man Utd and Arsenal transfer as Newcastle set asking price

Newcastle United FC v FC Barcelona - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg
Several clubs are keeping tabs on Sandro Tonali (Picture: Getty)

Newcastle United are becoming resigned to losing Sandro Tonali ahead of the summer transfer window but will want around £80m to part ways with the midfielder.

The 25-year-old Italian has been one of the most influential players at St James’ Park over the past two seasons, only missing four Premier League games in that period.

Newcastle paid £55m to sign Tonali from AC Milan in 2023 but his progress in the Premier League was almost immediately halted by a ten-month ban for breaching FA betting rules.

Tonali has had a huge impact on the Magpies since returning at the start of last season, however, helping Newcastle win the Carabao Cup and qualify for the Champions League.

The midfielder’s form has not gone unnoticed with other clubs and Tonali was linked with a shock move to Premier League leaders Arsenal a few months ago on transfer deadline day.

Newcastle quickly dismissed rumours he could leave mid-season but speculation surrounding Tonali’s future will only ramp up ahead of the summer.

Arsenal continue to be linked with the former Serie A winner, while Manchester United have also expressed interest as they look for some much-needed midfield reinforcements.

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Arsenal and Man Utd have both expressed interest (Picture: Getty)

Tonali was believed to be open to joining one of those two Premier League giants but talkSPORT say his preference is in fact a return to Italy.

Newcastle have slapped an asking price of £80m on Tonali, however, meaning a move back to Serie A is extremely unlikely.

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal or Manchester United would be willing to pay that figure for a player entering his prime years.

England legend Chris Waddle has questioned if title favourites Arsenal ‘really need’ Tonali, suggesting he is too similar to current Gunners midfielder Declan Rice.

‘They’ve got Declan Rice and they’ve got Martin Zubimendi, who’s a very good player. But Arsenal seem to collect players,’ Waddle told FootballTransfers on behalf of 10bet.

‘Tonali has had a couple of great seasons, he’s got better this season. He’s a good age and I’m not surprised there’s a lot of clubs interested in him.

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‘He’s a very economical player, he’s a little bit like Declan Rice, let’s be honest, he’s very consistent with his pass ratio, he’s got a good shot and he’s got a good engine.

‘In my mind, he’s a very similar player to Declan Rice, though. Do Arsenal really need another player like that? I know squads strengthen every year and that’s how football moves on.’

Manchester United have been strongly linked with moves for Premier League midfielders Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba over the past 12 months.

But ex-United coach Rene Meulensteen has encouraged the club to pursue a move for Tonali in the summer transfer window.

‘Sandro Tonali is a good player and he’s done really well for Newcastle,’ Meulensteen told BetGoat.

‘The rumours I heard were that he possibly wanted to go back to Italy, but he’s definitely a good player who understands how to play that role in midfield and he’s a good passer of the ball.’

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Tuesday, March 24, 2026

^ ^ Former Man Utd striker stunned by ‘stupid’ Gary Neville and Roy Keane take on Michael Carrick

Bournemouth v Manchester United - Premier League
Michael Carrick is enjoying an impressive stint as interim Manchester United manager (Picture: Getty Images)

Michael Owen is baffled by the suggestion that Michael Carrick should not continue as Manchester United manager next season, saying he is ‘astounded’ by the ‘stupid’ opinion.

Ruben Amorim was sacked as Red Devils boss in January, briefly replaced by caretaker Darren Fletcher before Carrick took interim charge of the club until the end of the season.

Things have gone very well since then, with performances and results considerably improved under Carrick.

With just one defeat in his 10 games in charge, Manchester United sit third in the table and are firmly on course for a return to the Champions League, currently six points ahead of Liverpool in fifth.

When the 44-year-old was appointed, the likes of Gary Neville and Roy Keane were clear that they did not see Carrick as an appropriate permanent option, not matter what he achieved during his interim spell in charge.

Instead, the two Manchester United legends wanted to see a more experienced, higher profile manager given the job.

However, Owen could not disagree more with this opinion and thinks it would be bizarre not to give Carrick the role next season given what he has done so far.

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Michael Owen sees no downside in letting Carrick continue in the role (Picture: Getty Images)

‘I’d be firmly in the camp of Carrick keeping the job,’ Owen told the Manchester Evening News, via Casino.org. ‘They have tried virtually everything. And after a dozen years of trying and failing, you land on somebody, that’s getting a tune out of the players, they’re winning games and looking progressive, some of the players are playing the best football they’ve played in years.

‘Imagine if you got rid of Michael Carrick, just imagine it, and you brought in whoever, I don’t care who it is, a born winner, they’ve already had that type of manager. Imagine if things start going poorly again. I mean, the ownership would get absolutely lynched.

‘I mean what a stupid… how on Earth anybody can say that he shouldn’t continue. What’s the worst that can happen? You give him a couple of years’ contract, what’s the worst that can happen? He starts the next season for the first three or four months, he loses every game and he’s useless. You can part company. It’s not like you’ve got to stick with someone for 10 years.

Manchester United v Fulham - Premier League
Carrick has significantly improved the situation at Manchester United (Picture: Getty Images)

‘It’s not like this is the biggest decision ever. He’s doing well, why not just let it continue? This is absolutely unbelievable what we’re seeing from Manchester United. I mean if the league started when Carrick took over, Manchester United at the top of the league.

‘I mean, what on Earth? Why on Earth is this even a question? I don’t get it. I’m astounded by certain people saying “No, no, no, they shouldn’t appoint him”, astounded.

‘I’m not saying yeah go and give him a 10-year contract, everything’s perfect. But bloody hell, what more can he do? You’ve just got to let this roll. You’ve got to let it roll. This is Manchester United looking like they’re on the way back at this stage. Why would you interfere with anything?’

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Roy Keane and Gary Neville were clear in their opinion on Carrick’s future (Picture: Getty Images)

After Carrick’s arrival as interim boss, Neville could scarcely have been more clear, saying on the Stick to Football podcast: ‘There cannot be any consideration that Michael takes the job beyond this season, for Michael and for the club.’

Keane also felt the former England midfielder was not the man for the job, saying: ‘So Michael Carrick is going to be the manager of Man United? He hasn’t got enough experience. I don’t think he’ll have enough football knowledge.

‘I’m not saying Michael Carrick can’t be a top manager, but the timing for him to be manager of Man United in the summer? I don’t see it.’

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Neville has since accepted that Carrick is now in a great position to get the role permanently, whether he feels he is the right man for it or not.

‘The run they have been on has been a shock to everybody,’ Neville told Sky Sports earlier this month. ‘Michael would not have expected this in his wildest dreams.

‘(He) is in the box seat for the job. Looking at what is happening now, I think they will qualify for the Champions League.’

Co-owner Jim Ratcliffe told Sky Sports Carrick is doing an ‘excellent job’ and a report from the same outlet states that the club is yet to contact any other potential candidate for the role.

It appears that if Carrick does deliver Champions League football then he may well be offered the job on a longer-term basis.


^ ^ Michael Owen says £74m star is ‘not the answer’ for Manchester United

Liverpool FC v Atletico de Madrid - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1
Former Manchester United striker Michael Owen (Picture: Getty)

Michael Owen has urged Manchester United to ‘upgrade’ Benjamin Sesko ‘in the next year or two’ as he is ‘not the answer’ for the Premier League giants.

United spent £74m to sign Slovenia international Sesko from RB Leipzig last summer.

Sesko was brought in to replace Rasmus Hojlund, who was then offloaded to Napoli, and solve Manchester United’s striker problems.

But Sesko endured a worrying start to his Old Trafford career, scoring just two goals in the first-half of the season and struggling under former manager Ruben Amorim.

The 22-year-old has looked a different player since Amorim’s departure, however, scoring eight goals in his last 11 appearances under caretaker boss Michael Carrick to help United climb to third in the Premier League.

Owen insists Sesko is ‘doing better’ but still doubts he is Manchester United’s long-term No. 9 or a player who can lead the club back to major titles.

‘To me, he’s not the answer long-term,’ Owen told casino.org. ‘He’s not the Manchester United centre-forward forever and ever.

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Manchester United summer signing Benjamin Sesko (Picture: Getty)

‘He’s an expensive player who can get better and be a nice part of their squad, but equally, if United are playing in their biggest game of the season tomorrow, I don’t think he starts.

‘If Manchester United are wanting to get back to where they feel they belong and challenge for the title, I don’t think he’s the centre-forward that you go into the season with all your hopes pinned on. 

‘Yes, he’s doing better. It’s great to see because it’s not nice to see anybody struggling. That being said, I think there’s an upgrade in there somewhere along the line in the next year or two or whenever somebody comes available. 

‘It’s great now that he can be an influence on the team and the squad and score important goals. But I’m not saying, “oh yeah, everything’s great now and he’s now going to shoot them to the league title”. 

‘He’s improved them, he’s confident again and he’s an asset to the team all of a sudden, but there’s still a long way to go.’ 

Owen also delivered his verdict on Michael Carrick getting the Manchester United job on a permanent basis, insisting he is ‘astounded’ some oppose that outcome.

Manchester United v Aston Villa - Premier League
Manchester United caretaker boss Michael Carrick (Picture: Getty)

United are yet to decide Amorim’s long-term replacement but Carrick has emerged as the frontrunner since taking over in January.

‘Imagine if you got rid of Michael Carrick, just imagine it, and you brought in whoever – I don’t care who it is, even a born winner, somebody they’ve already had, that type of manager,’ Owen added.

‘Imagine if things started spiralling, started going poorly again; the ownership would get absolutely lynched. 

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‘I’m astounded by certain people saying no, they shouldn’t appoint him. Astounded. Why on earth is this even a question? I don’t get it. 

‘I’m not saying, “go and give him a 10-year contract, everything’s perfect”. But bloody hell, what more can he do? You’ve just got to let this roll.

‘This Manchester United team look like they’re on the way back at this stage. Why would you interfere with anything?

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‘I’d be firmly in the camp of him keeping the job. How long is it since Sir Alex left? About a dozen years now. They’ve tried everything: proven managers, the Van Gaals, you’ve had the Mourinhos, David Moyes, then they’ve gone for ex-players and given the likes of Solskjaer a go. 

‘Then they’ve gone a little bit left field and appointed one or two others. The new up-and-coming Portuguese superstar in Amorim, or Ralf Rangnick. 

‘They have tried virtually everything, and after a dozen years of trying and failing, you land on somebody that’s getting a tune out of the players.

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‘They’re winning games, they’re looking progressive, some of the players are playing the best football they’ve played in years. 

‘How on earth can anybody say that he shouldn’t continue? What’s the worst that can happen? You give him a two-year contract.

‘He starts the next season, for the first three or four months he loses every game and he’s useless. He can part company with the club. 

‘It’s not like you’ve got to stick with someone for 10 years. It’s not like this is the biggest decision ever. He’s doing well, why not just let it continue? This is absolutely unbelievable what we’re seeing from Manchester United. 

‘If the league started when Carrick took over, Manchester United would be top of the league.

‘We’re talking at this stage now, we’d be a third of the way through the season and Man United at the top of the league. You’d be thinking, well, can they win the league?’

Manchester United could only draw 2-2 at Bournemouth on Friday night but remain third in the Premier League and on course for Champions League qualification.

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^ ^ Arsenal and Man Utd among suitors for Bournemouth star with huge release clause

Rayan has made an impressive start to life at Bournemouth (Picture: Getty Images) Arsenal and Manchester United are among the heavywei...