An injunction was filed in a Madrid court at the time the hugely controversial league was founded in April 2021 on behalf of the clubs, preventing UEFA or FIFA taking any action against them or players.
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
^ ^ Arsenal miss out on deadline day move for Real Valladolid star Ivan Fresneda
Arsenal have missed out on a deadline day move for Real Valladolid star Ivan Fresneda, according to reports.
Both the Gunners and German club Borussia Dortmund had reportedly agreed a fee of £13m with the La Liga side for the 18-year-old right-back.
Fresneda has become a regular for Valladolid this season with his performances attracting the attention of Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta as well as Dortmund, who believed they could have offered a more direct route in the first-team.
Both sides suffered a setback recently when Fresneda indicated that he will be staying at Valladolid – although he may have been referencing the fact that he would have be loaned back to the club for the remainder of the 2022-23 season – which is a clause the Spaniards were eager to include if they agreed to a sale.
Earlier on deadline day, it had been thought that a late deal was still possible, but fresh reports now indicate that the race for Fresneda is now over with Valladolid rejecting a loan bid and the player more likely to leave in the summer instead.
Arsenal had been looking for cover at right-back with Cedric Soares heavily linked with a move to Fulham – although that deal may now also fall through over the player’s wage demands.
Ben White has regularly been deployed down the right this season by Arsenal and they also have Takehiro Tomiyasu in their ranks.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have made two signings this month to strengthen their title bid with the Gunners five points clear at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand over second-placed Manchester City.
Jakub Kiwior sealed his move to the Emirates from Italian side Spezia in a deal worth £20m.
The north London club also brought in Leandro Trossard in a £27m deal from Brighton and are expected to secure the arrival of Jorginho from Chelsea.
MORE : Why Jorginho might be the perfect signing as cover for Thomas Partey
MORE : Patrick Vieira aiming to raid former club to sign struggling Arsenal star on loan
January transfer window - FAQs
Read the latest transfer news and rumours on Metro.co.uk's dedicated page.
^*^ Why Arsenal signing Jorginho could be BETTER than Moises Caicedo in midfield
Arsenal saw their £70million bid for Caicedo rejected in what was their third attempt to lure the midfielder away from Brighton before turning to Jorginho.
^ ^ Lyon open talks with Chelsea over £40million flop Tiemoue Bakayoko
Forgotten Chelsea flop Tiemoue Bakayoko could finally be leaving Stamford Bridge for good with Lyon making a deadline day move for the midfielder.
Bakayoko moved from Monaco to Chelsea in 2017 in a highly anticipated transfer worth around £40million.
However, he has not played for the Blues since his very poor first season in England, having been shipped out on various loan spells to AC Milan, Monaco, Napoli and now back to Milan.
Upon rejoining the Serie A champions on a two-year loan deal in 2021, Chelsea inserted an obligation to buy at the end of this season, but only if certain conditions are met.
But Milan have no interest in making the transfer permanent and as such Bakayoko has not made a single appearance for the club this campaign and as a result has been looking at moving elsewhere in January.
Last week it was reported that Turkish club Adana Demirspor were interested in the 28-year-old, but the player rejected the move.
It then seemed that his future remained in Italy with bottom of the league, and still winless, Cremonese set to sign him.
But now, Fabrizio Romano reports that Lyon are looking to hijack Bakayoko, with the deal with Cremonese stalling – presumably over his huge wage demands.
Lyon are struggling this season, currently ninth in the Ligue 1 table and nine points off European qualification.
If Bakayoko, whose Chelsea contract runs until 2024, makes the switch he’ll be able to play alongside future Blues right-back Malo Gusto who recently signed for Graham Potter’s side before heading back to Lyon on loan.
Laurent Blanc’s team contains several ex-Premier League stars, including former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette and ex-Liverpool centre-back Dejan Lovren.
MORE : Joao Cancelo speaks out on Pep Guardiola bust-up as he completes Bayern Munich move
MORE : Tottenham outcast Djed Spence set for surprise loan move to Rennes
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Read the latest transfer news and rumours on Metro.co.uk's dedicated page.
^*^ Orlando Pride’s Haley Carter: ‘I feel like I’ve hit the jackpot here’
Former US marine takes on general manager role and is determined to change the culture and win a NWSL championship
Haley Carter, Orlando Pride’s new general manager and vice-president of soccer operations, is not afraid to address the culture shift needed in the NWSL, including at her club. “There are consistencies we should see across the board: it needs to be safe, it needs to be inclusive and at this level it needs to be a winning culture too,” she says. “I’m very serious about player advocacy, player safety and creating an inclusive safe culture.”
Carter’s CV is extensive and with the sport in the US undergoing reforms after the NWSL abuse scandal she comes in with the ambition of making Orlando somewhere “players want to be” as well as an NWSL championship-winning side.
Continue reading...Monday, January 30, 2023
^*^ Marseille show resilience, spirit and class as they reel in Monaco
Monaco dominated the first half but Marseille responded brilliantly in this scintillating 1-1 draw at the Vélodrome
By Eric Devin for Get French Football News
It was not a great weekend for the Ligue 1 teams pushing for Europe. Lorient, who beat Rennes in a Breton derby on Friday, were the only side in the top seven to pick up three points. The biggest match of the weekend saw two of the top four – Marseille and Monaco – meet at the Stade Vélodrome for a scintillating 1-1 draw that was a tale of two halves.
Monaco went into the game with the second-best away record in the league, after Paris Saint-Germain. With just one defeat on their travels this season – which came in a wild match against a magnificent Lille side – Monaco have quietly edged back into contention for the Champions League, shaking off their bitter Coupe de France elimination to second-tier Rodez and winning three of their four league matches since the World Cup.
Continue reading...^*^ Atletico Madrid defender Felipe's move to Nottingham Forest is nearly completed
Felipe has made four appearances in all competitions and has largely been seen as an unused substitute by Diego Simeone so far this season.
^*^ Valencia boss Gennaro Gattuso lashes out and PUSHES a camera out of his face while talking to fans
The incident occurred minutes after Gattuso and his Valencia side touched down at Manises airport in Valencia on Sunday, with a number of the club's fans there to greet the team and offer words of support.
^*^ Manchester United fans tell Erik ten Hag to make Victor Osimhen 'our number one priority'
Manchester United fans have been imploring their club to make Victor Osimhen their 'top priority' after the Napoli forward scored a stunning volley against Roma in Serie A on Sunday.
^*^ Jose Mourinho posts bizarre squad dressing room photo after Roma LOST to Serie A leaders Napoli
El Shaarawy thought he had got Roma back into the game after equalising late on to cancel out Victor Osimhen's first-half opener, but Giovanni Simeone struck with four minutes to go.
^*^ Friends again? Kylian Mbappe's reaction to Neymar's outrageous free-kick in PSG's warm-up goes viral
Paris Saint-Germain stars Neymar and Kylian Mbappe appear to be back on good terms after the French striker offered his teammate an impressed reaction following a free kick.
^ ^ Arsenal urged to sign former Chelsea target instead of Moises Caicedo after rejected bids
Arsenal have been urged to sign former Chelsea target Amadou Onana instead of Moises Caicedo after Brighton rejected their second offer.
Mikel Arteta is keen to sign a new midfielder before the January transfer window closes to provide cover and competition for Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka.
Ecuador international Caicedo has emerged as Arsenal’s top target and the Gunners have seen two offers for the Brighton midfielder rejected.
Arsenal’s opening bid was worth £60m and their second rose to £70m. While Brighton are digging their heels in and insist Caicedo is not for sale, Arsenal are now considering making a £75m offer, which if successful would be a club-record deal.
Brighton show no signs of softening their stance, however, which could leave Arsenal to turn to other targets before the transfer window shuts on Tuesday night.
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has tipped Arsenal to make a late move for Everton midfielder Onana and says he could be a decent alternative to Caicedo.
Everton signed Belgium international Onana from Lille last summer in a deal worth around £40m. While the Toffees have struggled this season, the 21-year-old has shown glimpses of his potential and was linked with Chelsea earlier in the window.
‘Amadou Onana is a very powerful, athletic player,’ Robinson told Football Insider. ‘I have been really impressed with him since he’s come to England.
‘He has not been consistent this season but he has easily been one of Everton’s best players.
‘If Arsenal are priced out of a move for Caicedo, they could put in a bid for Onana. It would certainly be cheaper.
‘Everton are not in a position where they can afford to sell anybody though. They have just lost [Anthony] Gordon and I don’t think they should be selling anyone else given the position they are in. They have not spent their money well in recent years.
‘Onana would be a great signing for Arsenal but at the same time, Everton really shouldn’t sell. It will be an interesting one to watch.’
As Robinson stated, Everton finally agreed to sell Anthony Gordon to Premier League rivals Newcastle United earlier this week.
The Toffees, currently in the relegation zone, unveiled Sean Dyche as their new manager on Monday following Frank Lampard’s sacking.
MORE : Sergio Aguero sends warning to Arsenal over Premier League title race
MORE : Benfica boss drops Enzo Fernandez hint amid Chelsea transfer links
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Sunday, January 29, 2023
^ ^ Jurgen Klopp responds to Andy Robertson saying Liverpool are getting worse after FA Cup defeat to Brighton
Jurgen Klopp has responded to Andy Robertson claiming Liverpool are getting worse after they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Brighton.
Speaking after Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat at the Amex Stadium, Robertson told ITV: ‘It’s bitterly disappointing.
‘We were more competitive than two weeks ago but that didn’t take much. We created chances and were more compact but at the end of the day we are out of the cup.
‘At a club like Liverpool, fans expect a lot and to lose with the last kick of the ball it’s disappointing. We need to start winning games. It’s easy to say but harder to fix.
‘This season has been nowhere near good enough. At the start of the year, we wanted a fresh start but that hasn’t happened. We’ve been worse. In the league, we haven’t been good enough and now we’re out of both cups now.
‘You can’t put your finger on one thing, it’s more than that. You can tell we’re not as confident in front of goal and in defence we are a wee bit open. We had two clean sheets coming into today but then go and concede two goals.
‘We need to get the confidence back, it’s easier said than done, and that’s how we will get results.
‘We need to do it quick and we’re not. That it doesn’t help the fans, I’m sorry for them and the way we are putting on a show. We let them down again.’
Asked about Robertson’s comments, Klopp said: ‘It’s not 100 per cent true but it’s not 100 per cent wrong.
‘Of course we wanted a new start, that was clear after the World Cup. So far it hasn’t happened properly, that’s true.
‘That means we have to keep working, there’s nothing else you can do. There were good performances today as well, good moments which we need to build on.’
Klopp added: ‘We came here after a game a few weeks ago when we weren’t even close to ourselves.
‘Today we played a better game but we concede two goals from set-pieces and that is not allowed in any way.
‘It doesn’t feel great. In time we might see the positives but we wanted to get the next round. Congratulations to Brighton.’
More to follow…
^*^ European roundup: Milan and Juventus both slump to shock home defeats
- Defending champions thrashed 5-2 by Sassuolo at San Siro
- Juventus stalled in mid-table after 2-0 defeat to Monza
Milan and Juventus both fell to home defeats on Sunday in Serie A, with the defending champions losing 5-2 at home to Sassuolo before Juventus, mired in mid-table following their 15-point penalty, going down 2-0 to Monza.
Stefano Pioli is under mounting pressure as the Milan manager following a fourth defeat in five matches. The hosts were comfortably second-best at San Siro in a bad-tempered game which saw 11 yellow cards shown, seven to Milan players and four for the visitors.
Continue reading...^ ^ Cristiano Ronaldo invites four ex-Manchester United teammates for summer reunion
Cristiano Ronaldo has invited four of his former Manchester United teammates to meet up for a get-together in Portugal or Saudi Arabia, according to reports.
The 37-year-old’s contract with United was terminated in November following his interview with Piers Morgan in which he slammed the club and manager Erik ten Hag.
Ronaldo ended up signing a £175 million-a-year deal with Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, while he was unable to say goodbye to his ex-United teammates as his departure was arranged during the World Cup.
According to The Sun, Ronaldo has now reached out to four of his former United teammates – Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire – to arrange a meet-up this summer.
The report claims that Ronaldo has invited his ex-United teammates to his new villa which is being built on the outskirts of Portugal and has floated the possibility of watching him play for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
A source at United told the newspaper: ‘There are still a few lads here who have nothing but respect for Ronny and were sad how it all ended, because they never got to say a proper goodbye.
‘He recently left the player WhatsApp groups but promised to keep in touch with a few and has invited them to his new place in Lisbon and to Saudi to watch him play.
‘Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro and Raphael Varane are all mates.’
Meanwhile, Al-Nassr’s manager Rudi Garcia has suggested that Ronaldo will not end his career in Saudi Arabia and will play again for a European club.
‘Cristiano Ronaldo is a positive addition, as he helps to disperse defenders,’ said Garcia.
‘He is one of the best players in the world. He will not finish his career at Al-Nassr, he will return to Europe.’
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Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.^ ^ Man Utd receive TEN loan offers for Anthony Elanga as Erik ten Hag makes Victor Lindelof transfer decision
Manchester United have received more than ten offers for Anthony Elanga ahead of the transfer deadline, while Inter Milan have contacted the Old Trafford club about a deal for Victor Lindelof.
Elanga, who has been at United since the age of 12, has only started five Premier League games this season.
The Sweden forward enjoyed a breakthrough season last term but has found his game-time limited under Erik ten Hag.
The 20-year-old is said to be open to making a loan move before the January transfer window closes on Wednesday, and United are certainly not short of offers.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United have received more than ten loan bids for Elanga, including approaches from Borussia Dortmund, PSV and several clubs in Italy.
It is claimed Ten Hag is yet to make a decision over Elanga’s future, though the former Ajax boss is ready to snub offers for Manchester United defender Lindelof.
Lindelof has also struggled for game-time this season – starting just four of United’s 20 Premier League games, playing back-up to the likes of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.
But Ten Hag is keen to retain Lindelof for the rest of the season, with United competing for a top-four place in the Premier League and soon turning their attentions to the Europa League.
United starlets Facundo Pellestri and Zidane Iqbal have also been linked with January loan moves but Ten Hag has suggested they will stay at Old Trafford.
Asked about potential loan moves for the pair, Ten Hag said on Friday: ‘We have our ideas, for some players we are open for loans but with some players they are not.
‘They have to develop first in our environment, second, we have many games to cover, and we need players to cover that.
‘When you play 10 games in 30 days you need a lot of players. The way we put on [Pellestri] on Wednesday is already a signal.’
Asked specifically about Iqbal as well as defender Brandon Williams, Ten Hag continued: ‘It’s also that counts for Zidane, definitely also for Brandon.
‘He had a bad injury, he is on the way back, he was in pre-season for the restart, he was in the squad for selection against Forest, he is a part of it.
‘It’s a little bit up to him, I like him, but we have to work with it and see where his development can go.
‘It’s also about him to deserve his chance, take his chance. But when he wants a loan, we have to talk about that.’
MORE : Casemiro hails ‘incredible’ Antony after criticism of Man Utd winger
MORE : Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele a ‘major doubt’ for Manchester United clash
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^*^ Josh Laurent’s wonder strike helps Stoke end Stevenage’s FA Cup run
Upset averted. If indeed it even would have been that. One of those no-win scenarios for Championship side Stoke was navigated with relative comfort in the end.
For a few minutes, when Jamie Reid levelled the scores, the travelling Stevenage masses believed another higher-tier FA Cup knockout was possible for the League Two club. But Josh Laurent’s wonder strike regained the lead first earned by Jacob Brown.
Continue reading...^*^ Wrexham vs Sheffield United - FA Cup: Live score, team news and updates
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson says his side are planning to make it as 'difficult as possible' for Sheffield to advance through to the next round of the FA Cup. So, follow Sportsmail's live blog.
^*^ THE NOTEBOOK: Whistling is proving Roberto De Zerbi's secret weapon
DANIEL MATTHEWS: Kaoru Mitoma's injury-time winner handed Brighton a shock 2-1 upset against Liverpool on Sunday, which knock Jurgen Klopp's side out of the FA Cup.
Saturday, January 28, 2023
^*^ Championship roundup: Akpom and Forss deliver Middlesbrough victory
- Middlesbrough beat play-off rivals Watford 2-0
- Coventry and Hull also secure home victories
Middlesbrough leapfrogged Watford to move into third position in the Championship as they claimed a comfortable 2-0 win over the Hornets at the Riverside.
First-half goals from Chuba Akpom and Marcus Forss enabled Boro to bounce back in impressive fashion after last weekend’s north-east derby defeat by Sunderland. Michael Carrick’s side were dominant throughout, with January signing Cameron Archer impressing on his first start for the club.
Continue reading...^*^ Rangers 2-0 St Johnstone: Michael Beale's side go six points behind leaders Celtic
Rangers went six points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic after a comfortable 2-0 win over St Johnstone at Ibrox.
^ ^ Tim Sherwood tells Arsenal not to waste £70million on Moises Caicedo and suggests alternative signing
Tim Sherwood has urged Arsenal to think twice about launching an improved bid for Moises Caicdeo.
The Gunners are desperate to strengthen in midfield in what remains of the transfer window with Mohamed Elneny set to miss the rest of the season and Albert Sambi Lokonga low on confidence and struggling for form.
Thomas Partey was taken off as a precaution at half-time time against Manchester City last night, and although the influential Ghana international is expected to be fit for next weekend’s game at Everton, Mikel Arteta wants to leave nothing to chance with his side in with a great chance of ending a 20-year wait for the Premier League title.
Arsenal have already seen one bid of £60million rejected for Caicedo and are contemplating submitting an improved offer after the player effectively handed in a transfer request on Friday with an extraordinary statement on Instagram.
Sherwood believes the Ecuador international has been massively overpriced by Brighton, however, and pointed to the struggles of Yves Bissouma, Caicedo’s former Seagulls teammate, who has flattered to deceive for Spurs since his summer move from the south coast to north London.
He told Sky Sports: ‘I think the kid needs to look at it very carefully. He’s got to look at it his mate Bissouma who has gone to Tottenham.
‘Everyone was lauding this boy asking where he was going to go. Take his pick, Liverpool? He’s ended up at Tottenham and hasn’t played.
‘I’m not saying it’s his fault entirely but sometimes you can look a world beater in a Brighton shirt but when they step and play for a huge club it doesn’t happen for them.
‘If everyone is fit he doesn’t play. We’ve dug out some highlights, do you see a £70million player for someone who can run around and tackle?
‘His passing range isn’t fantastic, he scores a goal once in a blue moon.’
With less than six months remaining on his current contract, meanwhile, Sherwood believes Youri Tielemans would represent a much smarter addition to a squad lacking in central midfielders.
He added: ‘For me I think it’s an awful lot of money, I think there are better options out there for Arsenal and Tielemans would be another Leicester player I’m selling for Brendan.’
With Brighton already having seen the likes of Bissouma, Marc Cucurella and Leandro Trossard depart in the space of six months, Sherwood can sympathise with those in charge at the Amex, but believes they are still better off taking the money for a player who has effectively gone on strike.
He said: ‘The last thing you want as a manager is unhappy players at your club when their heads are turned by big clubs you unfortunately, invariably end up… you either take the money or you end up with nothing.
‘You end up without the money or the player. You’re better off taking the money.’
MORE : Brighton set massive price tag for Arsenal and Chelsea to sign Moises Caicedo this month
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^*^ Sean Dyche set to be Everton manager as Newcastle strike £40m Gordon deal
- Marcelo Bielsa not willing to take full charge until the summer
- Former Leeds manager was prepared to work behind scenes
Sean Dyche is expected to be named as Everton’s manager this weekend after Marcelo Bielsa told the club he would only take full charge in the summer. The arrival of Dyche is set to coincide with the departure of Anthony Gordon to Newcastle in a £40m deal.
Bielsa was the first choice of Everton’s owner, Farhad Moshiri, and flew to London on Thursday to hold further talks with club officials. That raised their hopes of enticing the Argentinian to Goodison Park, despite his reservations over the state of the club and the squad and his record of never taking over a European club mid-season.
Continue reading...^*^ Jesse Marsch insists Leeds want to KEEP Jack Harrison as interest grows in the £35m winger
Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch has attempted to rebuff any interest in 26-year-old Jack Harrison, insisting that the club want to keep the winger for as long as possible.
Friday, January 27, 2023
^*^ GRAEME SOUNESS: Everton are a desperate, broken club - their plight is a national football calamity
GRAEME SOUNESS: It's the sheer volume of coverage about Everton, a desperate and broken football club, which has resonated most with me this week. Their plight is a national football calamity.
^*^ Football Daily | Champions, firefighters, snake-oil salesmen and now … Sean Dyche?
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There’s more to Sean Dyche than meets the ear. His gravelly voice, which makes Phil Mitchell sound like a pubescent teenager in comparison, has reinforced the image of Dyche as somebody who is – to use some of the praise delivered by Social Media Disgrace Twitter’s finest in the last 48 hours – a dinosaur, a thug and a footballing caveman. Oh, and about to be the new Everton manager. Yes, Dyche is set to be appointed at Goodison Park, a decision that the club’s social accounts are expected to announce sometime next month, after Marcelo Bielsa decided not to take the job. Bielsa wanted to coach the U-21s for the rest of the season, allowing the younger players to become familiar with his methods, before taking over the first team in the summer. Everton, whose short-term needs are plentiful, declined.
Continue reading...^*^ Copa América 2024 to be played in the United States
- US will host and likely take part in Copa América in 2024
- Four Conmebol teams to play in Concacaf W Gold Cup
Next year’s Copa América will be played in the United States and will include six Concacaf teams.
South American soccer body Conmebol said Friday its 10 national teams will play the tournament out of their region after a deal with the confederation for North and Central America and the Caribbean.
Continue reading...^*^ Chris Sutton gives his prediction ahead of Manchester City's FA Cup fourth round clash with Arsenal
Chris Sutton thinks that Manchester City will edge past Arsenal when the Premier League's top two clubs meet in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday evening.
^*^ Mikel Arteta should REST Partey and other 'key players' FA Cup clash with Man City, says Ray Parlour
Ray Parlour thinks Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta should be seriously considering resting Thomas Partey for Friday's FA Cup clash with Manchester City at the Etihad.
^ ^ Lauren sends message to Mikel Arteta and makes Manchester City vs Arsenal prediction
Arsenal hero Lauren is hopeful Mikel Arteta will name the strongest side possible for Friday night’s huge FA Cup clash at Manchester City.
The two best teams in the Premier League will meet for the first time this season at the Etihad with a place in the FA Cup fifth round at stake.
While the game will have no bearing on the title race, it will be seen as a huge indicator to whether Pep Guardiola or his former protege Arteta has the upperhand.
But with so much at stake in the league it is possible that neither manager will pick their best team to play in the cup, despite both claiming that they are very determined to win.
Former Gunners right-back Lauren certainly hopes Arteta will not rest anyone unless absolutely necessary, fearful that a loss will harm their momentum.
‘We have to respect the decision of Mikel Arteta, but if I was him, I would play Arsenal’s strongest XI against Man City on Friday,’ he told FairBettingSites.
‘Obviously, he’ll have to check if any players are not fully fit with the club doctors, but he needs to keep the momentum of the team.
‘We have to go and try to beat Man City, we can’t make eight changes but we’ll have to accept it if Arteta decides to.
‘Momentum is key and it keeps the confidence of the team up, it’s crucial for all competitions.’
Such has been Arsenal’s imperious form, they have only lost three times this campaign, to Manchester United in the league, Brighton in the Carabao Cup and PSV in the Europa League.
Even so, City are narrow favourites to win the match but Lauren believes we are set for an upset, predicting the Gunners to triumph over the Citizens.
‘Man City away at the Etihad will be a very tight game, but there will be plenty of goals for sure,’ he added.
‘I think and I hope Arsenal will win that game, the momentum of a win against Man City will be crucial for when they play against each other in February.’
MORE : Erik ten Hag gives update on Manchester United outcast Jadon Sancho ahead of FA Cup clash
MORE : Chris Sutton makes Liverpool prediction ahead of Brighton FA Cup clash
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Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.Thursday, January 26, 2023
^*^ Gareth Southgate reveals family persuaded him to stay as England manager
- Defeat in Qatar prompted thoughts of stepping down
- ‘I’m in a job with the chance to make some history’
Gareth Southgate has admitted he considered his England future before and after the World Cup, but his family spurred him on. A desperate day in June 2022 – where a timid England slumped to a 4-0 defeat to Hungary in the Nations League – left Southgate wondering whether he was the right man for the job as the boos rang around Molineux.
However, after talking with his family, the 52-year-old led England to an impressive World Cup campaign, when they departed after a 2-1 defeat to France in the quarter-finals.
Continue reading...^*^ Anthony Gordon tells Everton he will NOT return to the club after missing three days of training
Anthony Gordon has told Everton he has no intention of returning to his boyhood club as he tries to force a move to Newcastle United.
^ ^ Arsenal in advanced talks to sign Vitoria Guimaraes defensive midfielder Ibrahima Bamba
Arsenal are in advanced talks to sign Vitoria Guimaraes’ defensive midfielder Ibrahima Bamba, according to reports in Portugal.
The Gunners are looking to sign a new central midfielder before the end of the January transfer window and their urgency has been heightened following the news that Mohamed Elneny is likely to miss the remainder of the season due to injury.
Portuguese newspaper Jornal de Noticias now reports that Arsenal are closing in on a deal for Bamba after his agent travelled to London for negotiations this week.
The report claims that a deal for the 20-year-old could be ‘imminent’ and may be completed before the transfer window closes next week.
Vitoria Guimaraes are in a strong negotiating position as Bamba still has over three years remaining on his current contract, which also includes a €30 million (£26.3m) release clause.
Bamba, who was born in Italy, made his professional debut for Vitoria Guimaraes last February and was part of Italy’s national team training camp last summer, although he is yet to receive his first international cap.
The 20-year-old has primarily been played as a centre-back in Vitoria Guimaraes’ three-man defensive system this season but was introduced to the team as a defensive midfielder in the second half of last season.
Speaking to O Jogo on Thursday, Bamba’s agent, Filipe Macedo Alves, said: ‘It is true that I was in London but I was just arriving from Germany where I was watching [Edmond] Tapsoba’s game. Bamba is not the only player I work with.
‘He is a player profile that is clearly of interest to many clubs but today he is a Vitoria player and is only focused on Monday’s game against Chaves. The market is open but I’m not going to fuel the rumours.’
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^ ^ Real Sociedad warn Arsenal that Martin Zubimendi’s €60m clause must be met
Real Sociedad have made it clear to Arsenal that they will need to activate Martin Zubimendi’s €60 million (£52.6m) release clause, according to reports.
The Premier League leaders are in the market for a new central midfielder before the January transfer window closes as Mohamed Elneny is now likely to miss the remainder of the season.
Reports in Spain over the weekend claimed that Arsenal had made an approach for Zubimendi but the 23-year-old has turned down a move to Mikel Arteta’s side this month as he wants to see out the campaign with Real Sociedad.
According to The Times, Real Sociedad are confident that Zubimendi will not make a late U-turn this month and have informed Arsenal that the midfielder’s €60m (£52.6m) release clause will need to be triggered in order for the transfer to happen.
Arsenal also face competition from Barcelona as they view Zubimendi as a potential successor to Sergio Busquets, who is set to leave Camp Nou when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Arsenal have been exploring alternatives to Zubimendi and both Brighton’s Moises Caicedo and Everton’s Amadou Onana are being considered.
Caicedo, who was the subject of a failed £50m bid from Chelsea earlier this month, is valued at around £100m by Brighton.
Onana, meanwhile, could be a more realistic target as Everton are open to selling the midfielder for £50m despite their threat of relegation from the Premier League.
The 21-year-old, who has impressed since joining from Lille last summer, has already rejected a move to Chelsea, who are also looking to sign a new central midfielder this month.
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^*^ US Soccer loses sporting director Earnie Stewart as coaching search continues
- Earnie Stewart leaving US Soccer as part of shakeup
- Head coach Berhalter’s contract expired on 31 December
- Team’s GM Brian McBride departed earlier this week
US Soccer Federation sporting director Earnie Stewart is leaving to join PSV Eindhoven following the departure of American general manager Brian McBride, a management shakeup that leaves men’s coach Gregg Berhalter in uncertainty.
Berhalter and McBride were hired by Stewart, and the coach’s contract expired on 31 December. Three days later, the USSF announced Berhalter was under investigation for a 1991 domestic violence incident. Anthony Hudson was then appointed interim coach.
Continue reading...^ ^ ‘He will cause problems at any club’ – Arsenal and Tottenham warned over Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo
Arsenal and Tottenham have been warned Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo will ‘create problems everywhere’ unless he changes his attitude.
The attacking midfielder has been strongly linked with January moves to both north London sides with Arsenal holding talks over a potential deal earlier this month.
Tottenham are also keen on his services with Gazzetta dello Sport reporting they are still in the race to sign the player despite wrapping up a deal for Arnaut Danjuma this week. Antonio Conte is thought to be a big admirer of the 23-year-old.
Bournemouth have also emerged as a shock option for the Italy international, offering €30million plus adds-ons to bring him to the Premier League while Milan are also in talks.
Zaniolo was booed by Roma fans at the Stadio Olimpico in a Coppa Italia clash against Genoa last week. Jose Mourinho subsequently left him out of the squad for the weekend victory over Spezia, later confirming he has asked to leave the club this month.
Serie A legend Zbigniew Boniek, now Uefa vice-president, has now taken aim at the player and ‘the people around him’.
‘Zaniolo is young and has great potential, but the problems are people around him, those who tell him what to do and make wrong decisions,’ the former Poland striker told Il Corriere dello Sport.
‘This, to me, is the biggest problem and it I am sad for him. Nicolò has great qualities and he has proved it after the double knee injury.
‘But, while you can heal from a muscle, knee or foot injury when the problem is in the head, then it all gets more complicated.’
With Zaniolo’s club looking bleak, Boniek has urged Roma to cut ties unless there is a major change in his attitude.
‘If he has decided not to play for Roma, then it’s better if he’s not involved.
‘The problem remains the same, if he doesn’t change his attitude, then he will cause problems in any club,’ he said.
‘What matters the most is that the situation won’t affect Roma who are doing well in 2023.’
MORE : Arnaut Danjuma aims dig at Everton after completing Tottenham transfer
MORE : Chelsea ‘lurking’ and could hijack Tottenham’s £39million deal for Pedro Porro
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