Steve Crossman is joined by James Horncastle, Julien Laurens and Rafa Honigstein to discuss the Champions League draw as they react to the “Group of Death” Group F and the tournament debutants: Lens, Union Berlin and Royal Antwerp. They also take a look at some of the biggest transfer stories across Europe including Ansu Fati’s move to Brighton and Ryan Gravenberch to Liverpool 01:10 Champions League Draw 13:00 New teams in the Champions League 26:30 Ansu Fati’s future
Thursday, August 31, 2023
^ ^ Sofyan Amrabat holding out for Manchester United transfer as Fulham submit £25m bid
Sofyan Amrabat is holding out for a deadline day move to Manchester United after Fulham submitted a €30 million (£25.6m) bid to Fiorentina on Thursday evening.
United have finalised a loan deal with Tottenham for their left-back Sergio Reguilon and are now working towards adding a defensive midfielder to Erik ten Hag’s squad before Friday’s 11pm transfer deadline.
United are restricted with their transfer budget due to Financial Fair Play refulations and their offer of a €2m (£1.7m) loan deal was rejected by Fiorentina this week.
Fulham have now blown United out of the water by submitting a €30m (£25.6m) bid to Fiorentina.
However, Alfredo Pedulla reports that Amrabat will turn down a move to Fulham in the hope that he can secure a switch to United on Friday.
Nottingham Forest had also agreed a €20m (£17.1m) deal with Fiorentina this week but the Morocco international also rejected a move to Steve Cooper’s side.
It’s understood that United has been Amrabat’s preferred destination throughout the summer.
United also have an advantage as the midfielder has already worked with Ten Hag during their time together at FC Utrecht.
Speaking after Fiorentina qualified for the Europa Conference League group phase on Thursday evening, the Serie A club’s president Rocco Commisso was asked specifically about interest from United and Galatasaray for Amrabat.
‘There are other clubs for Amrabat too,’ Commisso said.
‘I cannot give an answer right now, because not even I know what will happen tomorrow. We told Amrabat that if he has an opportunity to leave, then we’ll let him go. If this deal cannot be done, then he has two years left on his contract and will stay.
‘There are many negotiations in progress. I don’t want to name names. So wait 24 hours and then you’ll know what happens.’
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Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.^ ^ Why Manchester United ended talks with Chelsea to sign Marc Cucurella before Sergio Reguilon loan deal
Manchester United are set to sign Tottenham left-back Sergio Reguilon after pulling out of talks with Chelsea for Marc Cucurella.
United have been forced to scramble to find cover at left-back following the injuries to Luke Shaw, who is set to be sidelined for around 10 weeks, and Tyrell Malacia.
Reguilon has travelled to Manchester in order to complete his medical ahead of his loan move from Spurs, which will be completed before Friday’s 11pm transfer deadline.
At the start of the week, United appeared to be on course to sign Cucurella after opening talks with Chelsea over a loan deal.
However, negotiations collapsed due to a variety of reasons after United’s initial loan offer, which included a £2 million fee, was rejected by Chelsea.
Chelsea were understood to be holding out for a £7m fee, while The Telegraph report that United also wanted a break clause as part of their agreement, which meant they could have sent the Spaniard back to Stamford Bridge in January.
However, Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to play Cucurella in Chelsea’s Carabao Cup tie against AFC Wimbledon on Wednesday evening meant that the 25-year-old would be unable to play again for them this season if he joined United.
Reguilon, who was targeted by United three years ago before they opted to sign Alex Telles from Porto, spent last season on loan at Atletico Madrid.
United are also working on a deal to sign Sofyan Amrabat, although Fiorentina have rejected their offer of a loan.
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Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.^ ^ AC Milan target loan deal for Chelsea forward Mason Burstow
AC Milan will target Chelsea forward Mason Burstow if they fail to sign Porto striker Mehdi Taremi, according to reports in Italy.
The Serie A club have agreed a €15 million fee with Porto but the Iran international is yet to agree personal terms.
‘Porto and Milan agreed terms for Taremi, but they now need to strike a deal with the player, so negotiations continue,’ Porto director and former goalkeeper Vitor Baia told SportItalia on Thursday.
According to Sky Sport Italy, AC Milan are now considering alternatives in the event that their deal for Taremi falls through and Burstow is on their shortlist.
The report claims that the Italian club are exploring the possibility of a loan deal for the 20-year-old.
Burstow, who has also attracted interest from Blackburn Rovers in the closing stages of the summer window, joined Chelsea from Charlton Athletic in January last year.
Last season, Burstow stayed with Chelsea’s development squad and scored 10 goals in 25 league appearances but was part of the first-team’s pre-season preparations under Mauricio Pochettino this summer.
Burstow was given his senior debut for Chelsea as a substitute in the 3-0 defeat to West Ham earlier this month.
He was handed his first start in Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over AFC Wimbledon in the second round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening.
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Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.^ ^ Liverpool agree £34m deal to sign Ryan Gravenberch ahead of Manchester United
Liverpool have agreed a €40 million (£34m) deal with Bayern Munich to sign Ryan Gravenberch.
The 21-year-old is due to travel to Liverpool on Thursday evening and will undergo a medical ahead of Friday’s transfer window deadline.
Manchester United had also made an approach for Gravenberch earlier this summer but Liverpool have stepped up their efforts in the closing stages of the window and Jurgen Klopp has already held talks with the midfielder ahead of his move to Anfield.
Gravenberch joined Bayern last year in a €18.5 million (£16m) deal from Ajax but failed to secure a regular place in the team in his first season in Germany.
After starting just five games in all competitions last term, Gravenberch made it clear earlier this summer that he would push for a move if his situation stayed the same.
Bayern have played two games in the Bundesliga this season and Gravenberch has made just one late appearance as a subsitute.
‘I expected to play more minutes than I did. I thought I would get some more chances,’ Gravenberch told ESPN in June.
‘It’s about just wanting to play, that’s the most important thing at my age.
‘I hope this can happen at Bayern Munich, otherwise we’ll just have to look further.
‘I told everyone that I don’t want another year like that. Of course you can’t always be in the starting XI, but you can still play regularly, you can get a lot of minutes.’
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Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.^ ^ Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman blasts Spanish FA and Luis Rubiales during UEFA ceremony
England Women’s manager Sarina Wiegman slammed the Spanish FA and Luis Rubiales during her speech at a UEFA presentation ceremony on Thursday.
Wiegman won the UEFA Women’s Coach of the Year award after she guided the Lionesses to victory at Euro 2022 last summer.
But after receiving her trophy from UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin at the presentation ceremony in Monaco, Wiegman took the opportunity to show her support for the Spain Women’s team.
Wiegman said she is ‘hurt’ by the reaction from the Spanish FA, which vehemently backed Rubiales after he kissed Jenni Hermoso without her consent during the celebrations following Spain’s win over England in the Women’s World Cup final earlier this month.
Rubiales, who vowed not to resign and even threatened legal action against Hermoso, is current suspended by FIFA and Weigman has stressed that the fallout from Spain’s victory shows there is ‘still a long way to go in women’s football and in society’.
‘Can I send a message, please?’ Wiegman said to the audience after receiving her award.
‘Well, first of all, thanks everyone for voting, especially of course colleagues, it’s really special, I’m very honoured.
‘Also thanks to everyone who’s involved with the Lionesses, of course the team, the incredible team, players and staff and the support from the FA.
‘But it also feels a little different. We all know the issues around the Spanish team, it really hurts me as a coach, as a mother of two daughters, as a wife, and as a human being, it shows the game has grown so much but there’s also still a long way to go in women’s football and in society.
‘I would like to dedicate this award to the Spanish team, the team that played at the World Cup such great football that everyone enjoyed.
‘This team deserves to be celebrated and deserves to be listened to. I’m going to give them a big applause and I hope you will join me.’
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Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.^ ^ Champions League group-stage draw: Manchester United to play Bayern Munich; Arsenal get Sevilla
Manchester United will play Bayern Munich in one of the standout ties of the Champions League group stage, while Newcastle United have been handed a tough group which includes Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan.
Arsenal, who are back in the Champions League for the first time in six years, will play Sevilla, PSV and Lens in Group B.
Alongside United and Bayern Munich in Group A are FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray.
Champions League holders Manchester City will meet RB Leipzig, Red Star Belgrade and Young Boys in Group G.
Scottish champions Celtic will play Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid and Lazio in Group E.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP A
Bayern Munich
Manchester United
FC Copenhagen
Galatasaray
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP B
Sevilla
Arsenal
PSV
Lens
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP C
Napoli
Real Madrid
Braga
Union Berlin
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP D
Benfica
Inter
Red Bull Salzburg
Real Sociedad
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP E
Feyenoord
Atletico Madrid
Lazio
Celtic
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP F
Paris Saint-Germain
Borussia Dortmund
AC Milan
Newcastle United
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP G
Manchester City
RB Leipzig
Red Star Belgrade
Young Boys
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP H
Barcelona
Porto
Shakhtar Donetsk
Royal Antwerp
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 23-24 SCHEDULE
GROUP STAGE
Matchday 1: September 19–20
Matchday 2: October 3–4
Matchday 3: October, 24–25
Matchday 4: November 7–8
Matchday 5: November 28–29
Matchday 6: December 12–13
KNOCKOUT PHASE
Round of 16: February 13/14/20/21 and March 5/6/12/13, 2024
Quarter-finals: April 9/10 and 16/17, 2024
Semi-finals: April 30/May 1 and May 7/8, 2024
Final: June 1, 2024
The top two teams in each Champions League group will advance to the round of 16. The third-placed sides in each group move to the Europa League knockout round play-offs, where they will face the Europa League group runners-up for places in the last 16.
This season’s Champions League final will be held at Wembley on June 1, 2024.
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Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.Wednesday, August 30, 2023
^ ^ Luis Rubiales’ mother hospitalised on third day of hunger strike
The mother of Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales has been taken to hospital after going on hunger strike inside a church in protest of the treatment of her son.
Angeles Bejar, a retired hairdresser, locked herself in the church of the Divina Pastora de Motril in Granada on Monday morning and has refused to leave.
A priest, who identified himself as Father Antonio, told Spanish media on Wednesday evening that Bejar was now in hospital after going 50 hours without eating and drinking only water to take her medication.
‘She had not been feeling well because of the heat and everything else,’ he told reporters who had gathered outside the church.
‘Her feet had become swollen and she was very tired. She had also become very nervous.’
Father Antonio also confirmed that Rubiales had been in contact with his mother.
Speaking during an interview on Tuesday, Bejar said: ‘I will be here as long as my body stands it. I am not worried about dying for justice because my son is a decent person.’
She added that her son’s decision to kiss Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s win over England in the Women’s World Cup final was ‘not sexual abuse because there was consent between both parties as was demonstrated by the photographs’.
Bejar also repeatedly urged Hermoso to ‘to tell the truth’ during the interview.
Rubiales is currently serving a 90-day suspension from his role as president of the Spanish Football Federation after FIFA stepped in last weekend.
The 46-year-old had refused to resign following the backlash towards his conduct during his celebrations after Spain’s win in Sydney.
In an attempt to clear his name, Rubiales has sent a video to FIFA which shows Hermoso joking about the incident with her Spain teammates on the team bus.
Hermoso has repeatedly denied consenting to being kissed by Rubiales.
In her statement released last week, Hermoso said: ‘I felt vulnerable and the victim of aggression, an impulsive, sexist act and without any kind of consent on my part.
‘I just wasn’t respected.’
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Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.^ ^ Tottenham blocked Harry Kane from training ground and told him not to return via email before Bayern move
Tottenham reportedly blocked Harry Kane from their training ground and told him not to return via email before his summer move to Bayern Munich.
Kane came through the youth academy at Spurs and spent 19 years at the north London club before his transfer to the German champions earlier this month.
The England captain registered 280 goals and 64 assists across 435 games at Tottenham as he became the club’s all-time record goalscorer.
But Kane did not appear to get the treatment of a club legend on the final day of his transfer saga to Bayern.
According to The Telegraph, Kane did not say any face-to-face farewells to team-mates or staff and couldn’t gather his belongings after being told to stay away.
They claim that Kane was blocked from the club’s training ground and was told in an email that it would not be appropriate for him to return to say goodbye.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy was highly reluctant to sell Kane this summer but with just one year left on his deal, Spurs decided to cash in on their star striker.
Levy was especially reluctant to lose Kane to a Premier League rival and after intense transfer negotiations, Kane was unveiled as a Bayern player.
The 30-year-old has made an impressive start to life in Munich, registering three goals and an assist from his opening three games.
Meanwhile, Bayern are reportedly ready to reunite Kane with Tottenham and England star Eric Dier.
MORE : Harry Kane reacts to dream home league debut as flying Bayern Munich start continues
MORE : Why Harry Kane missed Bayern Munich's iconic Oktoberfest photoshoot
^ ^ The teams still remaining in the Carabao Cup ahead of Wednesday night’s third round draw
The remaining Carabao Cup second round ties will take place this evening, with five places still up for grabs in the third round.
The likes of Chelsea, who host AFC Wimbledon at Stamford Bridge tonight, will be hoping to be in the hat for when the draw for the next round of the competition is held.
Despite the Carabao Cup being historically viewed as England’s second domestic cup competition, the remaining teams will be desperate to get their hands on the trophy at Wembley next year – replicating Manchester United’s victory over Newcastle in last season’s showpiece under the famous arch.
Let’s take stock of the teams who are still left in the competition and those who have made an early exit.
Which teams are still remaining in the Carabao Cup?
A total of 32 teams will be in the draw for the third round of the Carabao Cup.
Tuesday night’s action saw 19 second round ties contested, with the pick of the action being League Two side Salford City knocking out Leeds on penalties.
The eight Premier League teams who are playing European football will be included in the draw having been given a bye for the second round.
Carabao Cup third-round draw ball numbers
- AFC Bournemouth
- Arsenal
- Aston Villa
- Bradford City
- Brentford
- Brighton and Hove Albion
- Cardiff City
- Crystal Palace
- Exeter City
- Fulham
- Ipswich Town
- Leicester City
- Liverpool
- Luton Town
- Manchester City
- Manchester United
- Mansfield Town
- Middlesbrough
- Norwich City
- Newcastle United
- Peterborough United
- Port Vale
- Salford City
- Stoke City
- Sutton United
- West Ham United
- Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Chelsea or AFC Wimbledon
- Doncaster Rovers or Everton
- Harrogate Town or Blackburn Rovers
- Nottingham Forest or Burnley
- Sheffield United or Lincoln City
Which teams have been knocked out of the Carabao Cup?
A heavily-rotated Tottenham were the headline casualties in the second round, with Ange Postecoglu’s men edged out on penalties by Fulham following a 1-1 draw after normal time.
Teams knocked out of the Carabao Cup so far
First round
- Huddersfield Town
- Northampton Town
- Mansfield Town
- Newport County
- Swindon Town
- Watford
- Millwall
- Stockport County
- Sunderland
- Notts County
- Preston North End
- Carlisle
- Barnsley
- Crawley Town
- Derby County
- Walsall
- Fleetwood Town
- Cambridge United
- MK Dons
- West Brom
- Leyton Orient
- Barrow
- Southampton
- Forest Green Rovers
- Morecambe
- Cheltenham
- Accrington Stanley
- Hull City
- Wigan Athletic
- Shrewsbury
- Oxford United
- Coventry City
- Colchester United
- Bristol Rovers
- Burton Albion
- QPR
Second round
- Swansea
- Bristol City
- Plymouth Argyle
- Tottenham
- Tranmere Rovers
- Wycombe Wanderers
- Portsmouth
- Crewe Alexandra
- Blackpool
- Wrexham
- Birmingham City
- Gillingham
- Rotherham
- Sheffield Wednesday
- Newport County
- Bolton Wanderers
- Stevenage Town
- Reading
- Leeds United
When is the Carabao Cup third round draw?
The Carabao Cup third round draw will take place tonight (Wednesday, August 30).
The draw will commence after the conclusion of the televised game between Doncaster Rovers and Everton – which should be around 10:15pm.
Proceedings will be hosted by Emma Saunders with Sheffield Wednesday boss Darren Moore and former England star Izzy Christiansen drawing the names out of the hat.
Unlike the opening two rounds of the competition, the third round draw will not be regionalised.
The third round games will take place the week commencing Monday, September 25.
Fans can watch the draw live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports News.
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^ ^ PSG launch new bid for France U21 star in transfer blow to Chelsea
Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly launched a new bid for Lyon’s France U21 international Bradley Barcola, who has also been linked to Chelsea.
Chelsea stepped up their interest in signing 20-year-old Barcola after missing out on Crystal Palace star Michael Olise.
Blues head coach Mauricio Pochettino wants to bring in at least one more attacking player before the summer transfer window closes and Barcola is one of the names being considered.
Barcola can operate as a forward or right winger and has spent his entire senior career at Lyon, where he registered seven goals and 10 assists last season.
Chelsea are not the only side looking at Barcola, though, with French champions PSG looking to convince him to snub the Premier League.
According to reports in France, PSG have now made a fresh bid to Lyon and have offered more than €40m.
However, despite PSG agreeing personal terms with Barcola, it is thought their new offer does not include a player swap, which Lyon want as part of the deal.
Chelsea remain keen on Barcola and held discussions with Lyon last week but hope of a move took a recent hit when the Blues allowed Andrey Santos to join Nottingham Forest on loan, who the French club were keen to bring in.
The west Londoners are not giving up on a transfer just yet, though, and sent scouts to watch Barcola in action against Nice during a Ligue 1 match on Friday.
Chelsea are also exploring other attacking options including Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe and Manchester City’s Cole Palmer.
MORE : David Seaman 'hurt' by prospect of Emile Smith Rowe leaving Arsenal for Chelsea
MORE : Chelsea eye stunning deal for Man City starlet as Emile Smith Rowe alternative
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
^ ^ Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales sends video to FIFA showing Jenni Hermoso joking about World Cup kiss
Spanish Football Federation president, Luis Rubiales, has attempted to defend his actions by sending a video to FIFA which shows Jenni Hermoso joking about their kiss after the Women’s World Cup final.
Rubiales has been provisionally suspended for 90 days by FIFA following his conduct during the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney earlier this month.
The president of the Spanish Football Federation has been angered by the backlash he has received after he grabbed Hermoso by the head and kissed her on the lips, claiming that he is the victim of ‘social murder’ and ‘false feminism’.
Hermoso has repeatedly denied consenting to being kissed by Rubiales, while in a show of solidarity, Spain’s players refused to represent the national side until the 46-year-old resigned or was removed from his position.
Rubiales, via the Spanish Football Federation, has accused Hermoso of ‘lying’ about the incident and even threatened legal action against her in a statement which was subsequently deleted.
But according to El Espanyol, Rubiales is now attempting to defend himself in FIFA’s ongoing investigation by providing world football’s governing body a video which shows Hermoso joking about the kiss with her Spain teammates shortly after the World Cup final.
The video shows Hermoso laughing as she looks at a meme on a mobile phone of her kiss with Rubiales alongside an image of Iker Casillas kissing Sara Carbonero, a Spanish TV reporter who he went on to marry, after Spain’s World Cup victory in 2010.
Hermoso is also seen explaining the incident to her Spain teammates, saying: ‘My goodness. Haven’t you seen it? He comes over all enthusiastic and hugs me like this [holds up her hands near her head].’
Spain’s players are also heard chanting ‘kiss, kiss, kiss’ on the team bus.
In her statement released last week, Hermoso said: ‘I felt vulnerable and the victim of aggression, an impulsive, sexist act and without any kind of consent on my part.
‘I just wasn’t respected.’
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