This article was originally published on the Daily Briefing, a subscription service. If you would like to receive Ben Jacobs’ exclusive transfer columns via email ahead of publication on caughtoffside.com, please sign-up for the service here: thedailybriefing.io.

Arsenal eye three possible alternatives to Benjamin Sesko

Arsenal are searching for another striker after Benjamin Sesko decided to stay at Leipzig. A renewal, on new lucrative terms, was always a concrete possibility. Arsenal’s pitch was strong, but Sesko felt staying an extra was better for his development. There is a gentleman’s agreement he can still be sold in summer 2025.

Arsenal have plenty of other options on their list, including Evan Ferguson and Viktor Gyokeres. They are also keeping a very close eye on the Joshua Zirkzee situation. Milan are pushing to complete a deal, but if it falls through I expect Arsenal to be in the conversation for the Bologna striker.

Alongside looking for a new striker, Arsenal still see midfield as a priority. The kind of midfielder they’re looking for will be defined by whether they see Declan Rice as a predominant no.6 or no.8 – though that’s not to say that Mikel Arteta will be so rigid as to force him to play in only one role, but the profile they’ll look for will have to complement Rice.

Martin Zubimendi is still a realistic possibility, though the challenge there is persuading him to leave Real Sociedad. He’s very happy there and that’s why he stayed at the club in January, though that was also with Champions League football to look forward to in the second half of the season, and now it would be all about persuading the player to leave a club that he’s really settled at.

We also know that Arsenal have looked at Douglas Luiz before, but they’re not engaged in negotiations with him at the moment – it’s all about Aston Villa and Juventus. The feeling amongst most in the industry is that Villa need to sell before they can buy, while Juventus need to offer players as part of the deal, with Weston McKennie being one who might return to England. If anything falls through, Arsenal would maybe see a window of opportunity, knowing that Arsenal need to raise funds, but Zubimendi is a more likely target than Luiz.

We know that Arsenal appreciate Bruno Guimaraes too, but they haven’t made a concrete move and have no plans to trigger his release clause. If anyone moves there, it’s likely to be Manchester City, but with no one planning to trigger his clause, clubs may wait and see if they can engage with Newcastle at a lower level, perhaps also with Financial Fair Play in mind. It’s not an easy deal, but if Guimaraes were to leave that could be one way to get the deal done, if Newcastle feel obligated to sell due to their financial situation, but even then it’s more likely Man City than Arsenal.

Chelsea delighted as they beat rivals to smart free transfer

Chelsea are delighted with the signing of Tosin Adarabioyo, who joins on a free transfer when his Fulham contract expires. It was never a done deal with Newcastle, who wanted Tosin and Lloyd Kelly. Luckily for Eddie Howe, they have secured the latter subject to a medical and all the paperwork going through.

Chelsea view Tosin as valuable because of his height and ball-playing skills. The fact he’s a set-piece threat is also important.

Chelsea could still add another centre-back, although only if Trevoh Chalobah is sold. Chalobah is in no rush to leave and will only depart for a club with European football. It’s not a given he exits, even though Chelsea do want to sell.

Chelsea have a lot of centre-backs even with Thiago Silva’s departure, and Levi Colwill is expected to seek guarantees he is a starter when fit. Chelsea have no plans to sell Colwill despite links with Bayern, Liverpool and PSG. Suitors also know Chelsea’s position, and it’s an emphatic one.

But it is an important season ahead for Colwill, who is naturally disappointed to have missed out on England selection and wants to make sure by summer 2025, a year from the 2026 World Cup, he’s back in the picture.

England snub won’t change Marcus Rashford situation

Marcus Rashford is still not looking to leave Manchester United. The same commitment remains from when he signed a contract extension until summer 2028.

Rashford’s form compared to others in his position simply didn’t warrant England selection, but the extra pre-season time at Carrington could prove a blessing in disguise. He now has one focus: to rediscover his goalscoring touch having got 30 in all competitions in 2022/23.

Rashford is intent on using pre-season, away from the media flare, to come back hungrier and more consistent next season.

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PSG do still appreciate Rashford, but have not made any kind of meaningful move ahead of the summer. They have other priorities, and won’t even discuss Rashford unless they are told directly from the player side that he wants to leave Old Trafford. This is because prior to Rashford extending at Manchester United, PSG felt like they were being used to gain Rashford leverage as he negotiated his new United deal.

Julian Alvarez or Jhon Duran to Chelsea?

Julian Alvarez is not a player Manchester City want to lose, but it’s clear he wants some guarantees over playing time. That makes the situation open. When players like Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer went to Pep Guardiola and explained they wanted a new challenge, the Manchester City boss was very understanding. He might not be as accommodating with Alvarez given his importance to the team.

Manchester City got £45m and £40m for Sterling and Palmer respectively, and Alvarez’s price tag would be significantly more. At the moment, there is no specific number, but £70m+ is understood to be the ballpark. There is concrete interest from Paris St-Germain, and they have budget following Kylian Mbappe’s departure.

Chelsea could be one to watch, but they haven’t yet made any kind of meaningful approach. I still sense Jhon Duran might be ahead of Alvarez given he’s cheaper and only 20. Chelsea have faith in Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku can be used as a false nine, so Chelsea’s recruitment team aren’t as worried as they perhaps were earlier in the year about adding someone already proven or Premier League-seasoned.

And the key point with Alvarez is that Manchester City don’t want to sell. They will do all they can to persuade him of his importance to the team. He featured in 54 games last season and made 31 starts in the Premier League. Manchester City still view Alvarez as integral, so the Argentine would have to really push to get a move, and hope his high price tag is met. An exit can’t be ruled out, but Manchester City will be fighting to stop one.

The post Transfer news: Arsenal eye Gyokeres as Sesko alternative, Duran to Chelsea, Rashford’s future & more appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Maresca on brink of becoming Chelsea manager as several players disappointed by Pochettino exit

Enzo Maresca is on the brink of becoming Chelsea’s new head coach. He is expected to sign a minimum five-year guaranteed contract. Compensation is being finalised with Leicester in the region of £8-10m.

Maresca wants to bring the majority of his staff with him, including his assistant and former Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero.

Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia have worked with Maresca before from their time at Manchester City.

Although it’s true several players were disappointed to see Mauricio Pochettino leave, there is already excitement at what Maresca can bring.

Chelsea’s players believe momentum is on their side and Maresca’s favoured 4-3-3 should favour the squad he inherits.

Sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley led the process replace Pochettino, whilst co-owner Behdad Eghbali was in London and heavily involved.

Chelsea feel they have got an incredible manager. The ownership have always looked to the early days of Mikel Arteta, and the patience shown to him, and have even watched Amazon’s ‘All of Nothing’ documentary.

Chelsea’s leadership team want to be patient, despite Maresca being their fourth permanent manager. The belief is Maresca is the perfect profile: young, progressive, possession based and, of course, a Pep disciple.

Ten Hag’s Manchester United future to be resolved this week

The future of Erik ten Hag is expected to be resolved this week, and sooner rather than later. At the time of writing, the end-of-season review is being completed.

Ten Hag wants to stay at Manchester United and is hoping for quick clarity. The longer the decision takes the more uncertainty brews.

Ten Hag has some support from senior figures at Manchester United, including Jean-Claude Blanc.

The whole season will be looked at. INEOS want to make the decision disappointedly and data will help them do so.

Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel are both keen on the Manchester United job should a vacancy emerge, but the first task is to decide on Ten Hag.

Kieran McKenna is not expected to be available since a new long-term deal with Ipswich is close. All that’s lacking is the paperwork. We should get an announcement today or tomorrow.

New contract for Cristiano Ronaldo plus uncertainty over De Bruyne Saudi transfer

Al Nassr are expected to open talks with Cristiano Ronaldo about a new one-year extension.

Ronaldo’s current deal ends in summer 2025, but dealmakers want him to stay for another 12 months. This would see Ronaldo playing beyond his 41st birthday. It could also give him a shot at the 2026 World Cup.

Ronaldo finished the Saudi Pro League campaign with 35 goals, a record for a single season, and is settled living in Riyadh. He is believed to be open to extending.

Links with a move back to Europe, and specifically Bayer Leverkusen, are wide of the mark, as Fabrizio Romano reported.

Kevin De Bruyne remains a Saudi target, but the Belgian has not yet given any indication yet he wants to leave Manchester City. A transfer is also arguably harder to pull off this summer because of Euro 2024. Players like De Bruyne will only be focused on that tournament and the season will start shortly after.

De Bruyne is not the kind of player that will want uncertainty over his future. If he was to move he would want to do so before the season start rather than at the end of the window. It’s been clear for some time Manchester City want him to extend.

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Saudi dealmakers are prepared to be patient. They will try for De Bruyne in 2025 if they feel it’s a lost cause this summer. But until De Bruyne puts pen to paper, Saudi officials will continue to take meetings with the De Bruyne camp and are prepared to offer over £100m to Manchester City.

It is an ambitious swoop to pull off, but the Saudi project isn’t afraid to try for these kind of bold moves.

Luis Diaz and Thiago Alcantara to Barcelona?

Liverpool want to keep Luis Diaz. It’s really as simple as that. Diaz is contracted until 2027 and there are no plans to sell him this summer despite ongoing links with Barcelona.

Diaz would like to play in Spain one day, as his father has hinted at in public in recent months, but that’s more a long-term goal. He has given no indication he wants to leave Liverpool now, nor can Barcelona afford him without significant outgoings first due to Financial Fair Play issues.

I recently reported on potential Barcelona sales here – Jules Kounde and Raphinha are clearly two sellable assets, but neither want to leave. Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araujo may also be two names to watch.

Thiago Alcantara is still assessing options having left Liverpool. His priority is to stay in Europe. Saudi dealmakers tried to get him to agree a pre-contract in January but couldn’t persuade him to join the Saudi Pro League.

Barcelona have been linked with Thiago as well, but it’s still too early to know for sure what his next move will be after leaving Liverpool at the end of his contract.

The post Transfer news: Maresca to Chelsea, Liverpool duo to Barcelona, Cristiano Ronaldo’s future & more appeared first on CaughtOffside.

This article was originally published on the Daily Briefing, a subscription service. If you would like to receive Ben Jacobs’ exclusive transfer columns via email ahead of publication on caughtoffside.com, please sign-up for the service here: thedailybriefing.io.

Saudi optimism over double Manchester United raid, but Bruno Fernandes might not be realistic

Bruno Fernandes is on Saudi Arabia’s radar, although dealmakers don’t hold much optimism anything is possible this summer. And there is other interest in him from both Bayern and Inter.

Manchester United still view Fernandes as really important, which is unsurprising given he’s their captain. But it’s a patient Saudi recruitment strategy, and from Saudi’s perspective it’s Al-Nassr who are the club to watch.

In the long-term, Saudi are making finding another marquee Portuguese star a priority, especially with Cristiano Ronaldo soon entering into the final year of his contract.

Portugal has unsurprisingly proven one of the biggest TV markets for the Saudi Pro League since Ronaldo made the switch. International TV rights renewals take place in 2025, and league executives are keen to maintain the strong Portuguese audience during a cycle when Ronaldo will leave.

It’s not a given that is in 2025, since Ronaldo could yet extend for a year, but he certainly won’t be playing for the next full rights cycle. Then Fernandes links aren’t new. Saudi are across many top players and waiting for the right time to make a concrete approach.

Right now, there is more confidence that Fernandes’ Manchester United teammates Casemiro and Raphael Varane could move to Saudi this summer.

Casemiro has been discussed by Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal. Although he’s healthily contracted until 2026, it was made clear to John Murtough in January that any fee for the Brazilian would be nowhere near the £70m package United paid to Real Madrid. I understand dealmakers are looking more around the £25-30m mark, potentially with some bonuses on top.

Varane has confirmed he’s leaving United on a free this summer. Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr are both interested. Dealmakers have been laying groundwork since last summer. Varane is also open to a Lens return, but would have to cut his wage significantly. And MLS is also an option for Varane.

The latest on Bayern Munich’s difficult search for a new manager

Bayern’s search to replace Thomas Tuchel has played out really publicly.

It would be a real twist if Tuchel is eventually asked to stay on, but options are somewhat running out.

Bayern thought they were going to get Ralf Rangnick, only to find he decided to stay as Austria coach.

And there was plenty of talk about a Julian Nagelsmann return, but the board were divided about making an approach and there was always a chance the former Bayern boss would extend as Germany coach, which has now happened.

Erik ten Hag has been linked, even though he’s still in a job at Manchester United, but again no concrete approach has been made to date.

Olivier Glasner was never going to want to leave Crystal so soon, or be allowed to do so. He’s only just joined, is enjoying his time at Selhurst Park, and doing a superb job.

A Hansi Flick return has now got a lot of attention but there are reservations about rehiring him as well.

However, Roberto de Zerbi is still an option even though he has said he wants to stay at Brighton. Lille’s Paulo Fonseca has also been discussed internally at Bayern but it’s not thought he’s a frontrunner and, more importantly, looks set to accept an offer from Marseille.

As for Tuchel, he would welcome an approach from Manchester United should a vacancy emerge. He is still pretty shocked by his Chelsea sacking and feels he has unfinished business in the Premier League. There has been no approach made yet to Tuchel, but he would be open to discussing a vacancy if Ten Hag does depart.

Arne Slot to Liverpool announcement just a matter of time

Arne Slot’s move to Liverpool is just a matter of time. It’s all agreed. Liverpool will pay €9m+2m to Feyenoord for Slot, with backroom staff compensation taking the total package close to €15m.

Slot’s assistant will be Sipke Hulshoff, and the delay on finalising everything was down to his own Liverpool contract. Hulshoff was also assistant to Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman and was set to be a key part of the coaching staff for Euro 2024. But Liverpool didn’t want a delayed start date, so Hulshoff was happy to step down from his role and has been replaced today by Dwight Lodeweges.

The Slot deal can now be considered done, but when it’s made public will depend on Liverpool, who have always been conscious not to overshadow Jurgen Klopp’s farewell, with his final game at Anfield against Wolves on Sunday.

The deal being done and the appointment made public are two separate things, with the latter all about timing. Liverpool have never been in a rush to officially announce Slot. The plan was simply to ensure they had a replacement ready before the end of the season, and that has now been achieved.

Bruno Guimaraes’ future, plus other ins and outs to watch at Newcastle this summer

A lot has already been made of potential Newcastle exits ahead of the window opening.

My understanding remains that Alexander Isak is not for sale. Although Arsenal appreciate the Swede, who has 20 Premier League goals this campaign, they are also well aware of Newcastle’s stance.

Even though it’s true the club need £30-50m to ease any PSR concerns, Isak is not a name they plan to sacrifice.

Newcastle also don’t want to lose Bruno Guimaraes, but the decision could be taken out of their hands if someone triggers his £100m release clause, which is valid between late May and the end of June.

As long as the clause is active, Newcastle are going to simply point to its value, but it’s understood offers exceeding £80m could be entertained should Guimaraes wish to leave for a Champions League club.

It should be stressed, Guimaraes is happy at Newcastle, but it’s also true that both Manchester City and Arsenal have made contact with his camp.

Manchester City are the most active of the suitors. Arsenal appreciate Guimaraes, but have no intention to trigger his clause meaning they would only enter the race if the price drops.

PSG have also considered Guimaraes but decided against moving forward this summer, and will instead focus on trying to land Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva.

Newcastle also don’t plan to sell Anthony Gordon despite recent links with Liverpool. And as far as I am told, there is actually no Liverpool interest either. It’s true Liverpool are planning for a wide attacker or winger. Leeds’ Crysencio Summerville is one name they have discussed, but targets are still being finalised.

Newcastle hope to bring in two defenders. They are actively working on both Fulham’s Tosin Adarabioyo and Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly. Both are available on free transfers.

Kelly is open to the move. Progress is being made on Adarabioyo as well, who has several suitors. Although Newcastle consider themselves in a strong position, Manchester United could enter the race. And interestingly, Tosin’s agent was at Old Trafford for the Arsenal game.

I also expect Newcastle to bring in a right-sided wide forward or winger, especially with Miguel Almiron struggling for goals. Newcastle will listen to offers for the Paraguayan having verbally agreed a deal close to €30m in January with Saudi side Al-Shabab, only to find the player didn’t want to move.

Michael Olise, who is a Manchester United target, is a possibility if funds allow. Olise has a complicated release clause that can be triggered in the region of £60-65m.

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Newcastle could add another striker as well, especially given Callum Wilson’s future is unclear. Benjamin Sesko is one name they had discussed under Dan Ashworth, but it’s important to note their new sporting director, if eligible to start this summer (which isn’t a given), may have other ideas.

Dominic Solanke, who Eddie Howe signed at Bournemouth, isn’t on Newcastle list. But they could be a dark horse for Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee, even though Milan are currently favourites.

If Guimaraes did depart, I expect Newcastle to add another central midfielder, even with Sandro Tonali back from his ban for gambling breaches next season.

I am not aware of Newcastle rekindling any interest in Kalvin Phillips but Conor Gallagher is a name of interest. The challenge is going to be meeting Chelsea’s £50m+ asking price.

Even if Newcastle qualify for the Europa League, I don’t expect them to go on a crazy spending spree.

The post Transfer news: Man United trio to Saudi, Arsenal ask about Newcastle star, LFC done deal & more appeared first on CaughtOffside.

This article was originally published on the Daily Briefing, a subscription service. If you would like to receive Ben Jacobs’ exclusive transfer columns via email ahead of publication on caughtoffside.com, please sign-up for the service here: thedailybriefing.io.

Mohamed Salah could leave Liverpool, but 2025 exit looks most likely

Jurgen Klopp was quick to downplay his touchline spat with Mo Salah in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw at West Ham. Salah, on the other hand, fuelled the fire (quite literally) after telling assembled media, “If I speak today there will be fire…”

The incident isn’t likely to change anything. Salah was unhappy at being dropped for the game following the Merseyside Derby defeat at Everton, and also wanted to come on earlier; and Klopp is leaving anyway at the end of the season.

I would imagine between now and then we will see and hear first-hand the mutual respect Klopp and Salah have for each other. I really don’t see the spat being something Salah or Klopp will linger over.

Liverpool expect Salah to stay and be part of Arne Slot’s squad, and both Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes will be tasked with not only convincing him to do one more season at Liverpool but, as importantly, extend his deal.

Sources have always indicated Saudi dealmakers are prepared to wait until 2025 for Salah. This could allow them to get him on a free transfer, and Salah would naturally seek a healthy signing-on fee should that scenario materialise.

From Liverpool’s perspective, they want Salah to extend, since this means should a Saudi offer arrive in 2025 they can still get a healthy fee if they wish to sell, likely in excess of £70m with bonuses on top.

Salah extending would also stop Liverpool having to deal with speculation this summer; or potentially consider an astronomical offer that has financial merit should Saudi try again this summer. Although that can’t entirely be ruled out, there is low confidence amongst Saudi dealmakers that Salah wants to leave Liverpool or Europe just yet.

Unless that changes, and Ministry of Sport executives get a green light for Salah, I would expect Saudi to play the long game.

The other factor in all this is the renewal of MENA rights for the Saudi Pro League in summer 2025, and the package Saudi Sports Channel has includes Egypt. It could potentially help Saudi get the best possible rights deal if they can secure Salah just before signing anything off with broadcasters. Perhaps Egypt rights will even be sold separately.

Raheem Sterling not looking to leave Chelsea, but Romelu Lukaku to Saudi could be one to watch

Sterling remains committed to Chelsea, and is settled in London. But as a high earner at the club, it’s natural there will be speculation about a summer exit. Unless Sterling has a major U-turn, he’s going to resist an exit and try to prove any critics wrong. It hasn’t been an easy spell for him at Chelsea, but staying fit and having a run in the side could yet change all that.

Links with Saudi, and Al-Hilal specifically, are wide of the mark according to my information. Sterling had a very informal approach from Saudi in summer 2023, but since then there has been no contact.

Chelsea are naturally open to doing more business with Saudi, and away from Sterling, they will gladly sell Romelu Lukaku to a Saudi Pro League club.

Al-Hilal had a €45m offer accepted last summer but Lukaku wanted to stay in Italy. Al-Hilal now have other targets, but keep an eye on both Al-Shabab and soon-to-be promoted Al-Qadsiyah.

Xavi Simons future to be discussed amid Arsenal & Chelsea links

Xavi Simons has had a fantastic season with Leipzig on loan from PSG. The 21-year-old has scored seven goals and got 11 assists in the Bundesliga.

Simons and PSG will now decide the next step together. Two primary options are being considered by PSG: send Simons back to Leipzig again or bring him back to Paris this summer.

Leipzig are open to another loan, and sending Simons back there helps PSG navigate some short-term complexities.

Luis Enrique and Simons must also chat about the future together, so what happens next will very much be a collaborative process.

A permanent sale is viewed by sources as the least likely scenario. It’s not totally impossible should an incredible offer be tabled and Simons wants a fresh challenge, but suggestions Chelsea and Arsenal are advancing anything at this stage are not correct according to my understanding.

The next step is for PSG to speak to Simons and very possibly Leipzig before any final decision is taken, but I wouldn’t rule out a loan renewal.

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Chido Obi-Martin attracting interest but Arsenal are confident of keeping wonderkid striker

Arsenal are in a great position with 16-year-old talent Chido Obi-Martin.

Obi-Martin scored 10 goals this season against Liverpool in an Under-16s game, and last weekend got seven goals against Norwich City for Arsenal’s Under-18s. He has 28 goals this campaign.

Obi-Martin has signed with Elite Project Group, who also look after Bukayo Saka.

Arsenal have to wait until Obi-Martin turns 17 in November before they can offer him a professional contract. That, coupled with a new agency, does slightly open the door to suitors, including Borussia Dortmund and Roma.

But Arsenal are calm about the situation, and Obi-Martin has seen first hand the pathways for young players under Mikel Arteta. It will be really surprising if Obi Martin looks elsewhere despite the growing volume of interest.

The post Transfer news: Salah, Sterling and Lukaku to Saudi? Plus Xavi Simons latest & Arsenal wonderkid interest appeared first on CaughtOffside.

This article was originally published on the Daily Briefing, a subscription service. If you would like to receive Ben Jacobs’ exclusive transfer columns via email ahead of publication on caughtoffside.com, please sign-up for the service here: thedailybriefing.io.

Liverpool want a centre-back and have scouted Goncalo Inacio amid interest in Ruben Amorim

Ruben Amorim has now clarified he hasn’t yet had a formal interview to replace Jurgen Klopp. And my understanding remains that mid-to-late April has always been the period Liverpool planned to start interviews. They have to be flexible, though, since they need to respect the availability of candidates at such a crucial stage of the season.

Amorim is inevitably going to get an interview, there is pretty much no doubt about that, but so will other managers. Liverpool, as ever, have a process and aren’t going to rush anything or put all their hopes on one candidate alone. That’s just not how they work. Their search will be discreet and thorough. The way they carry out these types of senior leadership and football appointments is a credit to the club.

Naturally, if they do pick Amorim, and of course that’s very possible, there will be links with Goncalo Inacio.

Liverpool are on the lookout for a centre-back but there’s nothing in the Inacio links yet. Liverpool have naturally scouted Ignacio as part of normal due diligence but that isn’t really a clue as to whether they will move. Manchester United are in the same boat.

I also sense if Viktor Gyokeres is sold, and Sporting do lose Amorim, the Portuguese club will be in no mood to negotiate for Inacio, meaning any suitor will need to pay his €60m release clause.

Manchester United could be ones to watch for Ivan Toney – but forget any talk of him moving on the cheap

There is no guarantee Ivan Toney leaves Brentford this summer. He could plausibly wait until 2025 and then be available as a free agent.

The issue this summer for many suitors is the combination of fee and Toney’s expected wages, which are understood to be around £250k per week. This number is also why Brentford aren’t close to an extension.

Toney is still keeping his options open. I don’t think he’ll join either Arsenal or Chelsea. Both have other options higher on their list of possibilities, at least for this summer. Manchester United could still be one to watch, especially if the asking price drops.

I am not aware of Brentford being willing to accept £30-40m despite some reports. I still expect the price to be much higher.

Thomas Frank has also downplayed the idea of a cut-price sale. “Normally I don’t go into these price labels, but I would say [£30-40m] is very cheap for a 20-goal goalscorer in the Premier League,” said Frank, who earlier in the season revealed he thinks Toney is worth £100m.

It will be very surprising if Toney is sold for a bargain fee, and if he’s picked for Euro 2024 then his summer value, and the number of suitors considering him, will only rise further.

Arsenal appreciate Alexander Isak but Newcastle will prioritise other sales

Alexander Isak is having a sensational season. He is in the mix to win the Premier League’s Golden Boot, having scored 17 goals this season. He is only three behind current joint-top scorers Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer.

Although it’s true Newcastle will be looking for outgoings to help balance the books, especially if they don’t qualify for Champions League football, Isak is not a player I expect them to entertain offers for.

Arsenal, like many others, appreciate Isak, but most suitors know Newcastle don’t want or plan to lose Isak.

Bruno Guimaraes is a more realistic exit. He is also not a player Newcastle want to lose, but his £100m release clause could take the decision out of Newcastle’s hands.

PSG and Manchester City both like Guimaraes. Arsenal are not currently in the mix. They are looking instead at Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, and Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz is on their radar as well. Neither are routine deals to get over the line.

Newcastle may also sell Miguel Almiron. The Saudi interest hasn’t disappeared but it’s still unclear if Almiron is keen to go.

And Bayern could conceivably try again for Kieran Trippier. It will all depend on their new manager. Let’s see if that’s Julian Nagelsmann, who could make a sensational return despite having an offer to stay on as Germany coach for the 2026 World Cup. Nothing is decided yet, which means Bayern’s summer plans also remain a bit up in the air as well.

PSG looking at attacker signings but Vinicius Junior is not currently on their list

PSG are going to be ambitious this summer. They have freed up around €200m-gross from Kylian Mbappe’s forthcoming departure. And other exit terms are still being finalised that will see the French champions bring in additional funds.

If PSG go out of the Champions League to Barcelona, and thus can’t face Real Madrid, Mbappe may announce he is leaving and joining Carlo Ancelotti’s side. It all depends on whether everything is agreed, including if Mbappe can play in the Paris Olympics.

Vini Jr is not a name PSG are looking at, despite some rumours about what Mbappe’s arrival in Madrid could mean for his place in the team. I expect him to stay at Real. If he ever became available on the market it might be a different story, but PSG know they are wasting their time trying for this summer.

PSG will instead focus on names like Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko as they look to add goals.

In midfield, they would also love to sign Gavi from Barcelona, but there is low confidence that’s possible. Gavi is seen as a future Barcelona captain.

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And I expect PSG to bring in a centre-back. We know about their long-standing interest in Lille’s Leny Yoro, having had a bid rejected in January. Levi Colwill is another ambitious target despite the fact Chelsea aren’t looking to sell him. Even with outgoings planned at Stamford Bridge, Colwill is not one of the players Chelsea intend to lose. PSG will simply monitor the situation with a view to the long-term future in case anything changes. This is a normal window-planning tactic.

PSG will be one of the few teams this summer not worried about finances, due to budget from Mbappe’s exit, and that could put them at a real advantage if going head-to-head for targets with Premier League or La Liga clubs.

The post Transfer news: Toney Man United, Isak Arsenal, Inacio Liverpool, Gavi PSG, and much more appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Giorgi Sudakov is preparing for a special summer. Having scored seven goals and provided three assists this season, the Ukrainian midfielder has helped put Shakhtar on the brink of a domestic double.

Two of these goals came in the Ukrainian Cup semi-final in a 4-1 win over Chornomorets Odesa and both showcased Sudakov’s prodigious talent.

Pace, poise and precision are all part of his game. Shaktar will now face Vorskla on May 15 to try and claim the Ukrainian Cup for the 14th time. They are also on course to win the Ukrainian Premier League for the 15th time, thus defending the title Sudakov won last season.

Sudakov’s idol is Man City ace Phil Foden

21-year-old Sudakov is a ball dribbler, who relishes a mazy run, and has the composure to either pick a pass or find a finish. So it’s perhaps no surprise one of his main inspirations is Manchester City’s Phil Foden.

“Now [my idol] is Phil Foden,” Sudakov told CaughtOffside. “I really like the way he plays. He is an incredible footballer. I also like Luka Modric very much, and I can highlight a third player – Andres Iniesta.”

One of Sudakov’s highlights this season was scoring against Iniesta’s former club Barcelona in the Champions League. He also dispatched a penalty at the Stade Velodrome in February in Shakhtar’s Europa League knockout-round playoff against Marseille.

And Sudakov has shone for his country as well, playing 90 minutes in their emotional Euro 2024 playoff victory over Iceland, which saw his close friend Mykhailo Mudryk score the winner to send Ukraine to Germany this summer.

“Mykhailo is an incredibly talented and hard-working person,” said Sudakov, who is also expected to be named in Ruslan Rotan’s Olympics squad. “I am sure he has all the amazing qualities necessary to eventually win the Ballon d’Or.

“Qualifying for Euro 2024 is an incredible achievement for the entire national team, and for our country. And of course, with a war ongoing, we hope to be an inspiration at the tournament and send positive emotions to our country.”

Sudakov’s consistent performances have already led to speculation he could be sold this summer, although he is contracted to Shakhtar until 2028 and has a release clause of €150m. Napoli saw a €40m bid rejected in January.

“They made a good offer, but the club rejected it,” revealed Sudakov. “We quickly closed this topic and I focused all my attention on Shakhtar.

“I hope for [a big move one day] and work for that. I can’t name or single out one league. I watch Europe’s top five leagues. But now I am a Shakhtar player and just trying to do my best here.”

CaughtOffside understands Tottenham are seriously considering Sudakov. Inter and Juventus hold an interest, too, but budget may prevent either from advancing anything.

Spurs are on the lookout for a midfielder this summer and also have Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher on their radar. Scouting has shown Sudakov would be a good fit with Ange Postecoglou’s system.

Liverpool and Chelsea are not currently pursuing Sudakov, despite some suggestions. And Arsenal have also been spoken of via the media, despite no concrete approach to date. However, Sudakov is flattered by links with Mikel Arteta’s side.

“It is certainly nice, but I honestly don’t react too much to it,” said Sudakov, whose first ever football shirt was a Manchester United one with Cristiano Ronaldo’s name on the back. “I want to focus on my football, my development and my team as much as possible. I’m currently a Shakhtar player and I have great ambitions.

“The European Championship and Olympic Games will take place in the summer, so I want to keep my mind on these tournaments.”

Shakhtar are in no rush to sell Sudakov and it will likely take at least €70m to strike a deal; although any sale might not quite reach the €100m package Shakhtar got for Mudryk when he moved to Chelsea in January 2023.

Shakhtar are notoriously tough negotiators and players are usually respectful of club president Rinat Akhmetov’s wishes and valuations. Sporting director Darijo Srna is also extremely hands-on and highly respected within the industry.

It’s clear Sudakov is grounded and happy at Shakhtar for now. In fact, the real move he wants is one back to Shakhtar’s 53,000-capacity Donbas Arena in Donetsk.

‘The Miners’ haven’t been back there since the War in Donbas began in 2014. And having temporarily relocated to Poland due to the War in Ukraine, Shakhtar are now back in Lviv, around 1,000 kilometres from Donetsk.

Shakhtar’s European football matches take place at Hamburger’s Volksparkstadion in Germany. This has proven an easier location to get to for opponents and eased any safety fears.

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“It is very difficult to constantly represent your club playing away [from Donbas],” said Sudakov. “But all of us in the team have a common goal. This club has an incredible history and, I’m sure, an incredible future.

“We have an amazing president in Mr. Akhmetov, who makes everything comfortable for us. Therefore, we are well positioned to achieve success in Europe and the domestic league.”

Sudakov is clearly an old head on young shoulders. He is mature, humble and exceptionally talented. There is no doubt he has a big future ahead of him as well as more memorable chapters to write with both Shakhtar and Ukraine in the next few months.

The post Exclusive: Spurs target ‘Phil Foden like’ Giorgi Sudakov this summer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Genoa interested in taking Djed Spence permanently  

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Jul 22 2024, 14:36

The post Exclusive: Genoa open to buying Djed Spence and ‘in contact’ with Spurs appeared first on CaughtOffside.

This article was originally published on the Daily Briefing, a subscription service. If you would like to receive Ben Jacobs’ exclusive transfer columns via email ahead of publication on caughtoffside.com, please sign-up for the service here: thedailybriefing.io.

Liverpool working on final shortlist to replace Jurgen Klopp

Hughes is able to play a leading role in finding Klopp’s replacement even though he doesn’t officially start until 1 June. This was agreed with Bournemouth, who Liverpool have an excellent relationship with.

Ruben Amorim is a leading contender after Xabi Alonso confirmed he is staying at Bayer Leverkusen. And like Amorim, Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi also scored quite highly when Liverpool used data to create a longlist of options. They are now working out who makes the final shortlist.

De Zerbi hasn’t been approached to date and is not necessarily favourite at this point. That’s not really how Liverpool work either. They will be thorough and keep an open mind rather than being reliant on any one candidate before they have completed their process. This is the sign of a well-run club, as is how discreet they are at handling these type of situations.

It’s true that Hughes is a De Zerbi admirer, and identified him as a possible replacement for Scott Parker when he left Bournemouth, but nothing progressed due to issues with his Shakhtar contract at the time. Bayern are also discussing the Brighton boss, who has a release clause in his current contract.

I don’t think anything is certain yet with Liverpool since they are only starting to narrow down the list of names now with a view to finalising someone before the season ends. That makes this month important.

Liverpool have also discussed Inter’s Simone Inzaghi, but the Serie A side want him to sign a new deal. Bologna’s Thiago Motta, who is doing an excellent job, and Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann have also been spoken about internally.

Liverpool are calm about their search and will very much carry it out on their own terms. Once they have a manager locked in, when they choose to announce it will also depend on the manager and their club and, as importantly, Klopp. The club plan to finalise Klopp’s replacement before the season ends, but a public announcement will be timed so as not to overshadow Klopp’s farewell or disrupt a season where Liverpool are still fighting on three fronts.

Viktor Gyökeres among several names on Arsenal’s summer transfer list

However, Sporting expect Gyökeres’s €100m release clause to be triggered, or bettered for a more preferable deal structure. That’s quite challenging for Arsenal, even with the money of Champions League football next season. That said, Eddie Nketiah could bring in some money despite being valued as a squad player. Wolves and Crystal Palace retain an interest.

Arsenal are also looking at RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Brighton’s Evan Ferguson, and could face competition from both Chelsea and Manchester United. And Bologna’s in-form Joshua Zirkzee has also been discussed internally – a player AC Milan are tracking too.

Arsenal have been long-linked with Brentford’s Ivan Toney, but I don’t think he’s now necessarily top of their list of targets, partly due to age and cost. It’s the same with Chelsea as well and has been for quite some time, and that might be good news for Manchester United.

It will be interesting to see if Toney is sold this summer or waits for free agency in 2025. That might be more tempting for one or two Premier League clubs, including Arsenal.

I expect Arsenal to prioritise a striker, and put much of their summer budget towards one. That will make landing Wolves’ Pedro Neto in addition difficult given Wolves want around £80m.

However, keep an eye on Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, who is a long-standing Arsenal target. Zubimendi was fully committed to Sociedad in January. He loves it at the club, but at 25, this summer could be the right time to move. I don’t think he will be routine to land or cheap but the advantage is Zubimendi does have a €60m release clause if Arsenal really want to proceed. Sources indicate any starting point will be lower than this, though, if they move. Douglas Luiz is another midfield option but I expect him to stay at Aston Villa if they qualify for the Champions League.

It’s clear Arsenal need a few outgoings if they want to get a top striker and strengthen elsewhere, even though there are no imminent fears about profit and sustainability rules breaches at the club. The challenge in the inflated transfer market is every club with a couple of big summer windows, however well run, has to start thinking carefully about their finances.

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Man United prepared to wait for Dan Ashworth

Wilcox has now resigned and has a 12-month notice period, but Manchester United are still hopeful of agreeing a package to get him sooner.

A formal offer of one year’s salary in compensation was made, which United felt was fair given Wilcox has only been at Southampton for nine months. But Southampton are upset because they not only want well in excess of this (perhaps closer to two-years salary), but they argue Man United agreed to pay more prior to being given permission to approach Wilcox, only to then offer lower than they had committed to in writing.

It’s still possible the parties reach an amicable agreement rather than Manchester United having to wait. Plus, we’re not talking millions. Even two-years salary for Wilcox wouldn’t be an astronomical number in football terms. Manchester United, for their part, insist they made their approach respectfully following due process.

It’s also not true Liverpool ever made an offer for Wilcox. They are instead really close to appointing Benfica’s technical director Pedro Marques.

As for Ashworth, Manchester United are no closer to reaching an agreement but it’s still seen as a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’ a deal is reached.

Things probably won’t be resolved until Newcastle line up Ashworth’s replacement. It could be sorted this month, but Manchester United don’t want to pay £20m to get Ashworth starting this summer. Sources have always been clear they are prepared to wait. The priority, however, is to have him begin at worst in time for the January 2025 window and ideally on 1 September. It will be easier to negotiate with Newcastle once they have a replacement in mind since they won’t want a situation where they are paying that person plus Ashworth for a prolonged period of time.

Chelsea will judge Mauricio Pochettino at the end of the season

Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with ten-man Burnley was so disappointing. It’s yet another game where Chelsea have thrown away points and put in an indifferent second-half showing.

If only second halves are considered, even though that’s a bit of a frivolous metric, then Chelsea would actually be 18th this season.

One worry is also how many goals Chelsea are conceding. It’s now five straight games in all competitions where they have let in two goals.

Nonetheless, the plan remains for Pochettino to be judged at the end of the season. This was agreed even before a ball was kicked since it marks the halfway point of the Argentine’s two-year guaranteed contract.

There will always be pressure at a club like Chelsea, but Pochettino’s fate is still not pre-determined, and what helps his cause is Chelsea’s FA Cup semi-final, and the chance to qualify for the Europa League through the tournament.

The bad news is of course that they face Manchester City at Wembley, but Chelsea have gone toe-to-toe with Pep Guardiola’s side this season in both league games in two of their best performances of the season.

We hear a lot of names linked with replacing Pochettino, particularly Roberto De Zerbi, Ruben Amorim and Hansi Flick; whilst some fans are dreaming of a Jose Mourinho or Thomas Tuchel return, although it’s not thought either are being considered despite the obvious short-term PR win.

No candidate is actually being seriously pursued to date, and Chelsea sources insist in particular that De Zerbi is not on the radar as it stands.

Chelsea are merely succession planning, much like Manchester United. This is normal when a change might be necessary and is something the club likely started on day one of Pochettino arriving given his contract is short.

Succession planning should not be confused with formally interviewing others or starting to replace Pochettino. You can both look at options to avoid managerial limbo and still want to make it work with your manager, and that’s kind of where Chelsea are at.

There is obviously a chance a change is necessary if results don’t improve, but Chelsea’s owners don’t want to do anything rash due to a belief that all manner of factors have led to a disappointing season to date, ranging from the young squad to injuries. Plus, right now, there is still hope the season can be turned around. This was stressed by co-owner and chairman Todd Boehly in a rare interview with Forbes.

“We just need to let the process develop and give [our squad] the time to go from being unbelievable individual players with great skills to fold into a team,” said Boehly.

“The good news is people care so much. And the bad news is people care so much. That leads to times when they’re frustrated with the team and the owners. I get that, but we just have to continue to stay the course.”

The draw with Burnley, though, surely now rules out a top six finish, even though that’s been a distant hope for some time anyway. And it makes the FA Cup a huge priority if Chelsea are to salvage something this season.

Boehly will know all too well that ‘staying on course’ is not just about maintaining a staunch belief in Chelsea’s long-term project, and Stamford Bridge leadership certainly think their approach will eventually pay off. It also requires getting some short-term success, remaining financially stable (and qualifying for Europe helps that) and keeping the fanbase on side.

The post Transfer news: Rúben Amorim to Liverpool? Arsenal striker targets, the latest on Man United/Dan Ashworth & more appeared first on CaughtOffside.

This article was originally published on the Daily Briefing, a subscription service. If you would like to receive Ben Jacobs’ exclusive transfer columns via email ahead of publication on caughtoffside.com, please sign-up for the service here: thedailybriefing.io.

Mikel Arteta not leaving Arsenal despite Barcelona links

Mikel Arteta has no plans to leave Arsenal despite links with Barcelona.

Arteta has already addressed suggestions he could exit Arsenal this summer, and firmly shut them down.

“No. That’s totally fake news,” he said in January. “I don’t know where that’s coming from, but it’s totally untrue and I’m very upset about it.”

Barcelona haven’t made an approach to Arteta to date, but it’s unsurprising he’s being linked and spoken of internally at the Catalan club.

Arteta was also considered by Barcelona in March 2021 prior to Ronald Koeman’s appointment, and given he played for Barcelona’s youth and B teams between 1997 and 2002, it would be strange if he wasn’t linked.

But Arteta is only focused on Arsenal and trying to win their first Premier League title since 2003/04, and go as far as possible in the Champions League.

The expectation is Arteta will sign a new contract at Arsenal with his current deal running until 2025.

Arteta is settled at Arsenal and views the project as stable. A move to Barcelona, as the outgoing Xavi has already found, is not easy. There is quite a bit of politics, plus financial challenges, to deal with.

Arteta is working well in the current structure at Arsenal and has a strong relationship with the leadership team, including sporting director Edu.

Barcelona will always have a big lure, but there’s no doubt Arteta would be walking into a far less stable club right now than Arsenal if he chose to leave, and I would be surprised, should an approach come, if he’d be tempted.

Chelsea looking for left-back this summer

Chelsea are looking for a left-back this summer. That’s because Lewis Hall will join Newcastle for an initial £28m. Chelsea have already budgeted for his departure. The obligation to buy becomes official if Newcastle finish 15th or better in the Premier League.

Ian Maatsen is also expected to depart. The 22-year-old is having an excellent spell on loan at Dortmund. There is no option or obligation to buy, but the German club are keen to sign Maatsen permanently. Chelsea will be looking for £30-35m.

Marc Cucurella could also potentially be sold should the right offer arrive, so it’s obvious why Chelsea feel they need another left-back.

Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez is one name on Chelsea’s radar. There is nothing advanced yet, but Chelsea, along with Manchester United, have scouted the talented 20-year-old Hungarian. Kerkez has also been teasing Chelsea fans a little with his social media activity. Scouting doesn’t mean a great deal, and nothing of note is progressing yet, but Kerkez is one to watch in the coming windows.

Chelsea have plenty of other options. One is Bayern’s Alphonso Davies, but the feeling is he’ll end up at Real Madrid if he leaves Bayern. Chelsea know this so it would be quite surprising if they prioritise Davies. It’s little more than admiration from afar at this point.

Wolves’ Rayan Ait-Nouri is going to be in demand this summer, but it’s still too early to tell if Chelsea will move.

Right now, Chelsea have a long list of targets and they have yet to lock in a leading name. That’s kind of to be expected at this time of year.

There is no doubt Chelsea will look to buy young – that’s their strategy in every position at the moment – but I am not convinced the name will be solely seen as a ‘back up’ to Ben Chilwell.

The excellent signing of Malo Gusto, Chelsea’s most consistent player of late, is proof of how a young right-sided fullback can break through when given an opportunity. And Reece James, even as club captain, arguably now has a task on his hands when fit to win back his place.

Djordje Petrovic is another example of a young player who took advantage of Robert Sanchez’s injury and is currently Chelsea’s No.1. Players are being rewarded at Chelsea on form not reputation. That’s also why Trevoh Chalobah is getting game time and Thiago Silva has been benched.

So Chelsea’s pitch to any left-sided fullback will definitely be that they can get significant minutes now rather than only in the future.

And, of course, players such as Ait-Nouri and even Kerkez would likely never agree to join if they feared they couldn’t get regular starts from day one.

Jadon Sancho back to Borussia Dortmund might not be straightforward

There’s no doubt Jadon Sancho is loving life back at Dortmund, but a permanent move has its complications.

Dortmund need to be able to compensate Manchester United and afford Sancho’s wages. And it’s a big outlay to sign him and Ian Maatsen, who the German club also wish to secure.

Manchester United want at least £50m for Sancho. This was the number they quoted to Saudi clubs last summer prior to Sir Jim Ratcliffe taking over sporting control.

That proposed fee may have even risen closer to £60m given Sancho is now playing regularly and there may be other clubs circling this summer.

Sancho doesn’t want to go to Saudi but that’s unlikely to stop dealmakers trying again, and this may give Manchester United a bit of leverage.

Al-Ettifaq made a loan enquiry last summer, and Al-Shabab and Al-Ahli will consider an approach if they get encouragement from the player side. But Sancho has to date dismissed Saudi approaches. He ideally wants to stay at Dortmund.

Dortmund are hoping for a bargain deal, which feels a bit hopeful. Their starting point is only around £30m, and that’s not going to be accepted.

There are a lot of moving parts. It’s probably fair to say if Erik ten Hag stays, Sancho will almost certainly be sold – at least unless he apologises to the Manchester United boss. But if Ten Hag was to leave this summer, Sancho would consider a return. He has no issue with Manchester United as a club, but the feeling for many months is that there is no way forward for him at Old Trafford under Ten Hag.

Some reports suggest a solution might be for Manchester United to swap Sancho for Donyell Malen with both players valued at similar numbers. It’s a neat narrative, and Malen is in good form of late, but I am still told Manchester United want cash for Sancho. This will allow them to move more freely in the market and ease any FFP or profit and sustainability concerns.

Expect sales at Barcelona this summer – and Raphinha could be among them

LaLiga president Javier Tebas says Barcelona must sell “two or three of their top-class players” to meet the league’s spending cap.

Barcelona recently saw their annual spending limit cut by €66m to €204m, and their squad costs are currently around €400m.

It’s difficult to predict who could be sold this summer until it’s clear who the new Barcelona manager is, even though Deco is already working towards the summer.

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Jules Kounde and Raphinha are clearly two sellable assets, but neither want to leave. It’s just a case of whether Barcelona’s hand is forced. Raphinha will certainly have some Saudi interest.

Kounde is playing out of position at right back, and Barcelona have other centre-back options. 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi breaking through is potentially bad news for Kounde.

Chelsea are not currently looking at Kounde, despite originally vying with Barcelona in summer 2022 to sign him. PSG are prioritising Lille’s Leny Yoro, but if they fail in that pursuit then they could consider Kounde as an option.

The French champions are also keen on Gavi and perhaps hoping to capitalise on Barcelona’s need to sell some star assets. But Barcelona view Gavi as untouchable and a future captain, and PSG obviously have no plans to trigger his astronomical €1bn release clause.

Robert Lewandowski has previously shot down an exit, and specifically a move to Saudi, but dealmakers haven’t entirely ruled out an approach this summer.

Meanwhile, I don’t expect Frenkie de Jong to leave. He has been consistent in his desire to stay.

Sources say it’s not impossible Andreas Christensen is sold even though the player is reluctant to depart – which seems to be common amongst potential outgoings.

And keep an eye on Ronald Araujo, who would be a pretty unpopular exit given his form and importance to the team. Joan Laporta has already said he’d hand Araujo a “lifetime contract” if money was no object. Bayern have explored Araujo in the past, but that was very much Thomas Tuchel-driven and now he’s departing, the German club may have other options in mind.

Barcelona need to sell, but the kind of fees floated to date don’t suggest Deco is looking to sanction anything cut-price. But it’s clear some players will need to depart for healthy fees to ease Barca’s financial situation.

The post Transfer news: Arteta Barcelona TRUTH, Man Utd star’s complicated exit, Chelsea LB targets & more appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Gilberto Silva played 244 times for Arsenal between 2002-2008 and was part of Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles side that won the 2003/04 Premier League.

The Brazilian joined Arsenal from Atletico Mineiro in August 2002 having won the World Cup that summer. He made an instant impact, scoring the winner on his debut as Arsenal beat Liverpool 1-0 to lift the 2002 Charity Shield.

Gilberto also got Arsenal’s fastest-ever Champions League goal, scoring after only 20.07 seconds in a 4-0 win at PSV in September 2002. And Gilberto won the 2003 FA Cup as Robert Pires’ goal handed Arsenal a 1-0 victory over Southampton at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.

Mikel Arteta is now hoping to replicate those glory years and guide Arsenal to their first title in 20 years.

“It won’t be easy,” admitted Gilberto, who scored four times as Arsenal went unbeaten in the Premier League in 2003/04. “But I do think Arsenal can win the Premier League.

“Last year they came so close. I was very sad for them. I know what it’s like to come close to success then lose. I had it in the 2006 Champions League Final [which Arsenal lost 2-1 to Barcelona in Paris].

“Arsenal has a very good team right now, and there is a hunger to win. When I speak to Edu that’s always clear. So now they need a big effort because it’s not going to be easy to finish above Liverpool and Manchester City.”

Arsenal currently lead the Premier League on goal difference having scored an astonishing 33 times in 2024. And after the international break, they face a potentially season-defining fixture away at third-placed Manchester City on March 31.

“These types of games are the ones football players relish,” said Gilberto. “You need to raise your game and focus. Most players like this. Arsenal has a great opportunity in front of them.”

Key to Arsenal’s success this season has been £105m record signing Declan Rice, who joined from West Ham last summer. The England midfielder has played in every Premier League game so far and scored six times – a career high for a single season.

Rice has improved his progressive passing over the past few seasons, whilst Arteta always felt he had stronger offensive output in him compared to his West Ham numbers.

Gilberto had his own offensive spurt in 2006/07, scoring 10 Premier League goals and finishing as Arsenal’s second-highest league scorer, level with Thierry Henry and only one behind Robin van Persie.

But the now 47-year-old, who joined Arsenal for just £4.5m, doesn’t feel the modern defensive midfielder necessarily requires goals.

“I hear a lot of pundits say the position has changed, but I’m not so sure,” said Gilberto. “For me, the principles remain the same. I still view Declan as a holding midfielder who protects the back four and gives support to the guys up front. It’s the same job I was asked to do.

“What is really important in the position is the passing. It doesn’t matter how many balls you win back if you then just lose possession. So you need a vision: to know how you’re going to win the ball then what you are going to do with it.

“Declan does this really well. He never runs back or forward without a plan. And physically he’s a monster, and the scary part is he’s still raising his level. I think he’s been amazing for Arsenal. It just feels like he has known the club and its players for a very long time. He’s adapted so fast since joining from West Ham.

“I also believe he can play with either Thomas Partey or Jorginho. I know they play more or less in the same role, but because Rice is adaptable their abilities are complimentary.”

Although Arsenal are prioritising a striker this summer, they are still on the lookout for another midfielder as well, and could renew their interest in either Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz or Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi.

Gilberto would love to see his fellow Brazilian Luiz at the Emirates Stadium, but fears Aston Villa could price him out of the market. A £70m fee has been suggested in the past, but it’s possible Villa demand a number closer to the £105m Rice was signed for if they are to entertain a sale.

“I think he’ll be expensive because he’s in good form,” said Gilberto. “I am just happy to see another Brazilian doing a great job in the Premier League. Any top club would want him right now, so why not Arsenal? I think it would be a great move for the club and for him as well.”

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Luiz has made the Brazil squad for this month’s friendlies with England and Spain. And the game against England at Wembley will be the first for new Brazil head coach Dorival Júnior.

The 61-year-old is entering into the 26th managerial job of his career and will lead Brazil at the Copa America in the USA this summer.

It’s been a tough period of transition for Brazil, who lost to Croatia on penalties in quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar; whilst their Under-23 Olympic squad failed to qualify for Paris this summer despite having won gold at both the 2020 (played in 2021) and 2016 Games.

“I am a little bit concerned, to be honest,” conceded Gilberto, who won 89 caps and started the 2002 World Cup Final as Brazil beat Germany 2-0 thanks to two Ronaldo Nazário goals.

“After the World Cup in Qatar, it took the federation a while to make a decision on who would replace Tite. According to the media, Carlo Ancelotti was going to be appointed, but it never happened.

“A football nation like Brazil – much like England or Germany – can’t go so long without knowing who the manager is. Ramon Menezes and then Fernando Diniz came in as interim managers and I don’t think that was the right decision.

“And now we have lost time as we try to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Diniz tried his best but it’s difficult as an interim. He made a good effort.

“It seems the federation realised they couldn’t get Ancelotti then went for Diniz, and now Dorival Junior has got the job permanently. He’s had just over a month so far and his first game against England is a tough test. I think he’s a winner and I hope he takes Brazil to the stage we expect.

“As for the players, I expect them to stand up and raise their level to that which Brazilian players have worked so hard over the years to build. They need to take on this responsibility and we are all behind them.”

Gilberto has seen first-hand the kind of criticism that comes with an under-performing Brazil side. And far too many times fan discontent can turn to abuse.

It’s one reason why Gilberto decided to join forces with former international teammate Roberto Carlos, and tech entrepreneur Tim Chase, to promote Striver – billed as the world’s first abuse-free social media platform.

Chase founded Striver in 2022 and the platform has seen rapid funding and growth since because it offers a safe space to interact online.

“Our mission is to help the football community. We want everyone to engage without fear of abuse,” explained Gilberto. “So often we have seen players, referees or fans being abused. It’s become so common, which is ridiculous.

“We moderate content before it gets uploaded using Artificial Intelligence. And once we remove the abuse, people can really start to engage and have a good conversation.”

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Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr is just one of sadly many examples of players suffering repeated racial abuse online. This led to the Brazil national team swapping its bright yellow shirts for black ones during a friendly against Guinea last year in order to take a stand.

Gilberto believes players are reluctant to engage knowing they may be personally targeted by often faceless online trolls.

“The point of Striver is to give players a platform where they can talk to fans without worry,” he said. “A lot of players on other social platforms ‘post and ghost’. They just ‘run away’ because they are concerned about the comments. That means real fans miss out due to a minority who choose to consistently abuse. So instead, we remove abuse before it’s posted, taking away the voice of those who make things toxic.

“Striker is also very unique because fans get really creative on the platform. For example, in January I did a 30-day fitness challenge to help people kickstart the year in a healthy manner. And Roberto Carlos recreated his famous free-kick against France. Some fans even tried to replicate it, and it blew their mind when Roberto responded with a video message!

“And sometimes I just go on there and ask a question about Arsenal. It’s great to see all the responses. And you look forward to them when you know they will all be abuse-free.”

Gilberto has made the transition from football to business seamlessly and is working harder than ever to tackle (and hopefully one day end) online abuse.

“It’s arguably a bigger challenge than in my playing days,” he said. “The work never stops, but I had planned to go into business long before I retired. Whilst I was still playing I started thinking about what I wanted to do after football.

“But it’s not about me. It’s about people realising sports stars are human. We want to make social media, and the world, a better place… and of course hopefully talk about Arsenal winning the Premier League again in the process!”

The post Exclusive: Gilberto Silva on Arsenal’s Premier League chances, Rice’s ‘monster’ mentality and ending social media abuse appeared first on CaughtOffside.