FC Barcelona &#8211; CaughtOffside

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Arsenal’s “strong” transfer interest in La Liga star confirmed by Fabrizio Romano

Barcelona are looking for a loan move but it remains to be seen if they can manage to sign the French World Cup winner this summer.

The La Liga giants are eager to bolster their midfield without having to shell out a lot of cash, and Kante’s extensive background and track record make him an ideal fit.

Before moving to Saudi Arabia, the 33-year-old played in the Premier League for Leicester City and Chelsea, winning league titles with both of them.

Barcelona face competition from West Ham

West Ham United are also considering a deal for the midfield player, so Barcelona are not the only team interested in signing him.

It has been a busy summer at the Camp Nou with Barca interested in signing Nico Williams and Dani Olmo, two of Spain’s standout performers at the Euros.

They are working towards signing the winger and midfielder who are going to help them in attack next season but addressing the defensive midfield position is much more important than any attacking signing.

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Transfer news: Calafiori to Arsenal here we go soon, Man Utd potential exits, Chelsea midfielder links & more

Fabrizio Romano — Sun, 21 Jul 2024 15:50:00 +0000

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

Here we go soon for Riccardo Calafiori to Arsenal transfer

One of the big stories of the day is with Riccardo Calafiori and Arsenal – the ‘here we go’ is coming because there is an agreement between Arsenal and Bologna on a €40m fixed fee, €5m in add-ons, and a sell-on clause for Bologna. Calafiori had already agreed a contract with Arsenal back in June, which would be until 2029, so everything is ready for him to go to Arsenal.

Calafiori has asked Bologna to be allowed to fulfil his dream and go to Arsenal, so it will be completed in the next days. The next key steps will be between Bologna and Basel to agree on payment terms for the 50% sell-on clause that Basel had for their former player. They’re set to receive a big amount of money, and so they now have to agree with Bologna now to structure this part of the deal, while Arsenal are just waiting.

Despite some reports that the deal had stalled, the reality is that the negotiations never stopped. It was not easy, but they kept going, and now there’s an agreement. Arsenal fans can be excited by this signing – I think he can do great in Premier League, he’s an excellent player, we saw that with his form in Serie A and with Italy at the Euros also.

Another story to watch at Arsenal is that Crystal Palace will bid for Emile Smith Rowe. Let’s see if Arsenal reject the bid, like they did with Fulham, or if they will be ready to negotiate. Still, Smith Rowe looks like being an interesting situation to watch in the next days.

Another Arsenal sale could be Eddie Nketiah, who has been attracting strong interest from Marseille since last week. Now it’s true that, as reported in France, Marseille have presented a proposal to Arsenal – there is still no agreement, but there is a negotiation ongoing between the two clubs.

Manuel Ugarte to Man Utd latest, plus truth on Sancho and Mount future

There’s a chance for Jadon Sancho to stay at Manchester United – a lot will depend on the next weeks. Pre-season, feelings with the manager, performances…he has chances to stay. Interest from other clubs remains but there have been no official bids so far, so it’s still quiet. Sancho’s decision to clarify with Erik ten Hag also shows how they can be ready to continue together, but it depends on what happens in the next weeks.

There were reports yesterday about Mason Mount potentially leaving Manchester United. From what I’ve heard on the club and player side, however, is exactly the same, and that’s that Mount doesn’t want to leave Man United. He wants to do his best to show his skills at United after an unlucky first season with injuries. And United, from what I’m hearing, have no intention to sell Mount, so at the moment it’s absolutely under control and he’s set to be involved in the project of Erik ten Hag.

Meanwhile, Manuel Ugarte said yes to Manchester United a few days ago – they’ve reached an agreement with the player and his agent Jorge Mendes, who also represents Leny Yoro. Ugarte wants to go to Man United and so now they’re negotiating with PSG – also because United know that PSG are advancing well in talks to sign a new midfielder – Joao Neves.

Paris Saint-Germain have presented an official offer to Benfica for Neves – around €70m, but Benfica want more. Still, they understand that they will not get the full €120m release clause for Neves – they always tried to ask for this clause and this is why a deal didn’t happen earlier, but they now know that Neves has agreed terms with PSG.

Neves is convinced by the PSG project under Luis Enrique, and Benfica also know that PSG will not pay the clause. For now, the €70m offer is not enough, but negotiations are ongoing, and so PSG look like they could sign Neves in the next days.

So, it could be one in and one out in the PSG midfield as Ugarte is an option for Man United. However, I don’t have any substantial update on Adrien Rabiot and Man United now, despite links. The player’s camp is talking to several clubs after leaving Juventus on a free transfer, but at the moment I’m not aware of anything imminent with Man United.

Dani Olmo clause expires – what next for Bayern and Barca target?

Dani Olmo’s €60m release clause at RB Leipzig will now expire. So what does it mean? At the time of writing no one has triggered the release clause – there was no last-minute deal, it’s not happening. The relationship between Olmo and Leipzig remains excellent, and the idea remains that if Leipzig receive good proposals, even after the release clause expired, Olmo can still leave the club.

This is the idea, though of course it’s more difficult without a release clause as negotiations will be needed between interested clubs and Leipzig. Still, there is room for things to happen, even if there is nothing currently going on with Chelsea and Manchester City, despite rumours. Man City appreciate the player, but any reports of them working on the deal are fake news, they’ve not been working on the deal. Chelsea, meanwhile, believe they are already well covered with left-footed attacking players.

Still, there is interest from other Premier League clubs, so it could be an interesting situation to watch, let’s see if they will move in the next few days or weeks. Meanwhile, as I’ve previously reported, Olmo remains an option for Bayern Munich in case their deal for Xavi Simons collapses. Olmo is still on Bayern’s list, so let’s see what happens with Simons, as Olmo is still an option for Bayern.

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This is nothing new – Olmo has been on Bayern’s list since May, with Max Eberl, former director at Leipzig, knowing the player very well. Barcelona also appreciate Olmo and have a good relationship with his agents, because he shares agents with Mikayil Faye, so they had the opportunity to ask about his situation. Still, for Barca, the priority is Nico Williams.

Let’s see what happens with Williams, but he’s the obsession of Barcelona right now. Negotiations are ongoing on the player side, and then let’s see what Barca decide to do with him or with Olmo eventually, but at the moment there’s still no bid.

In other news…

Alphonso Davies – Now Bayern are open to keeping Alphonso Davies and see what happens in contract talks, but if he doesn’t extend, Davies remains an option for Real Madrid in 2025, but Real Madrid were never gonna pay €50m or €60m for him when he’s just a year away from being a free agent.

Andriy Lunin – Much has been written about Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, and the reality is that he could leave Real Madrid this summer, but to name specific clubs we will have to wait for a few more days. As I said earlier in the week, Real Madrid have not received any approach for Lunin from Chelsea so far.

Julian Alvarez – Manchester City keep considering Julian Alvarez as a key player for them, so it would have to be a big proposal or there is no chance for all the clubs interested. There is no way for loan, I also saw that kind of reports. More talks between Julian’s camp and City in the next days will take place to discuss future steps.

Andreas Pereira – I don’t want to deny any colleague but I don’t have information on talks between Chelsea and Andreas Pereira, or Chelsea and Fulham so far, despite what has been reported in Brazil. Chelsea’s focus is on a right-footed winger, striker, and goalkeeper. On Pereira’s future in general, it will depend on opportunities and what kind of proposals he will receive.

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Calafiori to Arsenal, Man Utd midfielder signing – 10 high-profile summer transfers to watch out for next

Mark Brus — Sun, 21 Jul 2024 12:37:41 +0000

There’s always so much transfer news to sift through at this time of the year, but we’ve put together ten deals that genuinely look like ones to watch out for very soon, if Fabrizio Romano and other top journalists are anything to go by.

While there’s still plenty of time left until Deadline Day, and we’ve seen more than a few twists and turns in some major sagas in recent times, here’s a look at some signings that should go through soon due to being at an advanced stage, or that are at least being worked on at the moment.

Read on four our pick of ten transfer deals to watch out for next this summer…

Riccardo Calafiori to Arsenal

After weeks of speculation, it now looks like the Riccardo Calafiori to Arsenal transfer deal is more or less a done deal, with just some formalities remaining before it can be made official, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Speaking exclusively to CaughtOffside for his Daily Briefing column earlier today, Romano said: “Riccardo Calafiori and Arsenal – the ‘here we go’ is coming because there is an agreement between Arsenal and Bologna on a €40m fixed fee, €5m in add-ons, and a sell-on clause for Bologna.

“Calafiori had already agreed a contract with Arsenal back in June, which would be until 2029, so everything is ready for him to go to Arsenal.

“Despite some reports that the deal had stalled, the reality is that the negotiations never stopped. It was not easy, but they kept going, and now there’s an agreement.”

Manuel Ugarte to Manchester United

After some exciting early deals for young talents Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro, Manchester United could make another smart move to strengthen their squad as they’ve agreed personal terms with PSG midfielder Manuel Ugarte.

As also reported by Romano, Ugarte wants to join Man Utd, and the Uruguay international looks like he could be an important upgrade on inconsistent performers like Casemiro and Sofyan Amrabat, who looked far from good enough for much of last season.

This perhaps isn’t as advanced as something like the Calafiori to Arsenal deal, as United still need to agree a deal with PSG, but one imagines they’ll be prepared t let him go as they have a midfield signing of their own in the works. More on that next…

Joao Neves to PSG

Although it’s not done yet, PSG are accelerating their efforts to sign Benfica midfield wonderkid Joao Neves, as French football expert Jonathan Johnson exclusively told us for his column last week.

Neves is one of the most exciting young players in the world in his position, and it makes sense that the Ligue 1 giants seem keen to offload someone like Ugarte and bring in this exciting long-term addition who perhaps looks a better fit for Luis Enrique’s style of play.

“Joao Neves to PSG looks to be accelerating at the moment, with PSG stealing a march on other European competitors,” Johnson said on Thursday.

“PSG are looking to negotiate a deal with Benfica, with Neves happy to make the move to the Parc des Princes. It’s now down to the two clubs to reach an agreement.”

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Victor Osimhen to PSG

Another big name to watch for PSG will be Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who is another concrete target for the French champions as they look for a big-name signing up front to replace departing star Kylian Mbappe.

Osimhen to PSG looks to be advancing, as Romano recently told us, and it’s fair to say the Nigeria international will be one of the biggest names to move this summer if this deal does go through.

Napoli aren’t an easy club to negotiate with, so this one can’t be considered a done deal yet, but it seems there is serious intent there from PSG, who surely need upgrades on last summer’s unconvincing new attacking duo Goncalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani.

Victor Osimhen to PSG and Romelu Lukaku to Napoli?

Romelu Lukaku to Napoli

If Osimhen does leave Napoli for PSG, Romano has made it clear that Romelu Lukaku to Napoli would be one to watch, with the Belgian striker surely having no future at Chelsea.

Lukaku has been out on loan for the last two seasons, first at Inter Milan and then at Roma, and it seems he could now be set for a spell with a third Serie A club.

Even if Lukaku has flopped at Chelsea, Napoli would surely be pretty happy with him as a replacement for Osimhen up front, especially as one imagines he probably wouldn’t be too expensive.

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Chelsea send positive signal to player’s reps in potential transfer battle with Barcelona

Mark Brus — Sun, 21 Jul 2024 10:22:53 +0000

Chelsea have held some talks with the representatives of Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, and it seems they have indicated they’d be willing to make him one of their highest paid players.

That’s according to Simon Phillips on Substack, with the journalist explaining that Williams is also a target for Barcelona this summer, and that he clearly won’t come cheap.

The Spain international had a really good summer at Euro 2024, and it makes sense that he’s now on the radar of bigger clubs ahead of next season, with Chelsea in need of someone like that to come in as an upgrade on struggling performers like Raheem Sterling and Mykhailo Mudryk.

Williams looks like he’d be a hit in the Premier League, but it remains to be seen if Chelsea can move ahead of Barca in the race for his signature.

Williams transfer: What Fabrizio Romano has said about his future

Nico Williams to Chelsea or Barcelona?

Fabrizio Romano has also commented on Williams’ situation, saying, via his Daily Briefing column, that the 22-year-old is a top priority target for Barcelona at the moment, as they are obsessed about signing him, even if RB Leipzig’s Dani Olmo could be an alternative if the deal doesn’t work out.

“Barcelona also appreciate Olmo and have a good relationship with his agents, because he shares agents with Mikayil Faye, so they had the opportunity to ask about his situation. Still, for Barca, the priority is Nico Williams,” Romano said.

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“Let’s see what happens with Williams, but he’s the obsession of Barcelona right now. Negotiations are ongoing on the player side, and then let’s see what Barca decide to do with him or with Olmo eventually, but at the moment there’s still no bid.”

Oscar Bobb to Chelsea could also be a story to watch, according to Phillips elsewhere in his column.

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Exclusive: Liverpool send clear transfer message to player’s agent amid Barcelona & PSG interest

Mark Brus — Sun, 21 Jul 2024 09:43:48 +0000

Liverpool have clearly communicated to Luis Diaz’s agent that they do not plan to sell the player in this summer’s transfer window, despite interest from Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli.

Sources with a close understanding of the situation have informed CaughtOffside that Diaz remains on the radar of Barca and PSG, even if the Colombia international is not currently thought to be their top target.

Diaz has been a key player for Liverpool but there has been some speculation about his future for the last year or so, with the player’s father often speaking publicly about a desire for his son to play in Spain at some point in the future.

Still, for now Diaz is not a top priority for Barcelona, who are focusing instead on signing Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams for that area of their squad, CaughtOffside understands.

Luis Diaz celebrates a goal for Liverpool

Diaz transfer: Will the Liverpool star leave?

There is also interest from PSG, but similarly to Barca, they are focusing on another priority target in the form of Napoli attacker Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

It may be that Kvaratskhelia will end up being too expensive for PSG, in which case they could then turn to Diaz as an alternative.

Still, for the time being this all points towards an exit looking unlikely for Diaz, even if the LFC winger also has interest from Saudi, with Al Ahli now showing the strongest interest.

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The 27-year-old is surely too good to be leaving Europe at this stage in his career, so Liverpool fans will surely hope this saga is more or less settled, with new manager Arne Slot surely needing to avoid a difficult start with the loss of a big-name player like this.

With other wingers like Williams and Kvaratskhelia on the market this summer, that can perhaps give Liverpool a bit of breathing space.

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Exclusive: Man United still face tough competition from European giants for French international

Darren Looney — Sat, 20 Jul 2024 15:04:48 +0000

Adrien Rabiot’s future is not yet wrapped up as several of Europe’s biggest clubs continue to chase the French international, however, Man United continue to lead the race.

It was reported on Friday that the Manchester club are closing in on the midfielder but there is still a long way to go before a deal is finalised.

Sources have told CaughtOffside that Rabiot’s agents are still in talks with Barcelona, Real Madrid, Tottenham, Arsenal, and Liverpool. The 29-year-old’s preference is to continue his career in the Premier League and fancies a move to Old Trafford.

Erik ten Hag is believed to be open to the signing of the free agent and it remains to be seen if the Red Devils can get a deal done.

Rabiot wants an annual salary of around €10m/€15m and hopes to receive a three-year contract.

The former Juventus star is not the only midfielder Man United are working on as the Premier League giants are also in advanced talks to reach an agreement with PSG to sign Manuel Ugarte.

Adrien Rabiot is attracting interest from Man United and others

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Man United pursuing Adrien Rabiot and Manuel Ugarte ahead of the 2024/25 campaign

Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte is the primary target for Man United, however, Rabiot’s availability as a free agent is very appealing to the Manchester club.

It is uncertain if United can sign both players but the likelihood of the English club doing this is slim, especially if they fail to move Casemiro on.

The signing of Rabiot would be a smart move from Man United given that the player is a free agent, as this would free up funds for the Manchester club to spend on other areas that need strengthening.

However, there is a lot more competition for the French international as United continue to lead the race for his signature.

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Aston Villa learn asking price of Raphinha after Nico Williams admission

Andrew Walker — Sat, 20 Jul 2024 09:35:40 +0000

Unai Emery is preparing his Aston Villa side for life in next season’s Champions League.

The Villains’ fourth-place Premier League finish last season means the Midlands giants will compete with Europe’s best next term, and the club’s summer transfer strategy is reflecting that.

Having already captured Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen and agreeing a deal for Luton Town’s Ross Barkley, Villa are quietly going about their business and bulking up Emery’s options.

However, although the Spanish tactician has been eyeing an ambitious move for Athletic Bilbao and Spain star Nico Williams, the club, according to Football Insider, acknowledges they will be unable to rival frontrunners Barcelona, and are therefore assessing alternative options.

Aston Villa turn attention to Barcelona’s Raphinha

A successful move from Barcelona for Williams could free up Raphinha and allow the Brazilian to move on after two years at the Nou Camp.

Raphinha in action for Barcelona.

According to Spanish outlet Sport, Barcelona, amid strong interest from Premier League sides, will allow the former Leeds United winger to depart for £42 million.

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