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More disappointment for Chelsea as world class ace set for Barca switch

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 04:42:17 +0000

Unusually for Chelsea of late, they’re not having things all their own way in the transfer market.

The Blues under Todd Boehly have become an organisation that has set the pace in the summer windows, whether on incomings or outgoings.

So far this summer, they’ve seen long-term target, Victor Osimhen, potentially slip through their fingers, and though the Nigerian hit-man hasn’t yet put pen to paper on a deal with Paris Saint-Germain, he’s nearer to doing exactly that with the French giants than he is with the West London outfit.

If the American was confident of making a splash with the signing of Spain’s brilliant Nico Williams too, it looks as though that deal is destined to fail as well.

?? Barcelona are increasingly confident to get final green light from Nico Williams to contract terms.

Club now confident about having convinced Nico about the project, with La Liga approval for Finacial Fair Play as key step.

More contacts to follow this week. pic.twitter.com/sUVIjpSXY5

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 22, 2024

According to transfer expert and CaughtOffside columnist, Fabrizio Romano, the Athletic Club flyer could well be signing for Barcelona.

He notes that the Catalan giants are increasingly confident of landing one of the players of Euro 2024, and his signing could really help Barca claw themselves back towards the top table of Spanish and European football.

Barca closing in on Chelsea target Williams

There’s still the small matter of Financial Fair Play for Barca to get around, though that would appear to be a formality if the narrative coming out of Catalonia is that the club are getting close.

They surely wouldn’t advance the same unless they felt that there was a genuine chance that the player had given the ‘thumbs up’ to any deal.

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What that does do of course is show Boehly that just because he has the funds to throw around, it doesn’t necessarily mean that players who are best-in-class in their position are going to want to move to Stamford Bridge.

As storied an English outfit as they are, there’s been a real churn of players over the past couple of seasons and that type of modus operandi might not suit players looking for some career stability.

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Barcelona legend set for immediate Premier League move

Jason Pettigrove — Sat, 20 Jul 2024 05:11:49 +0000

With Hansi Flick now in charge at Barcelona things were always going to change, though it’s still a surprise to learn that one club legend is set to leave imminently.

Once Xavi Hernandez was removed from his position, as with any change around in team management, whomever was to come in his stead was likely to have different ideas.

Both in the way the team played and also the with regards to the make up of the squad.

Sergi Roberto to leave Barcelona

Certain players would be non-negotiable and untouchable for the club hierarchy – for example, they’d never allow Lamine Yamal to be moved on at a new coach’s request – but there would likely be others where they’d take the opinion of the coach on board.

Neither of those scenarios apply to Sergi Roberto, however.

As Mundo Deportivo detail, the player, who has been part of Barca’s first-team for 14 seasons, had already agreed a new deal with the club from next season (his current one expired at the end of June).

Barcelona’s Sergi Roberto is set to move to the Premier League

However, Barcelona’s inability to register him for next season before mid-August has come back to bite them.

Perhaps with the knowledge of what happened to Lionel Messi a few seasons ago, when the club promised to register him but then reneged at the last minute, Sergi Roberto has pulled the rug from under the club and decided to move on immediately.

Mundo Deportivo note that he’s expected to have a new club in the next days, and it’s believed to be a Premier League outfit, though the name of the club hasn’t yet been specified.

It would bring to an end a brilliant Barca career, the highlight of which was surely the goal he scored to knock Paris Saint-Germain out of the Champions League back in 2017.

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Exciting Barcelona ace could be sold to Saudi club in order to raise Nico Williams funds

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 07:59:55 +0000

There’s never a dull moment at Barcelona just now, and with the club seemingly destined to go all out to sign Athletic Club’s Nico Williams, it would appear that one exciting first-team ace is going to be eased out of the exit door and towards a transfer to the Saudi Pro League.

Though the summer transfer window doesn’t close for a while yet, Williams’ excellent performances at Euro 2024 has made Barca’s desire to land him even more urgent.

Barcelona will sell Vitor Roque to land Nico Williams

The issue remains his reported €58m release clause, which the Catalans are still unable to square off under Financial Fair Play just yet.

With other clubs believed to be interested in the 21-year-old’s services, the blaugranes will need to work hard and fast to bring Williams to Catalonia.

Nico Williams could soon line up alongside Lamine Yamal for Barcelona

In order to help push through his transfer, Sport are reporting that Barcelona are preparing to sell Vitor Roque to an as yet unnamed Saudi Pro League club.

The outlet note that not only would Barca recoup the money they paid for the 19-year-old, but they would also get a significant financial uplift on that €30m (The Athletic, subscription required) outlay.

It’s as astonishing turnaround from the club, given that part of the reason Xavi was believed to have been sacked is because he didn’t give Vitor Roque enough playing opportunities in the second half of the 2023/24 season.

Such is the desire for Williams, that Messrs. Laporta, Deco and Flick seem to be united in agreement that the only way to definitively afford the Athletic Club winger is by sanctioning a deal for the young Brazilian.

That’s something that even just a few weeks ago would’ve seemed incredibly unlikely.

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Barcelona could scupper Arsenal’s move for quality Spanish international

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 07:02:46 +0000

The transfer market is set to heat up in Europe now that the European Championship has concluded.

Top clubs across the continent will ideally want to bed down their squads well before pre-season is in full flow, to save any disruption ahead of the start of the 2024/25 campaign.

From Arsenal’s point of view, adding the right players to their squad is imperative as they attempt to chase down Manchester City in their bid to land a first Premier League title in over two decades.

Barcelona could beat Arsenal to Merino capture

One that The Telegraph (subscription required) note that they are interested in is Spain hero, Mikel Merino.

Like Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, Merino has worn the jersey of Basque side, Real Sociedad, and with one year left on his contract at the Spanish top-flight side, La Real are at risk of bids for his services being successful.

Spain’s midfielder Mikel Merino is interesting both Arsenal and Barcelona

It’s understood that he hasn’t signed any extension to his Sociedad contract at present, which leaves the club vulnerable given that this is the last point in which they could potentially command a decent fee for his services.

Arsenal could find themselves outmuscled by Spanish giants, Barcelona, however.

According to Mundo Deportiv o, sporting director, Deco, wants to land the player, however the Catalans have to wait until they can satisfy La Liga of their financial situation relating to Financial Fair Play and a 1:1 rule that is place.

It isn’t clear at this point if Merino has a preference of staying at Sociedad, moving to Barcelona or trying a new experience in the Premier League, though if it does become common knowledge that he’s ready to move on, we can expect a battle royale.

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“Very important” – Xavi still guiding Spain’s wonder kid Lamine Yamal

Jason Pettigrove — Sat, 13 Jul 2024 05:03:36 +0000

There’s no doubt whatsoever that the star of Euro 2024 has been Spain’s wonder kid, Lamine Yamal.

His sensational goal against France in the semi-final put him centre-stage, though the truth is that he’s been important for La Roja throughout the tournament thanks to his assists and general work rate.

A player that turned 17 on Saturday, the day before the European Championship final against England, it would be easy for him to be carried away by all of the adulation, however, it appears that his feet continue to be planted firmly on the ground.

Lamine Yamal being compared to a young Pele

One person that is apparently continuing to guide him and give him best advice is former Barcelona manager and legendary midfielder, Xavi Hernandez.

“I spoke to Xavi before the Euros and after the game the other day,” Yamal revealed to Spanish radio station, RAC1, a conversation detailed by Mundo Deportivo.

“He’s a very important person in my career because he gave me the confidence to reach the elite.”

It isn’t only his old manager that appears keen to keep in touch with the player either, with new man in charge at Barcelona, Hansi Flick, also sending messages of encouragement.

Spain’s Lamine Yamal celebrates at the end of the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-final football match between Spain and France.

“(Flick) sends us messages before and after the games,” Yamal added.

“He told me I would score before the game (against France). I’m very happy to be able to have this relationship, even if it’s just via WhatsApp. He’ll probably write to me tomorrow or the day after.”

For a player so young to have such an impact at a major international tournament is astonishing, and many appear to be comparing Yamal’s wider emergence at Euro 2024 with Pele’s World Cup performances in 1958 in Sweden, when he was just 17.

That’s the highest of praise, however, the youngster would do well to not listen to all of the noise.

It wasn’t long ago when another Barcelona and Spain talent, Ansu Fati, was being touted as the ‘next big thing’ and his career has hit the buffers in spectacular style thanks to ongoing injury concerns.

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Exclusive: Guehi stays calm, nothing new for van Dijk, Olmo clause extended and more

Fabrizio Romano — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 18:00:00 +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 articles via email ahead of publication on caughtoffside.com, please sign-up for the service here: thedailybriefing.io

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Calm situation for sought-after Marc Guehi

Marc Guehi has been excellent for England during the Euros and many clubs have been scouting him this season, but at the moment nothing is concrete yet.

For example, around March Liverpool asked about his situation but didn’t follow up with proposals or negotiations.

I can guarantee that as of today, it remains a calm situation to be discussed later in the window.

Nothing decided yet for Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk is going to enjoy some down time before making a decision on his career

There’s nothing at all in Virgil van Dijk’s answer on his future, he was just being honest in a post-match interview after an intense game by saying that he will discuss his future after the holidays.

He has not discussed or decided anything now, he was only focused on the Euros, and this is the situation as of today.

Conversations ongoing for Dani Olmo

Dani Olmo’s future could be decided next week

Dani Olmo’s release clause is now valid until July 20.

I’m not aware of contacts with Chelsea at the moment despite links, but let’s see with other clubs.

His agents are having conversations but there’s still nothing close or imminent as of now… and nothing before next week.

Olmo has no preference, just waiting to see which proposals will arrive.

Cucurella is happy at Chelsea… but will consider his options

I don’t think that it was a big statement that Marc Cucurella’s agent made recently, he simply confirmed that Cucurella wants to stay at Chelsea and he’s happy at the club.

But, in case the club decide to sell him, Cucurella would consider his options.

It’s really quiet now, there are no talks, though clubs appeared at the end of the summer one year ago for example.

Chelsea are happy with Cucurella but with big proposals, everything could be open for Cucurella or… Ben Chilwell.

Thiago’s return to Barcelona will be clarified shortly

Hansi Flick wants Thiago as a member of his staff at Barcelona

I can confirm that there are discussions between Thiago Alcântara and Hansi Flick personally over Thiago’s potential appointment to help Flick at Barcelona as part of his staff.

Those discussions are still ongoing,

Thiago is tempted and Flick really considers him as a fantastic factor to help. Final outcome will be clear soon.

Juve want Todibo but it’s not going to be easy

It’s true that Jean-Clair Todibo is interested in the Juventus project yes, but OGC Nice want around €45m and Juve have only discussed a loan with buy clause.

That’s not something easy for Nice to accept at this stage.

Nice rejected €35m from West Ham, but for Juventus to sign him it will also depend on outgoings like Hujisen, who could leave the club.

Zirkzee ‘Here we go’ to Man United, de Ligt soon

Joshua Zirkzee will put pen to paper on a deal with Man United soon

Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna to Manchester United is a ‘here we go!’

An important and exclusive detail on this story is that my understanding is that Manchester United won’t pay the release clause for Joshua Zirkzee.

So what’s the agreement? Instead of paying €40m to Bologna in one solution, Manchester United have agreed on paying slightly above the release clause, but with better payment terms.

The fee will be paid over three years and the player has already agreed a five-year deal, with the option for another season.

It’s the first signing of the summer for Manchester United, and the first signing of the new era with INEOS.

Medical tests are expected before the holidays and then the deal will be officially done.

A really important update on a really important story, guys.

It’s also important to tell you something else on Manchester United. They are advancing in negotiations with Bayern for Matthijs de Ligt.

The expectation from Manchester United after Joshua Zirkzee is to get the Matthijs de Ligt deal done. The player has told his agent, Rafaela Pimenta, he only wanted to negotiate with Manchester United, so no negotiations ongoing with any other club.

The contract is already agreed until 2029, and the salary is ready, but the club to club agreement is still needed.

Marseille working hard to land Mason Greenwood

Olympique Marseille are insisting on making the Mason Greenwood deal happen. Lazio are waiting to see what happens and of course, if the deal collapses with Marseille, Lazio will still be there.

But Marseille remain confident. They have an agreement with Manchester United, €30m with add-ons included, and they are working to reach an agreement with the player.

So, despite the comments in the recent days about Mason Greenwood, the point remains very clear. Marseille want to sign the player on a permanent deal.

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Exclusive: Barcelona leading the race for €58m-rated ace that Arsenal love

Jason Pettigrove — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 07:50:47 +0000

One of the biggest transfers of the summer is likely to involve Athletic Club’s lightning-quick winger, Nico Williams, with Barcelona understood to be leading the race for his signature at present.

According to CaughtOffside sources with knowledge of the current situation surrounding the 21-year-old, the Catalan giants have held talks with the player.

How to buy England vs Spain tickets

Barcelona have apparently stated that they could give Williams the playing time that he desires, and Nico was supposedly impressed with this.

As a result, it’s understood that he has verbally accepted their offer of a five-year contract.

Barcelona will hold talks with Athletic Club now regarding the payment of the player’s €58m release clause, and CaughtOffside sources believe that Barca want to complete the transfer as soon as possible after the European Championship – where Williams has been one of the standout players.

Nico Williams to Barcelona?

That will disappoint Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea, who have all been linked with the player recently and who are financially able to pay the asking price.

Given that it seems that Williams’ preference is to move to Barcelona, the Premier league clubs are not now considering a move for his services.

That could change if talks between Barca and Athletic are not completed successfully.

In that eventuality, Williams would have his pick of clubs in the English top-flight, and it would be on each of them to convince the player and his agent of their project, and how Williams would fit into that.

Until then, all they can do is wait and see, whilst Barcelona clearly have the bit between their teeth on this one as they seemingly want to ensure that Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams star for both club and country from next season.

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Barcelona old boy’s return likely to be clarified soon says Romano

Jason Pettigrove — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 06:31:45 +0000

Ahead of the 2024/25 La Liga campaign, Barcelona are believed to be working hard behind the scenes to close certain deals.

After a season in which eternal rivals Real Madrid waltzed to the Spanish top-flight title and won yet another Champions League, the need to give Barca’s fan base something to cheer about is obvious.

How to buy tickets for England vs Spain

Next week will also see Kylian Mbappe unveiled at the Santiago Bernabeu, as if to emphasise Los Blancos’ recent superiority over the Catalan giants.

Hansi Flick has been installed as new first-team coach after legendary midfielder, Xavi Hernandez, was unceremoniously dumped by president, Joan Laporta, at the end of last season.

The German has a chance to resurrect his own career after what can only be described as an underwhelming time with the national team.

Hansi Flick wants Thiago as a member of his staff at Barcelona

In order for Flick to be a success at Barca, he needs to choose his backroom staff wisely, and the news that Thiago Alcantara could be returning to the club to be part of the backroom team will surely be warmly welcomed.

“I can confirm that there are discussions between Thiago Alcantara and Hansi Flick personally over Thiago’s potential appointment to help Flick at Barcelona as part of his staff,” Fabrizio Romano said to CaughtOffside for his exclusive Daily Briefing.

“Those discussions are still ongoing,

“Thiago is tempted and Flick really considers him as a fantastic factor to help. Final outcome will be clear soon.”

The pair have worked together before of course, albeit as player and coach at Bayern Munich.

Thiago would likely be a conduit between Flick and his players, and as someone who is acutely aware of the demands placed upon you when playing for Barca, his appointment could be a masterstroke.

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World class winger liked by Arsenal and Chelsea has agreed terms with La Liga giants

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 11:01:13 +0000

Both Arsenal and Chelsea will want to be busy in the transfer market this summer as they look to sign the players that can bring them closer to winning some long-overdue silverware.

For the Gunners the Premier League title certainly isn’t out of reach, as they showed last season when battling Pep Guardiola’s Man City side right to the very end of the campaign.

Chelsea are not quite at the level of their London rivals yet, though a cup run in 2024/25 certainly isn’t beyond the realms of possibility.

Barcelona agree terms with Arsenal and Chelsea target Nico Williams

In order to help either side fulfil their ambitions, they need to improve their squads, and one player who would absolutely do so is none other than Athletic Club de Bilbao’s lightning-fast winger, Nico Williams.

TeamTalk note the interest of the Blues, whilst The Athletic (subscription required) suggest that Williams remains a priority target for the Gunners.

Both are set to be disappointed, however, as Sport have reported that the player has agreed personal terms with Barcelona.

Nico Williams has agreed terms with Barcelona, which will disappoint both Arsenal and Chelsea

The only possible ray of light that both of the London clubs have now is that the Catalan giants struggle to get the money together to pay the player’s release clause.

The last few years have been awful for Barcelona in terms of their finances, but if they’re able to land Williams, it would be a real statement of intent.

Having him on one wing and Lamine Yamal on the other – for club and country – would make Barca a real threat going forward.

Clearly nothing is going to happen until Spain have completed their European Championship, and at this stage they appear odds on to win the trophy, even if England or the Netherlands will have something to say about that.

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Barcelona’s ace up their sleeve could see them land Arsenal’s priority target

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 09:31:19 +0000

One of the most sought after players in this summer’s transfer market happens to be Arsenal’s priority target according to CaughtOffside sources with knowledge of the Gunners transfer plans.

After a brilliant European Championship tournament so far with Spain, it’s no wonder that Nico Williams is being coveted by some of European football’s best teams too.

Barcelona preparing for battle with Arsenal over Nico Williams

CaughtOffside sources understand that Ligue Un giants, Paris Saint-Germain, already met with Williams’ agents to see the lie of the land in terms of what would be required to bring the player to the French capital.

Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool all continue to be linked with the player too, and it’s believed that he could make the Premier League his next playing destination if he is confident that he will get enough game time.

However, the threat of Barcelona looms largest for the North Londoners.

Arsenal priority target Nico Williams could join Barcelona

Both teams will apparently meet with the player’s agents soon, and whilst the winger doesn’t appear to have made any decision about his future yet, it’s obvious to anyone watching the Euros just what a connection he has with Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s brilliant 16-year-old, who has been playing on the opposite wing for La Roja.

To enjoy playing with Yamal for club and country would be an obvious pull for Williams.

Moreover, CaughtOffside sources have been told that the Catalan giants are planning to sell Ansu Fati and Raphinha this summer in order to be able to afford to keep Williams in La Liga.

New Barcelona coach, Hansi Flick, has also been keeping a close eye on Nico Williams’ performances over the past few weeks, and is understood to have approved the transfer.

All that would appear to remain from a Barca point of view is to get discussions rolling and have the player commit to them rather than Arsenal.

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