Manchester City &#8211; CaughtOffside

Returning Arsenal star praises key figure who was “very supportive” during lengthy injury

Arsenal transfer boost as striker target prefers Premier League over another interested club

Liverpool looking to steal 6ft 5in player from Aston Villa

Stefan Ortega to replace Ederson in the Man City goal

Despite being linked with moves for Gianluigi Donnarumma and Jan Oblak in recent days, Fabrizio Romano has reported that Man City will not sign a new goalkeeper if Ederson leaves and will simply promote Stefan Ortega.

The German has been with City since 2022 and has shown his quality on many occasions.

With Ederson injured for the closing part of the last campaign, the 31-year-old stepped up for Guardiola and made arguably the biggest save of the season against Tottenham in City’s penultimate Premier League game as Son Heung-min went through on goal.

Ortega is more than capable of taking over from Ederson but Guardiola will ideally not want to lose the Brazilian goalkeeper ahead of the new season.

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England encouraged to appoint Pep Guardiola following Gareth Southgate’s exit

Ahad Shaukat — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 11:27:18 +0000

Following the conclusion of Euro 2024, Gareth Southgate quit as the manager of the England team.

Southgate had guided the Three Lions to two finals of the Euros and a World Cup semifinal.

However, he was unfortunate to end England’s trophy drought on all occasions.

With the FA now planning for the future, they have reportedly identified Mauricio Pochettino, Graham Potter and Eddie Howe as the managers to replace Southgate.

The name of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has also been linked with the England job as the Spaniard is nearing the end of his contract at the Etihad Stadium.

According to former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas, the Three Lions should be hopeful about appointing the six-time Premier League winning manager.

He told Mirror Football:

“Pep’s the number one candidate in my mind because he’s Catalan. He’s not going to manage Spain, I wouldn’t have thought.

Pep Guardiola is being linked with the England job.

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“Pep will manage at international level one day. And it’s just whether it’s going to be Brazil, Portugal, England, Germany. He’s going to do it at some point.”

The iconic Man City manager has previously spoken of his desire to try to his luck in international football by taking a team to the Euros and the World Cup.

England need a manager like Pep Guardiola

He is an attack minded manager and that is the approach that the Three Lions need in order to fully reach the potential of the talented players available in the squad.

Despite his fine performances, it is widely believed that Southgate had a conservative approach that held the team from playing attacking football.

Guardiola has the experience in the game, he has what it takes to improve the level of young players and with the likes of Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer and others at his disposal, he would love the opportunity to manage them and help them reach their true potential.

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Man City identify plan to replace Kevin De Bruyne amid Saudi Arabia rumours

Ahad Shaukat — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 09:00:39 +0000

Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne is being linked with a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad.

The Belgian midfielder has been the pillar of Man City’s success under Pep Guardiola.

De Bruyne has not only taken the Sky Blues to new heights but also taken his status in the game to world’s elite midfielder category.

However, his latest links with Al-Ittihad have worried the Premier League champions and now they are making plans to replace him in case he leaves the club this summer.

According to The Mirror, Man City have joined the race to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze.

The England international has a £60m plus add-ons release clause in his contract at Selhurst Park.

After moving from QPR to Palace in 2020, Eze has been steadily rising to new heights every year, scoring 43 goals in 124 games for the team.

His fine form for Palace got him selected for England’s squad for Euro 2024 while also attracting the interest of Tottenham.

Eberechi Eze to Man City?

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If Man City intensify their interest in signing the Palace midfielder, Tottenham will be fighting a losing battle against the Premier League champions to sign the midfielder.

Palace have already lost Michael Olise to Bayern Munich this summer and there is every chance they will make it difficult for Eze to leave in the current transfer window.

De Bruyne could be heading out of Man City soon

Man City star De Bruyne is expected to join the lucrative Saudi Pro League and play alongside players like Fabinho and Karim Benzema for Al-Ittihad.

The creative midfielder has admitted in the past how the money being offered in the Middle East might be too difficult to reject.

If he leaves the Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola’s side will make a move for Eze, who has shown his creativity and goal scoring ability for Palace.

The midfielder scored 11 goals in the Premier League last season along with four assists.

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Exclusive: Manchester City star impressed after receiving mammoth Saudi transfer offer

Mark Brus — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 05:14:02 +0000

Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne has been offered huge money by Saudi Pro League club Al Ittihad and is understood to have been impressed by the proposal as he’s tempted to make the move.

Sources have informed CaughtOffside that De Bruyne is strongly considering leaving Man City for Saudi, with Al Ittihad currently showing the strongest interest, while Al Nassr and Al Hilal are also expected to try negotiating for the Belgium international.

CaughtOffside understands that City want De Bruyne to stay and could even try offering him a new contract, though they will also respect the player’s decision if he ultimately chooses to move on this summer.

De Bruyne has previously spoken publicly about how hard it could be for him to turn down this life-changing money, and sources have told CaughtOffside that he stands to make as much as €180m over three years if he joins Al Ittihad.

De Bruyne transfer: Could we be about to say farewell to an all-time Premier League great?

Kevin De Bruyne to Saudi Arabia?

City fans will no doubt be hoping De Bruyne chooses to stay with them for a bit longer as he remains a world class performer and hasn’t shown any sign of slowing down with age, and it would probably be emotional for fans of the Premier League in general to bid farewell to one of the finest players to ever grace the English game.

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De Bruyne has been an absolute joy to watch during his time at the Etihad Stadium, with few players able to match the kind of influence he has on games with the range of his passing, the quality and variety of the goals he can contribute from midfield, and his all-round intelligence and elegance.

It would be very difficult for City to replace a talent like De Bruyne, so it will be interesting to see how hard they push for the 33-year-old to snub Saudi offers and stay with them for a bit longer.

The post Exclusive: Manchester City star impressed after receiving mammoth Saudi transfer offer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Newcastle might be concerned about Manchester City making a move for their star player

Mehdi Gokal — Sun, 21 Jul 2024 19:58:48 +0000

Kevin De Bruyne has reportedly agreed personal terms with Saudi side Al-Ittihad.

The Belgian star has been heavily linked with a move away this summer with Saudi Arabia seemingly the likely destination.

The midfield maestro last month refused to rule out a move to Saudi by suggesting that he is at a point in his career where he needs to start thinking about his family’s future, hinting at a financially lucrative move to Saudi.

Italian journalist Rudy Galetti recently updated that the player has agreed personal terms with Al Ittihad.

?? With the possible departure of Kevin #DeBruyne – personal terms agreed with #AlIttihad – #ManCity already drawn up a shortlist of possible replacements.

?? All the details on @TEAMtalk ?https://t.co/EbsS4hg25P

— Rudy Galetti (@RudyGaletti) July 5, 2024

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Newcastle concern about Manchester City swooping in for Bruno Guimaraes

As per Sunday Express, the Magpies may be concerned by the news of Kevin de Bruyne reportedly agreeing personal terms with the Saudi club, as they will now fear that the Premier League champions will look to them for a replacement.

Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes could be tempted to a move to Pep Guardiola’s side and despite Newcastle’s insistence that the player is not for sale, a significant bid could test them.

Guimaraes’ incredible numbers

Bruno has been fantastic since joining the club, making 107 appearances, scoring 17 and assisting 16 goals.

He has also proven to be a versatile midfielder with his ability to play as a defensive midfielder as well as a central box-to-box midfielder.

The post Newcastle might be concerned about Manchester City making a move for their star player appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Man City would expect £100m for club legend amid interest from Saudi Pro League

Charlie Patrick — Sun, 21 Jul 2024 19:45:37 +0000

Manchester City would expect £100m for Kevin De Bruyne this summer, but the Belgian hasn’t agreed personal terms with Al-Ittihad despite reports suggesting he has according to Ben Jacobs.

It’s been a quiet summer so far for the English Champions with Brazilian winger Savio the only arrival at the club, but there’s expected to be more activity on both incomings and outgoings as the new season draws closer.

De Bruyne is into the last year of his contract at the Etihad and he’s believed to be a long term target for the Saudi Pro League as they continue their recruitment drive this summer.

De Bruyne not close to Saudi move

The 33-year-old has been at Manchester City since 2015 after he joined from German side Wolfsburg and he’s gone on to establish himself as one of the greatest players in Premier League history.

It’s no secret that the Saudo Pro League are keen to recruit the Belgium international but reports that he’s agreed terms with Al-Ittihad are thought to be wide of the mark.

Jacobs has moved to clarify the situation by reporting that De Bruyne isn’t close to a move to Saudi and that City would expect £100m to part ways this summer.

He took to X.com and said:

“Kevin De Bruyne is not currently close to Al-Ittihad and hasn’t agreed to any Saudi move yet, as reported for @talkSPORT.

“KDB a long-standing Saudi target, but dealmakers know #MCFC would expect £100m this summer.”

Kevin De Bruyne is not currently close to Al-Ittihad and hasn't agreed to any Saudi move yet, as reported for @talkSPORT.

KDB a long-standing Saudi target, but dealmakers know #MCFC would expect £100m this summer.

Ittihad closing in on Moussa Diaby, who is expected to sign a… pic.twitter.com/Dgc8Yz8GDU

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) July 21, 2024

TalkSPORT add that Saudi dealmakers would be prepared to wait until De Bruyne’s contract expires in 2025 to make a move.

The City legend has previously spoken of being open to a move to Saudi and didn’t shy away from talking about the vast finances on offer.

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De Bruyne’s team-mate Ederson could be making the move to Saudi this summer with Al-Ittihad in talks with City over a move for the Brazilian.

The move has been described as difficult with City said to want €50m-€60m for Ederson, who is thought to still be keen on a move to Saudi after agreeing terms with Al-Nassr before the deal collapsed.

The post Man City would expect £100m for club legend amid interest from Saudi Pro League appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Bayern Munich chief admits he would ‘love’ to sign Chelsea, Man City-linked star

CJ — Sun, 21 Jul 2024 19:07:29 +0000

Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeneß has admitted he would ‘love’ to sign Bayer Leverkusen wonderkid Florian Wirtz.

Wirtz enjoyed a stunning 2023/24 campaign, scoring 18 goals and providing 20 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions to help Die Werkself win the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal with an unbeaten domestic record, while also reaching the Europa League final.

The 21-year-old then followed that up with a two-goal showing for Germany at Euro 2024, helping Die Mannschaft reach the quarter-finals.

As recently as December, Wirtz was linked with big moves to Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester City (via TEAMtalk). But naturally, any player who thrives at a German club will draw the attention of Bayern Munich, and Hoeneß has made no secret of his desire to bring Wirtz to the Allianz Arena.

“Everyone knows that I would love to see him at Bayern,” Hoeneß admitted when asked for his thoughts on the Bundesliga Player of the Season (via Get Football News Germany).

Florian Wirtz celebrates a goal for Bayer Leverkusen

Hoeneß calls for calm approach to Wirtz and Musiala talent

If Wirtz were to join Bayern Munich — which is unlikely this summer given his father has already confirmed he wishes to stay at Leverkusen next season — he would link up with Jamal Musiala.

The young duo proved a nightmare for defenders at Euro 2024 with five goals combined, including one each in the knockout rounds.

For his part, Hoeneß has called for a relaxed attitude toward the talent and potential of Wirtz and Musiala.

“I think the hype surrounding them is wrong,” the 72-year-old said. “Under these pressures, they cannot develop as they should.

“I think it’s madness to compare Jamal with Maradona. This does young players no favours. There’s no doubt that they can get to that level. But I think it’s a huge mistake to put them under so much pressure now.”

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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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