More stories

  • in

    Donny van de Beek joins Eintracht Frankfurt on loan transfer – and he could have played final game for Man Utd

    DONNY VAN DE BEEK has left Manchester United on loan.And he could have played his final game for the Red Devils.
    Donny van de Beek has joined Eintracht Frankfurt on loan for the rest of the seasonCredit: INSTAGRAM @eintrachtfrankfurt
    The Dutchman will wear the No25 for the Bundesliga sideCredit: INSTAGRAM @eintrachtfrankfurt
    Van de Beek, 26, completed his loan to Eintracht Frankhurt within the first 12 hours of the January transfer window.
    And the Bundesliga side have an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season.
    It is understood that fee would be around £9.5million – with add-ons potentially seeing it rise to £12m.
    And that would be around a £30m loss for United on the midfielder who joined from Ajax for £40m in 2020.
    READ MORE ON MAN UTD
    Van de Beek chose to wear the No25 shirt at the Deutsche Bank Park.
    And as he lines up alongside World Cup hero Mario Gotze, he will be hoping he can help his new side qualify for the Champions League.
    Eintracht Frankfurt currently sit sixth in the Bundesliga table, nine points off fourth-placed RB Leipzig.
    Van de Beek featured just twice for United in the first half of this campaign.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
    He got 19 minutes in the Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace in September and then two minutes in the Premier League against the same opponents four days later.
    Despite working with Ten Hag at Ajax as they reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2019, the manager left him out of all six matchday squads for the 2023 group stages as United finished bottom and crashed out.
    Overall, Van de Beek has managed two goals in 62 Red Devils appearances across four seasons at Old Trafford.
    And his lack of game time or form means he has not added to his 19 Netherlands international caps since 2021.

    A strong loan spell at Eintracht, though, could see him work his way back into Ronald Koeman’s squad ahead of Euro 2024 – as the Dutch face France, Austria and a play-off winner in Group D.
    It could also see the German club keen to wrap up Van de Beek by triggering the option to buy him in the summer.
    He will be going into the final year of his Red Devils contract next season and therefore United will surely be looking to offload him.
    Manchester United fans have been warned not to expect too much more action in January – with Jadon Sancho possibly on his way out but no big-money incomings are likely.
    The midfielder completed his switch just hours after the transfer window openedCredit: Twitter @Eintracht
    Strong form could see a permanent deal done in the summerCredit: INSTAGRAM @eintrachtfrankfurt
    Van de Beek made just two appearances for the Red DevilsCredit: PA More

  • in

    Man Utd to extend two more stars’ contracts after confirming to Lindelof they have triggered clause to keep him at club

    MANCHESTER UNITED have extended Victor Lindelof’s contract for another season – and now they plan to tie down Aaron Wan Bissaka and Hannibal Mejbri for 12 more months. Lindelof’s deal was set to expire in the summer but United have ensured he will stay at the club for another year.
    Manchester United have extended Victor Lindelof’s contract for another seasonCredit: Alamy
    The Swede has been favoured by manager Erik ten Hag with 18 appearances this season but he has suffered with injuries.
    A recent groin problem has left him out of action in December.
    But his contract renewal comes as Raphael Varane’s Old Trafford future remains in doubt.
    As revealed by SunSport in November, the Frenchman looks set to LEAVE the club when his deal is up in the summer.
    READ MORE ON MAN UTD
    Sources say he is more interested in a move to Italy or Saudi – as part of the latest exodus of superstar players. 
    Varane is one of United’s highest earners on wages of around £340,000-per-week, behind Marcus Rashford and Casemiro.
    Elsewhere, Wan Bissaka is back in the side after a hamstring injury.
    But he has had to battle Diogo Dalot – favoured by Ten Hag – for the right-back position.
    Most read in Football
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
    And Mejbri’s time in United red looks numbered after only five Premier League appearances.
    But it appears the club will not allow him to leave on a free transfer amid interest from the likes of Sevilla and Lyon.
    United currently six seventh three losses in their last five with just one win having been beaten 2-1 by Nottingham Forest.
    United slipped to defeat at Nottingham ForestCredit: Reuters More

  • in

    Liverpool CANCEL forgotten wonderkid’s loan deal in Bundesliga and could ship him out to Premier League rivals

    LIVERPOOL have CANCELLED Fabio Carvalho’s loan at RB Leipzig. The Portuguese ace left for Germany in the summer but he only managed 15 appearances with no goals and only THREE starts.
    Liverpool have cancelled Fabio Carvalho’s loan at RB LeipzigCredit: Getty
    But Carvalho’s lack of game time has seen Liverpool cut short his initial one-year loan.
    Now according to The Mirror, the winger is open to a return back to Fulham for the rest of the season.
    It was in May 2022 that he left the West Londoners to sign for Liverpool, where he has three goals in his 21 games.
    Anfield bosses want Carvalho to finish the rest of the season on loan to continue his development.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    And it is claimed the player is open to a Fulham return himself.
    But Craven Cottage boss Marco Silva was quick to distance himself from a move when recently asked.
    Silva said: “It’s not for me to talk about it. Liverpool bought him, that’s for Jurgen and Liverpool to talk about.”
    Elsewhere, former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino has also linked with a return to the Premier League.
    Most read in Football
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

    The Brazilian is believed to have grown frustrated in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli.
    And according to talkSPORT, Sheffield United are keen to snap him up.
    The report adds Paul Heckingbottom was monitoring Firmino’s situation but with the manager replaced by Chris Wilder, it is unclear if a formal approach will be made.
    Roberto Firmino is linked with a return to the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty More

  • in

    Bungling Chelsea spent £2.03million EVERY DAY on transfers in 2023 – only to go backwards in Premier League

    THE STAGGERING cost of Chelsea’s transfer spend over the past 12 months has been revealed – but things have only got worse on the pitch.Todd Boehly and Clearlake have forked out over £1BILLION on new additions since they took over the West London club in 2022.
    Todd Boehly forked out a mega £755.6m on transfer fees over the past 12 monthsCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    Despite transfers costing the club £2.03m EACH DAY in 2023 things have got worse under Mauricio PochettinoCredit: Alamy
    That output failed to make any sort of impact at the start of the 2022/23 campaign.
    Chelsea started 2023 sitting ninth in the Premier League table under Graham Potter.
    And they had amassed a tally of 24 points from their opening 15 matches – that gave them an average of 1.6 points per game.
    That led to another splurge last January, with Mykhailo Mudryk signed in a deal that could reach £88m and Enzo Fernandez arriving for a potential total of £110m the two biggest recruits.
    READ MORE ON CHELSEA
    But things did not get much better for the Blues as Potter was eventually axed, and after Frank Lampard returned as interim, they eventually ended the season in 12th.
    That was their worst Premier League finish since 1993-94, which made it their worse ever in a 38-game season.
    However, the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino as boss in the summer and a host of other new additions brought renewed optimism.
    There was £173m spent alone on midfielders Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, signed for £115m and £58m respectively, while big-money was dished out in attack.
    Most read in Football
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
    Christopher Nkunku joined for £56m while Nicolas Jackson cost £30m, but the strikers have only produced ten goals in all competitions between them.
    Cole Palmer, who will potentially cost a total of £42.5m, has argubarly made the biggest impact since he signed from Manchester City.
    The 21-year-old attacker has scored ten – including a brace in yesterday’s 2-1 win at Luton Town.
    But despite ending 2023 with three points, Chelsea are actually doing WORSE with regards to their position in the Premier League than they were 12 months ago.
    Poch’s side go into 2024 in tenth place – one place lower than this time last year – with 28 points from 20 matches.
    That gives them an average of only 1.4 points per game so far.
    Not by any stretch does that make good reading for Boehly after he spent what could turn out to be £755.6m in total on new signings since January 1.
    And he will be expecting a huge upturn in results after their huge transfer outlay ending up costing Chelsea £2.03m EVERY DAY throughout the past 365 days.
    CHELSEA’S 2023 TRANSFER OUTLAYHere’s how Chelsea splashed the cash over the past 12 months:
    January window (including loan fees and add-ons) – £329.9m
    David Datro Fofana (£10.5m)
    Andrey Santos (£11m)
    Benoit Badiashile (£35m)
    Joao Felix (£9.7m loan fee)
    Mykhailo Mudryk (£62m initial, £88m total)
    Noni Madueke (£35m)
    Malo Gusto (£26.3m initial, £30.7m total)
    Enzo Fernandez (£106m initial, £110m total)
    Summer 2023 spend (including add-ons) – £425.7m)
    Christopher Nkunku (£56m)
    Nicolas Jackson (£30m)
    Angelo Gabriel (£13m)
    Lesley Ugochukwu (£23.5m)
    Axel Disasi (£38m)
    Robert Sanchez (£25m)
    Moises Caicedo (£100m initial, £115m total)
    Romeo Lavia  £53m initial, £58m total)
    Deivid Washington (£18.7m)
    Dode Petrovic (£12.5m initial, £14m total)
    Cole Palmer (£40m initial, £42.5m total)
    Total: £755.6m More

  • in

    Premier League cult hero Charlie Adam lands his first manager’s job with League One strugglers

    FLEETWOOD have appointed Charlie Adam as their new boss after sacking Lee Johnson.The former Blackpool favourite and Liverpool midfielder, 38, was working as loans manager at Burnley.
    Fleetwood sacked Lee Johnson as manager on Saturday after a dismal runCredit: Rex
    They have appointed Charlie Adam as his replacement at HighburyCredit: Kenny Ramsay
    Adam, who won 26 caps for Scotland, jumped at the chance of a first crack at management following a long playing career.
    He has climbed the coaching ladder and Premier League Burnley did not stand stand in his way.
    Fleetwood announced his arrival on social media, with Adam saying: “I’m delighted to join a club I know well and one which we feel we can make a real difference with.
    “I’m inheriting what I think is a strong squad which is more than capable of getting the results needed to climb the table.
    READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
    “Fleetwood is a hard-working, honest, and passionate town and the football club must reflect that – the players have to be proud to pull the shirt on and represent what the club and the town stands for.
    “It’s now important we see togetherness from the players, staff and crucially the supporters to help turn results around – we can’t wait to get started.
    The Cod Army have been struggling this term and currently sit second bottom of League One.
    They have only amassed 18 points from 23 matches and have moved quickly as they look to get out of the drop zone.
    Most read in EFL
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
    Johnson, who has previously managed Bristol City, Barnsley and Sunderland, started the season in charge of Hibernian.
    However, he was sacked by the Scottish Premiership side back in August.
    The 42-year-old was not out of work long as he was appointed Fleetwood boss in September.
    But he won just six of his 22 matches at the helm.
    And a run of nine games without a win in all competitions led to the North West club sacking him yesterday.
    His assistant manager Darren Way and first-team coach Phil Jevons also left Highbury. More

  • in

    Premier League rivals set to battle each other to lure ex-Man Utd coach Kieran McKenna from promotion-chasing Ipswich

    KIERAN McKENNA may be in the middle of a managerial tug-of-war, with Brighton and Crystal Palace lining him up.The Ipswich boss, 37, is trying to make the Prem with the Tractor Boys but may get a ticket to the top on his own in the coming months.
    Brighton and Crystal Palace are interested in Kieran McKennaCredit: PA
    McKenna has impressed as a No 1 after his success in a coaching role at Manchester United.
    Seagulls have him on an emergency list if Roberto De Zerbi is tempted away, and are known for spotting hot managerial prospects.
    McKenna’s attacking style would suit Albion, who know their highly-rated Italian gaffer is admired by bigger clubs at home and abroad.
    Palace are also keen on McKenna as they seek a long-term successor for Roy Hodgson, 76.
    READ MORE ON MAN UTD
    Their ideal timetable would be to make a summer swoop. The Eagles are still behind Hodgson and it would be difficult to recruit McKenna now when he is in a promotion race.
    Palace have also been linked with free agent Steve Cooper, 44, but McKenna would come without a sacking on his CV.
    Cooper has been on the Eagles’ radar for a while but there is not universal support for the ex-Nottingham Forest coach and Palace are still looking around for the best option at the end of the season.
    Ipswich have a compensation clause in McKenna’s deal of about £4million, which would not put off either of the Premier League pair if they come for him.
    Most read in Football
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
    The Tractor Boys currently sit second in the Championship table, eight points behind leaders Leicester.
    They are on track to earn promotion to the Premier League at the end of the season. More

  • in

    Man Utd fans fume ‘we are a joke’ after club activate contract extension of star who looked destined to leave

    MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly activated the option to extend Victor Lindelof’s contract.The defender’s current deal was due to expire at the end of the season.
    Man Utd have decided to extend Victor Lindelof’s contractCredit: Alamy
    But according to The Athletic, he is now set to stay at Old Trafford until June 2025.
    Man Utd have triggered the option to extend his contract by another 12 months amid growing uncertainty surrounding his future.
    Lindelof had been expected to leave the club either in January or on a free transfer in the summer.
    He allegedly turned down interest from Inter Milan and Ligue 1 side Rennes in August, instead deciding to stay and fight for his place in Erik ten Hag’s squad.
    READ MORE ON MAN UTD
    But some fans are now frustrated at United’s decision to keep him beyond this season.
    One person tweeted: “We are a joke! He’s not good enough we need better quality players!”
    Another agreed, adding: “This is why we will remain in mediocrity, keep extending contracts of players that aren’t anywhere near good enough.”
    A third commented: “Would have liked to see him go tbh he’s not United standard.”
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
    While a fourth wrote: “If this is a decision by INEOS then it looks like business as usual. We need to be more ruthless with unwanted players. Lindelof is not the future and his wages can easily be freed up for other players. I doubt we find a buyer that makes sense in the summer.”
    Lindelof joined Man Utd in a £31million transfer from Benfica in 2017 and has since made 249 appearances.
    The Red Devils currently sit seventh in the Premier League table with 31 points from 19 games. More

  • in

    Arsenal ‘open to letting Tomiyasu leave in January loan transfer’ as Napoli plot double raid on club

    ARSENAL are reportedly open to letting Takehiro Tomiyasu leave on loan next month.The Gunners are expected to be active in the January transfer market as they target their first Premier League title in 20 years.
    Napoli are reportedly interested in signing Takehiro Tomiyasu on loanCredit: Alamy
    The Serie A champions are also interested in Jakub KiwiorCredit: AFP
    Mikel Arteta is eager to sign a defender, a midfielder and a striker when the window opens.
    However, some current players will have to be offloaded to make way for new additions.
    And according to Italian outlet Il Mattino, Tomiyasu could be allowed to leave.
    Napoli are understood to be interested in signing the full-back on loan in January.
    READ MORE ON ARSENAL
    The Serie A champions are also considering a swoop for Jakub Kiwior, but Arsenal are less likely to sanction a loan for him.
    Arteta is allegedly willing to let Kiwior leave in a permanent transfer next month.
    The 23-year-old has been limited to 21 appearances since joining Arsenal in January 2022.
    Meanwhile, Tomiyasu has established himself as an important member of Arteta’s squad.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
    The full-back has made 19 appearances so far this season, but recently suffered a calf injury which has left him sidelined.
    Arsenal currently sit second in the Premier League table, two points behind leaders Liverpool.
    The Gunners have been linked with several players ahead of the January transfer window, including Ivan Toney, Dominic Solanke and Matthijs de Ligt. More