Transfer News

MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly joined the race to sign Federico Chiesa from Juventus.The Italian winger has been strongly linked with a move once the January transfer window opens.
Manchester United have joined the race to sign Federico ChiesaCredit: Getty
He is a long-term United target and could now be on his way to Old Trafford.
According to Calciomercato, the Red Devils are one of four clubs chasing a deal to sign Chiesa.
Newcastle, Aston Villa and Bayern Munich are also interested in the 25-year-old, who is valued at £43million by Juventus.
However, the news of United’s interest has split opinions amongst supporters.
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Whilst some see the asking price as a good deal, others are concerned by Chiesa’s injury record.
“Not a bad price at all given his potential,” wrote one fan on X, formerly Twitter.
Another added: “He’s a good player but very injury prone.”
A third supporter also commented: “That’s cheap for a player of his calibre.”
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Meanwhile, one more fan argued: “Good player but injury prone.”
Chiesa, who has two years left on his current Juve deal, has scored four goals and provided an assist in seven Serie A matches this term.
However, he is currently sidelined with a muscle problem for the second time since the start of September.
He also endured an injury hit 2022/23 season, missing 12 matches after returning from a ruptured ACL in November last year.
The former Fiorentina man’s injury woes have not prevented him from being linked with United, though.
Chiesa has been tipped as a possible replacement for Jadon Sancho, who has been exiled from the first-team by Erik ten Hag.
United’s interest in the winger comes after he was linked with a summer move to the Premier League back in June. More

MANCHESTER UNITED are monitoring Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite as they hunt for a replacement for injured Lisandro Martinez.Martinez had a second operation on his injured metatarsal on Monday after tests revealed it had not healed correctly.
Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite is being targeted by Manchester UnitedCredit: PA
The Argentina defender, 25, had returned to action after initial surgery in April.
But he experienced pain in his foot against Arsenal last month.
Martinez then played against Brighton and Bayern Munich before realising it wasn’t getting any better – as United confirmed he would go under the knife again.
Martinez is now set to be sidelined until the New Year as he tries to overcome the problem once and for all.
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But, even if Martinez returns before then, his injury woes will force United into the market for a new centre-back in the January transfer window.
Toffees star Branthwaite is reported to be on Erik ten Hag’s radar, according to the Daily Mail.
But the defender, 21, has had his own share of injury concerns.
Branthwaite earlier this year opened up about suffering from a growing pains condition called Osgood-Schlatter.
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And he admitted that he almost quit football at 16 as “his knees were gone.”
Harry Maguire’s future at the club remains in doubt while Raphael Varane’s fitness record means more depth is required.
The Everton ace will join Antonio Silva of Benfica, Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo and Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba on the Red Devils centre-back shortlist.
Branthwaite had a stellar season on loan from Everton at Dutch side PSV Eindhoven last term.
PSV wanted to buy him in a permanent deal this term, while Manchester City have been among the English clubs also keeping an eye on his progress.
Branthwaite is in talks with Everton over a new contract, but that is unlikely to deter interest in the player if he continues to shine. More

FOOTBALL supremo Paul Mitchell, who has been credited with scouting some of the world’s best young talent, has left his role as sporting director at Monaco.Mitchell enjoyed immense success at Southampton and Tottenham and rumours are that he has left the Ligue 1 giants for a return to the Premier League.
Paul Mitchell has left his role as Monaco’s sporting directorCredit: AFP
According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, the French outfit has replaced the 42-year-old with new CEO Thiago Scuro.
Scuro will oversee all the club’s activities and report to Monaco president Dmitry Rybolovlev.
Mitchell has been previously linked with Manchester United and fans are hopeful this could lead the talented director of football to Old Trafford.
One supporter tweeted: “Joining Manchester United, ownership about to change as well.”
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Another commented: “He is better than [Man Utd director of football John] Murtough. Idk why we don’t go after him.”
A third said: “@ManUtd this is who we need.”
This fan posted: “Manchester [United] should hire him.
“And that one wrote: “Get Paul Mitchell to #ManUtd.”
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Mitchell started out as a footballer cutting his teeth at Manchester City and Wigan’s youth set up but spent his senior career playing for the lower leagues, mostly on loan from the Latics and MK Dons.
The Mancunian was forced to prematurely retire in 2009 at the age of 27 due to injuries but then found success as a sporting director.
It all started in 2010 at former club MK Dons where he carved his famous philosophy that sees him only signing players under the age of 24, starting with Dele Alli.
After making a name for himself with the Dons he moved to Southampton two years later and pulled off a string of great signings, like Maya Yoshida, Nathaniel Clyne, Sadio Mane, Dusan Tadic and Graziano Pelle.
That led to a job at Tottenham in 2014 and he landed Kieran Trippier, Toby Alderweireld, Son Heung-Min and of course Alli.
Mitchell resigned in 2016 and went to RB Leipzig in 2018 where he was quickly promoted to Chief Technical Director overseeing all the Red Bull teams.
The Stalybridge native signed Dani Olmo, Christopher Nkunku, Ademola Lookman, Patrik Schick, Dayot Upamecano and Matheus Cunha during his time at Leipzig.
He then moved to Monaco in 2020 but had less success even though he still managed to bring in the likes of Axel Disasi and Breel Embolo.
Mitchell is credited with scouting some of the best young talent in the world, pictured here with Chelsea loanee Malang SarrCredit: AFP More