Transfer News

Subterms

    More stories

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Barcelona ‘prepare court battle with Frenkie de Jong, Pique, Ter Stegen and Lenglet as new deals set them back £263m’

      by

      BARCELONA are reportedly preparing for a court battle with four of their OWN PLAYERS if they do not agree to scrap the contracts they signed nearly two years ago.Frenkie de Jong, Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet and Marc-Andre ter Stegen penned new-look contracts in October 2020 which saw them take a wage cut in the short-term to help the club’s financial situation.
      De Jong has had an ongoing salary battle with the club for some timeCredit: Rex
      Pique signed a contract reducing his wages in the short-term to help the clubCredit: Rex
      The deals were the final action of outgoing president Josep Maria Bartomeu’s reign as he departed one week later.
      The plan was to pay the players back in the following seasons – a move that came with a total extra salary cost of £263million in the long term.
      But now Barca’s current regime – headed by president Joan Laporta – is making the case that there is “evidence of criminality” within the deals signed in 2020.
      The club want the four players involved to give the green light to annul those deals and revert back to the contracts they had in place beforehand.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      If the individuals do not agree to do so, Sport are reporting that Barca are willing to go to court.
      The plan would be to allege the contracts written up by the previous directors are not valid.
      Barca are said to have been preparing for a court battle for three months.
      Pique’s contract extension was until 2024, Ter Stegen’s until 2025, while De Jong and Lenglet furthered their deals until 2026.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      De Jong is reportedly owed £14.5m in wages by Barcelona – a factor which has contributed to holding up his move to Manchester United.
      He understandably feels he is owed the money as he agreed to wage reductions for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 campaigns with the knowledge that they would be supplemented in the following four seasons.
      Laporta claimed last week that both De Jong and Barca are now keen for him to stay at the Nou Camp.
      Pique and Ter Stegen remain part of Xavi’s squad – although there are reports that Pique has been told he is surplus to requirements.
      Lenglet has been sent out on loan to Tottenham for the 2022/23 season.
      Lenglet is currently on loan at Tottenham from BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      Ter Stegen has spent eight years at Barcelona since joining in 2014Credit: Getty More

    • 213 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal in talks with Hector Bellerin over terminating his £110k-a-week contract with Real Betis targeting free transfer

      by

      HECTOR BELLERIN’S agent is reportedly pushing for Arsenal to release the right-back to that he can return to Real Betis.The 27-year-old starred on loan at his boyhood club last season where he featured in 32 games in all competitions.
      Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin is keen to return to boyhood club Real BetisCredit: Getty
      Spain international Bellerin impressed during his loan spell at Betis last seasonCredit: Getty
      He even helped the Seville outfit win the Copa del Rey, which was the club’s first major trophy in 17 years.
      Bellerin has made no secret of his desire to return to Betis having posted an emotional letter to their fans in May.
      The Spain international even broke down in tears after their last home game of the 2021-22 season.
      With the player having no intention to see out the final year of his contract at the Emirates, an exit is on the cards.
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      Bellerin is one of seven Arsenal players up for sale, but Betis are claimed to be unwilling to fork out a fee.
      They are instead hoping the Gunners and Bellerin agree to mutually terminate his contract.
      According to El Chiringuito, his agent Albert Botines will be speaking with Arsenal to agree to release him.
      It has been claimed that Botines will be heading to London this week to discuss his future.
      latest arsenal news
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      And Arsenal could agree to his demand to get Bellerin’s £110,000-a-week wages off their books if they are unable to get a fee for the ex-Barcelona academy ace.
      The Spanish news outlet has also stated that Betis would then be ready to snap him up on a free transfer.
      They are prepared to offer him either a three or four-year deal at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.
      Arsenal technical director Edu told SunSport in July how it makes sense for the club to cancel contracts if a player is 26 or older and isn’t performing.
      He also said: “I know it’s strange to go to the board and tell them, ‘Sometimes it’s  better to pay a player to leave than to keep them’.
      “I realise that hurts and some people say that it’s expensive — but you have to take the problem out.”
      READ MORE FOOTBALL STORIES
      Bellerin is not in the plans of former team-mate Mikel Arteta, with the defender not named in their matchday squad for Friday’s 2-0 win against Crystal Palace.
      Takehiro Tomiyasu and Cedric Soares are ahead of Bellerin in the pecking order, with centre-back Ben White even preferred instead to cover at full-back. More

    • 213 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea preparing record transfer fee for Wesley Fofana… but still £10m short of Leicester’s valuation for defender

      by

      CHELSEA are reportedly preparing to pay a world record transfer fee for Wesley Fofana.But they currently remain £10million short of Leicester’s asking price.
      Chelsea are ready to make Wesley Fofana the most expensive defender in historyCredit: Getty
      Fofana, 21, is at the top of Thomas Tuchel’s shopping list to bolster Chelsea’s backline.
      And new owner Todd Boehly is ready to fund a mega move after missing out on several stars including Matthijs de Ligt and Jules Kounde.
      Harry Maguire is currently the most expensive defender in world football, costing £80million when he left Leicester for Manchester United in 2019.
      However, Football London claims Chelsea are prepared to go even higher in their pursuit of Fofana.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      The Blues are said to be drawing up plans for an eye-watering £85m offer, which will be enough to get Leicester talking.
      And the deal would make Fofana the most expensive defender in history.
      Yet Chelsea are currently some way off Leicester’s staggering price-tag.
      The Independent adds Chelsea’s latest offer fell £10m short.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      But such is Tuchel’s desire to land Fofana, a new bid is set to be made shorty.
      The France U21 star joined Leicester from St Etienne in 2020 for £36.5m.
      He made an immediate impact with 38 appearances in his first season.
      But Fofana suffered a devastating long-term injury last term, and was only able to play 12 times.
      Read More on The Sun
      He started in Leicester’s opening day draw against Brentford.
      And Fofana is understood to be pressing Brendan Rodgers into allowing him a Chelsea transfer this month. More

    • 288 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd agree £15m fee with Juventus for Adrien Rabiot.. but will have to deal with his MOTHER to get transfer over line

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED face the mother of all negotiations to land their midfield target Adrien Rabiot.The Red Devils have agreed a deal with Juventus to pay £15million for the 27-year-old France star.
      Man Utd have agreed a £15m deal with Juventus for Adrien RabiotCredit: Getty
      Now they must deal with his mother Veronique in the negotiationsCredit: Getty
      But now comes the tough part — sorting out personal terms with his fiery agent and mother Veronique.
      Previously, she has clashed with sporting directors, demanded to meet managers and attend training sessions.
      And more nightmare negotiations are the last thing United need following a frustrating summer trying to land key targets and a disastrous opening-day defeat to Brighton.
      Veronique wanted to go on a pre-season tour after her son signed his first pro forms with Paris Saint-Germain.
      READ MORE MAN UTD
      And when he was dropped to PSG’s reserves in a row over wages, she went public with her frustrations.
      She said: “My son is a hostage of the club, he will soon live in prison on bread and water.”
      She also scuppered a move to Spurs in 2018 over her wage demands.
      United have turned to Juve’s Rabiot as their pursuit of Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong drags on.
      Most read in Football
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN UP DEALS
      And Cristiano Ronaldo is still demanding to leave.
      Juventus are happy to get rid of a player with a year left on his deal, with reports in Italy claiming they were ready to pay him off to get shut.
      United have also had a £7.5m offer for Bologna’s former West Ham striker Marko Arnautovic rejected. More

    • 175 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Everton complete season-long loan transfer for Wolves defender Conor Coady to ease defensive crisis

      by

      EVERTON have confirmed that Conor Coady has joined them from Wolverhampton Wanderers.The Liverpool academy graduate, who has ten caps for England, has returned to Merseyside on a season-long loan at Goodison Park.
      Conor Coady has joined Everton on a season-long loan from Wolves
      He told evertontv: “It’s incredible to join Everton.
      “As soon as I heard the interest, from the manager but also the football club itself, I really wanted to be part of it straight away. I’m over the moon to join.
      “I’ve grown up around the city, I know the football club, how big this club is and what it means to the supporters.
      “I’m someone who was desperate to come here, to play for this club. I’ve got family and friends who are massive Evertonians.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL
      “I’m here to give absolutely everything I’ve got for this football club. It’s important I work as hard as I can to help my teammates, help the club move forward and make people proud.”
      Everton boss Lampard was desperate for cover after losing Ben Godfrey to a broken leg just ten minutes into the Toffees’ opening game of the season against Chelsea on Saturday.
      The Toffees also lost fellow centre-back Yerry Mina to an ankle injury during the 1-0 defeat at Goodison Park.
      Coady began his career across Stanley Park at Anfield but got his first taste of senior football on loan at Sheffield United in 2013/14.
      Most read in Football
      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      He then headed on a permanent move to Huddersfield Town the following campaign before Wolves snapped him up in 2016, where he went on to captain the club to promotion.
      Everton director of football Kevin Thelwell said: “Conor is a top-quality player who I have had the pleasure of knowing for many years.
      “I have no doubt he will be an excellent addition to Everton and our squad.
      Read More on The Sun
      “Myself and Frank continue to work closely with our chairman, who has unrivalled experience in player negotiations and we are confident that, together, we will secure the further quality we’ve targeted between now and the end of the month.”
      He will wear the number 30 shirt for the Blues after becoming their fourth signing of the summer transfer window after the arrivals of James Tarkowski, Ruben Vinagre and Dwight McNeil. More

    • 250 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd slammed as ‘desperate’ by Gary Neville as fellow legend Roy Keane tears into club over Marko Arnautovic transfer

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED legends Gary Neville and Roy Keane have ripped into the club for their “desperate” pursuit of forward Marko Arnautovic.New manager Erik ten Hag began life in the Premier League with a disappointing 2-1 defeat at home to Brighton on Sunday.
      Marko Arnautovic is being linked with a move to Old Trafford this summerCredit: Getty
      Gary Neville is unimpressed with reports United are interested in signing ArnautovicCredit: Getty
      And in amongst the glum mood around Old Trafford was a report that the club were looking at trying to sign 33-year-old former West Ham striker Marko Arnautovic.
      It was claimed live on air that United have had an initial bid rejected by Serie A side Bologna as they eye up the possibility of replacing an unhappy Cristiano Ronaldo.
      After hearing of United’s failed offer for the Austrian, Neville interrupted Sky presenter Dave Jones to say: “The first thing you do when the phone rings from Manchester United is reject the bid.
      “The reality of it is you know full well, they’ve lost that game today, they’re actually negotiating from an even worse position than they were yesterday and that’s a bigger problem for them.”
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      When pressed on Arnautovic, Neville then added: “We’ve seen it with Falcao, Ibrahimovic, Cavani, Ighalo – these desperate, sort of experienced signings.
      “We’ve seen it now for eight or 10 years, it’s a pattern, it’s happening time and time again.
      “We don’t even get angry, we don’t even get animated about it anymore. It’s got to the point where I don’t even want to comment about it.”
      Keane then backed up Neville’s view by piling in on his former club’s current transfer policy.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      The Irishman said: “Who’s making these decisions? Who’s deciding which players are going to come in?
      “They’re talking about Darren Fletcher as technical director, they’ve got a new coach, John Murtough is obviously involved, there’s a new chief executive, there’s talk about them going back to Alex Ferguson and David Gill.
      “My goodness, what is going on?
      “It’s alright having the money, you’ve got to get the right players in with the right character.”
      Neville then finished the segment with a damning indictment of United’s lack of forward planning.
      He added: “The money that was needed to rebuild that squad this summer… they knew six months ago, eight months, 12 months ago that there was going to need to be investment this summer.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      “All those players that were leaving like Mata and Matic and all the other ones that have left.
      “They knew they had a problem with Martial not having been fancied in the past, Cristiano coming to the end, Cavani leaving, obviously the situation with Greenwood not in the club anymore.
      “All these things have been known for a long time, it’s not as if it’s just hit them now.”
      Keane shared Neville’s view that Arnautovic is not the answer for UnitedCredit: Getty More

    • 263 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd star Victor Lindelof ‘wanted by old boss Jose Mourinho in Roma transfer with £16.8m price tag put on defender’

      by

      ROMA boss Jose Mourinho is reportedly eyeing up Victor Lindelof again.Ex-Manchester United manager Mourinho signed the defender from Benfica for the Red Devils in 2017.
      Jose Mourinho was Victor Lindelof’s manager at Old Trafford in 2017
      Now the Special One wants to work with the Sweden skipper in Serie A, according to Forza Roma.
      The 28-year-old was a high-profile omission from United’s matchday squad for Sunday’s defeat to Brighton.
      Captain Harry Maguire got the nod alongside new signing Lisandro Martinez in central defence.
      And with Raphael Varane starting on the bench, it remains to be seen if the Swede has a place in new boss Erik ten Hag’s plans.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      Italian media have also been linking Roma with United defender Eric Bailly.
      The Ivory Coast star was another to miss out on a squad place in the shock 2-1 home defeat to the Seagulls.
      Forza says Lindelof is valued by the Red Devils at about £16.8m
      They add he is unlikely to get a new deal at Old Trafford when his current one expires in 2024.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      The report also says he is likely to struggle to get back in the squad due to the signing of Martinez and a preference for Varane.
      It adds that a loan deal which includes “the right of redemption” might work for all parties.
      United will bid to bounce back from the weekend’s disappointment when they go to Brentford for a late Prem kick-off on Saturday. More

    • 225 Shares119 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea in Edouard Mendy contract talks but there’s ‘significant distance’ between Blues and one of their lowest earners

      by

      CHELSEA have opened contract talks with Edouard Mendy, according to reports.But there is said to be significant distance between the two parties at this stage.
      Edouard Mendy is in line for a new contract if a deal can be struckCredit: Getty
      Mendy, 30, signed a five-year contract with Chelsea when he joined from Rennes in 2020.
      However, he is one of the lowest earners at Stamford Bridge despite his importance to the team.
      According to the Daily Mail, the goalkeeper was identified as one of the key players who should be prioritised for an improved deal by new owner Todd Boehly when he came in.
      And the report says the club have now started those negotiations.
      READ MORE CHELSEA STORIES
      Mendy is currently on around £52,000 per week, just about a third of the £150,000 his understudy Kepa Arrizabalaga earns.
      Brazilian pair Alisson and Ederson pocket similar figures to Arrizabalaga while David De Gea is way ahead with a staggering record £375,000 per week at Manchester United.
      Mendy has kept an impressive 49 clean sheets in 93 appearances for Chelsea, including in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Everton.
      He also managed a record-equalling nine as the Blues won the 2020/21 Champions League.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      As well as his European success, Mendy has also won the Super Cup and Club World Cup with the Blues – and a runner-up medal from both the FA Cup and League Cup finals.
      On the international stage, the shot-stopper helped Senegal to Africa Cup of Nations glory in February.
      And he was rewarded for his stellar form by being named Uefa, Fifa and Champions League goalkeeper of the year – as well as the top stopper in the Afcon. More