Transfer News

EVEN Randal Kolo Muani admits that his World Cup final miss will haunt him forever.But a move to the Premier League could be a big step in burying that memory and reigniting his career after he was frozen out at Paris Saint-Germain.Randal Kolo Muani has been out of favour at PSGCredit: GettyKolo Muani was thwarted by Emi Martinez in the World Cup finalCredit: EPATottenham are leading the chase for the France international, 26, with Manchester United also in the hunt.And they hope RKM can reproduce the form that made him a star at Eintracht Frankfurt, rather than the moment that he is best remembered for outside Germany.It was 3-3 in stoppage time at the end of extra-time in the most incredible World Cup final of all time when Kolo Muani had the chance to win it for France.As he bore down on Argentina’s goal, he had captain Kylian Mbappe to his left, ready to become the first player to score four times in the biggest game in international football.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut Kolo Muani went for goal himself and Emi Martinez kept the ball out with the left leg, earning his team a penalty shootout which they won to clinch the trophy for the third time.RKM said: “I could have lobbed him, I could have given the ball to Kylian, but in the moment, I didn’t see him.“After when you see the video, you see that there were other options, but it’s too late, you cannot do anything. It still sticks it in my throat and it’ll be there for life.”To be fair to Kolo Muani, he didn’t seem to allow the disappointment to affect the rest of his breakout season for Eintracht.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHaving been signed on a free transfer from French club Nantes in the summer of 2022, he returned from Qatar and picked up where he had left off.Kolo Muani racked up 10 more goals and three more assists in the Bundesliga and fired Eintracht to the German cup final, ending the campaign with 23 goals and 17 assists in 46 appearances across all competitions.Spain star Nacho smashes France ace Kolo Muani’s head to the ground in Euro 2024 semi-finalErik Peters, who covers Eintracht for leading German media outlet Bild, said: “Kolo Muani had an incredible season.“From his very first game, when he came on as a substitute and scored against Bayern Munich, he looked special.“He was so quick, with his long legs, and had great skills.”.One of Kolo Muani’s standout moments is a painful memory for one of the managers who could soon be in charge of him.Ruben Amorim was boss of Sporting Lisbon when Eintracht came to Portugal in December for a winner-takes-all clash in the final round of Champions League group games.And it was Kolo Muani who grabbed the winner as the German side came from behind to win 2-1, thus clinching a place in the last 16 and sending Sporting into the Europa League.You can make a good argument that Kolo Muani would be better suited to Amorim’s system of play at United than Ange Postecoglou’s set-up at Spurs.Kolo Muani previously starred for Eintracht FrankfurtCredit: GettyAt Eintracht, he was mainly used as the front man in a 3-4-2-1 formation.And if Postecoglou sees the Frenchman more as an option out wide, he will be making a mistake – according to Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner.The Palace head coach left Eintracht at the end of 2022-23.Shortly after Kolo Muani made his own move to PSG, Glasner still gave him a glowing reference – but warned he would be wasted if played on the wing.Glasner said: “For me, he isn’t a wide player.“I needed to see a Kolo Muani who scored goals, and out wide, he made lots of assists, but he scored very little.“So he needed to be in the middle.“Kolo Muani was also our No9, but he had a lot of freedom. I couldn’t ask for him to wait in the box for the ball to come. He needed to find spaces in the defence.”BITTER FAREWELLBut the happy memories that Eintracht fans have of Kolo Muani were overshadowed by the manner of his departure to PSG.To some, it was understandable that the Frenchman wanted to play for one of the biggest clubs in Europe in the city of birth – he, Arsenal’s William Saliba and Mbappe are all from the French capital’s north-east suburbs.But the way he forced the move left a bad taste in the mouth.After returning from the World Cup, Kolo Muani had changed his agent and teamed up with Moussa Sissoko, whose client roster included Ousmane Dembele.Back in 2017, Dembele went on strike at Borussia Dortmund before moving to Barcelona.Kolo Muani did the same when PSG, having already signed Dembele, stepped up their efforts to sign him as well.The transfer went right to the wire on deadline day in September 2023, but in the end Eintracht were able to squeeze 95m Euros (nearly £80m) out of PSG.It was an incredible fee but little compensation at the time for the Eintracht fans, who branded Kolo Muani greedy.’Cash doesn’t change character, it just makes it visible’At the first game after his rancorous exit, they displayed a banner that read: Kohle Muani (Kohle is German for money) – cash doesn’t change character, it just makes it visible.”Some still feel that Kolo Muani is a decent bloke who was just badly advised.But it’s fair to say that there is plenty of schadenfreude in Frankfurt that things have not worked out for him at PSG.Boss Luis Enrique repeatedly defended Kolo Muani as he struggled to gel with Mbappe and Dembele, despite them being established as France’s front three.But with RKM being shifted out wide at times and amid rumours of a row with Mbappe, the big-money signing’s form flatlined, with the last of his six Ligue 1 goals in 2023-24 coming on February 10.NOT A ONE-HIT WONDEREnrique seems to have given up on Kolo Muani this season, giving him just two starts in the league before leaving him out of the squad completely and making him available for transfer.Anyone who takes him will want to see the frontman who scored three times as France topped their Nations League A group – and who looked like one of the hottest talents in the world in 2022-23.Peters said: “In Frankfurt, they know that the price they got for Muani was inflated because PSG wanted him so badly.“But they don’t think he is a one-hit wonder.READ MORE SUN STORIES“The Premier League, with the pace of the game and the importance of transitions, could be the perfect place for him.”But even if Kolo Muani ends up scoring past Villa goalkeeper Martinez, it won’t make up for that World Cup final moment.Kolo Muani could bring his skills to the Premier League soonCredit: Getty More

MANCHESTER UNITED will reportedly listen to serious transfer offers for their ENTIRE squad – including a trio who were untouchable under former boss Erik ten Hag.The Red Devils have struggled to make progress since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s minority takeover a year ago.Sir Jim Ratcliffe will listen to offers for every single player at Manchester UnitedCredit: AlamyHe is ready to raise funds and build a team for Ruben AmorimCredit: GettyUnited endured a dismal start to the current term under Ten Hag, despite the Dutchman being backed with £200million-worth of summer signings.And replacement Ruben Amorim is also struggling to get a tune out of the club’s players.Many do not fit his high-intensity 3-4-3 system.And the Guardian claims Ratcliffe is ready to back the Portuguese gaffer by making every single senior star available for sale.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhile United are not actively looking to offload players, offers for each one will now be considered.It means the likes of Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes could be sold for the right price.While summer signings including Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Manuel Ugarte may be shown the door after just six months.It’s even suggested that Ten Hag’s untouchable trio Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo can go should suitable bids arrive.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe latter is understood to be a major target for United’s rivals Chelsea, who are already set to sign loanee Jadon Sancho for a cut-price £20million this summer.United have been hit hard by Financial Fair Play restrictions after years of heavy spending.Man Utd fans say ‘I will never hate this man’ as Lisandro Martinez’s interview after Liverpool draw goes viral Former untouchables Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo can goCredit: EPASummer signings Manuel Ugarte and Leny Yoro could also attract attentionCredit: AFPOffloading several big earns will go some way to balancing the books while allowing Amorim to bring in players better suited to his tactics.Sales of academy graduates like Mainoo, Garnacho and Marcus Rashford would also be counted as 100 per cent profit – crucial for Profit and Sustainability Rules compliance.Rashford is seen as one of the most likely exits this month, although it could only be on loan until the summer.AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund have both expressed serious interest in signing the wantaway forward.Fellow striker Joshua Zirkzee is a target for Juventus, while midfielder Casemiro continues to be monitored by teams in Saudi Arabia.Man Utd player ratings vs Liverpool By Gary Stonehouse Andre Onana – 7Saved well from Alexis Mac Allister early on and looked strong on set-pieces – could do nothing about either goal and almost stopped Mo Salah’s penalty.Another two saves right at the death helped his men earn a point.Noussair Mazraoui – 7Strong performance to help frustrate Liverpool and produced important interceptions and tackles to clear danger.Matthijs de Ligt – 7The Dutchman was another impressive member of the back three and seemed on a mission not to leave Anfield without a share of the spoils.Harry Maguire – 7Marshalled the defence well and won several big tackles and clearances.Had his day spoiled by a yellow card for what looked to a be another great challenge and then blazed over right at the death.Lisandro Martinez – 7Excellent alongside the rest of the back three and finished his strike like a seasoned striker.Diogo Dalot – 7Played on the front foot and was an attacking threat throughout but landed himself a booking for a needless and blatant foul on Mo Salah.Kobbie Mainoo – 7Great defensive and compact display as he got the better of his England rival Curtis Jones in front of Thomas Tuchel.Was only taken off after United fell behind as his manager went more offensive. Manuel Ugarte – 6Just got caught out of position and was punished for Cody Gakpo’s goal, which marred an otherwise hard-fought and disciplined display.Amad Diallo – 7Turning into a man capable of producing big moments after another crucial strike. Had messed up twice in two earlier attacks but took his goal superbly.Bruno Fernandes – 8The skipper was on top form for the Red Devils both defensively and with the ball. Led his team well and fully deserved at least a point.Rasmus Hojlund – 5Came underfire for slack marking from Fernandes early doors then blew a big chance after beating the offside trap – a chance you NEED to take at Anfield.Struggled to make much of an impact with the ball. More