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Pascal Gross – The Brighton star is a player Eintracht Frankfurt really like, as has been reported. Eintracht love Gross, but they also know nothing will happen in January, he’s a dream target for June but very difficult as Gross is very happy at Brighton and there are no problems between Brighton and Gross, at all.

Jose Mourinho – Al Hilal wanted Jose Mourinho in June 2023, but he decided to respect AS Roma and so he turned down the proposal. He’s now suggested he will manage in Saudi Arabia one day, but it’s too early for anything concrete, as nothing will happen until at least next summer.

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Exclusive: Euro giants “love” Brighton star but transfer not straightforward, says expert

Mark Brus — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 08:58:00 +0000

Brighton midfielder Pascal Gross is seemingly well liked by Eintracht Frankfurt, according to Fabrizio Romano as he spoke exclusively to CaughtOffside for his Daily Briefing column.

The 32-year-old has been a key performer for Brighton in recent times and it’s hardly surprising that there’s now interest in him, with Romano admitting that Eintracht Frankfurt really like him as a player.

Still, the transfer news expert has made it clear that a January deal looks complicated for Gross, with the German side making him a dream target for the summer instead.

Discussing Gross’ situation, Romano said: “Pascal Gross – The Brighton star is a player Eintracht Frankfurt really like, as has been reported. Eintracht love Gross, but they also know nothing will happen in January, he’s a dream target for June but very difficult as Gross is very happy at Brighton and there are no problems between Brighton and Gross, at all.”

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Brighton have had to cope with selling a number of their star players in recent times, with Ben White and Leandro Trossard both moving to Arsenal in recent times, while Moises Caicedo and Robert Sanchez both joined Chelsea in the summer, and Alexis Mac Allister moved to Liverpool.

Losing Gross would be another blow, especially as one imagines there’ll also be plenty of interest in exciting talents like Kaoru Mitoma and Evan Ferguson.

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Bundesliga side ‘monitoring’ Brighton star’s situation amid contract uncertainty

Andrew Walker — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 17:35:18 +0000

Eintracht Frankfurt are reportedly interested in signing Pascal Gross.

That’s according to a recent report from Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, who claims the Brighton and Hove Albion star is wanted in the Bundesliga.

With just 18 months left on his contract and no talk of a renewal just yet, Gross, 32, is attracting some high-profile European interest.

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Although the 32-year-old is one of Roberto De Zerbi’s most reliable players, with the Seagulls’ policy quite obviously centred around developing future stars, the summer may be the best time to cash in on the German.

The midfielder may also jump at the chance to return to his homeland having left FC Ingolstadt nearly seven years ago.

The potential obstacles Frankfurt must first overcome include the player’s valuation, as well as his salary, which according to Spotrac, is around £65,000-per week.

Nevertheless, with the German’s contract running further down with every passing day, Frankfurt officials will continue to keep a close eye on the player’s situation.

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Real Madrid interested in surprise Premier League manager to replace Ancelotti

Darren Looney — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 13:03:18 +0000

Carlo Ancelotti is expected to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season and reports in Spain state that the La Liga giants are interested in a surprise Premier League manager.

According to Sport, Real Madrid have reportedly made contact with Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi to explore the possibility of appointing him as Carlo Ancelotti’s successor for the 2024/25 season.

Initial discussions are said to have already taken place between Madrid and the Italian coach as they believe he is ready to take the next step in his career as the Brighton boss has done an incredible job in the Premier League since arriving.

De Zerbi’s Brighton side are one of the most exciting to watch in the English top flight and he has already been linked to many big clubs across Europe.

Roberto De Zerbi is liked by Real Madrid

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A vacancy is expected to open up at the Bernabeu next summer when Ancelotti will take over as the Brazilian national team’s new manager.

It is still not 100 per cent certain if the legendary manager will take up this role but Real Madrid are preparing for that outcome.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso is seen as the favourite to replace the Madrid boss but De Zerbi could now be an outsider to take over at the biggest football club on the planet.

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Chelsea star 99% gone, Lukaku clause, Arsenal midfield targets, and could Man Utd ace be next big Saudi signing?

Fabrizio Romano — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 19:00:00 +0000

Chelsea’s plans for the January transfer window

I expect Chelsea to be active in the January window, but also smart. The best news around Chelsea at the moment is that there is almost no news – finally. After two years of many rumours and stories about players, managers, directors, and so on, it’s important for things to now be a bit more calm and quiet.

This will help Chelsea work in the best way, and that’s what they’re doing behind the scenes, with a striker still their priority. We’ve heard a lot about Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney, but I’m told that it still looks highly unlikely that Osimhen will leave Napoli in the middle of the season. Nothing has changed in terms of his availability because it looks like a complicated season for Napoli and so they want to keep him at least until the end of the season. In the summer of course it could be different.

For Toney, Brentford will fight to keep the player of course, but I’m told that he wants to try a new experience, and he wants to play for a top, top club. Chelsea are still interested, so let’s see if they will attack the situation, but there are no negotiations yet. Let’s see what happens because for sure they are considering bringing in a new striker in January.

In terms of centre-backs, I expect Chelsea to sell Trevoh Chalobah, it seems 99% likely because he wants to play football. Chelsea also believe that the best plan is to part ways in January. I have no update on clubs pursuing him yet, it’s no longer a concrete negotiation with Bayern after a deal collapsed back in August.

I would then expect Chelsea to try to bring in a new centre-back. They are exploring options on the market, but there is still nothing decided, they are still assessing options, but it’s certainly a position they want to cover in 2024.

Romelu Lukaku’s unofficial release clause for summer 2024

From what I’m told, Romelu Lukaku has something like a release clause, but not a proper release clause. There is a gentleman’s agreement between the player’s agents and Chelsea, because they don’t want a situation like a few months ago in the summer transfer window when they had to negotiate with Juventus, then with Inter, then with Roma – it was a very complicated summer for Chelsea around the Lukaku story, and so there is now a possibility for him to leave for €40m – and that’s not just for Roma, that’s for any club.

From what I’m told, Roma still have no clarity on what will happen next season with some key figures, such as manager Jose Mourinho and director Tiago Pinto – it’s therefore too early for Roma to decide if they can pay that money for Lukaku. We’ll have to see around March/April when things will become more clear.

How Everton could approach January after points deduction

Everton may now have to be conservative with their January transfer activity after their points deduction. They will be prepared to fight for their position and we’ll see how that will materialise in the next weeks, but I expect them to be conservative with their approach.

At the moment there is nothing concrete in terms of negotiations yet – they want to see how to discuss this big issue they have and then work out their strategy and targets for January.

There’s nothing yet in terms of names for Everton, but I would certainly expect a more conservative approach from them in the market after this strong punishment from previous dealings.

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Thoughts on those Antoine Griezmann to Man Utd links

There have been some surprising stories about Antoine Griezmann being a target for Manchester United, but I think it’s impossible, honestly. I’m not aware of any contacts, but it’s also not just about that, it’s about the player’s desire to stay at Atletico Madrid.

From what I’m told, back in the summer there was an approach from Saudi Arabia, with a crazy proposal in terms of salary to Griezmann, who would’ve become one of the best-paid players there, but he didn’t even want to negotiate. He is in love with Atletico Madrid and he already left them to join Barcelona in a special moment in his career a few years ago, and he regrets that decision because now he is back at the club and he feels very well with the fans, with the city, with his teammates and with the manager.

I don’t see Griezmann leaving Atletico Madrid in January, so I think these stories about Man United look absolutely impossible.

Could Bruno Fernandes be the next big Saudi signing?

There have been reports linking Bruno Fernandes with Saudi Arabia, and I think stories like this are normal when we see what Saudi clubs have done recently and as we get closer to January.

Still, at the moment there is nothing, Bruno Fernandes is only focused on Manchester United, and their position is also very clear – he is a very important player, he is very happy there, and so there is nothing happening now.

For the future, of course, never say never, because Bruno Fernandes would be an attractive player for the Saudi league, but I wouldn’t expect anything to happen for him this January – he’s staying.

Ruben Neves could be an alternative to Douglas Luiz for Arsenal

Ruben Neves continues to be linked with Arsenal, and I think these stories come from the fact that Mikel Arteta has always been a big fan of the player. He has always appreciated him, since he was at Wolves, and his name has come up a few times in recent years whenever Arteta had discussions about targets with Arsenal director Edu.

I think that’s why there are these links, but at the moment there are no negotiations, and in fact the dream target for Arsenal in midfield is Douglas Luiz. It’s a complicated deal, though, because Aston Villa are having a fantastic season and they don’t want to sell an important player like Luiz in January.

I think it would take very important money to make Villa change their minds about Luiz, so he’s Arsenal’s dream target – they see him as a perfect midfielder with a big future, but unless they are able to come in with a very big package of money, it’s going to be very difficult for them to get this deal done.

Neves could therefore perhaps be a backup option in case Arsenal can’t sign Luiz, but for sure it’s going to be an interesting January for Arsenal because of the injury to Thomas Partey.

Meanwhile, Jorginho’s agent has also spoken about the player’s future, suggesting contract talks are at a standstill. However, my understanding is that there were never talks over a new deal – he joined eight months ago, so it was never a serious topic. He’s part of the rotations at Arsenal and no changes are expected – also with Partey injured Arsenal and Arteta need him as part of their squad.

What next for Antonio Nusa amid Arsenal links?

Antonio Nusa has been linked with Arsenal and others, and when I asked my sources for latest updates on his situation a few days ago, I was told that there is interest from more than ten clubs for this exciting young talent.

Some clubs in England, France and Germany love this player, but nothing will happen now, it doesn’t look likely for him to move in the January transfer window. Only a crazy offer could change the situation, but at the moment it’s very quiet because Nusa is not in a rush.

At the moment, it’s just about clubs scouting the boy, but he will take his time over deciding his future, and we could see something more concrete in the summer, but not now.

I do know that his agent is very well connected with top clubs around Europe, so I’m sure they will sit down together and try to work out what would be the right next step for the player.

Evan Ferguson unlikely to leave Brighton just yet

Evan Ferguson is another top young talent who inevitably attracts links with big clubs, but from what I’m told he extended his contract at Brighton because he’s very happy there, so we have to be respectful to Brighton.

Ferguson believes that Brighton is the perfect place for him to develop, so I’m not even sure we’ll see him move in summer 2024, maybe later in the future. He’s very happy at Brighton.

Sometimes in the transfer window crazy things can happen – Moises Caicedo, for example, left Brighton for huge money, so if they receive crazy proposals then maybe the situation could change, but for the moment they are very happy with him and they believe they can maybe sell him in two years for huge money, so I’d say the situation is more open for the future, rather than for the next year or so.

In other news…

Savio – Part of City Group at Girona, a potential future move to Man City was part of the original plan for Savio when they signed him. It’s a normal plan but it’s not something guaranteed or decided yet, they want him to focus on Girona as he’s having a great season. Despite rumours, Barcelona are not in concrete talks to sign him.

Estevao – PSG wanted to sign Estevao as well when they were in the race for Endrick, as he’s a top talent. They are still scouting him, but I’m not aware of any new bid or negotiation. There are many scouts from top clubs in South America monitoring him on a regular basis.

Robin Le Normand – Despite some reports, I’m not aware of any new centre-back targets for Manchester United other than the names I’ve already mentioned, like Jean-Clair Todibo and Goncalo Inacio. Also now new people will join the Man United board and they will decide on targets with the manager Erik ten Hag, so we will see many links, but there’s nothing concrete so far for Le Normand and United.

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Evan Ferguson to Chelsea or Man Utd? Plus Ben White contract update, Bundesliga star could move in 2024 & more

Fabrizio Romano — Sun, 19 Nov 2023 19:00:00 +0000

Marcelo Gallardo closing in on Al Ittihad job

Marcelo Gallardo to Al Ittihad – here we go! The former River Plate manager has completed an agreement to take over the Saudi Pro League club on a deal valid until 2025, with the option to extend the deal for a further two years. The agreement is done, everything is signed between Gallardo and Al Ittihad – the Argentine is now travelling to Saudi and it will be made official soon.

Gallardo had many opportunities in Europe in recent years, but he’s now heading to Saudi, where he will be one of the top five best paid managers in the world. It’s a big contract, a big salary, and a big opportunity for him in the Saudi league.

Al Ittihad are also looking for a new director of football, with AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini in talks with the club, though that’s not yet a done deal. Gallardo is, though, and it’s quite a statement by Al Ittihad as they bring in a very highly rated coach to add to their signings of Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante and Fabinho over the summer.

No changes to Carlo Ancelotti’s situation

Another big story in the managerial merry-go-round is with Carlo Ancelotti, as I’m aware there have been some reports about Real Madrid opening talks over a new two-year deal with the Italian tactician.

However, I’ve looked into this and I’m not currently hearing any new information on Ancelotti’s future – no changes for the manager, no concrete developments with Real Madrid or the Brazilian national team.

Ancelotti will decide his future later, and for now is just focusing on the present, and on helping Real Madrid through the second half of the season. We’ll see when things change, but for now there has been nothing substantial in either direction.

Evan Ferguson happy at Brighton despite Chelsea and Man Utd links

Back to the transfer market, and we keep seeing Brighton’s Evan Ferguson linked with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United. I can confirm that big clubs like these are following Ferguson, because he’s a top talent, but it’s just normal scouting and monitoring – it would be surprising if they weren’t keeping an eye on an exciting young player like him!

There is, however, nothing more concrete to report for the moment. Ferguson only recently signed a new contract with Brighton, so he’s fully focused on them. I’m told he’s really happy at Brighton and sees it as the best place for him to develop now, as we’ve seen with so many other top young players there in recent times.

I’m sure we’re going to keep seeing links everywhere, but nothing is going to be decided now, and I think it’s important to keep on respecting the Brighton project, because they won’t sell all their top players as they continue to develop and improve under Roberto De Zerbi.

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In other news…

Jonathan Tah – Tah could leave Bayer Leverkusen in 2024 because he’s attracting interest, for sure. However, I wouldn’t read too much into links with Manchester United at the moment because it will depend on the changes that will soon take place with the sporting director. I’m not hearing anything about Tah as of now, even if United remain likely to target a centre-back as a priority for 2024.

Ben White – Talks between Ben White and Arsenal continue to progress well – all parties want the same, so the agreement is getting closer, but I can’t say for sure yet when it will all be finalised. Sometimes these things take time, but there are no issues as far as I’m hearing – talks are ongoing, step by step.

Warren Zaire-Emery – PSG have a diamond on their hands in the form of Warren Zaire-Emery and they want to extend his contract as soon as possible. He’s still just 17 but has just scored his first goal for France. He’s a top, top talent and can be one of the best midfielders in the world in the future, I’m sure. He has talent, vision, and I’m told he’s a very serious and top professional. This is very special guy.

The post Evan Ferguson to Chelsea or Man Utd? Plus Ben White contract update, Bundesliga star could move in 2024 & more appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Exclusive: Chelsea and Manchester United following wonderkid, transfer expert confirms

Mark Brus — Sun, 19 Nov 2023 08:52:00 +0000

Chelsea and Manchester United are among the clubs following Brighton wonderkid Evan Ferguson, Fabrizio Romano has told CaughtOffside for his Daily Briefing column.

The Republic of Ireland international has shown himself to be a hugely promising young player, and one imagines it won’t be long before he earns himself a big move to one of the Premier League’s elite, or even a major European club.

For now, however, Romano insists that Ferguson remains committed to Brighton, where he is very happy with their project, though some form of interest from clubs like Chelsea and Man Utd is to be expected.

It seems these sides are scouting Ferguson, which is normal for big teams and top young players, but Romano doesn’t appear to think there’s anything more concrete happening with this saga for the time being.

Evan Ferguson in action for Brighton

Responding to the latest Ferguson rumours and stories, Romano said: “We keep seeing Brighton’s Evan Ferguson linked with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United. I can confirm that big clubs like these are following Ferguson, because he’s a top talent, but it’s just normal scouting and monitoring – it would be surprising if they weren’t keeping an eye on an exciting young player like him!

“There is, however, nothing more concrete to report for the moment. Ferguson only recently signed a new contract with Brighton, so he’s fully focused on them. I’m told he’s really happy at Brighton and sees it as the best place for him to develop now, as we’ve seen with so many other top young players there in recent times.”

He added: “I’m sure we’re going to keep seeing links everywhere, but nothing is going to be decided now.”

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