Manchester City loanee Joao Cancelo has hinted at a permanent exit from the club.

Currently, the Portugal international is spending the second half of the 2022/2023 campaign on loan with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

There was speculation regarding his deadline day exit from the Etihad, but the player and Pep Guardiola stressed there were no hard feelings involved in Cancelo’s departure.

The 28-year-old had been a standout performer for City in recent seasons, playing a pivotal role in their back-to-back Premier League winning campaigns.

Cancelo hints at future

However, Cancelo could be looking to seal a permanent move away from England this summer when his loan spell reaches its end. According to Movistar via Fabrizio Romano, the defender said: “I’ve not received any proposal from Real Madrid in January, no… if rumours say so, I don’t know. 

“If a club like Real Madrid wants you, it’s a pleasure — it also means I’m doing the right things”.

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There is also a chance Bayern could try and keep him beyond the summer if he impressed over the next five months.

If that is the case, Guardiola will likely be on the market for a fullback in the next transfer window.

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Chelsea will reportedly pursue Jude Bellingham in the summer despite not being classed as one of the frontrunners in the race. 

After a £270 summer transfer window and £323 million January spend, Todd Boehly is ready to rock the boat again.

According to The Telegraph, the Blues will join the race for Bellingham this summer and the club’s owners have already initiated the first step by trying to build contacts with Bellingham’s representatives.

Whilst Liverpool and Real Madrid may be deemed the current favourites for the 19-year-old’s signature, if the deal comes down to which club can table the highest bid, it’s likely Chelsea will trump the lot – especially if last month is anything to go by.

Borussia Dortmund are a side that have not been granted the same financial backing as some of their competitors across the top divisions, and they will need a significant fee to acquire replacements for the English midfield maestro, who has captained the team on several occasions.

Will Europe define Bellingham’s choice?

One factor in Bellingham’s eyes may be the likelihood of playing in the Champions League next season. Real are almost certain to have their place in the mix firmly cemented, but Liverpool and Chelsea have a mountain to climb in the second half of the season.

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Arsenal, the two Manchester clubs and Newcastle United have all been exceptional throughout the first half of the campaign and currently occupy the Premier League’s top four positions. Tottenham Hotspur are two points away, with Liverpool and Chelsea nine and 10 points behind respectively.

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Real Madrid will be without a key defender when they return to European action in February.

Ferland Mendy picked up an injury during last week’s Copa del Rey quarter-final clash against rivals Atletico Madrid.

It has since been confirmed that the issue sustained is a hamstring injury that will keep the left-back out of action until April at the earliest. Consequently, he will be sidelined for both legs of Madrid’s Champions League Round of 16 matches against Liverpool.

Liverpool will prioritise Champions League progression

Carlo Ancelotti’s side are the reigning champions and will be keen to lift the lucrative trophy for the 15th time. However, it is Liverpool’s last remaining chance to pick up some silverware this season, given their distance from the Premier League top four, and Jurgen Klopp will be keen to go all in.

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The Merseyside club are also facing several injury concerns themselves; Virgil van Dijk is in a race for fitness to return for the first leg on February 21 at Anfield. Ibrahima Konate is also currently a doubt, as it was reported today that he had picked up a hamstring issue of his own.

The post Key Real Madrid defender to miss Liverpool tie following injury diagnosis appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Borussia Dortmund are reportedly scheduling talks with Jude Bellingham this week to gage his plans for the end of the season.

Reports suggest the 19-year-old is preparing for a summer exit from Germany with several top clubs across Europe already lining up with interest to secure his signature. The youngster is expected to leave for a fee well beyond £100 million.

Bellingham is regarded as a complete midfielder and versatile figure who would walk straight into any team’s midfield despite his young age. He is now an established England international and has the potential to become one of the greatest players in the world.

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Dortmund reluctant to oversee Bellingham’s departure

Given his remarkable talent and potential, Dortmund quite obviously want to keep him as one of their own. According to Mail Sport, they will sit down with the Birmingham-born talent this week to discover more about his plans and the prospect of staying in the Bundesliga.

The Sun has reported that the club are willing to offer him £180,000 a week, which would make him their highest-paid player, on a five-year deal.

The post Jude Bellingham set to reject new Borussia dortmund contract offer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Thomas Tuchel had been linked with managing Tottenham Hotspur should Antonio Conte depart the club in the coming months, however, he has his sights set on two Spanish giants.

The German was sacked by Chelsea following a poor start to the 2022/2023 campaign, despite guiding the Blues to three trophies and reaching five finals in less than two seasons.

He also made Chelsea European champions within just five months as manager of the club, but the board were quick to part ways after several disappointing results.

Conte’s future in the dugout at Tottenham remains unconfirmed. His contract expires this summer but given their recent form, there has been speculation regarding a sooner exit.

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Tuchel wants La Liga opportunity

Several sources had thrown Tuchel’s name into the mix to take charge of Tottenham, however, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg, the 49-year-old would relish the opportunity of managing either Barcelona or Real Madrid, with Juventus also an attractive option.

X News #Tuchel: Tottenham is not a serious future option. We‘ve been told that he has 2 big aims as a next step:

1. Barcelona (Because of his admiration for Pep & La Masia)
2. Real Madrid

Juventus is also interesting for him. But not now. He‘s still learning ??. @SkySportDE ?? pic.twitter.com/2loWZdKPHz

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) January 20, 2023

The post Thomas Tuchel unlikely to take Spurs job as he eyes move to Spain for two La Liga giants appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal have set their sights on Real Madrid starlet Eduardo Camavinga for a January loan move.

The 20-year-old was one of the most sought-after talents in world football when he opted to join the Spanish giants from Rennes back in 2021. In his first season in Madrid, he has lifted the Champions League, La Liga, Supercopa de Espana and UEFA Super Cup.

Now, the youngster is struggling with game time in the 2022/2023 campaign; he has made just five league starts so far but has featured in a further 11 as a substitute. Given his talent and desire to develop and improve his game, Camavinga will want to be named in the starting lineup every week.

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Nov 24 2023, 13:23

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Arsenal eye Camavinga loan

The Gunners have seemingly taken note of the Frenchman’s frustrations and could try to solve the situation by offering him a loan move to the Emirates for the second half of the season, according to Standard. It’s likely a lucrative prospect to Camavinga, given Arsenal’s positioning on top of the Premier League table.

The post Arsenal plan loan move for Real Madrid’s 20-year-old Champions League winner appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Inside Spain is a weekly instalment brought to you by Football España, providing an insight into all of the major stories coming out of the rich and intense climes of La Liga and beyond.

Without doubt the news that has made the most people wince in Spanish football this week has been the destruction of Gerard Pique. The Barcelona central defender has retired, but former partner Shakira’s new song lyrics have ruined him in ways he was never done on the pitch.

Back in La Liga itself, Barcelona secured a dramatic but important 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid to move three points clear at the top of the table in Joao Felix’s last game before moving to Chelsea. The backline was at the heart of that effort, but Eric Garcia wasn’t in it. Despite his lack of minutes, he supposedly wants to fight for his place, even if Mikel Arteta is interested in a reunion.

It may be that Felix has played his last game for Los Colchoneros, but perhaps there is a return route. It was reported earlier in the week that Diego Simeone has told the club he will leave at the end of the season. With Chelsea supposedly struggling to stump up all of the money for the Portuguese, it opens up the possibility that a new manager convinces him to make it work in Madrid.

Meanwhile Real Madrid have been sputtering along since they came back from the World Cup. They beat Valencia on penalties to make it through to the Spanish Supercup final on Sunday against one of Real Betis or Barcelona, but were taken apart by Villarreal in a 2-1 defeat at the weekend. Carlo Ancelotti has been as critical of his side as he has been since returning to the job. That is no surprise when they have won just two of their last five in La Liga, which will make pleasant reading for Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool.

That Supercup is taking place in Saudi Arabia – it is a big earner for the Spanish FA – and Xavi Hernandez has gotten himself into trouble back in Spain for comparing the two countries. Both ‘have things to change and improve’ he noted at a press conference, although as was pointed out, nobody is hung for going to a protest in Spain. Xavi himself is yet to commit any crimes that we are aware of, but Cristiano Ronaldo and wife Georgina Rodriguez have been flouting Saudi law. Fortunately, we do not foresee him being pulled up for it.

The post Inside Spain: Gerard Pique destroyed, Real Madrid struggling and Diego Simeone out? appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Inside Spain is a weekly instalment brought to you by Football España, providing an insight into all of the major stories coming out of the rich and intense climes of La Liga and beyond.

Spanish football returned from their World Cup break last weekend and it has been a rollercoaster since. It started of with soft, amusing content, like a picture of US singer Miley Cyrus emerging – imitating Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez’s infamous World Cup celebration.

It wasn’t long before controversial referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz was back into the swing of things though and whipping out his cards again. After showing 16 cards during the Netherlands-Argentina World Cup quarter-final, he came back with 15 yellows and 2 reds in the Barcelona derby, causing mass hysteria, not least because Barcelona drew 1-1. He will spend this weekend ‘in the fridge’ as they say in Spain, cooling off.

President Joan Laporta was strangely quiet about that, but did reveal that Barcelona must find €26m in the next six months to be able to conduct business as usual in the summer. Without it, they will be restricted by La Liga in terms of players they can bring in.

Meanwhile Hector Bellerin is going in the opposite direction. He confirmed that he earns less than €10k per week at Barcelona, claiming footballers are becoming ‘dehumanised‘ as a result of the bubble they live in.

Vinicius Junior suffered from racial abuse for the fifth time in Spanish football, but in more positive news, the man who stopped him was highly impressive. Real Valladolid right-back Ivan Fresneda, 18, is attracting attention from across Europe, in particular Real Madrid and Newcastle United.

Barcelona squeaked past third-tier Intercity 4-3 after extra time in the Copa del Rey, while Real Madrid were also uncomfortable in their 1-0 win over Cacereno. Particularly Eden Hazard, who ‘didn’t look as if he cared, didn’t run, didn’t want the ball and didn’t ask for it.’ And that’s just according to the opposition players.

As Atletico Madrid gear up for the visit of Barcelona on Sunday, free to watch on ITV, they appear to have found their own gem too. Exciting midfielder Pablo Barrios, 19, is one to keep an eye out for, and Atleti are already in talks over a new deal for him.

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Inside Spain is a weekly instalment brought to you by Football España, providing an insight into all of the major stories coming out of the rich and intense climes of La Liga and beyond.

La Liga has had its Christmas ‘break’ already – a luxurious ten days between the World Cup final and the return to action – but swung back into action on Thursday night.

The star of the show was, curiously, Joao Felix. Despite CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin admitting the Portuguese wants to leave the club, Felix was given his first La Liga start since mid-September. Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone told reporters that there was a way he could be important for Atleti going forward, amid relentless speculation about his destination. After scoring the opening goal and receiving the man of the match award in their 2-0 win over Elche, it’s worth wondering if the door to a happily ever after has cracked open just a little bit.

Meanwhile across the city, Toni Kroos’ ears were burning when he bizarrely found himself denigrated as one of the disappointments of the World Cup. Even though he retired from international duty after the 2018 edition. Here was his response on Twitter.

Kroos has mentioned retirement at the end of the season, but Real Madrid intend on persuading him to keep going after an impressive start to the season. Manager Carlo Ancelotti has stated that he will retire when he leaves Real Madrid. His deal expires in 2024 but it reports in Madrid say they have already found their successor – one Davide Ancelotti.

On the Costa Brava, near Barcelona, the accountants are working out just how far their budget will stretch next summer. It seems clear that Barcelona will try and compete with the likes of Chelsea for Borussia Dortmund starlet Youssoufa Moukoko, but they will do so employing a particular strategy that worked with Ousmane Dembele last season.

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Inside Spain is a weekly instalment brought to you by Football España, providing an insight into all of the major stories coming out of the rich and intense climes of La Liga and beyond.

The gravitational force that is the World Cup has had most of the news in Spain revolving around it this week, after Spain’s neighbours and a former colony were involved in one of the greatest matches of all time. Amidst the wild celebrations, the taunting from the Argentina squad and the news that Lionel Messi may end up on Argentinian banknotes, the fallout has been seismic.

Five of France’s players on Sunday night hailed from one of Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid or Barcelona. It was thought that France would turn to a Real Madrid and Les Bleus legend following the World Cup, but Zinedine Zidane’s hopes of managing two of his former players look to be on life-support. A consequence of which may be a return to club management sooner than expected.

Present day Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has problems of his own to worry about. Los Blancos are competing in five competitions after the break and there is a good chance they will play 17 times before the next international break. At some point, they will have to find time for contract negotiations, as six players are out of contract at Los Blancos next summer.

Meanwhile Sergio Busquets retired from Spain duty last week, which of course brings about discussion of his successor, both nationally and with Barcelona. His Barcelona future is up in the air, with his deal also expiring this summer. Busquets will have to choose between leaving on a free, extending his deal or perhaps signing a short-term extension through until next December. The assumed move is to MLS and Inter Miami, but the timing of their season means an extra six months would allow him to start afresh with Inter’s preseason.

Xavi Hernandez has his eye on a replacement within La Liga, but after their battles with Chelsea last summer, the Blues may come back to haunt them. With Barcelona likely priced out of the deal, Graham Potter is scouting a key player for Real Sociedad and potentially Spain.

La Liga action returns on the 29th of December as the World Cup participants trickle back to Spain. With his ban to be upheld, Robert Lewandowski will be out of action against Espanyol, Atletico Madrid and Real Betis, which could have a significant impact on the title race.

The post Inside Spain: Troubled French connection and Chelsea to get one over on Barcelona appeared first on CaughtOffside.