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Yesterday — 22 February 2026Main stream

15 G/A in 14 games – The underrated star who could end Arsenal’s title pain

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By:Mark Brus
22 February 2026 at 02:00

Arsenal have stuttered recently as they no longer necessarily look like the favourites to win the Premier League title, but could Kai Havertz still save their season?

The Germany international’s absence through injury has surely been one of the major frustrations for Mikel Arteta this season, as he can be so influential when fully fit and confident.

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Not everyone was won over by Havertz when he first joined Arsenal after a slightly underwhelming spell at Chelsea, but by the end of a memorable 2023/24 campaign he very much showed his importance to the side.

Havertz has been limited to just three Premier League appearances so far in 2025/26, but if he can make it back for the title run-in, then perhaps there’s cause for optimism for panicking Gooners.

Kai Havertz in action for Arsenal
Kai Havertz in action for Arsenal (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Kai Havertz’s incredible run that almost delivered Arsenal the title

For all the talk of Arsenal being ‘bottlers’ in the title race, that’s far from what happened when they fought to the very final day of the 2023/24 season.

Ultimately it was a mid-season blip that cost them against an almost-perfect Manchester City side, who just would not stop winning and eventually clinched the title by a mere two points.

Arsenal chased them all the way with a near-perfect run of their own, winning 16, drawing one, and losing one of their last 18 games.

Instrumental to that run was Havertz, who contributed nine goals and six assists in the final 14 fixtures, so averaging more than one goal contribution per game…

?? Kai Havertz scored nine and registered six assists in the last 14 games in the title run-in in 2024. ??

It’s time to run it back. ?? pic.twitter.com/1GAzSYLhoX

— DailyAFC (@DailyAFC) February 21, 2026

Of course, Arsenal would also benefit from other players getting back to the kind of form they showed then, with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard not playing at their best this term, whereas they were superb week in, week out at the start of 2024.

It’s very clear, though, that in the few games Havertz has played this term, that he’s made players around him look better, and he’s so much more well-rounded than struggling summer signing Viktor Gyokeres.

When will Kai Havertz be back from injury?

The Athletic recently reported that Havertz would be set for a spell on the sidelines, but it doesn’t look like he’ll be out for too much longer.

As reported by the Evening Standard earlier today, Arteta has even suggested the 26-year-old could be in contention for Sunday’s North London Derby against Tottenham.

AFC might do well not to rush Havertz back into the starting XI straight away, but at the same time there’ll be a real desperation to bring him in and see if he can provide Arteta with the key to finally bringing the Premier League trophy back to the club for the first time in 22 years.

The post 15 G/A in 14 games – The underrated star who could end Arsenal’s title pain appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Before yesterdayMain stream

Tottenham leading preliminary negotiations to sign Premier League flop

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By:Mark Brus
21 February 2026 at 17:28

Tottenham are reportedly leading the preliminary negotiations for the potential transfer of Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson.

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The Senegal international has struggled in recent times, failing to make much of an impact at Stamford Bridge, or during his loan spell with Bayern Munich this season.

Jackson has just five goals in 22 appearances for Bayern, following on from a total of 30 goals in 81 games across two seasons at Chelsea.

Still, it seems there is a lot of interest in Jackson at the moment, with Fichajes reporting that Spurs are leading the race, while the 24-year-old also has interest from Atletico Madrid.

What next for Nicolas Jackson after difficult Bayern loan spell?

Nicolas Jackson gestures during Bayern Munich vs Hamburg
Nicolas Jackson gestures during Bayern Munich vs Hamburg (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

There will inevitably be a lot of speculation over Jackson’s future in the weeks and months ahead as Chelsea will surely be selling the player after his lack of impact.

We’ve also seen Aston Villa linked with Jackson by TEAMtalk, and there’ll probably be a few other clubs taking a look at him in the near future.

Even if Jackson doesn’t quite look good enough to play for big clubs like Chelsea or Bayern, he could surely still have a decent career ahead of him at more mid-table sides like Tottenham or Villa.

Could Nicolas Jackson be a good signing for Tottenham?

Goals by Spurs strikers this season Games Goals
Richarlison 31 8
Dominic Solanke 11 4
Mathys Tel 24 3
Randal Kolo Muani 27 3

There probably won’t be any final decisions just yet, but Tottenham fans will no doubt be interested to hear that their club is currently making the most progress.

It’s been a difficult season for the north London side, with a striker surely a priority for the summer to replace flops like Randal Kolo Muani and Mathys Tel.

Those two have not done enough for THFC, while Dominic Solanke has had problems with injuries, so even if Jackson isn’t perfect, it’s easy to imagine he could have an impact there.

The post Tottenham leading preliminary negotiations to sign Premier League flop appeared first on CaughtOffside.

€70m-plus-player bid prepared which threatens to derail Arsenal’s transfer plans

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By:Mark Brus
21 February 2026 at 17:04

Arsenal could reportedly be facing a very real threat to their hopes of signing Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez as Barcelona plan an offer.

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Alvarez has been linked with Arsenal by ESPN in recent times, but it seems the Gunners are not alone in targeting the Argentina international.

It seems Barcelona could also strongly enter the conversation by offering €70m plus a player or even multiple players to Atletico Madrid.

That’s according to a report from Fichajes, which states that Barca could be ready to use Marc Casado, Ansu Fati, or Eric Garcia as part of any deal for Alvarez.

Julian Alvarez transfer fee looks unaffordable

Julian Alvarez celebrates a goal for Atletico Madrid against Barcelona
Julian Alvarez celebrates a goal for Atletico Madrid against Barcelona (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Barcelona’s desire to use players as part of the deal is due to Atletico’s crazily high asking price of around €200m.

Paying a fee like that looks a lot harder in the modern era of Financial Fair Play regulations, and it’s debatable if the former Manchester City man is even worth that.

The 26-year-old has a decent record of 42 goals in 92 games for Diego Simeone’s side, but he’s currently on a really poor run, scoring just two goals in his club’s last 16 games in La Liga and the Champions League.

One imagines this is just a blip and that Alvarez could be an upgrade on someone like Viktor Gyokeres at Arsenal, but he’s not looking anywhere near a €200m player right now.

Will Julian Alvarez pick Arsenal or Barcelona?

It’s not yet clear if Alvarez will definitely be moving this summer, but if he does have to choose between Arsenal and Barcelona, it would be interesting to see his choice.

Mikel Arteta’s side look promising but have had some recent issues, so it’s not clear if it’s something that’s ever truly going to develop into a winning project.

Barcelona have a far better recent history when it comes to winning major trophies, so it could be that that would be more tempting for him.

Alvarez had a good spell as a squad player at Man City and might fancy another stint in England, but he’s also definitely performed better in Spain, so it could make more sense for him to stay there.

The post €70m-plus-player bid prepared which threatens to derail Arsenal’s transfer plans appeared first on CaughtOffside.

From Spain: Barcelona eye surprise move for Liverpool flop who’s seeking another transfer

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By:Mark Brus
21 February 2026 at 16:43

Barcelona are reportedly exploring the market for strikers, with former Liverpool front-man Darwin Nunez emerging as one surprise target.

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Nunez is being considered by Barca as he’s supposedly tempted to return to Europe after a spell with Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal.

The Uruguay international only left Liverpool for Al Hilal just over six months ago, and he’s not exactly set the world alight at his new club either.

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After a disappointing 40 goals in 143 games for Liverpool, Nunez was allowed to leave, and he’s only managed 9 in 24 appearances for Al Hilal.

Given the lower level of football in Saudi Arabia, this doesn’t exactly bode well for Nunez as he looks for a move back to a higher level.

Darwin Nunez transfer being considered by Barcelona, but other strikers also on their list

Fichajes’ report suggests Nunez is not necessarily a priority for Barcelona, even if he has qualities they like.

Darwin Nunez celebrates a goal for Al Hilal
Darwin Nunez celebrates a goal for Al Hilal (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

It could be that the 26-year-old would prove a useful squad player at the Nou Camp, but fans would probably rather see the club push the boat out for a more ambitious signing.

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane is also mentioned in the report, as is Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic.

This could be the problem for the Catalan giants – as much as Kane would obviously be the dream signing, he’s not realistic due to the money involved, and his importance to Bayern.

That means less glamorous names like Nunez and Vlahovic need to be considered as alternatives as well.

It will be interesting to see how this saga develops in the weeks and months ahead, but it could be that Nunez will get another chance to show what he can do at the highest level despite his struggles at Liverpool.

However, we can’t imagine there’ll be too many Reds fans keeping an eye on this saga and wondering if their club should get involved in trying to bring Nunez back.

The post From Spain: Barcelona eye surprise move for Liverpool flop who’s seeking another transfer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

€35m deal possible: Liverpool have found their Ibrahima Konate replacement

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By:Mark Brus
21 February 2026 at 15:30

Liverpool are reportedly eyeing a potential transfer move for former Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori as he could be available for around €35m.

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The AC Milan centre-back has previously been estimated as being worth almost double that, but a Fichajes report linking him with Liverpool suggests his value has dropped.

This could give the Reds an opportunity to strike a bargain deal for Tomori, who could be a smart addition to Arne Slot’s squad as Ibrahima Konate will probably soon need replacing.

Konate is just a few months away from the end of his Liverpool contract, so the club need to be prepared for the very real possibility of the France international leaving on a free transfer.

Fikayo Tomori transfer: Liverpool could face competition for AC Milan defender

Fikayo Tomori in action for AC Milan
Fikayo Tomori in action for AC Milan (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Fichajes also name Tottenham and Aston Villa as potential suitors for Tomori, who could well be keen to come back to the Premier League.

The 28-year-old has performed well since his move from Chelsea to Milan, but it could be that playing abroad has slightly hampered his chances of breaking into the England squad.

Tomori may well feel that he’s now running out of time to impress England managers, so coming back and playing for a Premier League club could be ideal for him.

Liverpool seem keen, but he’d likely also do well to end up at one of Spurs or Villa.

Liverpool preparing to lose Ibrahima Konate

The Athletic have recently reported that there has been no breakthrough in contract talks between LFC and Konate.

The former RB Leipzig man has been a key player at Anfield in the last few years, and he’ll likely have a host of big clubs after him if he becomes a free agent.

Real Madrid have been strongly linked with Konate in the past, while there’s also been talk of interest from the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain.

Tomori is not quite in Konate’s league, but could be a decent option to come in on the cheap and help Slot replace the Frenchman.

The post €35m deal possible: Liverpool have found their Ibrahima Konate replacement appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Report: Man United favour £200m double transfer as solution for problem position

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By:Mark Brus
21 February 2026 at 14:54

Manchester United have been given some advice on transfer targets in midfield, but reportedly favour £200m duo Carlos Baleba and Elliot Anderson.

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The Red Devils have Casemiro coming towards the end of his contract, while they’ll also surely look for an upgrade on the unconvincing Manuel Ugarte.

Baleba has shone for Brighton, while Anderson’s impressive form for Nottingham Forest means both players are now Man Utd’s preferred targets, though they’d cost a combined £200m, according to TEAMtalk.

This is despite the report also noting that former United striker Louis Saha has advised his old club to look at midfielders like Newcastle stars Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.

Manchester United’s top midfield transfer targets

Elliot Anderson in action for Nottingham Forest
Elliot Anderson in action for Nottingham Forest (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Baleba has been linked with United multiple times, including a recent Sun report claiming that they’re confident of landing the talented young Cameroon international.

Our understanding is also that Anderson is firmly in United’s plans, though they face strong competition from rivals Manchester City for the England international’s signature.

Another name to watch could be Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, who has been linked with MUFC by Sky Sports.

See below for how Baleba, Anderson and Wharton’s stats this season compare, via DataMB…

Baleba, Anderson and Wharton stats compared
Baleba, Anderson and Wharton stats compared (DataMB)

Man United given transfer advice by Louis Saha

Discussing who United could bring in to replace Casemiro, Saha made it clear just how highly he rates Guimaraes and Tonali, whilst also mentioning Wharton.

“United need aggressiveness and someone that will dictate the midfield. I see someone more like Tonali or Guimaraes, who are two monsters in midfield,” the Frenchman said, as quoted by TEAMtalk.

“With players like [Kobbie] Mainoo, you need someone alongside him who has the experience and vision to manage the transition when Casemiro goes. You need that experience, directness and divisiveness. It’ll be hard to replace.

“If you bring in a young player, it’s a disruption. It’s great for the future, but you need experience. If Casemiro goes, I think a combination of Wharton and Guimaraes would be great because Guimaraes is more of a captain.”

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Michael Carrick wants Man United job but another PL club could be more likely

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By:Mark Brus
21 February 2026 at 14:25

Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick is reportedly keen to keep the job permanently, but he’s not currently a frontrunner.

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The former Red Devils midfielder has impressed during his stint taking temporary charge of the club, but he could end up in another Premier League job instead.

According to TEAMtalk, United sources are playing down the prospect of Carrick being one of the main contenders to land the permanent manager’s job, while Tottenham have been linked with the 44-year-old.

Carrick has four wins and one draw from his first five games in charge of Man Utd, but even if he’s given the team a bit of a lift since replacing Ruben Amorim, one imagines the club will need to see more over a longer period of time before being convinced about gambling on a relatively inexperienced candidate.

Michael Carrick, Interim Head Coach of Manchester United
Michael Carrick, Interim Head Coach of Manchester United (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)

Does Michael Carrick have what it takes for the Manchester United job?

Carrick previously impressed during his time as Middlesbrough manager, but his only Premier League experience has come in limited games in charge of United.

MUFC can’t really afford to be taking that kind of risk at the moment, barring some absolutely incredible results and performances between now and May.

Tottenham might be a better job for Carrick at this stage of his career, with the north Londoners in need of a shake-up, without the same high-level expectations that would exist at United.

Who could be next Manchester United manager?

United have gone through a long list of names since Sir Alex Ferguson retired as manager back in 2013.

Experienced winners like Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal struggled at Old Trafford, as did more up-and-coming coaches like Amorim, Erik ten Hag, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

There will be some intriguing options available in the months ahead, with the likes of Xabi Alonso and Roberto De Zerbi currently out of work, but United would arguably still do well to keep Carrick in mind due to his strong start as interim and his connection to the club from his playing days.

The post Michael Carrick wants Man United job but another PL club could be more likely appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Premier League club exploring deal to sign 19-year-old Arsenal ace this summer

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By:Mark Brus
21 February 2026 at 13:59

Nottingham Forest are reportedly eyeing Arsenal’s young goalkeeper Tommy Setford as a summer transfer window target.

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Initial talks are said to have taken place through intermediaries, with Forest also recently scouting Setford, according to Football Transfers.

Setford has only played two games for the Arsenal first-team, but the 19-year-old has long looked like a big prospect ever since catching the eye at former club Ajax.

The Netherlands-born England Under-21 international could do well to think about his future this summer, as he’s currently third choice in goal for the Gunners behind David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Will Tommy Setford seal Nottingham Forest transfer?

Tommy Setford warming up for Arsenal
Tommy Setford warming up for Arsenal (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Setford could have a big future in the game, but it currently looks like it will be hard for him to fulfil his potential at Arsenal.

With Raya and Kepa ahead of him in the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium, it’s hard to see where first-team opportunities are going to come from for the young shot-stopper.

Setford could therefore do well to think about joining a club like Forest, who would probably be able to give him a better guarantee of regular minutes.

It will be interesting to see how this develops, but Arsenal might well favour a loan for Setford for the time being, as they won’t want to risk letting this talented young ‘keeper go, only for him to then develop into an even better player and strengthen another Premier League club.

Football Transfers do suggest Forest could be open to a loan deal, so in many ways this seems to be shaping up into a deal that suits all parties involved.

The post Premier League club exploring deal to sign 19-year-old Arsenal ace this summer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Sources: Liverpool sense “last major opportunity” to get defender deal done

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By:Mark Brus
21 February 2026 at 13:37

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez is at something of a career crossroads ahead of this summer, with AC Milan leading the race for his signature.

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As first reported here for the Daily Briefing, it looks increasingly likely that Liverpool could cash in on Gomez this summer, with the England international set to have a few big-name suitors.

Gomez will have just a year left on his contract at the end of this season, and the timing looks right for all parties to go their separate ways.

Some Liverpool fans might be unsure about letting this useful squad player go, but it could also be time to make a few changes to Arne Slot’s back line.

Joe Gomez looks set to leave Liverpool

One well-placed source provided some insight into why Liverpool look ready to let Gomez go as they prepare to reshuffle their defensive options this summer.

Joe Gomez in action for Liverpool
Joe Gomez in action for Liverpool (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

“Liverpool are keen to reshape their back line with younger, specialist profiles,” one source told me. “Gomez is no longer seen as indispensable but rather as a valuable market asset. With his contract expiring in 2027, the summer of 2026 is viewed as the last major opportunity for the club to secure a significant transfer fee.”

Although Gomez has been content with his squad player role at Liverpool down the years, it seems he’s now more open to a new challenge as well.

And despite never really being an automatic starter for the Reds, there is great admiration for Gomez throughout the game, with some big names monitoring his situation.

The clubs eyeing Joe Gomez ahead of this summer

My understanding is that, while there have not been any concrete talks with any clubs yet, Gomez can count Bayern Munich and AC Milan as among his admirers.

Milan are considered by most sources to be the “frontrunners” for the 28-year-old, while Bayern would probably only pursue him as an alternative if other targets don’t work out.

Other options for Gomez could include West Ham and Brighton, who are both looking for defenders with Premier League experience this summer, though the Hammers will obviously struggle to lure a player of this calibre if they’re relegated to the Championship.

Gomez’s salary demands are understood to be in the region of £4.5m a year, and that could also be significant as it remains to be seen which clubs would be willing to pay quite that much for a player with his injury record.

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Talks held: Arsenal step up efforts to beat Man Utd to transfer of €80m star with “Ronaldinho-vibes”

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By:Mark Brus
21 February 2026 at 12:52

Arsenal have reportedly held initial talks over a potential transfer move for AC Milan forward Rafael Leao ahead of the summer.

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The Portugal international is a long-term target for the Gunners, and they now seem to be stepping up their pursuit of this potential €80m deal, according to Football Transfers.

Leao is also on the radar of Manchester United, according to the report, but it could be that Arsenal are leading the race.

It certainly sounds like things are advancing, with AFC chief Andrea Berta said to have already had face-to-face discussions with Leao’s representatives.

Rafael Leao transfer could make perfect sense for Arsenal

Rafael Leao in action for AC Milan
Rafael Leao in action for AC Milan (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Leao’s numbers this season aren’t exactly spectacular, with eight goals and two assists in Serie A so far, but they also don’t tell the whole story.

Previously described as having “Ronaldinho-vibes” by Owen Hargreaves via TNT Sports, Leao is an entertaining player with great skill and flair who could give Mikel Arteta’s side a new dimension in attack.

Leandro Trossard is not getting any younger, while Gabriel Martinelli has been a tad inconsistent again this season, so there’s surely room for Leao to come in as an upgrade on that left-hand side of Arteta’s front three.

Man United also need Rafael Leao

United’s interest in Leao also makes sense, with the 26-year-old perhaps a better option than Matheus Cunha in the club’s front three.

Bryan Mbeumo has performed well since joining MUFC from Brentford last summer, but Cunha’s role has been less clear, and perhaps a more out-and-out wide player is needed.

If United could beat Arsenal to Leao then that would be great business, though for now it perhaps seems that a move to the Emirates Stadium is more likely.

Arsenal are also far more likely to be able to offer Champions League football next season, with United competing for a top four spot but not yet safe from the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool close behind them.

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23-year-old reveals he would “love” to play for “great coach” Arteta at Arsenal

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By:Mark Brus
21 February 2026 at 12:28

Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Malik Tillman has revealed that he’d love to play for Arsenal and thinks he’d be a good fit for Mikel Arteta’s side.

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The USA international shone at PSV before moving to Leverkusen last summer, and it will be interesting to see where his career takes him next.

Speaking in the video clip below, Tillman made it clear he’s a big admirer of the Gunners, praising their system under “great coach” Arteta and saying he could fit in well at the Emirates Stadium…

?? Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen, 23): “If there is one club I would love to play for, it is Arsenal. They have a great coach, a great system, I think I would fit in. They score a lot of set-piece goals, but in the Champions League they’re different.” ??pic.twitter.com/Jy243ozlhM

— DailyAFC (@DailyAFC) February 20, 2026

“It’s a tough one,” he said when asked about his favourite team in the Premier League.

“I don’t have a favourite team, but if there was one club I would love to play for it’s Arsenal.”

He added: “The way they play now, they have a great coach, they have a great system, and I think I would fit into it.”

Could Malik Tillman be a transfer target for Arsenal?

It’s always nice for clubs to hear players are keen to play for them, but that doesn’t mean Tillman will automatically be on Arteta’s list for this summer.

The 23-year-old still looks like he has some way to develop before putting himself in the conversation for such a big move, even if he has shown some promise in his career so far.

Malik Tillman celebrates a goal for Bayer Leverkusen
Malik Tillman celebrates a goal for Bayer Leverkusen (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

For now, though, Tillman probably needs to play more regularly and perform more consistently for Leverkusen, with just 17 appearances and four goals in the Bundesliga so far this term.

Malik Tillman’s past links with Premier League clubs

Tillman has been on the radar of big English clubs before, though, so perhaps we could be seeing him over here at some point.

Sky Germany previously linked him as someone Manchester United, Tottenham, and Aston Villa were looking at, though obviously this never led to anything more concrete.

Tillman has also been linked with Chelsea by Simon Phillips, and it makes sense that he’d have been looked at by the Blues when he was a bit younger.

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Exit-bound Man Utd star set to have 3 transfer offers, has already visited potential destination

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By:Mark Brus
21 February 2026 at 12:03

Manchester United defensive midfielder Casemiro could reportedly be set to have three offers on the table for him when he becomes a free agent this summer.

The Brazilian has already announced his decision to leave Man Utd when his contract expires, and it seems he’ll have some intriguing opportunities available to him.

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According to the Sun, one option for Casemiro could be Inter Miami, with the 33-year-old even making a recent visit to Florida to get a feel for the area.

The report also claims Casemiro has interest from Porto and Sao Paulo, with the latter supposedly prepared to offer him a two-year deal.

Casemiro can leave Manchester United with his head held high

Casemiro is leaving Manchester United
Casemiro is leaving Manchester United (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Casemiro has had a slightly mixed spell at Old Trafford, but he has improved a lot since suffering a major slump in form a couple of years ago.

The former Real Madrid man probably hasn’t quite lived up to expectations overall, having arrived in the Premier League quite late in his career, but he’s done well to turn things around and improve his reputation with the club’s fans.

Overall, Casemiro has enjoyed a legendary career at the highest level, having been a star player for Real Madrid for many years and helping himself to five Champions League titles and three La Liga titles while he was at the Bernabeu.

Manchester United need to replace Casemiro

Even if MUFC probably needed to strengthen in midfield anyway, the departure of Casemiro makes it an urgent priority.

One name being linked as a potential defensive midfield target is Aston Villa’s Amadou Onana, as per Football Insider, while other big names like Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton have previously been linked by the Athletic.

United fans will hope that Casemiro announcing his exit early will have helped the club plan for replacing him in midfield.

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Report confirms Chelsea could make surprise transfer decision as club targeting deal

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By:Mark Brus
21 February 2026 at 11:38

Chelsea striker Liam Delap can reportedly leave the club this summer as Everton are making him one of their top targets.

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We reported earlier this week that Delap’s Chelsea future was in serious doubt, with Manchester United understood to be one of his suitors.

Everton were also one of the clubs mentioned to us, and this has now been backed up further as the Toffees have been linked with Delap in a report from Football Insider.

It could be that Delap’s time at Stamford Bridge is going to be short-lived after a lack of impact for the Blues, with the 23-year-old only managing three goals in 30 games in all competitions since he joined.

Liam Delap in action for Chelsea
Liam Delap in action for Chelsea (Photo by Aziz Karimov/Getty Images)

Liam Delap transfer looks like it’s failed for Chelsea

Chelsea sent Nicolas Jackson out on loan to Bayern Munich last summer after his poor form, and signed two new strikers in the form of Delap and Joao Pedro.

While Pedro has performed pretty well so far, it’s fair to say Delap has looked like a real disappointment, so it’s perhaps not surprising that CFC are going to look at that position again this summer.

Delap might have looked impressive at former club Ipswich Town, but it seems this big move has come too soon for him, and Chelsea surely need to be aiming higher.

Liam Delap stats Games Goals
Ipswich 2024/25 40 12
Chelsea 2025/26 30 3

Can Liam Delap revive his Premier League career?

Still, a move to a club like Everton could be ideal to help Delap get his career back on track, as he’d surely play regularly there and without the same kind of scrutiny that’s on him at Chelsea.

The interest from Man Utd could also be interesting to watch, as it’s our understanding that the Red Devils rated the England Under-21 international very highly when they also tried to sign him from Ipswich last summer.

Delap may have flopped at Chelsea but it could still be that it won’t be his last chance at a big six club.

The post Report confirms Chelsea could make surprise transfer decision as club targeting deal appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Serie A star thought he was set for West Ham transfer until surprise decision

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By:Mark Brus
21 February 2026 at 11:03

West Ham United reportedly had some interest in Juventus striker Jonathan David in January, but ultimately took too long and focused on other targets instead.

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The Canada international was a prolific scorer at former club Lille but hasn’t made the smoothest start to life at Juve, scoring only seven goals in 34 games so far.

West Ham could have been a good option for David, and at one point he thought he was on his way to the Hammers, according to Claret and Hugh.

Still, it seems there was some uncertainty about whether or not David suited the team’s style of play, and it led to the deal collapsing.

Jonathan David celebrates a goal for Juventus
Jonathan David celebrates a goal for Juventus (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

What sources have said about West Ham’s interest in Jonathan David

Claret and Hugh’s report quotes a source as explaining precisely what went on between WHUFC and David in January.

“He [David] thought he was joining West Ham. We spoke to them in December but they took too long to decide and then signed other players,” their source said.

“The manager didn’t think he suited the style, but Promise was confident he would score goals.”

Will West Ham regret Jonathan David transfer decision?

It’s been a difficult season for West Ham, who remain in a battle to escape relegation from the Premier League.

David could surely have been a useful signing to give them more of a goal threat up front, but it’s also still true that it would have been a gamble with no guarantees.

Even if the 26-year-old was a consistent goal-scorer during his time in Ligue 1, he’s clearly struggled since making the step up to Serie A, and the Premier League would only be a bigger challenge for him.

The post Serie A star thought he was set for West Ham transfer until surprise decision appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Journalist claims Man United set to “move” again for former £50m transfer target

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By:Mark Brus
21 February 2026 at 10:33

Manchester United could reportedly be set to move again for Amadou Onana after previously trying to sign him before he joined Aston Villa.

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The Belgium international has had an impressive Premier League career with both Everton and Villa, and it’s not surprising to see him continuing to attract interest from a big name like Man Utd.

The Red Devils could do with strengthening in midfield this summer, with Onana looking like a potentially ideal long-term replacement for the ageing Casemiro, whose contract will be expiring at the end of the season.

United also need an upgrade on the unconvincing Manuel Ugarte, and Pete O’Rourke has reported on Football Insider‘s podcast that Onana could be their man.

Aston Villa's Belgian midfielder Amadou Onana in action
Aston Villa’s Belgian midfielder Amadou Onana reacts. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER / AFP)

Manchester United linked again with Amadou Onana transfer move

Discussing United’s interest in Onana, O’Rourke said: “Yeah, it’ll be an interesting one. Obviously, United did make a late move to try and sign Onana from Everton before he made that big £50m move to Aston Villa.

“I think right now, I’m sure United have continued to keep tabs on Onana, who has become a key man for Unai Emery’s side.

“Casemiro is leaving at the end of season. There’s doubts over Ugarte’s future as well.

“So look, they’re going to need strengthening in that midfield position.

“Onana is a player that they’ve had previous interest in. So I think it’s one of those where he probably still remains on the list, but he’s probably not at the top of it.”

Could Onana be a good signing for Man United?

Onana being on United’s list, but not at the top of it, as O’Rourke says, sounds about right.

MUFC will surely have a few names on their radar, and Onana could be well worth considering if some other potential signings don’t work out.

As you can see below, Onana’s stats don’t really stand out in comparison to Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton…

Both these talented young English midfielders have been linked with United by the Athletic and others in recent times, and are probably the best talents on the market in that position right now.

Still, that also means there’ll surely be plenty of competition to sign them this summer, so it makes sense for United to keep someone like Onana in mind as a very decent alternative.

The 24-year-old is also quite a different profile due to his defensive qualities, so there might even be scope for signing him and one of the others as they could complement each other well as a midfield partnership.

The post Journalist claims Man United set to “move” again for former £50m transfer target appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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