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Today — 15 March 2026Main stream

Igor Tudor aims subtle dig at major Tottenham summer signing

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By:Mark Brus
15 March 2026 at 02:30

Tottenham’s interim manager Igor Tudor has aimed a subtle dig at Xavi Simons as he attempted to explain why he’s not starting him.

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The Netherlands international looked like an exciting signing when he joined Spurs from RB Leipzig last summer, but he’s had a fairly underwhelming first season in the Premier League.

Simons has just two goals and five assists for Tottenham so far, so it’s perhaps not too surprising that he’s no longer guaranteed a starting spot.

Still, the north London outfit spent a lot of money on the 22-year-old last summer, with BBC Sport reporting his fee as being £52m at the time.

Igor Tudor on his decision not to use Xavi Simons

When asked about Simons in his press conference, Tudor made it clear that even if the former Leipzig man was a major signing for the club, he currently felt he couldn’t start him as he was simply doing his best for the team.

Watch below for Tudor’s answer, with the Croatian tactician still offering Simons something of a lifeline, however, by suggesting that he could still get into the team at a later date even if he hasn’t been so far…

 

Can Xavi Simons bounce back for Tottenham?

Simons surely has it in him to turn his Spurs career around, but it will be interesting to see what happens with him this summer.

For one thing, if THFC do end up getting relegated, it’s perhaps hard to imagine him sticking around to play in the Championship.

There could also be some sense in the club selling him or sending him out on loan so he can improve certain aspects of his game.

For all his natural talent and ability, Simons looks like he still needs to mature with his decision-making, while he’s perhaps also struggled with the physicality of English football, which is something he can work on and which could happen with age anyway.

The post Igor Tudor aims subtle dig at major Tottenham summer signing appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Yesterday — 14 March 2026Main stream

Bid prepared: Man United ready to trigger star’s release clause, player wants transfer this summer

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By:Mark Brus
14 March 2026 at 18:50

Manchester United are reportedly ready to trigger Nico Williams‘ release clause this summer, while the Spanish winger also feels it’s the right time for him to leave Athletic Bilbao.

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The 23-year-old has established himself as one of the most exciting young attacking players in Europe in recent times, though he’s gone slightly off the boil this term.

That hasn’t put Man Utd off from targeting him, however, with Fichajes reporting that the Red Devils are preparing a move to pay his clause and get him out of Athletic Bilbao.

Williams could undoubtedly be a useful option for United’s squad, though on current form there’s no guarantee he’d get into their starting XI on a regular basis.

Nico Williams might not be worth it for Manchester United

Williams has only four goals and two assists in 19 La Liga games, which is not the kind of player you pay close to €100m for.

Fichajes’ report is not that clear on how much the Spain international’s clause is, but they state that it’s close to that fee, and it’s the kind of figure that would’ve made sense a year ago.

Williams has long been linked with big clubs, but there are perhaps signs that he’s going backwards, so given that MUFC already have pretty good attacking options, there doesn’t seem to be much need for them to pay this much for Williams.

Nico Williams Transfer Fit rating

Nico Williams TOTAL SCORE: 12/25
Transfer fee –
Performance **
Achievements ****
Career phase ****
Squad need **

You can read more here about CaughtOffside’s Transfer Fit rating as we score this potential deal at the lower end of medium.

If Williams can get back to his best, then there’s no doubt this could be a good deal, while it might also be worth pursuing if they can get him for a lot less than €100m.

For now, though, he’s far too expensive and out of form, so there must be better options out there for United.

The post Bid prepared: Man United ready to trigger star’s release clause, player wants transfer this summer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Swap deal: Liverpool ready to finally sign long-term target in smart exchange

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By:Mark Brus
14 March 2026 at 17:52

Liverpool are reportedly ready to do a swap deal with Real Madrid in order to finally clinch the transfer of long-term target Eduardo Camavinga.

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The France international has been someone the Reds have wanted for some time now, and it seems he’s finally going to be available.

That’s what’s been reported by Radio Marca in the last few days, and now a further report from Spanish outlet Fichajes claims he’s on Liverpool’s radar and could swap places with Alexis Mac Allister.

The report claims Madrid want Mac Allister to add a different kind of profile to their midfield, while the Argentina international also brings more experience than the younger Camavinga.

LFC might view this as an upgrade for them, however, as Mac Allister hasn’t been quite as good this season, and bringing in a younger player might be good for the present and future.

What Eduardo Camavinga could bring to Liverpool

Another interesting thing to consider with Camavinga is that he can play as a left-back, which is another position Liverpool might do well to strengthen in.

The Merseyside giants are set to lose Andrew Robertson as a free agent this summer, while last year’s left-back signing Milos Kerkez has been disappointing so far.

Camavinga himself might favour playing in midfield, where he can also give Arne Slot’s side something different, but the club could benefit from having an alternative to Kerkez as well.

This will certainly be an interesting saga to watch, and it’s also worth noting that reports suggest Liverpool could be in for another left-back as well as a midfielder this summer.

Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde has also been linked with the Reds by Fichajes, so there look like there will be intriguing opportunities there for the club if they want to make a change again.

The post Swap deal: Liverpool ready to finally sign long-term target in smart exchange appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Report: Chelsea considering transfer move for 21-year-old who’s perfect for Liam Rosenior

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By:Mark Brus
14 March 2026 at 16:01

Chelsea are reportedly eyeing up a transfer raid on their fellow BlueCo club Strasbourg, with Valentin Barco a target for Liam Rosenior.

Rosenior knows Barco well from his time managing him in Ligue 1, and it could be that they’ll be reunited at Stamford Bridge this summer, according to Fichajes.

The report states that Chelsea rate Barco highly, with the 21-year-old impressing as a top young talent during his time in France.

The fact that he’s also played under Rosenior should help him adapt well at Chelsea, where he can add quality and depth in two positions.

What Valentin Barco could bring to Chelsea

Barco mainly plays as a central defensive midfielder, but he can also provide the Blues with an option at left-back if needed.

It remains to be seen how Chelsea would use him, with Rosenior already having Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo as his two main starters in midfield.

Then again, it’s also hard to see CFC giving Barco a lot of chances to start at left-back, given that they already have Marc Cucurella and Jorrel Hato in that position.

Do Chelsea really need Barco? The Argentine may well be a big talent, but it’s perhaps hard to justify this move now, so we’ve given him this low-medium score with our Transfer Fit rating system…

Valentin Barco TOTAL SCORE: 13/20
Transfer fee **
Performance ****
Achievements **
Career phase ****
Squad need *

As you can see, Barco scores well for his recent form and the fact that he’s a young player with his best years ahead of him, but he lacks experience, isn’t a priority position for Chelsea, and would probably not be worth the money even if they could have favourable terms with Strasbourg.

The post Report: Chelsea considering transfer move for 21-year-old who’s perfect for Liam Rosenior appeared first on CaughtOffside.

From Spain: Liverpool eye €60m star to already replace struggling Slot signing

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By:Mark Brus
14 March 2026 at 15:37

Liverpool are reportedly eyeing up a potential transfer move for Alejandro Balde as he’s made available by Barcelona for the right price.

According to Fichajes, the Catalan giants are prepared to accept around €60m to let Balde go, with sporting director Deco unsure about the player.

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It remains to be seen if anyone will come in for Balde, but Fichajes suggest that Liverpool could be suitors to watch.

The Reds could certainly do with making a change at left-back, with last summer’s signing Milos Kerkez proving unconvincing, while Andrew Robertson looks set to leave at the end of this season.

Alejandro Balde to solve Liverpool’s left-back issues

Balde has perhaps not been at his very best for Barcelona this season, but on his day the 22-year-old is an elite talent.

He’s also still young enough to turn his form around and develop into an even better player, so this could be a smart signing by LFC.

At the same time, €60m is a lot to pay for someone who’s not currently performing at their best, so we’ve used our Transfer Fit rating system to score him 16/25 – medium.

Alejandro Balde TOTAL SCORE: 16/25
Transfer fee *
Performance ***
Achievements ****
Career phase ****
Squad need ****

Liverpool could probably do better than Balde, but he is certainly also worth considering, with any kind of upgrade on Kerkez making sense as a priority.

The Hungary international shone during his time at Bournemouth but is yet to show that kind of form at Anfield.

Meanwhile, Robertson is about to become a free agent, so is surely heading out of Liverpool after a great career at the club.

The veteran Scotland international looks past his best now, however, with Kerkez starting over him in Arne Slot’s side for most of this season.

The post From Spain: Liverpool eye €60m star to already replace struggling Slot signing appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe responds to question on Michael Carrick’s chances of landing Man United job

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By:Mark Brus
14 March 2026 at 15:13

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has responded to a question about Michael Carrick’s future after his fine start as interim manager.

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The former Man Utd midfielder was recently placed in charge of the club after the sacking of Ruben Amorim, but it remains to be seen if he’ll stay at Old Trafford beyond this stint until the end of the season.

Carrick is not hugely experienced at the highest level of management, though he previously impressed as Middlesbrough boss and has done well to lift this United side after some dire form under Amorim.

Ratcliffe clearly seems happy with the job Carrick is doing, though he wouldn’t be drawn into answering if he’d give the 44-year-old the job permanently…

"Michael Carrick is doing an excellent job" ?

Sir Jim Ratcliffe speaks to Craig Slater on his hopes for both Mercedes and Manchester United, but refuses to comment on whether Michael Carrick could remain as head coach after this season ? pic.twitter.com/VncqaKC5jd

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 14, 2026

“He’s doing an excellent job, absolutely,’ Ratcliffe said, but when asked about the permanent job, he added: “Not going there!”

Michael Carrick’s strong star as Manchester United’s interim manager

Carrick has had a terrific impact with United so far, tweaking the team’s tactics and massively improving both results and performances.

United were on a run of just one win from seven before Carrick took over, with MUFC now on a run of six wins, one draw, and one defeat in his eight games in charge…

Carrick’s Man Utd opponents Score and result
Manchester City (H) 2-0 WIN
Arsenal (A) 3-2 WIN
Fulham (H) 3-2 WIN
Tottenham (H) 2-0 WIN
West Ham (A) 1-1 DRAW
Everton (A) 1-0 WIN
Crystal Palace (H) 2-1 WIN
Newcastle (A) 2-1 LOSS

Carrick is not as big a name as some of the other managers out there, with experienced figures like Roberto De Zerbi currently available, and others like Oliver Glasner and Andoni Iraola also set to be on the lookout for new clubs very soon.

Ratcliffe sounds happy with Carrick, but it remains to be seen if that will translate into giving him the job permanently, or if he just sees him as doing his duties as interim well before ultimately passing on the torch to someone else.

The post Sir Jim Ratcliffe responds to question on Michael Carrick’s chances of landing Man United job appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Three in, three out: Man United working on TOTAL midfield revamp with stunning triple swoop

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By:Mark Brus
14 March 2026 at 14:04

Manchester United could reportedly be set to completely revamp their midfield this summer, with three players leaving and three new signings coming in.

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The Red Devils are closing in on a top four spot that would give them the crucial boost of Champions League football for next season and strengthen their hand in the transfer market this summer.

It’s already been confirmed that Casemiro will be leaving on a free transfer when his Man Utd contract expires at the end of this season.

On top of that, ESPN report that United will be ready to listen to offers for Manuel Ugarte, while Bruno Fernandes has a £57m release clause and faces an uncertain future.

Manchester United’s top three midfield transfer targets

Fans wondering how to buy Manchester United vs Aston Villa tickets will likely be aware that they’re set to watch the likes of Casemiro and possibly Fernandes in one of their final few appearances for the club.

Next season, it could be an entirely new MUFC midfield trio, with various reports linking them with Nottingham Forest duo Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs White, as well as with Brighton’s Carlos Baleba.

That would likely represent a considerable outlay for United, but they’ll have more money to spend if they get back into the Champions League and make some sales.

High earners like Casemiro and Jadon Sancho leaving at the ends of their contracts should also free up significant space on the club’s wage bill.

How Manchester United could line up next season

If United get these deals done, we could see a very different and much stronger looking line up at Old Trafford next season.

While the club may also strengthen in other positions at some point, here’s a look at their starting XI with that new midfield three…

Man United potential line up 2026/27
Man United potential line up 2026/27 (CaughtOffside)

Would you be happy with these signings, United fans? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

The post Three in, three out: Man United working on TOTAL midfield revamp with stunning triple swoop appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Sources: “Buzz” about Chelsea & Man United transfer target who’s available for €50-60m

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By:Mark Brus
14 March 2026 at 13:20

Manchester United and Chelsea are among the main suitors for exciting young FC Koln forward Said El Mala, as first reported here for the Daily Briefing.

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Koln are said to be realistic about El Mala’s future and it seems they would be prepared to accept offers in the region of €50-60m if they come in.

“They know there’s little prospect of him staying, and with so much interest they stand to make what they’ll see as a very good sale,” one source close to the situation told me.

Said El Mala transfer suitors revealed

I can reveal the long list of clubs mentioned to me as suitors for El Mala, though there’s mixed information so far on who the frontrunners could be.

Big names such as Man Utd, Chelsea, Man City, Newcastle, Tottenham, and Barcelona are all keen. There was previously also interest from Bayern Munich, but that’s now understood to have cooled as that’s not a position they’re prioritising this summer.

Interestingly, however, there’s some confidence in the circles of the agents industry that suggest Brighton have done some work on this deal and could be the favourites for El Mala.

The issue for Brighton is the cost, however, so not everyone I’ve spoken to is convinced. It remains one to watch if Koln don’t receive the kind of money they’re after from other clubs, as there’s no guarantee yet that the Chelseas and Man Utds of this world will make the 19-year-old a priority.

Huge buzz around Said El Mala

“Scouts from all the big clubs have given him rave reviews, there’s a real buzz about him in the industry,” another source told me. “Don’t rule out some clubs waiting until next summer, though, as he’s still a raw talent and not everyone will be keen on that asking price.”

In many ways, it seems like El Mala could benefit from joining a stepping stone club like Brighton first, and that may be what other big clubs are thinking too.

Koln will want to make as much money as possible from his sale, though, so that might mean trying to pitch him to someone like United or Chelsea now. The Blues’ recent policy of recruiting top young players could mean there’s the potential to win them round, even if it’s a big investment.

Christian Falk has previously reported that El Mala would be keen on a move to the Premier League.

The post Sources: “Buzz” about Chelsea & Man United transfer target who’s available for €50-60m appeared first on CaughtOffside.

“We’ve missed him” – England legend wants surprise Man Utd star back in the squad for 2026 World Cup

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By:Mark Brus
14 March 2026 at 12:47

England legend Stuart Pearce has called for Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw to come in to Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup tournament.

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Shaw has had a mixed career for Man Utd and England, often looking like a top player on his day, but struggling with consistency, partly due to an unfortunate injury record.

Still, Pearce is a big fan of Shaw and feels he could still have it in him to be England’s first-choice left-back at the World Cup in North America this summer.

The 30-year-old has looked back to his best for United this season, and Pearce also feels that having his experience could be really valuable for the Three Lions.

Luke Shaw talked up for England World Cup spot

Shaw notably scored for England in that Euro 2020 final defeat against Italy, and he’s rarely let his country down in general.

Discussing the left-back spot with the Sun, Pearce made his case for Shaw being involved for Tuchel’s side this summer.

“If Manchester United carry on the ascension that they’re on at the moment, you have got to talk about Luke Shaw.

Luke Shaw of Man United in action
Luke Shaw of Man United in action (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

“He’s got experience at the tournaments. When he’s been out of the England side, we’ve missed him. He’s a rounded left-back.

“More to the point, when you compare him to some of the others around, nobody probably had really nailed their colours to the mast in regards to playing there.

“Tino Livramento has come in as have Myles Lewis-Skelly and Nico O’Reilly. There’s a lot of players there that are good options.

“But I’m sure if Luke Shaw recovers the form we know he can, he could be the No 1 left-back.”

He added: “It’s his history. More so, his history plays a big part. The fact he’s been to tournaments. He knows what it’s like. He’s a good member of the squad.

“I worked with him at Under-21 level. I know his mentality. More to the point, I don’t think there’s been another left-back that has come along that has made us say, we can’t stop thinking about Luke Shaw.

“He’s a good member of the squad, 100 per cent. We’ve seen that with Jordan Henderson. The manager brought Henderson into the squad as much for what he is like as a person.

“You’ve got to have good tourists on the road with you, that’s for sure.”

Which other Manchester United players could make England’s World Cup squad?

It will be interesting to see if a few other big names at United make it into the England squad this summer.

Shaw is far from a certainty, and that’s also true of experienced figures like Harry Maguire and Mason Mount.

Kobbie Mainoo’s recent improved form should see him back in contention after he made it to the Euros two years ago, but there’s also a lot of competition in that area of Tuchel’s squad.

Marcus Rashford, currently on loan from United to Barcelona, also perhaps seems likely to be involved again after his improved form since leaving Old Trafford.

The post “We’ve missed him” – England legend wants surprise Man Utd star back in the squad for 2026 World Cup appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Leeds set for major transfer windfall if rivals are relegated

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By:Mark Brus
14 March 2026 at 12:25

Leeds United could reportedly be set to bank significant funds from add-ons included in Crysencio Summerville’s transfer to West Ham United.

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The Dutch winger was previously a key player at Elland Road and he’s continued to shine since his move to the London Stadium.

However, it’s not been a good season for West Ham overall, and they’re now facing the very real threat of relegation, which would likely see Summerville sold this summer.

If that does happen, reports claim this would mean potentially significant money for Leeds due to the sell-on clause included as part of his sale to the Hammers.

What next for Crysencio Summerville?

It is not yet clear where Summerville could end up, but it makes sense that his West Ham future is in serious doubt.

Tottenham are one club to be linked with the 24-year-old, but since they’re also in a relegation battle that is surely not yet something concrete.

If in theory both West Ham and Spurs were to go down, it surely wouldn’t make much sense for Summerville to seal a move that would keep him in the Championship next season.

For now, fans of the north Londoners will surely be looking into how to buy Liverpool vs Tottenham tickets as they look to keep an eye on how their team can possibly turn their poor recent form around and avoid the drop.

It will be interesting to see if Leeds perhaps enter the running to re-sign Summerville as they’re surely set to stay up, though there are not any concrete transfer news updates about that at the moment.

West Ham will likely lose other big-name players if they go down this summer, with speculation growing about Jarrod Bowen in particular, while talented young midfielder Mateus Fernandes also starting to attract attention.

The post Leeds set for major transfer windfall if rivals are relegated appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Bruno Fernandes has already negotiated possible escape route from Manchester United

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By:Mark Brus
14 March 2026 at 12:08

Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes was reportedly the one who negotiated a £57m release clause into his contract at Old Trafford.

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There has been talk before of Fernandes having a specific clause for clubs outside the Premier League, as per BBC Sport and others, and now a report from ESPN states that the Portugal international was the one who negotiated this detail into his contract.

It remains to be seen how much a worry Fernandes’ future will be for Man Utd this summer, but ESPN suggest it’s something bubbling away in the background with the potential to become a bigger story.

United have the option to extend Fernandes’ contract by one more year, but the player himself may be tempted to take the chance to try a new challenge this summer, according to ESPN.

Bruno Fernandes is too important for Manchester United to let go

Given his age, it perhaps seems unlikely anyone would pay as much as £57m to sign Fernandes, but it’s also not beyond the realms of possibility.

The 31-year-old continues to shine as one of the best players in the Premier League, with a fine record of seven goals and 14 assists so far this season.

Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United
318 games
105 goals
2 trophies

It seems likely it would be a huge challenge for United to replace Fernandes, as it’s hard to think of anyone on the market right now who can offer quite the same qualities as him.

Even if Fernandes himself isn’t entirely convinced about staying, MUFC surely need to do all they can to convince him and make him an important part of their team moving forward.

There have been signs of real improvement under interim manager Michael Carrick, with United now looking likely to seal Champions League qualification for next season.

Fernandes might be tempted to stay if things continue to go in the right direction, while his departure could prove a major setback after all the recent progress made.

The post Bruno Fernandes has already negotiated possible escape route from Manchester United appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Euro giants ready to move for in-form Arsenal star – only small profit for Gunners

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By:Mark Brus
14 March 2026 at 11:43

Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior is reportedly attracting transfer interest from Juventus ahead of this summer after impressing on loan at Porto.

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The Poland international was a useful squad player for the Gunners without ever really establishing himself as an automatic starter due to the presence of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.

Still, he also rarely put a foot wrong and he’s continued to impress with Porto, sparking interest from Juventus, according to Tuttosport.

It remains to be seen if Kiwior will definitely be on the move again that quickly, and ultimately that will be up to Porto, who might not want to sell him.

Jakub Kiwior transfer situation explained as Juventus eye Arsenal defender

According to additional information from the Sun, Kiwior will make his move to Porto permanent due to an obligation in his loan deal.

So, even if Kiwior is still only technically there on loan now, he has definitely left Arsenal, who can only make a small profit from his sale.

The Sun claim the north London giants paid £20m to sign Kiwior from Spezia, while they’ll bank £23m once his permanent transfer to Porto is finalised.

It’s also claimed that Arsenal have a sell-on clause, but that they’d only bank around an extra £1.7m if Porto sell the 26-year-old to Juve.

Arsenal struggle to sell players for big money

That’s a profit of just £4.7m for AFC, who have a surprisingly poor record when it comes to selling players.

The club lost a lot of star names during the Arsene Wenger era, but rarely for significant money.

See below as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is still Arsenal’s biggest ever sale for just €38m…(fees via Transfermarkt)

Player Fee
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain €38m
Nicolas Anelka €35m
Alexis Sanchez €34m
Cesc Fabregas €34m
Emile Smith Rowe €31.8m

Kiwior may not have been a regular starter for Arsenal, but he arguably looks like a player worth a lot more than just €20-25m.

The post Euro giants ready to move for in-form Arsenal star – only small profit for Gunners appeared first on CaughtOffside.

“No doubts” – Club chief confirms plan to sign Manchester United star

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By:Mark Brus
14 March 2026 at 11:22

Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund is set to make his loan move to Napoli permanent this summer, as confirmed by the club’s sporting director Giovanni Manna.

Fabrizio Romano has quoted Manna as saying there are no doubts about Napoli’s plans to sign Hojlund permanently from Man Utd this summer.

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The Denmark international has shown glimpses of his best form again since returning to Serie A, and it always looked likely that the Red Devils would seek to use this opportunity to offload him.

See below for details from Romano as he quotes Manna as confirming the deal, whilst saying Napoli are set to trigger their option to sign Hojlund for €44m…

? Napoli will trigger €44m buy option clause for Rasmus Højlund, as always reported.

Director Manna confirms: “There are no doubts. Rasmus will stay here. We have an obligation to buy from #MUFC in case of UCL access — but he is in our plans regardless of this condition”. pic.twitter.com/LLcbOGIBgS

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 13, 2026

Romano posted: “Napoli will trigger €44m buy option clause for Rasmus Højlund, as always reported. Director Manna confirms: “There are no doubts. Rasmus will stay here. We have an obligation to buy from #MUFC in case of UCL access — but he is in our plans regardless of this condition”.”

Rasmus Hojlund transfer to Napoli suits all parties

This move won’t come as much of a surprise to anyone and it’s a deal that seems like it makes sense for all parties involved.

Hojlund looked a bright prospect during a spell at Atalanta earlier in his career, but things just didn’t quite work out for him in the Premier League.

United need to aim higher, while Hojlund needs to get back to playing regularly, and seems more suited to the pace of the game in Italian football.

Rasmus Hojlund stats Games Goals
Atalanta 2022/23 34 10
Man United 2023/24 43 16
Man United 2024/25 52 10
Napoli 2025/26 35 13

It could be that the 23-year-old will still have a fine career, but barring a really rapid transformation, it’s unlikely that MUFC will live to regret letting him go.

Hojlund scored 26 goals in his two seasons in Manchester, prompting the club to spend big on both Joshua Zirkzee and Benjamin Sesko in subsequent summers.

The post “No doubts” – Club chief confirms plan to sign Manchester United star appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Report: Man United sources confident they can deal huge transfer blow to Man City

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By:Mark Brus
14 March 2026 at 11:08

Manchester United reportedly have some confidence that they could land top target Elliot Anderson ahead of rivals Manchester City.

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The 23-year-old Nottingham Forest midfielder is likely to be a man in demand this summer, and he’s one of several names Man Utd are looking at in midfield.

The Red Devils also like Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba, according to ESPN, but Anderson is arguably the stand-out name there.

The report states that although Anderson has also been strongly linked with Man City, there is some belief inside Old Trafford that he could be convinced to join them instead.

How Elliot Anderson become one of the best midfielders in the Premier League

Anderson has done remarkably well to stand out as one of the top midfield players in the Premier League despite playing for a struggling Forest side this season.

See below for a useful graphic that illustrates just how much he deserves to be in the same conversation as the league’s other elite midfielders…

Elliot Anderson stats vs other Premier League midfielders
Elliot Anderson stats vs other Premier League midfielders (DataMB)

Anderson is superbly consistent and well-rounded, with his stats showing just how well he does at winning the ball back, and distributing it forward with progressive passes.

He’s also very close to Man City’s Rodri on forward passes, and just doesn’t really look like a player with any significant weaknesses.

Elliot Anderson looks ideal for Manchester United

It makes sense that MUFC are looking at Anderson, who ticks all the boxes to achieve a very high score in our Transfer Fit rating system (read more about how it works here)…

Elliot Anderson TOTAL SCORE: 19/25
Transfer fee *
Performance *****
Achievements ***
Career phase *****
Squad need *****

Anderson could be key to rebuilding this United midfield, with Casemiro set to leave at the end of his contract, while ESPN’s report also casts doubt over Manuel Ugarte’s future.

If they could win the race for this quality signing ahead of City it would be some statement of intent as the club looks to get back to being a serious title contender again.

The post Report: Man United sources confident they can deal huge transfer blow to Man City appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Aston Villa face nightmare transfer scenario as three big names could leave

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By:Mark Brus
14 March 2026 at 10:40

Aston Villa reportedly look set for a difficult summer transfer window as they may come under pressure to sell the likes of Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, and Emiliano Martinez.

It seems that Villa continue to have financial problems that will limit what they can do in the transfer market unless they also make major sales.

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That’s according to a report from the Daily Mail, which casts doubt over big names like Rogers, Tielemans, and Martinez in particular.

The report states that Villa are braced for bids for Rogers, who is one of the most exciting young talents in English football.

We’ve previously been informed of Rogers being a target for Chelsea and Liverpool, and there’ll surely be other top clubs interested if the 23-year-old does have to leave Villa Park.

Aston Villa struggling to cement place in the top four

Villa finished in the Champions League qualification spots two years ago and could do so again this year, but it looks like they’re still not making enough revenue to compete with the more traditional ‘big six’ clubs.

It will only become harder for them to do so if they still have to accept big offers for their best players.

Rogers would be a huge loss, but it would also be tough to replace key players with quality and experience like Tielemans and Martinez.

The Mail’s report also suggests that manager Unai Emery is exhausted, though it falls short of suggesting there’s any doubt over the Spanish tactician’s future.

Emery is said to be a big workaholic, but one perhaps also has to wonder how long he’ll be prepared to put so much into this job if he can’t keep his best players.

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Nine-player clear-out on the cards as Man United open to offers for flop signings

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By:Mark Brus
14 March 2026 at 10:24

As many as nine players could leave Manchester United this summer as some come to the ends of their contracts, while the club are also open to offers for others.

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According to ESPN, it seems Man Utd could be prepared to let some flop signings go, with the likes of Andre Onana, Mason Mount, Joshua Zirkzee, Rasmus Hojlund, and Manuel Ugarte available.

On top of that, Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, and Tyrell Malacia are all about to become free agents, while there’s hope that Marcus Rashford will either make his loan to Barcelona permanent or find another club.

It remains to be seen if United will succeed in offloading all of these players, but it certainly looks like it could be a big summer of change at Old Trafford.

Manchester United need a clear-out, but could this be too many exits at once?

There’s no doubt United need to make changes to this squad, with too many poor performers currently sitting on big wages.

At the same time, however, it could be a big upheaval if so many players leave at once, with MUFC perhaps at risk of losing some squad depth.

With Casemiro, for example, already confirmed as leaving at the end of his contract, it could perhaps be unwise to also offload Ugarte, who might be a decent backup option, even if he’s mostly proven disappointing during his time in English football so far.

Hojlund, meanwhile, has shown some promise whilst on loan at Napoli, so there might be some sense in giving him another chance to rotate with Benjamin Sesko, especially if the club also want to get rid of the under-performing Zirkzee.

What do you make of United’s plans? Are there any players here you’d like to see them keep, or should they all go? Let us know in the comments!

The post Nine-player clear-out on the cards as Man United open to offers for flop signings appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Before yesterdayMain stream

Liam Rosenior drops intriguing transfer claim during praise for new Reece James contract

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By:Mark Brus
13 March 2026 at 18:11

Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has made an intriguing claim about Reece James’ other transfer options as he’s today signed a new contract at Stamford Bridge.

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Rosenior, speaking at his press conference on Friday afternoon, was delighted with the news that James had committed his future to the Blues.

It’s clear that Rosenior rates James very highly, as he said he couldn’t stop smiling about the news because it represented Chelsea securing the future of the best player in the world in his position.

Watch below as the CFC manager also hinted that James turned down other clubs in order to stay with his current employers…

? Liam Rosenior says Reece James had "many opportunities" to leave Chelsea! Which clubs could he be talking about? ?? pic.twitter.com/0ttHr2LgYI

— CaughtOffside (@caughtoffside) March 13, 2026

Liam Rosenior on Reece James rejecting transfer opportunities elsewhere

“Yeah I can’t stop smiling because we’ve secured the best player in world football in his position,” Rosenior said to reporters.

“He had many, many opportunities to leave this magnificent club, and the good thing, it’s not just the size and the stature of the club that he’s come through from a very young age, but it’s his belief and confidence in what we’re doing here and where we want to go.

“We’ve had many conversations about it. For him to sign a deal and put his faith in us is a massive statement.”

Reece James has bounced back after Enzo Maresca difficulties

Rosenior only recently replaced Enzo Maresca as Chelsea manager, and that looks like it’s been a big boost for James.

The England international now looks back to his best, but this time last year, Maresca was critical of him and questioned his capabilities as club captain.

“For me, because you are the captain, you have to give more. You have to give more than the rest. I expect it from Reece and his team-mates expect if from him to always give more in terms of leadership,” Maresca said of James.

Rosenior’s praise for James speaks volumes, and perhaps shows just how much Maresca wasn’t really the right fit for this squad in so many ways.

The post Liam Rosenior drops intriguing transfer claim during praise for new Reece James contract appeared first on CaughtOffside.

From Spain: Liverpool given chance to sign versatile 23-year-old for just €50m

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By:Mark Brus
13 March 2026 at 17:37

Liverpool are reportedly eyeing up Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga as he looks set to be made available for just €50m this summer.

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Even if Camavinga hasn’t quite nailed down a regular starting place for Los Blancos, he’s proven a useful member of their squad in recent years, and is still young enough that he could improve in the near future.

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Liverpool are stepping up their interest in Camavinga, with Real ready to let him go, but not for less than €50m.

This is similar to what has been reported by Radio Marca, as cited and translated by Football Espana, though those initial reports did not mention Liverpool’s interest.

We’ve also previously received similar information casting doubt over Camavinga’s future, with Liverpool and Arsenal showing an interest in his situation.

Eduardo Camavinga transfer has the makings of a successful deal for Liverpool

In many ways, Camavinga’s situation is similar to that of Ryan Gravenberch’s when he was at Bayern Munich.

Eduardo Camavinga TOTAL SCORE: 18/15
Transfer fee ***
Performance ***
Achievements ****
Career phase *****
Squad need ***

How we calculate our Transfer Fit rating

The Netherlands international was struggling to establish himself at Bayern but ended up getting his career back on track with LFC.

Camavinga could also benefit from a change of scene at this stage of his career, with the 23-year-old France international now looking like he needs to play more regularly and nail down one position.

Camavinga is mostly a central midfielder, but has also filled in out wide or at left-back during his time in Madrid, which probably hasn’t helped his progress.

If he can be trusted in his most natural role at Anfield then he could surely form a fine partnership with Gravenberch and have a successful Premier League career.

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Bizarre: Liverpool eye risky transfer of Prem winger with 0 G/A in his last 14 games

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By:Mark Brus
13 March 2026 at 16:59

Liverpool are reportedly eyeing up a surprise transfer move for Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh despite his dire recent form.

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The 21-year-old has at points looked like an exciting young prospect, but he’s gone horribly off the boil in recent times, with no goals or assists in any of his last 14 appearances for Brighton.

In total, Minteh has just one goal and four assists in the Premier League so far this season, but Fichajes claim Liverpool are eyeing him up to replace Mohamed Salah.

While the report mentions Arne Slot knowing the player well during his time when he had him on loan at Feyenoord, it’s hard to see there being any truth to this particular story.

Yankuba Minteh would be a hugely risky signing for Liverpool

While a lot of players go through a bad patch every now and then, Minteh currently looks like too risky a signing for a big club like Liverpool.

If the Reds really are set to lose the ageing Salah this summer, then they need to ensure whoever replaces him is ready to hit the ground running.

There might not be that many players in world football who can do that, but there are many who’d be a safer bet than Minteh.

The Gambia international is young enough that he could still turn things around and have a good career, but for now he gets an unsurprisingly low score with our Transfer Fit rating system…

Yankuba Minteh TOTAL SCORE: 8/25
Transfer fee –
Performance –
Achievements *
Career phase ****
Squad need ***

8/25 represents a weak score, as he only really gains any points from the fact that he’s previously shown some potential, is young enough to still improve, and plays in a position LFC need to strengthen in.

Otherwise, this is surely one for the Merseyside giants to stay well away from.

Other wingers on Liverpool’s radar

As recently reported by Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool have made Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise a dream target, while RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande is seen as a more realistic option…

?? Michael #Olise remains a dream target for Liverpool ahead of the upcoming summer window, and further background checks have been made. However, #LFC now consider a transfer to be completely unrealistic.

He is not for sale. In addition, FC Bayern are looking to extend his… pic.twitter.com/QT2HeI5o7M

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) March 3, 2026

Olise is probably the closest thing to Salah out there in this current market, though in many ways it looks like they’ve missed the boat for this profile of player.

Last summer a lot of left-footed right-wingers changed clubs, with Bryan Mbeumo moving from Brentford to Manchester United, Noni Madueke swapping Chelsea for Arsenal, and Newcastle signing Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest.

Antoine Semenyo might also have been another decent option, but he moved from Bournemouth to Manchester City in January, so Liverpool could have a tricky task trying to replace Salah this year.

The post Bizarre: Liverpool eye risky transfer of Prem winger with 0 G/A in his last 14 games appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Update: Arsenal face paying £60m to sign PL star, Chelsea & other clubs also interested

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By:Mark Brus
13 March 2026 at 15:33

Arsenal are keen on the transfer of Kevin Schade, but there has been a new update on the Brentford winger’s situation from Christian Falk.

The Gunners are understood to be keen on Schade, as we first reported yesterday, but Falk says Bayern and Chelsea are also keen.

Writing in his latest CF Bayern Insider column, Falk stated that the Germany international could also be too expensive for the Bavarian giants due to Brentford looking for around £60m to let him go.

That could be good news for Premier League sides looking at Schade, with the 24-year-old impressing during his time with the Bees.

Kevin Schade transfer latest from Christian Falk

“It is TRUE: Bayern Munich are monitoring Kevin Schade. However, it’s not true that he’s high up on the shortlist,” Falk said.

“It’s a similar case to Diomande in the sense that he’s too expensive. I heard from Brentford’s side that they would start the poker at €70m [£60.3m]. This is too much. Perhaps they know it’s too much, and in the end, they won’t get this kind of money for him.

“There are so many Brentford rumours at the moment. Also, the striker, Igor Thiago, was linked to Bayern, but the club isn’t searching for this kind of player. But they are looking for a player like Schade.

“Bayern Munich are monitoring his situation, but it would be too difficult to sign him for this kind of money. So, it’s good for Chelsea, it’s good for Tottenham (I heard he’s on the list there as well).

“For Bayern, it would be interesting, given he’s a German player who could be involved with the national team, perhaps even for the upcoming World Cup if he’s lucky. But for the time being, Bayern don’t have him down as their number one target.”

Where could Kevin Schade move next?

Schade looks like he’d solve Arsenal’s issues in attack by providing an upgrade on Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard on that left-hand side.

There could also be a role for him at Chelsea, who possibly need more reliable options than Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho, and Jamie Gittens.

At the same time, however, it’s perhaps hard to see any justification for an asking price as high as £60m for Schade.

Brentford have sold a few of their star players in years gone by, but £60m is not dissimilar to what Bryan Mbeumo moved for when he joined Manchester United on the back of far more convincing form.

Schade is arguably not quite at that level yet, though it’s also possible that his value will just continue to go up if clubs don’t move for him quickly.

The post Update: Arsenal face paying £60m to sign PL star, Chelsea & other clubs also interested appeared first on CaughtOffside.

“In talks” – Christian Falk provides update on Arsenal & Manchester United transfer target

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By:Mark Brus
13 March 2026 at 15:20

Bayern Munich have had some early talks with those close to German midfield wonderkid Kennet Eichhorn, who is also a target for Arsenal and Manchester United.

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That’s according to Christian Falk in his latest column for CF Bayern Insider, with a further update on the highly-rated 16-year-old after revealing talks last week.

See below for that video, which also mentioned Arsenal and Man United being keen on Eichhorn, with Bayern seemingly worried about losing out on this top talent to Premier League clubs…

Writing in his latest column, Falk said of Eichhorn: “It is TRUE: Both Manchester United and Arsenal have Kennet Eichhorn on their lists for the summer. Bayern Munich are aware of this. They called the agents and informed them that the club really want him.

“However, the teenager’s position could also be a problem in this case. Eichhorn also wants playing time and is talking with his family about what the future could bring for him. He’s injured at the moment, so he does have time for this and to think things through.

“A step in the Premier League could be interesting for him if clubs offer him enough playing time. At Bayern Munich, yes, he could have a more quiet role, given the club already has the likes of Aleksandar Pavlović, Joshua Kimmich, and Konrad Laimer, who could be back in midfield if they sign Read, and they also have Tom Bischof.”

Kennet Eichhorn
Kennet Eichhorn (Foto von City-Press GmbH Bildagentur)

What next for Kennet Eichhorn?

Eichhorn clearly has a big decision to make on his future, as his rapid rise in the game means there’s a lot of interest in him despite his lack of experience.

While it must be tempting to jump at the chance to join clubs like Bayern, Arsenal, and United, there’s perhaps also a case for the player staying where he is to continue his development.

Then again, Bayern have also proven good for top young German players down the years, so that might be a lower risk than moving abroad at this stage of his career.

The post “In talks” – Christian Falk provides update on Arsenal & Manchester United transfer target appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Deal likely for “outstanding” Manchester United transfer target

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By:Mark Brus
13 March 2026 at 14:51

Lewis Hall has impressed for Newcastle United and the club are aware that scouts will have been purring after his strong performance in the Champions League against Barcelona.

The England international was one of Newcastle’s most impressive performers in that 1-1 draw with Barca at St James’ Park, keeping Lamine Yamal relatively quiet and helping Eddie Howe’s side forward with some lovely passing.

According to iNews, a new contract is likely for Hall, and they suggest it should be a priority for the Magpies, who must surely do what they can to tie the former Chelsea youngster down and improve his wages.

Lewis Hall has been linked with Manchester United

Hall’s fine form will surely mean he’s of interest to bigger clubs soon, and Manchester United have been one of the main names linked with him.

A report from Fichajes recently stated that Man Utd were looking at the 21-year-old in a bid to reshuffle their back four, and perhaps move Patrick Dorgu to a more attacking role.

We were also previously informed of Liverpool looking at Hall, though they ended up signing Milos Kerkez as a new left-back last summer instead.

Manchester United need a new left-back

Hall would surely be an upgrade on the inconsistent and injury-prone Luke Shaw, so it will be interesting to see if these particular transfer rumours persist.

It will be tricky for the Red Devils if Newcastle manage to tie Hall down to a new and improved deal, but other names are also being linked.

A report from TEAMtalk stated that another left-back target for MUFC is RB Leipzig’s 27-year-old Germany international ace David Raum.

Hall is younger, however, so might be the better long-term option, with Howe praising him as “outstanding” to signal his importance to his side.

Having lost Alexander Isak last summer, NUFC will surely be in no mood to let another of their most important players go.

The post Deal likely for “outstanding” Manchester United transfer target appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Deal signed: David Ornstein confirms huge Chelsea boost in morning update

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By:Mark Brus
13 March 2026 at 14:20

Chelsea right-back Reece James has signed a new six-year contract to commit his future to the Blues, according to the Athletic’s David Ornstein.

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UPDATE: James’ new Chelsea deal has now been officially confirmed by the club on their website.

Posting on X this morning, Ornstein said: “EXCL: Reece James commits future to Chelsea by signing new 6yr contract. 26yo’s previous deal 2028; fresh agreement runs until June 2032. Deal aligns England right-back with #CFC incentivised wage structure.”

? EXCL: Reece James commits future to Chelsea by signing new 6yr contract. 26yo’s previous deal 2028; fresh agreement runs until June 2032. Deal aligns England right-back with #CFC incentivised wage structure. W/ @SJohnsonSport @reallycerys @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/n0cYLx4Z6p

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) March 13, 2026

Reece James contract is good news for Chelsea

This is good news for Chelsea as James has been a key player for the club ever since rising up through their academy into the first-team.

Injuries have held the 26-year-old back at points, but he’s still played 225 games for the west London club, winning major honours such as the Champions League, the Europa Conference League, and the Club World Cup.

James will now hope to continue pushing on after getting more playing time this season as he’s done better at staying fit.

Will Reece James start for England at the World Cup?

With the 2026 World Cup finals just around the corner, it will be interesting to see if James can establish himself as a starter for Thomas Tuchel’s side.

James played under Tuchel at Chelsea, so the pair know each other well, but there’s strong competition from Real Madrid star and former Liverpool man Trent Alexander-Arnold.

On current form, however, James must have a decent shot at getting into the England line up, and this new contract could be another boost to his confidence for the weeks and months ahead.

The post Deal signed: David Ornstein confirms huge Chelsea boost in morning update appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Spending spree: Man Utd set sights on bargain £30m signing alongside two other major investments

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By:Mark Brus
13 March 2026 at 14:06

Manchester United are reportedly eyeing up RB Leipzig left-back David Raum as one of a number of transfer targets from the Bundesliga club this summer.

According to TEAMtalk, Raum could be available for just £30m due to approaching the final year of his contract, with the Red Devils keen on the Germany international.

This is not the only Leipzig player that Man Utd are looking at, however, with TEAMtalk’s report also mentioning a possible big move for their French central defender Castello Lukeba.

Meanwhile, another TEAMtalk report also mentioned that United are alongside Chelsea in targeting Leipzig midfielder Assan Ouedraogo to bolster their midfield.

Manchester United to launch triple transfer raid on RB Leipzig?

We’ve seen Leipzig sell star players like Xavi Simons and Benjamin Sesko in recent times, but it’s perhaps hard to imagine they’ll be keen on losing three such big names all at once.

That could make it tricky for United to land all three of Raum, Lukeba, and Ouedraogo, but it makes sense that these are players being considered.

MUFC will likely have a lot of options on their list for the summer, with Raum perhaps one of the more realistic names here due to his contract situation and asking price.

The 27-year-old has an impressive contribution of three goals and five assists in 24 Bundesliga games this season, so it could be that he’d be an upgrade on Luke Shaw on that left-hand side.

David Raum to Manchester United Transfer Fit rating

Raum has experience, strong recent form, and an affordable asking price, all whilst giving United something different in a position they could do with strengthening.

Overall, that’s a high score from us, with a Transfer Fit rating of 17/25, which is the upper end of medium – find out more about how we score these here.

David Raum TOTAL SCORE: 17/25
Transfer fee ****
Performance ****
Achievements ***
Career phase **
Squad need ****

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Man United & Liverpool handed £86.2m transfer boost following major development

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By:Mark Brus
13 March 2026 at 13:42

Manchester United and Liverpool may have been handed a significant boost as it looks like Yan Diomande is no longer a top target for Bayern Munich due to being too expensive.

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In a potentially major development in this saga, Christian Falk has played down the Diomande to Bayern links in his latest exclusive column for CF Bayern Insider.

Despite Diomande’s quality, it seems Bayern have been forced to consider other options ahead of him due to the likely cost of the deal with RB Leipzig.

“It is TRUE: Yan Diomande is no longer a priority for Bayern’s decision-makers,” Falk said.

“He obviously has so much quality and is playing very well in the Bundesliga this term. So, he’s not off the list because he’s a poor player, but rather because he’s too good and too expensive!

“Bayern know how much RB Leipzig are looking for in a transfer fee (negotiations will start at €100m [£86.2m]) and it’s a lot! Certainly more than what Bayern are prepared to pay at the moment.

“And the fact of the matter is that they already have Luis Diaz, who is the main man on the left side. They can’t pay so much money for what would effectively be a backup signing.

“So, it’s hard for Bayern Munich, given they love the player, but they won’t be involved in the poker with Premier League clubs. He’s too expensive.”

Yan Diomande transfer options as Bayern cool interest

Fabrizio Romano recently linked Diomande with Manchester United in a report on his YouTube channel, so that could be another saga to watch out for.

“What I can say it’s not meaning that Man Utd are going to sign Yan Diomande, but it’s showing that Man Utd maintain a concrete interest in the player,” Romano said.

Diomande stats Games Goals Assists
RB Leipzig 2025/26 26 11 5

“Man Utd people, scouts, were in attendance for the last game played by Red Bull Leipzig against Augsburg. I think Yan Diomande scored a goal. He’s playing very well recently.

“It’s not just about the goals. The assist, you can feel he’s an electric winger, very good one-v-one, very fast. He’s a player that several clubs are following, not only Man Utd, but the presence of Man Utd again to follow the player against Augsburg is showing that they are keeping a close eye on the player.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have also been mentioned as suitors for the Ivory Coast international, due to the fact that dream target Michael Olise would be too expensive and unrealistic for them.

See below as Florian Plettenberg has posted on X about Liverpool looking at Diomande as another option in that position…

?? Michael #Olise remains a dream target for Liverpool ahead of the upcoming summer window, and further background checks have been made. However, #LFC now consider a transfer to be completely unrealistic.

He is not for sale. In addition, FC Bayern are looking to extend his… pic.twitter.com/QT2HeI5o7M

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) March 3, 2026

“Michael Olise remains a dream target for Liverpool ahead of the upcoming summer window, and further background checks have been made. However, LFC now consider a transfer to be completely unrealistic,” Plettenberg said.

“He is not for sale. In addition, FC Bayern are looking to extend his contract beyond 2029, with plans to improve his current deal. Incredible 13G/25A this season yet.

“As a result, LFC are shifting their focus within the Bundesliga to Yan Diomande.”

Diomande has 14 goals and five assists in all competitions for club and country so far this season, despite still being only 19 years of age.

Capable of playing on both flanks, Diomande looks like someone who can go right to the very top of the game, and like an ideal signing for both the present and future of big clubs like United and Liverpool.

The post Man United & Liverpool handed £86.2m transfer boost following major development appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Sources on “talks” as Arsenal battle with Man United for wonderkid transfer

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By:Mark Brus
13 March 2026 at 13:15

Arsenal and Manchester United have both had some initial contacts over the potential transfer of Inter Milan forward Pio Esposito.

As first reported here for the Daily Briefing, I’ve been informed about both the Gunners and the Red Devils showing an interest in Esposito.

However, both clubs have been sent the clear message that the talented young Italy international is not available, with Inter keen to tie him down to a new contract.

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“Inter are not even prepared to consider going to the negotiating table at this time,” one source said. “Esposito is seen as a key part of their future plans and they’ll hold talks over tying him down to a new contract soon.”

Esposito has impressed with more playing time in the Inter first-team this season, scoring seven goals in all competitions, and there’s surely more to come from him as he’s still just 20 years of age.

Pio Esposito transfer eyed by Arsenal and Manchester United

It is also my understanding that clubs like Arsenal and Man Utd will continue to monitor Esposito in the future as he could be a target to try for again at some point.

Inter fans can be relieved, however, to hear that their club seem confident of keeping hold of him despite interest from the Premier League.

Still, Arsenal and United could do with more options up front, with Esposito looking like someone well worth keeping an eye on.

Arsenal looking for new attacking players

Kevin Schade is an Arsenal target as well this summer, with wingers and strikers likely to be high up on the north London giants’ list of priorities.

Esposito could have been a good option to provide a long-term option to rotate with the likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz, but perhaps the club should also be looking at more proven world class players who can make a big impact straight away.

It might also be that improving that threat from the left-hand side with a signing like Schade would also help Gyokeres to shine next season after some struggles to settle in his first campaign.

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“You were hung out to dry” – Peter Schmeichel slams Igor Tudor in direct message to Antonin Kinsky

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By:Mark Brus
13 March 2026 at 12:44

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has sent a heartfelt and direct message to Tottenham ace Antonin Kinsky after his difficult week.

The young Czech shot-stopper suffered a nightmare performance for Spurs in their 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, but Schmeichel has offered to talk to him if he wants.

Watch the video clip below as Schmeichel shows what a class act he is by insisting that Kinsky did nothing wrong and that in fact he was hung out to dry by Tottenham’s interim manager Igor Tudor, who humiliated him by substituting him off after just 15 minutes…

Peter Schmeichel’s message to Antonin Kinsky

"We've all been there as goalkeepers… You made a couple mistakes but you as a person did nothing wrong and you were hung out to dry. If you ever what to have a chat I'm here to talk to you."

Uncle @Pschmeichel1 with a heartfelt message for Antonín Kinský ? pic.twitter.com/uDuXOczvoG

— CBS Sports Golazo ?? (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 11, 2026

“I will say to Kinsky by the way, directly here to you … we’ve all been there, goalkeepers, as David de Gea said, it’s a different position,” Schmeichel said on CBS Sports.

“We know if we make a mistake, more often than not it’s a goal. The reality of goalkeeping is you are going to make mistakes and it is going to cost you goals.

“And the art of goalkeeping is how you react to that – he didn’t get a chance to react to that. But I will say to you directly, you did nothing wrong yesterday. You made a couple of mistakes, but you, as a human being, did nothing wrong and you were hung out to dry and I think that was incredibly wrong.

“If you ever want to have a chat, I’m here to talk to you … I’ve been there, I know what it’s like.”

Antonin Kinsky tipped to leave Tottenham on loan

Not long after the game, there was a report from the Telegraph about Kinsky being likely to leave Tottenham on loan this summer in an attempt to rebuild his career.

THFC fans must surely feel some sympathy for Kinsky, though, as he really was thrown in at the deep end with a surprise start for this big game.

Tudor surely should have stuck with him, but it’s just one of many things the Croatian tactician seems to have got wrong during his stint as interim manager with Spurs so far.

The post “You were hung out to dry” – Peter Schmeichel slams Igor Tudor in direct message to Antonin Kinsky appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Report: Man United & Chelsea in head-to-head transfer battle for “top talent”

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By:Mark Brus
13 March 2026 at 12:24

Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly both set to go head to head for the potential transfer of RB Leipzig starlet Assan Ouedraogo.

The talented 19-year-old has long been regarded as a big prospect, with Fabrizio Romano telling CaughtOffside a few years ago about how big clubs like Liverpool and Bayern Munich were looking at him.

Romano described Ouedraogo as a “top talent” and it’s proven accurate as he’s gone on to develop well at Leipzig, with big clubs keen on him once again ahead of this summer.

According to TEAMtalk, Man Utd and Chelsea are both really keen on Ouedraogo, though the Germany international could cost between €80-100m.

Assan Ouedraogo transfer won’t come cheap

Ouedraogo has no release clause at Leipzig, so TEAMtalk state that that will put the Bundesliga club in a strong negotiating position.

We’ve seen Premier League clubs spend big on top talents in recent times, so it will be interesting to see if they’re prepared to go all out for Ouedraogo as well.

It certainly looks like he’d be the kind of investment that would work well for Chelsea, who have spent a lot on recruiting the best young players in world football.

Assan Ouedraogo to Man United or Chelsea?

At the same time, however, Ouedraogo might not fancy Chelsea right now as their inconsistent form looks like it could cost them a Champions League place.

That perhaps looks more likely for United right now, while the teenager would probably also stand a better chance of playing regularly there.

CFC have Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo as their first choice midfield, but MUFC are on the lookout for upgrades in that department as the ageing Casemiro will leave at the end of his contract this summer, while Manuel Ugarte has flopped since joining the club.

United have been linked with midfielders by the Sun, though their report suggests they might go after more proven Premier League players such as Sandro Tonali or Elliot Anderson, so it remains to be seen if they’d gamble with a young talent from abroad like Ouedraogo.

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How Liverpool have reacted to summer signing’s struggles as Real Madrid linked

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By:Mark Brus
13 March 2026 at 12:05

Liverpool sources are reportedly playing down transfer rumours linking the German playmaker with Real Madrid as he shows signs of improving his form.

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Wirtz hasn’t had an entirely positive first season with Liverpool since his big move from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, but it seems the Reds are set to stick with him.

According to TEAMtalk, sources close to Liverpool insist there’s no substance to talk of Real Madrid hovering for Wirtz.

The report also explains that: ‘Private dressing-room meetings and support from teammates have played a key role in helping him (Wirtz) overcome early hurdles’ as the 22-year-old has shown clear improvement as the season has gone on.

Florian Wirtz surely not set for Real Madrid transfer

Having invested so much in signing Wirtz last summer, it makes sense that LFC are not prepared to give up on the player after just one season.

It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that a big club like Real Madrid would keep an eye on Wirtz’s situation, as he clearly remains a fine talent with plenty of potential.

Wirtz stats last three seasons Games Goals
Bayer Leverkusen 2023/24 49 18
Bayer Leverkusen 2024/25 45 16
Liverpool 2025/26 37 6

Wirtz was a joy to watch as a youngster at Leverkusen, and Liverpool did well to win the race for his signature last summer.

One imagines Real could have been among Wirtz’s suitors while he was still in the Bundesliga, but they surely don’t have much hope of landing him now.

Florian Wirtz not the only Liverpool signing to struggle

It would also be fair to say that Wirtz is far from the only member of Arne Slot’s squad to struggle this season.

Most of the club’s summer signings have been a bit disappointing, except perhaps for Hugo Ekitike, with Reds fans yet to see the best of big names like Alexander Isak, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez.

But it’s not just the new boys, with established stars like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk also below par for much of the campaign, with more rebuilding surely needed this summer.

The post How Liverpool have reacted to summer signing’s struggles as Real Madrid linked appeared first on CaughtOffside.

New twist as Man United join Arsenal in holding talks over €80m transfer

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By:Mark Brus
13 March 2026 at 11:39

Manchester United are reportedly also in talks over a potential transfer move for RB Leipzig central defender Castello Lukeba.

The Red Devils have had initial contacts over this deal, according to TEAMtalk, following on from a report from L’Equipe that Arsenal are also working on signing the France international.

Lukeba has shone during his time at Leipzig, establishing himself as one of the top young defenders in the game, and it seems inevitable that he’ll soon earn a big move.

Man Utd now look to have added Lukeba to their list of defensive targets, though TEAMtalk suggest he won’t come cheap, with an asking price in the region of €80m.

Manchester United eyeing Castello Lukeba and Pierre Kalulu

As we reported yesterday, United are also eyeing Pierre Kalulu as an option to strengthen their defence this summer.

Liverpool may be ahead in the running for the moment, however, so it makes sense that MUFC are looking at Lukeba as an alternative to Kalulu.

Both players look like they’d be fine additions at Old Trafford, where there is surely room for at least one more new centre-back to come in.

Manchester United to make changes in defence?

Harry Maguire is nearing the end of his contract, so United would do well to bring in a long-term replacement this summer, even if there’s been some talk of the veteran England international staying if he agrees to take a pay cut, as per iNews.

There are other issues in this squad, such as Lisandro Martinez’s poor fitness record, while Matthijs de Ligt and Ayden Heaven haven’t been entirely convincing since joining the club.

Lukeba would surely be a more important signing for United than for Arsenal, who already have a lot of quality and depth at the back.

The Arsenal project might look more tempting, but Lukeba could have more of a key role if he joins United, while it’s also fair to say that the team looks to be back on the right track under interim manager Michael Carrick, with Champions League qualification now looking likely.

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Man United rival Arsenal for Sandro Tonali and eye four other transfer targets from PL clubs

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By:Mark Brus
13 March 2026 at 10:39

Manchester United are reportedly making Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali one of their top targets in that position for this summer.

The Red Devils could face competition from Arsenal, however, with a recent report from Tuttosport claiming that Andrea Berta was working on signing his fellow Italian for the Gunners.

There has also been a report from the Chronicle suggesting that Arsenal had cooled their interest in Tonali, though, so that could be a boost for Man Utd.

The Newcastle star is being linked with United by the Sun as the club look for Premier League-proven players to strengthen their squad in the middle of the park.

Sandro Tonali among Manchester United’s midfield targets

As well as Tonali, United are also keen on Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, and Bournemouth’s Alex Scott.

See below for a graphic comparing the stats of those five players this season, with some interesting insights highlighting their differing strengths and weaknesses…

Manchester United's midfield targets compared
Manchester United’s midfield targets compared (DataMB)

Tonali is reasonably well-rounded but arguably doesn’t look like he has enough quality with his forward passes or key passes compared to players like Anderson and Wharton.

Baleba is also strong defensively, but has perhaps dipped with his overall form this season, even if he looked like a tempting target when MUFC first looked at him last summer.

Should Manchester United sign Sandro Tonali?

Tonali was recently scored ‘low’ as a weak fit for Arsenal via our Transfer Fit rating system, largely because of how expensive he’d be and because of the options Mikel Arteta already has in that position.

United surely need Tonali more than Arsenal do, but as you can see, that doesn’t bring his score up that much…

Sandro Tonali TOTAL SCORE: 11/25
Transfer fee –
Performance **
Achievements **
Career phase ***
Squad need ****

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Erling Haaland’s agent responds to Barcelona transfer talk – but Man City have a bigger problem

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By:Mark Brus
13 March 2026 at 10:14

The agent of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has played down links with Barcelona after recent transfer speculation.

The Norway international is one of the best strikers in world football on his day, so it’s not too surprising to hear talk of Barca looking to position themselves at the front of the queue for any potential deal.

This is what has been reported recently by Sport, who suggested the Catalan giants were keen to negotiate a special clause to give them first refusal if the player ever became available.

However, Haaland’s agent Rafaela Pimenta has quickly shut this down, insisting her client is very happy with life at Man City.

Erling Haaland’s agent denies Barcelona transfer talk

Speaking on La Sexta, as quoted and translated by ESPN, Pimenta said: “We have a lot of respect and admiration for Barcelona, but there hasn’t been any contact whatsoever regarding a potential transfer.

“The player renewed his contract a few months ago, he’s very happy at Manchester City.

“Everything is going very well for him and we really have nothing to discuss about a transfer when everything is so good at City.”

However, it’s probably fair to say there’s a bit of an elephant in the room here, with Haaland currently going through one of the worst patches of his career at the Etihad Stadium.

The goals have dried up for Erling Haaland

Normally a world class goal machine, Haaland is currently on an awful run of just two goals from open play in his last 17 games.

Rarely have we ever seen the former Borussia Dortmund man struggle like this, but if it carries on for much longer then you have to wonder if City would be better off selling him for huge money.

Pep Guardiola’s side are still in the title race, but Arsenal are the big favourites and there’s little hope of MCFC catching them without their best attacking player rediscovering his form.

The post Erling Haaland’s agent responds to Barcelona transfer talk – but Man City have a bigger problem appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Have Arsenal just made a major £75million mistake?

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By:Mark Brus
12 March 2026 at 18:19

Arsenal recently handed Bukayo Saka a bumper new contract – the problem is, he’s no longer performing like the star player his pay packet suggests he is.

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The England international is not having his best season, and it was notable how much better Arsenal looked when they subbed him off for Noni Madueke in last night’s Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen.

While goals and assists aren’t everything, they’re pretty important currency for the star attacker of a top club, and those numbers only seem to be going in the wrong direction for Saka.

Bukayo Saka’s G/A numbers continue to decline

See below as a quite clear pattern has emerged showing that Saka peaked with his output two years ago, with injuries clearly seeming to take a toll since then…

Bukayo Saka stats in recent seasons
Bukayo Saka stats in recent seasons (Sky Sports)

So far in 2025/26, Saka is on nine goals and five assists in 39 games in all competitions – a distinctly average return, and perhaps more concerning as the season goes on, with the 24-year-old on just two goals and two assists in 2026 so far.

The presence of Saka means Madueke has had limited minutes, but he’s still managed seven goals and one assist in 29 appearances, only 19 of which have been in the starting XI.

Bukayo Saka not justifying huge new Arsenal contract

According to the Guardian, Saka is now on a contract until 2031, with Arsenal set to pay him £15m a year until that time, amounting to roughly a £75m investment.

If Arsenal had agreed that kind of deal a year or two ago, no one would bat an eyelid, but at the moment it looks like the club may have walked into a major mistake.

Saka’s fitness has been patchy, and it’s starting to look like it’s having an effect with his on-pitch displays.

For someone who’s played so much football already at a relatively young age, it wouldn’t be surprising if we saw Saka suffer in much the same way as other explosive young forwards did.

Names like Michael Owen and Marcus Rashford come to mind as players who peaked far earlier than the standard 25-28 age bracket due to becoming important first-team regulars as teenagers.

Bukayo Saka needs a rest, but when will it come?

It looks like Saka just needs a rest right now after such a gruelling schedule in the last few years, with the winger playing at a high level every three days pretty much constantly.

Unfortunately, Mikel Arteta needs his star man to be ready to fight for the Premier League title, Carabao Cup final, and continued runs in the FA Cup and the Champions League.

While Madueke is showing himself to be a fine alternative, it seems unlikely that Arsenal are going to bench their highest earner any time soon, with every game at this stage of the season looking hugely important.

And after that, there’s the World Cup with England to think about, with Saka almost certain to be on the plane to North America, and likely to be in Thomas Tuchel’s first XI at the tournament.

Arsenal know they have an elite talent on their hands, hence the big pay day and the frequent minutes, but as time goes on it increasingly seems like those two things can’t go hand in hand comfortably together.

The post Have Arsenal just made a major £75million mistake? appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Exclusive: Arsenal considering 10 G/A star for important transfer upgrade

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By:Mark Brus
12 March 2026 at 17:20

Arsenal are exploring the market for wingers this summer, and Brentford’s Kevin Schade is understood to be one name being discussed internally.

The 24-year-old has caught the eye in the Premier League, weighing in with seven goals and three assists this season, following on from 12 goals in all competitions last term.

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As reported here recently, Schade’s form has seen him become a target for Tottenham, Aston Villa, and Newcastle United, though Brentford shut down any interest in the Germany international in January.

My understanding is the summer could be different, however, with Arsenal now also showing an interest in Schade as one of the options to replace Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.

Arsenal need a new left winger – Kevin Schade could be the answer

Schade looks ready to make the step up to a higher level, just as many other players from Brentford have in recent times.

The Bees have sold big names like Ivan Toney, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa in recent times, as well as David Raya and Christian Norgaard to Arsenal.

“Arsenal and Brentford have a good relationship, so that could help with Schade,” one source said. “He’s been on the radar of a few clubs for some time now, but Arsenal’s interest is growing.”

Having strengthened with attacking players like Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke last summer, it now looks like AFC just need one more addition to give them something different on the left, with Schade perhaps an ideal pick.

Kevin Schade transfer looks a good fit for Arsenal, but could they do better?

Schade has shown plenty of promise, but his numbers at the moment are perhaps a bit short of what a club like Arsenal need.

He’s young enough that he could still improve, particularly with better players around him, and he has that good blend of experience as well, having been in the Premier League since he was a youngster.

Kevin Schade TOTAL SCORE: 15/25
Transfer fee *
Performance ***
Achievements **
Career phase ****
Squad need *****

We’ve previously been informed that Schade would likely cost around €60m, however, and even if it’s a difficult market for attacking players right now, there are probably some better value-for-money options out there.

That’s why we’ve only given the Schade to Arsenal transfer a 15/25 – very much a medium score on our Transfer Fit rating system.

The post Exclusive: Arsenal considering 10 G/A star for important transfer upgrade appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arteta told he has “brave decision” to make after Arsenal star “changed the game” vs Leverkusen

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By:Mark Brus
12 March 2026 at 15:57

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been told that he may have a “brave decision” to make on Bukayo Saka after Noni Madueke played a lot better than him against Bayer Leverkusen.

The Gunners were far from at their best in last night’s 1-1 draw in the Champions League, with Saka in particular struggling to provide the spark he normally does.

Madueke was subbed on to replace his fellow England winger, and it quickly became apparent that he was offering more of a threat.

The former Chelsea man then ended up winning the penalty for Arsenal late on, with Kai Havertz stepping up to equalise from the spot.

Should Mikel Arteta start Noni Madueke over Bukayo Saka?

Discussing how this all unfolded, former Premier League striker Charlie Austin said on Sky Sports News that Arteta may now have a brave decision to make.

Austin felt that Saka didn’t really perform, despite being the club’s star player, while Madueke changed the game when he came on.

“It’s a tough one,” he said. “I think when he’s come on, the performances he’s put in have warranted starting.

"What more can Madueke do" ?

Charlie Austin looks at whether Noni Madueke should be starting over Bukayo Saka for Arsenal and believes Mikel Arteta will be satisfied with the 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen ? pic.twitter.com/YxcpU5tB9E

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 12, 2026

“The issue that he has, unfortunately, is that Arsenal’s star boy plays in the same position as him, so it’s going to take the manager to make a brave decision to make that change.”

He added: “If I’m Noni Madueke, I’m asking the question: ‘What more can I do?’ because when he came on last night he changed the game…

“He got the ball, he ran at defenders, made things happen. In the 58, 59 minutes that Saka was on the pitch, he didn’t.”

Bukayo Saka vs Noni Madueke stats

Here’s a look at how Saka and Madueke’s stats compare so far this season…

Bukayo Saka vs Noni Madueke stats
Bukayo Saka vs Noni Madueke stats (DataMB)

Clearly, Saka still offers a lot, even if he isn’t passing the so-called ‘eye test’ at the moment in the same way as he has in the past.

At the same time, it’s also worth remembering that Saka has had a lot more minutes than Madueke, so perhaps the latter is showing signs that he could do a better job overall if he had more time on the pitch and more opportunities to develop better chemistry with his teammates.

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Talks held: Manchester City director recently met with PSG star’s agent

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By:Mark Brus
12 March 2026 at 15:30

Manchester City sporting director Hugo Viana reportedly met recently with the agent of Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele.

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The France international’s representative, Moussa Sissoko, recently met with Viana in what is being described as a routine contact, the kind of which often takes place between high-level club officials and player agents.

Still, as reported by Sport, this has led to speculation about Dembele’s future, and it would certainly make sense if the former Barcelona man had interest from another top club like Man City.

This is not the first time recently that we’ve heard murmurings about Dembele’s situation, with TEAMtalk reporting on him being unhappy at PSG.

Ousmane Dembele transfer could transform Manchester City’s attack

Dembele is one of the very best players in the world on his day, as he showed last season when he put in some of the best form of his career to fire PSG to Champions League glory.

The 28-year-old won the Ballon d’Or for his efforts, and with his ability to play anywhere across the forward line, he could be a hugely important addition to this City squad.

See below for our Transfer Fit rating score (find out how it works here)…

Ousmane Dembele TOTAL SCORE: 17/25
Transfer fee *
Performance *****
Achievements *****
Career phase **
Squad need ****

Dembele probably wouldn’t come cheap and is clearly not someone with that long left at the very highest level, even if he’s been a bit of a late bloomer in his career.

Still, it’s hard not to give this deal a higher end of medium score overall, as Dembele could provide MCFC with an alternative to the out-of-form Erling Haaland, as well as an upgrade on inconsistent attacking players like Phil Foden, Omar Marmoush, Savinho, and Jeremy Doku.

City haven’t quite looked themselves this season, so injecting a proven attacking talent who can play a variety of roles looks like just what they need to get back to their best.

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Report: Liverpool alerted as Premier League star made available in tempting £60m transfer

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By:Mark Brus
12 March 2026 at 15:02

Liverpool are reportedly one of the clubs to have been alerted to the availability of Newcastle United full-back Tino Livramento this summer.

There have been a lot of recent transfer reports about Livramento, who is coming up to the final two years of his contract at St James’ Park.

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Just yesterday, the Telegraph reported that Arsenal were weighing up a summer bid for the former Chelsea youngster, while TEAMtalk now has further insight into his situation.

It seems Newcastle are open to letting Livramento go for around £60m this summer, and a host of clubs have been informed about his potential availability.

One of those is Liverpool, according to TEAMtalk, though they also suggest the strongest interest may be coming from Manchester City.

Tino Livramento could be an important signing for Liverpool

Liverpool signed both Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez last summer to give them a new right-back and left-back, respectively.

However, it would be fair to say neither player has exactly hit the ground running, even if Kerkez has improved a bit as the season has gone on.

Livramento can play right-back or left-back to a high standard, so even if he wouldn’t come cheap, he’d clearly do a job for Arne Slot’s side, whilst bringing a good amount of Premier League experience…

Tino Livramento TOTAL SCORE: 17/25
Transfer fee **
Performance ***
Achievements ***
Career phase ****
Squad need *****

Overall, we give him a 17/25 Transfer Fit rating, which is the higher end of medium, as he looks a little overpriced, even if he otherwise ticks a few boxes. For that kind of fee, however, there could surely be better options out there.

Liverpool to raid Newcastle again?

Liverpool might not be too keen to enter into a protracted transfer saga with Newcastle again after how long it took them to eventually get Alexander Isak through the door last summer.

It might mean relations between the two clubs are strained, even if Livramento’s situation is admittedly quite different.

The post Report: Liverpool alerted as Premier League star made available in tempting £60m transfer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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