The agent of Bayer Leverkusen sensation Christian Kofane has confirmed that Arsenal’s interest in signing the young centre-forward is “genuine,” giving the Gunners a massive boost.

The news broke following an exclusive update from Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, which revealed that Mikel Arteta’s side has been monitoring the Cameroon striker closely for several months.

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Kofane’s representative, Eric Depolo, has now validated these reports, providing a candid insight into the ongoing dialogue between the North London club and the player’s camp.

Christian Kofane agent confirms talks with Arsenal

Speaking via Daily Talking Arsenal as reported by Florian Plettenberg, Eric Depolo confirmed the contact with the Premier League leaders.

Depolo stated:

“Yes, Arsenal’s interest is genuine. Mikel Arteta likes him very much. There is contact between me and Arsenal. But their focus right now is on winning the league. After that, everything will start to move.”

Depolo went even further, making a bold claim regarding Kofane’s potential and price tag:

“He is a €100 million player. With Kofane, Arsenal will have a top striker for the next 10 years.”

?? Revealed exclusively today: Arsenal are interested in Christian #Kofane. They are monitoring him closely.

His agent Eric Depolo confirmed via @DTalkingArsenal: “Yes, Arsenal’s interest is genuine. Mikel Arteta
likes him very much (…) There is contact between me and… pic.twitter.com/BdbRNcB0XA

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) April 1, 2026

Kofane’s impressive stats at a young age

The hype surrounding Kofane is backed by a clinical debut season in Germany.

Despite only turning 19 last July, the Douala-born striker has registered 7 goals and 8 assists in 39 appearances across all competitions for Bayer Leverkusen.

His ability to lead the line with both physicality and technical grace was particularly evident during the Champions League Round of 16, where he reportedly left a lasting impression on Arteta’s coaching staff.

Having already earned six caps for the Cameroon national team, Kofane is garnering attention from top clubs including Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Interest from these elite clubs shows that Arsenal could really be signing a gem if they can secure his signature.

The post “There is contact between me & Arsenal” – Agent of ‘€100m’ attacker confirms talks with the Gunners; Arteta really likes him appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that the club will be without first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker for Saturday’s high-stakes FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City.

The Brazilian shot-stopper, who withdrew from international duty last week, remains sidelined with a muscle injury.

Speaking to club media on Wednesday, Slot provided a somber update on his number one, while also addressing the fitness of several other key stars ahead of the trip to the Etihad Stadium.

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Arne Slot delivers update on Alisson Becker and Jeremie Frimpong

While Alisson’s absence is a major blow, there was a mix of relief and caution regarding right-back Jeremie Frimpong.

The Dutchman was forced off just 12 minutes into his appearance during the Netherlands’ 1-1 draw with Ecuador on Tuesday, sparking fears of another long-term layoff.

Arne Slot on Frimpong and Alisson out (via Fabrizio Romano): “Jeremie, the national team doctor of the Netherlands tells us that it was precautionary that they took him out”.

“Alisson will be out for a bit longer”.

? Arne Slot on Frimpong and Alisson out: “Jeremie, the national team doctor of the Netherlands tells us that it was precautionary that they took him out”.

“Alisson will be out for a bit longer”. pic.twitter.com/2UbDXmIoRt

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 1, 2026

The update follows a frustrating run for Frimpong, who has struggled with four separate muscle injuries during his debut season at Anfield.

Liverpool fans will be holding their breath for the scan results, as the defender has already missed 25 games for club and country this term.

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Liverpool to be without several star players against Man City

Despite the setbacks for Alisson and Frimpong, Slot was able to provide some positive news. Mohamed Salah, who missed the defeat at Brighton before the break, and Federico Chiesa are both expected to be available for the City clash.

Liverpool have also officially confirmed that Alexander Isak has returned to full training after suffering a nasty injury against Tottenham earlier in the season.

With Alisson out, Giorgi Mamardashvili is expected to start in goal, while Dominik Szoboszlai may once again be asked to fill in at right-back.

The post ’Out for a bit longer’ – Liverpool suffer massive blow as Arne Slot confirms key star injury update appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Chelsea has officially avoided a Premier League points deduction despite announcing a staggering pre-tax loss of £262.4 million for the 2024/25 financial year, the largest annual loss in the history of English football.

While rivals like Everton and Nottingham Forest have faced sporting sanctions for smaller breaches in recent years, the Blues have navigated the league’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) through a combination of strategic accounting and unprecedented cooperation with regulators.

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Chelsea announce record financial loss

The club’s latest accounts, released on April 1, 2026, reveal a massive swing from the previous year’s profit of £128.4 million.

This record-breaking deficit eclipses the previous high of £197.5 million set by Manchester City in 2011.

Club officials attributed the downturn to a sharp rise in operating costs and a wage bill estimated to be the sixth highest in Europe at £390 million.

Despite generating the second-highest revenue in the club’s history (£490.9 million), the heavy investment in the squad, assembled at a cost of over £1.5 billion, has placed immense pressure on the balance sheet.

Chelsea escape points deduction due to smart move

Despite the eye-watering headline figure, Chelsea remain PSR compliant for the three-year monitoring period ending in 2025, as explained by the Guardian.

The club successfully avoided a points deduction because under Premier League rules, losses attributed to infrastructure, the academy, the women’s team, and community projects are deductible.

By maximising these “add-backs,” Chelsea pulled their “adjusted” loss back under the £105 million three-year limit.

Biggest pre-tax losses in Premier League history

Chelsea’s recorded loss goes down on top of the list for the biggest pre-tax losses in the history of the competition.

Biggest pre-tax losses in Premier League history via BBC

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Marcus Rashford’s future has been cast into significant doubt following reports that Barcelona have allowed a crucial transfer deadline to pass, potentially opening the door for a dramatic return to Manchester United this summer.

The England forward joined the Catalan giants on a season-long loan last summer after a high-profile falling out with former United boss Ruben Amorim.

While Rashford has found his feet again under Hansi Flick at the Camp Nou, his permanent stay in Spain is uncertain.

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Barcelona’s buy option for Marcus Rashford expires

According to a report from Cadena SER, Barcelona’s option to trigger a permanent move for Rashford expired on March 31, 2026.

The clause, believed to be worth around €30m (£26m), would have given Barça total control over the transfer.

By failing to notify Manchester United of their intent to trigger the fee by the deadline, the La Liga leaders have lost their fixed-price advantage.

Conflicting reports suggest the clause might technically run until mid-June, but the consensus in Spain is that Barcelona are hesitant to commit to a permanent deal.

Despite Rashford’s 10 goal contributions in La Liga and the Champions League this season, his substantial wage demands, combined with La Liga’s strict salary cap, have proven a major stumbling block.

Barcelona are reportedly interested in a second loan deal, but Manchester United are understood to be against another loan move, preferring a definitive sale to fund their own summer rebuild.

Marcus Rashford might have a chance for redemption

If a permanent move to Barcelona collapses, Rashford could find a very different atmosphere awaiting him at Old Trafford.

The 28-year-old’s exit was largely attributed to a fractured relationship with Ruben Amorim, but with Amorim having departed in January, the landscape has shifted.

Under interim manager Michael Carrick, United have undergone a resurgence, winning seven of their last ten games.

Carrick, who played alongside Rashford for several seasons, has won over the dressing room and is the frontrunner to be named permanent manager this summer.

If Carrick is given the job full-time, the prospect of Rashford reintegrating into a thriving squad, rather than being sold to the highest bidder, cannot be completely ruled out.

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Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has been officially charged with improper conduct by the FA following a controversial red card during the club’s recent 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.

The England international was sent off for a professional foul on Cherries striker Evanilson, which resulted in a penalty.

However, it is the aftermath of the dismissal that has landed the 33-year-old in significant disciplinary trouble.

Harry Maguire in hot waters with FA

According to a report from The Independent, the FA’s charge alleges that Maguire breached FA Rule E3.1 by using “abusive or insulting words and/or behaving in an improper manner” toward the fourth official, Matt Donohue, as he left the field.

Eyewitnesses at Old Trafford noted a heated exchange between the defender and the officiating crew after the VAR confirmed the straight red card.

The FA statement released on Wednesday morning confirmed that the center-back’s conduct was deemed “inappropriate” for a professional of his standing.

Maguire now has until April 2, 2026, to provide a formal response to the governing body regarding the allegations.

Also Read: Harry Maguire handed 15-month suspended prison sentence  

How many matches could Harry Maguire miss?

The standard punishment for a professional foul (denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity) is a one-match suspension.

However, an additional charge for improper conduct typically carries a further two-match ban and a significant fine if proven. This means Maguire is facing a potential three-match ban.

Three games Harry Maguire could miss if handed extended ban

He is already guaranteed to miss the upcoming home fixture against Leeds, but a guilty verdict would rule him out of the blockbuster trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea, as well as the following home game against Brentford.

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Tottenham’s decision to appoint Roberto De Zerbi as their new head coach has come with a rare and stringent financial safeguard: a “relegation clause” that would see the Italian’s wages slashed if the club fails to avoid the drop.

According to a report by Football Paparazzi, the contract includes a specific provision designed to protect the club’s long-term financial health.

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Should the worst-case scenario occur and Spurs be relegated to the Championship for the first time since 1977, De Zerbi’s salary would significantly reduce to align with the second tier of English football.

Roberto De Zerbi: Tottenham contract details in full

As per reports, De Zerbi will earn a salary in the region of £12m–£15m, making him the third highest-paid manager in the Premier League, behind only Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta.

The lucrative terms were necessary to convince the former Brighton and Marseille boss to take over a side currently sitting 17th in the table with only seven games remaining.

The report also mentions a “survival bonus” which is going to be a massive one time payment if he successfully manages to save the club from relegation with just seven games to go.

De Zerbi’s appointment has not gone down well with fans

Despite the high-profile nature of the hire, the appointment has been met with backlash from the fanbase.

The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust (THST) released a scathing statement criticising the board for hiring a manager who publicly defended Mason Greenwood during his time in France.

Groups like Women of the Lane and Proud Lilywhites also voiced opposition.

De Zerbi arrives at a fractured club with troubles on and off the pitch, where the “relegation clause” in his contract feels less like a formality and more like a looming reality.

The post Rare relegation clause in Roberto De Zerbi contract explained as Tottenham face drop threat – report appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool have been dealt a significant injury blow as star right-back Jeremie Frimpong was forced off just 12 minutes into his appearance for the Netherlands against Ecuador on Tuesday night.

The 25-year-old, who joined the Reds from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, was introduced as a half-time substitute for Cody Gakpo but lasted less than a quarter of an hour before limping straight down the tunnel.

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Ronald Koeman confirms injury to Jeremie Frimpong

Speaking in his post-match press conference following the 1-1 draw in Eindhoven, Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman confirmed that the substitution was enforced.

While the exact nature of the injury is still being assessed by the Dutch medical team, early reports suggest a recurrence of the muscle issues that have plagued Frimpong’s first season on Merseyside.

“It is a muscular problem. Jeremie felt something sharp and we could not take the risk. It is disappointing for him and for his club, especially in such a short space of time after coming on.”

Frimpong’s frustrating debut season at Liverpool

The injury marks the latest chapter in what has been a stop-start debut campaign for the £29.5m signing.

Despite a blistering start where he scored on his debut in the Community Shield, Frimpong has already endured two significant layoffs this season.

He missed the opening month of the Premier League with a hamstring strain and was sidelined again for nearly eight weeks between December and February.

This latest setback comes just as he had regained his starting spot under Arne Slot, having played 60 minutes in each of Liverpool’s last three fixtures prior to the international break.

Liverpool’s right-back woes continue

With a crucial FA Cup clash against Manchester City looming on Saturday, Liverpool’s defensive options are stretched to the limit.

Backup right-back Conor Bradley is already sidelined for the remainder of the season with a knee injury.

Slot has previously been forced to deploy Dominik Szoboszlai as an emergency right-back, a role he may need to reprise, leaving a gap in midfield.

This latest injury raises major questions about Liverpool’s squad depth as they battle on multiple fronts for the Premier League title and cup glory.

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The appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as Tottenham’s new manager has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with the several fan groups including Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust (THST) leading a massive backlash against the club’s decision.

In a scathing official statement, the Trust expressed “serious and far-reaching concerns” regarding the appointment, which they believe fundamentally undermines the club’s stated values.

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While acknowledging the urgent need for a manager to steer Spurs away from a historic relegation, the group revealed they had raised objections with the board prior to the announcement, only to be ignored.

Roberto De Zerbi’s controversial Mason Greenwood comments the cause for backlash

The core of the outrage stems from comments made by De Zerbi during his tenure at Marseille regarding Mason Greenwood.

The Trust labeled these remarks “unnecessary, ill-judged, and deeply offensive,” noting they have left victims of male violence “alarmed.”

“The Club has previously committed to challenging instances of violence against women and girls,” the THST statement read.

“Any perceived sympathy toward alleged perpetrators of physical or sexual violence fundamentally undermines trust in the custodianship of this Club.”

The Trust argued that the appointment creates a “troubling shadow” over the club’s integrity at a time when unity is most needed.

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Women of the Lane also voice staunch opposition

The backlash is not limited to the THST. The co-founder of Women of the Lane, a prominent group for female Spurs supporters, has also voiced staunch opposition.

The group suggested that hiring a manager with such a controversial stance on sensitive issues alienates a significant portion of the match-going fanbase.

The co-founder of Women of the Lane says her group opposes the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as Tottenham manager and she will stop attending matches over the issue. pic.twitter.com/1A3KQfDxLj

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) March 31, 2026

The backlash was preempted by Tottenham expert Alasdair Gold, who feared a potential friction within the fanbase.

The board’s decision to hand De Zerbi a five-year contract has been viewed by some as a dismissal of fan sentiment.

The backlash is the worst thing Tottenham needs right now

For the manager, the immediate task at hand is to save the club from a historic relegation.

While De Zerbi will have to remain focused, there will no doubt an added scrutiny from the English press regarding his controversial comments, adding to added pressure on the Italian.

Furthermore, with fans supporting the team “with a heavy heart,” the toxic atmosphere at the stadium may not be too helpful either.

If De Zerbi cannot provide immediate results on the pitch while addressing these character concerns off it, the divide between the fans and the hierarchy may become irreparable, regardless of which division the club plays in next season.

The post Tottenham face major backlash from fans after latest decision backfires appeared first on CaughtOffside.

New Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi is already making bold moves behind the scenes, with reports claiming he has offered Alessandro Nesta the role of assistant manager.

According to Tuttosport, the former Italy international is seriously considering the proposal.

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De Zerbi, who has signed a long-term contract in North London, is keen to build an elite backroom team as he begins a high-pressure rebuild at Spurs.

The potential addition of Nesta is viewed as a strategic move to address Tottenham’s biggest weakness this season, their defence.

Alessandro Nesta could bring winning mentality to Tottenham

Few defenders in modern football boast a resume like Alessandro Nesta.

A legend of AC Milan, Nesta won the Champions League twice (in 2003 and 2007) and was a key figure in Italy’s triumph at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Since transitioning into management, Nesta has taken charge of clubs including Miami FC, Perugia, Frosinone, Reggiana, and most recently Monza.

His time at Monza proved turbulent, with the club eventually relegated from Serie A.

However, his defensive expertise remains highly regarded, making him an ideal complement to De Zerbi’s attacking philosophy.

Premier League survival is the top priority for Roberto De Zerbi

The potential arrival of Nesta highlights the urgency of Tottenham’s current predicament.

With only seven games remaining and the club sitting just a single point above the drop zone, De Zerbi knows that high-octane De Zerbi-ball must be balanced with defensive steel.

Tottenham have conceded 50 goals this campaign, and while Spurs have two world-class centre-backs in Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, the hope is that Nesta can bring the best out of both.

If Nesta accepts the role, he will be thrust immediately into the fire, with his first task being to organise a defence capable of keeping a clean sheet against Sunderland on April 12.

For Spurs, the calculation is simple: Nesta’s experience might be the difference between a narrow escape and a catastrophic fall to the Championship.

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