Former Roma director Walter Sabatini argues that Luciano Spalletti and Juventus need each other to the point that the Bianconeri will be like ‘pure morphine’ for the ex-Italy coach.

Juventus are set to appoint Spalletti as their new coach, as the Italian tactician has agreed to sign a contract until the end of the season with an option to extend if he qualifies for the Champions League.

Walter Sabatini worked with Spalletti at Roma and is convinced that the Certaldo-born tactician is the right pick for the Bianconeri.

“At Juventus, in the current situation, it’s not enough to just have a coach who does things properly,” Sabatini told Gazzetta.

“The Bianconeri need something more, and Luciano is the ideal genius to lift them back up. Juventus lack leadership on the pitch. When there are no players who can drag the team forward, you need an evolved style of play to neutralise the problems.

Sabatini: Juventus need more than a coach

“Right now, doing things fairly well isn’t enough. I haven’t spoken with Spalletti, but if this were to be the club’s choice, Luciano would be the right man in the right place at the perfect time. Juventus need Luciano and Luciano needs Juventus.”

Spalletti is also looking for a new challenge after his disappointing spell as Italy coach. Sabatini argued that Juventus will be like “pure morphine” for the ex-CT.

“Luciano is physically suffering from the failure with the national team. He can’t find peace,” Sabatini continued.

“The pain caused by this experience with the Azzurri isn’t something aspirin can cure. He lived every day in Coverciano with a patriotic spirit. To ease that pain, Spalletti needs industrial doses of morphine, and Juventus could represent exactly that for him. An ideal and unmissable opportunity for both the club and Luciano, a perfect marriage.”

Italy were eliminated from the 2024 Euros in the Round of 16 at the hands of Switzerland and lost 3-0 in their opening World Cup qualifying fixture against Norway in June, and that defeat cost Spalletti the job.

Sabatini also believes that many players will develop under Spalletti’s guidance, especially Kenan Yildiz.

Sabatini makes Yildiz prediction

“I can picture him being unstoppable. He’s a fabulous talent, young and already decisive at the highest level,” he said.

“Yildiz could be for Juventus what Kvaratskhelia was for Spalletti’s title-winning Napoli. Not so much in terms of playing style, which is different, but in terms of his impact on the team and on matches.

“Spalletti is the embodiment of beauty and expansive football; every player benefits from it,” concluded Sabatini.

“I’m convinced Koopmeiners will rediscover himself under Luciano. If I had to find a flow, maybe Juventus would need more options in midfield.”

Juventus reportedly held talks with Raffaele Palladino and Luciano Spalletti on Tuesday, but the ex-Italy coach has always been the Bianconeri’s first option.

Juventus are on the verge of announcing Spalletti as their new head coach as the Serie A giants reached an agreement with the Certaldo-born tactician on Tuesday.

Spalletti’s Juventus salary revealed

Spalletti has agreed to sign a contract until the end of the season with an option to extend if he qualifies for the Champions League this term.

According to reports in Italy, he’ll earn €3m until the end of the season.

Spalletti has always been Juventus’ priority since Igor Tudor was sacked on Monday, but other candidates had been linked with the Juventus job, including Roberto Mancini and Palladino.

Juventus held talks with Palladino and Spalletti

According to Gazzetta and Sportmediaset, Juventus also held talks with Palladino on Tuesday, as the ex-Fiorentina coach was a candidate suggested by the Bianconeri’s technical director, François Modesto, who previously worked with Palladino at Monza.

According to reports, the meeting between Palladino and Juventus directors, however, was just a ‘courtesy chat’ as the Bianconeri were eager to finalise an agreement with Spalletti, whose appointment will be announced in the coming hours.

Multiple sources in Italy claim that Luciano Spalletti will earn €3m until the end of the season, and according to SportMediaset, the new Juventus coach will be in the stands at the Allianz Stadium today.

Spalletti set to be appointed as new Juventus coach

Juventus are set to announce Spalletti as their new coach. The Italian tactician reached a principle of agreement with the Bianconeri on Tuesday and the club are expected to confirm his appointment today or tomorrow.

Spalletti will sign a contract until the end of the season with an obligation to extend if he gets Champions League qualification this term.

How much will Spalletti earn at Juventus?

Gazzetta and Sportmediaset report that Spalletti will arrive in Turin today and that he’ll earn €3m until the end of the season.

According to the Italian broadcasters, the ex-Italy boss will even watch his new team in action from the Allianz Stadium today, when they host Udinese with interim coach Massimo Brambilla on the bench.

Both Gazzetta and Sportmediaset report that Juventus director Damien Comolli spoke to both Raffaele Palladino and Spalletti on Tuesday, but the ex-Napoli and Roma coach has always been the Old Lady’s primary option to replace Igor Tudor.

Cagliari President Tommaso Giulini hits back at Milan owner Gerry Cardinale and argues that ‘someone in the USA might cheer more for Cagliari than for Milan.’

What did Cardinale say about Cagliari?

Milan owner Cardinale attracted criticism from Cagliari President Giulini after claiming in a recent interview that “In the United States, no one wants to see Cagliari against Lecce, and that’s a problem. Competition is the essence of sport, but it’s not rewarded financially.”

Giulini replied to Cardinale with a post on X social media: “Dear Cardinale, it’s easy to say that nobody cares about Cagliari-Lecce when one only knows Sardinia as a tourist,” said the Rossoblu president.

Giulini hits back at Cardinale

“The eighth club in Italy by fanbase is watched, respected and, perhaps, someone in the USA might cheer more for Cagliari than for Milan.”

Cagliari and Milan haven’t yet met this season, as the first Serie A encounter between these two sides will take place at the start of January 2026.

Milan drew 1-1 against Atalanta on Tuesday in Serie A Week 9, which is being played midweek.

Cagliari host Sassuolo tomorrow, Thursday, October 30. The Sardinians sit 14th in Serie A with nine points. They have collected one win, two draws and two defeats in their last five games.

Milan, on the other hand, only lost one game so far this season, but have collected just two wins and three draws in the last five games so they are now three points below table leaders Napoli.

Francesco Pio Esposito and Lautaro Martinez are expected to lead the Inter attack against a Fiorentina side that are still looking for their first win in Serie A this season.

It kicks off at 20:45 CET (19:45 GMT) at the Stadio Meazza in San Siro, Milan.

It’s a mid-week Serie A round that kicked off on Tuesday with Napoli’s 1-0 win over Lecce and Milan’s 1-1 draw against Atalanta.

The Nerazzurri are without the injured Marcus Thuram, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Raffaele Di Gennaro and Matteo Darmian. Second-choice keeper Josep Martinez is also unavailable following a car accident in which he was involved on the eve of the game and which caused the death of an elderly man.

The whole was affected by the tragic news, and coach Cristian Chivu cancelled his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

On the pitch, Chivu is expected to confirm Manuel Akanji, Francesco Acerbi and Alessandro Bastoni at the back, according to Gazzetta, while Pio Esposito will partner with Lautaro Martinez in attack.

Petar Sucic is expected to replace the injured Mkhitaryan in central midfield.

Fiorentina, on the other hand, are expected to rely on Albert Gudmundsson and Moise Kean in attack, while Pietro Comuzzo or Pablo Mari will join Marin Pongracic and Luca Ranieri at the back.

Inter vs. Fiorentina – where to watch on TV

The game is available to stream live on DAZN in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA.

Inter vs. Fiorentina – probable line-ups

Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Akanji, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Sucic, Carlos Augusto; Esposito, Lautaro Martinez.

Fiorentina: (3-5-2): De Gea; Pongracic, Pablo Marì, Ranieri; Dodo, Mandragora, Nicolussi Caviglia, Sohm, Gosens; Gudmundsson, Kean.

Paulo Dybala is expected to start as a false nine for Roma against Parma with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Matias Soulé playing as attacking midfielders.

It kicks off t 18:30 CET (17:30 GMT) at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

The Giallorossi need a win to catch Napoli at the top of the Serie A table as the Partenopei beat Lecce 1-0 away on Tuesday.

Angelino is still unavailable for the home side, while Parma have travelled to the capital without the injured Ondrejka, Frigan, Oristanio, Valeri and Keita.

Roma coach Gasperini will confirm Dybala as a false nine after the Argentine scored his first Serie A goal this season in Sunday’s 1-0 victory against Sassuolo.

According to Gazzetta, Parma will switch to a four-man defence with Abdoulaye Ndiaye returning after a one-game ban.

Patrick Cutrone and Mateo Pellegrino will lead the Ducali’s attack at the Olimpico today. Adrian Bernabé, Oliver Sorensen, Nahuel Estevez and Christian Ordonez will start in midfield.

Roma vs. Parma – where to watch on TV

The game will be streamed live on DAZN in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA.

Roma vs. Parma – probable line-ups

Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Ndicka; Rensch, Cristante, Kone, Wesley; Soulé, Pellegrini; Dybala.

Parma (4-3-1-2): Suzuki; Delprato, Circati, Ndiaye, Britschgi; Estevez, Sorensen, Ordonez; Bernabé; Cutrone, Pellegrino.

Juventus interim coach Massimo Brambilla will look to Kenan Yildiz and Jonathan David for a home game against Nicolò Zaniolo’s Udinese.

It kicks off at 18:30 CET (17:30 GMT) at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.

Juventus sacked Igor Tudor on Monday, so Brambilla, the NextGen coach, will lead the team for this fixture before the appointment of Luciano Spalletti.

According to Gazzetta, Brambilla will stick to a three-man defence even if Juventus’ system could become a 4-3-1-2 if Weston McKennie drops down in defence.

The pink paper claims that Yildiz, David, and Dusan Vlahovic will start in attack.

In contrast, according to Tuttosport, Vlahovic will start on the bench, making room for Francisco Conceiçao up front.

Juan Cabal, Arek Milik, Carlo Pinsoglio and Gleison Bremer are unavailable for the Bianconeri this evening.

Udinese will look to Zaniolo and Keinan Davis in attack.

According to several sources, Spalletti has reached an agreement to become the new Juventus coach and the Tuscan tactician will be in the stands at the Allianz Stadium this evening.

Juventus vs. Udinese – where to watch on TV

The match is available to stream live on DAZN in the UK and Ireland and Paramount+ in the USA.

Juventus vs. Udinese – probable line-ups

Juventus (3-4-1-2): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Gatti, Kelly (or Koopmeiners); McKennie, Locatelli, Thuram, Cambiaso; Conceicao (or Vlahovic), Yildiz; David.

Udinese (3-5-2): Okoye; Goglichidze, Kabasele, Solet; Zanoli, Piotrowski, Karlstrom, Atta, Kamara; Zaniolo, Davis.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Napoli run away, Milan pull the brake

Spalletti yes

Juventus’ breakthrough, the signature tomorrow

Agreement until June, renewal in case of Champions League. Chiellini decisive in the decision. Yildiz and two strikers against Udinese.

Inter start again

Chivu to the assault: 9 points before the break

Martinez tragedy

The goalkeeper hits and kills an elderly man

Corriere dello Sport

Juve, Spalletti signs

Contract until June with an option to renew

The official statement today. Automatic extension if he qualifies for the Champions League. He’ll be in the stands against Udinese (18:30). He’ll return to a four-man defence.

Napoli run away

Conte insists

Lecce beaten with Anguissa, and messages were sent

Still table leaders: +3 on Roma

Antonio wins away from home after four defeats and reignites the controversy with Marotta: ‘I hope Rocchi and the referees are not influenced, but we are not stupid.’ Today, Gasperini challenges Parma (18.30).

Lookman stops Milan: Allegri goes -3 from the top

Martinez shocked

Fatal car accident on the eve of Inter-Fiorentina

Tuttosport

Inter and Martinez shocked

The Nerazzurri goalkeeper hit an elderly man, who died, with his car

The Spaniard was heading to Appiano: He hit 80-year-old Paolo Saibene with his car, dead on the scene. The footballer is under investigation for vehicular homicide. On the pitch at San Siro: Pioli’s Fiorentina in a crisis arrive.

Juve, Spalletti believes in it

Today (18:30) Juve-Udinese. Tomorrow the new coach.

Decisive meeting with Chiellini yesterday. Comolli decided and the owners gave the green light. Contract until the end of the season and automatic renewal if he were to finish in the top four. The Regista is a priority: Hjulmand trending again.

Baroni motivates Toro: ‘Don’t settle.’ There’s still Paleari.

Napoli go +3, wasteful Milan

Anguissa still decisive for the defending champions. Lookman scores the equaliser for La Dea

Napoli are preparing a renewed push to sign Kobbie Mainoo from Manchester United in the January window, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

With the Africa Cup of Nations looming and Frank Anguissa set to join Cameroon, the Serie A champions are prioritising midfield reinforcements to protect their title defence and European ambitions.

Mainoo, 20, was the subject of loan discussions in the summer and remains high on Napoli’s list after his composed performances for United.

Man United have no desire to sell Kobbie Mainoo

However, recent indications from Old Trafford suggest United would prefer to keep the youngster, despite giving the midfielder less playing time.

Napoli’s interest in Mainoo is not new. They tried to sign him in the summer transfer window but manager Ruben Amorim decided to keep the midfielder at the club to keep the depth of his squad intact.

For Napoli, Anguissa’s AFCON absence magnifies the need for a reliable No.8/No.6 hybrid who can slot beside a deeper controller or anchor a midfield when matches tighten.

The Italian club explored a loan in the summer, and a similar structure is expected to be proposed again, a straight loan or a loan with performance-related clauses.

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Napoli are expected to make a move for Mainoo soon

United’s stance complicates matters. Mainoo is considered one of the brightest talents of the club’s current generation.

The Red Devils are already braced for international call-ups in other positions and are reluctant to thin out the squad mid-season, especially with injuries and rotation inevitable.

United’s preference to retain the player suggests that any agreement would require strong assurances, a significant loan fee, clear usage plans, and perhaps no option to buy, to even reach the discussion table.

Pete O’Rourke of the Football Insider has previously described Mainoo as a ‘talented’ player.

Man United considering £44m January offer for priority target who is the ‘full package’

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Real Madrid are weighing a blockbuster move for Erling Haaland, with the Manchester City striker reportedly at the top of their shortlist if the club decide to reshape their forward line and move on from Vinícius Júnior.

As reported by Sport, Madrid have been tracking the 25-year-old Norwegian as a potential centrepiece for their next attacking cycle.

Intriguingly, Haaland and his representatives are said not to have closed the door on a future switch to the Bernabéu, despite the fact he recently signed a nine-and-a-half-year contract at the Etihad running to 2034.

Erling Haaland would transform Real Madrid

Haaland is an out-and-out No.9 who guarantees goals at a historic rate. His penalty-box instincts, aerial dominance, and explosive power would give Los Blancos a true reference point through the middle.

Although they already have Kylian Mbappe in their team who has lead the attack exceptionally well this season, that hasn’t stopped them from chasing the Man City star.

For a club that measures seasons in Champions League runs and La Liga titles, securing a striker of Haaland’s pedigree would be a statement of both sporting ambition and financial might.

The potential move is tied, in part, to uncertainty around Vinícius Júnior’s future. While he remains one of the most dangerous wide forwards in world football, ongoing speculation about his role and long-term fit has prompted Madrid to game-plan different configurations for the front three.

Should circumstances push the club toward a reset out wide, pivoting to a central, high-scoring striker like Haaland becomes an attractive counterbalance.

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Real Madrid would have to make a record offer for Haaland

In such a scenario, Madrid could rebuild around a traditional axis, elite No.9 supported by high-work-rate wide players and midfield runners.

There are, of course, formidable hurdles. Man City are under no pressure to sell a generational forward tied to an exceptionally long contract.

The transfer fee, wage package, and sporting guarantees required to tempt both club and player would likely push the boundaries of even Madrid’s resources.

Madrid see a once-in-a-generation finisher who fits their eternal mandate to collect the game’s brightest stars. City hold the leverage of a long contract and a player central to their project.

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It has been an eventful season for Liverpool so far.

The defending Premier League champions looked clear favorites to win the Premier League title and that is how they started their season.

Five wins from the first five games and their record of scoring late goals showed that their mentality is unbreakable this season under the leadership of Arne Slot.

The fact that the Reds were doing that without their expensive new signings performing well showed that there is more to come.

However, they have lost all four Premier League matches since then and have fallen seven points behind Arsenal in the Premier League title race.

Federico Chiesa has impressed this season

One of their key players this season has been Italian winger Federico Chiesa who has made it a habit to make an impact after coming on from the bench.

Slot has still not given him enough starts but Chiesa keeps on knocking on the door.

The former Juventus winger cleared his future ahead of the Carabao Cup match against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.

He said, as reported by Liverpool.com:

“At the moment I’m happy with what I’m doing.

“I’m not happy with what the situation is like for the team because we’re not winning, but, personally, I think I’m giving a lot to the team, to the fans and I want to keep doing that in order to win in the future.

“That’s the main reason I’m doing this. Obviously, I want to stay here and I want to win for Liverpool again.

“I want to play good. That’s my main goal, then the coach is going to decide whether I’m starting or not. But if I keep on playing well, then, of course, I’m going to have more minutes. That’s because the coach sees that. He showed that to me because I’ve been playing better.

“Last year I wasn’t fit enough. I wasn’t mentally ready and I didn’t play. I was totally okay with it because I wasn’t up to speed with the other lads.

“This year, I felt as soon as we started I felt better physically and mentally. I have played more and I still need to play more to reach the level. I was playing a lot when I won the Euros (in 2021).

“I’m a different player now, but I like where I’m going and I like the fact I have improved in many aspects of my game, apart from the fact I have lost a bit of speed.”

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Liverpool winger wants to prove himself at Anfield

Chiesa deserves more opportunities this year. He is fit and in his best form since joining the club.

It is highly likely that he will start against Palace in the Carabao Cup tonight but even in the Premier League, the Italian deserves more playing time than he is actually getting at the moment.

Considering how the first team starters are struggling to perform at the moment, Slot needs to use his bench more in order to keep his squad fresh and happy.

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Football pundit Jamie Carragher has tipped Arsenal defender Gabriel to win the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award if the Gunners win the league.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are leading the Premier League title race at the moment, with a four point lead at the top of the league table.

They are six points ahead of Manchester City and seven points ahead of Liverpool in the standings.
Although it is still too early in the season, they have shown that this could finally be their year to end their league title drought.

The backbone of the team is their defensive strength and their ability to lock down games.

In nine Premier League matches this season, the Gunners have conceded just three goals.

Jamie Carragher praises Arsenal defender Gabriel

All their defenders have been rock solid but the leader of their defensive line is Brazilian centre-back Gabriel.

“I think if Arsenal go on and win the league, right now, I think he’s the number one contender,” Carragher said earlier this week on Sky Sports.

“I look at those other three players (McGrath, Terry, Van Dijk), great players, all leaders for their clubs like Gabriel is.

“Actually John Terry is the only one to win the Premier League in the year he won the PFA Player of the Year award.

“But when you actually look at John Terry and Virgil van Dijk’s role, look at the goals.

“They’re not just big leaders at the back, the number of goals they get… and [Gabriel’s] record is actually far better than theirs when you look at those numbers.”

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Gunners have shown brilliance in defense

The season is still young and there is a long way to go but the Gunners have made a strong case of winning the league title this year.

Not only because of their brilliance but also because how teams like Liverpool and Manchester City are struggling to find consistency and form.

After the summer transfer business, Arne Slot’s side looked like clear favourites to defend their league title but Arteta and his team have surprised fans with their performances and their defensive grit.

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Vinícius Júnior is weighing up a future away from Real Madrid, according to Diario AS.

The 25-year-old winger, long viewed as a cornerstone of Madrid’s attack, has endured a turbulent start to the season under Xabi Alonso, and sources indicate he could even consider a January exit if his status does not improve.

Reports add that Vinícius was left out of the starting XI three times and has been substituted regularly in recent weeks, culminating in a flashpoint during El Clásico.

Vinícius & Alonso are not getting along in Madrid

Relations between player and Alonso have broken after the Brazilian reacted angrily to being taken off in Madrid’s 2-1 win over Barcelona, with face-to-face talks expected to follow.

Having already drawn Saudi interest in the summer, the forward suddenly looks unsettled in Madrid.

Once the electric driver of Madrid’s left flank, he now finds himself negotiating unfamiliar territory.

Under the leadership of Alonso, the player’s playing time has decreased. While Vinícius remains a high-usage, high-impact wide forward, capable of breaking games open with acceleration and 1v1 flair, the current setup has occasionally prioritised structural control over pure transition.

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Can Real Madrid deal with the loss of Vinícius?

El Clásico proved a tipping point. Being withdrawn in a showcase fixture is never simple, tempers ran high, and the optics of visible frustration fuelled talk of a rift.

This is an elite attacker under long-term contract, immensely popular with supporters and commercially significant. Losing him would be a massive blow, whichever way you look at it.

Any January move would require a complex negotiation, not least because Madrid would be reluctant sellers without a succession plan. Yet the player’s leverage rises if minutes stay sporadic and the atmosphere remains strained.

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Manchester City have been without last year’s Ballon d’Or winner Rodri for a while again, the Spanish midfielder is not yet ready to return to action. Striker Erling Haaland and defender Abdukodir Khusanov have had problems as well, and manager Pep Guardiola has provided some updates on the situation with all three players. Pep Guardiola […]

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Napoli’s pursuit of Rasmus Højlund has moved into high gear.

According to the Daily Mirror, the Serie A side have been given the “green light” to convert the on-loan Manchester United forward into a permanent signing as early as January, activating a £38 million option negotiated with the Old Trafford club.

The 22-year-old has rediscovered his spark in Naples, and with six goals in six appearances across all competitions, the Danish striker’s form is accelerating talks toward a swift resolution.

For Napoli, it’s the chance to lock in a long-term No.9, for Højlund, it’s an opportunity to cement a starring role in a system that clearly suits him.

Rasmus Højlund has impressed at Napoli

Højlund’s impact has been immediate. Freed by Napoli’s front-foot approach and the abundance of service from creative midfielders and wide men, the Dane has shown form that made Man United sign him in the first place.

The goals have arrived in varied fashion, first-time finishes, surges in transition, and decisive touches in crowded areas, showing that he has managed to rediscover his form and confidence.

From Napoli’s perspective, triggering the £38m clause makes sense and as things stand, it looks like a bargain deal.

It provides clarity heading into the second half of the season and protects the club from a competitive summer market in which Højlund’s price would likely rise if his form continues.

The fee also looks sensible for a 22-year-old with significant upside and resale potential.

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Man United have decided to let Højlund leave

United would be parting with a young striker whose ceiling remains high and whose form in Italy has been sensational. The Red Devils have moved on after the signing of Benjamin Sesko in the summer transfer window.

Højlund himself appears comfortable in Serie A. The league’s tactical demands have channelled his movement and decision-making.

Nothing is signed yet, but the momentum, form on the pitch and leverage off it, is all pointing toward a permanent Partenopei chapter for the Danish international.

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Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa could be at the centre of one of the Premier League’s biggest defensive transfer sagas this January.

The 28-year-old has been a model of consistency for Unai Emery’s side and is now attracting interest from several of England’s elite clubs.

Having also broken into the England national team setup, Konsa’s reputation has soared over the past year, making him one of the most reliable and composed centre-backs in English football. The defender has 16 caps for the national team.

Konsa’s performances have been pivotal to Aston Villa’s strong defensive record under Emery.

Liverpool & Man City among clubs monitoring Ezri Konsa

Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester City are among the clubs monitoring his situation closely, sources close to the agents industry have informed CaughtOffside.

Liverpool were previously interested in Konsa during the summer window but opted not to make a formal bid. With their pursuit of Marc Guehi becoming complicated due to Crystal Palace’s high valuation, Konsa has re-emerged as a more achievable target.

Meanwhile, Tottenham are eager to bolster their defensive depth, particularly given Cristian Romero’s inconsistent fitness record, while Manchester City are keeping tabs as they plan ahead for long-term squad rotation and potential future exits.

Several other clubs, including Chelsea, West Ham United, Newcastle United, and Crystal Palace, have also shown interest.

Chelsea are rebuilding their defensive options after injuries to key players, while West Ham and Newcastle are exploring consistent options for their backline.

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Oct 29 2025, 10:40

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Aston Villa might have to sell due to financial reasons

Aston Villa, however, remain reluctant sellers. Konsa’s contract runs until June 2028, giving the club leverage in negotiations.

Yet, Villa’s need to comply with PSR regulations could force their hand. Selling a homegrown player would represent pure profit in accounting terms, a crucial factor for clubs seeking to balance their financial books.

Villa reportedly value Konsa between £40 million and £45 million, a figure that reflects both his experience and his importance to the team.

While Aston Villa will do everything possible to retain one of their most dependable performers, financial realities may dictate otherwise.

Report: Liverpool prepared to pay over £100 million for “the next big thing”

The post Sources: Liverpool & Man City keeping close eye on 28-year-old England international appeared first on CaughtOffside.

According to The Times, Lucas Paqueta is keen to leave West Ham in January. It will have come as another heavy blow to the club as they battle through what has been a difficult start to the Premier League campaign. The Hammers have lost seven of the nine matches they’ve played so far, conceding 20 […]

The post Paqueta wants to leave West Ham in January appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Paqueta wants to leave West Ham in January appeared first on Soccer News.

Prediction: Barcelona to win 3-0 Best Odds: 6/1 Bookmaker: Zetbet Barcelona and Elche will face each other in La Liga this coming weekend. The match between Hansi Flick’s side and Eder Sarabia’s team will be held at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys and is scheduled to kick off at 5:30pm UK time on Sunday. Barcelona Barcelona […]

The post Prediction: Barcelona vs Elche appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Prediction: Barcelona vs Elche appeared first on Soccer News.

According to The Times, Lucas Paqueta is keen to leave West Ham in January. It will have come as another heavy blow to the club as they battle through what has been a difficult start to the Premier League campaign. The Hammers have lost seven of the nine matches they’ve played so far, conceding 20 […]

The post Paqueta wants to leave West Ham in January appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Paqueta wants to leave West Ham in January appeared first on Soccer News.

Patrice Evra released a video attacking Juventus players as ‘soft’ and seeing comparisons between Igor Tudor’s sacking and when David Moyes was fired by Manchester United.

The former Bianconeri hero is a regular on social media and put out his statement on Instagram after the surprising dismissal of coach Tudor, just 11 competitive games into the new season.

Evra has message for Juventus players

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Patrice Evra (@patrice.evra)

“Dear Juventini, I saw some messages from people saying they want me as a director or a coach, but I retired four years ago and won’t go back into football. This is because I would have to sacrifice everything for football, and I am enjoying myself too much right now. I am a happy man and therefore I will be selfish about it,” said Evra.

“I just want to go back on the sacking of Tudor. Thank you coach for everything. This is a message for the players.

“When they fire the coach, it means you haven’t done your job on the field. It only happened to me once in my whole career, when I was at Manchester United and they sacked David Moyes. I felt like s**t, and I hope the players right now at Juventus feel the same way, because they’ve gone through three or four coaches in a couple of years now.

“You are at Juve, you have to take responsibility. The problem is this doesn’t work on the new generation, it is a soft generation. So all the commentators and pundits who are ex-players are wasting their time talking to them.

“We were football players, we played for passion, for the shirt, for history, to put food in the mouths of our families.

“This generation are athletes more than players. They are brands, they are rappers, fashionistas, get involved in politics. There are too many distractions.

“This is why I am not harsh on them, as we didn’t have those distractions. We would eat, sleep, play football, that’s it. The world has changed, not just football.

“Juve have changed completely, we have lost the real values. I remember my first game with Andrea Agnelli, I was happy to see the history everywhere, we had Pavel Nedved, Platini, others.

“One day I will return to football, but not now. I am just saying this because when you play for Juve, you have to sacrifice everything, including your family.

“The best league I won in my whole life was with Max Allegri in 2014-15, I think we were 13^th in the league, lost to Sassuolo, many players wanted to get rid of Max, but I saw the same thing at United when they tried to suggest Moyes was the only reason they were losing.

“Remove the coach, now there is no excuse. If you don’t want to stay there at Juve, then leave. You are too soft.”

Juventus are widely expected to appoint former Italy and Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti as their new coach later this week.

Meanwhile, Massimo Brambilla has been given the reins as the caretaker manager for Wednesday afternoon’s Serie A fixture against Udinese in Turin.

Ademola Lookman made some rather cryptic comments when asked if he was finally happy with Atalanta, while Mario Pasalic relished facing Luka Modric in a Milan shirt.

It was a relatively even match in Bergamo this evening, continuing the unbeaten streak for both sides, but also lacking in victories.

La Dea have now drawn five on the bounce in Serie A, while it was the second stalemate for the Rossoneri, who were held 2-2 by Pisa on Friday evening.

Samuele Ricci had opened the scoring, but it was cancelled out by the first goal Lookman has scored for Atalanta since his failed attempt to force an Inter transfer in the summer.

Lookman still not ready to say he’s happy with Atalanta

“It’s important to be available for the team, to help the team,” Lookman told DAZN Italia.

“I’ve not been able to find form yet, physically or in front of goal, but I’ll get there eventually and this was a step forward in the right direction. Hopefully in the coming games we’ll be able to get some wins.”

Although Lookman has made it abundantly clear he does not want to talk about the past or what happened in recent months, he was asked if this was the night that finally made him happy to be with Atalanta.

His response was somewhat cryptic and suggested the rapport with the club behind the scenes remains tense.

“I think that when I’m on the pitch, the most important thing is to try to help the team win. We want to keep climbing up the table and that’s the most important thing, to win football games.”

His goal celebration was at best muted, showing little excitement or emotion as his teammates crowded around him.

Pasalic was in the starting XI this evening in a more advanced trequartista role supporting the two strikers, Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere, and took the captain’s armband when Marten de Roon went off with an adductor issue.

“We played our game, as we have done largely this season other than the first half against Cremonese. We attacked, pressed high, unfortunately we can’t seem to get this win that would be the turning point,” Pasalic told DAZN Italia.

“We are creating chances, but to win we need to be more concrete upfront.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Atalanta 1-1 Milan

This is a new era under Ivan Juric after nine years of Gian Piero Gasperini, although they are aided by the fact Gasp was Juric’s mentor.

“I already knew the way the coach played, and those of us who have been here many years were already accustomed to this type of tactical work. He is asking for some different things and we are getting there.”

Tonight was an extra pleasure for Croatia international Pasalic, who got to face legend Modric, and even got the veteran booked for a shirt tug.

“It is always a joy to play against a star like Modric, few can play like this at age 40.”

Ivan Juric believes Atalanta ‘had triple the intensity of Milan and dominated throughout,’ so were left with more regrets after yet another stalemate.

Samuele Ricci had given Milan the early lead in Bergamo with a deflected strike, until Ademola Lookman blasted into the roof of the net for his first goal since the summer transfer drama.

Davide Zappacosta had the best opportunity to win the game late on, his effort denied by a flying Mike Maignan fingertip save.

Juric saw Atalanta dominate Milan in Bergamo

“I think Atalanta had triple the intensity of Milan. We dominated throughout, they had one shot early on and aside from a 10-minute spell in the second half, there was only one team trying to win the game,” Juric told DAZN Italia.

“The lads once again put in a great performance, I’ve never seen the wrong attitude from this team and they deserve more points, but if we keep going like this, then the results will arrive.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Atalanta 1-1 Milan

The problem is evidently converting chances, because once again Atalanta had 17 shots on goal, but only scored once.

“I think we did very well both winning the ball back and creating chances in transition, but also keeping calm moving the ball around when inevitably Allegri’s teams sit deep. It’s really disappointing we aren’t picking up more points, because we deserve them.

“I remain convinced we will break through and get those results.”

Juric had said in the build-up to this game that Atalanta would’ve been in a better position if Lookman had been able to go through a normal pre-season, as he is only now getting back to full fitness.

“I think we pushed him to play more than perhaps he should’ve done in these games because we wanted him to achieve match fitness,” explained the coach.

“He is a particular type of guy, but in training and on the pitch, he is a sight to behold, just a spectacular player. A winner, with incredible determination, and I am very happy for him. We were only talking yesterday he said if he trains like this, the goal will come, and today he scored a great goal.”

There was a setback in the opening stages too, as captain Marten de Roon limped off with a muscular issue, replaced by Marco Brescianini.

La Dea extended their unbeaten record for the season to the opening nine rounds, but only two of those were victories, as this was their fifth consecutive stalemate.

“We almost have everyone back now, so the team is becoming really competitive. We dominated games against Lazio and Milan, but didn’t win for various reasons, so hopefully we can become more clinical in attack and with these characteristics I am certain we will do well.”

Gianluca Scamacca and Nikola Krstovic were left on the bench throughout, so was that a tactical decision or based on fitness?

“It was a technical decision based on what I saw in training,” replied Juric.

Max Allegri reveals why he took Rafael Leao and Santiago Gimenez off against Atalanta, insisting Milan ‘need to have more belief in what we are doing’ in attack.

The Rossoneri had been hoping to close back up to the top spot after losing it with last week’s 2-2 draw against Pisa.

Instead, they have fallen further behind with another stalemate, as Samuele Ricci saw his early deflected strike cancelled out by an Ademola Lookman moment of magic.

La Dea had the best chance to win it, with Mike Maignan’s fingertip save denying Davide Zappacosta late on.

Allegri sees positive aspects of Milan draw

“We have a few absentees, but the team is reacting well,” Allegri told DAZN Italia.

“We were forced to defend ourselves in the first half after the goal because we were making a lot of technical errors, while we did better after the break, creating chances and making the wrong choices in the final third. That is where we must improve, the team needs to have more belief in what it is doing.

“Atalanta could not continue keeping that high press throughout and we knew they’d run out of steam, but in those moments we needed to improve our finishing and our choices in the final third.

“The goal we conceded was avoidable too on the through ball, but the team must be proud of its performance and prepare for the next match against Roma.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Atalanta 1-1 Milan

Some decisions prompted concerns, as Rafael Leao was replaced by Christopher Nkunku at half-time, then Santiago Gimenez limped off with an ankle knock.

They have limited options now, with Christian Pulisic, Adrien Rabiot, Pervis Estupinan and Ardon Jashari injured, but Ruben Loftus-Cheek made his comeback off the bench.

“Leao had a little problem with his hip, he wasn’t in great shape at the end of the first half, so the team needed fresh legs and Rafa was struggling to sprint, so I preferred to take him off,” explained Allegri.

“Gimenez just had a knock, it shouldn’t be particularly serious for Leao either, and hopefully we’ll have Estupinan back against Roma too. I hope that after the break for international duty, we’ll have everyone back and fit, but until then we’ve got to grit our teeth.”

If Rafael Leao is not delivering, then Milan struggle to have any real presence in the opposition penalty area.

“Nkunku did very well as a centre-forward and Atalanta dropped off, while Loftus-Cheek had 20 extraordinary minutes, but it is during those positive spells we need to score goals. We had favourable situations in the second half and only allowed the one real chance when we gave the ball away,” insisted Allegri.

“Gimenez worked hard for the team, he needs to relax, the goals will come sooner or later.”

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has claimed that Max Dowman has a long-term future at the club, and the player and his family are happy with his progress so far.

Dowman is regarded as one of the finest young attacking talents in the Premier League, and he has been linked with an exit in recent months.

However, Arsenal have no plans to let him leave anytime soon. He has all the tools to develop an important player for the club with the right guidance. Even though he has not had ample opportunities so far, he is still quite young, and he will adapt to the Premier League eventually.

Dowman has a bright future ahead of himself and has revealed that the player is improving every day. The Arsenal manager also added that Dowman has been excellent in training for the Gunners.

Arteta on Max Dowman

Arteta said during the pre-match presser ahead of the Brighton clash: “We look at his passport every day. We watch in training, and you have to play him; otherwise, I’m blind. He’s coped really well. It’s what we want (Dowman’s long-term future at the club) and what he wants. The feeling I have is that he loves it here. Huge Arsenal supporter and his family are happy.”

Mikel Arteta has had his say on the future of Max Dowman at Arsenal. pic.twitter.com/L9gf4pxqnk

— CaughtOffside (@caughtoffside) October 28, 2025

More Stories / Latest News

Just In: Euro giants prepare fresh approach for ‘talented’ Man United player

Oct 29 2025, 11:13

Report: Real Madrid place 25-year-old Premier League hitman at the top of their shortlist

Oct 29 2025, 10:40

“I want to stay here” – Liverpool star clears his future with blunt comments

Oct 29 2025, 10:04

Dowman will look to play more often

It will be interesting to see if he can convince the manager to give him more opportunities in the coming months. Arsenal could certainly use more cutting-edge in the final third, and Dowman has shown that he can add pace, flair, and unpredictability going forward.

He will look to establish himself as an important first-team player in the coming seasons.

Arsenal fans will be delighted to hear that the club is looking to keep one of their best young talents at the club for as long as possible. They will hope that he can fulfil his potential with the Londoners.

The post “The feeling I have is…”: Mikel Arteta opens up on the future of Arsenal attacker appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool are reportedly interested in improving their attacking unit with the signing of Yankuba Minteh from Brighton.

The 21-year-old has done quite well since joining the Seagulls, and he is impressing in the Premier League with his technical ability and flair. He has been described as “the next big thing”.

Liverpool could use Yankuba Minteh

Liverpool could use more quality and depth in the attacking unit, and Minteh would be an exceptional acquisition. They have missed someone who can take on defenders and create opportunities out of nothing. The departure of Luis Diaz has left Liverpool more predictable going forward.

They need a quality dribbler, and Minteh could be tailor-made for them. The opportunity to join Liverpool will be quite exciting for him as well. It would be a major step up in his career. Minteh has one goal and two assists in the league this season.

More Stories / Latest News

Just In: Euro giants prepare fresh approach for ‘talented’ Man United player

Oct 29 2025, 11:13

Report: Real Madrid place 25-year-old Premier League hitman at the top of their shortlist

Oct 29 2025, 10:40

“I want to stay here” – Liverpool star clears his future with blunt comments

Oct 29 2025, 10:04

Liverpool ready to pay up for Minteh

According to a report from FootAfrica, Liverpool are prepared to pay over £100 million in order to get the deal done. They have recently spent a similar amount of money on Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz.

It will be interesting to see if they are prepared to break the bank once again. There is no doubt that the Gambian is an exceptional young talent. He has the quality to develop into a top-class  Premier League attacker. Liverpool could nurture him into a future star. Minteh has played under Arne Slot at Feyenoord, and both parties could be keen on a reunion.

Despite signing quality players this summer, Liverpool have had a disappointing start to the season. They need to bounce back strongly, and the 21-year-old could certainly help them improve in future.

It seems unlikely that Brighton will sanction his departure anytime soon. They will want to keep him at the club for now. Liverpool might have to wait until the summer transfer window in order to get the deal done. Manchester United and Arsenal are keen on Minteh as well.

The post Report: Liverpool prepared to pay over £100 million for “the next big thing” appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Saudi Arabian clubs are reportedly preparing another offer for Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah at the end of the current season.

The Egyptian King, a global icon and the most famous Arab footballer in the world, has long been a top target for the rapidly growing Saudi Pro League, with interest intensifying as the summer transfer window approaches.

Saudi Pro League wants to sign Mohamed Salah

Despite Salah signing a new contract extension with Liverpool until 2027, the interest from the Middle East remains incredibly strong.

According to transfer insider Indy Kaila, Saudis want to sign Salah in the summer.

Saudi Arabia ?? want @MoSalah in the summer.

— indykaila News (@indykaila) October 28, 2025

An initial, massive offer worth around £200m was rejected by Liverpool previously, but the interest very much remains.

Mohamed Salah’s incredible Liverpool legacy

Salah is currently going through his worst form in a Liverpool shirt, and he still has 7 goal contributions in 13 appearances across all competitions. That stat is enough to showcase Salah’s brilliance.

Since arriving, the Egyptian has been a revelation, consistently performing season in season out.

Salah’s consistent brilliance makes him an irresistible target. His 2024/2025 season was statistically one of his best, where he was a clear contender for top individual honours.

The attacker registered an astonishing 47 goal contributions (29 goals and 18 assists) in the Premier League alone, a stunning haul that cemented his status as one of the world’s elite forwards.

Across his eight seasons at Anfield, he has amassed over 240 goals and 100 assists, an unparalleled record that proves he remains operating at the very peak of the game.

Mohamed Salah’s stats for Liverpool season wise via Transfermarkt

How Mo Salah would become the face of Saudi Pro League

Should Salah leave for Saudi Pro League, his arrival would be a massive event for the SPL.

While the league already boasts major names like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, Salah holds a unique position.

As a superstar Arab and Muslim athlete, he transcends football, carrying immense cultural weight across the region.

His image could become the ultimate marketing tool, driving unparalleled viewer interest, shirt sales, and global media attention, effectively crowning him the undisputed face of the Saudi Pro League and accelerating the kingdom’s ambitious sports project.

Salah might also be tempted to move this time after the recent dip in form this season under Arne Slot where he has looked out of place.

Is this going to be his final season at Anfield?

The post Liverpool transfer news: Transfer insider drops big Mohamed Salah update amid recent struggles appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Atalanta held Milan to a closely-fought 1-1 draw on Tuesday evening, with Croatian attacking midfielder Mario Pasalic Football Italia’s Man of the Match.

Atalanta 1-1 Milan – Player Ratings

Atalanta: Carnesecchi 6; Kossounou 6, Hien 6.5, Ahanor 5.5 (Djimsiti 6), Zappacosta 6; Ederson 6, De Roon 6 (Bresciani 6); Bernasconi 6.5 (Bellanova 6), Pasalic 7.5 (Musah N/A), Lookman 7, De Ketelaere 6 (Samardzic N/A)

Best Atalanta player: Pasalic – The Croatian playmaker had a ball out there tonight, creating plenty of chances for his side, including the assist for Lookman’s equaliser, and being a constant menace for the Rossoneri defence to deal with. His passing was near-perfect and today the 30-year-old outshone his compatriot Luka Modric.

Lowest Atalanta rating: Ahanor – Fairly poor performance from the teenager tonight, although feels harsh to judge him too much as he is a young player with an important role in this Atalanta side. However, He did not look as solid as his defensive teammates and was eventually substituted off with twenty minutes to play.

Coach: Ivan Juric 7 – Subs had a good impact on the game and he set up his side in such a way to make life very difficult for Allegri’s Milan. The Rossoneri have only lost once so far this season and it could have so nearly been two, with La Dea the more dominant side this evening. Juric needs to find a way to turn these close draws into victories moving forward.

Milan: Maignan 6; Tomori 5.5, Gabbia 6, Pavlovic 6.5; Saelemaekers 5, Fofana 6, Modric 6, Ricci 7, Bartesaghi 6; Leao 5.5 (Nkunku 6), Gimenez 5 (Loftus-Cheek 6.5)

Best Milan player: Ricci – After spending his first months in Milan hardly touching the pitch, with the Rossoneri preferring Modric, Fofana and Rabiot as a midfield three, Ricci is now settling in. He picked up an assist in his last match and a goal against Atalanta today was his first in Rossoneri colours.

Lowest Milan rating: Gimenez – A yellow card and an injury marred an already flat performance from the Mexican forward. Needs to sort himself out at Milan before the Rossoneri sign a replacement.

Coach: Allegri 6 – Another evening of making the right decisions on paper but his squad letting him down. Made just the essential substitutions and seems to be sorely lacking in any sort of back-up plan for when his side are struggling.

Relive all the action as it happened in today’s Serie A matches on our Live Blog.

AC Milan dropped points again, as Atalanta earned their fifth consecutive Serie A stalemate with the first Ademola Lookman goal since his summer drama cancelling out a Samuele Ricci strike.

La Dea were the only unbeaten side in Serie A, but with just two victories, including four consecutive stalemates. Giorgio Scalvini and Mitchel Bakker were still out of action, but they opted for Ademola Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere supported by Mario Pasalic. The Rossoneri were reeling after losing top spot with a 2-2 draw against Pisa, as Ruben Loftus-Cheek returned to the bench, with Christian Pulisic, Adrien Rabiot, Pervis Estupinan and Ardon Jashari injured.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Milan took an early lead, as Honest Ahanor cleared a corner to the edge of the area where Samuele Ricci let it bounce and hit the half-volley into the ground, a deflection off Ederson completely wrong-footing Marco Carnesecchi.

Isak Hien nodded a corner just wide, but Atalanta lost captain Marten de Roon to a muscular problem, replaced by ex-Milan midfielder Marco Brescianini.

Ederson tested Mike Maignan from the edge of the box, while Ahanor nodded a Charles De Ketelaere cross wide at the back post, but Ahanor missed a sitter when his first touch was heavy and at full stretch he prodded over the bar from nine yards.

Atalanta did get back on level terms with the first goal Lookman has scored since his summer transfer rebellion. He ran onto the Mario Pasalic through ball and took a touch before smashing the unstoppable left-foot finish into the roof of the net from a tricky angle.

Christopher Nkunku replaced a quiet Rafael Leao for the restart, with Lookman and Bernasconi seeing attempts charged down, while Santiago Gimenez went off with an ankle knock.

Alexis Saelemaekers found himself in an ideal position after combining with Youssouf Fofana, but instead of going for goal, he tried to set up Nkunku and it fell apart.

Odilon Kossounou showed impressive calm to chest a Loftus-Cheek header back to Carnesecchi, anticipating Nkunku from a couple of yards in front of goal.

Bernasconi also threw himself in the path of a Saelemaekers volley after the Luka Modric corner was punched away, then Fofana scuffed a volley wide on the Bartesaghi knockdown at the back post.

Atalanta thought they had taken the lead on 85 minutes when Davide Zappacosta shrugged off a challenge and launched a curler from distance that Maignan flew to fingertip over the bar with one hand. On the resulting corner, Zappacosta also drilled wide of the near post.

Matteo Gabbia made a decisive block on former teammate Yunus Musah at the near post on a Berat Djimsiti assist.

Atalanta 1-1 Milan

Ricci 4 (M), Lookman 36 (A)

28-10-2025 19:45

MatchDay 9

Gewiss Stadium (Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia)

Atalanta

Milan

1 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

		4'		Samuele Ricci
		9'		Santiago Giménez
Ademola Lookman (Assist: Mario Pasalic)		35'

2nd half

		77'		Luka Modric
Marco Brescianini		90+3'
		90+3'		Matteo Gabbia

Match statistic

56

Possession %

44

17

Total shots

6

3

Shots on target

1

8

Shots off target

2

6

Blocked shots

3

9

Corners

4

0

Offsides

1

9

Fouls

8

Atalanta

Milan

Starting lineups

29

Marco Carnesecchi

Goalkeeper

77

Davide Zappacosta

Defender

82'

69

Honest Ahanor

Defender

72'

4

Isak Hien

Defender

47

Lorenzo Bernasconi

Defender

71'

3

Odilon Kossounou

Defender

13

Éderson

Midfielder

8

Mario Pasalic

Midfielder

82'

15

Marten de Roon

Midfielder

20'

11

Ademola Lookman

Attacker

17

Charles De Ketelaere

Attacker

16

Mike Maignan

Goalkeeper

33

Davide Bartesaghi

Defender

23

Fikayo Tomori

Defender

46

Matteo Gabbia

Defender

31

Strahinja Pavlovic

Defender

56

Alexis Saelemaekers

Midfielder

90'

14

Luka Modric

Midfielder

4

Samuele Ricci

Midfielder

19

Youssouf Fofana

Midfielder

10

Rafael Leão

Attacker

46'

7

Santiago Giménez

Attacker

62'

Substitutes

59

Nicola Zalewski

Midfielder

70

Daniel Maldini

Midfielder

31

Francesco Rossi

Goalkeeper

57

Marco Sportiello

Goalkeeper

9

Gianluca Scamacca

Attacker

90

Nikola Krstovic

Attacker

23

Sead Kolasinac

Defender

7

Kamaldeen Sulemana

Midfielder

Relja Obric

Defender

44

Marco Brescianini

Midfielder

20'

16

Raoul Bellanova

Defender

71'

19

Berat Djimsiti

Defender

72'

10

Lazar Samardžić

Midfielder

82'

6

Yunus Musah

Midfielder

82'

1

Pietro Terracciano

Goalkeeper

5

Koni De Winter

Defender

37

Matteo Pittarella

Goalkeeper

27

David Odogu

Defender

18

Christopher Nkunku

Attacker

46'

8

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Midfielder

62'

24

Zachary Athekame

Defender

90'

Antonio Conte has not forgotten Inter protests about the refereeing and hopes the Lecce penalty against Napoli today was not ‘moaning influencing the referees.’

The tension was over the weekend when Napoli beat Inter 3-1 including a penalty that was awarded by the assistant referee with minimal contact between Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Giovanni Di Lorenzo.

Many pundits suggested that the spot-kick should’ve been overturned with a VAR review, and that the referee should not have blindly accepted the verdict of his assistant.

Inter protested at that decision, sending President Beppe Marotta to the press room, so Conte referenced this after Lecce received a penalty for Juan Jesus handball.

Conte not letting go of Inter controversy

“It is not right for me to come here and complain, as too few days have passed since the last game with a very different type of behaviour from others,” said Conte in his press conference.

“We remain hopeful that the moaning is not influencing Rocchi and the referees. When Presidents arrive to speak to the media, they think that they are sending a strong message and influencing the narrative.

“We are not here to whine, but we’re not stupid either.”

The referee had not initially awarded the penalty to Lecce this evening at the Stadio Via del Mare, but it was given following a VAR On-Field Review.

It took quite a few minutes to find the footage from an angle that showed the hand bent back by the Kialonda Gaspar header.

Luciano Spalletti is ready to put pen to paper at Juventus, but the decisive element was his acceptance of a contract to June with automatic renewal for Champions League qualification.

As we had explained already, Spalletti was always the first choice for the job after the club decided to pull the plug on Igor Tudor not even three months into the season.

Roberto Mancini had already been on the outskirts from yesterday and was never really a Plan B, while Raffaele Palladino was only kept warm as an alternative in case the negotiations didn’t go well.

Spalletti only ever the first choice for Juventus

The former Italy boss was always the main focus and only an extraordinary change of strategy would see them drift away from that candidacy.

Today was delicate and the meeting with Spalletti laid the groundwork for the agreement, confirming it was never really a two-horse race.

Ultimately, what we suggested yesterday afternoon may well prove to be decisive, because he immediately accepted the proposal of a contract until June, with option for automatic renewal for another season in case of Champions League qualification.

Once that hurdle was out of the way, he was always leading the race and just hurtling towards the signature.

Watch as Ademola Lookman scores his first goal since the summer transfer chaos with Atalanta, blasting a ferocious strike into the roof of the AC Milan net.

The Nigeria international and African Player of the Year had tried to force through an exit to Inter, even going AWOL from training for several weeks, but eventually had to return and accept the situation.

It took a while for him to get back into the squad and find his form, but this evening he reminded people what he can do with a fantastic goal to surprise Mike Maignan.

He ran onto the Mario Pasalic assist, took a touch and then smashed the left-foot finish into the roof of the net from a tricky angle.

See how the game unfolds on the Liveblog.

Lookman had not found the back of the net in an Atalanta jersey since May 12 during a 2-1 Serie A win against Roma in Bergamo.

This allowed Atalanta to equalise after Samuele Ricci had given Milan the lead with an effort deflected off Ederson.

Lookman goal marks new Atalanta era

There’s no stopping that

Ademola Lookman opens his account for the season with a thunderous strike

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/deye49zHA4

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 28, 2025

Ademola Lookman that is some strike

The Atalanta man scores his first goal of the Serie A season pic.twitter.com/9a5J9C9OXV

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 28, 2025

Antonio Conte raged against the ‘completely absurd’ treatment of the Napoli injury crisis after they scraped a 1-0 victory away to Lecce with a saved penalty.

The Partenopei were feeling the pressure at the Stadio Via del Mare after failing to win in their last four competitive away fixtures.

It went from bad to worse when Noa Lang limped off with a knock to the thigh just above his left knee, then Lecce were awarded a penalty for Juan Jesus handball.

Vanja Milinkovic-Savic came to the rescue by saving the Francesco Camarda penalty, then Frank Andre Zambo Anguissa nodded in a David Neres free kick for the 1-0 victory.

Conte taking nothing for granted at Napoli

“These games are never easy, especially after a match like the one with Inter that used up so much energy,” Conte told DAZN Italia.

“We played against a very good team, it is always tough to play here in Lecce. I think we should’ve controlled the final stages better, even if we didn’t run many big risks. Mentality is first and foremost.

“It was a very good first half, then this penalty could’ve changed the course of the game, but our goalkeeper did well and we went on to deserve the victory.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Lecce 0-1 Napoli

Rasmus Hojlund made his return as a substitute after a few weeks out injured, but it is now confirmed that Kevin De Bruyne will be out for three to four months after a high grade lesion to the thigh.

Scott McTominay was rested today, moving Napoli back to the 4-3-3 formation that had seen them win the Scudetto last season.

“People forget that we are having to make do. People talk about these big reinforcements, now some even try to suggest we are benefiting from the injuries to Lukaku and De Bruyne. It’s completely absurd,” raged Conte.

“All we’ve got in goal now is Milinkovic-Savic, but some over the summer were asking why we had invested so much in a quality goalkeeper.”

Anguissa scored the goal today, but then had a bit of an odd exchange with Conte in the final minutes when urging the coach to ‘calm down’ after a particularly loud scream in his direction.

“I honestly didn’t see it, but in these moments you need guts, not calm. I am very happy for Frank, if he’s constantly switched on then there are few players like him, but he still needs to improve his finishing. We need to score goals from everyone, it doesn’t matter if they are strikers, midfielders or defenders.”

Lang limped off within 60 seconds of the restart, so why was that problem not identified during half-time to avoid wasting a substitution slot?

“Lang had two knocks in the same spot, so I think his muscle hardened. It is not a serious problem. I am glad for him too, having his first start, as we need everyone in this difficult moment. The important thing is that we never lack the right spirit,” concluded Conte.

This means that Napoli will go into the weekend top of the table, potentially alone if Roma drop points at home to Parma tomorrow evening.

Aaron Martin has lost some of the visibility he previously had in recent matches, despite an undeniably high level of performance.

Many have linked this situation to his contract expiring in June.

Genoa push for Aaron Martin renewal

Genoa want to resolve the matter as soon as possible, in order to avoid the risk of losing the 1997-born left-back on a free transfer.

As we reported back on June 10, Martin’s profile is greatly appreciated by Lazio, and there have already been inquiries to understand the position of the Spanish specialist.

At the moment Lazio cannot make moves in the market, but in the future several issues will need to be defined (starting with Tavares), and the club will continue to monitor Martin. In the meantime, Genoa will continue to push for a renewal, as we have now entered an increasingly delicate phase.

The 28-year-old signed for Genoa in 2023 from Bundesliga outfit Mainz and has since made close to 70 appearances for the club in all competitions.

Atalanta director Luca Percassi will not be drawn on the row between coach Ivan Juric and goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi, as they prepare to face AC Milan. ‘This is the start of a new era.’

It kicks off at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Lecce-Napoli on the Liveblog.

La Dea are the only side in Serie A still to taste defeat so far this season, but it has not necessarily translated into success, because they managed just two victories in eight rounds.

That includes a run of four consecutive stalemates, having wasted numerous scoring opportunities.

Atalanta try to smooth over tension

There was tension when coach Juric reacted angrily to goalkeeper Carnesecchi commenting that Atalanta would ‘get nowhere’ with their current form, so how does the club mediate?

“I am very fond of both, so I’ll just limit myself to saying we need to keep working one day at a time,” Percassi told DAZN Italia.

“This is the start of a new era, it takes patience and belief to get stronger every day, then we’ll see where we end up, but we’re not even halfway through the season yet.”

Some time to adapt is inevitable after nine years under the guidance of coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who left for a new challenge with Roma.

Atalanta have created numerous scoring opportunities during these eight rounds so far, but struggled to finish them off with goals.

“Considering the chances that we created, I think we deserved more points, but I couldn’t say how many,” added Percassi.

“We will keep working and the team will be able to express itself better with time. Tonight is a big game against a very strong Milan side who have a great coach in Max Allegri. It’s going to be an exciting match.”

Juventus are moving closer towards the appointment of Luciano Spalletti as head coach, with reports from Italy claiming an official announcement and presentation could be made as early as Thursday.

According to Sky Sport, Spalletti has nearly reached an agreement to take over the Bianconeri, shortly after Igor Tudor was sacked yesterday after a poor run of results.

After a strong start to the campaign, the Old Lady have struggled and a winless, scoreless run sped up Tudor’s exit from the club.

Spalletti set to take charge at Juventus

It will be Spalletti’s first club job since 2023, when he left Napoli after two years in charge.

For the following two years, the Italian would lead the Azzurri, taking over the Italian national team after the surprise resignation of Roberto Mancini.

In June, following a 3-0 loss to Norway, Spalletti was sacked by the Azzurri and led his final match in charge against Moldova.

AC Milan director of sport Igli Tare warns they ‘had not planned’ for six simultaneous injuries, but reassures Santiago Gimenez during his goal drought ahead of tonight’s trip to Atalanta.

It kicks off at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Lecce-Napoli on the Liveblog.

The Rossoneri fumbled the leadership of Serie A with a disappointing 2-2 home draw against newly-promoted Pisa on Friday, a result they snatched thanks to a last-gasp equaliser.

Tare and AC Milan not losing faith

“We started this new project with great enthusiasm, the fans are behind us and we are going through a positive spell, so must try to find some consistency in this moment,” Tare told DAZN Italia.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek returns to the bench, but Christian Pulisic, Adrien Rabiot, Pervis Estupinan and Ardon Jashari are still out of action.

With the squad stretched thin, but no European competition to worry about, are Milan planning on investing in the January transfer window?

“We had not planned for six players to get injured during the break for international duty, that doesn’t happen every day,” replied the director of sport.

“When these moments happen, we must be aware that we have a strong squad, which the lads proved on the field. We’ve got to keep going until the start of December, then evaluate with the coach for the future.”

Santiago Gimenez starts this evening, but he had been on the market in the summer with links to Roma and has been going through a lengthy goal drought.

“He needs to relax, this is part of the journey for all strikers. I know full well, I played in the same role,” said the former Lazio centre-forward.

“Everyone has faith in him, the club, the coach, but above all his teammates, and tonight is an opportunity to prove himself a great striker.

“Gimenez has always scored lots of goals in his career, so this is just a bad spell, but at the same time he works so hard for the team and this is why the coach keeps faith in him.”

Napoli defeated Lecce 1-0 this evening, in a fine margin that Antonio Conte would have liked to see larger. Whilst Vanja Milinkovic-Savic pulled off a strong save to deny Francesco Camarda from the penalty spot, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa continues his run of good form with a winning goal and is Football Italia’s Man of the Match.

Lecce 0-1 Napoli – Player Ratings

Lecce: Falcone 6; Veiga 6, Gaspar 6, Gabriel 7, Gallo 6; Coulibaly 6 (Maleh N/A), Ramadani 6, Berisha 6 (Pierret N/A); Pierotti 5.5 (Morente 6), Camarda 5 (Stulic 6), Banda 6.5 (N’Dri 5.5)

Best Lecce player: Gabriel – The Portuguese defender put in a solid shift in defence for Lecce today, constantly causing Napoli’s attack difficulties. Deserved a clean sheet for his performance but the 20-year-old continues to impress.

Lowest Lecce rating: Camarda – The 17-year-old has been a breakthrough star so far this season for Lecce but unfortunately had an evening to forget against an experienced Napoli tonight. The youngster had the opportunity to give his side the lead from the penalty spot but his effort was saved by Partenopei keeper Milinkovic-Savic.

Coach: Di Francesco 6.5 – Set up his team well this evening but was unfortunate not to get a result. If it were not for Milinkovic-Savic’s penalty save, the coach could have come away with at least a point but he should not be too disheartened about his efforts tonight.

Napoli: Milinkovic-Savic 7; Di Lorenzo 6, Buongiorno 6, Juan Jesus 5, Olivera 6 (Spinazzola 6.5); Zambo Anguissa 7.5, Gilmour 6.5, Elmas 5.5 (Gutierrez N/A); Politano 5.5 (McTominay 6), Lucca 5.5 (Hojlund 5.5), Lang 6.5 (Neres 6.5)

Best Napoli player: Anguissa – Although Milinkovic-Savic deserves plaudits for a strong penalty save, Anguissa has once again continued his run of good form with a decisive goal to give his team all three points. Looked confident all evening, despite the absence of McTominay and De Bruyne in the starting lineup.

Lowest Napoli rating: Lucca – The towering target man was once again ineffectual before being substituted around the hour mark. Hojlund’s return from injury marks another setback for the Italian striker.

Coach: Conte 6 – Coped well against a plucky Lecce but can consider himself lucky to come away with all three points.

Relive all the action, as it happened, on our Live Blog.

Napoli scraped a victory away to Lecce thanks to another Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa goal, but also Vanja Milinkovic-Savic saving the Francesco Camarda penalty.

The Partenopei were back on top of the table after the dramatic 3-1 win over Inter, but it came at a cost, as Kevin De Bruyne will be out for several months with a serious thigh strain. Stanislav Lobotka, Alex Meret and Romelu Lukaku were also still on the treatment table, but Rasmus Hojlund and Amir Rrahmani were back on the bench. The 4-3-3 formation returned, with Scott McTominay and Leonardo Spinazzola rested. Lecce missed Riccardo Sottil, Matias Perez, Gaby Jean and Filip Marchwinski after the 3-2 defeat to Udinese.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Napoli wore their special edition Halloween kit and Billy Gilmour saw his snapshot deflected wide, but Lorenzo Lucca accidentally charged down a Matteo Politano strike that was on target.

The hosts also threatened with Medon Berisha drilling wide from the edge of the area, while Politano turned over from six yards on the Matias Olivera pull-back.

Wladimiro Falcone made a huge save using his legs at the near post to deny Olivera, who had been sent clear by a smart Gilmour first-touch lay-off.

Francesco Camarda’s chest and half-volley was inches wide on the stroke of half-time, but wouldn’t have counted over handball.

Noa Lang hobbled off with a knock to the thigh just above the left knee moments after the restart, adding to the growing list of Napoli absentees.

There was a double chance to open the scoring when Lucca ran onto a long ball that Falcone rushed out to nod clear, then Politano’s follow-up was charged down with the goalkeeper off his line.

Kialonda Gaspar’s header on a corner seemed to strike the hand of Juan Jesus, which bent back on impact, so the Lecce penalty was awarded following a VAR review. Camarda stepped up, but Vanja Milinkovic-Savic confirmed his status as a specialist by parrying the spot-kick, meaning he has saved five of the last nine Serie A penalties faced.

Hojlund made his comeback from injury, with McTominay and Leonardo Spinazzola strengthening the squad from the bench for the final half-hour.

It paid off, as Napoli took the lead when a David Neres free kick was glanced into the far top corner off the head of Anguissa from six yards.

Elmas blasted wide and Nikola Stulic was too sluggish to make the most of a Danilo Veiga pull-back, while in stoppages Hojlund failed to meet the Neres assist.

Lecce 0-1 Napoli

Anguissa 69 (N)

Saved penalty: Camarda 56 (L)

28-10-2025 17:30

MatchDay 9

Stadio Ettore Giardiniero - Via del Mare

Lecce

Napoli

0 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

26'

Mathías Olivera

2nd half

Francesco Camarda		56'
Ylber Ramadani		62'
		69'		Frank Anguissa (Assist: David Neres)
Konan N’Dri		88'

Match statistic

41

Possession %

59

7

Total shots

14

2

Shots on target

3

3

Shots off target

5

2

Blocked shots

6

3

Corners

5

1

Offsides

0

10

Fouls

14

Lecce

Napoli

Starting lineups

30

Wladimiro Falcone

Goalkeeper

25

Antonino Gallo

Defender

17

Danilo Veiga

Defender

4

Kialonda Gaspar

Defender

44

Tiago Gabriel

Defender

29

Lassana Coulibaly

Midfielder

77'

10

Medon Berisha

Midfielder

77'

20

Ylber Ramadani

Midfielder

22

Francesco Camarda

Attacker

70'

19

Lameck Banda

Attacker

65'

50

Santiago Pierotti

Attacker

46'

32

Vanja Milinković-Savić

Goalkeeper

4

Alessandro Buongiorno

Defender

22

Giovanni Di Lorenzo

Defender

5

Juan Jesus

Defender

17

Mathías Olivera

Defender

61'

99

Frank Anguissa

Midfielder

6

Billy Gilmour

Midfielder

20

Eljif Elmas

Midfielder

85'

27

Lorenzo Lucca

Attacker

61'

21

Matteo Politano

Attacker

61'

70

Noa Lang

Attacker

48'

Substitutes

14

Thórir Jóhann Helgason

Midfielder

32

Jasper Samooja

Goalkeeper

1

Christian Früchtl

Goalkeeper

77

Mohamed Kaba

Midfielder

3

Corrie Ndaba

Defender

21

Christ-Owen Kouassi

Defender

80

Niko Kovač

Midfielder

5

Jamil Siebert

Defender

6

Álex Sala

Midfielder

7

Tete Morente

Attacker

46'

11

Konan N’Dri

Attacker

65'

9

Nikola Stulic

Attacker

70'

93

Youssef Maleh

Midfielder

77'

75

Balthazar Pierret

Midfielder

77'

13

Amir Rrahmani

Defender

14

Nikita Contini

Goalkeeper

26

Antonio Vergara

Midfielder

30

Pasquale Mazzocchi

Defender

69

Giuseppe Ambrosino

Attacker

31

Sam Beukema

Defender

35

Luca Marianucci

Defender

25

Mathias Ferrante

Goalkeeper

7

David Neres

Attacker

48'

37

Leonardo Spinazzola

Defender

61'

8

Scott McTominay

Midfielder

61'

19

Rasmus Højlund

Attacker

61'

3

Miguel Gutiérrez

Defender

85'

Napoli faced another injury blow this evening in their match against Lecce, with Noa Lang having to come off just after the start of the second half.

After a foul from Danilo Veiga in the first half, Lang appeared to suffer a bruise just above his left knee. The Dutchman attempted to play on and started the second half but only lasted a minute before signalling to the bench he needed to come off.

Lang was replaced by David Neres, you can follow all the action as it happens on our Live Blog.

Some good news for Napoli as Hojlund returns

It was not all bad news for the Partenopei, however, with Danish forward Rasmus Hojlund making his return from injury.

The forward, on loan from Manchester United with an obligation-to-buy, was brought on for struggling summer signing Lorenzo Lucca just after the hour mark.

It marks Hojlund’s first appearance since before the international break, when he scored in a 2-1 win over Genoa. In fact, the striker was on a run of six goals in four games for club and country before the injury forced a setback.

West Ham United midfielder Guido Rodriguez has been linked with a move away from the club in recent months.

He is all set to leave the club during the January transfer window. According to a report from Mexican outlet TV Azteca, the player could be heading to Club America in January.

He has played for the club in the past, and they were keen on securing his signature earlier this year as well.

Guido Rodriguez needs a fresh start

Rodriguez joined West Ham United last summer, and he has not been a regular starter for them this season. The Argentina international needs to move on in search of regular playing time, and returning to his former club could be ideal.

However, he is earning €4.5 million per season at the London club, and Club America will not be able to afford that. Rodriguez will have to accept a major pay cut to secure a return to the Mexican club. It remains to be seen how the situation develops.

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Rodriguez should move on

He needs to play regularly at this stage of his career, and leaving the London club would be ideal for him. Sitting on the bench at West Ham is unlikely to benefit him.

It is clear that Nuno Espirito Santo is not too keen on him. He is unlikely to get more opportunities until the end of the season. It would be ideal for him to seek an exit in January.

West Ham are unlikely to stand in his way either. He is not a player for them, and they will look to get his wages off their books.

It will be interesting to see if Club America come forward with an offer to get the deal done. He will be a free agent in the summer, but West Ham have an option to extend his deal for another year.

The post Report: Experienced ace could leave West Ham in January, former club keen appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has been linked with a move away from the club in recent months.

He was linked with an exit during the summer transfer window, but the Eagles managed to hold on. Mateta is the best striker at the club, and they will not want to lose him easily. However, he is nearing the end of his contract, and Crystal Palace will be under pressure to cash in on him if he refuses to sign an extension with them.

He will be a free agent in the summer of 2027. It will be interesting to see if the French International is willing to commit his long-term future to the club.

According to former Premier League scout Mick Brown, Crystal Palace could look to sell the player at the end of this season if he refuses to sign a new deal with them. It remains to be seen how the situation unfolds.

Jean-Philippe Mateta set for exit?

“There is a possibility Mateta could leave in the summer,” Mick Brown told Football Insider.

“If it starts becoming clear that he’s not going to sign, they want to maximise the fee they’re going to get.

“So in the summer, I’m sure if he hasn’t signed a contract, Palace will be tempted by offers for him.

“Given his importance to the team, they could well be huge offers, and there are a number of clubs who need a striker and will be willing to pay big money to get one.

“Obviously, Palace don’t want to lose him, but they could end up in a situation where they have to.”

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Palace must keep Mateta

Crystal Palace have shown improvement in recent months, and they have won the FA Cup and the Community Shield recently. They will look to build on it and establish a team that is capable of securing European football fairly regularly.

They need to keep their best players for that to happen. They should do everything in their power to convince Mateta to sign an extension with them.

Palace are set to lose Marc Guéhi as well. He will be a free agent at the end of the season.

The post Insider claims “there is a possibility” Crystal Palace star could leave along with Guehi appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing the Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, and Fabio Paratici could be leading the pursuit.

The 25-year-old Serbian has been linked with the move away from the Italian club, and they are prepared to sell him in January. According to TBR Football, he will be available for a fee of £20 million. Tottenham have the resources to pay up, and it remains to be seen whether they can get the deal done. 

Tottenham have an advantage in Dusan Vlahovic race

Other clubs are interested in signing the Serbian international attacker as well, but they are hoping to sign him on loan. On the other hand, Tottenham are prepared to offer a permanent deal in January. That has given them an advantage in the transfer race. Juventus are hoping to get rid of the player permanently. 

Spurs could use more quality and depth in the attacking unit, and the Serbian would be the ideal acquisition. He has proven himself in Italy over the years, and he has the physicality for English football as well. He could compete with Dominic Solanke for the starting spot. The England International has not been able to find the back of the net regularly, and more competition for places would be ideal. 

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Vlahovic could be a useful addition

If Tottenham manage to get the best out of the 25-year-old striker, he could be an asset for them. He has the technical attributes for English football, and he could add a new dimension to the Tottenham attack. His ability to hold up the play and bring others into the game could prove to be invaluable. Vlahovic has six goals to his name this season.

It will be interesting to see if Spurs follow up on their interest with an official proposal. The reported asking price is quite reasonable for a player of his quality, and he could easily justify the investment in future. 

The post Report: Tottenham have advantage in the race to sign £20m-rated star in January appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Chelsea and Liverpool continue to be linked with defenders, and the latest name on their radar is Dayot Upamecano. 

The 27-year-old French international has performed well for Bayern Munich, and both clubs are interested in securing Upamecano’s signature. It will be interesting to see if they come forward with an offer in the coming months. 

Graeme Bailey claimed on TBR: “In England we are thinking and talking about Marc Guehi, but in Europe the name many are talking about is French star Dayot Upamecano – who has really been looking the part at Bayern Munich under Vincent Kompany.

“Speaking to sources at a couple of Premier League clubs, they actually believe Upamecano is more likely to stay than leave, but I can tell you Bayern are really worried that Upamecano will have offers presented to him in early 2026 if an agreement with Bayern is not reached.

“And Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City are all very much in the mix for him, they all rate him highly.”

Chelsea could use Dayot Upamecano

Chelsea have looked vulnerable defensively, and they need more depth in that area of the pitch. Most of their defenders are struggling with injury problems. The 27-year-old will add more quality and depth to their squad. 

He has done quite well for the German champions, and he has the qualities to succeed in the Premier League as well. He has been linked with the move to England in the past, and it remains to be seen whether a move materialises in the coming months. 

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Liverpool keen on Upamecano

On the other hand, Liverpool need more depth defensively as well. They have looked quite poor at the back this season. They need to improve in that area of the pitch. Upamecano could be the ideal long-term replacement for his compatriot, Ibrahima Konate. Konate will be out of contract at the end of the season, and Liverpool need to fill the void left by him. 

The 27-year-old is at the peak of his career, and this is the right time for him to take on a new challenge. The move to England could be ideal. He has won the league in Germany, and he may now seek a new challenge. 

Chelsea and Liverpool are among the biggest clubs in the world, and the opportunity to join them can be hard to turn down for Upamecano. 

The post Report: Liverpool & Chelsea “in the mix” to sign 27-year-old star who is “looking the part” appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Tottenham are looking to improve their attacking unit with the signing of Samu Aghehowa from Porto. 

The 21-year-old has been in fine form for this season, scoring 11 goals in all competitions. Tottenham are keen on securing his signature, and they are now accelerating their efforts to get the deal done. The player has a £88 million release clause in his contract, and it will be interesting to see if Tottenham are willing to pay up.

As per Fichajes, they are not the only club keen on the attacker, and they will face competition from bitter rivals Arsenal. 

Samu Aghehowa would improve Spurs

It remains to be seen whether Porto sanctions his departure in the middle of the season. He is a key player for them, and his departure in January would be a devastating blow for the Portuguese outfit. 

The Spanish attacker is highly rated across Europe, and he has a bright future. He has all the attributes to succeed in the Premier League, and Aghehowa could be a key player for Tottenham. Dominic Solanke has not been able to score goals consistently, and Richarlison has been quite mediocre since joining the club as well. 

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Arsenal keen on Aghehowa

Meanwhile, Arsenal are keen on the striker as well. They have recently signed Viktor Gyokeres. They could certainly use two quality strikers, and the Spaniard could compete with the Swedish international for the starting spot. The competition for places will help both players improve. 

Arsenal will be hoping to win the league title and the UEFA Champions League. They need multiple quality players at their disposal. Another striker would be ideal. 

The 21-year-old will be attracted to the idea of moving to the Premier League. It would be a step up in his career, and regular football in England could help him improve further. 

The post Report: Tottenham accelerating move for £88m-rated Arsenal target with 11 goals this season appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Barcelona have reportedly made an opening offer for Crystal Palace’s Colombian international right-back, Daniel Munoz.

That is according to Spanish outlet Fichajes, which claims that the Spanish giants have made a £26m offer for the 29-year-old.

Barcelona make move to sign Crystal Palace star Daniel Munoz

The bid signifies an aggressive move by the Catalan giants to secure a natural, proven presence on the right flank, a position that new coach Hansi Flick has reportedly made a priority for reinforcement.

There are others interested in the player as well with La Liga heavyweights Atletico Madrid also keen on Munoz but Deco is said to be speeding up his pursuit in order to land the player before competition arrives.

Crystal Palace, however, are not willing to sell the player unless they receive a ‘concrete offer. The Colombian is contracted to the Eagles until 2028, giving the Premier League side control over his future.

Crystal Palace also set to lose Marc Guehi in the summer

Marc Guehi’s dream move to Liverpool was blocked by Crystal Palace on deadline day, with the club insisting he see out the remainder of his contract.

Despite the transfer setback, the England international has maintained his high standards, continuing to play a vital role at the heart of Palace’s defence.

Manager Oliver Glasner has since confirmed that Guehi will leave the club at the end of the season, with no plans to extend his current deal.

Interest in the defender remains strong. Liverpool are expected to reignite their pursuit, but they face fierce competition from European giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, both of whom have been closely monitoring his situation.

Palace could face a defensive rebuild this summer

Crystal Palace are bracing for a potentially transformative summer, with the prospect of losing two of their key defenders in Guehi and Munoz.

Both players have been instrumental in Glasner’s setup, and their departures could leave significant gaps in both leadership and tactical structure.

The combined exit of the two players would strip the Eagles of much of their established backline leadership and quality, forcing the club into an extensive and expensive rebuild of its defence.

The post Report: Barcelona have made a surprise £26m offer for Crystal Palace star appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United are interested in signing the Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jobe Bellingham. 

The 20-year-old is highly rated across Europe, and he is expected to develop into a top-class player. He has not had the best of spells at the German club, and he has struggled for regular opportunities. Naturally, he is being linked with the return to England.

There have been rumours of a loan move for Bellingham as well.

Man United very keen on Jobe Bellingham

According to Fichajes, Manchester United view him as a priority target, and they are preparing a €50 million offer to sign him. It will be interesting to see if the German club is willing to sell the player in January.

There is no doubt that Bellingham is a promising young player with a bright future. He has been described as the ‘full package’ in the past. He will add creativity, control, drive and goals to the Manchester United midfield. They are looking to build a formidable squad for the future, and signing a promising young talent like him would be a wise decision.

Bellingham has been likened to Frank Lampard.

More Stories / Latest News

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Oct 28 2025, 22:31

Report: Liverpool prepared to pay over £100 million for “the next big thing”

Oct 28 2025, 22:24

Liverpool transfer news: Transfer insider drops big Mohamed Salah update amid recent struggles

Oct 28 2025, 22:22

Man United move could be ideal for Bellingham

The midfielder will be desperate for regular football as well. If Manchester United can provide him with the necessary assurance, he is likely to be tempted to join them. They are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and they could provide him with a platform to showcase his qualities in the Premier League.

Regular football in England could accelerate his development and help bring out the best in him. It remains to be seen how the situation develops. There have been tensions between the player’s camp and the German club in recent weeks. Dortmund could be tempted to cash in if there is a lucrative proposal on the table.

Manchester United have shown improvement in recent weeks, and they will look to build on that with quality signings in January.

The post Man United considering £44m January offer for priority target who is the ‘full package’ appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Chelsea and Liverpool are interested in signing the Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae. 

The 28-year-old has done quite well for the German club, and he helped them with the league title last season. He could prove to be a useful acquisition for both Premier League clubs. As per Fichajes, Tottenham are keen on Min-jae as well.

Chelsea and Liverpool need Kim Min-jae

Chelsea have had multiple injury problems at the back this season, and they need depth in that area of the pitch. The 28-year-old South Korean could prove to be a useful acquisition. He has shown his ability in Italy and Germany. He knows what it takes to play for big clubs, and he could make an instant impact at Chelsea. He has the physicality and technical attributes for Premier League football as well.

On the other hand, Liverpool are keen on the player as well. They need to replace Ibrahima Konate, who will be a free agent at the end of the season. It remains to be seen whether they want 28 year 28-year-old Bundesliga star as his replacement.

More Stories / Latest News

Report: Experienced ace could leave West Ham in January, former club keen

Oct 28 2025, 21:49

Insider claims “there is a possibility” Crystal Palace star could leave along with Guehi

Oct 28 2025, 21:44

Report: Tottenham have advantage in the race to sign £20m-rated star in January

Oct 28 2025, 21:33

Will Bayern sell Min-jae?

The German club paid around €50 million to sign the defender. It will be interesting to see if they are prepared to sell him for a reasonable amount of money. He has been an important player for them, and Joshua Kimmich has described him as “outstanding” in the past.

Chelsea and Liverpool need to tighten up at the back if they want to win major trophies. The 28-year-old could help them improve in that department. It remains to be seen whether the two clubs follow up on their interest with an official proposal in the coming weeks.

The defender is at the peak of his career, and he will look to hit the ground running in the Premier League. It will be interesting to see where he ends up.

The post Report: Chelsea and Liverpool keen on “outstanding” 28-year-old Bundesliga star appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Rafael Leao, Luka Modric and Santiago Gimenez start for Milan, who try to end Atalanta’s unbeaten record with Charles De Ketelaere and Ademola Lookman.

It kicks off at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Lecce-Napoli on the Liveblog.

The Rossoneri had been on top of the Serie A table until their surprising 2-2 draw with Pisa at San Siro.

Christian Pulisic, Adrien Rabiot, Pervis Estupinan and Ardon Jashari are still out of action.

Leao is partnered by Gimenez rather than Christopher Nkunku, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek is back on the bench after shaking off a muscular problem.

Fikayo Tomori returns to the defence after being dropped in favour of Koni De Winter.

Atalanta are the only Serie A side to remain unbeaten so far this season, but that doesn’t translate to a successful run, because only two of those were victories and they’ve drawn four on the bounce.

With Nikola Krstovic and Gianluca Scamacca struggling for goals, coach Ivan Juric opts for De Ketelaere and Lookman together supported by Mario Pasalic.

These are familiar faces, as both De Ketelaere and Pasalic are former Milan players, so are Yunus Musah and Daniel Maldini on the bench.

Giorgio Scalvini and Mitchel Bakker are the only remaining absentees.

Atalanta-Milan official line-ups

Atalanta: Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Hien, Ahanor; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Bernasconi; Pasalic; De Ketelaere, Lookman

Milan: Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Modric, Ricci, Bartesaghi; Gimenez, Leao

28-10-2025 19:45

MatchDay 9

Gewiss Stadium (Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia)

Atalanta

Milan

1 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

		4'		Samuele Ricci
		9'		Santiago Giménez
Ademola Lookman (Assist: Mario Pasalic)		35'

2nd half

		77'		Luka Modric
Marco Brescianini		90+3'
		90+3'		Matteo Gabbia

Match statistic

56

Possession %

44

17

Total shots

6

3

Shots on target

1

8

Shots off target

2

6

Blocked shots

3

9

Corners

4

0

Offsides

1

9

Fouls

8

Atalanta

Milan

Starting lineups

29

Marco Carnesecchi

Goalkeeper

77

Davide Zappacosta

Defender

82'

69

Honest Ahanor

Defender

72'

4

Isak Hien

Defender

47

Lorenzo Bernasconi

Defender

71'

3

Odilon Kossounou

Defender

13

Éderson

Midfielder

8

Mario Pasalic

Midfielder

82'

15

Marten de Roon

Midfielder

20'

11

Ademola Lookman

Attacker

17

Charles De Ketelaere

Attacker

16

Mike Maignan

Goalkeeper

33

Davide Bartesaghi

Defender

23

Fikayo Tomori

Defender

46

Matteo Gabbia

Defender

31

Strahinja Pavlovic

Defender

56

Alexis Saelemaekers

Midfielder

90'

14

Luka Modric

Midfielder

4

Samuele Ricci

Midfielder

19

Youssouf Fofana

Midfielder

10

Rafael Leão

Attacker

46'

7

Santiago Giménez

Attacker

62'

Substitutes

59

Nicola Zalewski

Midfielder

70

Daniel Maldini

Midfielder

31

Francesco Rossi

Goalkeeper

57

Marco Sportiello

Goalkeeper

9

Gianluca Scamacca

Attacker

90

Nikola Krstovic

Attacker

23

Sead Kolasinac

Defender

7

Kamaldeen Sulemana

Midfielder

Relja Obric

Defender

44

Marco Brescianini

Midfielder

20'

16

Raoul Bellanova

Defender

71'

19

Berat Djimsiti

Defender

72'

10

Lazar Samardžić

Midfielder

82'

6

Yunus Musah

Midfielder

82'

1

Pietro Terracciano

Goalkeeper

5

Koni De Winter

Defender

37

Matteo Pittarella

Goalkeeper

27

David Odogu

Defender

18

Christopher Nkunku

Attacker

46'

8

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Midfielder

62'

24

Zachary Athekame

Defender

90'

Remo Freuler’s future is back in the spotlight as Bologna work to secure a contract extension for the experienced midfielder.

The 33-year-old is tied to the Rossoblù until June 2026, and initial discussions have already taken place in recent weeks.

However, progress has been slow, and another club may now be considering an approach.

Gasperini seeks Freuler reunion at Roma

According to reports from Il Resto del Carlino, via TuttoMercatoWeb, Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini has made an exploratory call to Freuler to understand the player’s openness to a future move to the capital.

The two know each other extremely well, with Freuler having made 254 appearances under Gasperini during their long spell together at Atalanta, the most he has played for any coach in his career.

For now, concrete steps are yet to be taken, but Roma’s interest could increase pressure on Bologna to accelerate renewal talks and avoid letting the situation drift.

Luciano Spalletti has made it clear this is not a matter of salary or contract length. During the meeting with Juventus, after the contacts we reported already yesterday afternoon, Spalletti reaffirmed his strong desire to take charge in Turin.

He is open to every formula: a deal until June with a two-year option, or a straight contract until 2027. The idea of reaching the club’s minimum target of Champions League qualification and then being one year away from expiry does not concern him now; that would be a matter to evaluate later.

Spalletti wants Juventus & Juventus want Spalletti

Spalletti is convinced that through his work he can put the ship back on course after the recent wrecks.

Now, the next move belongs to Damien Comolli and his timing. One could say that after dismissing a coach, the club should already have the replacement ready.

But Comolli identified Spalletti as his target since Saturday, the eve of the defeat to Lazio, and it is up to him to assess the financial side of the operation.

There is no doubt inside the club regarding Spalletti being the most suitable candidate to pull Juventus from this situation. From this point, it is simply a matter of moving from theory to execution.

Palladino remains plan B for Juventus

Raffaele Palladino remains the plan B only in the case of sudden changes of direction, second thoughts or unforeseen developments in the coming hours.

From yesterday afternoon onward, Roberto Mancini has been removed even as a plan C, not just as plan B. The expectation now is to finalise talks with the man who has always been the first choice.

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Napoli team manager Gabriele Oriali has spoken to the press before the Partenopei’s trip to Lecce in Serie A on Tuesday evening. Oriali discussed several topics, including the 6-2 defeat to PSV last week, as well as the injuries of both Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.

Speaking to DAZN Italia, Oriali said “There are always three points up for grabs in every game. We need to keep the Eindhoven defeat in our minds always as a warning of what can happen when we don’t play with that focus and unity,”

Napoli were expected to meet a resistant PSV in Eindhoven last week but nobody forecasted such a heavy defeat for Antonio Conte’s side. However, the Partenopei bounced back at the weekend with a 3-1 win over Inter in a game that may carry additional significance as we get further through the campaign.

“We were coming off a heavy defeat that was unexpected, so everyone’s mood was bad going into the Inter game, not just Conte.”

Napoli team manager Oriali provides update on Lukaku & De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne was taken off with an injury in the win over Inter and early forecasts predict that the Belgian will not return until a couple of months into 2026.

On the former Manchester City man’s condition, Oriali said “We don’t know yet how long he will be out for, as the surgery is meant to be tomorrow, but we’ll have a better idea then. It is going to be 3-4 months unfortunately, as he had settled in very well and was giving a big hand to the team.”

Finally, the Napoli man discussed Romelu Lukaku’s recovery. The forward suffered an injury in pre-season that saw him miss the start to the campaign, and led to the Partenopei signing Rasmus Hojlund from Manchester United.

“However, Lukaku is on his way back this week and we hope to get him ready soon. I won’t stand here listing all the injuries we’ve had, but we got through it anyway, and those who replaced them did very well.”

Teun Koopmeiners’ difficult start to life at Juventus is increasingly becoming a talking point in Turin. The Dutch midfielder arrived with the expectation of becoming a key part of the new project, but performances so far have fallen short of the level shown at Atalanta.

Used in multiple roles under Igor Tudor, he has yet to find continuity or influence matches in the way the club envisioned.

Koopmeiners has made clear his preference to play deeper in midfield rather than as an advanced playmaker, and his future will be re-evaluated in the winter window.

Juventus eye Dortmund star Nmecha as Koopmeiners upgrade

While the club have shown faith, there is an acceptance that the balance in midfield is still lacking and reinforcements could be required.

Among the profiles Juventus continue to monitor is Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha, via CalcioMercato. The Germany international impressed against the Bianconeri in the Champions League and was observed again recently during Dortmund’s European win in Copenhagen.

However, competition from Premier League and La Liga sides, plus a valuation approaching €50m, makes any January move complex.

Lecce host Napoli at the Via del mare this evening as Antonio Conte’s side look to go temporarily three points clear at the top of Serie A.

Follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Atalanta vs. Milan on the Liveblog.

After an impressive victory at the Stadio Maradona against Scudetto rivals Inter at the weekend, Napoli appear to be getting their momentum back on track following a brutal week before.

After a disappointing 1-0 loss to Torino and heavy 6-2 thumping at the hands of PSV last week, Conte’s side bounced back with a convincing 3-1 win over Inter.

Unfortunately for Conte and the Partenopei, talismanic midfielder Kevin De Bruyne suffered an injury in the win and the Partenopei must now deal without the Belgian midfielder for some time.

Lecce vs Napoli – McTominay back in the heart of midfield after De Bruyne injury

Furthermore, Scott McTominay heads to the bench as Conte opts for a midfield triad of Billy Gilmour, Eljif Elmas and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa.

Additionally, Lorenzo Lucca starts up front, with Politano and Noa Lang working from the flanks. This marks Conte’s return to his 4-3-3, after utilising a 4-1-4-1 for a majority of the season so far.

Lecce vs Napoli – Starting Lineups

Lecce (4-3-3): Falcone; Gallo, Gabriel, Gaspar, Veiga; Berisha, Ramadani, Coulibaly; Banda, Camarda, Pierotti

Napoli (4-3-3): Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo, Juan Jesus, Buongiorno, Olivera; Anguissa, Gilmour, Elmas; Politano, Lucca, Lang

28-10-2025 17:30

MatchDay 9

Stadio Ettore Giardiniero - Via del Mare

Lecce

Napoli

0 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

26'

Mathías Olivera

2nd half

Francesco Camarda		56'
Ylber Ramadani		62'
		69'		Frank Anguissa (Assist: David Neres)
Konan N’Dri		88'

Match statistic

41

Possession %

59

7

Total shots

14

2

Shots on target

3

3

Shots off target

5

2

Blocked shots

6

3

Corners

5

1

Offsides

0

10

Fouls

14

Lecce

Napoli

Starting lineups

30

Wladimiro Falcone

Goalkeeper

25

Antonino Gallo

Defender

17

Danilo Veiga

Defender

4

Kialonda Gaspar

Defender

44

Tiago Gabriel

Defender

29

Lassana Coulibaly

Midfielder

77'

10

Medon Berisha

Midfielder

77'

20

Ylber Ramadani

Midfielder

22

Francesco Camarda

Attacker

70'

19

Lameck Banda

Attacker

65'

50

Santiago Pierotti

Attacker

46'

32

Vanja Milinković-Savić

Goalkeeper

4

Alessandro Buongiorno

Defender

22

Giovanni Di Lorenzo

Defender

5

Juan Jesus

Defender

17

Mathías Olivera

Defender

61'

99

Frank Anguissa

Midfielder

6

Billy Gilmour

Midfielder

20

Eljif Elmas

Midfielder

85'

27

Lorenzo Lucca

Attacker

61'

21

Matteo Politano

Attacker

61'

70

Noa Lang

Attacker

48'

Substitutes

14

Thórir Jóhann Helgason

Midfielder

32

Jasper Samooja

Goalkeeper

1

Christian Früchtl

Goalkeeper

77

Mohamed Kaba

Midfielder

3

Corrie Ndaba

Defender

21

Christ-Owen Kouassi

Defender

80

Niko Kovač

Midfielder

5

Jamil Siebert

Defender

6

Álex Sala

Midfielder

7

Tete Morente

Attacker

46'

11

Konan N’Dri

Attacker

65'

9

Nikola Stulic

Attacker

70'

93

Youssef Maleh

Midfielder

77'

75

Balthazar Pierret

Midfielder

77'

13

Amir Rrahmani

Defender

14

Nikita Contini

Goalkeeper

26

Antonio Vergara

Midfielder

30

Pasquale Mazzocchi

Defender

69

Giuseppe Ambrosino

Attacker

31

Sam Beukema

Defender

35

Luca Marianucci

Defender

25

Mathias Ferrante

Goalkeeper

7

David Neres

Attacker

48'

37

Leonardo Spinazzola

Defender

61'

8

Scott McTominay

Midfielder

61'

19

Rasmus Højlund

Attacker

61'

3

Miguel Gutiérrez

Defender

85'

The penalty awarded to Napoli during their 3-1 win over Inter continues to provoke debate, as newly released RefCam audio has shed fresh light on how the decision was reached.

The incident, involving a coming together between Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Giovanni Di Lorenzo, broke the deadlock at the Stadio Maradona and significantly shifted the momentum of the match.

The footage, published by Serie A, shows referee Maurizio Mariani well-positioned and initially inclined to let play continue, as per CalcioNews24.

Assistant intervention led to penalty for Napoli against Inter

However, the audio captures intervention from his assistant Daniele Bindoni, who suggests the contact may be sufficient for a penalty. Mariani is heard asking, “Are you sure?”, before reversing his judgment and pointing to the spot after a brief pause.

Kevin De Bruyne converted to give Napoli the lead.

The sequence has reignited frustration among Inter supporters and raised broader concerns about consistency, communication protocols, and perceived external pressure on match officials.

It is surprising to see Juventus signings Jonathan David and Loïs Openda suddenly being written off as “flops”, when they are clearly nothing of the sort.

And if someone wanted to say it, it would have been more credible to do so on September 2nd – not at the end of October. What is certain, however, is that those two, especially those two, were the core of the disagreement between Tudor and Comolli.

The coach had pushed to keep Kolo Muani, both for tactical continuity and because his adaptation to the system was already complete. Instead, he did not appreciate the repeated delays in negotiations, accepted David without enthusiasm, almost endured Openda’s arrival, and expressed strong doubts about Zhegrova.

Juventus expected summer signings to flourish

Once Comolli had acted, the club expected those investments, significant investments, to be valued, rather than constant tactical resets and formation changes born out of improvisation.

The change of coach at Juventus is not only about stopping the negative run of three consecutive defeats and four games without scoring. It must also redirect the club’s transfer strategy.

That does not mean forcing the new manager to rely blindly on the attackers signed in July and August. But it also cannot mean discarding them on principle or using them without a clear and coherent plan.

Chelsea are hoping to sign Guela Doue during the January transfer window.

The 23-year-old has done quite well for French outfit Strasbourg, and Chelsea are interested in securing his signature.

According to Football Insider, Chelsea are front-runners to get the deal done because of their relationship with the French outfit. Both clubs are owned by BlueCo, and it will be interesting to see if Chelsea can negotiate a reasonable deal for the defender.

Chelsea have recently sent scouts to watch Doue as well.

Chelsea lead race for Guela Doue

Pete O’Rourke claimed: “Obviously, Chelsea are probably frontrunners due to their relationship with Strasbourg as both clubs are owned by Blue Co.

“You’re probably looking between £20-25million for Doue in his current form. He’s under contract with the French club until 2029, so they’re under no real pressure to sell him just now as well.”

They are looking to add more quality and depth to the full back areas, and Doue would be a solid long-term investment. He has shown his quality in France, and he has the ability to do well in England as well. The opportunity to move to the Premier League will be quite exciting for him. It would be a huge step up in his career.

More Stories / Latest News

Report: Experienced ace could leave West Ham in January, former club keen

Oct 28 2025, 21:49

Insider claims “there is a possibility” Crystal Palace star could leave along with Guehi

Oct 28 2025, 21:44

Report: Tottenham have advantage in the race to sign £20m-rated star in January

Oct 28 2025, 21:33

Doue could thrive in England

Regular football in England could help him improve further and fulfil his potential. Chelsea are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and they have done well in grooming young players in the past. They could play a key role in his development.

The 23-year-old will be excited to take on a new challenge at this stage of his career, and he will hope that the two clubs can finalise a deal. The report claims that a deal could be done for a fee of around £20-25 million. Chelsea certainly have the financial muscle to pay the asking price, and the deal could look like a bargain if the defender manages to fulfil his potential with them.

The post Report: Chelsea are now “frontrunners” to complete £20-25m transfer in January appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United are looking to improve their midfield unit during the January transfer window, and they are looking to sign Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid. 

The 25-year-old England international has been linked with a move to the Premier League in recent months. He was heavily linked with a return to English football during the summer transfer window as well. It seems that Manchester United are now prepared to make their move for Gallagher.

Man United keen on Conor Gallagher

According to a report from Fichajes, they would be willing to offer €60 million (£53m) in order to get the deal done. Atletico Madrid do not want to lose a key player in January unless there is an exceptional offer on the table. It will be interesting to see how they react to the €60 million proposal when it is presented.

Manchester United need more quality and depth in the middle of the park, and the 25-year-old would be the ideal acquisition. He knows the league well, and he could make an instant impact. They need his physicality and work great in the midfield, and Gallagher could be a quality addition.

More Stories / Latest News

Report: Experienced ace could leave West Ham in January, former club keen

Oct 28 2025, 21:49

Insider claims “there is a possibility” Crystal Palace star could leave along with Guehi

Oct 28 2025, 21:44

Report: Tottenham have advantage in the race to sign £20m-rated star in January

Oct 28 2025, 21:33

Man United move could be ideal for Gallagher

The midfielder has struggled for regular game time at the Spanish club, and he could consider returning to the Premier League. Manchester United have an exciting project, and they have done some impressive business in the summer. They have shown improvement in recent weeks, and the player could be tempted to join them.

Even though Manchester United have not been able to fight for major trophies regularly, they are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and the opportunity to play for them can be hard to turn down. Gallagher could be tempted, especially if they are willing to provide him with regular opportunities.

The post Report: Man United ready to offer £53 million for England international in January appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Tottenham’s high-profile summer signing Xavi Simons has come under criticism from Dutch football journalist Johan Derksen, who believes the young playmaker is finding it difficult to cope with the physical demands and pace of the Premier League.

The Netherlands international joined Tottenham in a surprise transfer after the North London club hijacked Chelsea’s move for him.

They moved quickly to finalise a £65m deal with RB Leipzig, with former Spurs forward Timo Werner reportedly playing a role in convincing Simons to make the switch to London.

However, since arriving in England, the 22-year-old has endured a slow start to life at Tottenham under Thomas Frank.

Xavi Simons’ performances have now drawn mixed reviews, with several pundits questioning whether he can handle the intensity of English football.

Johan Derksen says Xavi Simons not physically ready for Premier League football

Speaking on the Groeten uit Grolloo podcast, Derksen delivered a blunt assessment of why the Netherlands international is currently underperforming at Spurs, suggesting the step up from the Bundesliga has been too steep.

His remarks, as quoted by Voetbal Zone, centered on the difference between Simons’ technical ability and his physical stature in the English top flight.

He said: “He’s a great player who often used his tricks in the Netherlands. He also performed well in Germany, but in England, they are much stronger physically. If you look at the English league and switch to a different league, it’s completely different.”

The veteran journalist argued that Simons’ struggles are a direct consequence of this shift in intensity. He continued: “You can see that he can’t keep up with the speed of action and is physically weaker.

“While Tijjani Reijnders doesn’t have that problem; he’s already one of the leading players at Manchester City.”

“In the past, a lightweight with good technique could easily hold his own. Technique is no longer the only thing you need to contribute; you also need physical strength at the top level.”

Why Xavi Simons is finding the Premier League a tougher challenge than expected

While Simons was a creative force in both the Eredivisie and the Bundesliga, the step up in intensity and physicality in England has clearly tested him.

The Premier League’s relentless tempo demands both explosive fitness and physical resilience, two areas the Dutchman may still be developing.

Despite his early struggles, Tottenham remain confident that the former PSV and Leipzig star will adapt with time.

His close control, vision, and versatility makes him a potentially key figure in Spurs’ long-term project once he adjusts to the demands of English football.

Seen as a natural successor to Heung-Min Son, Simons offers tactical flexibility and can operate effectively across the front three or in a central attacking midfield role.

Here’s the table version of those stats:

His impressive numbers in each of these positions further underline the quality he brings and hint at the significant impact he could have for Tottenham once he fully settles in.

The post “Can’t keep up” – Journalist brutally slams Tottenham star after struggles under Thomas Frank appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Chelsea are looking to reduce their wage bill and get rid of some of their expendable players like Malo Gusto. 

Malo Gusto could be on his way out of the club, and Italian outfit Juventus are preparing an offer of €50 million to sign him. Bayern Munich were linked with Gusto in recent months as well.

Chelsea to cash in on Malo Gusto?

According to a report from Fichajes, Chelsea are prepared to consider selling the French defender. It remains to be seen of the situation develops. Gusto is hardly an indispensable asset for them. If they can sell him for €50 million, it could prove to be a sensible move for the London club.

More Stories / Latest News

Report: Chelsea are now “frontrunners” to complete £20-25m transfer in January

Oct 28 2025, 18:10

Report: Man United ready to offer £53 million for England international in January

Oct 28 2025, 18:00

“Can’t keep up” – Journalist brutally slams Tottenham star after struggles under Thomas Frank

Oct 28 2025, 17:42

Gusto could help Juventus

The opportunity to join the Italian club could be exciting for the French defender as well. They are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and they could provide him with the platform to compete at a high level. He has not been a regular starter for Chelsea, and he could look to move on.

There is no doubt that he has the technical attributes for Italian football, and he could do well at Juventus. It seems that the move could be ideal for all parties.

There is no doubt that the 22-year-old is a quality player. However, he has been quite inconsistent with the English club. It would make sense for Chelsea to sell him and invest the proceeds into the playing squad. They have done well to improve the team in the recent windows, but they are not at the level required to win the league title or the UEFA Champions League. They need established stars along with the pool of young talent, they have at the club.

Selling the 22-year-old will certainly help them improve the team in future. It remains to be seen whether all parties can agree on a deal in the coming months.

The post Chelsea ready to reduce their wage bill, Euro giants will offer €50m for wide player appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United are hoping to sign the Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga. 

According to a report from Fichajes, the 22-year-old midfielder is now a priority target for the Premier League club, and they will have to pay around €80 million in order to get the deal done. Real Madrid have made it clear that they will not entertain low offers for the player.

It will be interesting to see if Manchester United are willing to pay up. Camavinga has been linked with Liverpool as well. There have been rumours that Liverpool could look to pay £69 million for the player.

Eduardo Camavinga would improve Man United

The versatile French international would be an exceptional acquisition if they manage to get the deal done. They need more quality and depth in the middle of the park, and Camavinga is tailor-made for them.

Camavinga is capable of operating anywhere across the midfield, and he is capable of operating in the wide areas, as a winger or a full-back. Xabi Alonso recently labelled him as “exceptional” after a solid performance from him in the wide areas.

The French International is quite young, and he will only improve with coaching and experience. He could develop into a key player for Manchester United in the long run. It will be interesting to see if they come forward with an offer to him. The asking price is affordable for a club with their resources.

More Stories / Latest News

Report: Chelsea are now “frontrunners” to complete £20-25m transfer in January

Oct 28 2025, 18:10

Report: Man United ready to offer £53 million for England international in January

Oct 28 2025, 18:00

“Can’t keep up” – Journalist brutally slams Tottenham star after struggles under Thomas Frank

Oct 28 2025, 17:42

Can Man United convince Camavinga?

Meanwhile, Manchester United will need to convince the player to join them as well. They will need to convince him that their project is capable of helping him fulfil his ambitions.

The 22-year-old will want to win major trophies in his career, and he will only join a club where he will be able to win silverware. It will be interesting to see if he is prepared to consider a move to Old Trafford.

The post Man United learn asking price for “exceptional” La Liga star who is a priority target now appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool are looking to improve their defensive unit with the signing of the Ecuador international defender Joel Ordonez from Club Brugge. 

The 21-year-old central defender has done quite well for the Belgian club, and Liverpool views Ordonez as an option to improve their defensive unit.

They have looked vulnerable at the back season, and they will need to replace Ibrahima Konate at the end of the season as well. The French International will be a free agent soon, and Liverpool need to start planning for life without him.

Liverpool could use Joel Ordonez

The 21-year-old Ecuador International could prove to be an excellent addition. He has proven himself in Belgium, and he has done quite well at the international level with his country as well. Ordonez has been labelled as “outstanding” in the past. He has been linked with Chelsea as well.

He has the physicality and technical attributes for English football, and Liverpool are ready to break the Bank for him. According to a report from Bolavip, Liverpool would be willing to pay around €40 million for the defender. They are ready to offer him a huge salary in excess of €3 million per season.

More Stories / Latest News

Report: Chelsea are now “frontrunners” to complete £20-25m transfer in January

Oct 28 2025, 18:10

Report: Man United ready to offer £53 million for England international in January

Oct 28 2025, 18:00

“Can’t keep up” – Journalist brutally slams Tottenham star after struggles under Thomas Frank

Oct 28 2025, 17:42

Ordonez could fancy Liverpool move

The defender will be attracted to the idea of joining the Premier League champions. It would be a huge opportunity for him, and he will look to prove himself in England. The money on offer is quite tempting for the player as well. It remains to be seen whether his club is willing to accept the €40 million offer when it is presented.

Liverpool should look to get the deal done in January. They have been in disastrous form in recent weeks, and they will look to get their season back on track. Signing the right players in January could help them bounce back strongly.

The post Huge salary on offer: What Liverpool are willing to do to sign “outstanding” South American appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Chelsea and Manchester United are among the clubs interested in signing the Leicester City attacker, Jeremy Monga. 

The 16-year-old winger is highly rated across England, and he has a bright future. The talented young attacker is on the radar of multiple clubs, and it will be interesting to see if they decide to come forward with an offer to sign him

He is not eligible to sign a professional contract with the Foxes until June 2026, and clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United will look to take advantage of the situation and sign the player. On the other hand, Leicester City will hope to keep him at the club until June so that they can persuade him to sign a professional deal with the club.

Manchester City and Tottenham are keen on Monga as well.

Jeremy Monga is a prodigious talent

Graeme Bailey claims on TBR: “Monga is a generational talent. At just 16, he already has more first-team appearances than players like Rio Ngumoha and Max Dowman, who have made huge impacts in the Premier League this season.

“But let’s not forget, Monga has already played in the Premier League and previously turned down approaches before signing his scholarship.

“Interest remains high, and there is a belief that by January he could be ready to make a move.

“Leicester are hoping that giving him regular first-team opportunities will convince him to stay until the summer, when he can sign a professional deal.

“At that point, the club could either sell him or at least secure a fee, rather than risk losing him for minimal compensation.”

More Stories / Latest News

Report: Chelsea are now “frontrunners” to complete £20-25m transfer in January

Oct 28 2025, 18:10

Report: Man United ready to offer £53 million for England international in January

Oct 28 2025, 18:00

“Can’t keep up” – Journalist brutally slams Tottenham star after struggles under Thomas Frank

Oct 28 2025, 17:42

Chelsea and Man United would do well to sign Monga

Chelsea and Manchester United have done well to bring talented young players in recent windows, and they are looking to build a formidable team for the future. Monga has been on the radar of clubs like Real Madrid as well.

The 16-year-old would be a solid long-term acquisition. They have done well to groom several talented young players into established stars in the past, and Monga will certainly fancy his chances of fulfilling his potential with the two clubs.

The post Report: Chelsea and Man United monitoring “generational talent” from English outfit appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Roma remain joint-top of Serie A, but the lack of a reliable goalscorer at centre-forward has become a clear concern.

Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson have scored just once between them in the league, and the club are evaluating solutions ahead of January.

Joshua Zirkzee is the primary idea, as per reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The former Bologna striker has had limited minutes since joining Manchester United and is open to a return to Italy.

Roma like his ability to combine and work between the lines, but the costs of any deal remain significant.

Roma eye alternatives to Man Utd forward Zirkzee

Other names are also under consideration. Arnaud Kalimuendo (Nottingham Forest) and Promise David (Union Saint-Gilloise) are being followed abroad.

Meanwhile two profiles closer to home are gaining attention: Parma’s Mateo Pellegrino and Genoa’s Jeff Ekhator, both viewed as promising long-term talents.

The final plan will depend on outgoings. If one striker leaves, Roma will likely sign one replacement; if both depart, a double move is possible.

Roma legend Francesco Totti believes Paulo Dybala can make a difference ‘consistently’ but insists the Giallorossi must score more goals to fight for the title: ‘Evan Ferguson and Artem Dovbyk still need to get up to speed.’

Totti joined Luciano Spalletti for an event in Milan on Tuesday, where he spoke about Roma’s season so far.

• Read more – Totti: Spalletti would be a ‘great acquisition’ for Juventus

The Giallorossi are the joint-table leaders alongside Napoli, so can they aim for the Scudetto?

“It’s not easy because two or three better-equipped teams,” Totti said, via Corriere dello Sport.

“The main objective is the Champions League. When we won the Scudetto, we used to score three or four goals per game. This year, there are different players. Ferguson and Dovbyk still need to get up to speed, but they are great players and I hope they can make Roma great and become great themselves.”

Paulo Dybala scored his first Serie A goal this season on Sunday, giving Roma a 1-0 win over Sassuolo.

“Paulo is one of the best Roma players, and he has to make a difference consistently,” Totti concluded.

The debate over late evening kick-off times in Serie A has resurfaced, with the league reportedly pushing to bring forward prime-time matches.

According to Corriere della Sera, via TuttoMercatoWeb, Lega Serie A is pressuring broadcast partner DAZN to trial a 20:00 kick-off slot in place of the current 20:45, potentially as early as this season.

The league’s argument is twofold.

Firstly, earlier starts could encourage younger fans and families to return to stadiums, something many clubs have struggled with in recent years.

Secondly, coaches and medical staff have highlighted the impact of late finishes on player recovery during an increasingly congested calendar.

Allegri backs earlier Serie A kick-offs

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has been one of the most vocal supporters of the shift.

Speaking recently, he argued that “matches finishing later means less time to sleep and to rest. Even three extra hours of recovery would make a difference.” Allegri suggested earlier kick-offs could help reduce the strain placed on players competing twice per week.

Discussions between the league and DAZN are ongoing, and no formal decision has been taken. The broadcaster’s scheduling commitments, including international feeds, pose potential logistical challenges. However, the possibility of a “test run” match later this season remains in play.

Bologna coach Vincenzo Italiano has been discharged from hospital, the club said in a statement.

The 47-year-old was hospitalised due to pneumonia last week, missing games against FCSB in the Europa League and Fiorentina in Serie A.

Italiano discharged from hospital – Bologna statement

“This morning, Vincenzo Italian was discharged from the Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi,” Bologna said in a statement on Tuesday.

“His clinical condition is good, the coach will return to work tomorrow and will remain under observation by the club’s medical staff.

“Bologna sincerely thanks Prof. Stefano Nava, Director of the Pulmonology Department at the Policlinico, Prof. Lara Pisani, and all the staff of the department for their professionalism, kindness and availability shown toward the coach.”

Bologna host Torino at the Stadio Dall’Ara tomorrow, but it’s not guaranteed that Italiano will return to the bench right away.

Francesco Totti believes Luciano Spalletti would be a ‘great acquisition’ for Juventus as the Italian tactician prepares to meet with the Bianconeri.

Spalletti has emerged as Juventus’ leading candidate to replace Igor Tudor, who was sacked on Monday following three consecutive defeats and an eight-game winless streak.

Spalletti is due to meet with Juventus’ director Damien Comolli later today, but on Tuesday morning, he reunited with his ex-Roma star Totti.

Spalletti and Totti teamed up for the new commercial of Amaro Montenegro in Italy, and the company unveiled their latest advertisement at an event in Milan.

Totti comments on Spalletti’s possible appointment as Juventus coach

Talking about rumours linking Spalletti with the Juventus job, Totti said (via Corriere dello Sport): “From what is being rumoured, he’s one of the candidates, and I think Juventus would make a great acquisition if they were to hire him. Whenever he’s gone, he’s always done well.”

Totti and Spalletti openly argued at the end of the 2016-17 campaign when the former striker accused the coach of forcing his retirement. Nevertheless, the duo seems to have cleared the air in recent years.

Totti: ‘Great friendship’ with Spalletti

“Many years have passed, and some things just need to be put aside,” said Totti.

“There has been a great friendship, and it’s a pleasure to have met again on this occasion. We revisited and discussed things, and we were very happy with what we accomplished.”

Spalletti also spoke during the event, praising ex-Juventus coach Tudor and saying that whoever will replace him “will be lucky.”

Calcio&Finanza reports that Juventus will have to pay almost €30m to cover the salaries of their former coaches Thiago Motta and Igor Tudor, who remain under contract until June 2027.

Juventus are expected to pay almost €30m to cover the wages of sacked coaches Thiago Motta and Tudor, according to Calcio&Finanza.

How much will Motta cost Juventus until 2027?

Tudor was hired in March 2025 to replace Motta and signed a contract through 2027 after leading the club to Champions League qualification last season.

Juventus’ latest balance sheet for the financial year ending June 30, 2025, signals that the club has already set aside €16.3m to cover the salary of Motta and his staff members until June 2027.

How much Tudor’s sacking will cost Juventus

The figures regarding Tudor’s salary are not official, but it is believed that the Croat signed a €3m-a-year contract until 2027, circa €5.5m gross, which brings the spending to €11m plus wages of his staff members.

This means Juventus will have to pay over €27.3m to their ex-coaches, unless they reach an agreement to end their contracts or unless Motta and Tudor find a new club before their deals expire in 2027.

Juventus have now identified Luciano Spalletti as the ideal replacement for Tudor, and according to various sources, the Bianconeri director Damien Comolli will meet the ex-Italy boss today.

Antonio Conte and Gian Piero Gasperini were Juventus’ primary options at the end of the 2024-25 campaign, and while Igor Tudor has already been sacked by the Bianconeri, the Italian coaches are now at the top of the Serie A table.

Juventus are expected to hold talks with Luciano Spalletti today as the Serie A giants seek a replacement for Tudor.

The Croatian tactician was hired in March 2025 to replace Thiago Motta and remained at the helm after leading the team to a Champions League qualification and with the Club World Cup just around the corner.

Tudor signed a contract until 2027 in June, but Juventus had considered different options before that.

Conte chased Conte and Gasperini in the summer

As reported by Gazzetta, it is no secret that Juventus’ top priority for the bench in May was their former coach and midfielder Conte.

The Napoli boss had been contacted by ex-Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli, but eventually decided to remain at the Stadio Maradona after winning the Scudetto.

According to Gazzetta, Giuntoli had approached Conte even before appointing Tudor in March, working for a possible agreement for the 2025-26 campaign.

The pink paper claims that Giuntoli had also contacted Gasperini, who had no agreement with Roma and was preparing to leave Atalanta.

Gasperini picked Roma over Juventus

However, Napoli convinced Conte to stay, and Giuntoli was fired by Juventus, so when Damien Comolli arrived as the new Juventus General Manager, the club’s strategy partially changed.

There was still contact between Comolli and Gasperini, but the Italian tactician was already in advanced talks with Roma, and Comolli was not entirely convinced about hiring the Grugliasco-born coach.

Giorgio Chiellini had reportedly suggested hiring Gasperini, but the now Roma coach felt Comolli was sceptical about appointing him, so he closed the deal with Roma.

Ironically, while Juventus are now looking for a new coach, Conte and Gasperini share the top spot of the table in Serie A ahead of a mid-week round.

Fabio Capello refuses to solely blame Igor Tudor for Juventus’ poor results as he feels the Croatian tactician has paid ‘for everyone’ and believes Luciano Spalletti is an ideal candidate for the job at the Allianz Stadium.

Juventus sacked their coach, Igor Tudor, on Monday following three consecutive defeats and a winless streak of eight matches.

Capello ‘not sure’ about who’s in charge at Juventus

“Tudor pays for everyone. At Juventus, eight matches without a win and three consecutive defeats are too many, but the responsibility doesn’t lie solely with the coach,” Capello told Gazzetta.

“The original sin was the half-hearted trust the club placed in Tudor. Last summer, the directors looked at other coaches too, and only late did they confirm Igor by renewing his contract. Players can sense these things and look for excuses in such situations. But the real question is: Did Tudor build his team, or did somebody else?

“I’m not entirely sure who’s really in charge at the club,” Capello continued.

“Certainly, someone with Giorgio Chiellini’s experience and stature would be useful alongside the team, just like Paolo Maldini was for Pioli’s title-winning Milan. Chiellini, however, seems to be busy with political and institutional matters.”

As reported by Football Italia, Tudor paid a high price not just for Juventus’ poor results, but also for a frosty relationship with Damien Comolli. Juventus directors were not impressed by Tudor’s communication style, but Capello agreed with the former Bianconeri boss.

“I’ve always liked Tudor’s communication style,” he said.

“When he spoke about the lack of top players, he was right. That’s the problem for Italian football in general, not just for Juventus.

“It’s not like it used to be. Nowadays, top players rarely choose Serie A. As a result, the clubs are forced to rely on reinforcements who can help, but not all of them can handle the pressure that comes with playing for the biggest teams.”

Capello feels Spalletti is the right option to replace Tudor at Juventus

The Bianconeri have identified Spalletti as the number one choice to replace Tudor, and a meeting between the ex-Italy coach and Comolli is expected to take place today.

“Luciano is a coach of great quality and experience; he’s already managed top clubs and won. After the disappointment with Italy, he’ll have a desire for redemption inside him that could be an added value in a situation like this,” noted Capello.

“What could be better than restarting from a historic and prestigious club like Juventus? Spalletti has the right charisma to lift the Bianconeri back up. Paradoxically, the most positive aspect is the standings. Despite a poor start, Juventus are only six points behind leaders Napoli and Roma.

“Any coach will have to restart from Yildiz and from getting the strikers scoring again.”

Capello, however, warned that: “if you don’t have superstars like Messi or Yamal, players who can score on their own, you need to get the ball into the box for your forwards.

“Even a phenomenon like Haaland needs to be supplied. Beyond Spalletti’s ability, you need midfielders and quality players to deliver those balls so that Vlahovic, David and Openda can score.”

Spalletti has been without a team since June 2026 when he was sacked by the Italian Federation following a 3-0 loss against Norway in the World Cup qualifiers.

One of the few bright sparks in an otherwise difficult start to Leicester City’s campaign has been Jeremy Monga, a 16-year-old winger who has quickly emerged as one of English football’s most exciting young prospects.

Despite Leicester’s struggles in the Championship, Monga’s pace, flair, and creativity have caught the attention of top clubs across Europe.

According to TBR Football, Manchester City are currently leading the race to sign the teenager, a player they came close to landing last summer before he chose to remain in Leicester’s academy setup.

Jeremy Monga has impressed top clubs in Europe

Monga’s rise through the ranks has been nothing short of remarkable. The young winger has seamlessly transitioned from youth football to the senior setup, becoming a regular starter in recent weeks.

His ability to glide past defenders, coupled with sharp decision-making in the final third, has made him one of Leicester’s most talked-about talents.

So far this season, he has contributed one goal and one assist, and more importantly, has shown the maturity and composure of a player well beyond his years.

City’s interest in Monga is not new. The Premier League champions have been monitoring his development closely and view him as a player who fits their long-term project under Pep Guardiola.

However, what makes the situation particularly intriguing is that Monga, at just 16, cannot yet sign a professional contract.

This leaves Leicester in a vulnerable position, unable to prevent another club from swooping in and securing his services before he turns 17.

More Stories / Latest News

Report: Chelsea are now “frontrunners” to complete £20-25m transfer in January

Oct 28 2025, 18:10

Report: Man United ready to offer £53 million for England international in January

Oct 28 2025, 18:00

“Can’t keep up” – Journalist brutally slams Tottenham star after struggles under Thomas Frank

Oct 28 2025, 17:42

Man City face competition to sign Monga

City are not alone in their pursuit. Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Newcastle United are all reportedly interested, while Barcelona and Real Madrid have also been linked.

Such widespread attention shows the scale of Monga’s potential. Yet, despite the allure of these European giants, leaving Leicester prematurely could halt his progress.

At the King Power Stadium, he is already a regular in the Championship, gaining valuable first-team experience, something that would be far less likely at a top Premier League club, particularly at Man City, where he would likely return to youth or reserve football.

Man City boss Pep Guardiola eyes blockbuster transfer of Aston Villa defender

The post Man City enquire about signing Leicester City star appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has successfully managed to revive the form of his team after a poor start this season.

The Premier League side started the season in a disappointing manner and even dropped into the relegation zone after the first ew matches.

However, in recent weeks, they have turned around their form and with four Premier League wins in a row, they have managed to accumulate equal points as defending champions Liverpool at the moment.

Both Villa and Liverpool have 15 points so far this season and both of them will come up against each other in the Premier League this coming weekend.

Aston Villa face Liverpool in the league next

The match at Anfield is expected to be a high intensity encounter with the Reds looking to regain their form while Aston Villa hoping to continue their impressive.

Ahead of the match at Anfield, Emery and Villa have suffered a major setback about the availability of one of their best players.

Attacking midfielder Emi Buendia went off against Manchester City in their 1-0 win at Villa Park and he is now set to miss the match against Arne Slot’s side.

Buendia’s injury gave Sancho the opportunity to prove himself but he failed that and ended up getting taken off after coming on as a substitute.

“Yes, sure he’s (Sancho) not happy but I did it before with Morgan Rogers, with Emiliano Buendia, with Leon Bailey, and he played 60 minutes on Thursday,” Emery said, as reported by Liverpool World.

“Today when he (Buendia) was injured, my plan was maybe in case he (Sancho) was going to play 30 minutes, but I decided to play more and he played 45 minutes. But my plan was when he was swapped with Emiliano Buendia, the idea was maybe not playing all the minutes until the last moment. And I told him as well, he can feel it, it’s embarrassing.”

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Report: Chelsea are now “frontrunners” to complete £20-25m transfer in January

Oct 28 2025, 18:10

Report: Man United ready to offer £53 million for England international in January

Oct 28 2025, 18:00

“Can’t keep up” – Journalist brutally slams Tottenham star after struggles under Thomas Frank

Oct 28 2025, 17:42

Jadon Sancho has to prove himself at Villa Park

Losing Buendia would be a major loss for Emery and Aston Villa considering the form he was in.

It is time for Sancho to step up his game and show why Villa decided to sign him in the summer transfer window.

Now is the time for Sancho to show his mentality and deal with the latest setback in a positive manner.

The former Man United winger is looking to revive his career after poor spells at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge.

Talks are “not as advanced” but Aston Villa working on agreement with 23-year-old 

The post Emery admits Aston Villa star is unhappy ahead of Liverpool clash appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United are reportedly in advanced negotiations to sign Kevin Filling, a highly-rated young striker from Swedish side AIK Fotboll, according to Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg.

The 16-year-old forward has emerged as one of Scandinavia’s brightest prospects, drawing interest from several top European clubs.

Despite his age, Filling has already made his mark in Sweden’s top flight, impressing with his physicality and finishing quality.

United’s pursuit of the teenager reflects their growing commitment to building a sustainable, youth-driven recruitment model under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ownership and Rúben Amorim’s long-term vision.

Man United to continue investing in young talent

Filling’s name has rapidly risen through European scouting circles. Standing at 6ft 1in, the young striker combines technical skill with impressive athleticism.

He has already scored two goals in seven appearances, an impressive return for a player still in his mid-teens.

His maturity, awareness, and ability to hold his own against experienced defenders have drawn comparisons to Zlatan Ibrahimović and Alexander Isak, two Swedish forwards who made early breakthroughs before moving on to Europe’s elite clubs.

United could secure the striker’s signature for around €3 million (£2.6m), a modest sum that could prove an excellent investment in the long run.

The Red Devils are not alone in the race, however, as several Bundesliga clubs are also closely monitoring the player’s situation.

Yet, Man United’s strong youth development record and the allure of playing in the Premier League could give them the edge in negotiations.

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“Can’t keep up” – Journalist brutally slams Tottenham star after struggles under Thomas Frank

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United have spent heavily on attacking signings

The club have already bolstered their attacking ranks by adding Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Šeško, and Matheus Cunha during the summer window.

They are looking for more options in the market as Amorim continues to build the team for the future and add more depth to the squad.

By targeting a player like Filling, United aim to replicate the success stories of other European clubs who have benefited from identifying top talents early.

Filling’s development at Old Trafford would likely begin in the academy setup or Under-21s before transitioning to first-team contention over the next few years.

Man United bid of £50 million turned down by Premier League club

The post Sky Sports: Man United are in ‘concrete negotiations’ over the signing of striker appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United are reportedly determined to keep both Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo at Old Trafford this January, despite the pair experiencing limited game time under Rúben Amorim.

According to The Sun, the Portuguese manager has made it clear to the club hierarchy that he does not want to sanction any exits in the winter window, as he anticipates a challenging period due to player absences caused by the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

With key squad members set to represent their countries in the tournament, United believe squad depth will be crucial in maintaining consistency across multiple competitions.

Man United duo have struggled or playing time

Both Zirkzee and Mainoo have found first-team opportunities difficult to come by since Amorim took charge, but their importance to the squad could grow significantly in the coming months.

Due to the signings of Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha, Zirkzee has struggled to find playing time this season.

Meanwhile, Mainoo, one of the club’s brightest academy graduates, continues to develop under Amorim’s guidance. Although competition in midfield remains fierce, with Casemiro, Mason Mount, and Bruno Fernandes occupying key roles, Mainoo is seen as an essential part of United’s long-term project.

More Stories / Latest News

Man City enquire about signing Leicester City star

Oct 28 2025, 13:23

Emery admits Aston Villa star is unhappy ahead of Liverpool clash

Oct 28 2025, 13:09

Sky Sports: Man United are in ‘concrete negotiations’ over the signing of striker

Oct 28 2025, 12:42

United will be without key players during AFCON

The manager’s insistence on retaining both players stems from the club’s looming AFCON absences. United will be without Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon), Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast), and Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco) for several weeks during the competition.

With such departures affecting both attacking and defensive depth, Amorim is wary of leaving his side short of options during a congested fixture schedule that includes the Premier League and the FA Cup.

With AFCON absences set to test United’s squad resilience, the decision to hold on to the duo may prove vital as the club looks to sustain its push to regain their dominance.

Premier League club demanding £100–120 million for Man United & Newcastle target

The post Man United transfers: Ruben Amorim blocks double January move due to AFCON appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Chelsea are reportedly exploring a sensational loan move for Marc-André ter Stegen, with the Barcelona goalkeeper said to be open to a change after nearly a decade as the Catalans’ undisputed No. 1.

The 33-year-old German has found himself unexpectedly marginalised following Barça’s decision to invest €25 million in Joan García, the former Espanyol star whose rise has prompted a recalibration of the goalkeeping hierarchy at the Camp Nou.

The move has created internal friction, with Ter Stegen understood to be livid at the implied message, that his era could be drawing to a close.

Chelsea interested in Barcelona goalkeeper Ter Stegen

With uncertainty lingering over Robert Sánchez’s long-term status at Stamford Bridge, Sky Sport claims Chelsea are weighing a short-term deal to bring elite experience and leadership back between the sticks.

Chelsea’s interest is rooted in necessity and opportunity. Since Édouard Mendy departed, the Blues have searched for a calming, authoritative presence to stabilise a young back line.

In a Premier League landscape where pressing traps are ruthless, a confident, technically secure goalkeeper can transform a team’s first phase and Ter Stegen is the ideal player who can provide that at Chelsea.

It provides immediate quality without a long, expensive commitment, while allowing the club to reassess Sánchez.

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Ter Stegen moves makes financial sense for the Blues

A Ter Stegen-to-Chelsea loan would be one of January’s headline moves. Whether the deal advances will depend on finances and guarantees, but the logic is simple, Chelsea gain a proven leader to guide a developing defense while Barcelona gain clarity in their transition to García.

Sánchez has failed to show consistency at Stamford Bridge despite being made the first choice goalkeeper. Recently in a match against Manchester United, the goalkeeper received a red card for his rash challenge on Bryan Mbeumo which played a huge role on the Blues not winning the match.

Liverpool and Chelsea given update on defender target as “worry” revealed

The post Just In: Chelsea eyeing move for Barcelona star to replace first team starter appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Vinicius Junior put in a top-class performance as Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 in Sunday’s ‘El Clasico’ at the Santiago Bernabeu, but with just over 70 minutes gone, the fourth official held up the substitutions board displaying the number ‘7’, signaling coach Xabi Alonso’s call to take the Brazilian winger off. Vinicius went on a […]

The post Vinicius Jr considers leaving Real Madrid after El Clasico explosion appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Vinicius Jr considers leaving Real Madrid after El Clasico explosion appeared first on Soccer News.

Vinicius Junior put in a top-class performance as Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 in Sunday’s ‘El Clasico’ at the Santiago Bernabeu, but with just over 70 minutes gone, the fourth official held up the substitutions board displaying the number ‘7’, signaling coach Xabi Alonso’s call to take the Brazilian winger off. Vinicius went on a […]

The post Vinicius Jr considers leaving Real Madrid after El Clasico explosion appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Vinicius Jr considers leaving Real Madrid after El Clasico explosion appeared first on Soccer News.

While there might have been plenty of speculation during October’s international break that Ruben Amorim could be removed from his position in the Old Trafford dugout, Manchester United have certainly claimed a recent boost. Last seen over the weekend securing an action-packed 4-2 victory at home against Brighton, the former Sporting Lisbon boss has seen […]

The post Are Manchester United planning to bolster their midfield options with a pair of English starlets? appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Are Manchester United planning to bolster their midfield options with a pair of English starlets? appeared first on Soccer News.

Luciano Spalletti opens up about rumours linking him with the Juventus job, saying that ‘whoever will replace Igor Tudor will be lucky.’

Spalletti is the leading candidate for the Juventus job, as multiple sources in Italy claim that he and Bianconeri director Damien Comolli will sit down today to discuss contract details with him today.

Ironically, Spalletti had already planned a meeting with the media on Tuesday morning to unveil a new advertisement in which he features alongside his former Roma star Francesco Totti.

Spalletti comments on possible Juventus appointment

The ad was released earlier this week, and Spalletti didn’t only talk about his latest sponsorship commitment.

“I feel well, I wait with serenity. I have the ambition to set things right,” the ex-Italy coach told Sky Sport via Gazzetta.

“I can only speak highly of Tudor, a serious and passionate person. Whoever will replace him will be lucky because he’ll find a well-trained team.”

Juventus confirmed Tudor’s sacking on Monday after the team lost three consecutive matches and failed to score in the last four.

Spalletti on the reunion with Totti

Spalletti also spoke about his reunion with Totti, which has made headlines in Italy because of their public dispute during the coach’s second spell at the Stadio Olimpico.

“It feels so good to sit next to Totti,” Spalletti said.

“There were some risky choices, but we spent some marvellous years together, so when Ramazzotti put us back together, I was very happy and he was quite relaxed.”

An 81-year-old man in an electric wheelchair was fatally struck this morning by a car driven by Inter‘s second-choice goalkeeper Josep Martinez, reports in Italy claim.

There’s tragic news from Italy this morning, as according to several sources, including Gazzetta, Inter’s second-choice keeper Josep Martinez was involved in a car accident that killed an 81-year-old man in an electric wheelchair.

Inter goalkeeper Martinez involved in car accident that killed 81-year-old man

It happened at around 9:40 am local time on Via Bergamo in Fenegrò, in the province of Como, near Inter’s training centre Appiano Gentile.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene despite the prompt arrival of an ambulance and an air ambulance.

The Italian Police is carrying out investigations to reconstruct the dynamics of the accident.

Inter cancel Chivu’s press conference

According to Gazzetta, the initial hypothesis is that the elderly man may have suffered a sudden illness and veered into the lane where Martinez was driving.

The Nerazzurri goalkeeper immediately stopped and provided first aid to the man.

Following the tragic news and as a sign of mourning, Inter decided to cancel Cristian Chivu’s press conference, which was scheduled for 14:00 CET today.

Multiple sources in Italy claim that Kevin De Bruyne will undergo surgery in Antwerp tomorrow and will only return to action in February 2026.

Napoli star De Bruyne is set to miss several months of action after suffering a severe lesion to the thigh muscle in a Serie A game against Inter on Saturday.

De Bruyne set to undergo surgery after latest injury

Corriere dello Sport, Gazzetta and Tuttosport report that the Belgium international will be forced to undergo surgery in Antwerp. The operation will be carried out tomorrow, Wednesday, October 29.

According to reports, De Bruyne will miss from three to four months of action, returning on the pitch around February 2026.

According to Corriere dello Sport, the ex-Manchester City star has already landed in Belgium to prepare for the surgery.

De Bruyne suffered the same injury with Manchester City in 2023

De Bruyne sustained an injury to the same muscle in August 2023, which sidelined him for five months. During that period, he missed 28 matches for Manchester City and one for the Belgium national team.

De Bruyne underwent surgery two years ago as well, while his teammate and compatriot Romelu Lukaku, who sustained a similar injury this past August, has opted for conservative therapy.

Juventus sacked Igor Tudor because of poor results and performances in recent games, but the frosty relationship between the Croat and club director Damien Comolli also played a role in the coach’s dismissal.

Juventus announced Tudor’s sacking on Monday and Juventus General Manager Comolli is set to meet Luciano Spalletti today to offer him the job at the Allianz Stadium.

Juventus have been winless since September 13, they’ve lost three games in a row and have not scored in the last four.

Naturally, results and performances in recent weeks led to Tudor’s dismissal, but there’s more behind Juventus’ decision to part ways with the Croatian tactician.

Behind Tudor and Comolli’s frosty relationship

Juventus’ transfer activity surely affected the relationship between Comolli and Tudor, given that the coach’s requests were largely ignored by the Old Lady’s general manager. Juventus didn’t sign a new central midfielder over the summer but signed instead two attacking players, Lois Openda and Edon Zhegrova, on deadline day. Furthermore, Tudor was eager to keep Alberto Costa in the team, especially after some positive performances in the Club World Cup, but Juventus still decided to swap the Portuguese right-back with his compatriot Joao Mario, who has only collected 330 minutes on the pitch across all competitions since moving to Turin.

Director of Performance

The appointment of a new Director of Performance, Darren Burgess, in September, was another decision that the club did not share with the coach. The welcome from Tudor surely wasn’t a warm one, as the Croat said “This gentleman hasn’t yet arrived at the club” when asked about Burgess’ appointment last month. Juventus had welcomed Burgess, stating that the ex-Arsenal and Liverpool staff member would “work closely with Damien Comolli, Giorgio Chiellini, François Modesto, Igor Tudor and across all the technical areas and every age group of the Club to form a high-level team dedicated to promoting excellence in performance, innovation and athlete wellbeing.” Furthermore, as first reported by Tuttosport, in recent weeks, club directors also discussed Tudor’s tactics, suggesting in one-on-one meetings that he should have considered switching to a four-man defence, a step into Tudor’s territory that the coach didn’t particularly appreciate.

Communication

Aside from results, Juventus were also not impressed by Tudor’s communication, including frequent protests towards referees. Tudor’s first complaint came after a 1-1 draw at Hellas Verona, in which the Bianconeri protested for a penalty kick in favour of their opponents and a potential red card for the Gialloblu striker Gift Orban. On that occasion, Tudor labelled the penalty kick decision as “shameful.” Tudor’s communication strategy didn’t change in the following weeks as he kept complaining about referees, and even the fixture list, before a Champions League game against Real Madrid last week, with Giorgio Chiellini, Comolli and François Modesto sitting in front of him in the first row of the press room of the Estadio Bernabeu. Ultimately, on and off-the-field issues led to the coach’s dismissal, and Juventus are now on the verge of starting a new era, with their third coach in seven months.

Santiago Gimenez will partner with Rafael Leao in Milan’s away game at Atalanta this evening, while Ivan Juric will look to Charles De Ketelaere and Ademola Lookman.

It kicks off at 20:45 CET (19:45 GMT) at the New Balance Stadium in Bergamo.