Given Rodri Hernández’s uncertain contractual situation at Manchester City, Real Madrid reportedly emerged as the main suitor for his services. However, Florentino Pérez supposedly rejected the move, setting his sights on Enzo Fernández instead.

Rodri Hernández has established as one of the best players at Manchester City, playing a key role in their historic UEFA Champions League title. Given his contractual situation, the Spaniard had been linked as a potential reinforcement for Real Madrid. However, president Florentino Pérez has reportedly rejected the veteran midfielder, turning his attention instead to Enzo Fernández.

After going through several seasons marked by injuries, Rodri Hernández now appears to be regaining physical consistency at Manchester City. In response, they are reportedly prioritizing a contract renewal, as his current deal runs until 2027. However, the Spaniard has made it clear that he remains open to a return to Spain, publicly opening the door to Real Madrid. As a result, his future remains uncertain.

According to Radio Marca, Florentino Pérez, president of Real Madrid, has decided to rule out the signing of Rodri Hernández. Instead, Los Blancos have turned their attention to Enzo Fernández from Chelsea. With a contract running until 2032 and having cost €120 million, the Blues could demand a very high transfer fee, as at 25 years old he is already one of the best midfielders in the world.

Enzo Fernández has hinted that he could leave Chelsea in the summer, stating that it will be ‘seen after the World Cup.’ Alongside this, the Argentine spoke live with influencer Marcos Giles, giving another nod to Real Madrid: “I would like to live in Spain. I really like Madrid, it reminds me of Buenos Aires. I would live in Madrid… I manage in English, but I would be better with Spanish.”

As an undisputed starter and captain of Chelsea, Real Madrid would need to engage in a strong negotiation. However, Enzo Fernández has revealed that there are still no talks with Los Blancos. Therefore, the Blues remain confident in retaining the Argentine, who is a structural pillar of the project, balancing the team both offensively and defensively.

Not only Enzo: Real Madrid reportedly chases two midfielders

While Real Madrid boast several stars in midfield, they have struggled to maintain organization within the team. Because of this, they have reportedly decided to remain open to reinforcements, with Enzo Fernández as one of the main candidates. However, Los Blancos are also said to have two midfielders high on their priority list: Nico Paz and Kees Smit.

According to Francisco José Delgado via Cadena SER, Real Madrid are aiming to activate the €9 million buy-back clause for Nico Paz from Como 1907. After impressing in Serie A, the Argentine could have the opportunity to earn his place in the starting lineup. Alongside this, they are targeting Smit from AZ Alkmaar, who could arrive for around €50 million.

With this in mind, Real Madrid may not feel pressured to complete the signing of Enzo Fernández. As a result, they could look for the Argentine to push Chelsea for a move, lowering his transfer fee. If the English side hold firm, Los Blancos still have multiple options, ensuring they will secure reinforcements one way or another.

While defining the final 26-player list for the 2026 World Cup, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni warned his players that the cut will be based on performances.

National teams are finalizing their plans during the March international window to determine the 26 names that will make up their respective squads for the 2026 World Cup, and Argentina are no exception. Facing a surplus of options, head coach Lionel Scaloni has warned his players that performance will be the deciding factor when it comes to making the final cut.

FIFA has confirmed that national teams must submit a preliminary list of up to 55 players by May 11, followed by the final 26-man roster by May 30. While assembling the preliminary list has not been the issue, Scaloni is facing the tougher task of trimming 29 players from one submission to the next with the World Cup now fewer than 80 days away.

When asked about the roster situation at Monday’s press conference, Scaloni offered a candid assessment: “We have already submitted the 55-man list to the AFA, which they will then have to pass on to FIFA. As for the final 26, in terms of percentages, we are over the limit. We’ll have to start cutting players based on performance.“

Reports have recently emerged suggesting Scaloni has 21 of the 26 spots already decided, with Lionel Messi leading the group. While the coach has not officially confirmed a single name, not even his captain, it is those final five spots that are proving most difficult to settle.

Scaloni also acknowledged that the narrow 2-1 win over Mauritania could factor into his thinking as he works toward the final roster. “There’s no other way, and the match the other day might have been a warning sign, or just a one-off. But these are things that, as a coach, you take note of. The final decision will be made at the end,” he added.

“What matters most is the team. We will think about the good of the team, and based on that, we will make decisions. I have the list fairly clear in my head, but if performances aren’t up to par, we will take action,” Scaloni added, sending a clear message that no player’s place is safe and that a dip in form between now and May could cost them their spot in the final squad.

Argentina and one last test against Zambia

Following the disappointing showing against Mauritania, Scaloni has confirmed that Lionel Messi will start Tuesday’s friendly against Zambia. While the match represents a chance for Argentina to bounce back and send the home fans off on a positive note, it will also serve as a final audition for players fighting to secure their place in the World Cup squad.

When asked about his plans for the Zambia game, Scaloni made clear he intends to go with a full-strength lineup: “Most of the boys we know well will play tomorrow. I think it’s the final test, and regardless of how the match goes, as the minutes pass, we’ll make changes and look at more of the boys again. The idea is to field a more familiar team—the one everyone is used to seeing—and see how things turn out.“

Napoli are prepared to freeze Romelu Lukaku out after he refused to return from Belgium, as it’s reported both he and Kevin De Bruyne disagree with the club’s medical staff.

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The situation is at an impasse, as when Lukaku returned to Belgium for international duty and was told he wasn’t fully fit, he decided to remain there rather than come straight back to Italy.

This infuriated Napoli, who threatened to freeze him out if he was not back by the deadline.

He released a statement on social media, but that does not seem to have made much difference to the Partenopei.

Lukaku and De Bruyne frustrated with Napoli

Now Belgian media point out the concern with the Napoli medical staff is shared by both Lukaku and De Bruyne.

“Romelu and I followed a similar path after our injuries. I did a full rehabilitation [in Belgium], Romelu partially in Antwerp and partially in Naples,” commented De Bruyne.

“When there are two different views, it’s hard to work together. There have been differences, and this is not ideal if you aim to get back in shape.”

According to Het Laatste Nieuws, Lukaku rushed his return in November because Napoli were struggling with an injury crisis, disobeyed the instructions given to him by his medical team in Antwerp, and suffered an immediate relapse.

It certainly wouldn’t be the first time that Napoli’s medical staff caused controversy, as they have had an epic run of serious setbacks that left Antonio Conte with a decimated squad this season.

This is why Lukaku would prefer to work with Lieven Maesschalck and Bert Driesen, physiotherapists they first met through the Belgium national team.

He is now determined to remain in Belgium until at least the end of this week, so it remains to be seen how Napoli will respond.

Italy seem inclined to use the same starting XI that beat Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off, but Bosnia are ready to launch a fresh talent.

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It kicks off at the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica on Tuesday at 19.45 UK time and a winner will be decided after 90 minutes, extra time or even a penalty shoot-out.

There had been suggestions that the Azzurri would make a couple of adjustments following the 2-0 semi-final victory against Northern Ireland.

Inter striker Francesco Pio Esposito impressed off the bench, as did Cagliari winger Marco Palestra, but the latest indications from the training ground point to Mateo Retegui and Matteo Politano retaining their places.

Gennaro Gattuso also hinted that Manuel Locatelli would remain in the centre of midfield, despite mentioning several times that the Juventus man was positioned incorrectly during the first half against Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile, Bosnia and Herzegovina are likely to make at least one change, as 18-year-old left-sided winger Kerim Alajbegovic made such a big impression off the bench against Wales in the semi-final, also converting the decisive penalty in the shoot-out.

He would step in for Esmir Bajraktevic, in support of Edin Dzeko and Ermedin Demirovic.

Atalanta defender Sead Kolasinac had been a slight doubt with injury, but has fully recovered and will be in the starting XI.

Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Italy probable line-ups

Bosnia: Vasilj; Dedic, Katic, Muharemovic, Kolasinac; Memic, Sunjic, Tahirovic, Alajbegovic; Demirovic, Dzeko

Italy: Donnarumma; Mancini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Politano, Barella, Locatelli, Tonali, Dimarco; Kean, Retegui

Local media have accused an Italian of acting as a ‘spy’ during the Bosnia and Herzegovina training session ahead of the World Cup play-off.

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It kicks off at the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica on Tuesday at 19.45 UK time and a winner will be decided after 90 minutes, extra time or even a penalty shoot-out.

Bosnia and Italy face off for World Cup ticket

A place at the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and USA is at stake, so every detail could be crucial ahead of the big match.

This is why local newspaper Klixba claimed that an Italian spy had been identified at the training ground to film the players even after the 15 minutes that were open to the public.

However, Sportmediaset explain that this was no spy, but rather an Italian soldier whose base is close by to the training ground, so he simply wandered over to observe the situation.

He was by no means affiliated with Gennaro Gattuso and the Italy squad, so did not pass along any valuable information on the plans of the Bosnia squad.

Manchester United’s top summer transfer target, Elliot Anderson, has revealed that he is actively shaping his game by learning from Arsenal star Declan Rice.

The 23-year-old Nottingham Forest star, who has enjoyed a stunning rise under Thomas Tuchel in the national setup, credited the Arsenal talisman for providing vital mentorship.

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Declan Rice has been mentoring Elliot Anderson

Anderson has established himself as a Premier League standout this season, but he admits that he has learned a lot from observing Rice during their time together with the Three Lions.

The duo have formed a formidable “hybrid” partnership in midfield, often alternating between the No. 6 and No. 8 roles to allow one another to drive forward.

He said (quotes via Fabrizio Romano): “Declan Rice has helped me on and off the pitch. Just little things on the training pitch, bits of advice, putting his arm around me and just building on the relationship in midfield. I’m trying to learn from him”.

???????? Elliot Anderson: “Declan Rice has helped me on and off the pitch”.

“Just little things on the training pitch, bits of advice, putting his arm around me and just building on the relationship in midfield. I'm trying to learn from him”. pic.twitter.com/Fo1IYZpisT

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 30, 2026

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Man United have made Anderson their top summer target

While Anderson is focused on international duties, his club future is the subject of intense speculation.

Reports indicate that Manchester United have made the former Newcastle man their top priority for the upcoming transfer window.

As per reports, Man United are prepared to build the team around Anderson, viewing him as the ideal replacement for the aging Casemiro.

Despite strong interest from Manchester City, United are said to be willing to meet Nottingham Forest’s valuation, rumored to be in the region of £100m, to ensure they land the phenomenal midfielder.

Arsenal also interested in Elliot Anderson

Man City are leading the race to land him while Man United are refusing to give up on the England international, but there is one more Premier League giant interested in Anderson.

As reported by the Daily Briefing, Arsenal also ‘sense an opportunity’ to sign the highly-rated midfielder.

“Don’t rule out Arsenal just yet. Man City have had talks, they’re feeling positive about their position, but nothing’s done yet.

“What I’m hearing is that Arsenal sense an opportunity to get something done. We’ll have to see if they’re right, as other clubs have done more work on this as of now.”

If Arsenal make a serious push to sign him, the prospect of partnering with Rice on club level could be a tempting factor for the midfielder.

 

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Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that Tottenham has not approached him regarding a sensational return to the club, but the former Spurs boss notably refused to rule out a move back to North London in the future.

Speaking ahead of the United States Men’s National Team’s (USMNT) friendly against Portugal, Pochettino addressed the swirling speculation linking him with the the Tottenham job.

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Mauricio Pochettino on Tottenham links

Pochettino in his latest interview was asked about the links with Tottenham and Real Madrid, to which he admitted that there have been no contact with either club.

Emphasising on his commitment with the American national team, he said (quotes via Ben Jacobs):

“No talks. We are very, very focused here on the World Cup. Everyone knows that I have a commitment with the national team here. It’s not the point to talk about the future. No one approached me. But who knows what is going to happen?”

While he maintained his professional stance, his admission that “who knows” what the future holds, coupled with the fact that his current contract expires after this summer’s World Cup, has kept the door open.

Interestingly, he also signaled a willingness to extend his stay in international management, adding, “We are open [to staying with the USMNT], why not if the federation is happy?”

?? Mauricio Pochettino asked on links with Spurs and Real Madrid.

“No talks. We are very very focused here on the World Cup.

“Everyone knows that I have a commitment with the national team here. It’s not the point to talk about the future.

“No one approached me. But who knows…

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) March 30, 2026

Spurs moving in fast for De Zerbi

Pochettino’s lack of contact with Spurs suggests the club hierarchy is looking elsewhere for an immediate solution to their crisis.

Following the Igor Tudor’s exit after just 44 days, Tottenham are reportedly moving at pace to secure former Brighton and Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi.

With Premier League survival on the line, Spurs are said to have gone big to convince De Zerbi to take the role immediately.

Appointing De Zerbi now on a permanent deal would end the story of a fairytale return of Pochettino, at least for the near future.

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German striker Nicolo Tresoldi is a target for Arsenal and Tottenham ahead of the summer transfer window.

According to Florian Plettenberg, Arsenal have now made an enquiry for the 21-year-old striker, and he could cost around €30 million. Multiple clubs across Germany and Italy are keen on the player, and it remains to be seen whether Arsenal can win the race for his signature.

They are yet to follow up on their enquiry with an official offer for the player. Meanwhile, Tottenham are monitoring his situation as well. The 21-year-old German is highly rated across Europe, and he has a bright future. He could develop into an important player for Arsenal or Tottenham.

The Club Brugge attacker has 17 goals and five assists this season.

It is no secret that Arsenal need more quality in the attack. They spent a substantial amount of money on Viktor Gyokeres at the start of the season, but the Swedish International has not been prolific enough in the Premier League (11 goals in 29 matches). They need more depth in the attacking unit, and signing the young German would be a solid future investment.

Meanwhile, Tottenham are keeping tabs on the young attacker, and they could use a quality striker as well. Randal Kolo Muani will leave the club at the end of the season, and they need to replace him.

Tresoldi could compete with Dominic Solanke for the starting spot next season. The opportunity to move to the Premier League could be exciting for him. He has the physicality and technical attributes for English football, and he could be a very handy option for both London clubs. They could be attractive destinations for the young attacker, and it remains to be seen how the situation develops over the next few weeks.

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Manchester United are looking to strengthen the defensive unit by signing Evan Ndicka from AS Roma.

Tottenham Hotspur are keen on the player as well, and clubs like Liverpool and Barcelona are also monitoring his situation. According to Solo La Roma, Tottenham have been leading the negotiations since last summer, but Manchester United are now expected to leapfrog competition with an immediate bid to sign the player.

The Ivorian defender will cost around €45 million (£39m), and it remains to be seen whether Manchester United can get the deal done. They need more depth in the defensive unit, and Ndicka could be a superb addition.

He has done quite well in Italy, and he is capable of succeeding in English football as well. Manchester United have struggled at the back, and they need to improve in that area of the pitch. They need a long-term replacement for Harry Maguire. Players like Matthijs De Ligt have struggled with persistent injury problems, and Manchester United need players with greater availability. Ndicka wrote his name in the history books by playing every minute of every league game with AS Roma last season. He is clearly a player with an outstanding fitness record, and he could be the ideal acquisition for Manchester United.

The asking price seems reasonable for a player of his quality and experience in today’s market.

Meanwhile, Liverpool and Tottenham need to tighten up at the back as well. Ibrahima Konaté will leave the club at the end of the season, and Liverpool need to replace him. As for Tottenham, Cristian Romero is expected to move on in the summer. It remains to be seen which of the three clubs can get the deal done.

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Manchester United continue to be linked with a move for Cole Palmer at the end of the season.

The Chelsea attacker is a boyhood Manchester United fan, and the Red Devils are now actively exploring a summer move for him. The 23-year-old has been exceptional since joining Chelsea and has developed into one of the league’s best attacking players.

Palmer has 53 goals and 32 assists in 122 appearances for Chelsea.

According to a report from Team Talk, Bayern Munich and PSG are also interested in the player.

Manchester United’s sporting director, Jason Wilcox and head of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, want to bring in a versatile forward in the summer, and they have identified the Chelsea star as a potential target. It remains to be seen whether they follow up on their interest with an official offer to close the deal.

Chelsea could demand around £150 million to sell the England international, and it would be a difficult deal to pull off. Manchester United need to improve multiple areas of their squad, and they cannot afford to splurge their entire budget on one player.

There is no doubt that Palmer would be a world-class signing for them. He is a young player who is already one of the best in his position in the league. He will improve further with coaching and experience. There is no doubt that he has all the tools to develop into a future superstar and to transform Manchester United’s attack. However, any move might have to wait for the future.

Manchester United are still in a period of rebuilding, and they need to add more depth to the team.

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Newcastle United are closing in on the capture of Ecuadorian attacker Johan Martinez. 

According to Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle have already agreed a deal and principal with his club Independiente del Valle, and the transfer will go through in 2027 when the player turns 18.

The South American is a promising young player with a bright future, and several clubs were interested in him. Newcastle have done well to secure a verbal agreement with his club to sign the player. The official documents are likely to be exchanged later this week.

Martinez is one for the future, and he could develop into an important player for Newcastle with the right guidance. Newcastle are looking to build a quality team for the future, and they need to build sustainably. Investing in top young talent is the right way forward for them.

Martinez has the technical attributes for English football, and he will help Newcastle improve going forward. The player will be delighted to have sorted out his long-term future, and he will focus on continuing his development with regular football at Independiente.

It is no secret that Newcastle need more quality in the attacking unit. They should also look to invest in a reliable striker. It has been a mediocre season for them, and they will look to finish strongly. They were expected to push for Champions League qualification this season, but things have not gone according to plan. Signing the right players in the summer could help them bounce back next year.

Martinez will certainly hope to fight for trophies with Newcastle and compete in Europe and football with them in the near future.

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Facing offensive issues, Christian Pulisic could be an attacking reinforcement for next season. With this in mind, AC Milan are reportedly closing in on an agreement for Andrej Kostić, betting on his high potential.

Throughout the 2025–26 season, AC Milan have struggled with serious attacking issues, finding it difficult to convert chances into goals. Amid Christian Pulisic’s drop in scoring form, the midfield has had to step up, leading the offensive efforts. Looking to improve their goal-scoring output and build for the future, the Rossoneri have reportedly reached an agreement to sign Andrej Kostić.

According to Matteo Moretto, AC Milan have reached an agreement with FK Partizan Belgrade to secure the signing of Andrej Kostić. Backing his youth, the Rossoneri will pay a €3.5 million transfer fee, along with €4.5 million in bonuses and a percentage of a future sale. With this, Christian Pulisic could gain a promising attacking partner, as the club looks to improve its scoring output.

At just 19 years old, Andrej Kostić has already impress at FK Partizan Belgrade. After scoring 11 goals in 34 games, the Montenegrin has established as the team’s second-leading scorer. Despite this, he wouldn’t be an immediate solution to the Rossoneri’s problems as he will be move back and forth repeatedly between the U23s and the senior squad, reports Matteo Moretto.

Christian Pulisic could play a key role in Filip Kostić’s adaptation at AC Milan. As one of the team’s leaders, the USMNT star could look to ease his integration during preseason, helping him adjust to Massimiliano Allegri’s overall system. Because of this, the Montenegrin could still earn a spot in the rotation, showcasing his scoring ability and versatility in attack.

Andrej Kostić! 👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/XS5DEMhdEA

— FK Partizan (@FKPartizanBG) August 30, 2025

Kostic could face off against Francesco Camarda for a spot at AC Milan

Despite Andrej Kostić potentially arriving as a highly promising young talent, he may not have his place at AC Milan fully secured. Like the Montenegrin, the club also have Francesco Camarda, who is considered a long-term project by the front office. Therefore, the 19-year-old striker could compete directly with the young Italian during preseason, aiming to earn a role in Massimiliano Allegri’s rotation.

With this in mind, Kostić or Camarda could be sent out on loan from the Rossoneri, seeking minutes and prominence they might not get under Allegri. While the Montenegrin could face difficulties finding a destination, the Italian striker is already attracting interest from Parma, where he could have significant playing time in Serie A, as per Nicolò Schira.

Pulisic may still receive a stellar striker in AC Milan

Christian Pulisic could still receive a reliable reinforcement in attack. While Filip Kostić and Francesco Camarda are bets for the future, they may not become immediate starters. Looking to boost the USMNT star’s performances, AC Milan are targeting Santiago Castro of Bologna, Mateo Retegui of Al-Qadsiah, or Moise Kean of ACF Fiorentina, all players with Serie A experience, reports Nicolò Schira.

In a sudden turnaround, Italian reports suggest Milan have abandoned negotiations with Corinthians for midfielder André after a new offer was rejected.

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The situation has been confusing even for the Rossoneri themselves, who thought that an agreement had been reached with the Brazilian club worth €17m including add-ons.

However, Corinthians President Osmar Stabile rejected it outright, demanding considerably more.

Milan frustrated by André situation

According to ESPN Brasil, a new offer was made today worth €18m plus another €4m in performance-related bonuses, taking the total fee to €22m.

Within hours of that story breaking, MilanNews claimed that the response was so negative that the Rossoneri decided to scrap the whole move.

The directors have been frustrated with the chaotic way that Corinthians have been dealing with this, having believed they already had an agreement in place weeks ago.

The 19-year-old midfielder has been compared to current Atalanta star Ederson and was so eager to come to San Siro that he was prepared to forego the 30 per cent of the transfer he would’ve been owed.

Mattia Zaccagni showed significant progress in his injury and Lazio hope the captain will be available for the Coppa Italia semi-final against Atalanta.

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The 30-year-old contributed four goals and one assist in 25 competitive games so far this season, but picked up a serious thigh strain a couple of weeks ago.

It forced him to withdraw from international duty ahead of the 2026 World Cup play-offs, and he was expected to be out for at least a month.

Zaccagni eager to rush Lazio return

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso confirmed that Zaccagni was meant to travel with the group to Bosnia and Herzegovina as moral support, along with fellow injury cases Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Guglielmo Vicario.

However, he had to remain in Rome for a scheduled medical test with Lazio staff, and it provided some positive news.

According to the Corriere dello Sport, the tests showed the muscle in the right thigh is healing quicker than expected.

He is now hoping to recover in time to feature in the Coppa Italia semi-final against Atalanta on April 22.

The first leg ended 2-2 at the Stadio Olimpico, so it is all up for grabs.

Bernardo Silva has reportedly decided to leave Manchester City as a free agent, with Juventus and Barcelona the main contenders for his signature.

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According to Portuguese website A Bola, the midfielder has made up his mind and will not sign a new contract when the current deal expires on June 30.

He will then celebrate his 32^nd birthday in August, so is still in good shape and able to play on for many more years.

Bernardo Silva has no shortage of options

After a career at Benfica, AS Monaco and since 2017 at Manchester City, Bernardo Silva is eager to experience a different league.

A Bola claim that while Barcelona remain the favourites for his next club, Juventus are certainly not out of the running.

The Bianconeri are said to be proposing a salary worth up to €8m per season.

Although that is nothing compared to the wages on offer from the Saudi Pro League or Major League Soccer, it is reported that Bernardo Silva would much prefer to remain in Europe.

Benfica and Galatasaray are also contenders, but the battle would largely seem to be behind Barcelona and Juventus.

Liverpool may reportedly have been handed a major transfer boost with regards to keeping hold of Ibrahima Konate despite his contract being due to expire this summer.

The France international is close to becoming a free agent, but so too were Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk before they penned new deals late on last season.

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There’s still time for Konate to put pen to paper on a new contract with Liverpool, and it may in fact be increasingly likely due to the lack of other options out there for him.

While fans’ focus for now will be on how to buy Manchester City vs Liverpool FA Cup tickets for after the international break, there’ll also be plenty of Reds supporters keen to keep up with transfer news and rumours ahead of the summer.

And now it looks like there’s good cause for optimism about Konate’s situation despite no recent updates on him possibly agreeing a new contract at Anfield.

Other clubs have agreed defender deals

Not only have Real Madrid decided against signing Konate, with the Spanish giants informing LFC of their decision, but it’s clear other clubs are thinking the same.

Bayern Munich have recently agreed a new deal for Dayot Upamecano, meaning they’re not in the market for a centre-back this summer.

Barcelona, meanwhile, had also been linked with Konate but are now making Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni a priority instead.

This increasingly means Konate is going to struggle to find suitors, as we also already know that Paris Saint-Germain don’t seem to be in the race, while it then becomes hard to know who else can afford the 26-year-old.

Liverpool’s potential defensive targets

There’s not yet a clear picture of who Liverpool could sign to replace Konate, but one option is gone as Nico Schlotterbeck has agreed a new Borussia Dortmund contract.

One name being linked increasingly strongly is Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix, but they’ve just lost Marc Guehi to Manchester City, which could make them less likely to sell another key centre-back for anything other than huge money.

More Stories / Latest News

Arsenal could leapfrog Man United for Elliot Anderson after latest comments – opinion

Mar 30 2026, 22:19

“Who knows what is going to happen” – Mauricio Pochettino makes intriguing Tottenham admission

Mar 30 2026, 21:14

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Mar 30 2026, 21:00

That doesn’t give Liverpool a lot of options to work with either, so it could well be ideal for both parties if they can finally come to an agreement over a new contract.

What do you think? Will Konate end up staying at Liverpool after all? Give us your predictions in the comments!

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Leeds United defender Pascal Struijk has been linked with a move away from the club at the end of the season.

He has a contract with the Premier League club until 2027, and naturally, he’s being linked with a move away in the summer. He could be available for a reasonable amount of money, and Leeds would be prepared to cash in for an offer of around £30 million.

According to Sports Boom, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Aston Villa are interested in the 26-year-old defender.

Tottenham need more depth in the defence, especially with players like Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven linked with moves away. On the other hand, Aston Villa would be prepared to pay £20 million to sign the player.

Newcastle are looking to add more depth to the defensive unit as well, and they believe that the Leeds star could be the ideal option for them. The 26-year-old has shown his quality in the Premier League, and he could be attracted to the idea of taking on a new challenge.

All three clubs could be exciting destinations for him. Tottenham and Newcastle have exciting projects, and the Dutchman will be able to fight for trophies with them in future. On the other hand, Aston Villa is pushing for Champions League qualification for the upcoming campaign. It will be interesting to see where he ends up.

The £30 million asking price seems expensive for a player who will enter the final year of his contract in the summer. Any interested club will look to sign him for a more reasonable fee in the coming weeks.

The post Tottenham to compete with Newcastle and Aston Villa for £30m Dutchman appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Juventus midfielder Khephren Thuram has been linked with a move away from the Italian club at the end of the season.

According to a report from Calciomercato.It, Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United are interested in the French midfielder. The player is also attracting interest from PSG and Inter Milan.

He would cost €60 million in the summer, and it will be interesting to see if the Premier League clubs are willing to pay up. The 25-year-old has proven himself in Italy, and he has previously impressed in France as well. He has the physicality and technical attributes for English football, and he could be a very useful acquisition for all three clubs.

Newcastle are looking at potential alternatives to Sandro Tonali, who has been linked with an exit.

On the other hand, Manchester United will need to replace Casemiro when he moves on. Although the 25-year-old French midfielder is not a direct replacement for the Brazilian, he will add physicality and defensive cover in the middle of the park.

It is no secret that Liverpool needs more depth in the midfield as well. The 25-year-old has the qualities to do well in English football, and it remains to be seen whether the three clubs are prepared to break the Bank for him.

Meanwhile, Juventus are looking to offer the player a contract renewal, and they will only sanction his departure if a substantial offer of around €60 million is presented.

The midfielder is entering the peak years of his career, and he could be attracted to the idea of playing in the Premier League. Clubs like Manchester United and Liverpool will be tempting destinations for him.

The post Man United and Liverpool plot move for €60 million-rated Frenchman appeared first on CaughtOffside.

After a disappointing performance against Mauritania, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed that Lionel Messi will be starting in the game against Zambia next Tuesday.

Lionel Messi came off the bench against Mauritania in a decision that raised questions about the star’s fitness management. Following a disappointing performance in the narrow 2-1 win last Friday, head coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed that the Argentine icon will start the upcoming friendly against Zambia.

At Monday’s press conference, Scaloni addressed the media in the aftermath of the Mauritania friendly, with his focus already shifting to the clash against Zambia. When asked specifically about Messi, the Albiceleste head coach confirmed that the Inter Miami star will be in the starting lineup.

Scaloni was also asked about his thinking behind the second-half substitutions, offering some clarity on his reasoning: “Regarding the changes, I wanted to give Julian (Alvarez) a bit of a rest. Nico González was coming off an injury as well, so we felt it was best to rest him and give an opportunity to other boys.

“Our idea is always to play with two forwards. It wasn’t necessarily something we wanted to do (the substitutions), but that was the plan,” Scaloni added. Messi entered the game in the second half in place of Nico Paz, alongside Rodrigo De Paul, who replaced Nico Gonzalez, and Franco Mastantuono, who came on for Julian Alvarez. The No. 10 struggled to make an impact in a second half in which Argentina failed to register a single shot on target.

Argentina now turn their attention to Tuesday’s clash against Zambia, ranked 91st by FIFA, once again at the Bombonera on March 31. With the Mauritania result leaving a sour taste among fans, Scaloni is ready to go all-out against Zambia, with Messi leading the charge from the start.

Scaloni looks to raise the bar after Mauritania performance

Even without Messi in the starting lineup, Scaloni fielded a team close to his preferred XI against Mauritania, with Marcos Senesi stepping in for the injured Lisandro Martinez and Nico Paz taking on a creative role in the system. The first half was encouraging, with Argentina dominating possession and goals from Enzo Fernandez in the 17th minute and Paz in the 32nd giving the Albiceleste a comfortable cushion.

The second half, however, was a different story, with Argentina’s level dropping off sharply. Emiliano Martinez was called into action three times as Mauritania registered eight shots to Argentina’s one, which was Messi’s blocked attempt. A Lefort goal in the 90th-plus minute made it 2-1 and set up a nervy finish, with the performance drawing widespread criticism and prompting even Martinez himself to offer a self-assessment.

When asked how the players responded to the display, Scaloni said: “It’s a good sign that they believe the match wasn’t good. It’s a sign that the team always competes and that, whether they play well or poorly, they always give the impression of being a cohesive unit—and that was what we failed to do the other day. Besides playing well, these players are intelligent. When that doesn’t happen, they realize it.“

The Argentina boss made clear his hope that the Mauritania display was an isolated episode rather than a cause for deeper concern. “From there, you correct things and move on to a next match that we believe is a good opportunity to get back to where we belong and to evaluate, for the sake of the fans, if it was truly just one match or a symptom of the moment. We hope it was just that one game and that the team shows the face we all know,” he concluded.

Liverpool are pursuing the renewal of Ibrahima Konaté, but the Frenchman does not appear likely to reach an agreement, leaving his future in doubt. In response, the Reds have reportedly set their sights on Maxence Lacroix, competing with Chelsea for his signing.

Throughout the 2025-26 season, Liverpool have continued to pursue a contract extension for Ibrahima Konaté, whose current deal expires at the end of the season. Despite their efforts, the Frenchman has yet to sign the extension, prompting the Reds to look for a replacement. In light of this, Maxence Lacroix has emerged as the clear favorite to bolster the Reds’ defense, competing with Chelsea for his arrival.

According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool remain focused on renewing Ibrahima Konaté. Despite growing interest from Real Madrid and other teams, the Reds remain optimistic, making gradual progress in negotiations with the Frenchman. They have also submitted a lucrative renewal offer, aiming to secure his long-term future. However, they are already looking at Maxence Lacroix as a reliable alternative.

After establishing at Crystal Palace as an undisputed starter, Maxence has attracted attention not only from Liverpool, but also from Chelsea and Aston Villa. Moreover, the Reds will not find it easy to secure his signing, as the Eagles have also lost Marc Guéhi and could be very reluctant to let the Frenchman leave. Because of this, the 25-year-old defender could be involved in a high-value transfer.

Maxence Lacroix has managed to impress with his performances in the Premier League. With his pace and physicality, the Frenchman is already one of the most eye-catching defenders in Europe. With only 25 years old, Liverpool could look to prioritize his signing, as he would be an ideal complement to Virgil van Dijk and compatible with Micky van de Ven and his potential arrival.

Not only Lacroix: Liverpool reportedly chase Luka Vuskovic

Due to constant injuries, Liverpool have struggled to perform defensively, lacking depth in rotation. For this reason, they are looking to make several changes, casting doubt over the futures of Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konaté. While Maxence Lacroix emerges as a strong option to reinforce the backline, the Reds are also reportedly considering the arrival of Luka Vušković.

According to BILD, the Reds are closely monitoring Vušković’s development, as he has impressed during his loan spell at Hamburger SV. At just 19 years old, the Croatian is already one of the best young defenders in the world. For that reason, Tottenham Hotspur could demand a significant fee for his transfer as he holds a contract until 2030. However, if the player pushes for a move, Liverpool would be open to signing him, willing to make a significant financial outlay.

Gennaro Gattuso assures Italy ‘see no difference between Wales and Bosnia’ with high praise for ‘good friend’ Edin Dzeko, as he sees some poker mind games for the World Cup play-off.

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It kicks off at the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica on Tuesday at 19.45 UK time and a winner will be decided after 90 minutes, extra time or even a penalty shoot-out.

The Azzurri squeezed past Northern Ireland 2-0 in Bergamo on Thursday, while Bosnia needed penalties to defeat Wales after a 1-1 draw in Cardiff.

Their original plan had been to fly in earlier, but the state of the pitch amid rain and snow prompted them to have today’s training session in Italy instead, not arriving in Zenica until this evening.

Gattuso not underestimating Bosnia

“Anyone who is in football lives for moments like this,” Gattuso told Sky Sport Italia following a pitch inspection.

“Personally, I feel the tingle of tension, there’s nothing better than that. If you don’t feel it, then you have to hang your boots up, or as a coach just go home. We know there is a lot at stake, we’re well aware that Italy have not participated in the last two World Cups, but we also must reserve all that energy for the pitch tomorrow and not waste it beforehand.”

Gattuso was already part of the 2006 squad that won the World Cup and had an entire nation celebrating, so now he can provide a different type of gift to the country by qualifying as a coach.

“I do feel great responsibility from the first day I took the Nazionale job, but I cannot think about what happens if there’s something positive or negative. I have to look into my players’ eyes and give them confidence. That’s not because I want to gift them something, but because I believe we can achieve this target.

“In the last seven months, the team has improved a great deal. We might not be particularly pretty, but that’s fine. Our history says that with mentality, hunger, and the ability to suffer through difficulty, so many of us were able to achieve amazing and entirely unexpected things wearing this shirt. So that is something we cannot do without.”

It is widely reported that Gattuso is not planning on making any changes to the starting XI that played against Northern Ireland, despite calls for Francesco Pio Esposito and Marco Palestra to step in for Mateo Retegui and Matteo Politano.

That was a slog until Sandro Tonali broke the deadlock, then he provided the assist for Moise Kean to make it 2-0.

“I was speaking to my staff and we knew there could be difficulties. I say thank goodness Northern Ireland tried to pass it around more, because if they had just done the usual and pumped balls into the box, we could’ve struggled more,” replied Gattuso.

“Tomorrow will be a different type of game, as Bosnia have two very fast wingers with quality, two strikers who move very well to reach balls pulled back from the by-line. We need to have courage on the ball, because Bosnia are a real team who know what they want to do.”

Bosnia and Herzegovina coach Sergej Barbarez said in his pre-match press conference that he’s ready to ‘park the bus’ if they take the lead over Italy, but Gattuso isn’t buying it.

“I know Sergej is a great poker player, so I don’t believe this is a team that wants to park the bus. They have a lot of quality and respect their opponents, so we need to do the same.

“Despite what happened the other day, we know the truth of the matter is there isn’t a difference between Wales and Bosnia. That controversy emerged, Federico did very well to comment, but it’s honestly not a cliché to admit this is a tough match and we respect them.”

This was in reference to the clip showing Federico Dimarco, Guglielmo Vicario and other Italy players celebrating when Bosnia beat Wales on penalties, suggesting they preferred not to go to Cardiff for the play-off final.

Edin Dzeko also commented on that situation, confirming his love for Italy after so many years in Serie A.

“I am glad you asked me this question,” replied Gattuso.

“I made many mistakes in life, but when it comes to football, I rarely get it wrong. I was talking to Dzeko for two months last year when I was at Hajduk Split and wanted to sign him from Fenerbahce, but the club didn’t have the resources to agree a deal.

“An incredible rapport still developed, he is light years ahead of so many as a professional, so it’s no fluke that he still gets the ball in the net at age 40 and says things that are not to be taken for granted.

“It’s proof that he is a great champion, a great man, and I am not surprised by any of that. We’ve formed a strong friendship, and I compliment him as a player and a person.”

Finally, does Gattuso have a message for the Italian fans back home?

“I saw that there were 10 million television viewers when we played Northern Ireland, and going around Italy the last few months, I know it’s up to us to give them that joy.”

Gianluigi Donnarumma admits ‘there’s no point saying we don’t feel the tension’ as Italy prepare for the World Cup play-off final with Bosnia. ‘We mustn’t repeat the mistakes against Northern Ireland.’

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It kicks off at the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica on Tuesday at 19.45 UK time and a winner will be decided after 90 minutes, extra time or even a penalty shoot-out.

The Nazionale reached this final thanks to a 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland on Thursday, sealed by Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean goals.

Bosnia also played that day, needing extra time and a penalty shoot-out to get the better of Wales in Cardiff following a 1-1 draw.

Donnarumma confession as Italy fired up

“We are human beings, there’s no point saying we don’t feel the tension, we all want to do well and go to the World Cup, but it’s the right kind of tension,” assured Donnarumma on Sky Sport Italia.

“We’re ready, we need to do what we prepared in training, focus on what we are capable of, and the rest will come as a consequence.”

The pressure is palpable in the Azzurri camp, as they lost the World Cup play-offs for the tournaments in both 2018 and 2022.

They had been the favourites in both those ties, losing to Sweden and North Macedonia.

“Everything adds up to valuable experience. We are a young squad, it’s only natural there is some anxiety and the adrenaline is racing, but that’s part of the sport,” added Manchester City goalkeeper Donnarumma.

“Tomorrow is a very important match we need to approach in the right way. We mustn’t repeat the mistakes we made in the first half against Northern Ireland.

“The team is ready and fired up to put in a great performance so we can achieve this target.”

Donnarumma is the captain of the Azzurri squad, as he is the player with by far the most senior caps, despite being still relatively young.

“I am truly proud of everything I’ve done so far with the Nazionale. There has been joy and pain, I missed out on two World Cups, and we want to bring Italy back where it deserves to be.

“Only we know how much we suffered at not getting to the World Cup, so we need to learn from that ugly experience and put it all onto the pitch tomorrow. We want to bring joy to all Italians, but also to ourselves, because I feel we deserve it for all that we’ve been doing.”

Giovanni Di Lorenzo is injured, but he has joined Guglielmo Vicario in flying to Zenica with their Italy teammates for the World Cup play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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It kicks off at the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica on Tuesday at 19.45 UK time and a winner will be decided after 90 minutes, extra time or even a penalty shoot-out.

Italy players stick together in crucial play-off

Vicario was spotted in the stands and stayed at the training camp with his teammates for the semi-final 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland last week, despite undergoing surgery only a few days ago.

The Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper wanted to be involved in the process of earning a spot at the 2026 World Cup, and he isn’t the only one.

Napoli defender Di Lorenzo was spotted with Vicario during the pitch inspection this evening as the Italy squad arrived at the Stadion Bilino Polje.

They were both wearing bright blue coats, to differentiate them from the players who are part of the official training camp and match squad.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Inter Miami have opened talks with Casemiro over the possibility of the veteran midfielder moving to Florida after the expiration of his contract with Manchester United this summer. Casemiro has already revealed he would be leaving Old Trafford at the end of the season, and despite some more recent speculation about […]

The post Inter Miami move for Casemiro appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Inter Miami move for Casemiro appeared first on Soccer News.

Having established as one of the top players in Serie A, Nico Paz has caught the attention of several European clubs. As a result, the Argentine is reportedly at the top of a list of three players that Real Madrid are looking to sign for the 2026–27 season.

After establishing as one of the best players in Serie A, Nico Paz has attracted the attention of numerous clubs such as Inter Milan. Given his strong performances, the Argentine has reportedly caught the eye of Real Madrid, who are seeking a return. Alongside him, two other players have joined the list of potential returns that Los Blancos are targeting ahead of the 2026–27 season.

According to Francisco José Delgado via Cadena SER, Real Madrid have decided they will count on Nico Paz, Endrick, and Víctor Muñoz ahead of the 2026–27 preseason. While the Brazilian is on loan and would not require a fee, they would need to trigger the buy-back clauses for the Argentine, valued at €9 million, and the Spaniard, valued at €8 million. Despite this, their continuity in the squad would not be guaranteed.

Although Endrick, Paz, and Víctor have been shining with their respective teams this season, they will have to prove themselves at Real Madrid, where a final decision will be made on their futures. However, the Argentine arrives established as one of the best players in Serie A, meaning he could directly compete with Thiago Pitarch for a starting spot. Alongside him, the Brazilian could remain in the squad, serving as rotation for Kylian Mbappé or Vinícius Jr.

Víctor Muñoz may find it harder to stay at Real Madrid. He could be a natural replacement for Vinicius Jr. However, coach Álvaro Arbeloa has decided to adjust his lineup, leaving room for only two forwards. Furthermore, the presence of Franco Mastantuono, Rodrygo Goes, and Brahim Díaz could close the door on him. Given this, the Spaniard could leave again, but on loan to control his future.

Real Madrid could make significant changes to their offense

Throughout the 2025–26 season, Real Madrid have struggled to maximize the level of several of their players. Because of this, the potential returns of Víctor Muñoz and Endrick open the door to possible departures. Neither Rodrygo Goes nor Franco Mastantuono have managed to establish themselves as regular starters. In addition, Brahim Díaz and Gonzalo García could also be affected, so the upcoming preseason may open the door to exits.

As young players, Gonzalo García and Franco Mastantuono could be the most likely to leave Los Blancos, as they still need to prove their potential. With this, Víctor Muñoz and Endrick would gain more space in the rotation. Despite this, the continuity of Álvaro Arbeloa or the arrival of a new coach could reshape all plans. Therefore, the only certainty is that several players will define their future during the next preseason.

Tottenham TV schedule and streaming links Following Tottenham Hotspur from the United States has never been more vital for supporters as the club navigates a season of significant transition. Now competing in the UEFA Champions League following their continental success last spring, Spurs are a fixture of mid-week and weekend television. World Soccer Talk's Tottenham […]

Tottenham TV schedule and streaming links

Following Tottenham Hotspur from the United States has never been more vital for supporters as the club navigates a season of significant transition. Now competing in the UEFA Champions League following their continental success last spring, Spurs are a fixture of mid-week and weekend television. World Soccer Talk’s Tottenham TV Schedule provides the current broadcasting landscape to ensure you never miss a minute of the action from North London.

Tottenham Hotspur: At a Glance

• Stadium: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
• Major Honors: 2 League Titles, 8 FA Cups, 2024/25 UEFA Europa League Champions
• Current Pillars: Cristian Romero, Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons

How to Watch Tottenham in the United States

To see every Spurs match in the 2025/26 season, fans must navigate a combination of traditional networks and primary streaming platforms.

Premier League: NBC Sports & Peacock

The Premier League remains the core of the Spurs schedule, with NBC Universal holding the exclusive US rights.

• National TV: Marquee matchups for Tottenham are typically broadcast on USA Network or the main NBC channel. These can be streamed through live services like Sling Blue, Hulu + Live TV, and DirecTV Stream.
• Peacock Exclusive: Many of Tottenham’s league fixtures—particularly early Saturday kickoffs—are found only on Peacock Premium.
• Spanish Language: Look to Telemundo or Universo for high-quality Spanish broadcasts.

UEFA Champions League: Paramount+

Following their 2025 Europa League title win, Spurs have returned to the Champions League.

• Paramount+: This is the exclusive English-language home for every UCL fixture.
• ViX: Provides the corresponding Spanish-language streaming coverage for European nights.

Domestic Cup Ties: FA Cup & Carabao Cup

• The FA Cup: All rounds of the FA Cup are broadcast exclusively on ESPN+.
• The Carabao Cup: These fixtures generally air on Paramount+, which serves as the US home for the English Football League’s cup competition.

The Identity of the Modern Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur has entered a new chapter defined by a blend of proven international stars and a commitment to elite young talent. Under the lights of their world-class stadium, the club continues to chase the “Glory, Glory” tradition that has defined its history. Having re-established themselves as a force in Europe, the focus now remains on finding domestic consistency during a transitional season.

The current identity of the squad is anchored by the leadership of captain Cristian Romero. With the summer 2025 arrivals of Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons, the Spurs attack has taken on a new, explosive dimension. The club is building toward a future that honors its heritage of attacking, entertaining football while competing against the elite of the global game.

Looking ahead to next season, Manchester United appeared to be targeting Roberto De Zerbi as a strong candidate for the head coach position. However, they seem to be on the verge of losing him, as the Italian is reportedly close to joining Tottenham Hotspur.

Despite Michael Carrick’s impressive performance, Manchester United are reportedly still searching for candidates to become the new head coach. In light of this, Roberto De Zerbi emerged as a strong contender. However, the Red Devils appears to be on the verge of losing him, as the Italian is reportedly close to joining Tottenham Hotspur on a lucrative contract to take over this season.

According to reports by Ben Jacobs and Alex Crook on X (formerly Twitter), Tottenham Hotspur have decided to prioritize the imminent arrival of Roberto De Zerbi. After leaving Olympique Marseille as a free agent, the Italian is reportedly on the verge of joining the English club, as he has been offered a five-year contract with a high salary. As a result, the Red Devils have lost their supposed top choice for the new head coach position.

Amid Spurs crisis, the decision to back Roberto De Zerbi is generating more concern than relief. Throughout his professional career, the Italian has not faced a challenge like pulling a team away from relegation, something Tottenham are experiencing this season. In addition, he has not managed to last more than two seasons at his last three clubs, which makes the long-term contract a source of concern.

While Roberto De Zerbi was a highly regarded option at Manchester United, they weren’t looking to get into a bidding war to secure his signing either. The Italian coach has yet to win titles in Europe’s top leagues, so his arrival reportedly didn’t generate widespread support. Consequently, his move to Spurs appears to be a smart move for his career, but a risky one for the team’s survival in the Premier League.

Carrick continued tenure at Manchester United could be real

Michael Carrick has had a positive impact at Manchester United. Since his arrival, the team has put in solid performances and secured a spot in the UEFA Champions League. In addition, he has helped improve the performance of several players, including Kobbie Mainoo, Benjamin Sesko, and others. Given the difficulty in securing a highly experienced head coach, Carrick’s continued tenure as head coach could become a reality.

According to ESPN, the Red Devils are considering Julian Nagelsmann, Andoni Iraola, Unai Emery, and Oliver Glasner as leading candidates for the head coaching position. Despite this, Carrick stands out as the top candidate, as he has had a positive impact not only on results but also on the team’s play and the development of the roster.

While Carrick does not have solid experience as head coach, he has reshaped the Red Devils roster into a highly competitive one. Coming from several wrong bets in the coaching spot, Manchester United may look to build on their current success, as several of the team’s stars seem quite comfortable and the results are promising.

Reports in Brazil claim Milan have made a new and improved offer worth €22m for midfielder André after Corinthians had internal disagreements.

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The 19-year-old is considered one of the most promising young talents in Brazilian football and is eager to join the Rossoneri.

He hopes to help the move go through by giving up his 30 per cent stake in the deal, but even then, President Osmar Stabile blocked the transfer when a €17m move had been seemingly agreed.

André a firm target for Milan

That was a few weeks ago, and according to ESPN Brasil, Milan came back with a new and improved bid now worth €22m including add-ons.

That is represented by €18m plus another €4m in bonuses.

It remains to be seen if that will be sufficient, but the player is under contract with Corinthians until December 2029.

Since he was promoted to the senior squad, he has contributed four goals in 28 competitive games.

There is competition from other clubs for André, including Atletico Madrid, who see him as an alternative to Atalanta’s Ederson.

The Italian media is warning Gennaro Gattuso and his Italy players that while Bosnia do have strengths, the biggest thing they have to fear in the World Cup play-off is fear itself.

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Having struggled to see off Northern Ireland 2-0 in the semi-final, the Azzurri go head-to-head with Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday evening for a place in the 2026 World Cup.

The tension is palpable, as is perhaps inevitable for a nation that missed out on the World Cup in both 2018 and 2022 by losing these play-offs.

Anxiety is Italy’s worst enemy

This double-edged sword is something the Gazzetta dello Sport warns about in its opinion page, where Sebastiano Vernazza notes “the primary enemy is anxiety.”

In this situation, and having been spotted celebrating the Bosnian victory over Wales in a penalty shoot-out, the biggest risk is that the Nazionale are under-estimating their rivals.

On the other hand, that can go too far the other way and create a sense of panic within the group that hinders their performance.

To quote Franklin D Roosevelt, the only thing Italy “have to fear is fear itself. Nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyses needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.” The Nazionale are scared of their own shadow, which takes the form of two consecutive World Cup play-off failures.

When taking on Bosnia, the Gazzetta warns “it’d be a mistake to underestimate them and a mistake to overestimate them, to believe they are the most difficult of obstacles.” The risk is that too much focus on the pressure will just add more of it to a team already struggling with the weight of a nation’s expectations.

There is going to be a fiery atmosphere in Zenica, but no less than they would’ve faced in Cardiff. Wales are 35^th in the FIFA world ranking, compared to Bosnia in 71^st place, remarkably two places lower than Northern Ireland.

The pitch is going to be a mess and there are reports of more snow, which could make losing the ball cheaply to spark a counter-attack very likely indeed. “But the rest is the terror of not making it for a third time in a row, so anxiety will be the most insidious opponent.”

Brazil national team head coach Carlo Ancelotti has sent his best wishes to the Italy side ahead of their World Cup play-off final against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday evening and has given even more praise to his former Real Madrid midfielder, Luka Modric, now at Milan: ‘There’s nobody like him on the world market’. 

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Ancelotti: ‘I hope Italy qualify, but I won’t be able to watch’

Italy will be in World Cup play-off final action away against Bosnia and Herzegovina at 19.45 BST on Tuesday evening, while Brazil, who have already qualified for the 2026 tournament, will take on Croatia in a friendly in Florida, USA, later on in the same night, kicking off at 1.00 BST in the early hours of Wednesday morning. 

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Monday, Ancelotti told reporters: “I hope Italy qualify for the World Cup, but I won’t be able to watch the national team tomorrow. We have to prepare for our match against Croatia.” (via ANSA).

Among the opposition for Ancelotti’s Brazil in their upcoming friendly will be former Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric, who has excelled in Serie A at the age of 40 this season. 

“Modric can play in every position in the midfield, because he is a complete and modern player, one of the best players I have ever coached and a spectacular professional with an extraordinary passion for football,” Ancelotti said ahead of his reunion with the Rossoneri veteran. 

He concluded: “There is nobody like Modric on the world market.” 

There is mixed news for Fiorentina, as while Dodo picked up an injury in training, tests showed no serious damage.

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The Brazilian was forced to leave the training session early on Saturday after feeling pain in his right thigh, and there were fears of a strain.

Dodo still a doubt for this weekend

A formal statement from the club today confirms that tests were performed and showed no lesions to the flexor in the right leg.

This means that a lengthy lay-off will not be required, but Dodo will continue to train separately from the group and work on a full recovery.

It makes him a major doubt to feature in the relegation battle with Hellas Verona at the Stadio Bentegodi on Saturday evening.

The 27-year-old has made 39 competitive appearances for Fiorentina so far this season, contributing two goals and three assists.

The Viola are currently 16^th in the Serie A table, just two points clear of the drop zone.

Juventus had already been linked with Raphael Guerreiro for January, and it’s now confirmed he will be a free agent when his Bayern Munich contract expires on June 30.

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The Portugal international left-back joined Bayern Munich for free from Borussia Dortmund in 2023 and his current deal only runs to the end of the season.

This afternoon there was a formal announcement on the Bayern Munich website confirming that the club and player have mutually agreed not to extend his contract.

Juventus target Guerreiro will leave Bayern Munich

“We would like to express our sincere thanks to Rapha for the time he has spent with us,” wrote board member Max Eberl on the club website.

“We could always rely on Rapha on the pitch, and he is one of those characters who enriches any dressing room. Our discussions with him were constructive and based on trust and mutual understanding.

“We are now focusing, alongside him, on our goals for the rest of the season – there’s still a lot we want to achieve together.”

Guerreiro has so far made 89 competitive appearances for Bayern Munich, scoring 12 goals and providing eight assists.

Although primarily a full-back, he can also play in central midfield.

Juventus had already been linked with a possible swoop for the 32-year-old in January, where he would effectively replace Filip Kostic, another player who will be a free agent in July.

The highly sought-after Nicolo Tresoldi still has three senior national team options available to him, but reports in Germany claim that Argentina are making attempts to pin down the talented 21-year-old, who was born in and is eligible to represent Italy. 

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Could Italy and Germany miss out on Tresoldi?

Tresoldi, who has 13 goals from 30 appearances to his name in the Belgian Pro League with Club Brugge this season, is eligible to represent Italy, Germany and Argentina at senior international level. 

The 21-year-old centre-forward was born in Italy to an Italian father, Emmanuele, who played for Atalanta, and an Argentine mother, but moved to Hanover with his family at the age of 11 and has since gone on to represent Germany at U19 and U21 level. He has 12 goals from 23 Germany U21 caps. 

According to BILD, who describe Tresoldi as Germany’s ‘greatest striking talent’, Argentina are in contact with the player’s entourage and are hoping to secure his services for their senior national team. 

There have, however, also been calls in Germany for Julian Nagelsmann to give the youngster an opportunity in their senior national side, calls that resurfaced after the 21-year-old netted a brace in a 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland’s U21s on Friday. 

Speaking in an interview in October, Tresoldi confirmed that he had not received any calls from the Italy set-up: “I’m not surprised Italy didn’t call me. Italy already has many great strikers, so there is a lot of competition for places there,” Tresoldi said in an interview with Il Messaggero. 

“Seeing as my mother is from Argentina, I even have the possibility of playing for them, but I have not made a decision yet.”

Former Milan, Roma and Juventus coach Fabio Capello saw the ‘usual flows’ of Italian football in the Azzurri’s 2-0 win over Northern Ireland, but enjoyed the ‘reaction’ and the contribution of Francesco Pio Esposito.

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Italy are off to Zenica today, on the eve of the World Cup play-off Final against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Azzurri trained at Coverciano on Monday morning, before taking a private flight to Bosnia. Later today, coach Gennaro Gattuso and captain Gigio Donnarumma will preview the Final during a pre-match press conference.

The Azzurri beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in Bergamo last week with goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean in the second half.

“Having overcome that obstacle with a shy first half and a second half in which we found ourselves again was psychologically very important,” Capello told Gazzetta.

“It certainly helped the players understand our real value, and I believe that Gattuso, ahead of the match with Bosnia, will also work on this.”

The Azzurri were not let down by a mediocre first-half performance in Bergamo last week and, after the break, created several goal-scoring opportunities, securing a deserved victory.

Capello examined the positives and negatives of the latest Azzurri performance.

“Starting with the negatives, I’d say the usual flaws we often see in Italian football. Sideway passing, slowness, little vertical play and a lack of personality when in possession,” he said.

“As for the positives, the reaction was important, and I also liked the introduction of Pio Esposito, who brought a certain balance. All three attacking options are good, but Retegui and Kean are a bit too similar. Pio, on the other hand, especially in key moments, has that strength and aerial ability that can become fundamental, along with excellent vision.”

Capello: ‘Italy have good defenders, but…’

The Azzurri will likely face a hostile environment, but Capello is more worried about what might happen on the pitch.

“I’m concerned about corner kicks and free kicks, particularly how we’ll defend inside the penalty area,” he said.

“We have very good defenders with the ball at their feet, but they are less suited to marking. Bosnia relies heavily on this, and just on Thursday night, Dzeko managed to get the better of players strong in the air, like those from Wales. We’ll be facing a national team with quality and personality, starting with that 18-year-old who took the last penalty, Alajbegovic.”

Surely, the ex-Italian tactician will follow the match with the same passion he had as a coach: “I suffer for the national team. I suffer too much…I scream,” he said. Just as an ordinary fan.

Italy Under-21 coach Silvio Baldini took the unusual step of announcing his starting XI ahead of tomorrow’s European qualifier in Sweden. ‘We are making just one change.’

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The fixture kicks off in Boras on Tuesday at 17.30 UK time.

The Azzurrini are currently second in Group E on 18 points compared to Poland’s 21, while Sweden picked up 10 points from their seven matches so far.

Italy are fresh off a 4-0 victory over North Macedonia and Baldini is keeping his team largely intact.

Baldini puts faith in Italy U21 team

“The only change we’ll make is bringing in Seydou Fini, because Luigi Cherubini has a slight back ache, but will be available off the bench,” said the coach in his press conference.

“We can’t kid around with Sweden, who are physically strong, and we’ve got to make sure that we press them back, not the other way around.

“To achieve that, we need a high tempo, intensity, and be sure to win it back quickly when we lose the ball. I think Sweden will be set out in a 4-4-2 in possession, and a 4-3-1-2 off the ball, alternating with the 3-4-3 option.”

The Italy Under-21 side won all its games in the European Championship qualifiers, except for the 2-1 in Poland when down to 10 men.

As Poland have a 100 per cent record, that is the difference between the two teams so far going for top spot in the group.

“The lads understood they need to be a team, to have a clear idea of the approach and how to develop it. They’ve improved so much since I first saw them in September, also thanks to more playing time for their respective clubs.

“They must improve every day with what they do in training, remembering it is only thanks to good performances that you can achieve victories. Everyone tracks back to help, starting with the strikers.

“This also helps create the spaces for attacks from midfield, which is why so many of them have been on target.”

When Italy beat North Macedonia 4-0 last week, the goals came from Cher Ndour, Luca Lipani, Jeff Ekhator and Fini.

Italy U21: Palmisani; Favasuli, Comuzzo, Charodia, Bartesaghi; Ndour, Lipani, Dagasso; Fini, Ekhator, Koleosho

Leon Goretzka has been heavily linked with a move away from Bayern Munich at the end of the season.

His contract with the German champions expires in June, and Manchester United are interested in securing his signature. They will compete with Arsenal for the 31-year-old German International, according to reports from SportWitness.

Goretzka has been a reliable performer for club and country in recent seasons, and there is no doubt he has the quality to succeed in the Premier League. He will add defensive cover, physicality and drive in the middle of the park. Manchester United need someone of his quality and experience, especially with Casemiro leaving the club in the summer.

Signing a player of his quality on a free transfer could be a masterstroke from Manchester United. It remains to be seen whether they can beat Arsenal to his signature. Goretzka has six league titles and one Champions League trophy to his name.

The midfielder will demand wages of around €7 million per season, and Manchester United certainly have the financial muscle to afford him. Meanwhile, Arsenal could use more depth in the middle of the park, and the German International would be an upgrade on Christian Norgaard.

Arsenal are favourites to win the Premier League title, and they will be an attractive destination for top players in the summer.

On the other hand, Manchester United is still in the midst of a rebuilding period. It will be interesting to see if the Bayern Munich star is prepared to join them instead of Arsenal.

Manchester United need to improve the engine room if they want to fight for major trophies next season. Apart from the 31-year-old German, they should look to invest in a midfield controller as well, who will help them dominate contests in the middle of the park.

The post Man United eye perfect Casemiro replacement with move for €7m/yr Arsenal target appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold has revealed that Spurs are closing in on a deal to appoint Roberto De Zerbi as their new head coach.

The North London club, currently embroiled in a dire relegation scrap, are moving swiftly following the departure of Igor Tudor, who left the club by mutual consent after just 44 days and zero Premier League wins.

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Alasdair Gold gives update on Roberto De Zerbi

Writing on X, Gold shared that the “feeling within Spurs” is one of growing confidence that they have found their man in the former Brighton and Marseille boss.

The Italian’s expansive, possession-based philosophy is seen as a perfect stylistic match for the club’s identity, a “high risk, high reward” approach that Spurs missed under Thomas Frank.

Gold noted internal “question marks” regarding how quickly De Zerbi can implement his complex tactical demands with only seven games remaining to save the club’s top-flight status.

Furthermore, the reporter highlighted potential friction with the fanbase following De Zerbi’s controversial comments regarding Mason Greenwood when he signed him for Marseille.

While Spurs are reportedly offering a lucrative five-year deal to lure the 46-year-old, Gold pointed out that the Italian’s track record doesn’t scream long term.

Gold stated: “Feeling within Spurs is they’re closing in on their man in Roberto De Zerbi. His football matches how club want to play. Question marks over how quickly he can implement it & reaction to his Greenwood comments. Track record doesn’t scream long term but Spurs rarely do long term.”

Feeling within Spurs is they're closing in on their man in Roberto De Zerbi. His football matches how club want to play. Question marks over how quickly he can implement it & reaction to his Greenwood comments. Track record doesn't scream long term but Spurs rarely do long term.

— Alasdair Gold (@AlasdairGold) March 30, 2026

 

The post “Closing in on their man” – Alasdair Gold drops exciting Tottenham update appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Belgian midfielder Mandela Keita has been linked with a move away from Parma at the end of the season and Tottenham Hotspur are keen on him.

The North London club have scouted him extensively and they are prepared to make a move in the summer. It remains to be seen whether the Italian club is prepared to sell the 23 year-old at the end of the season. The defensive midfielder has been a key player for them, and his departure would be a blow.

However, the opportunity to join a Premier league club will be hard to turn down for the Belgian. It would be a massive opportunity for him, and he will look to take the next step in his career. Tottenham need a quality defensive midfielder like him who can help them protect the back four and control games.

As per reports via SportWitness, Aston Villa are interested in the player as well. They need more quality and depth in the team if they want to build a side capable of competing in Europe regularly.

The midfielder has a contract with Parma until 2029, and they are under no pressure to sell him in the summer. Tottenham and Aston Villa will have to come forward with an outrageous offer in order to convince them.

The 23 year-old has the physical and technical attributes for Premier League football and he could establish himself as a key player for either club. Even though they might have to pay a premium right now, the Belgian might be able to justify the investment in future.

Aston Villa are currently pushing for Champions League qualification. On the other hand, Tottenham are fighting for survival in the Premier League. It will be interesting to see where the 23 year-old ends up.

The post Tottenham ready summer swoop for Belgian powerhouse amid Aston Villa interest appeared first on CaughtOffside.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Inter Miami have opened talks with Casemiro over the possibility of the veteran midfielder moving to Florida after the expiration of his contract with Manchester United this summer. Casemiro has already revealed he would be leaving Old Trafford at the end of the season, and despite some more recent speculation about […]

The post Inter Miami move for Casemiro appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Inter Miami move for Casemiro appeared first on Soccer News.

Since his knee injury, Christian Pulisic has been unable to regain his impressive scoring form at AC Milan, going nearly three months without scoring a goal. Despite this, the USMNT star remains positive, sharing details about his physical condition.

At the start of the 2025-26 season, Christian Pulisic established as AC Milan’s undisputed leader, topping the team in both goals and assists. However, he has yet to regain his offensive impact after his knee injury, going three months without scoring. Far from feeling the pressure, Pulisic remained quite positive about this difficult period, revealing key details about his current physical condition.

“I need to be more clinical in those moments. It’s a difficult period, but I feel physically fit and I’m creating chances. I just need to stay positive. I know that at some point the ball will hit my knee and go in, and then everything will change. I’m not panicking. Better now than in the summer. Things will change,” Pulisic said, via The Athletic.

Despite his goal drought, Pulisic has already regained his offensive impact with the Rossoneri. Not only has he remained an undisputed starter for coach Massimiliano Allegri, but he also provided an assist in the previous match against Torino. Furthermore, he has remained a key part of the team’s play, distributing the ball and contributing defensively.

Christian Pulisic has regained his top physical form, playing more than 75 minutes in AC Milan’s last three games. As a result, Coach Allegri has regained more versatility on offense, though Rafael Leão, Niclas Füllkrug, and Christopher Nkunku have failed to convert those opportunities into goals. For this reason, the USMNT star should regain his scoring touch heading into the end of the season.

Pulisic shouldn’t have to shoulder all the scoring burden at AC Milan

Massimiliano Allegri has restored competitiveness to AC Milan, consistently keeping them among the top sides in Serie A. However, Christian Pulisic’s drop in form exposed their main issue: A lack of scoring prowess. While the USMNT star’s scoring output has declined, the Rossoneri should not place all their focus and efforts solely on him, and instead need to adjust certain aspects.

The Rossoneri may be open to selling several stars such as Nkunku, Santiago Gimenez, and even Leão. With this, they are reportedly looking to chase a Serie A-experienced striker, such as Santiago Castro of Bologna, Mateo Retegui of Al-Qadsiah, or Moise Kean of ACF Fiorentina. Far from removing Pulisic’s importance, AC Milan could be looking to redistribute the scoring burden and hold more options.

Germany play against Ghana in a 2026 international friendly. Here’s all the key information you need, including kickoff time and how to watch the match on TV or through streaming platforms in the United States.

Match Overview

With preparations for the next global tournament ramping up, Ghana steps into a high-profile international friendly aiming to rediscover the energy that fueled its iconic 2010 World Cup campaign. The Black Stars will be tested against a European heavyweight, using this matchup as a measuring stick to gauge progress and build confidence against elite competition.

On the other side, Germany enters this clash determined to reestablish its traditional dominance after consecutive World Cup appearances in 2018 and 2022 fell short of expectations. As both teams continue fine-tuning their squads, this showdown offers a glimpse into their evolving identities—making it a must-watch battle you won’t want to miss.

Nicolò Zaniolo’s  Claudio Vigorelli admits his client hoped for an Italy call-up, but ‘appreciates the transparency and the words of Gennaro Gattuso.’

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Udinese ‘ideal’ for Zaniolo

Zaniolo’s ten-goal contributions for Udinese (five goals and five assists) in 26 Serie A games this season have not been enough to earn a spot in the Azzurri squad for the World Cup play-off.

“We’ve always been convinced that Udine would be an ideal place to help him revive his career,” his agent Vigorelli told Gazzettino del Friuli via TMW.

“The context has granted the utmost stability and tranquillity, and that has been the result of collaboration between director Nanni and President Pozzo on a matter that was not simple. It’s no coincidence that we reached an agreement on the very final day. Nicolò strongly wanted this move, and he was right.”

Italy coach Gattuso has admitted that Zaniolo deserved an Italy call-up, but ultimately chose to rely on the team’s established core.

“It’s useless to deny that he hoped for it [a call-up]; the national team is an objective for all footballers,” concluded Vigorelli.

“We’ve accepted it, but it doesn’t mean he won’t get a call-up sooner or later. We appreciate the transparency and the words of Gattuso; in the future, we’ll see.”

A bizarre row has erupted around Milan’s deal to sign Andrej Kostic for up to €8m including add-ons, as Partizan Belgrade directors publicly argue over the agreement.

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The Rossoneri are investing for the future and shook hands with the Serbian club to buy striker Kostic for €3.5m plus up to a further €4.5m in various add-ons and performance-related bonuses.

He turned 19 in January and already has two senior caps for Montenegro, with medical tests expected this week before signing the contract.

Partizan Belgrade battle over Milan deal

All this would appear to be news to Partizan Belgrade vice president Pedrag Mijatovic, who released a furious statement denouncing the transfer.

“I wish to tell the Partizan fans, and the whole sporting world, that I am clearly and completely distancing myself from this decision.

“I confirm that I have not been consulted in any way regarding the Andrej Kostic transfer to Milan, and have never even seen the Milan offer.

“I underline that if I had been involved in the decision-making process, I would’ve made very clear to all the members of the Board that I am totally against accepting such an insultingly low offer.

“Is this how the club intends to operate in future, selling its most promising players practically for free? You made this decision despite the rest of the Board knowing that in recent months I had intense talks with representatives of various clubs in Europe’s top five leagues, that I told them all our players have big release clauses.

“I believe this sale has set a dangerous precedent, which will have an extremely negative impact on the perceived value of our players on the transfer market.”

Partizan Belgrade’s other directors released their own statement in a newsletter, insisting that on Wednesday night they will give a clear and detailed response to all the accusations.

It is the second time in just a few weeks that Milan have been involved in a transfer that proved complicated, as they had agreed a deal with Corinthians for midfielder Andre, only for it to be ripped up by their President.

Italy boast, by far, the more valuable set of players compared to Bosnia and Herzegovina ahead of Tuesday night’s World Cup play-off final, and studies show that Gennaro Gattuso’s squad is worth 6.5x as much as the players available to Sergej Barbarez. 

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Italy will travel to Zenica this evening ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup play-off decider against Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

The Azzurri are ranked 12th in the world and are the highest-rated nation not to have a spot at the World Cup wrapped up. They beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in Bergamo thanks to goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean in order to qualify for Tuesday’s play-off final, while Bosnia took Wales to penalties and came through victorious after the shoot-out in Cardiff on Thursday evening. 

As was the case against Northern Ireland, Italy have the most valuable squad of the two sides competing in this play-off tie. The 28-man Azzurri squad is worth a combined €833.5m according to the latest information from transfermarkt.com, while Bosnia’s roster of 24 players comes out to €127.1m. 

The average market value of the Italy players in Gattuso’s squad is just shy of €30m, €29.77m to be precise, while Bosnia’s average equals €5.3m. 

Tonali is currently the most valuable player in the Italy camp, valued at €80m, followed by Alessandro Bastoni at €70m and then Riccardo Calafiori, Nicolo Barella and Federico Dimarco all at €50m. 

According to transfermarkt, VfB Stuttgart centre-forward Ermedin Demirovic is the most valuable player in the Bosnia side with a market  value of €22m, closely followed by Sassuolo’s Tariq Muharemovic at €20m, and then teenage talent Kerim Alajbegovic and Benfica full-back Amar Dedic, both at €15m. 

Top 10 most valuable Italy squad members

1. Sandro Tonali (Newcastle United) – €80m

2. Alessandro Bastoni (Inter) – €70m

3. Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal) – €50m

3. Nicolo Barella (Inter) – €50m

3. Federico Dimarco (Inter) – €50m

6. Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter) – €45m

6. Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City) – €45m

8. Moise Kean (Fiorentina) – €40m

9. Mateo Retegui (Al-Qadsiah) – €35m

9. Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli) – €35m

Top 10 most valuable Bosnia squad members

1. Ermedin Demirovic (VfB Stuttgart) – €22m

2. Tariq Muharemovic (Sassuolo) – €20m

3. Kerim Alajbegovic (RB Salzburg) – €15m

3. Amar Dedic (Benfica) – €15m

5. Sead Kolasinac (Atalanta) – €6m

6. Esmir Bajraktarevic (PSV Eindhoven) – €5m

7. Nikola Vasilj (St. Pauli) – €4.5m

7. Benjamin Tahirovic (Brondby) – €4.5m

7. Amar Memic (Viktoria Plzen) – €4.5m

10. Amir Hadziahmetovic (Hull City) – €4.2m

The Azzurri are ready to fly to Bosnia for the World Cup play-off Final, while the two line-ups that Gennaro Gattuso tested during a morning training session have been revealed.

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Italy trained at Coverciano on Monday morning before leaving for Bosnia and Herzegovina, where tomorrow, Tuesday, March 31, they’ll play in the World Cup play-off Final.

The opening 15 minutes of today’s training session were open to the media, and, as reported by TMW, the Azzurri warmed up with a rondo before a test match.

Italy line-ups before World Cup play-off

Gattuso rotated the goalkeepers, and the line-ups at Coverciano were the following:

White team: Scalvini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Cambiaso, Frattesi, Cristante, Tonali, Dimarco; Kean, Retegui.

Yellow team: Mancini, Gatti, Buongiorno; Politano, Barella, Locatelli, Pisilli, Spinazzola; Raspadori, Esposito.

The white team, with Mateo Retegui and Moise Kean in attack, seems the most likely to start, although there should be a few tweaks: Gianluca Mancini in place of Giorgio Scalvini, Matteo Politano for Andrea Cambiaso, Manuel Locatelli for Bryan Cristante, and Nicolò Barella for Davide Frattesi.

According to several sources, in fact, Gattuso seems unwilling to change the XI that beat Northern Ireland in the semis last week.

All the players trained on the pitch today, so Gattuso will have a full squad available for the game against Bosnia on Tuesday.

Yet, the Azzurri boss will name five players who will go to the stands on the morning of the game.

For last week’s semis against Northern Ireland, the likes of Elia Caprile, Diego Coppola, Andrea Cambiaso, Gianluca Scamacca and Nicolò Cambiaghi were not part of the squad list and didn’t even go to the bench.

• Read more – World Cup play-off Final: Italy’s plan on eve of Bosnia clash

Tottenham fans are urging their club to boycott Roberto De Zerbi over comments he made about Mason Greenwood at Olympique Marseille, but the translation and context are worth looking at.

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The Italian coach has emerged as the hot favourite to take over from ex-Juventus boss Igor Tudor, although the appointment is fraught with difficulty.

Not only is he resistant to accepting a role so close to the end of the season and with Premier League relegation a very real possibility, but he is also facing pushback from a group of Spurs supporters.

The Proud Lilywhites group released a statement condemning his possible hiring, noting “when someone in that position publicly defends a player like Mason Greenwood, and frames it in a way that downplays the seriousness of what happened, it matters, not just in isolation, but in what it signals.”

De Zerbi criticised by some Tottenham fans

The comments that De Zerbi made were in November 2025 during a press conference ahead of the Champions League match between Marseille and Newcastle United.

Many of the versions published were translated from Italian to French and then to English, so it is important to go back and see precisely what De Zerbi said.

The question from the British media was: “This is the first time Mason Greenwood has played against an English team since he moved away from England and we don’t see much of him in the UK. Can you give us an idea how his life is developing, how are things for him off the pitch since he moved?”

His response therefore needs to take that question into account.

“I don’t want to get involved in anyone’s private life, I don’t even get into the private lives of my children, because I want to give everyone their freedom,” De Zerbi said in the press conference.

“All I can see is that Mason seems a good lad, he paid in a strong way for what happened, and he has probably here found the right environment for him, which gave him affection, and held out its hand to him.

“He has behaved well since being here. He has an introverted, rather closed character, but I met his family and they are good people.

“When I look at him as a person, I don’t see… I feel sad for what happened in his life, without getting into the details. Because the person I know here is very different to the one that has been described, especially in England.”

Greenwood was arrested in January 2022 on suspicion of rape, assault, sexual assault and threats to kill.

The charges were dropped in April 2022 when the accuser requested police drop the investigation.

He got back together with the same partner and they had a child in July 2023.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tottenham have issued an ultimatum to Roberto De Zerbi, giving the Italian tactician two days to respond to their offer.

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Tottenham are in a hurry to reach an agreement with De Zerbi, who is available on the market after his contract with Marseille was terminated by mutual agreement in February.

Tottenham in a hurry for agreement with De Zerbi

De Zerbi is Tottenham’s leading target to replace Igor Tudor, who won just one of his seven games in charge, before leaving by mutual consent on Sunday.

Sky Sport’s Gianluca Di Marzio claimed the “next few hours” would be decisive in determining whether De Zerbi accepts Tottenham’s offer, while Gazzetta offers a more precise time frame.

According to the report, Tottenham have given De Zerbi 24-48 hours of time to respond to their offer.

Just a few days ago, the Italian tactician seemed willing to wait until the start of the new season for a new club, but Tottenham’s persistence has made the ex-Sassuolo boss reconsider their offer.

• Read more – Tottenham fans already boycotted Gattuso, but De Zerbi situation differs

Mateo Retegui is the Italy outfield player with the most minutes under Gennaro Gattuso, which helps explain why the coach is not expected to change the Azzurri’s attack in the World Cup play-off Final against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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Italy will visit Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup play-off Final on Tuesday, March 31.

Retegui a regular Italy starter under Gattuso

Multiple sources in Italy claim that Gattuso won’t change the XI that beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in the semis last week. This means Moise Kean and Mateo Retegui will get the nod up front.

The latter has been criticised for missing a big chance in the second half of the Northern Ireland match, just minutes before Sandro Tonali’s opener.

Francesco Pio Esposito, on the other hand, had a big impact as a substitute, so the Inter talent was expected to challenge Retegui for a starting spot.

As TWM highlights, Gattuso’s trust in Retegui is well-explained by the striker’s stats under the new Italy coach.

Retegui, in fact, is the outfield player with the most minutes played since September, when Gattuso made his debut as La Nazionale’s boss.

Since then, Retegui has played 525 minutes with the Azzurri, twice as many as Kean.

Retegui, a former Atalanta and Genoa star, has scored five goals and provided four assists in seven appearances under Gattuso.

Pio Esposito made his senior Italy debut under Gattuso this past September and has collected six appearances, two as a starter, and scored three goals.

Manchester United need more quality in the final third, and they are interested in signing the Barcelona attacker Ferran Torres.

The 26-year-old Spanish International has been a useful player for Barcelona, and he has attracted the attention of the English club. They would be prepared to pay €60 million in order to get the deal done, according to reports from Spain.

Barcelona would be prepared to sell the player for the right price, and it remains to be seen whether the two clubs can finalise an agreement. Barcelona are facing financial difficulties and need to improve multiple areas of the squad. Selling the 26-year-old could fund multiple moves for them.

Meanwhile, Manchester United have already done well to improve the attacking unit this season with the signings of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko. However, they need more depth and experience in the final third.

Torres is capable of operating as a centre forward as well as on the flanks. He could be the dynamic attacker. They are looking for. He will add goals and creativity to the team. He has played in England before with Manchester City, and he should be able to adapt quickly and make an immediate impact. The 26-year-old has 16 goals to his name this season. 

The opportunity to return to the Premier League could be an exciting one for him. Manchester United have shown significant improvement in recent months and are likely to compete in the UEFA Champions League next season. They could be an attractive destination for players.

Torres is at the peak of his career, and he could be handed a key role at Manchester United if he joins the club. The move could be ideal for all parties.

The post Manchester United plotting €60m Premier League return for 16-goal star appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Bosnia and Herzegovina national team captain Edin Dzeko has urged his nation’s supporters to ‘applaud’ Italy and the national anthem when the two sides meet in Tuesday’s World Cup play-off final: ‘Italy came to play friendly matches after the war in 1996. For this, we are always grateful’. 

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Dzeko: ‘Italy came to play friendly matches after the Bosnian war, we are always grateful’

The Azzurri will travel to the freezing Zenica to take on Bosnia and Herzegovina for a spot in the final 2026 World Cup tournament. Gennaro Gattuso’s side are the highest-ranked nation in the World that do not yet have a place at the World Cup wrapped up, and will need to beat Bosnia away from home to avoid missing out for a third tournament cycle in a row.

Italy beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in Bergamo thanks to second-half goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean in order to qualify for Tuesday’s play-off final, while Dzeko struck with an equaliser in the 86th minute, which sent Bosnia on their way to a penalty shoot-out victory over Wales in Cardiff on the same night. 

There has been plenty of talk from both camps ahead of the crucial play-off decider on Tuesday evening, but Dzeko has called for a show of respect towards Italy and its national team given its previous gestures of goodwill to Bosnia during times of adversity. 

“Everyone should stand up and applaud when the Italian anthem begins. Italy came to play friendly matches after the Bosnian war in 1996. For this, we are always grateful,” said Dzeko during his pre-match press conference. 

“Then in 90 minutes, it will be a battle. Friends afterwards, like before. Whatever happens, happens.” 

Click here to read Dzeko’s pre-match press conference in full.

Italy have played against Bosnia and Herzegovina on six previous occasions, winning four, drawing one and losing one. 

The loss came in the first ever meeting of the two sides back in 1996, when an Azzurri side led by Arrigo Sacchi travelled to Sarajevo to take part in a friendly shortly after the end of the Bosnian war. 

That team featured the likes of Paolo Maldini, Dino Baggio, Roberto Di Matteo, Gianfranzo Zola and Enrico Chiesa, the latter two combining for Italy’s only goal in an eventual 2-1 loss to the newly formed national side of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Every other meeting between Italy and Bosnia has come within the last seven years. They met twice in qualification for EURO 2020, both ending in victories for the Azzurri, twice in the 2020-21 Nations League campaign and once in an international friendly just before the start of EURO 2024.

Bosnia head coach Sergej Barbarez says that he has no issue with ‘parking the bus’ if Bosnia and Herzegovina take the lead against Italy in their World Cup play-off final on Tuesday night, but says that he expects the bus to be parked down at the other end of the pitch if the scores are reversed.

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Barbarez previews Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Italy play-off final

Bosnia will welcome Italy to Zenica for the decisive World Cup play-off final on Tuesday evening, kicking off at 19.45 BST. The Azzurri beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in Bergamo to qualify on Thursday evening, while the hosts overcame Wales on penalties in Cardiff on the same night. 

Despite playing for an additional half hour on Thursday evening, Barbarez has confirmed that all of his players are fit and raring to go against Italy on Tuesday night. 

“Everyone is fine apart from the coach, who has lost his voice,” said Barbarez during his pre-match press conference. “We’ve had time to recover. The game was challenging but we’re happy. We hope to be able to hold on until the end.” 

• Read more: Dzeko warns: ‘If Italy are afraid to play in Wales, something isn’t working’

Reporters at Barbarez’s press conference asked him what he made of the suggestion that the Bosnia national team is ‘too slow’. 

He replied: “Preparing for the game includes analysing how to play. What matters is my players and how they play tomorrow. It doesn’t matter what others think or what others have said.” 

Reviewing his side’s penalty shoot-out victory over Wales in Cardiff last week, Barbarez added: “The game against Wales was full of emotions. We had a lot of energy and that was the biggest mistake. Now we feel smarter and we won’t make the same mistakes again. Tomorrow is another day, whatever happens, you have to live with it.

“There are so many feelings for Italy, it’s so important for them, but also for us. Given the situation in the country, it’s even more important.” 

And what has Barbarez made of the Italy national team from his analysis thus far. 

“We will have to have courage and pay attention to the details, play at our best,” he said. “We can’t create any panicked situations and might need a bit of luck to score a few goals.

“If we score and it’s 1-0 for us, we’ll park the bus at one end of the pitch, otherwise, we’ll park it at the other end. Let’s start the game first. I’m happy to have made it this far. I feel and see the love that comes from these players.” 

Lastly, Barbarez admitted that he is unlikely to make any surprise changes to his line-up or set-up approaching the Italy decider: “We’ve been playing with a consistent system for a year and a half, I don’t know if it’s the time for experiments.” 

Denzel Dumfries has been linked with a move away from Inter Milan in recent months.

The 29-year-old full-back is reportedly a target for Manchester United and Liverpool. According to a report from Italian publication L’Interista, the Italian outfit is hoping to agree on a new contract with him.

They are impressed with his performances, and they do not want to lose the player. Inter Milan is reportedly prepared to offer him a deal with €5 million per season until 2029. The defender had previously secured a verbal agreement with the Italian outfit on a renewal, but he wanted a €25 million release clause included in the deal. Inter are hoping to agree on an extension with the defender without the release clause. It remains to be seen how the situation develops.

The defender wants the buyout clause to be inserted in the deal so that he can move if there is a suitable opportunity on the table. Manchester United and Liverpool could certainly afford him with the release clause, and it remains to be seen how the situation unfolds.

Manchester United could use more depth at right back. The experienced Netherlands International could compete with Diogo Dalot for the starting spot. He can operate as a right back as well as a wing back. He will contribute at both ends of the pitch and help Manchester United improve. Dumfries has 25 goals and 26 assists for Inter Milan.

Similarly, Liverpool need more depth at right back. Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley have struggled with injury problems this season. They need more options in that area, and signing the Netherlands international could be a wise decision. He has the quality and experience to make an immediate impact. Liverpool have a strong Dutch contingent at the club, and that could give them an edge in the transfer race.

The post Man United and Liverpool circle as 25-goal target makes €25m demand appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Adi Hutter has been linked with a move to the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur.

The London club is looking to bring in a new manager after parting ways with Igor Tudor. It appears that the 56-year-old Austrian manager is on their radar. However, Hutter has now confirmed that he is not looking to return to management until the end of the season. He was relieved of his duties by AS Monaco earlier this season.

The Austrian is an experienced manager who has done reasonably well across multiple leagues. He could be an interesting option for Tottenham. They have also been linked with Roberto De Zerbi. The Italian is currently unemployed, and he would be an excellent addition.

The comments from Hutter more or less rule out any potential move to Tottenham for now. The London club is unlikely to wait for him until the end of the season, and they are set to move on to the target.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Hutter said, “In recent days and weeks, I have been increasingly linked with various clubs.

“However, as I already stated immediately after my time at Monaco, I would prefer not to work as a head coach again until the start of the new season at the earliest.

“My position on that matter has not changed since then.”

It will be interesting to see if Tottenham can bring in a quality manager who will help them secure safety in the Premier League and bounce back strongly next season. They have quality players at their disposal, and they need someone who can get the best out of them.

The opportunity to manage in the Premier League can be quite exciting, but Hutter is content with a break for now.

The post “I would prefer…”: Tottenham dealt fresh blow after clear statement from key target appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Bologna are reportedly interested in Napoli-owned striker Lorenzo Lucca, who is expected to return to the Stadio Maradona from a six-month loan at Nottingham Forest.

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Bologna target Lucca for 2026-27

Bologna have resumed their interest in Italian striker Lucca, according to Gazzetta.

The Rossoblu already targeted the ex-Udinese striker four years ago, and during the January transfer window.

Back in 2022, Lucca joined Ajax from Pisa despite an offer from the Stadio Dall’Ara, while last January, Forest made the most convincing offer to bring him on loan from Napoli.

According to Gazzetta, Bologna will be listening to offers for Thijs Dallinga next summer, and Lucca is one of the Dutchman’s possible replacements.

Lucca has only scored one goal in seven appearances with Nottingham Forest since his loan move in the January window.

He had managed the same in 23 Napoli games in the first part of the campaign.

According to Gazzetta, Lucca’s future at Nottingham Forest remains uncertain, but previous reports claimed that the Premier League side would not make his move permanent at the end of the season.

Edin Dzeko says that he has taken no issue with the video clip of Federico Dimarco and Guglielmo Vicario celebrating Bosnia’s penalty shoot-out victory against Wales, but has warned that if Italy are ‘afraid’ to play away in Cardiff, then ‘something isn’t working’. 

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Dzeko ‘would have preferred to not play against Italy in this final’

Italy and Bosnia will meet in Zenica on Tuesday evening for a place at the 2026 World Cup tournament after wins for the against Northern Ireland and Wales in their respective semi-finals on Thursday evening. 

Italy is the highest ranked nation in the world that does not yet have a spot at the World Cup wrapped up, and will now have to take on the freezing temperatures and hostile atmosphere at the reduced-capacity Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica on Tuesday night. 

Minor off-pitch ‘controversies’ have cropped up for Italy in the days leading up to their play-off final, including a viral video clip of Dimarco, Vicario and a handful of their national team colleagues celebrating Bosnia’s penalty shoot-out victory over Wales on Thursday night. 

• Read more: Dimarco unwise to celebrate, but televising incident only hurts Italy

The video was met with mixed reactions, with some accusing the Azzurri stars of being too ‘arrogant’ or lacking respect for their upcoming opponents. 

“Thank goodness the focus has shifted to the other side,” said Dzeko when asked about the clip during his pre-match press conference in Sarajevo on Monday (via TMW). 

“Everyone has their own preferences, who they want to play against and who they don’t. You have to be smart, especially today with social media, because everything can slide in a different direction. But for me, this is all normal.” 

Dzeko was asked about the now infamous video clip for a second time during his press conference. He says that he ‘doesn’t know why’ Italy didn’t want to play against Wales, and says that something must be up if a side like the Azzurri fear the thought of having to play away in Cardiff. 

“We all saw what happened,” Dzeko said. “I’ll tell you honestly that it’s a very normal thing. Like I said before, we all have our preferences. Mine might have been to not play against Italy in this final. I can’t celebrate because I’m playing against them. 

“But obviously today we have to be careful. We saw it. Italy didn’t want to play in Wales, I don’t know why. We went there without fear and we won. I don’t know why Italy should be afraid of Wales or Bosnia. They have an incredible national team, which has won four World Cups. If they’re afraid to play in Wales, something isn’t working. 

“Maybe we have to see if they can suffer in this way in this game as well. A lot is at stake after missing two World Cups. It means that they’re afraid. Dimarco wrote to me saying that he didn’t want to offend anyone and I told him what we’re talking about now. There’s no problem.” 

And on his own country, Dzeko said: “What we want is to win, but we still have to prepare well and play to the maximum. Italians will have prepared well because it is important for them as well.

“I’m sure that Italy won’t underestimate us, especially not after the statements from Dimarco and Vicario. Nobody was happy with how things went. We have to show our quality, we play at home and we’re focusing a lot on the fans.” 

Dzeko spent close to a decade of his career playing in Serie A, but has since left Fiorentina to play for Schalke in the 2.Bundesliga, his first time back in Germany since leaving VfL Wolfsburg for Manchester City in 2011.

“German and Italian football have nothing in common,” Dzeko said. “With the former, intensity prevails. This is what is missing in the Italian game and it is also pointed out by journalists. Maybe they don’t do well for this reason. I expect a tactical game. Italy have also missed the last two World Cups.” 

Dzeko also spoke about the previous conversations he has had with Italy national team head coach Gennaro Gattuso. 

“I saw him at the match in Florence, Fiorentina vs. Milan,” Dzeko recalled. 

“I told him ‘Mister, I hope to see you in Bosnia’ and here we are. We’ll see each other in a very important game for both countries. I have a lot of friends in Italy, there will be a lot of respect before and after the game. 

“Everyone must stand up and applaud when the Italian anthem begins. Italy came to play friendly matches after the Bosnian war in 1996. For this, we are always grateful. Then in 90 minutes, it will be a battle. Friends afterwards, like before. Whatever happens, happens.” 

Italian sources claim that exams confirmed a muscle-tendon injury for Roma defender Wesley, who will be sidelined for one month.

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Roma will be forced to cope without their versatile wing-back Wesley for the next four weeks.

Roma star Wesley sidelined for a month after Brazil injury

The Brazilian was released early from international duty last week due to an injury.

According to Italian sources, including Sky Sport Italia and Rome-based ReteSport, exams conducted in Rome this morning have confirmed a muscle-tendon lesion that will sideline the Brazilian for four weeks.

Wesley is in his first season at the Stadio Olimpico, but has quickly become a key player for Gian Piero Gasperini, scoring four goals and providing two assists in 35 appearances across all competitions.

Roma are fighting for a Champions League spot and are currently level on 54 points with Juventus, three behind fourth-placed Como.

After the break, Roma will visit table leaders Inter at the Stadio Meazza in Milan, but over the next month, they’ll also play against Atalanta, Bologna, Fiorentina and Pisa.

Sky Sport Italia reports that Roberto De Zerbi is open to taking the Tottenham job immediately following Igor Tudor’s departure, but some Spurs fans have already voiced their discontent at the Italian’s possible appointment.

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De Zerbi to Tottenham: latest updates

Former Sassuolo and Brighton coach De Zerbi is open to discussing a possible appointment with Tottenham to replace Igor Tudor.

The Croatian left the club by mutual consent on Sunday, and the North Londoners have made De Zerbi their primary target.

Tudor won just one of his seven games in charge at Tottenham, drawing once and losing five times.

Spurs are currently fighting for survival, being just one point above the drop zone in the Premier League.

According to Sky Sport Italia transfer expert Di Marzio, De Zerbi is open to talks with Tottenham, who have outlined their long-term project to the Italian coach, including top-level signings, provided they remain in the Premier League.

Di Marzio claims that the “next few hours will be decisive” to learn whether De Zerbi will accept the Tottenham offer.

De Zerbi’s possible appointment, however, has upset some Tottenham fans, who have urged the club to reconsider his hiring.

This was due to De Zerbi’s public defence of Mason Greenwood, whom he coached at Marseille from July 2024 until last February, when De Zerbi left the French club by mutual consent.

Tottenham fan groups, including Proud Lilywhites, Women of the Lane, and Spurs Reach, argued that De Zerbi minimised the severity of male violence, going against the club’s values.

Romelu Lukaku has explained himself after his absence from Napoli training during the international break, and has admitted that he hasn’t been at 100% for the majority of the 2025-26 season: ‘It took a toll mentally’. 

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Reports in Italy over the last week claim that Napoli were left angered after Lukaku took the decision to stay in Belgium to train individually during the international break, without the club’s permission. 

It has been a miserable season for Belgium’s all-time leading goalscorer, who will go into April with just seven appearances and 64 minutes worth of club action to his name. 

He picked up an injury during Napoli’s final pre-season friendly of the summer, which kept him sidelined until January, and since then, ‘Big Rom’ has struggled to get himself back to full fitness and has failed to surpass Rasmus Hojlund in the Partenopei pecking order. 

What did Lukaku say about missing Napoli training?

Lukaku, who remains in Belgium and is expected to stay in his homeland for the rest of the international break, has since given his reasons in a post published to his Instagram story. 

“This season has been a lot for me from dealing with the injury and the personal loss. I know there has been a lot of noise about my situation in the last few days and it’s important to clarify the whole situation,” the statement read. 

“The truth is the last few weeks I wasn’t feeling right physically and I had it checked out while I was in Belgium and it showed me that there was an inflammation and liquid on my hip flexor muscle next to my scar tissue since it is the 2nd problem I had since coming back early November.

“I chose to do the rehab in Belgium so I can help the when called upon. I think most of you saw the interview I did in Verona. There’s nothing more I would love to do than play and win my team. But right now I have to male sure I am clinically 100% cause I haven’t been recently and it took a toll mentally. 

“It’s been a lot this year. But in the end I will get there and help Napoli and national team to their respective objectives when called upon. That’s all I want.”

We’re in for a potential FA Cup classic as Manchester City host Liverpool in Saturday’s quarter-final at the Etihad Stadium.

BUY MANCHESTER CITY VS. LIVERPOOL TICKETS

The international break is over and we’re preparing for club football again, but it won’t be straight back to Premier League football, with Man City vs Liverpool the most eye-catching of the next round of FA Cup ties.

Pep Guardiola’s side have just won the Carabao Cup, and they’ll no doubt be eager to add another domestic trophy to their collection, especially after losing last season’s FA Cup final to Crystal Palace, and one the year before that against Manchester United.

Can they make it past Liverpool in this tough tie? Here’s our ticket guide as we also look ahead to the game.

How to buy Manchester City tickets

For any Manchester City fans looking to make it to this game, their first stop may well be the club’s official tickets page here.

It’s worth exploring alternatives, however, as using the official route often means it’s season ticket holders and club members who will be ahead in the queue.

Instead, we highly recommend our link here as an easy-to-use alternative, without the extra cost and hassle of official club sites, and with a 150% money back guarantee if, for any reason, you’re not satisfied.

BUY MANCHESTER CITY VS. LIVERPOOL TICKETS

How to buy Liverpool tickets

Similarly, you can take a look at Liverpool’s official tickets page by following the link here, but be sure to keep other options in mind too.

For a quick, simple-to-use alternative that doesn’t come with hidden extra costs, be sure to make use of our resource by following the link here.

How Manchester City could line up vs Liverpool

Manchester City will have one eye on their ongoing Premier League title race with Arsenal, but such a big fixture surely means there won’t be a huge amount of rest or rotation.

James Trafford started the Carabao Cup final, so it seems likely to be selected again in this cup competition too, but apart from that, we’ll surely see something very close to Pep Guardiola’s strongest XI.

Man City predicted line-up: Trafford; Nunes, O’Reilly, Dias, Guehi; Rodri, Silva, Cherki; Doku, Semenyo, Haaland

How Liverpool could line up vs Manchester City

Liverpool could really do with a good FA Cup run, so they’ll likely put out their best line-up for this game.

The trouble is, however, that the Reds have a few injuries that will make it a bit tricky for them, with Mohamed Salah joining the likes of Alisson Becker, Alexander Isak, and Conor Bradley on the sidelines.

Liverpool predicted line-up: Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Kerkez, Van Dijk, Konate; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike.

BUY MANCHESTER CITY VS. LIVERPOOL TICKETS

Manchester City vs Liverpool head-to-head record

Throughout this fixture’s history, it’s Liverpool who’ve had the upper hand, winning 110 times in total.

By contrast, MCFC have only come out on top 62 times, while the remaining 58 have ended in draws.

City have slightly edged it in recent times, though, winning both league fixtures this season, and losing just twice in their last eight games against LFC in all competitions.

Who do you see coming out on top this time? Let us know in the comments!

Sport.es reports that Barcelona are determined to retain Robert Lewandowski, a target for Juventus and Milan, for one season and will offer the Poland international a new contract.

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Barcelona ready to send contract offer to Lewandowski

Barcelona are set to offer their striker Lewandowski a new contract until 2027, according to Sport.es.

The 37-year-old’s current deal at the Camp Nou expires at the end of the season and the Spanish newspaper confirms he has attracted interest from Juventus and Milan in Serie A.

Reports from Italy last week claimed that Juventus had sent one of their representatives to watch the experienced centre-forward during the March break with the Poland national team.

Juventus are currently in talks to extend the contract of Dusan Vlahovic, but the Bianconeri will be looking for a new centre-forward regardless of the Serbian’s stay.

Milan signed Niclas Fullkrug on loan with an option to buy from West Ham in January, but are unsure on whether to make his move permanent at the end of the season. Yet again, the Rossoneri are expected to chase a new centre-forward for 2026-27.

According to Sport.es, Lewandowski is still uncertain about his future at Barcelona and has taken time to consider his options.

The striker’s representative has an excellent relationship with Barcelona, and so has Lewandowski.

Juventus and Milan aren’t the only clubs interested, as Lewandowski has also been targeted by Turkish clubs and Chicago Fire in the MLS, while the Barcelona star seems uninterested in a move to the Saudi Pro League.

Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing the Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento at the end of the season.

According to Football Insider, the 23-year-old is a target for Manchester City as well. Livramento has established himself as one of the best young defenders in the league, and he could prove to be an excellent acquisition for Arsenal.

Ben White has been linked with an exit, and Arsenal need to replace him properly. The Newcastle star could be the ideal acquisition. He will help Arsenal tighten up defensively, and he will help them going forward as well.

The young right back has the attributes to develop into a top-class player, and joining an elite club could bring out the best in him. Arsenal have a formidable team, and they are pushing for major trophies. They are the favourites to win the Premier League title this season, and the defender could be attracted to the idea of joining them.

Newcastle do not want to lose the player and are hoping to agree a new deal with him, but nothing has been agreed yet.

Pete O’Rourke told Football Insider: “Livramento is a top player, obviously he’s had his injury problems this season as well, but when he has played, he’s one of the best full-backs in the Premier League.

“So it’s no surprise that there’s interest from Arsenal, obviously we know Manchester City are long-term admirers of Livramento and see him as a potential player who can come in and slot in at right back for them.

“He’s under contract until 2028. There has been talks over a new deal but nothing agreed as yet.

“Newcastle, they don’t want to lose their top players, but I think obviously as those contract talks drag on and they find themselves out of European football for next season, they’re probably bracing themselves for interest for the likes of Livramento and others.”

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal follow up on their interest with an official proposal for the 23-year-old in the summer.

The former Chelsea Academy graduate is well settled in the Premier League, and he could make an immediate impact at the London club. However, convincing Newcastle will not be easy, and they could demand a substantial fee for the defender.

The post Journalist confirms “top player” from rival club is attracting “interest from Arsenal” appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United are looking to improve the defensive unit in the summer with the signing of Charlie Cresswell. 

The 23-year-old central defender has done quite well for Toulouse, and the opportunity to return to England could be exciting for him. Manchester United have been linked with multiple players, and journalist Ben Jacobs has now claimed that they are keeping tabs on the former Leeds United player as well.

Manchester United have to get the deal done, and it remains to be seen whether they come forward with an official offer for the English defender in the summer. They need a long-term replacement for Harry Maguire, and Cresswell would be a superb investment for them. He has shown his ability in the French league, and he has the quality to succeed in England as well.

Ben Jacobs confirmed to Leeds United News: “One player they really like that’s a new name that I can bring to the mix, is Charlie Cresswell, who used to be at Leeds United, England U21 international.

“Wolfsburg came very close to signing him in January. But they were not able to meet the Toulouse valuation, so he’s still there.

“He’s playing every week in Ligue 1, and along with a few other names, he’s one of the profiles that Man United are looking at”.

The 23-year-old is a promising player with a lot of potential, and he could develop into a Manchester United player with the right guidance. They have done well to groom young players in the past, and they could play a key role in his development. If they can sign him for a reasonable amount of money, the deal could prove to be a masterstroke in future.

The post Journalist confirms “new name” from Ligue 1 on Man United transfer wishlist appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Tottenham Hotspur are now closing in on Roberto De Zerbi as the next manager.

Igor Tudor has been shown the door, and Tottenham are looking at a quality replacement. The 46-year-old Italian has been identified as the next manager of the club, and he is expected to sign a five-year contract with the North London outfit.

Apparently, Tottenham held talks with the Italian manager last week, and he wanted to wait until the summer before deciding on a move. However, Ben Jacobs has now claimed that an agreement is close, and the Italian has performed a U-turn on his decision. The lucrative contract from Tottenham has changed his mind.

He is a quality manager, and Tottenham would do well to get the deal done. They need a top-quality manager to turn things around. They have had a disastrous season, and they are currently fighting for survival in the Premier League. A club of stature should be pushing for trophies and competing regularly in the UEFA Champions League.

The Italian has shown his quality in the Premier League with Brighton, helping them secure a top-six finish during his time with the Seagulls. There is no doubt that he has the quality to transform Tottenham. His attacking approach could be a good fit for the current players at the North London club. Appointing a quality manager like him will help them attract quality players in the summer as well.

They have been linked with multiple managers in the last few weeks, but it seems that they have now finalised the Italian as their next boss. He will be expected to make an immediate impact and help Tottenham secure Premier League safety.

The post Tottenham ready to seal blockbuster move after target makes U-turn appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool have been heavily linked with a move for the RB Leipzig attacker Yan Diomande in recent months.

The 19-year-old has done quite well for the German club, and he is a top target for Liverpool in the summer. According to Sky Sports Germany reporter Philipp Hinze, the German club believes it will be “extremely difficult” to keep the player beyond this season, and he could be on the move soon.

A report from TEAMtalk further claims that former manager Jurgen Klopp could play a crucial role in Liverpool securing his signature. He is currently employed in a senior role within the Red Bull network, and he has a strong influence at the club. It will be interesting to see if he can help Liverpool get across the line.

It is no secret that they need more quality on the flanks. Mohamed Salah has confirmed he will leave the club in the summer, and they need to replace him properly.

Diomande has 16 goal contributions this season, and he will add explosive pace and flair to the Liverpool attack. They need more unpredictability going forward, and the 19-year-old would be the ideal acquisition. The player is reportedly very keen on a move to Liverpool.

The Premier League side has dealt with RB Leipzig multiple times in the past (during the signings of Dominik Szoboszlai, Ibrahima Konate, and Naby Keita), and the relationship is amicable. It remains to be seen whether Liverpool can get the deal across the line. Meanwhile, the player is likely to command a premium, and Liverpool will have to spend around €100 million to get the deal done.

The German club is hoping to keep the attacker for another season, but they are not optimistic about succeeding in their efforts.

The post Liverpool eyeing fourth signing from the same club in blockbuster summer raid appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Reports in Italy claim that Juventus could target a move for Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte this summer, and that the Old Lady will watch the Uruguayan in action against Algeria in an international friendly at the Allianz Stadium on Tuesday evening. 

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Could Juventus make a summer move for United’s Ugarte?

According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ugarte is a midfielder that Juventus have followed for several years, dating back to his time with Sporting CP. 

Monday’s report claims that the Bianconeri have since made several attempts to bring Ugarte to Turin, both during his time with Paris Saint-Germain and with Manchester United. 

The interest remains, and La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that Juventus could make a move for the Uruguay international this summer, particularly in the event that Teun Koopmeiners is let go at some stage during the summer transfer window. 

Galatasaray are said to be interested in Koopmeiners, and are also potentially looking at Ugarte as a back-up option. 

Juventus will also have an opportunity to watch Ugarte up close for themselves when he and his international teammates step out onto the Allianz Stadium pitch for a friendly against Algeria on Tuesday evening. 

Bianconeri director Marco Ottolini is expected to attend and will be keeping a close eye on the 24-year-old, who cost Manchester United a fee of €50m two summers ago.

According to Opta, Como are favourites to qualify for the Champions League this season, ahead of Juventus and Roma, with a 60.87% chance of finishing in the top four.

Como sit fourth in the Serie A table with eight games remaining and are also the favourite to earn a Champions League spot, according to Opta.

The Opta algorithm confirms the scenario outlined by statistics and the betting calculator website, Winsports Online.

According to Opta, via Tuttosport, Cesc Fabregas’ side has a 60.87% chance of qualifying for the Champions League this season, against Juventus’ 24.48% and Roma’s 17.15%.

Bianconeri and Giallorossi are both three points below Como in the Serie A table.

Tension is running high at Roma, where Gian Piero Gasperini’s future seems uncertain, mostly due to disagreements with the club director, Frederic Massara.

Gasperini did not talk to the media after a 1-0 win over Lecce before the March international break. Officially, Gasp remained silent because he had lost his voice during the match, but according to Gazzetta and other Italian media outlets, the Giallorossi boss was in no mood to face reporters’ questions.

Juventus seem to have improved their playing style and appear to have a clearer identity under Luciano Spalletti, yet the Bianconeri are still struggling for consistency, as shown by a recent 1-1 home draw against Sassuolo.

Fabregas’ Como, on the other hand, have won each of their last five league games and have a decent fixture list ahead with a home game against Inter and an away match at Napoli emerging as the most difficult encounters in the final stretch of the campaign.

Opta has also made predictions for the title race, identifying a clear favourite for the Scudetto.

Inter have an 89.48% chance of lifting the title, compared to Milan’s 6.16% and Napoli’s 4.19%.

Cristian Chivu was suspended for a 1-1 draw against Fiorentina last week, so his assistant, Aleksandar Kolarov, led the team from the touchline and spoke to the media after the match.

“It wasn’t our best game and we are not in our best period of the season, but we are still six points clear at the top of the table, so it is all in our hands,” said the former defender.

“We are lacking some determination and perhaps sharpness too, as fatigue is accumulated over the many games. It is not our best spell of the season, we are used to seeing Inter dominate matches, but we are still six points clear and it is up to us to kill off the title race.”

Inter have collected only two points in their last three Serie A matches, but still have a six-point lead over second-placed Milan and seven points more than Napoli.

Rossoneri and Partenopei will meet at the Stadio Maradona after the March break.

 

Former Milan and Fiorentina midfielder Cristian Brocchi is happy with the attitude Italian players showed against Northern Ireland and feels the Azzurri won’t need ‘Baggio or Del Piero’ to qualify for the World Cup, regardless of a fiery atmosphere in Bosnia.

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Brocchi enjoyed Italy’s attitude in World Cup play-off semifinal

Italy will fly to Bosnia today on the eve of the World Cup play-off Final against Edin Dzeko’s Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Brocchi, a two-time Champions League winner with Milan and a former teammate of Gennaro Gattuso, spoke about the upcoming Final in an interview with Sport Mediaset.

“I liked the personalities of the key players. They proved to be aware of the importance of the game. Hopefully, they can have the same attitude [in the Final],” he said via TMW.

“I think Gattuso has hit the right spots. I liked the press conference where he established the core values that became the foundations of success throughout our careers. Italy no longer has Baggio or Del Piero, but they have strong players for this match.”

The Azzurri expect a hostile reception in Zenica, even if FIFA cut the stadium’s capacity by 20% following incidents in Bosnia’s most recent home game in November 2025.

“Everywhere’s the same. Everywhere you go, you find passionate fans,” Brocchi concluded.

“There’s everything at stake for both them and us. In Bergamo, we had an added value: the home fans. Now we must endure difficulties.”

 

Former Tottenham player and manager Tim Sherwood has fired a warning to his old club about the risks of hiring Roberto De Zerbi at this stage of the season.

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The north Londoners now look to be closing in on appointing De Zerbi as their replacement for Igor Tudor, who left his role as interim manager yesterday.

De Zerbi has previously impressed at Brighton and Marseille and Sherwood says he’s a big fan of the Italian tactician, though he also insisted the deal is not one without its risks.

Watch below as the pundit shares his mixed views on the news that De Zerbi could now be set to take the Tottenham job at this late stage of the season…

"This is far from a safe pair of hands" ??

Tim Sherwood on the repots that Roberto de Zerbi would be interested in joining Tottenham Hotspur ?? #skysportsfc pic.twitter.com/YT7VAYJ5cD

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 30, 2026

Sherwood feels it might have made more sense to hire De Zerbi earlier, as his expansive style of play could leave the team too open in their crucial upcoming fixtures.

While there’s a time and a place for a manager like De Zerbi to build a side like that, it’s perhaps not an ideal experiment to be trying with not that many games left and with the club in very real danger of relegation.

Tottenham now confident of hiring Roberto De Zerbi

According to journalist Nicolo Schira, THFC are now said to be confident of hiring De Zerbi straight away, when it had previously been reported that he’d prefer to wait until the start of next season…

#Tottenham are confident to appoint Roberto #DeZerbi as new manager in the next hours. Ready a contract until 2030 for the italian coach. #transfers #THFC https://t.co/QDhUzR1Qmq

— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) March 30, 2026

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Spurs fans will just have to hope De Zerbi can have an immediate impact and find success with his methods.

Tottenham are just a point above the relegation zone at the moment, going 13 Premier League games in a row without a win, losing eight of those.

The post Tim Sherwood fires warning about “stubborn” Roberto De Zerbi as Spurs confident of getting deal done appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United are reportedly not giving up on beating Manchester City to the transfer of Nottingham Forest central midfielder Elliot Anderson.

The England international remains Man Utd’s dream target in the middle of the park, despite the feeling being that Man City are seen as the current frontrunners for his signature.

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Still, it seems the Red Devils won’t give up, with the Sun reporting that they’re making Anderson a priority in that position.

Elliot Anderson transfer saga timeline

This follows plenty of recent speculation around Anderson, with a summary below of some recent reports on this saga…

• 19th March – City described as frontrunners, but with United still determined to win the race for Anderson, who’d likely cost around £80m, according to BBC Sport.
• 21st March – City described as being in advanced talks to sign Anderson, according to an update from Fabrizio Romano on his YouTube channel.
• 25th March – United looking at Anderson as an ideal no.8 signing, and keen to get a deal done before the World Cup, according to Sky Sports.
• 26th March – However, Sandro Tonali reported as being above Anderson on United’s list of targets in midfield, according to the Daily Mail.
• 28th March – Our exclusive info is that Arsenal sense an opportunity to move for Anderson, as nothing is done with City yet.

Can Manchester United realistically sign Elliot Anderson?

So, overall, a real mixed picture is emerging with regards to MUFC and their midfield targets for the summer.

The most consistent line seems to be that City are in fact leading the race for the 23-year-old, but that United and other clubs are not entirely out of the running yet.

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Mar 30 2026, 13:18

It may be, however, that Anderson is not necessarily seen as the priority for the Old Trafford club, though, as there’s a lot of talk about Tonali as well.

It will be interesting to see how this pans out, and whose information proved most accurate, and we’ll aim to give you the clearest possible transfer news insight here throughout the summer.

The post Not giving up yet: Man United ready to hijack £80m Man City transfer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Kylian Mbappe says he should be no exception to criticism at Real Madrid as he allayed fears that his focus is already on the World Cup with France. Mbappe has had his game time managed since December due to a recurring knee issue and missed five matches earlier this month due to the injury. He […]

The post ´It happened to Ronaldo´ – Mbappe welcomes Madrid criticism appeared first on Soccer News.

The post ´It happened to Ronaldo´ – Mbappe welcomes Madrid criticism appeared first on Soccer News.

The Italy national team will train at Coverciano this morning and fly from Florence to Bosnia in the afternoon, before Gennaro Gattuso’s pre-match press conference.

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Italy are preparing for a massive World Cup play-off Final against Bosnia and Herzegovina, to be played at the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica on Tuesday, March 31.

Italy’s plan on the eve of the World Cup play-off Final

As reported by Gazzetta, the Azzurri have slightly changed their plans on the eve of the game, as they’ll fly to Bosnia later than expected due to bad weather there.

Azzurri CT Gennaro Gattuso has decided to let his players train in Coverciano rather than on the heavy pitch at the Bilino Polje Stadium today.

Italy will train at their training centre on Monday morning, before leaving for Bosnia with a private flight at 16:30 CET (15:30 BST). The Nazionale is expected to arrive in Zenica at around 19:00 CET.

Once Gattuso and the players arrive at the venue for tomorrow’s match, they’ll undergo a pitch inspection, while the coach and captain, Gigio Donnarumma, will preview the Final at a pre-match press conference.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

The golden boys launch the national team

Kimi of Italy

It’s always super Sinner

Azzurri, now it’s only you missing

Corriere dello Sport

Italents

Waiting for the Azzurri, we are dominating in every other sport: tomorrow it’s Gattuso’s turn in Bosnia.

Kimi, Sinner and Bezzecchi, there’s an Italy that rules

Tuttosport

Who catches me?

Antonelli triumphs in Suzuka too and becomes the World Championship leader

Bezzecchi, magical tris!

‘Listen Lewa, go to Juve!’

Exclusive Douglas Costa: ‘I know Robert well, he’s the striker they need. He scores in every way, and if I had had a Yildiz in my team…’ Kolo, new Bianconeri signals. Waiting for Spalletti and Vlahovic.

Torino stadium, the City Council waits and hopes.

Bosnia-Italy, Turpin things

The Frenchman is a top referee, but is the same one as the infamous play-off against North Macedonia.

Former Brighton and Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi may now be open to taking over as Tottenham manager straight away.

The Italian tactician is out of work at the moment after leaving Marseille earlier this season, and has long been regarded as one of the top coaches in the game.

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Fabrizio Romano reported on his YouTube channel yesterday that De Zerbi was Spurs’ top target, but that his preference was to take over in the summer.

Still, Romano added that Tottenham were pushing to convince De Zerbi to take the job now, and it seems they may have made some progress in persuading him to change his mind.

Roberto De Zerbi evaluating five-year Tottenham contract

See below as reliable Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio claims that De Zerbi is now open to joining THFC this season on a five-year contract…

Apertura di De Zerbi a valutare l'offerta del Tottenham, che propone 5 anni di contratto: prossime ore decisive per il sì

— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) March 30, 2026

It seems the coming hours will be decisive, with Spurs possibly closing in on their ideal managerial appointment.

If the north Londoners can get this through then it surely boosts their chances of avoiding relegation this season.

Roberto De Zerbi’s impressive record

De Zerbi is yet to take charge of a truly elite European club, but he’s become well known for over-achieving with his teams and getting them to play an attractive brand of football.

Things didn’t go entirely to plan for him at Marseille, but he still left with a decent record, and Tottenham will know all about his Premier League credentials after the job he did at Brighton.

De Zerbi record	Wins	Draws	Losses	Win %
Shakhtar	20	5	5	66.67%
Brighton	38	22	29	42.70%
Marseille	39	10	20	56.52%

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Igor Tudor’s exit from Spurs was officially announced yesterday and it looks like the right call after his awful record since taking over on an interim basis.

It won’t necessarily be easy for any manager to get Tottenham out of danger of relegation, but De Zerbi seems like the best possible bet for the club at this stage.

The post From Italy: Surprise new update in Roberto De Zerbi to Tottenham saga appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Lamine Camara is fast emerging as one of the most talked-about names ahead of the 2026 summer transfer window, standing out as one of Monaco’s most valuable players.

The Ligue 1 giants have a history of cashing in on their best players when bigger clubs come calling, and my understanding is that they’re expecting Camara to be their big sale this summer.

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The 22-year-old Senegalese talent has established himself as the heartbeat of this Monaco side thanks to his consistency, maturity, physical resilience, and ability to maintain a high tempo. These qualities have caught the attention of several Premier League giants, and Monaco’s traditional “develop and sell high” policy is now being applied to Camara.

I’m told that Chelsea and Liverpool are among the clubs closely monitoring him, having scouted him for some time. Chelsea are keen to rejuvenate their midfield, while Liverpool’s tactical approach continues to rely on high-energy midfielders, making Camara an attractive target.

“Chelsea have explored the French market a lot in recent times and they’re big admirers of Camara’s profile,” one source said. “It’s not clear yet if he’d be a priority, but he’s on their radar, while Liverpool and Newcastle will likely be there too.”

Lamine Camara transfer won’t come cheap as Monaco set their stance

From Monaco’s perspective, the club would not be opposed to selling Camara but they’re also in no rush. With a stable financial position, I’m told they’re confident they can afford to wait for an “astronomical” offer.

Camara’s current contract runs until 2029, with no release clause, giving Monaco full control over negotiations. “Monaco are open to doing business, but unless someone comes in with an offer in the €65–75 million range, which Premier League clubs are capable of paying, they’ll say no. There’s no pressure on them to sell, and they’d rather keep him as his value could rise even further.”

Lamine Camara one of many midfielders set to move

It’s already well-established that this summer could see a lot of money changing hands for top class midfield players.

In the Premier League alone, we can expect movement for the likes of Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton, and possibly other big names like Enzo Fernandez, Mateus Fernandes, and Joao Gomes.

With the likes of Anderson and Tonali likely to cost upwards of £100m, Camara stands out as a potentially cheaper option on the market, but with just as much quality. Despite Monaco’s resistance to being bullied into selling on the cheap, the financial power of Premier League clubs could ultimately bring this saga to an end in England.

The post Sources: “Likely…” – Chelsea & Liverpool exploring potential €75m midfielder transfer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on the Sandro Tonali situation as he reports that the Newcastle midfielder is “open” to joining Manchester United.

The Italy international has shone in the Premier League and looks like he could be ready to move up to the next level, with Man Utd joined by Arsenal and Manchester City as admirers.

That’s according to Romano in his latest post on X, formerly Twitter, as he also provided some fresh insight into the situation of Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, who is also of interest to some of the same clubs…

? Manchester United have Sandro Tonali very high on their shortlist for June, as reported. The player would be open to the move.

Elliot Anderson, another name on shortlist but Manchester City are still ahead — with very serious interest.

Man City and Arsenal, both also… pic.twitter.com/B9MVRrWljP

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 30, 2026

“Manchester United have Sandro Tonali very high on their shortlist for June, as reported. The player would be open to the move,” Romano said.

“Elliot Anderson, another name on shortlist but Manchester City are still ahead — with very serious interest.

“Man City and Arsenal, both also informed on Tonali situation.”

Sandro Tonali transfer saga timeline

• 6th March – Arsenal chief Andrea Berta working on a deal for Tonali, according to Tuttosport.
• 12th March – Tonali part of three-man list of midfield targets for Man Utd, according to the Sun.
• 19th March – United have made calls to ask about Tonali‘s situation, according to Fabrizio Romano on his YouTube channel.
• 24th March – Tonali wanted by both United and Man City but prefers a return to Serie A, according to talkSPORT.
• 29th March – United have made Tonali their top target, with the 25-year-old likely to cost £100m, according to Matteo Moretto.

Sandro Tonali not the best option out there for Man United

Our view is that Tonali would likely be too expensive to represent an ideal signing for United.

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Even if the former AC Milan man has performed well for Newcastle and could give MUFC an upgrade on their current midfielders, someone like Anderson is younger, has a higher potential, and would cost a similar price.

See below for a comparison of the duo’s stats this season…

That’s why we previously gave Tonali a XXXX score on our Transfer Fit rating system, which takes various factors into account in assessing how successful a signing could be – read more about how it works here.

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

Do you agree with our rating or would you like to see Tonali move to Old Trafford? Let us know in the comments!

The post Fabrizio Romano says £100m star “open” to Man United transfer in update on two top midfielders appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Tottenham are reportedly considering hiring a manager with a completely different tactical approach in the form of Xavi Hernandez.

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Spurs have just parted ways with Igor Tudor after a disastrous spell as interim manager, which ended up lasting just 44 days.

According to Fichajes, Tottenham are considering a few options, and among those is former Barcelona boss Xavi.

The Spanish tactician has been out of work for some time, but previously impressed in a spell at Barca, winning La Liga to add to a long list of trophies he collected during his playing career.

Xavi also looks like he could still have a fine career in management, with Fichajes noting his possession-based and high-pressing game.

Tottenham eyeing another new manager as relegation threat looms

Tottenham had to make a change from Tudor after such an awful start, with the Croatian tactician somehow managing to take the team even lower than they were under Thomas Frank.

Relegation is now a very real threat for the north London side, so it could be tricky convincing a big name to take the job at this stage of the season.

Xavi is someone who would surely rather wait and see if Spurs are still in the Premier League next season, while he’d also benefit from having a full pre-season with the squad.

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Taking over now would really represent being thrown in at the deep end, even for the best manager, so it looks like it might be tricky for THFC to convince their top targets to take the job.

Former Brighton and Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi is a leading candidate, according to Fabrizio Romano on his YouTube channel, but Spurs are facing precisely that problem with him as he’d prefer to wait until the summer to choose his next club.

The post Tottenham considering hiring attack-minded coach with glittering CV appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Former Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso is getting increasingly close to the Liverpool job and wants Arda Guler as one of his first signings.

Guler has shown himself to be a hugely exciting young talent during his time at the Bernabeu, and it seems he left a real impression on Alonso.

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The Spanish tactician ended up being sacked after just 34 games in charge of Real Madrid this season, but his fine work at previous club Bayer Leverkusen and his ties with Liverpool from his playing days look like making him a strong candidate for the Reds.

And if he is to replace the struggling Arne Slot, it seems he’d be eager to bring Guler with him to Anfield, according to Fichajes.

What Xabi Alonso has said about Arda Guler in the past

Alonso was full of praise for Guler’s “quality” earlier this season as he discussed how the Turkey international reminded him of a cross between Mesut Ozil and Guti.

“Not just because of his origins, but because of his quality. He’s a mix between Ozil and Guti, because Guti could also play close to the crease while also providing that final pass,” Alonso said, as quoted by Goal.

“The more we find Arda, the better we do. We have to keep pushing him to improve his game, but I’m happy.”

Would Arda Guler strengthen Liverpool?

It could make sense for Guler to work under Alonso again, and LFC will surely be looking to make changes in the attacking midfield department this summer.

With four goals and 12 assists for Real this season, the 21-year-old looks like the kind of creative talent who could take the burden off Florian Wirtz in that area of the pitch, and provide more ammunition for the likes of Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike to thrive.

Arda Guler	TOTAL SCORE: 17/25
Transfer fee	*
Performance	****
Achievements	***
Career phase	****
Squad need	*****

See the table above as we’ve scored Guler to Liverpool as 17/25, the higher end of medium, using our Transfer Fit rating system, which you can find out more about here.

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Guler would surely not come cheap as he’s performed well for Madrid, but it could be a good investment in a top young talent.

There might be more proven options out there, but few fans would be complaining if Guler ended up joining and forming part of a new-look side under Alonso.

The post Xabi Alonso wants Liverpool to sign “quality” Real Madrid star as he gets closer to Reds job appeared first on CaughtOffside.

England legend Gary Lineker has named two teams that he thinks are ahead of Thomas Tuchel’s side as favourites for the 2026 World Cup this summer.

Speaking on his podcast, The Rest Is Football, Lineker made it clear that he rates Spain as the favourites for the tournament.

Spain won Euro 2024, beating England in the final, and they’re currently top of the FIFA World Rankings, so their status as the team to beat makes sense.

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Lineker is currently backing Spain, and has France as his second favourites for the trophy, with England in third.

The pundit also mentioned current World Cup holders Argentina as one to watch, as well as five-time winners Brazil.

Gary Lineker on 2026 World Cup favourites

“The World Cup is getting very close now,” Lineker said.

“I know Spain are actually the bookies’ favourites, closely followed by England, France, Argentina and Brazil. I think they’re the big five.

“France have got a hell of a squad, haven’t they? They have an amazing squad, but I’m going to go with Spain.

“I think they could do a repeat of what they did a decade or so ago and win consecutive tournaments. I mean, they’ve got some players, Spain.

“I think Spain have to be the team to beat, Obviously, we’d all love England to win. Portugal could be a decent outside bet as well.

“They will have to control the narrative around [Cristiano] Ronaldo and manage his minutes and see if he accepts that. That will be important for them.

“But they have got some cracking players. I think it’s a good outside bet, Portugal. Also, don’t rule out Argentina and even Brazil.

“But I’m going with Spain. England are definitely one of the frontrunners but I think Spain have to be favourites ahead of us, personally I think France too.

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“I think in recent tournaments, the English team has progressed sufficiently to have a chance of winning it. But I can’t remember any of us actually predicting England to win a tournament for a while.”

Can England win the World Cup?

England made great progress under previous manager Gareth Southgate, reaching the World Cup semi-finals back in 2018, and then two European Championship finals.

Still, the Three Lions are without a trophy since the 1966 World Cup, and there’s a lot of world class competition heading into this year’s tournament.

It will be interesting to see what kind of impact Tuchel can have now that he’s replaced Southgate as manager, with the German tactician overseeing a very strong qualifying campaign.

Tuchel has also won major trophies at club level, including the Champions League with Chelsea, and league titles with both Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.

The post Gary Lineker names the two teams ahead of England as 2026 World Cup favourites appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Barcelona could reportedly be prepared to offer veteran striker Robert Lewandowski a surprise one-year contract on certain conditions.

The Poland international, who will turn 38 this summer, remains a key first-team player for Barca, but it’s hard to imagine he has that much longer left at the very highest level.

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According to Sport, Barcelona would be prepared to extend Lewandowski’s stay by a further year as long as he accepts a pay cut and a deal with more performance-related bonuses.

It remains to be seen if Lewandowski will accept this kind of proposal, with a decision likely to come later, while the former Bayern Munich man will also surely have other opportunities to explore.

Robert Lewandowski to Juventus could be an option

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Lewandowski is also a target for Juventus, so that might be another option for the 37-year-old to remain in a major European league.

With a total of 16 goals in 37 games in all competitions this season, Lewandowski has shown he can still be useful to Barcelona, though those numbers are undoubtedly below what he would have contributed at his peak.

Even last season Lewandowski was still far more prolific, scoring an impressive 42 goals in 52 appearances in all competitions.

It will be interesting to see if he can manage one more year at the Nou Camp, and if not, it also remains to be seen if he’ll even continue playing in Europe or go down the MLS or Saudi route that most ageing players take.

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Robert Lewandowski has had a phenomenal career

If we are winding down towards the end of Lewandowski’s career at the top level, then it’s important to pay tribute to one of the best strikers of the modern era.

Lewandowski has been remarkably consistent as one of the most prolific forwards in world football ever since his Borussia Dortmund days, winning multiple major honours, including the Champions League.

Lewandowski career stats	Games	Goals
Borussia Dortmund	187	103
Bayern Munich	375	344
Barcelona	184	117
Poland	164	89

See the table above for Lewandowski’s remarkable scoring numbers down the years for club and country, during which time he won 12 league titles across spells with Dortmund, Bayern, and Barca.

The post Report: Barcelona ready to offer star surprise new contract amid Juventus transfer links appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool are reportedly battling the likes of Chelsea and Aston Villa for the potential transfer of Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix.

The France international has impressed in the Premier League in recent times, and could be ideal for the Reds right now as they look to strengthen at the back.

It’s been a difficult season for Arne Slot’s side, who have conceded a lot of goals and who don’t look guaranteed to finish in the top four as a result.

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Ibrahima Konate is also nearing the end of his contract so could need replacing this summer, and Lacroix is being linked as a Liverpool target by TEAMtalk.

This is not the first time the 25-year-old has been mentioned as being on LFC’s radar, as the Daily Mail also said similar earlier this season.

Maxence Lacroix to leave Crystal Palace?

Lacroix is supposedly being monitored closely by Liverpool, but also by Chelsea and Villa, in what could be an intriguing battle for his signature this summer.

We’ve seen that the Eagles tend to sell their star names if the price is right, with Eberechi Eze leaving for Arsenal last summer, while Marc Guehi was sold to Manchester City this January.

Lacroix could be another talent they struggle to keep hold of, and he could be ideal to help Liverpool replace Konate if he leaves, as well as giving them a potential long-term successor to the ageing Virgil van Dijk.

Chelsea also have issues at the back, however, with Lacroix looking like he could well be an upgrade on inconsistent performers like Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Wesley Fofana.

For now, however, it could even be that Villa have the advantage in this transfer battle as they look more likely to be able to offer Champions League football next season.

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From Italy: Surprise new update in Roberto De Zerbi to Tottenham saga

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Unai Emery’s side are currently in fourth spot in the Premier League table, five points above Liverpool and six points above Chelsea.

Lacroix is competing for a place in France’s World Cup squad, so that will surely have given him a taste for playing at the highest level, and moving to a Champions League club would surely help him get into the Les Bleus team more in the future.

The post Liverpool battling Chelsea & Aston Villa for transfer of in-form Premier League star appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Chelsea central midfielder Enzo Fernandez has hinted he’d welcome a transfer to Real Madrid as he admitted he’d love to live in the Spanish capital.

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The Argentina international has been linked several times with a move away from Chelsea recently, with the player himself playing some part in fuelling that speculation.

See below for his latest comments in a video interview with Spider CARP as he confessed to being a big fan of Madrid, which he says reminds him of Buenos Aires, where the 25-year-old was born…

Enzo Fernández dijo que quiere volver y le gustaría volver a River en un futuro pero estando bien. Y cuando le preguntaron qué lugar le gusta para vivir dijo que le gusta Madrid

Lo que sería verlo a Enzo en el mediocampo del Real Madrid, me vuelvo loco si se da pic.twitter.com/IksxmptUAs

— SpiderCARP ???? (@SpiderCarp23) March 29, 2026

“I’d like to live in Madrid. It’s a beautiful city, reminds me of Buenos Aires,” Fernandez said.

Enzo Fernandez to leave Chelsea?

Here’s a summary of some of the recent Fernandez stories that suggest his Chelsea future is in major doubt this summer:

• 18th March – sources describe Fernandez as 99% likely to look to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of this season, according to Simon Phillips.
• 19th March – our exclusive info confirms that Fernandez’s Chelsea future has been in doubt for some time, with the Blues already preparing to move for Elliot Anderson to replace him.
• 21st March – Fernandez criticises the decision to part ways with Enzo Maresca, admitting his departure unsettled the Chelsea squad.
• 23rd March – Fernandez refuses to rule out leaving Chelsea, simply saying “we’ll see” when asked about what could happen with him this summer.
• 23rd March – Fernandez linked with Real Madrid as talkSPORT claim he sees it as a career-defining step.

How important is Enzo Fernandez for Chelsea?

Fernandez cost huge money to sign from Benfica back in 2023, with BBC Sport reporting at the time that his transfer fee was £107m.

It’s hard to live up to that kind of price tag, but Fernandez has mostly performed well for Chelsea, and links with other big clubs show just how highly he’s regarded in the game.

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Sources: “Likely…” – Chelsea & Liverpool exploring potential €75m midfielder transfer

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Mar 30 2026, 8:45

The South American has eight goals and three assists in the Premier League this season, with stats specialists WhoScored giving him an overall ranking of 6.95/10 for the campaign so far, making him the fourth highest rated player in the CFC squad.

Overall, Chelsea could probably make big money from Fernandez’s sale, and though he wouldn’t necessarily be easy to replace, bringing in someone like Anderson from Nottingham Forest would potentially be an upgrade.

The post “Beautiful city” – Chelsea star drops major hint he’d like transfer to major European capital appeared first on CaughtOffside.

After being reelected, president Joan Laporta said that Lionel Messi's departure from FC Barcelona ended up being "the right decision."

Lionel Messi‘s controversial departure from FC Barcelona resurfaced as one of the most talked-about topics in Spain during the presidential elections in which Joan Laporta was comfortably returned to power. Now set to begin his third term at the helm of the club, Laporta addressed the subject once again, this time asserting that Messi’s exit was ultimately “the right decision.”

Ahead of the vote, former coach Xavi Hernandez sent shockwaves through the Barcelona world by claiming that Laporta bore primary responsibility not only for his own departure but also for the failure to bring Messi back in 2023. Despite the controversy, Laporta won convincingly on March 15 with 68.8% of the vote.

In an interview with El Pais, Laporta was asked whether Messi’s abrupt departure would leave a mark on his legacy, and the Barcelona president was direct: “It is something I will always carry with me. I also like to think that it was with me as president that we put Leo in the first team. And for many years, he was the best player in the world with me as president. Later, I had to make a decision, and I believe I got it right.“

Despite the circumstances surrounding Messi’s exit, Laporta argued that subsequent events have vindicated him. “I let the results speak for themselves. We were able to recover the club’s economy, we built a competitive team, and it was time for a generational handover. Leo was at the end of his career, and we had to build a new team. Would I have liked to build the new team with Leo helping? Yes. We tried that, but it wasn’t meant to be,” he concluded.

The backdrop to Messi’s departure was laid bare in 2021 when El Mundo revealed that his final Barcelona contract saw the Argentine legend earn a staggering 555 million euros gross over four years. Faced with that financial burden and unable to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations, Laporta maintained that he “did what he had to do.“

Messi’s silence and a potential tribute at Barcelona

While Xavi, one of Messi’s closest friends and former teammates at Barcelona, chose to make pointed remarks about Laporta, and while Laporta dismissed those claims in turn, the Inter Miami star has stayed out of the dispute entirely. Messi has not made his position public, though reports suggest his relationship with the re-elected Barcelona president remains strained.

Laporta, for his part, has been working to rebuild that relationship, particularly given his close ties to Jorge Messi ahead of the 2021 election. While a return as a player is firmly off the table, the president is pushing for a statue outside Camp Nou and a tribute match in Messi’s honor.

When asked whether the statue proposal could serve as a bridge to reuniting with Messi, Laporta was optimistic: “He is a generational benchmark player: Kubala, Cruyff, and Messi. He must have a statue and also a tribute match. Barca is his home. The relationship of the future and the immediate present will be whatever Leo wants and whatever Barca wants. At some point, our interests will converge again.“

Liverpool have reportedly accelerated their interest in Sporting CP striker Luis Suarez as they begin the daunting task of planning for life without Mohamed Salah.

According to the latest reports from Correio da Manhã, the Reds are prepared to fight hard to secure the Colombian international, who has emerged as one of the most prolific finishers in European football this season.

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With Salah officially set to leave Liverpool at the end of the current season, the club’s recruitment team has identified the 28-year-old as a prime candidate to replenish their attacking output.

However, the Merseyside giants are not alone in their admiration, setting the stage for a high-stakes Premier League bidding war.

Liverpool face stiff competition from Newcastle for Luis Suarez

While Liverpool view Suarez as a strong option for their attack, Newcastle United have also placed the striker at the very top of their summer wishlist.

The Magpies are reportedly considering Suarez as a vital upgrade to their attacking rotation.

As per the report, the primary obstacle for both clubs remains Suarez’s hefty €80 million (£69m) release clause.

Reports suggest that neither Liverpool nor Newcastle are currently willing to trigger that full amount given the striker’s age.

Instead, both clubs are expected to test Sporting’s resolve with opening offers in the region of €60m, hoping to negotiate a lower fee before the summer window officially opens.

Luis Suarez has been one of Europe’s most prolific strikers

The intense interest in Suarez is no surprise after a truly remarkable debut season in Lisbon.

Since joining Sporting as a replacement for Viktor Gyökeres last summer, the former Almería man has been in unstoppable form.

In the 2025/26 campaign, he has already racked up a staggering 33 goals and 7 assists in 42 appearances across all competitions.

Club	Games	Goals	Assists	G+A
UD Almería	79	41	13	54
Granada CF	75	15	5	20
Sporting CP	42	33	7	40
Real Zaragoza	39	19	6	25

Luis Suarez stats across various clubs via Transfermarkt

His league form is particularly impressive, with 24 goals in just 25 Liga Portugal matches.

Suarez has also proven himself on the elite stage, scoring five goals in eight starts in the Champions League.

His goalscoring form in Sporting is no fluke. He produced similar numbers during his time at Almeria, scoring 41 goals and assisting 13 in 79 games across all competitions.

 

 

The post Report: Liverpool hold strong interest in signing €80m attacker with 40 G/A in 42 games appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Tottenham defender Ben Davies has emerged as a serious option to take over as interim player-manager.

Following Spurs’ second managerial sacking of the season, The Telegraph reports that the Spurs hierarchy is considering the veteran Welshman as part of a seven-man shortlist to lead the club through its relegation battle.

Tottenham currently sit in 17th place, just one point above the relegation zone, and are remarkably the only team in the Premier League without a single win in 2026.

With the club winless in 13 league matches, the board is reportedly open to another short-term appointment if they fail to convince Roberto De Zerbi to join immediately.

Tottenham defender Ben Davies considered for interim role

While the idea of a current player taking the reins in a relegation dogfight is rare, Davies is uniquely prepared for the transition.

The 32-year-old, who has been a fixture at the club since 2014, has been quietly preparing for a career in the dugout for years.

In March 2024, Davies was officially awarded his UEFA A and Elite Youth A Licence, having balanced his playing duties with coaching at the Tottenham Hotspur Academy.

Despite currently being sidelined with a fractured ankle suffered in January, Davies remains the longest-serving member of the squad and is viewed as a unifying figure who understands the club.

If Davies is appointed, he would join an elite list of figures who have juggled playing and managing in the Premier League.

High-profile examples include Sir Kenny Dalglish, who famously led Liverpool to a Double as player-manager, and Ryan Giggs, who took interim charge of Manchester United in 2014 while still making appearances.

However, with the Premier League survival on the line, the stakes for Davies would be arguably higher than anyone else.

With Spurs facing their lowest points tally since 1915, the board is also considering experienced “firefighters” like Sean Dyche and former managers Harry Redknapp and Glenn Hoddle.

 

The post Current Tottenham player emerges as surprise option to replace Igor Tudor appeared first on CaughtOffside.

While James Trafford might have only completed a big-money return to Manchester City last summer, the England international should be planning for yet another Etihad exit over the coming months. Only completing a reported £31million return to the Premier League giants nine months ago, the former Burnley shot-stopper suddenly finds himself at the heart of […]

The post Pep Guardiola and Manchester City should allow James Trafford an immediate Etihad exit this summer appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Pep Guardiola and Manchester City should allow James Trafford an immediate Etihad exit this summer appeared first on Soccer News.

While James Trafford might have only completed a big-money return to Manchester City last summer, the England international should be planning for yet another Etihad exit over the coming months. Only completing a reported £31million return to the Premier League giants nine months ago, the former Burnley shot-stopper suddenly finds himself at the heart of […]

The post Pep Guardiola and Manchester City should allow James Trafford an immediate Etihad exit this summer appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Pep Guardiola and Manchester City should allow James Trafford an immediate Etihad exit this summer appeared first on Soccer News.

Set to depart from Manchester United after the 2026 World Cup, Casemiro is reportedly getting closer to playing alongside Lionel Messi at Inter Miami rather than with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr.

Casemiro has emerged as one of the most serious candidates to become Lionel Messi‘s next teammate, with a potential move to Inter Miami gaining momentum. Despite reported interest from Al Nassr in reuniting him with Cristiano Ronaldo, reports suggest the Brazilian midfielder is closer to Fort Lauderdale than Saudi Arabia.

With his contract set to expire at the end of the 2025-26 season, Casemiro announced his decision to leave Manchester United back on January 22. Since then, the Brazilian has been one of the team’s standout performers and among the most consistent midfielders in the Premier League, prompting fans to call for him to trigger a one-year extension clause available in his deal.

However, the midfielder has made his decision to leave Old Trafford final. “I believe the announcement is now done. It is huge, the affection that the fans have shown towards me. But I do really believe the decision is made and done. I am enjoying myself right now. I believe it will be some difficult moments, these final games at Manchester United,” he told The Athletic‘s Adam Crafton on Thursday following Brazil’s 2-1 defeat against France.

Under those circumstances, Fabrizio Romano has reported that Inter Miami are among the leading clubs interested in signing Casemiro. The Herons have already made their move, opening talks with the Brazilian’s representatives and submitting an initial proposal that could bring him to the East Coast alongside Messi.

Romano also noted that interest in Casemiro extends to clubs in Europe and Saudi Arabia, two areas where Inter Miami may struggle to compete financially. Diario Marca has reported that Al Nassr have already made the 34-year-old an offer to pair him with Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia, one that would be significantly more lucrative.

However, Casemiro’s decision does not appear to be purely financial, as the midfielder has been sending signals of his own. Diario AS reports that the Brazilian recently purchased a home in Miami, a clear indication that Inter Miami’s ambitious project holds genuine appeal beyond just the numbers.

Inter Miami’s financial hurdles in pursuing Casemiro

From a squad perspective, Casemiro would be a significant addition to Inter Miami, particularly given the struggles the club has experienced in central midfield this season. Sergio Busquets’ retirement left a major void, and David Ayala, brought in from the Portland Timbers as his replacement, has found it difficult to settle, contributing to the team’s Round of 16 exit in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

On the financial side, the obstacles are considerable. While Casemiro would arrive as a free agent, sparing Inter Miami any transfer fee as would be the case with a potential Bernardo Silva deal, the club has just $17,361 in available 2026 General Allocation Money, as revealed by MLS in February. With the midfielder commanding a base salary of around $25 million, matching that figure is simply not realistic for the Herons.

With all three Designated Player slots currently occupied by Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and German Berterame, Inter Miami’s options are limited but not entirely closed. The club acquired an international roster slot from the New England Revolution in the last transfer window, though it must be returned if unused by July.

If the Herons can move on enough players to free up funds, and if Casemiro is willing to take a significant pay cut, there remains a path for him to join Lionel Messi for the second half of the 2026 MLS season.

Manchester United legend David Beckham has thrown his full support behind Michael Carrick to become the club’s next permanent manager, claiming the interim boss has brought a level of stability not seen in a decade.

Carrick, who took over from Ruben Amorim in January 2026, has overseen a dramatic transformation in form that has propelled United from sixth to third in the Premier League table.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Beckham admitted that watching his former club has become a much more enjoyable experience since Carrick’s appointment.

Beckham hails Michael Carrick as best Man United manager in 10 years

Beckham’s endorsement was emphatic, suggesting that the “calmness” Carrick has instilled is the club’s greatest asset as they push for Champions League qualification.

When asked about the transformation under the former midfielder, he stated:

“Yeah, I must admit, the last few months have been a lot more comfortable than the last 10 years, to be honest. It’s been tough over that time.

“But I think Michael’s got experience. I think he’s got a calmness about him that he’s brought into the club. He knows the club. He knows the players. He knows the way Man United play and the way Man United should play.”

“I’ve always liked Michael as a coach. When you look at him, there’s a calmness. There’s, on the side of the pitch, there’s, I don’t want to say elegance because I’m not sure that’s the right thing to say, but there’s an elegance in the way he is, whether it’s the way he celebrates, whether it’s the way he gets angry.

“You know, all of those things are important in a manager. And I think that the way he’s got the team and brought the team together has been, has been incredible. And I think as a United fan, it’s exactly what we needed.”

Michael Carrick’s excellent record as manager

The statistics since the managerial change on January 13 back up Beckham’s glowing assessment.

In his 10 Premier League matches in charge, Carrick has secured seven wins and two draws, suffering just a single defeat.

This run has seen United amass 23 points from a possible 30, a sharp contrast to the inconsistency that plagued the first half of the campaign.

Match	Venue	Result
vs Man City	Home	W 2–0
vs Arsenal	Away	W 3–2
vs Fulham	Home	W 3–2
vs Spurs	Home	W 2–0
vs West Ham	Away	D 1–1
vs Everton	Away	W 1–0
vs Crystal Palace	Home	W 2–1
vs Newcastle	Away	L 1–2
vs Aston Villa	Home	W 3–1
vs Bournemouth	Away	D 2–2

Man United results under Michael Carrick

Under Carrick’s guidance, United have averaged 2.30 points per game, and the club now holds a six-point cushion over fifth-placed Liverpool.

While the United hierarchy initially planned to wait until the summer to appoint a permanent successor, Carrick is making a strong case for himself to become the club’s next permanent manager.

The post David Beckham reveals his pick for next Manchester United manager appeared first on CaughtOffside.

While Al Nassr face more schedule changes, now in the Saudi Pro League, Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly entered the final stage of his recovery from injury.

Cristiano Ronaldo‘s muscle injury forced him to miss the Portugal national team’s March international window in order to complete his recovery in Saudi Arabia. With Al Nassr also navigating schedule changes in the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League, the Portuguese star is reportedly entering the final stretch of his rehabilitation.

The hamstring injury Ronaldo suffered against Al Fayha on February 28 has kept him off the field for the entire month of March. The forward has missed two club matches and was also passed over for Portugal’s two friendlies, but his return to action is now drawing close.

As reported by Al Nassr reporter Abdulaziz Al-Osaimi, Ronaldo has been reporting to the club’s training facilities regularly. However, the Portuguese star is currently limited to individual sessions rather than full group training alongside his teammates.

Reports have emerged suggesting that team physician Dr. Carlos Miguel has cleared both Ronaldo and Sadio Mane to rejoin group training from Sunday onward. However, Ronaldo has opted to remain cautious and take a measured approach to avoid any risk of a setback.

Ronaldo offered an encouraging update on his recovery two days ago with an Instagram post captioned “On the ball” during a training session. With their respective rehabilitation programs now complete, head coach Jorge Jesus could have both Ronaldo and Mane available for the next match against Al Najma on Friday, April 3.

More schedule changes for Al Nassr

With the March international break now behind them, clubs are set to return to action next week, and Al Nassr are no exception. For Ronaldo, however, his comeback from injury coincides with a notable shift in the team’s fixture schedule.

The Saudi Pro League has confirmed that Al Nassr’s Matchday 29 clash against Al Ettifaq at Al Awwal Park has been moved to Wednesday, April 15, nine days earlier than its original date of Friday, April 24. As a result, the team will now face Al Najma on April 3, Al Okhdood on April 11 and Al Ettifaq on April 15 in a compressed run of fixtures.

The reshuffle also overlaps with what could be Al Nassr’s run to the AFC Champions League Two semifinals. The club is set to face Al Wasl on April 19 at Zabeel Stadium in Dubai in the single-leg quarterfinals, a format that has already drawn displeasure from the Saudi side, and the semifinals are scheduled to fall just one or two days before the original Al Ettifaq date, making it effectively impossible to fulfill both commitments under the previous schedule.

Moving the Al Ettifaq match to April 15 eases some of the congestion, but Jorge Jesus still faces a significant decision with only three days of rest before the Al Wasl quarterfinal, namely whether to prioritize the Saudi Pro League title race or manage his squad with an eye on the Champions League Two.

Marcus Thuram has been struggling with Inter, but above all in the France shirt, so scoring his first goal for Les Bleus since 2023 could be a turning point.

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The striker had only two goals at senior international level for France, failing to find the net for his country since the 14-0 victory over Gibraltar in November 2023.

That was followed by 17 consecutive matches without being on target, but that drought came to an end this evening.

Thuram finally finds net for France

Thuram scored the second goal to put France 2-0 up against Colombia in a friendly warming up for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA.

Marcus Thuram, Kolombiya'nın ceza sahası içerisinde çok rahat. pic.twitter.com/dnQN4o67gH

— TRT Spor (@trtspor) March 29, 2026

Tikus has struggled for Inter too recently, scoring in only the first Champions League game of the season against Ajax in September 2025.

He had just one Serie A goal since January 11, firing blanks in 14 of his last 15 club games.

Tottenham legend Jermain Defoe has been officially named the new manager of National League side Woking Football Club.

The appointment, confirmed by the club, marks Defoe’s first permanent step into senior management after building his coaching credentials within the Tottenham academy and serving as a player-coach at Rangers under Steven Gerrard.

Woking Football Club is pleased to confirm the appointment of Jermain Defoe as the club’s new Manager. ??

— Woking Football Club (@wokingfc) March 29, 2026

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Jermain Defoe has previously revealed dream to manage Tottenham

While Defoe is fully committed to the task at hand in Surrey, he has never hidden his ultimate coaching ambitions.

Speaking previously to the Daily Mail, the prolific former striker admitted that returning to his beloved Spurs in a managerial capacity would be ‘amazing’.

He said: “It would be amazing to manage Tottenham. And the crazy thing about football is you never know. An opportunity could be around the corner.”

Defoe remains one of the most beloved figures in Tottenham’s modern history.

Over two spells at White Hart Lane, he netted 143 goals, making him the sixth-highest goalscorer in the club’s history.

While he could still land his dream role later on in his career, for now, the task in hand is a promotion push with the Cardinals, where he will look to prove he has what it takes to become a top class manager.

Spurs managerial search continues after Igor Tudor exit

The news of Defoe’s appointment comes at a chaotic time for his former club.

Tottenham are currently scouring the market for their third manager of the season following the departure of Igor Tudor on Sunday.

With Spurs sitting just one point above the Premier League relegation zone, the vacancy is seen as one of the most high-pressure roles in European football.

Roberto De Zerbi is their top target, with Spurs reportedly pushing hard to secure him immediately.

Sean Dyche, Glen Hoddle and some other names remain short-term candidates if Roberto De Zerbi is not convinced for the role at this stage.

 

The post Tottenham legend officially lands managerial job after admitting he would love to manage Spurs appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Tottenham to opt for another short-term manager if they fail to land De Zerbi

If Tottenham fail to convince De Zerbi to join a relegation dogfight immediately, the club is prepared to turn to another short-term manager for now.

As per Romano, Sean Dyche has been discussed for the role as well as some other managers.

The former Everton and Burnley boss has the experience of these high-pressure relegation battles.

For the permanent role, if De Zerbi doesn’t join, Mauricio Pochettino remains a romantic option for a permanent return.

Currently in charge of the USMNT, Pochettino is reportedly open to returning to North London regardless of their league status, but he would only be available after the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup this summer.

The post “Tottenham are going really strong for him”: Fabrizio Romano drops big Spurs managerial update appeared first on CaughtOffside.

With France set to face Colombia, Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele's absence in the starting lineup raised some doubts among fans.

France and Colombia meet in one of the most compelling matchups of the March international window on Sunday at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. However, when the starting lineups were released, both Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele were notably absent from the France XI.

Neither Mbappe nor Dembele will start against Colombia, with head coach Didier Deschamps opting for a heavy rotation following the win over Brazil. The French manager has taken a completely different approach for the clash against Los Cafeteros, making wholesale changes throughout the lineup.

In fact, compared to Thursday’s starting XI against Brazil, not a single player has retained their spot for the Colombia match, including goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who has been replaced between the posts by Brice Samba.

Against Brazil, Dembele’s involvement was limited to 58 minutes before Deschamps brought on Maxence Lacroix following Dayot Upamecano’s red card. Mbappe, who opened the scoring in that match, was substituted in the 66th minute, with Marcus Thuram coming on to take his place up front.

Nos 1️⃣1️⃣ Bleus pour débuter face à la Colombie 🇨🇴✊

Coup d’envoi à 21h sur TF1 📺#FRACOL pic.twitter.com/arcK8VSop9

— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) March 29, 2026

Colombia head coach Nestor Lorenzo has taken the opposite approach, naming a full-strength side that includes James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz and others from the start. With a bench that still includes Mbappe and Dembele, however, Deschamps retains the element of surprise should he need to call on his biggest names.

Mbappe closes in on France’s all-time top goalscoring record

Having long since left Thierry Henry in his rearview mirror, Kylian Mbappe is now on the verge of becoming France’s all-time leading scorer. His chipped goal against Brazil last Thursday brought his tally to 56, leaving him just one shy of the record.

That record belongs to Olivier Giroud, who scored 57 goals in 137 appearances. Mbappe sits one behind with 95 caps to his name, and should he find the net against Colombia, he will become France’s all-time top scorer with the World Cup just around the corner.

Dusan Vlahovic’s current contract is set to expire on June 30, but new talks with Juventus have reportedly slowed down the negotiation process.

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It had looked for a while as if there wasn’t any hope of a new agreement, but after his return to the field after four months out injured, the two parties got back to the negotiating table.

Vlahovic talks have stalled

There was progress after the first meeting, but the second during the break for international duty showed significant problems, according to Fabrizio Romano and Calciomercato.

The issues are not just the salary, which would need to be a significant drop from the current €12m per season including bonuses.

Another concern is the commission that his agent Darko Ristic would receive, along with the bonuses for signing an extension.

If there is no agreement, then Vlahovic has no shortage of other clubs interested in pouncing on the Serbia international as a free agent.

Milan would keep him in Serie A and reunite with former Juventus coach Max Allegri, while Barcelona and Bayern Munich are also keeping an eye on the situation.

Atalanta defender Sead Kolasinac had limped off against Wales, but will reportedly be ready to start for Bosnia against Italy in Tuesday’s World Cup play-off.

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It kicks off at the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica on Tuesday March 31 at 19.45 UK time.

Bosnia and Herzegovina held Wales to a 1-1 draw on Thursday in Cardiff, eventually winning a penalty shoot-out after extra time.

Bosnia boosted by Kolasinac recovery

Kolasinac picked up an injury an hour into that game and was therefore in doubt for the play-off final against Italy.

However, reports from today’s training session suggests that he has recovered and is ready to start the big match.

It means that coach Sergej Barbarez will have a full squad at his disposal going into that encounter with Italy.

Kolasinac is one of the Bosnia and Herzegovina players who are currently plying their trade in Serie A at club level, as he joined Atalanta from Olympique Marseille in 2023.

Others in the group include Sassuolo defender Tarik Muharemovic and former Fiorentina striker Edin Dzeko.

San Marino faced Bosnia and Herzegovina recently, so coach Roberto Cevoli has a warning for Italy ahead of the World Cup play-off. ‘They are slow and predictable.’

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It kicks off at the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica on Tuesday March 31 at 19.45 UK time.

The Azzurri struggled to get the better of Northern Ireland 2-0 in the semi-final, while Bosnia needed extra time and penalties to eliminate Wales in Cardiff after a 1-1 draw on Thursday.

There is some advice from Italian coach Cevoli, whose San Marino visited Bosnia in June 2025 and lost 1-0 during the World Cup qualifying group stage.

They were eventually beaten by an Edin Dzeko strike at the 66^th minute.

Italy getting ready for Bosnia

“We played in Bilino Polje on June 7, it was 32 degrees C and the heat was intense,” Cevoli told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“It’s a small stadium, falling apart at the seams. However, the stands are very close to the pitch and you can really feel the fans.”

Although San Marino eventually lost, their coach believes Bosnia won’t manage to stop Italy.

“We were still at 0-0 until 25 minutes from the end, Dzeko was on the bench wearing his sneakers, he wasn’t meant to come on, but then the coach changed his mind, and Dzeko ended up scoring the decisive goal.

“We nearly made it 1-1 at the last minute on the counter-attack. The whole stadium celebrated our mistake, but they were scared. They assumed they’d win easily at home to San Marino, but instead they ran a big risk.

“Bosnia are very slow in their movement, which is a positive for the Azzurri. We pressed them high in Zenica and doubled up on whoever had the ball.

“They are rather predictable, and don’t have anyone particularly fast, but watch out, don’t underestimate the environmental factors.”

Bosnia did learn from that experience, because they crushed San Marino 6-0 the second time in September 2025.

“Dzeko is evergreen and still decisive at age 40, but in that second game I was really impressed by Alajbegovic, who scored his first international goal against us. He runs, dribbles, is two-footed, so Italy have to keep an eye on him.”

Italy legend Marco Tardelli believes Inter midfielder Nicolò Barella is simply tired and gives him the same advice that he received from World Cup winning coach Enzo Bearzot.

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Barella is meant to be one of the core members of the Azzurri midfield, but has been struggling for form and confidence recently, both at club and international level.

He has received support from Calcio icon Tardelli, the man whose scream of celebration was the symbol of the 1982 World Cup triumph.

Tardelli recognises Barella struggle

“You can’t always be at 100 per cent, there are seasons and moments that are more difficult,” Tardelli told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“It happened to me too. Physical and emotional fatigue, you never quite know why, but three negative months don’t change an entire career.

“You just need to have patience and remember what Bearzot told me in Argentina.”

While Bearzot was the coach who won the 1982 World Cup, he was already in charge for the 1978 tournament in Argentina, when Italy reached what was effectively the semi-final, albeit in an unusual format.

“I will never forget it, in May 1978 I was falling to bits, I couldn’t even manage the easiest things,” explained Tardelli.

“Bearzot substituted me during a friendly before the World Cup in Argentina. I was so depressed, told him I understood if he no longer had faith in me, so he should leave me out.

“Instead, he replied straight away: ‘Marco, don’t talk rubbish. If you can’t manage anything else, then pass it to your teammate.’ What he meant was, just do the simple things, don’t try to over-do it.

“It all went well, that team was perhaps better than the one that took the World Cup in 1982.”

Tardelli has more advice for Barella, a player who has often been compared to the Nazionale legend.

“If I was Inter, I’d give him a month of just pure vacation. That’s enough to recharge the batteries.”

Italy still need to get into the 2026 World Cup, via Tuesday’s play-off final with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“I am sure we’ll get there, because Bosnia are not as good as Italy,” added Tardelli.

“Even if our team isn’t that strong, I get the feeling we’ll do well. I already felt it in 1982 and in 2006, because when there is pessimism and everything seems to be going against us, that’s when we react.”

Bosnia and Herzegovina international Edin Dzeko had ‘already agreed a move to Juventus’ in 2020, said his former agent, until Roma pulled the plug.

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The striker is still going strong just days after his 40^th birthday and scored the goal that took his country to a 1-1 draw with Wales on Thursday, beating them in a penalty shoot-out to set up the World Cup play-off final with Italy.

He spent a lot of his career in Serie A, representing Roma, Inter and Fiorentina before the move to Schalke 04 in January.

However, it could’ve been very different, as confirmed by his old agent Silvano Martina.

When Dzeko nearly joined Juventus

“Dzeko had already signed with Juventus,” Martina told La Stampa newspaper, via Tuttomercatoweb.

“It was all done with Fabio Paratici, but then Roma called to say they wouldn’t let him leave, because Arek Milik had failed a medical, so there was no replacement.

“He ended up going to Inter at the end of the season for free instead. Paratici couldn’t wait any longer, so he did a deal for Alvaro Morata instead.”

Dzeko is expected to start on Tuesday in the showdown for a place at the 2026 World Cup, despite the fatigue of the draw with Wales.

“He is still playing at this age because he is an incredible professional. He always runs so much, over 10km per game. Clearly, he’s lost a bit in terms of pace, but if he gets the right service, he’ll put it into the net. He’ll be particularly fired up for this match.”

Dzeko made 279 appearances in Serie A, scoring 107 goals and providing 50 assists.

He was Serie A Capocannoniere in 2017 with 29 goals, winning two Coppa Italia trophies and two editions of the Supercoppa Italiana, all with Inter.

Tottenham have officially confirmed that head coach Igor Tudor has left the club by mutual agreement, ending a disastrous 44-day tenure that has pushed the North London giants to the brink of relegation.

The announcement, made on Sunday evening, also confirmed the departures of goalkeeping coach Tomislav Rogic and physical coach Riccardo Ragnacci.

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Tudor’s brief reign will go down as one of the most difficult periods in the club’s modern history.

Tasked with steadying the ship after replacing Thomas Frank in February, the Croatian managed to win just one of his seven games in charge, a 3-2 Champions League victory over Atlético Madrid that was ultimately insufficient to prevent a 5-7 aggregate exit.

We can confirm that it has been mutually agreed for Head Coach Igor Tudor to leave the Club with immediate effect.

Tomislav Rogic and Riccardo Ragnacci have also left their respective roles of Goalkeeping Coach and Physical Coach.

We thank Igor, Tomislav and Riccardo for their… pic.twitter.com/I6HUdLdewL

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 29, 2026

Alex Crook: Igor Tudor leaves without a payoff

According to talkSPORT’s Chief Football Correspondent Alex Crook, the parting of ways was exceptionally clean from a financial perspective.

As per the journalist, Tudor has agreed to walk away from Tottenham without a termination payoff.

Sources close to Igor Tudor have told @talkSPORT he walks away from #THFC without a pay off.

— Alex Crook ??? (@alex_crook) March 29, 2026

The decision to waive a severance package suggests a mutual recognition that the appointment simply hadn’t worked.

Under Tudor, Spurs failed to win any of their five Premier League fixtures, picking up just a single point in a -1-1 draw against Liverpool while conceding 20 goals across all competitions.

While the results on the pitch were undeniably poor, the sudden nature of the decision has also been linked to a significant personal tragedy.

Tudor reportedly learned of the passing of his father, Mario, immediately following the humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest on March 22.

The club’s official statement noted the “bereavement that Igor has recently suffered,” sending their support to him and his family.

The loss of his father, coupled with the “toxic” atmosphere following the Forest debacle, is believed to have been a major factor in Tudor’s desire to step away during the international break.

What’s next for Tottenham?

With only seven games remaining, each game is a cup final for the club as they sit just one point above the relegation zone in 17th place.

Tottenham now face an emergency search for a new manager. Firefighter manager Sean Dyche has already revealed that there have been no talks with Spurs as yet.

Others linked with the role include former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, with the club strongly interested in him.

The post Igor Tudor may have won over Tottenham fans with final gesture appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Colombia and France delivered an exciting attacking showdown. While Los Cafeteros created plenty of chances, they failed to convert them. It was a very different story for Les Bleus, as a brace from Désiré Doué led their victory, capping off a strong international break.

After a defeat against Croatia, Colombia came into the match needing a win over France. However, Les Bleus managed to prevail with an exciting attacking display, showcasing the impressive offense led by Désiré Doué and his first brace with the national team. As a result, Los Cafeteros conclude a worrying set of friendlies that raise serious competitive doubts ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Led by Luis Díaz and James Rodríguez, the Cafeteros aimed to dominate the game through quick counters and pace. However, neither managed to shine, being overshadowed by Johan Mojica, Daniel Muñoz, and Jhon Arias. In addition, Luis Suárez raised several concerns, as he failed to adapt to the attack throughout the match. Nevertheless, the second half and a few tactical adjustments helped restore their competitiveness.

After Jhon Córdoba and Juan Fernando Quintero entered the game, Colombia gained more presence in attack, as their offensive plays became more effective and ball distribution improved. Jaminton Campaz even scored a valuable goal that reflected the improvement. However, France remained solid defensively, consolidating a narrow and compact midfield that narrow gaps through numerical superiority.

¡Campaz descuenta para Colombia! 🇨🇴 pic.twitter.com/vaqUEC3FKr

— ESPN Deportes (@ESPNDeportes) March 29, 2026

Despite fielding several substitutes, France remained the more dominant side throughout the match. Not only did they control the midfield, but they were also more efficient in attack. Taking advantage of spaces and defensive marking errors from Colombia, they made the difference, scoring three goals to close out the game. In addition, Marcus Thuram and Désiré Doué stood out collectively, making a clear impact.

Desire Doue and Marcus Thuram power France’s dominant attack

Taking advantage of their physical dominance, France managed to make the difference both offensively and defensively, maintaining numerical superiority in all areas. After a team move initiated by N’Golo Kanté, Marcus Thuram received the ball and found Rayan Cherki. After failing to kick the ball, Désiré Doué intercepted the ball and struck it first time, scoring a powerful goal past Álvaro Montero.

¡Llegó el gol de Francia! 💥

Doué remató al arco y con un rebote el balón terminó en las redes. ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/F3qfIcQ4iS

— ESPN Deportes (@ESPNDeportes) March 29, 2026

After a powerful counterattack led by Pierre Kalulu, he found Maghnes Akliouche alone on the right flank, playing him the ball. From there, the Frenchman delivered a precise cross, finding Marcus Thuram, who beat Davinson Sánchez and Juan David Cabal in the air, heading home to score the second goal and beat Álvaro Montero once again.

¡Thuram de cabeza pone el 2-0 sobre Colombia! 💥 pic.twitter.com/33TxrrHLwJ

— ESPN Deportes (@ESPNDeportes) March 29, 2026

While Colombia improved in the second half, they continued to leave significant gaps in defense. Taking advantage of this, Rayan Cherki initiated a quick counterattack, passing the ball to Marcus Thuram running down the right wing. He then played an effective pass to the left side, where Désiré Doué was unmarked. As a result, the young Frenchman was able to finish first-time and alone, securing his first brace with the national team.

¡Llegó el tercero para Francia! ⚽️⚽️⚽️

Otra vez Doué y ya es goleada sobre Colombia. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/m6qTcG8SyL

— ESPN Deportes (@ESPNDeportes) March 29, 2026

Amid the scrutiny he's received over his preparation for the 2026 World Cup, Kylian Mbappe addressed the situation by mentioning Cristiano Ronaldo.

Kylian Mbappe has become a focal point of conversation given the ongoing doubts surrounding his fitness, with Real Madrid fans growing increasingly concerned about his readiness for the 2026 World Cup. Amid the scrutiny, the French striker invoked the name of Cristiano Ronaldo to address the situation.

Currently in the United States with the France national team, Mbappe found himself at the center of reports about his knee injury, with the player himself having to push back against claims of a misdiagnosis by Real Madrid’s medical staff. With the World Cup now fewer than 80 days away, speculation has also grown among fans that Mbappe might prioritize his fitness for the tournament over his club commitments with Los Blancos.

Speaking from France’s training camp, Mbappe made his commitment to Real Madrid clear in an interview with Telefoot: “In Spain, they are a bit worried about that—that I might not play… and that I’ll head straight to the World Cup. The best way to prepare is to win everything beforehand with Madrid.“

The French star went on to address how the passionate nature of the Real Madrid fanbase can amplify concern beyond what might otherwise be warranted. “The people are very passionate. For them, Real Madrid is a religion. Everything to do with the club and with me creates a combination that makes everyone talk and speculate. Sometimes with reason, sometimes without it.”

Mbappe then invoked some of the club’s all-time greats to put his own situation in perspective: “At Real Madrid, they have criticized everyone—Cristiano Ronaldo, Di Stefano… I don’t see why I should escape that kind of criticism. You have to deal with the critics. Stay calm, focus on the work, and have the confidence to believe that you can improve the situation on the pitch.“

Even Cristiano Ronaldo faced scrutiny

Despite his recent knee injury, Mbappe remains Real Madrid’s standout performer this season in front of goal. Through 35 appearances across all competitions in the 2025-26 campaign, he leads both the La Liga and UEFA Champions League scoring charts with 38 goals and six assists.

That status was once synonymous with Cristiano Ronaldo, who shattered records at Real Madrid as a goalscorer during his peak years at the club. Yet even as the team was winning back-to-back Champions League titles, the Portuguese star was not immune to criticism from the stands.

One of the most memorable episodes came in April when Real Madrid eliminated Bayern Munich, and despite Ronaldo scoring a hat-trick, he was still met with whistles from sections of the crowd. “I don’t tell them to be quiet, never, I only ask them not to whistle because I always give my best in every game. Even if I don’t score goals, I try to work hard to help Real Madrid,” he said after a Champions League quarterfinal.

Time for Mbappe to knock Bayern Munich out

Now facing a situation not unlike the one Ronaldo navigated, Mbappe is expected to be the decisive figure if Real Madrid are to go deep in the Champions League. Los Blancos face Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals over the first two weeks of April, and the Frenchman has made clear he is confident about getting past one of the competition’s most in-form sides.

“We are still involved in the two remaining competitions, La Liga and the Champions League. We are going to play against Bayern, who I believe are the most in-form team in Europe right now. But if there is one team that can beat that kind of side, it’s Real Madrid,” he said, sending a message of confidence to the club’s supporters.

Given his poor form, Ferran Torres’ future at Barcelona remains highly uncertain. With his contract set to expire in 2027, the Spaniard has caught the attention of two major Premier League clubs as a star signing.

Ferran Torres has gone from being an undisputed player at FC Barcelona to becoming a backup to Robert Lewandowski. With a contract running until 2027, the Spaniard’s future remains highly uncertain, as he has yet to renew and the Blaugrana would be open to a transfer. In this context, the 26-year-old striker is attracting interest from two major Premier League clubs, leaving his future unclear.

After starting the 2025-26 season in top form, Ferran has hit a significant slump in his performance. Having last scored on January 31 against Elche EF, the Spaniard has now gone two months without contributing a goal. As a result, Barcelona would be open to a transfer, reports Diario Sport. Given this situation, the 26-year-old striker is attracting interest from the Premier League.

According to TEAMtalk, Ferran Torres current situation at FC Barcelona has caught the attention of Manchester United and Arsenal. While his current form is not at its best, both clubs still have him on their radar since his time at Manchester City, as he can perform both as a striker and as a winger. In addition, the Blaugranas would be open to selling him if a strong offer arrives.

Red Devils are reportedly targeting Ferran Torres as the natural replacement for Joshua Zirkzee, who is expected to leave in the summer of 2026 after lacking playing time. Given his versatility and scoring ability, the Spaniard is a priority for Manchester United, alongside Iliman Ndiaye of Everton. This contrasts with Arsenal, who consider the 26-year-old star more as an option if he becomes available at a good price.

Barcelona may extend Ferran Torres deal amid Julián Álvarez uncertainty

Throughout the season, Barcelona have reportedly made Julián Álvarez a priority to strengthen their attack. However, Atlético Madrid are looking to keep him by offering a contract renewal. As a result, the Argentine’s potential move to the Blaugrana is at risk, meaning they could opt to renew Ferran Torres and rely on their current talents if they are unable to secure a top-level reinforcement.

After his re-election as president, Joan Laporta stated that the Blaugranas are in no rush to sign a striker: “We have two great center forwards, Ferran and Lewandowski, and I’m delighted with both of them,” he said, via Mundo Deportivo. With this perspective, they remain open to renewing Ferran Torres’ contract, as they do not appear ready to spend over €100 million on a new striker.

Italy changed their schedule ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup play-off in Bosnia, but it seems as if Gennaro Gattuso is not inclined to change his starting XI.

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It kicks off at the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica on Tuesday March 31 at 19.45 UK time.

The Azzurri laboured to a 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland in Thursday’s semi-final in Bergamo, with goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean.

Italy preparing for Bosnia trip

They had been due to fly out on Monday morning, but UEFA asked them to delay that because the pitch in Zenica is so bad that they fear two teams training on it will only cause further damage.

The situation is made worse by the weather conditions, as there has been heavy rain and on Saturday even snow.

Gattuso’s men therefore remained at the Coverciano camp today and the indications from Sky Sport Italia suggest there will be no changes to the starting XI.

It means Mateo Retegui should again be preferred to Inter striker Francesco Pio Esposito, and Matteo Politano chosen ahead of Marco Palestra.

Atalanta forward Gianluca Scamacca took part in training, having missed the semi-final with a muscular issue.

Alessandro Bastoni shook off that knock to his ankle that made him a doubt for the Northern Ireland match.

The only other possible change mentioned in the media was Bryan Cristante for Manuel Locatelli, who Gattuso had criticised for sitting too deep, but here too it looks as if the same XI is being tested out.

Italy (3-5-2): Donnarumma; Mancini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Politano, Barella, Locatelli, Tonali, Dimarco; Kean, Retegui

Christian Pulisic admits he has been going through ‘a tough patch’ with both Milan and the USMNT, but ‘a ball will hit off my knee and go in, and then things will change.’

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The striker had been on stunning form in 2025, but has not found the net for the Rossoneri at all in this calendar year, adding to an international drought that has been going since 2024.

He suffered another frustrating night when the USA warmed up for their host duties at the World Cup this summer with a 5-2 home defeat at the hands of Belgium.

Pulisic recognises difficult spell

“For me it’s disappointing,” Pulisic told reporters. “I feel I can do better on one of the chances. I missed that, and then they go and they score, and it changes the game. It’s frustrating for me for sure.”

The chance was when he ballooned over the bar at 1-1, followed moments later by Belgium taking the lead 2-1.

Now the 27-year-old is trying to think positive, despite the difficulties he is encountering in front of goal both at club and international level.

“It’s been a tough patch, but I feel confident in the way I’m playing,” he insisted.

“I feel good and I’m creating chances. So I just have to stay positive and keep going. But yeah, I have to be more clinical in those moments.”

Pulisic hopes that the old adage about goals being like a bottle of ketchup, once the blockage is over and the flow starts, it doesn’t stop, will be true in his case.

All he needs is that little bit of luck that every striker requires at a certain point in their careers.

“I know a ball will hit off my knee and go in, and then things will change. So I’m not going to panic – better now than the summer. Things are going to change.”

He has nonetheless got 10 goals and three assists in 27 official matches for Milan this season, but they all came before New Year’s Day.

Pulisic hasn’t found the net in Serie A since the 3-0 victory over Hellas Verona on December 28.

Carlos Augusto is pushing for more playing time, so could reportedly leave Inter for another Serie A adventure with Roma or Juventus.

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The 27-year-old is a Joker in the pack for Cristian Chivu, able to play in a variety of roles in a back three or on the left wing.

His current contract runs to June 2028 and he was purchased from Monza in 2024 for €13.25m.

Carlos Augusto appreciated within Serie A

So far this season, Carlos Augusto has amassed 37 competitive appearances, with two goals and two assists, but only 20 of them were in the starting XI.

According to the Corriere dello Sport, the Brazilian is frustrated at the lack of playing time and would be open to a situation with greater consistency.

Juventus had already been mentioned in recent weeks, but Roma are emerging as very strong contenders for his signature.

This is because Gian Piero Gasperini’s style of football would be suited to his talents, and they are likely to lose Zeki Celik as a free agent at the end of the season, sending Kostas Tsimikas back to Liverpool too.

Inter are seeking a player they can include in an exchange to lower the cost of their bid for midfielder Manu Koné, so along with Davide Frattesi, Carlos Augusto could also be involved in that deal.

However, the Corriere dello Sport insists this would be a separate agreement, with Inter requesting €20m for the Brazilian.

Arsenal duo Piero Hincapie and Martin Zubimendi have withdrawn from their respective national squads due to injury, leaving Mikel Arteta with a selection headache. The Gunners have now had 10 players return to north London to receive medical treatment or assessment. Hincapie left Ecuador’s squad on Sunday, having played 72 minutes of their 1-1 draw […]

The post Arsenal injury worries compounded with Hincapie, Zubimendi withdrawals appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Arsenal injury worries compounded with Hincapie, Zubimendi withdrawals appeared first on Soccer News.

Although Cristiano Ronaldo’s inclusion on Portugal’s roster has drawn heavy criticism, his absence against Mexico was keenly felt. In light of this, José Mourinho has taken a subtle swipe at the national team, defending the veteran’s place in the starting lineup.

After securing their spot in the 2026 World Cup, Portugal scheduled a pair of friendly matches to maintain their form. However, they couldn’t rely on Cristiano Ronaldo, who is still dealing with physical issues. Consequently, they failed to defeat Mexico, prompting José Mourinho to deliver a strong critique of the national team’s performances, highlighting their dependence on the veteran striker.

“Take Cristiano Ronaldo out of the picture and Portugal look like any run-of-the-mill team… People keep asking us not to call him up. Well, he didn’t play today and you saw the result. No threat, no fear from the opposition. Just a team being put under pressure by Mexico… When Ronaldo is on the pitch, the opposition think twice. Without him, they don’t think at all,” José Mourinho said, as per TUDN Mexico.

Despite being 41 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the essential piece of the national team, standing as the top scorer in the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers. However, his absence against Mexico national team exposed a harsh reality: They do not have a promising goalscorer to replace the veteran, as Gonçalo Ramos and Paulinho have yet to truly shine.

Far from being a criticism of Cristiano, José Mourinho has consistently defended the veteran against fans calling for him to be dropped following the strong result against Armenia. Gonçalo Ramos has yet to take off in his career, as he remains a regular substitute at Paris Saint-Germain and with Portugal, without making a real scoring impact, but coach Roberto Martínez continues to call him up as a backup.

Joao Félix could emerge as Portugal’s scoring solution

Despite the fact that Portugal do not have many promising center-forwards, coach Roberto Martínez could still have a solution to their scoring struggles when Cristiano Ronaldo is absent. Amid the poor form of Gonçalo Ramos and Paulinho, João Félix could emerge as a strong alternative, but within a specific setup that could even boost Francisco Conceição and Rafael Leão.

Switching to a ‘false 9’ formation could position João Félix as the solution, given his impressive scoring form and peak performance with Al Nassr. This change would allow coach Martínez to grant more freedom to Leão and Conceição, enabling them to leverage their dribbling skills and pace to make a difference. With Cristiano Ronaldo now 41 years old, these adjustments may soon become a need for Portugal.

Cristiano Ronaldo may not retire after 2026 World Cup

With a contract with Al Nassr running through 2027, Cristiano Ronaldo may not retire from professional soccer after the 2026 World Cup. With this, he could extend his time with Portugal for a few more matches, in which he will undoubtedly play a pivotal role. The veteran could be instrumental in the transition up front, helping Joao Félix or even Gonçalo Ramos lead the way into a new era.

Former Italy players Antonio Di Natale and Alberico Evani both encourage Gennaro Gattuso to start Francesco Pio Esposito in the World Cup play-off with Bosnia.

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It kicks off at the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica on Tuesday March 31 at 19.45 UK time.

Pio Esposito pushing for Italy start

There are likely to be changes from the side that beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in the semi-final, the main one perhaps seeing Esposito preferred to Mateo Retegui.

“I would always put Pio Esposito in the starting XI,” former Udinese and Italy striker Di Natale told reporters at an event in Rome.

“The important thing is that Italy go back to the World Cup.”

The 20-year-old has flourished in the Inter senior squad this season with nine goals and six assists in 40 competitive games.

His Italy record is also impressive, finding the net three times in just six senior caps after being a stalwart for the Under-21 team.

“You can tell his potential and despite being very young, he is playing regularly for an important club like Inter without suffering from the pressure,” added Evani in Tuttosport and Tuttomercatoweb.

“He can become a player of the highest level.”

Italy faltered in the World Cup play-offs for 2018 and 2022, so Evani notes the biggest problem for coach Gattuso.

“The first opponent is time, because you just don’t have any. The players arrived on Sunday at the camp after club duty, so on Monday didn’t do any real training, and then had to play on Thursday.

“All you can do in that time is choose the players most suited to your ideas, but it’s not easy to unite results and entertainment. Talent makes the difference in those situations.”

Reports are growing that Milan and Paris Saint-Germain are interested in Marcus Rashford if Barcelona don’t buy him outright from Manchester United.

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The 28-year-old is under contract with Manchester United until June 2028, but is on loan at Barcelona until the end of the season with a purchase option worth €30m.

He has revitalised his career with 10 goals and 13 assists in 39 competitive appearances for the Blaugrana, but that does not necessarily mean the club will make it a permanent move.

Rashford at a career crossroads

There are other alternatives if that doesn’t happen, as Mundo Deportivo in Spain and Caught Offside in England both point towards Milan and PSG.

The Rossoneri already have quite a few England internationals in their squad, such as Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Fikayo Tomori.

They are also looking for a new striker, as Santiago Gimenez has disappointed, while Niclas Fullkrug probably won’t be purchased outright after his loan from West Ham United.

It is also not the first time that Rashford has been linked with a potential Serie A move to Milan.

There are concerns that Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo could be out for another month, as his injury is more serious than previously thought.

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The right-back has been out of action since suffering a knee injury on January 31 and was expected to return after the break for international duty.

Di Lorenzo missed by Napoli

However, Cronache di Napoli and Tuttomercatoweb both suggest that the recovery process is taking longer than previously believed.

He could be out of action until the end of April, forcing him to miss much of the remaining season with a Scudetto race in full swing.

Di Lorenzo has made 32 competitive appearances so far this term, contributing one goal and three assists for Antonio Conte’s side.

This isn’t the only concern for Napoli, who are also facing the rebellion of Romelu Lukaku, who is refusing to return from Belgium early after withdrawing from international duty.

Multiple reports suggest that if he is not back in Naples by Tuesday morning, the club will freeze him out as punishment.

Former Juventus coach Igor Tudor has officially left Tottenham Hotspur after just seven games in charge, meaning he has been dropped by two clubs in one season.

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The decision had been expected following one draw and four defeats in the Premier League, but was delayed by a week so that he could mourn the sudden death of his father.

Tottenham sack ex-Juventus boss Tudor

A formal statement on the Tottenham website confirms this was “mutually agreed” for him to leave, taking goalkeeping coach Tomislav Rogic and Physical Coach Riccardo Ragnacci with him.

He had only taken the job on February 14, overseeing one 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid, one draw and five losses in all competition.

Tudor had also been sacked by Juventus on October 27, the natural conclusion to a run of five draws and three consecutive defeats in all competition.

The Croatian spent most of his career in Italy, first as a player with Juventus and Siena from 1998 to 2007, then as a coach with experiences at Udinese, Verona, Lazio and Juve.

We can confirm that it has been mutually agreed for Head Coach Igor Tudor to leave the Club with immediate effect.

Tomislav Rogic and Riccardo Ragnacci have also left their respective roles of Goalkeeping Coach and Physical Coach.

We thank Igor, Tomislav and Riccardo for their… pic.twitter.com/I6HUdLdewL

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 29, 2026

According to multiple reports, Adam Wharton will be looking to move on from Crystal Palace this summer, and a number of clubs are said to be watching the situation closely. Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool are the three mentioned most frequently in that aspect, but the Premier League trio of giants now faces the […]

The post Real Madrid to enter Adam Wharton race? appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Real Madrid to enter Adam Wharton race? appeared first on Soccer News.

According to multiple reports, Adam Wharton will be looking to move on from Crystal Palace this summer, and a number of clubs are said to be watching the situation closely. Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool are the three mentioned most frequently in that aspect, but the Premier League trio of giants now faces the […]

The post Real Madrid to enter Adam Wharton race? appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Real Madrid to enter Adam Wharton race? appeared first on Soccer News.

There are farewells in football that feel inevitable, and then there are those that feel seismic. Mohamed Salah’s announcement that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the 2025–26 season belongs firmly in the latter category. After nine years at Anfield, Salah is not just departing a football club; he is closing a chapter […]

The post The End of the Egyptian King Era: Why Liverpool Must Learn to Move On From Mohamed Salah appeared first on Soccer News.

The post The End of the Egyptian King Era: Why Liverpool Must Learn to Move On From Mohamed Salah appeared first on Soccer News.

According to multiple reports, Adam Wharton will be looking to move on from Crystal Palace this summer, and a number of clubs are said to be watching the situation closely. Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool are the three mentioned most frequently in that aspect, but the Premier League trio of giants now faces the […]

The post Real Madrid to enter Adam Wharton race? appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Real Madrid to enter Adam Wharton race? appeared first on Soccer News.

Colombia and France face off in their final friendly match of this doubleheader of international friendlies. While the Cafeteros are coming off a painful defeat, the Blues are in top form. As a result, the game is shaping up to be a close contest. Here are the predicted lineups for both sides.

Looking to be in top form for the 2026 World Cup, Colombia and France face off in their final match of doubleheader of international friendlies at FedEx Field. However, the two teams are in very different form. While the Cafeteros are coming off a loss and need a win to dispel any doubts, the Blues are riding an eight-game unbeaten streak and are in top form.

Colombia have established as one of the most solid national teams in CONMEBOL. However, they do not arrive in their best form, as they are coming off a loss to Croatia. In addition, the Cafeteros have struggled to be clinical in attack, facing serious issues converting their chances, despite the good form of Luis Suárez and Luis Díaz in European leagues.

Far from their problems ending there, the Cafeteros’ main figure, James Rodríguez, arrives lacking match sharpness after several months without a club and having only recently joined MLS. As a result, the team’s creative output takes a significant hit, which they will look to overcome by defeating France—something they achieved in their last meeting in 2018.

France enter the match as the clear favorite to defeat Colombia. Having racked up eight consecutive wins, they have managed to remain one of the most dominant teams in the world. Furthermore, Les Bleus boast impressive depth on the bench, meaning they don’t rely solely on Kylian Mbappé or Ousmane Dembélé; instead, they can adjust their play as they see fit and give their stars a rest.

Colombia confirmed lineup vs France

While Colombia are coming off a loss, they have managed to enter today’s match without any serious injuries. Given this, coach Nestor Lorenzo is sticking with a similar lineup, centered around James Rodríguez and Luis Díaz. Additionally, they might look to start Luis Suárez again, hoping he’ll showcase his top-tier talent. Along with this, Álvaro Montero could see some playing time as the goalkeeper, giving Camilo Vargas a rest.

The Cafeteros lineup as follows: Álvaro Montero; Daniel Muñoz, Davinson Sanchez, Juan David Cabal, Johan Mojica; Jefferson Lerma, Richard Rios; Jhon Arias, James Rodríguez, Luis Diaz; Luis Suárez.

France confirmed lineup vs Colombia

After impressing against Brazil, France is making drastic changes to their lineup, leaving Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé on the bench. With this, coach Didier Deschamps gives to Marcus Thuram and Maghnes Akliouche. In addition, the presence of Adrien Rabiot is in doubt, as a knock kept him out of the last training session. Because of this, Warren Zaire-Emery is jumping to the starting lineup.

Les Bleus’ lineup to face Colombia is the following: Brice Samba; Pierre Kalulu, Maxence Lacroix, Lucas Hernandez, Lucas Digne; N’Golo Kanté, Warren Zaire-Emery, Maghnes Akliouche; Rayan Cherki, Marcus Thuram, Desire Doue.

Colombia will face France in a 2026 international friendly. Here’s all the key information you need, including kickoff time and how to watch the match on TV or through streaming platforms in the United States.

Match Overview

Fresh off a statement 2-1 victory over Brazil, World Cup runner-up France heads into its next international friendly riding serious momentum, with superstar Kylian Mbappe continuing to lead a squad that looks firmly in championship form.

Standing in their way is Colombia, eager to bounce back after a 2-1 loss to Croatia, as Luis Diaz and company search for a response against one of the toughest opponents on the global stage. With both teams bringing elite talent and something to prove, this friendly promises to be a must-watch showdown.

Former Bologna player Dan Ndoye is open to leaving Nottingham Forest for a return to Serie A for Inter or Napoli. ‘We’ll see what happens at the end of the season.’

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The Swiss international had made his mark with Bologna from 2023 to 2025, earning a €42m plus bonuses move to Nottingham Forest.

However, it didn’t quite go as planned, because although he has 34 competitive appearances for them this term, contributing two goals and two assists, his last Premier League start was in December.

Ndoye wants more playing time

“I am not getting many minutes at club level, but I proved for Switzerland that I have some quality,” Ndoye told RTS during international duty.

“When I get the opportunity to play, I always give my all.”

He also spoke to Sport Mediaset after scoring for Switzerland in a friendly against Germany, and was asked about the reported interest from Inter and Napoli.

“Right now I am focused only on Switzerland and Nottingham Forest, we’ll see what happens at the end of the season, because we don’t know what will happen in future.

“I made a choice to go to England, I’m pretty happy there, but we’ll see at the end of the season.”

If Italy get through the play-offs against Bosnia and Herzegovina, they will face Switzerland in the World Cup group stage.

“I have friends in the Italy side, like Calafiori and Cambiaghi. They are a great team, I watched the match against Northern Ireland.

“I have no preferences between Italy and Bosnia, but seeing Italy at the World Cup is always a positive,” concluded Ndoye.

Manuel Locatelli has become the target of criticism from some Juventus supporters on social media after going for dinner with a number of Inter first-team stars while away in camp with the Italy national team. 

Some Juventus fans angered by Locatelli dinner with Inter and Italy teammates

Italy beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in their World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland on Thursday evening, and will now be tasked with an away match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday night as they look to secure a place at the final 2026 tournament. 

The Azzurri players were given a night off on Friday, the day after the Northern Ireland victory, and a number of Gennaro Gattuso’s players were photographed having dinner together at the Ristorante Tullio near to Italy’s Coverciano training base in Florence. 

There were a core of Inter players in attendance: Pio Esposito, Federico Dimarco, Nicolo Barella and Alessandro Bastoni were photographed, along with Juventus captain Locatelli and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who has been strongly linked with a move to join the Nerazzurri from Tottenham Hotspur this summer.

However, the fact that Locatelli decided to sit down and agree to be photographed with a number of Inter players, Juventus’s fiercest rivals, has angered a number of Bianconeri supporters on social media. 

Tensions between the two clubs have been particularly intense over the last two months following the fiery Derby d’Italia between the two sides in February, when Alessandro Bastoni escaped punishment for diving, and instead passionately celebrated the incorrect decision to send off Juve’s Pierre Kalulu. 

One supporter on X wrote: “Today’s Juventus perfectly represented by its captain. After tough seasons, he was regaining his place in the hearts of the fans. Then, you see him in a photo with ‘those’ guys who took you for a ride just one month ago.” 

“What sort of a captain,” one supporter questioned. Another wrote: “And this is the captain of Juventus FC. Get out of here you piece of human s***.”

Another Juventus supporter labelled Locatelli’s association with the Inter players as a “crime of friendship.”

Unsurprisingly, some Inter supporters have taken the opportunity to goad some of their rival supporters, with comments such as “the worst player in the world surrounded by the strongest,” or, more kindly “Welcome to Inter 2026-27, Locatelli.” 

Not all Juventus supporters agree on the Locatelli photo, though. Some feel that the suggestion that their captain is some sort of ‘traitor’ because he went for dinner with some of his international teammates is ridiculous. 

“You know that supporters like you are the reason why we haven’t won anything for years,” one fan replied to one of the aforementioned posts.

“It’s difficult to find a stupider post than this one, but there you have it. Another example of how part of the Juventus fanbase has sunk even lower in these recent years without victories,” another added. 

“Next time they’re in camp, he’ll only talk to Cambiaso and Gatti to improve the vibe in the dressing room. Poor Kean, though, he’ll end up talking to the walls given that he doesn’t have any teammates from Fiorentina,” an Inter fan jokingly suggested.

If Inter do sell Alessandro Bastoni to Barcelona, then their primary target to replace him is reportedly Arsenal and Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori, with a price-tag mentioned.

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Multiple sources in Spain and Italy have confirmed that Bastoni is the first choice for Barcelona to reinforce their defence over the summer, and it will require circa €80m to prise him away from San Siro.

It could include a player in part-exchange, making it more likely to go through.

Calafiori candidate for Inter defence

Inter are therefore forced to consider replacing the core of their back three, and L’Interista maintain the ideal option is Calafiori.

He turns 24 in May and is an Italy international just like Bastoni, who similarly holds a hybrid role between centre-back and left-back.

Arsenal paid €43.7m plus up to €5m in bonuses to sign Calafiori from Bologna in the summer of 2024, but injury problems and strong competition has seen him make only 29 competitive appearances this season, with just 22 from the start.

According to this report, Arsenal would be prepared to sell the Italian for €50m, so still making a small profit.

Inter would also encourage Calafiori to play in the role he feels most comfortable in rather than as a pure left-back.

This is a very ambitious idea for the Nerazzurri, who generally try to keep costs low, but Bastoni’s sale would generate a huge profit.

Lorenzo Pellegrini will be a free agent from June 30, but there are reports he could agree a new Roma deal with a massive pay cut.

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The midfielder turns 30 in June, just a couple of weeks before his contract is due to expire and he’ll be free to choose his next destination.

Pellegrini spent a lifetime at Roma

It would be a wrench for him to leave the Stadio Olimpico, as he spent practically his entire career in the Giallorossi jersey, from their youth academy to wearing the captain’s armband, save for a spell at Sassuolo from 2015 to 2017.

Despite not initially being part of new coach Gian Piero Gasperini’s plans, Pellegrini managed to make 31 competitive appearances this season, scoring six goals with four assists.

According to Retesport, Pellegrini has not lost hope of a new contract with Roma, although it would require a significant cut from his current salary of €4.5m per season plus €2m in bonuses.

If he was to stay, then those wages would be cut down to at most €2.5m per season.

The player does have other alternatives, as Juventus and Inter have both been linked with a swoop for the free agent.

Lazio President Claudio Lotito has reportedly frozen all decisions on new contracts and the future of coach Maurizio Sarri until June.

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The next couple of months will decide what the budget and plans will be for the Biancocelesti, as their best hope for qualifying for a UEFA competition is via the Coppa Italia.

The first leg of the semi-final against Atalanta ended 2-2, while they are on impressive Serie A form to climb back up the table with three consecutive victories.

Lazio tension behind the scenes

However, the problems remain off the field, where Sarri never misses an opportunity to warn he only remained for the fans after being surprised with a transfer embargo in the summer.

According to the Corriere dello Sport, Lotito is pulling the purse strings tight again, refusing to even discuss new contracts with the players whose deals expire in June 2027.

That includes Alessio Romagnoli, Mario Gila, Matteo Cancellieri, Danilo Cataldi, Luca Pellegrini, Manuel Lazzari, Ivan Provedel, Patric and Samuel Gigot.

There are also three who will be free agents this summer, and of those only Toma Basic has a chance of potentially agreeing an extension.

Pedro and Elseid Hysaj are all set to leave.

Meanwhile, the fans had suspended their protest for the showdown with Milan, with coach Sarri and the players assuring they played a big part in that 1-0 win.

It was only a one-off, because the boycott of the Stadio Olimpico will resume for the next Serie A home fixture with Parma on Saturday April 4.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, only 1,000 tickets have been sold and not many more are expected in the stadium.

Federico Gatti says that Italy have to block out distractions, keep the talking to a minimum and focus on themselves heading into Tuesday evening’s crucial World Cup play-off final away against Bosnia and Herzegovina: ‘We will play for the nation’. 

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Italy are two days away from their decisive World Cup play-off final away against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will determine whether the national team qualifies for the final tournament or misses out for the third cycle in a row. 

The Azzurri have not qualified for the World Cup since 2014 and have not played in a knock-out game at the tournament since beating France in the final to win the whole thing back in 2006. 

Gennaro Gattuso’s side finished second in their qualifying group behind Norway, which condemned them to the play-offs for the third time in a row. They have since beaten Northern Ireland 2-0 in Bergamo, while Bosnia beat Wales on penalties to set up Tuesday’s play-off final tie. 

“The most important thing was to win and to get through to the final. Now we’ll give everything in this match, on the pitch or off it, we’re preparing as best as we can,” said Gatti in an interview with Rai Sport ahead of Tuesday’s play-off decider (via TMW). 

Gatti on Italy pressure, Bosnia hostility and Dzeko challenge

Italy got the job done with second half goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean against Northern Ireland, but the first half did not make for particularly comfortable viewing for Azzurri supporters. Many have suggested that the ‘ghosts’ of their previous play-off semi-final defeat against North Macedonia in 2022 was starting to creep into some of the players’ minds. 

“I didn’t experience them personally, but there was and still is a certain atmosphere, the weight of a country on your shoulders,” Gatti said. “But we also need some lightness. We play a lot, but we have to approach this as best as possible without wasting too much energy in the days before.

“Now we’ve got a fundamental match coming up and we need to find all the possible energy to put into it. I’m sure that there will be that spirit of wanting to die for our teammates, and with that, we’ll always get results. 

“Things will speak for themselves on the pitch, it will be a very tough game. I’ve never played in Bosnia before, but they tell me that the pitch is small, the fans are intense, it will be a real man’s challenge.” 

Gatti believes that the Italy team is in the right hands with Gennaro Gattuso in charge: “The coach has brought sparkle and energy. The results help to bring the group together. It has to be a journey.” 

Gatti is well aware that Italy will be met by a hostile atmosphere when they travel to Zenica: “Yes, but we have to focus on ourselves,” he said. 

“I don’t like to talk before games, nowadays everyone is able to judge for themselves. This is a match that could change our future. We have to look at it from that perspective and that’s it. Let’s leave the talking to others.” 

And on the conditions that awaits the Italy players in Bosnia, he said:  “I’ve played on worse pitches. I don’t know what the conditions will be like, but we have to be ready for anything. The match is so important and what will be will be, but we have to give it 110%.” 

Lastly, Gatti was asked about the prospect of a challenge with the legendary Edin Dzeko on Tuesday night. 

“I played against him at Juventus in his first year at Inter,” he said. “He’s a very strong striker, his career speaks for itself. We will look for the energy we need to bring home a result that could change all of our futures, and we will play for the nation.” 

It’s considered likely that Cole Palmer could look for a transfer out of Chelsea this summer amid links with Manchester United.

That’s the view of journalist Julien Laurens, speaking on Sky Sports, as he and others discussed the transfer strategy at Stamford Bridge.

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It seems like Palmer and others have been signed by Chelsea with the primary focus being on making a profit.

This could mean the Blues would listen to offers for the England international, though Laurens can’t see anyone paying as much as £150m for him, as has been suggested would be his asking price…

''It's likely that he'd want to leave Chelsea for sure''

The Sunday Supplement assess Chelsea's project and its potential impact on Cole Palmer's future at the club ? pic.twitter.com/JBlxxb1K3q

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 29, 2026

“It’s likely that he’d want to leave Chelsea, for sure,” Laurens said.

“I think the project worked for him when he arrived, in terms of having that game time in the Premier League … but now the Chelsea project is not really going in the right direction.”

Could Cole Palmer leave Chelsea for a transfer to Manchester United?

Palmer started his career at Manchester City and it may be that he’s keen to move back up north at some point.

The Sun have reported again that the 23-year-old is unsettled at CFC, linking him mainly with Man United, as well as other big names in Europe such as Real Madrid.

Still, there’s no doubt Palmer has gone off the boil a little in recent months, and one imagines there won’t be too many teams out there who’d pay crazy money for him.

Given that Palmer has a Chelsea contract until 2033, there’s no pressure on them to accept offers they’re not happy with, so that could make it tricky for him even if he does want to leave.

Chelsea facing important summer

Chelsea’s project doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, and it perhaps makes sense that we’re seeing reports of players wanting out.

As well as speculation about Palmer, there’s also growing talk of Enzo Fernandez possibly pushing for an exit, as reported by Simon Phillips and others.

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It’s surely vital for Chelsea to keep players like Palmer and Fernandez, who have mostly performed very well since joining the club.

Most of their other signings in the BlueCo era have not been as successful, so this project surely cannot go anywhere if those two end up moving on.

The post It’s “likely” this Man United transfer target would want to leave current club, says journalist appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Roma are increasingly concerned that the injury Wesley sustained on international duty with Brazil could be serious, while Zeki Celik’s condition is more reassuring.

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The Giallorossi were already struggling with an injury crisis going into the break for international duty, but with a huge game against leaders Inter coming up, the situation has deteriorated further.

Roma crisis intensifies with Wesley blow

Wesley had started in Brazil’s friendly defeat to France, but was sent home early with a muscular injury in his right thigh.

More tests are required for a clearer picture, but the Corriere dello Sport warns the wing-back will certainly miss the Inter clash, and could be out for a while longer too.

There are reports of a lesion to the thigh muscle, which would mean several weeks on the treatment table.

It’d be particularly poor timing, because Wesley risks missing Roma’s big matches against Atalanta and Bologna, which could be decisive for Champions League qualification.

Meanwhile, Celik pulled out of Turkiye’s match against Romania, but tests showed no lesions, so he is already back in training ahead of the World Cup play-off final with Kosovo.

Transfer pundit Fabrizio Romano reassures that Scott McTominay is totally focused on Napoli, despite rumours he was talking to Saudi Pro League clubs.

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The midfielder has already become a legend since joining the club in the summer of 2024 from Manchester United, winning the Serie A title and Supercoppa Italiana.

He has continued that extraordinary form this season, scoring 11 goals and providing four assists in 36 competitive games.

Napoli only priority for McTominay

McTominay’s current contract runs to June 2028, so there were rumours circulating of interest from Premier League sides, including a potential return to Manchester United, as well as the Saudi Pro League.

However, transfer pundit Romano points out there are no discussions currently taking place with the Saudi teams, and his “focus remains on Napoli.”

The Scotland international turned 29 in December and is preparing for the World Cup this summer in Canada, Mexico and the USA.

In a concerning update for Milan, France national team head coach Didier Deschamps has confirmed that Adrien Rabiot will not feature against Colombia on Sunday evening after missing training with a knee issue. 

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Rabiot to miss France friendly with knock to knee

Rabiot was named as a starter for France’s 2-1 victory over Brazil in an international friendly on Thursday evening, but will not feature when Les Bleues take on Colombia at 20.00 BST on Sunday. 

Deschamps has confirmed that Rabiot has suffered a knock to his knee in training and that he was not involved in his national side’s final session ahead of the Colombia friendly on Sunday evening. 

“As a precaution, Rabiot didn’t participate in training because he suffered a blow to his knee,” Deschamps confirmed. 

According to Calciomercato.com, Rabiot’s absence from the France squad is on precautionary grounds, however, this was also the case when he came back from international duty with a calf problem in October. 

Rabot started and scored in France’s first game of the international break in October, but then missed the second on precautionary grounds due to a problem with his calf. However, once he returned to Milan, he then went on to miss five league fixtures as a result of the calf issue. 

It remains to be seen whether the 30-year-old will be forced to miss any action at club level as a result of the latest knock to his knee.

1982 World Cup winner and former CT Dino Zoff is one of the latest stars to condemn the viral video clip that showed a handful of Italy players celebrating Bosnia and Herzegovina’s penalty shoot-out victory against Wales in their World Cup play-off semi-final, but says that he is ‘optimistic’ that the Azzurri will still qualify for the final tournament. 

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Italy beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in Bergamo in Thursday’s World Cup play-off semi-final, while Bosnia defeated Wales after a penalty shoot-out in Cardiff just over half an hour later. 

As Italy got the job done in regular time, the players were already back inside and watching along on screens as Kerim Alajbegovic converted the winning spot kick at the Cardiff City stadium. 

Footage of the Italy players’ reactions, focusing on Federico Dimarco, Guglielmo Vicario and Pio Esposito, were shown on Rai’s live TV broadcast in Italy and the clip has since been shared thousands of times on social media. 

Dimarco and Vicario were seen pumping their fists and patting each other on the backs as Bosnia eliminated Wales, and while their exact motivation remains unclear, there were accusations of ‘disrespect’ and ‘arrogance’ and concerns that the footage has only served as an additional bit of motivation for the Bosnia squad heading into Tuesday’s play-off final. 

Dimarco has since come out in a press conference and has insisted that he meant no disrespect by his actions, and claimed that he and his teammates can’t be arrogant given that Italy haven’t qualified for the World Cup for 12 years. 

• Read more: Dimarco unwise to celebrate, but televising incident only harms Italy

Zoff on Italy’s celebration video and chances of qualifying for the World Cup

“I’m optimistic: Italy will get to the World Cup,” said legendary former Italy and Juventus goalkeeper Zoff in an interview with Il Giornale. “It was important to win against Northern Ireland. Two goals were enough, even if they didn’t shine.” 

Zoff was asked for his opinions on the now infamous clip of Dimarco and Vicario celebrating Bosnia’s penalty shoot-out victory. 

He said: “It’s an attitude that I didn’t like. It wasn’t a positive given that it will fire up the opponents even more ahead of the challenge against us. I would have behaved differently.” 

Zoff went on to express his excitement at the qualities that Inter forward Pio Esposito has to offer. 

“I like him a lot. He has great potential and could play for the national team for many years. He’s impressed me a lot, not only from a technical point of view, but from every angle. Pio’s a strong player and his behaviour on the pitch is already very mature as well, despite his age.”

But, there is another striker that Zoff thinks will score the goal that takes Italy to the World Cup. 

“I’d say Kean. I thought he did very well against Northern Ireland and scored a very good goal.”

There has been yet another Arsenal player withdrawing from international duty as Piero Hincapie joins Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and Noni Madueke as fitness concerns for the Gunners.

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Mikel Arteta’s side have been plagued with injuries for much of the season, with big names like Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz missing large chunks of the campaign.

Meanwhile, other key players like Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori have had spells out, while Eberechi Eze missed the Carabao Cup final through injury and might not be returning that soon.

According to James Benge, Hincapie now has an unspecified issue after “medical tests” and has left the Ecuador squad…

Following medical tests, Piero Hincapie has withdrawn from the Ecuador squad ahead of their friendly against the Netherlands.

— James Benge (@jamesbenge) March 29, 2026

Arsenal fans will hope this isn’t too serious and that both clubs and national teams are just being careful at this late stage of the season, with so many big games coming up between now and May, while there’s then also the World Cup in the summer.

Arsenal injuries – what we know so far

Arsenal can’t afford to lose so many players at once as they look to keep their lead at the top of the Premier League table, and it certainly seems far from ideal that Madueke had to go off in England’s game against Uruguay.

According to the Evening Standard, the injury to Madueke looks like a more serious concern than the likes of Rice and Saka.

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Their report suggests that Rice and Saka withdrawing from England duty was more of a precaution, with the pair expected back for either the upcoming FA Cup tie against Southampton, or the Champions League quarter-final clash with Sporting Lisbon a few days afterwards.

There is similar optimism on William Saliba, who withdrew from the France squad, but it’s less clear how serious Gabriel’s latest setback is after he was missing from Brazil duty.

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Chelsea and Arsenal registered an interest in the transfer of Nico Paz, but he always intended to return to Real Madrid after his spell at Como, as first reported here for the Daily Briefing.

Los Blancos will activate their buy-back clause for the 21-year-old this summer, despite other top clubs also asking about his situation.

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Real Madrid now plan to build around someone they believe will be one of the game’s next big things next season after seeing off competition from the Premier League.

Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City all enquired about this superb talent, only to be told in no uncertain terms that his only intention was to return to Real Madrid.

Sources close to Real Madrid tell me that “Paz only ever wanted to come back to Real Madrid. He’s been promised a key first-team role. They believe he’s the next superstar of world football.”

Nico Paz Premier League transfer snub revealed by sources

I’m also told that Paz had interest from other big clubs, with the 21-year-old having been firmly on Chelsea’s radar for some time.

I first reported here back in September that Chelsea were expected to push for Paz, and I’m told that an enquiry was indeed made, but was unsuccessful.

Sources in the industry have since informed me that Chelsea were not alone, with Arsenal and Manchester City also looking into Paz’s situation and also being turned down by the Argentina international.

“Chelsea were really keen to sign Paz, he’s just the kind of profile they’re looking for,” my source said. “Arsenal and Man City have also watched him and been very impressed. Real Madrid have done really well to secure his future.”

What next for Nico Paz?

Paz initially looked like struggling to break into the Real Madrid team in his first spell at the Bernabeu, but the club always felt there was a big chance he could raise his game with more experience.

With time, that’s precisely what’s happened with the talented young playmaker during his time in Serie A, and the €9m buy-back clause looks like an absolute bargain for a player many in the game feel will soon be worth €100m or more.

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Paz has 17 goals in 68 games in all competitions in his two seasons with Como, drawing comparisons with Barcelona midfield gem Pedri.

It’s not been the best season for Real Madrid this term, so they’ll hope that Paz can come back and make a big impact, perhaps as an upgrade on the likes of Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler, who have not really performed consistently enough.

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Matteo Politano insists that Italy ‘deserve’ to get to the 2026 World Cup but says that he and his teammates have to prove their worth on the pitch first, and has emplored supporters to ‘stay with’ the national team and to cheer them on through their final challenge against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday night. 

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Politano previews Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Italy World Cup play-off final

Italy is the highest-ranked nation in the world not to have a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup wrapped up. They finished second behind Norway in their qualification group, which condemned them to the play-offs for the third tournament cycle in a row. 

Since then, Italy have beaten Northern Ireland 2-0 in Bergamo in order to qualify for Tuesday’s play-off final against Bosnia and Herzegovina, who beat Wales on penalties in Cardiff on Thursday night to complete the tie. This match will be played in Zenica on Tuesday evening at 19.45 BST.

“The guys are focussed, we’re happy after achieving this first goal, now we have a couple of days to recover our strength and prepare as best as we can for this battle,” said Politano in an interview with Vivo Azzurro TV (via TMW). 

Italy looked a touch nervous during their first half against Northern Ireland on Thursday evening, but the pressure seemed to lift the second that Sandro Tonali’s second-half strike hit the back of the net. 

“It was essential for us to free ourselves from the weight we had on us during that game,” the Napoli winger said. “There was fear and we saw some ghosts in the first half. But we broke the deadlock after we scored, we did it the right way.” 

He continued: “We’re doing well. We’re calm even though we’re aware of what we’re playing for. Especially for me and some of the others who are no longer young guys, it’s the last opportunity we have and we’re particularly keen to take advantage of it.” 

Tuesday’s opponents, Bosnia, have a core of Serie A-experienced players at their disposal including the likes of Edin Dzeko, Sead Kolasinac and Tariq Muharemovic. 

“It has a bit of an effect,” Politano admitted. “Someone like Dzeko is experienced but we have to focus on ourselves and our game more than on the opponent.” 

Politano was asked what he thinks Italy need to do in order to overcome Bosnia on Tuesday night. He said: “To start strong from the first minute, without being affected by the opponent or the environment. We have to think about giving our best and do our talking on the pitch.” 

The current Italy squad is led by Politano’s former Napoli head coach, Gennaro Gattuso. 

“Rino cares a lot about the group and the fact that we all have to be heading in the same direction, that everyone thinks in the same, healthy way. He’s a motivator and asks the best from everyone in training and in matches. I think he’s even more fired up than he was at Napoli.” 

And on the pressure that is on the national team’s shoulders heading into Tuesday’s play-off final, Politano said: “We’ve had it for a couple of months. We deserve to go to the World Cup, but we have to prove it on the pitch by giving 100%. I’m sure that we will succeed.” 

And when asked if he has a final message for the Italy national team supporters ahead of the crucial play-off final, Politano said: “To stay with us, we will give our best. Cheer us and push us on.” 

Sunday’s reports claim that at least seven Juventus players will be put up for sale during the upcoming summer transfer window, including three signings that were brought in at the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign. 

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Which players are expected to leave Juventus this summer?

The Bianconeri still have a long way to go in Serie A this season, sitting in fifth place, three points behind Como in the top four positions. The Old Lady have eight games remaining to secure their goal of Champions League qualification.

Juventus also have plenty of work to do behind the scenes, including arranging new contracts for head coach Luciano Spalletti and for striker Dusan Vlahovic, whose hefty €12m-per-season contract expires at the end of the 2025-26 season. 

As well as looking at potential incomings, Juventus are also hoping to sell a number of first-team players during the off-season after a somewhat underwhelming season. 

The goalkeeping department is an area that the Bianconeri will look to address this summer after a series of unconvincing performances from Michele Di Gregorio, who will almost certainly be sold if an appropriate offer comes in. As per Corriere dello Sport, the former Monza stopper is more likely to be moved on than Mattia Perin, but his long-term future in Turin is not exactly guaranteed either. 

Centre-forward is the other area of the Juventus side that is due a complete overhaul. Summer signings Jonathan David and Lois Openda have not lived up to expectations and it seems like their careers at the Allianz Arena are already over. 

The sale of David is less likely to cause an issue for the Old Lady. Recent reports claim that he has suitors back in Ligue 1, and recouping a fee for the Canada international should be less of an issue given that he arrived on a free transfer last summer. 

The situation surrounding Openda is more complicated, however, as Juventus signed him on loan with a €42m obligation to buy last summer, and finding a new buyer at those prices after a disappointing 2025-26 season will be a tough task. 

Elsewhere, full-back Joao Mario, currently on loan with Bologna, is expected to leave the club this summer. Reports from Corriere dello Sport claim that Juventus will also sell Italy international Andrea Cambiaso should an enticing offer come in. 

Filip Kostic’s contract is expiring and he will also be allowed to leave on a free transfer once the current season comes to an end. 

Lastly, Corriere dello Sport claims that Juventus will entertain offers for a third summer signing in Edon Zhegrova, who has struggled to put injury and fitness issues behind him during his first season in Serie A. Sunday’s report claims that there is interest in him in Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga.

Antonio Conte has taken a fine but has avoided any form of suspension after the controversial comments he made towards referee Gianluca Manganiello during Napoli’s Coppa Italia exit at the hands of Como in February. 

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Conte escapes suspension after calling referee a d***head

Napoli were eliminated on penalties after a 1-1 Coppa Italia quarter-final draw against Como last month in a game that saw Conte lose his head towards fourth official Giovanni Ayroldi after a series of decisions that he thought to be errors from referee Manganiello. 

The Partenopei head coach was left enraged after a foul on Rasmus Hojlund by Como centre-back Jacobo Ramon, which he felt warranted a VAR check at the very least. The Spaniard made a similar challenge again towards the end of the first half, but escaped a booking.

Conte was caught on camera calling referee Manganiello a ‘d***head’ in a heated confrontation with fourth official Ayroldi, and also claimed that the official ‘does it on purpose with me’. 

The coach’s comments led to an investigation from FIGC prosecutor Giuseppe Chinè, and according to article 36 of the sporting code of justice, Conte was at risk of a minimum four-match suspension as a result of the ‘abuse’ that he gave the officials. 

According to Corriere dello Sport, Conte was questioned in a private interrogation with the prosecutor’s office a few days after the Napoli vs. Como match took place. 

Given Conte’s co-operation with the investigation, his legal representative has been able to reach an agreement with the authorities that will see him handed a €6,000 fine instead of any matchday suspensions.

Liverpool are reportedly eyeing up a surprise potential transfer raid on rivals Everton for in-form midfielder James Garner.

The England international has performed at a high level for the Toffees this term, and now looks likely to be involved with the Three Lions at the 2026 World Cup this summer.

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It could also be that Garner will earn himself a big move, with Liverpool said to be determined to make a move for him, according to Fichajes.

It’s not often we see Liverpool and Everton doing business, so this deal would undoubtedly be hugely controversial if it were to go through.

The 25-year-old is also a former Manchester United player, and again it’s not often the case that players go on to represent them and Liverpool.

James Garner looks set for big summer transfer

Garner has three goals and six assists in all competitions this season, putting in some assured and well-rounded displays in midfield.

Stats site WhoScored has Garner as the highest rated player in the Everton squad, with an average rating of 7.23/10 for the 2025/26 season.

They also state that Garner has a lot of stand-out strengths, such as crossing, passing, tackling, and interceptions, while they also judge that he has no significant weaknesses to his game.

It makes sense that we’re now seeing Garner linked with a big move like LFC, with Arne Slot arguably in need of more quality in the middle of the park.

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Still, Everton have done well to tie Garner down to a new contract, which was recently confirmed on their official site.

Prior to that, the Daily Mail had also linked Garner with his former club Man Utd, who would also surely benefit from adding more midfielders this summer.

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Manchester United are reportedly preparing to make an offer of around €60m for the transfer of Benfica sensation Andreas Schjelderup.

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The talented 21-year-old is fast establishing himself as one of the most exciting prospects in Europe, leading to interest from the likes of Man Utd and Barcelona.

That’s according to a report from Fichajes, which adds that the Red Devils hope to move into a strong position to sign Schjelderup by moving forward with a €60m offer to Benfica.

United could do with adding a bit more spark to their attack this summer, as we’re yet to truly see the best out of Matheus Cunha since his move to Old Trafford, while even Bryan Mbeumo’s form has faded a bit as the season has gone on.

Andreas Schjelderup to Manchester United looks like one to watch

It has seemed the case for a while that we could see Schjelderup move to the Premier League, as he’s attracted interest from big clubs in England for a few years now.

O Jogo previously linked the Norway international as a target for Liverpool, while Goal also reported on him having trials with big clubs like Bayern Munich and Juventus when he was 17 years old.

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Schjelderup is now more experienced and has proven himself at the highest level, so it could be the right time for MUFC to try bringing him in to become a key player.

Capable of playing a variety of attacking roles, and possessing natural skill, flair, and intelligence to his game, it’s easy to imagine Schjelderup being a big hit with the United fans if he can go on to fulfil his enormous potential.

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In a worryingly bad omen for the Italy national team, the same referee that took charge of the infamous 2022 World Cup play-off semi-final defeat against North Macedonia will be tasked with officiating Tuesday’s play-off final against Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

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Why is the refereeing appointment for Bosnia play-off not a good sign for Italy?

Clement Turpin has been chosen as the referee for Italy’s play-off final against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which kicks off at 19.45 BST on Tuesday evening. Turpin will be joined by assistants Nicolas Dagos and Benjamin Pages and fourth official Jose Maria Sanchez from Spain. Jerom Brisard and Willy Delajod will be the Video Assistant Referees. 

Alarmingly for the Azzurri, Turpin was also chosen as the referee for the infamous 1-0 loss against North Macedonia in the 2022 World Cup play-off semi-final, which cost Roberto Mancini and his players, who were the reigning European champions at the time, a spot at the final tournament later that year. 

That game ended in heartbreak for Italy, as former Palermo striker Alesandar Trajkovski netted in the 92nd minute to prevent the Azzurri from qualifying for the World Cup for the second cycle in a row. 

Italy have not qualified for the final World Cup tournament for 12 years now, dating back to the 2014 tournament in Brazil. They have not featured in a knock-out game at the World Cup in 20 years, since beating France in the final to claim the trophy back in 2006. 

This time around, Gennaro Gattuso and his squad will have to travel to a currently frozen-over Zenica to take on Bosnia and Herzegovina for a spot at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada. 

The Nazional finished second behind Norway in their World Cup qualifying group, which condemned them to the play-offs for the third tournament cycle in a row. They have since beaten Northern Ireland by two goals to nil thanks to second-half strikes from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean in Thursday’s evening’s play-off semi-final in Bergamo. 

Bosnia, meanwhile, eliminated Wales on penalties in Cardiff in order to qualify.