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NEW: Liverpool handed major transfer boost after multiple deals go through

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By:Mark Brus

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.

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!

The post NEW: Liverpool handed major transfer boost after multiple deals go through appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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Tim Sherwood fires warning about “stubborn” Roberto De Zerbi as Spurs confident of getting deal done

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By:Mark Brus

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

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.

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Not giving up yet: Man United ready to hijack £80m Man City transfer

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By:Mark Brus

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.

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.

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From Italy: Surprise new update in Roberto De Zerbi to Tottenham saga

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By:Mark Brus

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%

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.

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Sources: “Likely…” – Chelsea & Liverpool exploring potential €75m midfielder transfer

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By:Mark Brus

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.

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Fabrizio Romano says £100m star “open” to Man United transfer in update on two top midfielders

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By:Mark Brus

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.

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…

Sandro Tonali vs Elliot Anderson stats
Sandro Tonali vs Elliot Anderson stats (DataMB)

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.

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Tottenham considering hiring attack-minded coach with glittering CV

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By:Mark Brus

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.

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.

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Xabi Alonso wants Liverpool to sign “quality” Real Madrid star as he gets closer to Reds job

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By:Mark Brus

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.

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.

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Gary Lineker names the two teams ahead of England as 2026 World Cup favourites

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By:Mark Brus

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.

“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.

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Report: Barcelona ready to offer star surprise new contract amid Juventus transfer links

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By:Mark Brus

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.

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.

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Liverpool battling Chelsea & Aston Villa for transfer of in-form Premier League star

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By:Mark Brus

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.

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.

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“Beautiful city” – Chelsea star drops major hint he’d like transfer to major European capital

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By:Mark Brus

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:

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.

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.

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It’s “likely” this Man United transfer target would want to leave current club, says journalist

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By:Mark Brus

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.

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.

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Latest Arsenal injury news as another Gunners star withdraws from international duty

✇CaughtOffside
By:Mark Brus

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.

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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Sources: Why football’s “next superstar” snubbed Chelsea & Arsenal transfer interest

✇CaughtOffside
By:Mark Brus

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.

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.

The post Sources: Why football’s “next superstar” snubbed Chelsea & Arsenal transfer interest appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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Report: Liverpool eye controversial transfer raid on Premier League rivals

✇CaughtOffside
By:Mark Brus

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.

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.

The post Report: Liverpool eye controversial transfer raid on Premier League rivals appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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Offer prepared: Man United ready to bid €60m for outstanding 21-year-old

✇CaughtOffside
By:Mark Brus

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.

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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£100m star “at the top” of Manchester United’s transfer wish-list

✇CaughtOffside
By:Mark Brus

Manchester United reportedly have Sandro Tonali at the top of their wish-list in midfield this summer, according to Matteo Moretto.

Tonali’s Newcastle future has been in some doubt recently, with a summary below of some recent transfer rumours involving the Italy international and interest from clubs such as Man United, Man City, and Arsenal…

  • 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.

Now Moretto has posted on X about Tonali being United’s preferred target for that area of their squad…

In cima alla lista dei desideri del Manchester United per rinforzare il centrocampo c’è Sandro Tonali.

Nelle prossime settimane si capirà la reale fattibilità dell’operazione.

Anche il Manchester City è molto attento alla situazione del calciatore italiano, valutato intorno… pic.twitter.com/49eCAnf2G1

— Matteo Moretto (@MatteMoretto) March 29, 2026

“At the top of Manchester United’s wishlist to bolster their midfield is Sandro Tonali. In the coming weeks, the true feasibility of the operation will become clear. Manchester City is also very attentive to the situation of the Italian footballer, valued at around 100 million,” Moretto posted.

Sandro Tonali transfer talk is being overhyped

Tonali is a fine player, but his high price tag and career phase mean he simply doesn’t look like the best option for most of the top clubs being linked with him.

See below as we’ve previously given Tonali 11/25 using our Transfer Fit rating system – read more here about how we calculate these.

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

This is a low-medium score, with Tonali just not looking like someone who makes sense as being United’s preferred midfield target.

Someone like Elliot Anderson would surely fit better, but at the same time clubs can’t always land the ideal option.

Tonali could be a decent alternative, but perhaps these stories are being slightly exaggerated at the moment as the player’s agent might be keen to get him out of Newcastle this summer.

The post £100m star “at the top” of Manchester United’s transfer wish-list appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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Sources: Transfer suitors named as Bernardo Silva tells Manchester City he’s leaving

✇CaughtOffside
By:Mark Brus

Bernardo Silva’s future has been the subject of much speculation in recent times, but I’ve been told that a decision has already been made and communicated to Manchester City.

After consulting sources close to the agents industry, the clear message I’m getting is that Silva has already formally informed Man City that he’ll be leaving the club this summer when his contract expires.

This story was first published on the Daily Briefing – click here to subscribe to make sure you get these exclusive updates first!

The Portugal international’s future has been uncertain for some time, though he’s now publicly hinted that he’s unlikely to sign a new deal, and my understanding is that this follows behind-the-scenes talks with City officials.

Silva has loved his time at City but is now looking for a new challenge, with a number of avenues being explored by his agents ahead of the summer.

Bernardo Silva transfer suitors revealed

There is not yet a clear frontrunner in the race for Silva’s signature, with the player likely to make that decision at a later date.

The 31-year-old has interest from MLS and the Saudi Pro League, but also from Europe, and it’s possible that he’ll decide he’s ready to continue playing at the top level for a little while longer.

Silva is eager for a competitive project, but he also has high salary demands, so this looks like an open race for his signature as things stand.

I haven’t had specific Saudi clubs named just yet, but LAFC are understood to be his main suitors from the MLS.

In Europe, there is some interest from Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, and Napoli, with these clubs all sounded out to gauge their interest.

Bernardo Silva exit a blow for Manchester City

Internally at City, there is some concern about the prospect of losing this experienced star, whom sources describe as “Pep Guardiola’s right-hand man on the pitch”.

The former Monaco star is a popular figure in the dressing room, bringing leadership and experience to the squad alongside other senior names like Rodri.

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However, it could now be that both Silva and Rodri will leave in the same summer, while there also remain ongoing questions over Guardiola’s future as manager.

This could potentially mean a lot of upheaval at the Etihad Stadium, with reports emerging about MCFC already working on two big-name midfielder signings to replace this star duo.

The post Sources: Transfer suitors named as Bernardo Silva tells Manchester City he’s leaving appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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Journalist claims Arsenal “interested” in experienced playmaker, decision soon

✇CaughtOffside
By:Mark Brus

Arsenal are reportedly one of the clubs interested in the potential transfer of Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder Julian Brandt.

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The 29-year-old has had a fine career in the Bundesliga with both Bayer Leverkusen and current club Dortmund, and it would be exciting to see what he could do in the Premier League.

According to journalist Ekrem Konur, Arsenal are among Brandt’s suitors for this summer, along with West Ham, Aston Villa, Roma, and Fenerbahce.

See below for details as a decision should come at the end of the season, which is not too far away now…

?? #BVB
Arsenal are interested in Julian Brandt.

? Borussia Dortmund ? decision only after season ends.

? Fenerbahçe, AS Roma, Aston Villa & West Ham ? also monitoring the player. https://t.co/bleZr6Bhvn pic.twitter.com/5SsjOkwqHQ

— Ekrem KONUR (@Ekremkonur) March 28, 2026

Brandt has ten goals and four assists in his last 38 games for Dortmund, so although there are perhaps better options out there, he’s a very decent option for clubs to consider as a free agent.

Julian Brandt to Arsenal transfer could work but shouldn’t be a priority

See below for our Brandt to Arsenal Transfer Fit score, as we took a look at his recent form, age, and cost to weigh up if he’s really right for the Gunners…

Julian Brandt TOTAL SCORE: 13/25
Transfer fee ****
Performance ***
Achievements ***
Career phase *
Squad need **

Overall, we gave Brandt a 13/25, which is pretty much smack bang in the middle MEDIUM.

There’s surely some sense in AFC looking at the German playmaker as one option to give them more depth, but even if he’d be cheap, he wouldn’t be a long-term option and there are surely better players out there.

It’s also debatable if Arsenal need more attacking options when they already have the likes of Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke all competing in that position.

There’s also up-and-coming Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman, and it would be a shame for a young player’s progress to be blocked by someone whose best years are surely behind him.

Brandt might be an interesting market opportunity, but if Arsenal are to make changes in attack it surely needs to be for someone who’s a meaningful upgrade on what they already have.

The post Journalist claims Arsenal “interested” in experienced playmaker, decision soon appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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Exclusive: Arsenal favourites to sign “future of Germany in the striker position”

✇CaughtOffside
By:Mark Brus

Arsenal are the favourites for the transfer of talented young German forward Nicolo Tresoldi, according to Christian Falk.

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The Gunners are already in talks over a move for Tresoldi and are seriously interested in bringing the highly-rated 21-year-old to the Emirates Stadium.

Falk has posted about this piece of Arsenal transfer news on X, whilst also providing CaughtOffside with further insight into the player.

Tresoldi is eligible to play for Italy and Argentina as well as Germany, but Falk has told us: “He seems to be the future of Germany in the striker position.”

? @Arsenal are currently the favorites to sign German striker Nicolò Tresoldi (21/Club Brugge). The club is seriously interested and talks are underway pic.twitter.com/xvJPkLmy4y

— Christian Falk (@cfbayern) March 29, 2026

“Arsenal are currently the favorites to sign German striker Nicolò Tresoldi (21/Club Brugge). The club is seriously interested and talks are underway,” Falk wrote on X.

This sounds promising for Arsenal as they look to add more options to their attack next season after a mixed debut campaign in England from last summer’s big signing Viktor Gyokeres.

Nicolo Tresoldi could be a fine signing for Arsenal’s future

It remains to be seen if Tresoldi is ready to go straight into Mikel Arteta’s starting line up, but he’s shown real promise in his relatively short career so far.

The youngster has 13 goals in 30 games in the Belgian top flight this term, and 17 in 47 in all competitions in total.

If Tresoldi can continue to develop, he looks like he has what it takes to be one of the top strikers in Europe, and he could already be a useful squad player for Arsenal.

Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus have struggled for fitness and form in recent times, so it might be worth offloading them and bringing in someone else to rotate with Gyokeres.

The post Exclusive: Arsenal favourites to sign “future of Germany in the striker position” appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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This manager is now firmly on course to land the Manchester United job

✇CaughtOffside
By:Mark Brus

Manchester United’s interim manager Michael Carrick is reportedly now firmly on course to be named the club’s next permanent manager.

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The Red Devils are happy with the job Carrick has done, and it’s been suggested that links with the likes of Luis Enrique and Unai Emery have been played down.

That’s according to TEAMtalk, who add that Man Utd have also had to reassess their options after Thomas Tuchel committed to a new contract with England.

All in all, this points towards Carrick being given the opportunity to take over as United manager on a permanent basis after a strong start in his interim spell.

Michael Carrick impressing at Manchester United

Carrick is not the most experienced name out there, with his only previous job coming with Championship club Middlesbrough, but his record so far speaks for itself.

The 44-year-old has a record of seven wins, two draws, and just one defeat from ten matches in charge this season, putting United firmly back into contention for Champions League qualification…

Carrick at Man Utd Wins Draws Losses Win %
2025/26 7 2 1 70%

Carrick is also highly regarded by MUFC for the work he’s done off the pitch since replacing Ruben Amorim at the start of this year.

The report from TEAMtalk states that his leadership and handling of the squad have made a real impression on the club’s hierarchy.

Other names to watch for the Man United job

A final decision probably won’t be made just yet, even if things are currently looking good for Carrick.

The report from TEAMtalk also mentions other possible candidates like Julian Nagelsmann and Mauricio Pochettino, but it’s suggested that they’re not currently being pursued that strongly.

It will be interesting to see if anyone else comes into contention, with two impressive managers set to be available this summer in the form of Oliver Glasner and Andoni Iraola.

Still, why change things when Carrick has already shown he can do the job?

The post This manager is now firmly on course to land the Manchester United job appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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“The decision is made” – Player won’t U-turn on Man United transfer decision

✇CaughtOffside
By:Mark Brus

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro insists he won’t U-turn on his decision to leave Old Trafford at the end of his contract this summer.

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The Brazil international is set to become a free agent as his current deal is due to expire, though he’s been in superb form for Man Utd lately.

Although this has led to some calls for Casemiro to change his mind and extend his stay with the Red Devils, he seems pretty clear that he’s already made his final decision.

Speaking to the Athletic, he said: “I am still enjoying it a lot (in Manchester). 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 (emotional) moments, these (final) games at Manchester United.”

Where next for Casemiro as Manchester United spell comes to an end?

Casemiro will likely have a lot of options this summer, with Inter Miami perhaps being the most strongly linked with the 34-year-old at the moment.

See below as Fabrizio Romano has posted on X about Casemiro receiving an offer from the MLS giants, though there’s also still the possibility that he moves to the Saudi Pro League or perhaps even stays in Europe…

??? Understand Inter Miami have started talks with Casemiro’s camp as first proposal has been sent!

Casemiro, open to Miami move with ambitious project + personal life.

Deal depend on financial proposal, as he received more bids from Europe/Saudi.

?? https://t.co/GpSmSjPykI pic.twitter.com/FglVvog09d

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 28, 2026

“Understand Inter Miami have started talks with Casemiro’s camp as first proposal has been sent! ” Romano said. “Casemiro, open to Miami move with ambitious project + personal life. Deal depend on financial proposal, as he received more bids from Europe/Saudi.”

Casemiro clearly still has what it takes to perform at a high level, as his recent United form shows, but at this age it’s possible that a decline could start soon, and that a move to playing in a less competitive league could be the best way to extend his playing career.

The post “The decision is made” – Player won’t U-turn on Man United transfer decision appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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Why Cole Palmer is now unhappy at Chelsea as Man United eye potential £150m transfer

✇CaughtOffside
By:Mark Brus

Chelsea star Cole Palmer is reportedly increasingly unsettled at Stamford Bridge and is on the radar of Manchester United and other top clubs.

The England international has not quite been at his best for Chelsea this season, though he still has a decent return of ten goals and three assists in the Premier League and Champions League.

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It seems Palmer is unhappy with changes made to the tactical set-up at Chelsea this term, leading to him being open to leaving the Blues, according to the Sun.

Man Utd are mentioned as one of the clubs interested in the £150m-rated playmaker, who could also be a target for Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, according to the Sun’s report.

Cole Palmer to Manchester United transfer – could it really happen?

This will certainly be an intriguing saga to watch, as it suggests Palmer is keen to make a change, though of course this doesn’t necessarily mean Chelsea will agree to let him go.

The Sun suggest Palmer would cost as much as £150m, and given that he’s tied down to a contract until 2033, CFC are in full control of his future.

Cole Palmer TOTAL SCORE: 14/25
Transfer fee –
Performance **
Achievements ****
Career phase *****
Squad need ***

How we calculate Transfer Fit rating

The west London giants don’t need to accept anything they don’t want, and it then becomes a question of clubs paying a crazy fee for Palmer.

Even if the 23-year-old can be a world class performer on his day, he is not currently performing at his best, so it’s hard to imagine United or anyone else paying quite that much for him.

The Sun also suggest that MUFC have other priorities this summer, such as a central defensive midfielder, with Casemiro set to be out of contract at the end of the season.

Cole Palmer is the face of this Chelsea project

Chelsea will surely feel they have to keep Palmer as he has been probably the biggest success story under this current ownership.

The club have focused a lot on signing elite young talents, but Palmer has been by far the best performer among a lot of flops.

Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez have also performed well, while Estevao Willian looks like a terrific prospect.

Still, Chelsea will hope Palmer can turn his form around and become the face of this project again, as he’s surely still capable of being.

The post Why Cole Palmer is now unhappy at Chelsea as Man United eye potential £150m transfer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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New contract talks on hold as Manchester City now open to surprise transfer

✇CaughtOffside
By:Mark Brus

Manchester City may now reportedly be increasingly open to selling Rodri to Real Madrid as talks over a new contract have been put on hold.

Rodri has been linked with Real Madrid by Fabrizio Romano in a recent post on his Instagram, and it seems speculation is continuing to hot up ahead of the summer.

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The Spain international himself has also refused to rule out a move to the Bernabeu, playing down talk that his past ties to Atletico Madrid could stop him playing there.

According to TEAMtalk, it now seems that both Man City and Rodri are increasingly open to going their separate ways this summer.

What Rodri said about Real Madrid transfer

“I have a year left on my contract. There will come a point when we’ll have to sit down and talk,” Rodri said, as quoted by Sky Sports.

“There are other players who’ve taken that path (between both Madrid clubs). Not directly, but over time. You can’t turn down the best clubs in the world.

“I would like to return (to La Liga) yes, of course. For me, LaLiga is where I started. I still follow it, not as much as before, but I still follow it. But right now, I am very happy here (in the Premier League).”

Manchester City’s plans to replace Rodri

The report from TEAMtalk also mentions that City are already looking at big names like Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali to replace Rodri.

Of course, the 29-year-old is not someone who will be straightforward to ever truly replace after a great career at the Etihad Stadium.

Rodri’s immense performances have seen him win four Premier League titles, the Champions League, and even the prestigious Ballon d’Or award during his time at City.

He will leave big boots to fill if he does end up leaving Manchester this summer, and there’s no doubt he’d also be a very exciting signing for Real Madrid.

The post New contract talks on hold as Manchester City now open to surprise transfer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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Club have submitted proposal to Manchester United star, says Fabrizio Romano

✇CaughtOffside
By:Mark Brus

Inter Miami have reportedly made their first proposal to Manchester United midfielder Casemiro as talks get underway over a summer transfer.

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The experienced Brazil international is set to become a free agent at the end of this season and it seems his next destination could be a move to the MLS.

That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, who has posted the following update on his X account: “Understand Inter Miami have started talks with Casemiro’s camp as first proposal has been sent! Casemiro, open to Miami move with ambitious project + personal life. Deal depend on financial proposal, as he received more bids from Europe/Saudi.”

??? Understand Inter Miami have started talks with Casemiro’s camp as first proposal has been sent!

Casemiro, open to Miami move with ambitious project + personal life.

Deal depend on financial proposal, as he received more bids from Europe/Saudi.

?? https://t.co/GpSmSjPykI pic.twitter.com/FglVvog09d

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 28, 2026

It seems Casemiro has other options to consider as well, but Inter Miami seem to be advancing with their pursuit of the 34-year-old.

Casemiro’s time at Manchester United coming to an end

Casemiro will be out of contract at Old Trafford this summer and has previously already confirmed that he’ll be leaving.

Still, the former Real Madrid man has been in fine form for Man Utd this season and a lot of fans will surely miss him after his impressive response to a previous dip in form.

Most people would probably agree that Casemiro joined United a bit too late in his career to have the kind of impact he could have had if he’d joined when he was younger and closer to his peak years.

At the same time, however, we’ve still seen glimpses of Casemiro’s best form as a reminder of why he is sure to go down as one of the top defensive midfielders of his generation.

It’s probably the right time for Casemiro to be moving on and looking for a club outside of Europe, but he won’t be easy for MUFC to replace.

The post Club have submitted proposal to Manchester United star, says Fabrizio Romano appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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“Everything” has been “agreed” for Liverpool transfer target as release clause details revealed

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By:Mark Brus

Liverpool reportedly look set to miss out on the transfer of Nico Schlotterbeck for the time being, but that may not be the end of the story.

According to Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, Borussia Dortmund have everything agreed for a new contract for Schlotterbeck until 2031.

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As reported in Plettenberg’s post on X below, this new deal would make the Germany international Dortmund’s highest earner, though it would apparently also include a new release clause active from summer 2027, which could still give Liverpool some hope of a deal in the future, even if they’re not currently in the race…

?? Borussia Dortmund have agreed everything with Nico Schlotterbeck’s management: contract until 2031, top earner status, and a release clause from 2027.

All that’s missing now is Schlotterbeck’s final approval. #BVB

Liverpool and Real Madrid are not in the race. @SkySportDE… pic.twitter.com/CszrSswDqH

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) March 28, 2026

“Borussia Dortmund have agreed everything with Nico Schlotterbeck’s management: contract until 2031, top earner status, and a release clause from 2027. All that’s missing now is Schlotterbeck’s final approval. #BVB Liverpool and Real Madrid are not in the race,” the journalist posted.

Nico Schlotterbeck could’ve been a superb signing for Liverpool

Schlotterbeck has impressed a great deal during his time at Dortmund, and it’s fair to say he could really have improved this Liverpool defence.

The links with the Reds have come from multiple sources for a while now, and Bild also claimed a few months back that it looked like the 26-year-old was not keen on signing a new contract with Dortmund.

This would have been a great opportunity for LFC to bring in a long-term successor to the ageing Virgil van Dijk, while there might also be a gap to plug this summer if Ibrahima Konate doesn’t sign a new contract and leaves as a free agent.

BVB have done well to secure Schlotterbeck’s future amid interest from other big clubs, with Plettenberg also mentioning Real Madrid as someone now out of the race.

The post “Everything” has been “agreed” for Liverpool transfer target as release clause details revealed appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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Report: Chelsea making checks on 22-year-old talent who’d cost bargain £8m

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By:Mark Brus

Chelsea are reportedly among the clubs who’ve made checks on OH Leuven central defender Roggerio Nyakossi ahead of a potential summer transfer window move.

The talented 22-year-old is also on the radar of other Premier League clubs such as West Ham United and Crystal Palace after impressing for the Belgian club.

Chelsea could do with adding more quality and depth to their defensive options this summer, and it looks like Nyakossi could be a bargain option available on the market.

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That’s according to a report from the Sun, who state that Nyakossi is expected to cost just £8m this summer.

What Roggerio Nyakossi has said about a transfer

Nyakossi himself sounds happy to be linked with big clubs, judging by what he said last month.

When asked about the speculation, he described it as “pleasing”.

“It is of course always pleasing when big teams are interested,” he said, as quoted by the Sun.

One imagines the Swiss defender is now ready to make that next step in his career, so a move to a big name like Chelsea would surely be really appealing.

The Blues also look an ideal destination due to their recent commitment to a strategy of building around top young players.

Who else are Chelsea looking at in defence?

Some Chelsea fans might be concerned that Nyakossi is lacking that star quality that could really take this team to the next level.

It’s previously been reported that CFC are leading the race to sign Murillo from Nottingham Forest, as per TEAMtalk, so that could be one better option.

We’ve also previously been informed of Castello Lukeba being on Chelsea’s radar, but there could be a lot of competition for names like these.

Nyakossi might not be as experienced at the highest level as those players, but at £8m he could be worth a try alongside at least one other new signing in defence.

The post Report: Chelsea making checks on 22-year-old talent who’d cost bargain £8m appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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Four players on offer as Man City prepare swap deal for £100m Arsenal & Man Utd transfer target

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By:Mark Brus

Manchester City are reportedly ready to offer players to Newcastle United in a bid to win the race for the transfer of Sandro Tonali this summer.

Pep Guardiola’s side are potentially looking to sign two new midfielders this summer, with Tonali on their list alongside Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson.

That’s according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states that Man City could try bringing Tonali‘s £100m price tag down by including one of four players in a swap deal.

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Those players include James Trafford, Rico Lewis, Issa Kabore, and Juma Bah, according to the report, which also mentions other big clubs potentially in the mix for Tonali.

Where next for Sandro Tonali as clubs line up?

Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea are also mentioned by TEAMtalk as potential suitors for Tonali, with the player’s agent sounding out these teams as possible destinations.

There has been a lot of speculation about the Italy international’s future ahead of the summer, with just some of the recent reports detailed below…

  • 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.

Still, it sounds like City are serious about making major changes in midfield this summer and they have the resources to give Newcastle a tempting offer.

If MCFC were able to offer a decent amount of cash and a top player like Trafford, then that would surely be hard for the Magpies to turn down.

Sandro Tonali to Man City Transfer Fit rating

We’ve previously scored Tonali to Arsenal as a weak fit using our Transfer Fit rating system, which you can find out more about here.

But how about City, who arguably need a midfielder more, and who have the potential to bring his considerable transfer fee down by including players in the deal?

Sandro Tonali TOTAL SCORE: 14/25
Transfer fee **
Performance **
Achievements **
Career phase ***
Squad need *****

These factors certainly bump Tonali’s score up a bit, though he’s not quite in the same league as some other midfielders on the market this summer.

Anderson has shown more potential with his performances for Forest and England, while others like Adam Wharton are also younger and look like having a higher ceiling.

The post Four players on offer as Man City prepare swap deal for £100m Arsenal & Man Utd transfer target appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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