Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Highly-rated forwards are in low supply but high demand. Lille’s Jonathan David – constantly linked with a Premier League move – continues to leave his future in France uncertain after pondering a two-year contract extension to stay with the Ligue 1 side, knowing club president Olivier Letang’s stance: the Canada striker, whose deal expires in June, will not leave this coming window. Continue reading “Lille forward Jonathan David mulls new deal as president certain on January stay”
They trailed early for the second time in consecutive weeks and fourth already this campaign, yet Pep Guardiola’s defending champion Manchester City found a way to break Wolves’ hearts with a John Stones stoppage-time winner hours before Liverpool doused Chelsea’s encouraging start despite suffering more injury woes as the Premier League’s pacesetters intensified this weekend. Continue reading “Gutsy 2-1 victories for leaders Liverpool, champs City say it all in early title race”
Having spent two years playing in west London, where he won the FA Cup and Premier League over a decade ago, it should come as no surprise Barcelona sporting director Deco is venturing back to English shores as he’s been linked with approaches for two Chelsea midfield reinforcements this coming summer – even if head coach Hansi Flick is reportedly content with his existing options.
Continue reading “Report: Deco targets former side Chelsea, Barca want midfield bolstered in January”
Kevin de Bruyne’s honesty regarding the ‘incredible money’ on offer in Saudi Arabia has forced the Citizens to prepare contingency plans should their creator-in-chief decide a departure from European football is too lucrative to reject. Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze, who they were linked to last summer, has again emerged as a serious option but will be rather expensive.
Continue reading “Manchester City weigh up Eze approach again as de Bruyne’s future still unclear”
Having activated his €60m (£50.7m) release clause, Bayern beat competition from big Premier League clubs to prise Michael Olise away from England, and after this month’s Olympics on home soil in Paris, the 22-year-old playmaker will ply his trade alongside familar faces like Jamal Musiala and Harry Kane under Vincent Kompany’s stewardship after the deal was made official today. Continue reading “Michael Olise completes £45m move to Bayern, in Palace’s best possible scenario”
Granit Xhaka repaired his reputation in north London before departing for £21.6m last summer, joining Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen project – quickly establishing himself as an indispensable player spreading his wings further since returning to Bundesliga play. He’s carried that form on the international stage at the Euros, where the 31-year-old faces some familiar faces Saturday. Continue reading “Granit Xhaka’s metronomic momentum – club and country – hasn’t gone unnoticed”
Although the axe appears likely to fall on Erik ten Hag at Manchester United and Frank de Boer had a nightmare spell at Crystal Palace, there’s renewed optimism that Liverpool – led by their data-driven recruitment approach – are targeting the right man in Feyenoord head coach Arne Slot, after the 45-year-old rejected English overtures last term and has since won more silverware. Continue reading “Given his managerial rise, Liverpool’s pursuit of Arne Slot should be no surprise”
Joachim Andersen’s public praise for his teammates in Crystal Palace’s creative midfield duos Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze isn’t exactly a revelation, though interested suitors will again be enthused about their blossoming potential after watching the pair dismantle David Moyes’ West Ham over this past weekend. Continue reading “Joachim Andersen’s praise for Palace duo speaks volumes for their future potential”
Should I stay and push for more or venture in the unknown? That’s the impending dilemma for Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah, and a few other teammates in a similar situation to consider this coming summer as a series of interested clubs continue to approach the Gunners about his availability. Is it time to make an uncomfortable choice that could benefit him in the long run? Continue reading “Brentford, Crystal Palace and Wolves all circling for Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah”
Premier League leaders Arsenal are the latest side to be heavily linked with a summer move for Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres, who spent five years in England relatively under-the-radar until he shone with Coventry in the Championship and sides on the continent took notice. So, is he good enough for another talent upgrade or is this a purple patch in a depleted forward market? Continue reading “Purple patch or worth it? Why everyone is linked with Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres”
David Moyes declared Declan Rice was worth more than £100m, and his West Ham side were the beneficiaries of a nine-figure sum when Arsenal swooped for his signature last summer. Ivan Toney is perhaps even more expensive to Brentford, though the England striker’s existing situation makes it difficult to envisage a high bidding war – something his manager has now said publicly. Continue reading “Thomas Frank accepting the inevitable leaves Ivan Toney sweepstakes open”
After experiencing a predictably muted start to his Ajax career after a £10.6m move from Middlesbrough in mid-August, Arsenal academy graduate Chuba Akpom has now notched five goals in his last four Eredivisie games – including one during their 5-0 win over Vitesse on Saturday – with two London clubs reportedly interested in luring him back to the English capital. But so soon? Continue reading “Report: Ajax’s Chuba Akpom intrigues Palace, Fulham – three months after move”
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