Latest news with #ChristianFalk
Daily Mail
31-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Could 'secret weapon' help Man United beat Arsenal to signing of RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko?
Manchester United reportedly hope to rival Arsenal this summer for the signature of RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko. The Slovenia international is hot property right now after scoring 39 goals in two seasons in the German Bundesliga. Arsenal are widely believed to be his most likely destination this summer, with Gunners boss Mikel Arteta desperate to add a prolific goalscorer to his squad. However, journalist Christian Falk, who is the head of football at BILD, tweeted on Saturday morning: ' Man Utd have secret weapon in bid to steal Benjamin Sesko from Arsenal'. Falk also shared a link to an article by CaughtOffside in which he is quoted as saying of Sesko: 'There are already talks with Arsenal. 'From the Premier League, beside Arsenal also Manchester United are particularly interested. Christopher Vivell was there to watch Sesko at the game in Wolfsburg in mid-April. He once helped discover him and brought the footballer to Salzburg as a 16-year-old in 2019.' Vivell is United's director of recruitment, having committed to the job on a permanent basis in February following an interim spell in the role. He previously worked at Chelsea and RB Leipzig, but it was during his time at RB Salzburg that he first signed Sesko, in 2019 when the striker arrived from Domzale. Sesko netted 21 goals in 55 Austrian Bundesliga games for Salzburg before moving to Leipzig in July 2023. The 22-year-old, who has 16 goals in 41 appearances at senior international level, is now valued at £92.5m, according to a recent report by The Telegraph. United, having missed out on Champions League qualification after losing to Tottenham in last week's Europa League final, will need to sell multiple players in order to be able to afford Leipzig's current asking price. Bruno Fernandes is United's most valuable asset and has serious interest from Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. United would rather not sell Fernandes but are willing to entertain offers for several first-team players, including Alejandro Garnacho. Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony are also for sale this summer, having spent the 2024-25 season on loan away from Old Trafford.
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Florian Wirtz ‘house-hunting in Liverpool with Bayern chiefs fearing worst as Reds set to offer more than German giants'
BAYER LEVERKUSEN star Florian Wirtz is reportedly house-hunting in Liverpool amid an ongoing bidding war for his signature. Wirtz, 22, has attracted interest from a host of elite clubs, including Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Manchester City and of course the Reds after two stunning campaigns at Leverkusen. 2 2 The playmaker was one of the key reasons behind the German giants' undefeated Double-winning run last season before amassing a total of 16 goals and 15 assists in 45 appearances this term. Bayern have been posing as favourites to land the Germany international during the summer transfer window. According to transfer insider Christian Falk, however, Liverpool appear to be stealing a march on the newly-crowned German champions. Falk claims the Merseysiders are the likeliest to come the closest to Wirtz's astronomical €150million (£ 126m) release clause, which means they could eclipse the Premier League 's transfer record of £115m. The journalist also reports that Liverpool 's intense interest is having an effect on the German and that has led him to look at accommodation in the city. That has caused "a bit of fear" within the Bayern camp which is forcing them to take swift action. The Bavarians are not keen on meeting Wirtz's expensive asking price or matching Liverpool's bid. But Vincent Kompany's side are planning a big meeting with the player and his family, including his father Hans-Joachim who is also his agent. The two parties will meet at club executive Uli Hoeness' house in Tegernsee. Bayern will try and fork out a deal with Wirtz's family that will prove more attractive than Liverpool's offer in terms of personal terms. The Bundesliga giants are planning to use Hoeness' influence as the Leverkusen star's dad is the same age as the legendary forward and he thus grew up admiring him. Bayern and Liverpool received a massive transfer boost recently when Man City pulled out of the transfer race.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Club now CERTAIN Florian Wirtz will join
© IMAGO Bayern believe they have the edge over Liverpool In the eyes of the newly crowned Bundesliga champions, Wirtz is a done deal, one way or another. According to Christian Falk, writing for CF Bayern Insider: "The attacking midfielder had agreed on two potential pathways to Munich. One being an immediate transfer this summer (provided both clubs can agree a fee), and the second being a move delayed to next summer." Advertisement As such, the possibility that Wirtz could move to Anfield is completely foreign to their understanding. He is destined to move to Bayern and the tradition of players moving from one German team to the most successful German team will remain. Everyone else is a feeder club for them. But it's not quite as straightforward as that in reality, and Liverpool's expedited interest in Wirtz has properly thrown a spanner in the works. There is now an established two-horse race. Falk adds: "Liverpool's decision makers, led by Michael Edwards, flew to Boston this week to meet Liverpool's owners, Fenway Sports Group, in order to approve the funds for the potential transfer. "The meeting in the USA was called at short notice following the Wirtz family's visit. The Liverpool bosses' main aim is to snatch the midfielder away from FC Bayern."
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What will be will be as Manchester City await a decision from Florian Wirtz
This week has seen the future of Florian Wirtz dominate the headlines. That trend continued yesterday. David Ornstein reported for the Athletic that Liverpool had made contact with the Florian Wirtz camp to express their interest in signing the German international. Christian Falk reported for CF Bayern Insider that Wirtz's family met with Liverpool on Tuesday, the same day that they met with Manchester City officials. The saga that is the future of Florian Wirtz has had many twists and turns. It will likely have more to come. But the fact is, Manchester City have made their pitch to the German international. Now they await a decision from Wirtz on where he will play his football next season. Manchester City have done all they can to sell their vision to Florian Wirtz. To counter the report from Christian Falk that Wirtz's family met with Liverpool on Tuesday, Michael Plant reported for that Liverpool did not meet with the Wirtz camp on Tuesday. Furthermore, Plant reports that Liverpool do have a long-standing interest in signing Wirtz. Plant further reports that the expectation is that Wirtz will remain in Germany, whether that's at Bayer Leverkusen or Bayern Munich remains to be seen. Lastly, Plant reports that Liverpool are unlikely to meet Bayer Leverkusen's asking price of €150 million to sign Wirtz. Advertisement But one club appears ready to match the asking price Bayer Leverkusen have set to sell Florian Wirtz. That is Florian Wirtz. Sacha Tavolieri of Sky Sports reported via X that Manchester City and Bayern Leverkusen have an agreement in place regarding a deal that will see Wirtz move to the Etihad. What is needed now is a decision from Wirtz on his future. Furthermore, Tavolieri reports that a decision from Wirtz is expected before he goes on holiday at the end of this season. That could come next week, as per Tavolieri's report. So based on all of the available information, Manchester City have done all they can to land the biggest prize in the summer transfer window. Manchester City are now awaiting a decision from Florian Wirtz. Everything is now in a holding pattern until Florian Wirtz makes a decision. The Florian Wirtz saga is the biggest story of the transfer market currently. Wirtz is the biggest prize that could be available this summer. Manchester City are firmly in the race to sign him. As are Bayern Munich, Liverpool and potentially Real Madrid. The possibility that Wirtz could stay at Bayer Leverkusen is also in play. Advertisement But for now, all anyone can do is wait. Florian Wirtz has yet to make a decision on his future based on Sacha Tavolieri's report. So Manchester City, like every other interested suitor, must wait for that decision. Manchester City's pitch is made and they've done all they can to sell their vision to him. There will likely more stories to emerge over the future of Wirtz until a decision is announced. That's the nature of a transfer saga. But Sacha Tavolieri also reports that Florian Wirtz's relationship with Bayer Leverkusen is a key part of the deal for Wirtz to potentially leave Leverkusen. Perhaps that fact plays into Manchester City's hands. It's food for thought if nothing else at this stage.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chelsea Convinced £52M-Rated Man Utd, Tottenham Target Still in High Demand Amid PSG Interest
Paris Saint-Germain thought about bringing Christopher Nkunku back during the winter transfer window but did not make a formal offer. The French forward stayed with Chelsea, though speculation about a summer move hasn't gone away. Nkunku arrived at Chelsea from RB Leipzig in 2023 for £52 million. However, injuries and stiff competition have made it tough for him to secure a consistent spot in the starting lineup. His long-term future at Stamford Bridge is still uncertain. Advertisement Journalist Ben Jacobs previously reported that PSG looked into a potential deal before backing off. Bayern Munich also opted not to make a move in January, but according to Sport Bild's Christian Falk, they might revisit the idea later this year. What's the latest on Christopher Nkunku?Football Insider reported on Friday, citing sources, that Chelsea are expecting offers for Nkunku this summer. The outlet also claims the Frenchman's stock remains high across Europe despite his form with the Blues. Additionally, there are several clubs likely to swoop in for his signature. TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey recently shared an update on Christopher Nkunku's future, reporting that the midfielder's representatives are actively looking into a potential move. According to Bailey, Nkunku's camp has also been offering him to other Premier League clubs. Advertisement 'As it stands I am told that a move to Europe is the most likely option – but his people are touching base with clubs in England,' Bailey said. 'Arsenal, Liverpool, Man United, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Tottenham have all been spoken to in the past few months. Chelsea want to recoup as much of their plus £50m outlay, but that looks difficult at this juncture.'
