Latest news with #It'sCalledSoccer
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Gary Neville gives transfer verdict on Florian Wirtz's record move to Liverpool
Liverpool are in talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a sensational transfer to land Germany star Florian Wirtz, with the player only keen on a record-breaking Anfield move Gary Neville is a big fan of Liverpool's move to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen - but admits he is "slightly surprised" by the switch. Liverpool are looking to shatter their transfer record to secure the Germany international, who has rejected the advances of Bayern Munich and Manchester City, making clear he only wants to head to Anfield this summer. So far, Liverpool have had two bids rejected, the latest totalling a cool £109million. Bundesliga side Bayer are holding out for in the region of £125million all in, and if they land that figure it will break the British transfer record too - set by Chelsea when they signed Moises Caicedo for £115m from Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer of 2023. Wirtz, 22, was voted by his Bundesliga peers as the best player in Germany this year, and is considered one of the world's best young prospects. He would be Liverpool's second summer signing, after the arrival of £29.5m Jeremie Frimpong, his close friend who also joined from Leverkusen last week. And the Reds are also targeting the signing of £45m-rated Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, as they seek to futher enhance their squad. For Neville, there is no doubt that snapping up Wirtz is an excellent move from the champions, as they look to build on Arne Slot's debut season. The Manchester United legend spoke about his old rivals on the It's Called Soccer podcast on the US Overlap channel. He said: "I think when you're talking about winning the league, what is it that improves you? "I mean, the only thing that's going to improve you when you win the league is signing world-class players, or players that have got the potential to be world-class players. So signing Wirtz is fantastic. "Frimpong and then there's talk of Kerkez as well, deals with their right and left-back situations. So to get those three done, if they were to get those three done quite quickly, would be smart business. But I wouldn't have expected anything else from Liverpool. "[I'm] Maybe slightly surprised that they've gone so heavy on Wirtz in terms of the fee. They don't normally go that big, but Slot deserves it, by the way. He waited 12 months for a player to sign." Slot only added Federico Chiesa to his squad last summer, and the Italian could depart as he look for greater first team opportunities. A new goalkeeper, £29m Giorgi Mamardashvili is also arriving, a deal sealed 12 months ago, and that will be offset by Caiomhin Kelleher's exit for Brentford in an £18m deal. Already gone is Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the Reds clawing back £10m for the England international after agreeing to release him early from his contract so he could join Real Madrid in time for the FIFA Club World Cup. But the Reds have managed to bring in around £10m after doing a deal with Real Madrid to release Trent Alexander-Arnold early from his contract in order for the right-back to play in the FIFA Club World Cup for his new club. And Neville was blown away by the money Madrid handed over. "Honestly, no, I mean, I'm stunned by that really, that £10m has changed hands for, but there is £100m pounds at stake in this World Club Championship and Real Madrid have got a great chance of doing it," he remarked. "So you imagine if he plays in this tournament, they haven't got a right back that's playing there naturally at this moment in time. So it could be money well spent in four or five weeks. "I just find it crazy that you're spending £10m to have a player for five, six games. It's incredible."
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Gary Neville says Man Utd can't lose in win-win Bruno Fernandes transfer dilemma
Bruno Fernandes looks set to stay at Manchester United, leaving Gary Neville undecided over the future of Ruben Amorim's most important player following a torrid season Manchester United can't lose amid the Bruno Fernandes transfer saga, according to Gary Neville. The Portuguese playmaker's future has been up in the air since he conceded after the Europa League final defeat to Spurs that he could be offloaded this summer, despite being United's standout player during an abject campaign. Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal have been pushing to sign Fernandes ahead of the Club World Cup. The playmaker was reportedly seriously considering accepting a £700,000 per week deal. Al-Hilal were also said to be prepared to pay up to £100million for the 30-year-old, cash that could have been ploughed into the much-needed revamp of the squad. However, according to fresh reports, Fernandes has rejected Al-Hilal's interest and looks set to remain at Old Trafford, having consulted with his family. Speaking on the It's Called Soccer show ahead of the latest development, Neville insisted the reported £100million fee would have been a good deal for United as they strive to remain within PSR restrictions. However, the Sky Sports pundit said his former club also need a player of Fernandes' quality and leadership. Neville said: 'I'm torn on this one because if the £100million fee is right and United get that, I don't think it's a bad fee. In fact, I think it's a great fee for someone at that age. United have had great years out of him. But I also think, if he stays, [he's saying] 'No, I want fight this out and turn it around'. I also think that's a great thing as well. 'So I'm 50-50 in what I think about it. The £100million United need to rebuild the squad. On the other hand, they need players with personality and quality, and they haven't got that many. In fact, he's the only one they've got. For me, it's a no-lose situation.' Fernandes captained United as they rounded off their post-season trip to Asia with a 3-1 friendly win against Hong Kong. Asked whether that might have been Fernandes' last appearance for the club, Amorim said: 'I don't think so. 'I don't know for sure, nobody knows, but I don't think so. I think he is seeing us taking some actions to change all the things and I think that is all that he asked. I think he wants to stay. 'He's saying no to a lot of things, but it shows that he wants to win and I think he's really young, he's really good. He needs to be in the best league in the world." A fee of £100m would help fund this summer's much-needed rebuild as United navigate PSR. Pushed on whether United could turn down such a figure, Amorim said: 'Yes, yes. We can find another way to earn money.'
Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Gary Neville names four Man Utd stars who must leave this summer and the transfer exit that's a ‘step too far'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GARY NEVILLE has named four Manchester United players he thinks should leave the club this summer. He's also pinpointed one player who can't be allowed to leave - despite speculation linking with with an exit. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Gary Neville has named the players he thinks Man Utd should sell Credit: Getty 6 Marcus Rashford has been tipped to leave Old Trafford permanently Credit: Getty The Red Devils endured a nightmare season both in the Premier League and in Europe this term. They finished the campaign 15th in the Prem table with 18 fewer points than last season. United also failed to qualify for European football after losing to Spurs in the Europa League final last month. Several players are now expected to be sold in the coming months, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe targetting a rebuild. READ MORE ON MAN UTD ALL FER NOTHING Bruno 'REJECTS Al-Hilal move despite £200m package' after talks with family And former right-back Neville has named the players he thinks should be in line for the axe. Speaking on the It's Called Soccer podcast, the 50-year-old said: "Marcus Rashford has to leave for him and the club. I think that ship has sailed and he needs to find himself another club. "I would worry that Aston Villa haven't announced that they're keeping him already because I think that could have been an easy deal to do with United if they were going to keep him, so it sounds to me like Villa aren't going to keep him. "I would say for Marcus' sake and for United's sake that it feels like that path has come to an end." Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford Neville can also see a similar situation unfolding with Jadon Sancho following his Chelsea loan spell. He continued: "I feel a little bit similarly with him as I do with Marcus. I'd be a bit concerned that Chelsea haven't made the noises that they're going to keep him. Rashford to Inter Milan? Man Utd Star Eyes Shock Serie A Move! 6 The Red Devils are set to seek a permanent move for Jadon Sancho Credit: Alamy 6 The former United defender believes Antony should stay in Spain Credit: Getty 6 Alejandro Garnacho has been told by Ruben Amorim that he will have no place in the United squad next season Credit: Getty "Again, Manchester United have to make sure they part ways with him and, from Jadon's point of view, he has to make sure that he parts ways with Manchester United." Since Neville's comments, it's emerged that Chelsea will NOT take up their option to sign Sancho. The former England right-back also believes that Man Utd should consider selling Antony to a club in Spain following his loan spell with Real Betis. Neville explained: "I can imagine he was absolutely going under while he was at Old Trafford. "He's gone to Spain and having seen a couple of players that I played with not do it Old Trafford but do it in Spain… I think he's suited down to the ground and it's been proven. "Over there, there's a different tactical awareness, there's a different technical ability and there's a way of playing that's just more suited to players. "The players I'm referring to are players like Kleberson or Diego Forlan. It just didn't quite happen for them but they had really good careers and I think there are players like that who just aren't suited to a league. "I think Antony is perfect for Spain and, again, somebody who Manchester United should facilitate leaving. It's best for Antony and best for the club." Alejandro Garnacho has been embroiled in a public fallout with United head coach Ruben Amorim over the last few weeks. The 20-year-old was left furious after being limited to just 20 minutes of match time in last month's Europa League final defeat in Bilbao. His brother then claimed that he was "thrown under the bus" by Amorim. Garnacho has now been told that he will not have a place in the Man Utd squad next season. And Neville believes the club should cash-in on the forward when they can. He continued: "I think if players are taking on the manager and if players are questioning the manager in public through social media or through other means, the manager has to win. "If the manager doesn't win, the manager has to leave and I don't think that's going to happen this time. That's happened far too many times before. I think Garnacho will leave purely because of that, I think they've had enough. "Garnacho can play in the Premier League, no doubt, but I think he'll love it in Spain, he'll thrive over there, he'll score goals. He'll probably be someone next season that we're all looking back on thinking, 'Why didn't Manchester United keep him?', that type of thing will probably happen, there's an element of that, but I think he has to go. "That's not me throwing my toys out the pram and saying, 'Get him out the club'… no, for him and the club, I think it's right that he goes. "Those four players should leave, not just because Manchester United should let them go, but because they should go and find themselves a place in their lives where they can go and play football because it's not at Old Trafford." Kobbie Mainoo is another player who has been linked with an exit in recent months. However, Neville insists he still has a place at Old Trafford and could be a crucial asset for the Red Devils in the future. "Mainoo, no. That's a step too far," he concluded. "If we can't give Kobbie Mainoo a job in that two in midfield… I look at Mainoo and the way he plays football and I think a top club would want him. "Why can't we make him a top player? If he's one of ours and he's shown talent. "I don't know what's gone on there in the last few months. He's obviously had some injuries which has caused him a problem so he needs to stay fit, but I'd like to think he could be one of that two in midfield that Ruben Amorim plays. "It's probably not Casemiro as his partner and it's probably not Ugarte as his partner, it's probably someone else in there who is better than those two, if I'm being honest. "But we should be building around Kobbie Mainoo in central midfield and not because he's come through the ranks." The Red Devils have already made one signing this summer. Matheus Cunha has joined in a £62.5million transfer from Wolves. Bryan Mbuemo looks set to follow after choosing to join the club over any other Premier League side.
Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Gary Neville names four Man Utd players who must immediately leave this summer
Manchester United are set for a busy summer transfer window with plenty of ins and outs, and Gary Neville has named four players who he expects to leave Old Trafford Gary Neville believes that Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho should all leave Manchester United this summer. Former captain Neville has also named one player who the Red Devils desperately need to keep hold of and 'build around'. The Red Devils have made a fast start to the summer transfer window which opened on Sunday, confirming the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves by paying his £62.5million release clause. United are also confident of landing Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo in a £50m deal, fending off interest from Premier League rivals Arsenal, Newcastle and Tottenham. It's hoped that those two attacking additions will transform Ruben Amorim's frontline and it's why Neville sees the aforementioned quartet leaving Old Trafford. Rashford, Sancho and Antony were all loaned out last season while Garnacho was the subject of interest from Chelsea and Napoli in January. But one academy product who Neville doesn't want the Red Devils to sell is Kobbie Mainoo. "On these five I'm pretty certain," he began on the It's Called Soccer podcast. "Marcus Rashford has to leave for him and the club. I think that ship has sailed and he needs to find himself another club. "I would worry that Aston Villa haven't announced that they're keeping him already because I think that could have been an easy deal to do with United if they were going to keep him, so it sounds to me like Villa aren't going to keep him. I would say for Marcus' sake and for United's sake that it feels like that path has come to an end." On Sancho, the ex-United defender continued: "I feel a little bit similarly with him as I do with Marcus. I'd be a bit concerned that Chelsea haven't made the noises that they're going to keep him. "Again, Manchester United have to make sure they part ways with him and, from Jadon's point of view, he has to make sure that he parts ways with Manchester United." Neville feels that Antony's loan spell has been different, labelling Real Betis and La Liga the 'perfect' destination. "I can imagine he was absolutely going under while he was at Old Trafford," he explained. Who else do Manchester United need to sell this summer? Let us know your picks in the comments section. "He's gone to Spain and having seen a couple of players that I played with not do it Old Trafford but do it in Spain… I think he's suited down to the ground and it's been proven. Over there, there's a different tactical awareness, there's a different technical ability and there's a way of playing that's just more suited to players. "The players I'm referring to are players like Kleberson or Diego Forlan. It just didn't quite happen for them but they had really good careers and I think there are players like that who just aren't suited to a league. "I think Antony is perfect for Spain and, again, somebody who Manchester United should facilitate leaving. It's best for Antony and best for the club." Regarding Garnacho, whose future was thrust into the spotlight after being named on the bench for the Europa League final, Neville said: "I think if players are taking on the manager and if players are questioning the manager in public through social media or through other means, the manager has to win. "If the manager doesn't win, the manager has to leave and I don't think that's going to happen this time. That's happened far too many times before. I think Garnacho will leave purely because of that, I think they've had enough. "Garnacho can play in the Premier League, no doubt, but I think he'll love it in Spain, he'll thrive over there, he'll score goals. He'll probably be someone next season that we're all looking back on thinking, 'Why didn't Manchester United keep him?', that type of thing will probably happen, there's an element of that, but I think he has to go. "That's not me throwing my toys out the pram and saying, 'Get him out the club'… no, for him and the club, I think it's right that he goes. Those four players should leave, not just because Manchester United should let them go, but because they should go and find themselves a place in their lives where they can go and play football because it's not at Old Trafford." But the thought of selling Mainoo - who's been at United since the age of six - is too much for Neville, despite Amorim also benching him for the last month's 1-0 loss to Tottenham in Bilbao. "Mainoo, no. That's a step too far," Neville affirmed. "If we can't give Kobbie Mainoo a job in that two in midfield… I look at Mainoo and the way he plays football and I think a top club would want him. Why can't we make him a top player? If he's one of ours and he's shown talent. "I don't know what's gone on there in the last few months. He's obviously had some injuries which has caused him a problem so he needs to stay fit, but I'd like to think he could be one of that two in midfield that Ruben Amorim plays. "It's probably not Casemiro as his partner and it's probably not [Manuel] Ugarte as his partner, it's probably someone else in there who is better than those two, if I'm being honest. But we should be building around Kobbie Mainoo in central midfield and not because he's come through the ranks."
Metro
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Metro
'I'm pretty certain' - Gary Neville names four Man Utd players who must leave
Manchester United legend Gary Neville says Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho all have to leave the club. An unprecedented summer of change is being planned at Old Trafford on the back of yet another miserable campaign, in which Ruben Amorim's men finished with the club's lowest-ever points total in the Premier League. It's believed last month's Europa League final defeat ultimately cost United around £100million, with Tottenham overcoming the Red Devils to secure Champions League qualification for next season. INEOS showed they are ready to back Amorim in the transfer market by facilitating the impending arrival of Matheus Cunha, who is set to join from Wolves for a fee of £62.5m subject to visa approval and registration procedures. But the overhaul has just begun and United are intent on ripping up Amorim's misfiring squad, with several first-team stars facing uncertain futures and seemingly heading for the exit door. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. Rashford, Sancho and Anthony spent the second half of the season on loan at Aston Villa, Chelsea and Real Betis respectively – with varying degrees of success – and the attacking trio look likely to move on over the coming weeks. Discussing potential comings and goings on the latest episode of It's Called Soccer, Neville argued that all three needed to make way, plus Garnacho – following the winger's public falling out with Amorim. However, Neville is adamant that United must do everything in their power to prevent academy product Kobbie Mainoo from leaving, with the midfielder being linked to Chelsea. 'On these five I'm pretty certain. Marcus Rashford has to leave for him and the club. I think that ship has sailed and he needs to find himself another club,' the former United and England right-back said. I would worry that Aston Villa haven't announced that they're keeping him already because I think that could have been an easy deal to do with United if they were going to keep him, so it sounds to me like Villa aren't going to keep him. I would say for Marcus' sake and for United's sake that it feels like that path has come to an end.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Switching his attentions to Sancho, Neville continued: 'I feel a little bit similarly with him as I do with Marcus. 'I'd be a bit concerned that Chelsea haven't made the noises that they're going to keep him. 'Again, Manchester United have to make sure they part ways with him and, for Jadon's point of view, he has to make sure that he parts ways with Manchester United.' Antony enjoyed a remarkable return to form at Real Betis in the second half of the campaign, racking up nine goals and five assists for the La Liga outfit. But Amorim has closed the door on Antony's return to the first-team and Neville feels United have little option but to sanction the Brazilian's exit. 'I can imagine he was absolutely going under while he was at Old Trafford,' Neville said. 'He's gone to Spain and having seen a couple of players that I played with not do it Old Trafford but do it in Spain… I think he's suited down to the ground and it's been proven. 'Over there, there's a different tactical awareness, there's a different technical ability and there's a way of playing that's just more suited to players. 'The players I'm referring to are players like Kleberson or Diego Forlan. It didn't quite happen for them but they had really careers and I think there are players like that who just aren't suited to a league. 'I think Antony is perfect for Spain and, again, somebody who Manchester United should facilitate leaving. It's best for Antony and best for the club.' Discussing Garnacho's situation, Neville went on: 'I think if players are taking on the manager and if players are questioning the manager in public through social media or other means, the manager has to win. 'If the manager doesn't win, the manager has to leave and I don't think that's going to happen this time. 'I think Garnacho will leave purely because of that, I think they've had enough. Garnacho can play in the Premier League, no doubt, but I think he'll love it and thrive in Spain. 'He'll probably be someone next season that we're all looking back on thinking, 'Why didn't Manchester United keep him?', there's an element of that, but I think he has to go. 'That's not me throwing my toys out the pram and saying, 'Get him out the club!'… no, for him and the club, I think it's right that he goes. 'Those four players should leave, not just because Manchester United should let them go, but because they should go and find themselves a place in their lives where they can go and play football because it's not at Old Trafford.' There have been some rumours that United could be open to the potential sale of Mainoo, which would represent 'pure profit' given the England international came through the club's academy. But according to Neville, Amorim should be building his midfield around Mainoo and the thought of the midfielder leaving is a 'step too far'. 'Mainoo, no. That's a step too far,' the eight-time Premier League winner argued. 'If we can't give Kobbie Mainoo a job in that two in midfield… I look at Mainoo and the way he plays football and I think a top club would want him. 'Why can't we make him a top player? If he's one of ours and he's shown talent. 'I don't know what's gone on there in the last few months. He's obviously had some injuries which has caused him a problem so he needs to stay fit, but I'd like to think he could be one of that two in midfield that Ruben Amorim plays. 'It's probably not Casemiro as his partner and it's probably not Ugarte as his partner, it's probably someone else in there who is better than those two, if I'm being honest. 'But we should be building around Kobbie Mainoo in central midfield and not because he's come through the ranks.' Neville is 'excited' by the arrival of Cunha and hopes the attacker can be a 'spark' capable of getting fans off their seats at the Theatre of Dreams. 'When your club signs a player, you should be excited. We know some of the players that play in his position are going to leave,' he said. 'We know that United haven't had players in that position this season because Rashford, Sancho, Antony have all been put out on loan, Garnacho is more than likely going to go with what's happened in the last week. 'Cunha's goals have been growing in the last couple of years. He had a decent return for a club that has been near the bottom of the Premier League than the top. 'Am I excited? Yeah, I am excited by it because United need players who know the Premier League, have got a bit more robustness about them in terms of what they've been through before and being at Wolves… that'll be tough because they lose quite a few matches. 'I'm hoping he comes to Old Trafford and sees this vast pitch, this amazing stadium, with 75,000 fans who love a player who can take someone on, someone who can travel with the ball. 'I'm hoping that he can shine a light. I'm not saying one player is going to change what's going on at the moment, but one player can be a spark.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Man Utd or Arsenal? Bryan Mbeumo makes huge decision over summer transfer MORE: Chelsea tipped to sell 'wonderful talent' Cole Palmer in shock transfer MORE: Chelsea complete first summer signing as Dario Essugo joins from Sporting
