Latest news with #Italo-Brazilian
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
🧐 Brazilian clubs' transfer plans for the Club World Cup
The FIFA Club World Cup will take place in the United States, from June 14 to July 13. Brazilian football will be represented by Botafogo, Flamengo, Fluminense, and Palmeiras. For the tournament, which is expected to be held every four years, FIFA has opened a specific "transfer window" from June 1 to June 10. Advertisement So, how are Brazilian clubs planning to act in the market with the Club World Cup in mind? Botafogo After breaking off with Wendel, from Zenit, with negotiations practically closed, the Glorioso is racing against time to strengthen its squad. Especially since they are expected to negotiate Igor Jesus, Jair, and Cuiabano with the same club, Nottingham Forest. If there is no specific name in the spotlight, Botafogo's SAF strategy, through owner John Textor, is to invest in young and promising players, but also in athletes whose contracts are ending. A center-back, midfielder, and right winger would be the priorities for Botafogo's scouting team. Advertisement Álvaro Montoro, an 18-year-old midfielder from Vélez, is reportedly on their radar. 📸 MAURO PIMENTEL - AFP or licensors Flamengo Despite having the most valuable squad in South America and probably one of the most qualified, the Rubro-Negro is also expected to strengthen its team. The Italo-Brazilian midfielder Jorginho, for example, has said goodbye to Arsenal and is practically signed, likely to be announced soon. However, José Boto – the club's football director – recently stated that there are "defined targets," although he did not reveal any names. 📸 Alex Davidson - 2025 Getty Images "I want to let the fans know that the entire process of monitoring, selection, and internal discussion is already finished. We have identified our targets and have already entered the negotiation phase with them so that they can come as soon as possible to join us and make the squad even stronger than it already is," said Boto, in an interview with FlaTV at the end of May. Advertisement A "shadow" for Arrascaeta and wingers are among Flamengo's priorities. Fluminense The Tricolor das Laranjeiras has "ambitious" plans for the mid-year transfer window. According to president Mário Bittencourt, Fluminense will seek reinforcements with the entire second half of the year in mind, not just the Club World Cup, although there is an expectation for the arrival of "two or three names." "It would not be honest, intelligent, or professional on our part to think only of reinforcements for the Club World Cup. We are thinking of reinforcements for the Club World Cup, for the Copa Sudamericana, for the Copa do Brasil... To strengthen the team and try to become champions again this year," said the Tricolor president to O Globo. 📸 Wagner Meier - 2024 Getty Images Advertisement Midfielders and forwards would be the targets for the Tricolor, but specific names have not yet been revealed. "I estimate that (we will bring in) between two and three players, especially those who are more aggressive from an attacking point of view. If there is an opportunity to bring in a (big-name) player who will increase our brand exposure, we will obviously try to do so within Fluminense's means," concluded the president. Palmeiras Leader of the Brasileirão and with a 100% record in the Conmebol Libertadores group stage, Verdão has one of the best squads in the country. However, for the Club World Cup, coach Abel Ferreira does not want a specific reinforcement. Advertisement According to the Portuguese coach, what Palmeiras needs is a replacement for Estêvão, who will transfer to Chelsea in the second half of the year. "I don't want any player just to play in the Club World Cup. I have the players I want and when Estêvão leaves I hope to have a replacement for his position. I would be lying if I said the team will be stronger with his departure, but I will find solutions," said Abel Ferreira, in a press conference after the 6-0 win over Sporting Cristal in midweek. 📸 Miguel Schincariol - 2025 Getty Images This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here. 📸 FREDERIC J. BROWN - AFP or licensors
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Giuntoli: Juventus hungry for Champions League and ready to ‘make a leap forward'
Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli urged the Bianconeri to take 'one final step' toward Champions League qualification, a target that could be key to unlocking the club's development in the near future. The Old Lady can secure a place in Europe's top competition next season with a win over Venezia in the final round of Serie A, a goal that had appeared at risk during Thiago Motta's turbulent spell in charge. Advertisement After a bright start, the Italo-Brazilian coach struggled to maintain consistency over the course of the campaign, ultimately prompting the club to appoint Igor Tudor for the season's final stretch. TURIN, ITALY – MAY 18: Nicolas Gonzalez of Juventus celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammates during the Serie A match between Juventus and Udinese at Allianz Stadium on May 18, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by) While Giuntoli expressed satisfaction with the team's recent 2-0 victory over Udinese, he stressed the importance of finishing the job on the final matchday. Giuntoli: 'Juventus want to make a leap forward, Koopmeiners a fantastic player' 'We're happy, but now it's time to focus on the next one,' Giuntoli told reporters during the Premio Telenord-Gianni Di Marzio award ceremony, as quoted by Advertisement 'There's a real hunger to reach the Champions League and to have a great season next year. 'It's important to take the final step towards our goal. We've changed a lot, rejuvenated the squad, but we want to reach the Champions League and then, with a few additions, make that leap forward.' The Bianconeri sporting director added that he was surprised by a specific trait of Tudor's personality. 'He's had a great impact,' Giuntoli noted. 'I expected a strict sergeant, but instead, he's very attentive to the psychological side of things.' TURIN, ITALY – APRIL 12: Teun Koopmeiners of Juventus celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Serie A match between Juventus and Lecce at Allianz Stadium on April 12, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by) Teun Koopmeiners' performances came under heavy criticism this season, particularly in light of the hefty fee Juventus paid to sign him from Atalanta, but Giuntoli remains confident in the midfielder's potential. 'He missed a lot of games,' he said. 'For me, he's a fantastic player. He still needs to prove his worth, but I'm sure he will.'
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
McKennie proves his worth to Juventus after two freeze-outs
Weston McKennie's third goal for Juventus in eight Champions League outings once again highlighted his importance to Thiago Motta's side, but winning over his new coach was no easy task, especially since he had been on the verge of leaving the club twice. The USMNT international opened the scoring in the first leg of the knockout phase play-off against PSV Eindhoven, increasing his seasonal scoring tally to five goals in 28 appearances across all competitions. However, his status at the Allianz Stadium has been questioned more than once. While Juventus initially made a €20m investment to sign the midfielder from Schalke 04 in 2020, his stint in Turin seemed near its end in the summer of 2023, when the Bianconeri excluded him from their pre-season camp in the USA and attempted to sell him after a six-month loan at Leeds United. McKennie was reintegrated into the squad for the following campaign, going on to play as many as 34 Serie A games in Massimiliano Allegri's final season at the helm. Something similar occurred last summer, as the 26-year-old was frozen out of the Juventus squad shortly after Thiago Motta's arrival, following stalled contract extension talks that had been ongoing for several months. But with the midfielder rejecting inclusion in any swap deal and showing a willingness to stay, the Bianconeri eventually decided to reopen negotiations for a new deal, with the Italo-Brazilian coach also open to including him in his technical project. McKennie has started all of Juventus' last nine matches in Serie A, playing the full 90 minutes on seven occasions. Thiago Motta now seems to have realised that his ability to cover multiple positions, from midfielder to full-back, combined with consistency in his displays, makes the American a jack-of-all-trades as well as an irreplaceable option in the Bianconeri squad.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Xavi approached by Juventus amid Thiago Motta's struggles
Reports from France claim Juventus have contacted former Barcelona coach Xavi, although they don't seem intent on sacking current manager Thiago Motta in the short term despite his side's struggles in Serie A. The Bianconeri suffered only their first league defeat last weekend, a 2-1 loss at the Stadio Maradona against leaders Napoli. However, their 13 draws and eight wins from the other 21 matches mean the Italo-Brazilian boss has the third-worst record in Juventus' history after 22 Serie A rounds. While the club didn't necessarily expect Motta to make a title challenge in his first season at the Allianz Stadium, the team's disappointing campaign has reportedly prompted the management to explore the market to get a sense of the potential alternatives available. Specifically, L'Equipe reported that, while Motta's job is not considered on the line, Juventus have contacted Xavi to hold 'informal talks' about his position. However, the French newspaper pointed out that the Old Lady are not currently considering a change of coach, although they seem willing to gather information and remain prepared for every possible scenario. The Spaniard has been without a job since leaving Barcelona at the end of last season and was previously linked with a move to Milan before they eventually decided to replace Paulo Fonseca with Sergio Conceição.
