Latest news with #TeamTalk
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Liverpool Eyeing Six ‘Major' Summer Signings in Bid to Retain the Premier League Title
Liverpool Plot Six Major Signings as Wirtz Chase Heats Up Liverpool are not resting on their laurels after lifting the Premier League title under new boss Arne Slot. With silverware freshly secured, plans are well underway to reshape the squad in a bold summer overhaul. As revealed by TeamTalk, the Reds are targeting six significant signings across multiple positions – a transformative approach that could redefine the team's identity for years to come. Slot's Strategy for a Revamped Squad Arne Slot's tactical stamp on Liverpool became evident early in the season, and now he is reportedly looking to retool key positions to better fit his vision. According to TeamTalk, 'the current priorities are finding a centre-back, a left-back, a playmaker/No. 10, and a winger,' with several moves already in progress. Advertisement The left-back role appears to be the most advanced, with Milos Kerkez agreeing personal terms. Discussions now focus on a final transfer fee. At right-back, Jeremie Frimpong is expected to step in for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who may be deployed in a more advanced midfield role under Slot's system. Photo: IMAGO Giorgi Mamardashvili, who joined last summer, is already being positioned as the long-term backup – or potential successor – to Alisson Becker, signalling a shake-up between the posts as well. Florian Wirtz – The Jewel in the Crown Perhaps the most eye-catching pursuit is that of Florian Wirtz, the 22-year-old attacking midfielder lighting up German football. Slot reportedly views him as a marquee addition to drive creativity in the final third. Advertisement 'Wirtz is the desired target – and they're not willing to give up on him,' noted Florian Plettenberg via Sky Germany. That unwavering stance is now buoyed by Manchester City's reported withdrawal from the race, owing to Bayer Leverkusen's steep €150m (£126m) asking price. 'The report pointed to Leverkusen's €150m valuation as putting City off,' TeamTalk confirms, referencing a claim from The Times. If accurate, that leaves just Bayern Munich as Liverpool's remaining rival for the German's signature. Photo: IMAGO However, Liverpool may hold a trump card: Leverkusen's reported reluctance to sell Wirtz to domestic competitors. 'Selling their talisman to a domestic rival is a scenario Leverkusen would rather avoid at all costs,' the report adds. That could swing the balance in Liverpool's favour, especially if they are prepared to break their transfer record, which currently stands at £85m for Darwin Nunez. Darwin Nunez Departure Likely Speaking of Nunez, the Uruguayan forward's time at Anfield appears to be nearing an end. Fabrizio Romano claims Liverpool are looking for a new starting striker, with Nunez 'expected to move to the Saudi Pro League.' Advertisement If a replacement arrives, alongside a winger, No. 10, and defensive reinforcements, the summer tally will hit six new additions – excluding Mamardashvili. Such a sweeping rebuild signals a clear intent: Liverpool are not only content with being champions, they're planning to stay there. Photo: IMAGO What Next in Liverpool's Transfer Mission? Beyond the confirmed names, other targets are being assessed. Jorrel Hato is on the shortlist at centre-back, suggesting Liverpool are not merely aiming for depth but for players with potential to start regularly. Slot is working closely with the recruitment team to ensure each signing enhances tactical cohesion. While Szoboszlai remains a strong option in the No. 10 role, Wirtz would offer elite vision, dribbling and incisive passing – a player capable of deciding games at the highest level. Photo: IMAGO Whether Liverpool can land Wirtz remains to be seen. But the roadmap is clear: bold recruitment, swift integration and sustained dominance. Our View – Anfield Index Analysis What a time to be a Red. After basking in the glory of our first title under Arne Slot, news like this is just the cherry on top. We knew change was coming post-Klopp, but few could have imagined this level of ambition – SIX signings? That's a statement. Advertisement Florian Wirtz being seriously pursued is music to our ears. He's not just any No. 10 – he's the No. 10 in Europe right now. The fact that City are out and Bayern might be blocked due to Leverkusen's domestic reluctance? That's our cue. We have to go all-in. £100m-plus or not, you don't get many chances to sign generational talent like this. Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez flanking our defence? Inject that energy. If Trent's shifting to midfield full-time, we'll finally get to see his passing range unleashed where it matters most. And Mamardashvili behind Alisson? Brilliant foresight. Replacing Darwin is bittersweet, but fair play if he moves on. The new striker needs to be lethal, composed, and ready to hit the ground running – think Torres 2007, not Balotelli 2014. This isn't just about defending the title. This is about building a dynasty. And if Arne Slot nails this summer window, it might be the beginning of a Liverpool era we've never seen before.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Real's Ancelotti poised to become Rangers boss'
Real Madrid assistant Davide Ancelotti will become Rangers' new head coach after helping father Carlo settle in as Brazil boss in June matches against Ecuador and Paraguay, with Francesco Mauri also moving from the Spanish club to Ibrox as his assistant, having had rival offers from clubs in several leagues, including Saudi Arabia. (AS) Rangers have made contact with Real Madrid assistant Davide Ancelotti about their head coach vacancy, but talks with the 35-year-old Italian are still at an early stage, other names are also on their radar and there is no leading candidate or imminent appointment. (Daily Record) Former Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O'Neil, Russell Martin, recently with Southampton, Real Madrid assistant Davide Ancelotti, Sheffield Wednesday's Danny Rohl and Rob Edwards, who recently exited Luton Town, are on Rangers' head coach shortlist, while a Steven Gerrard return remains a possibility despite the ex-Ibrox boss's push for a clean break. (TeamTalk) Marco Rose, most recently RB Leipzig head coach, is the clear frontrunner with the bookmakers ahead of fellow German Danny Rohl, currently with Sheffield Wednesday, for the Rangers job. (The Scotsman) Amid links with Rangers, former Ibrox defender Russell Martin has admitted he is ready to get back into management and that he has rejected other job offers since being sacked by Southampton. (The National) Tuesday's English & European transfer rumours Monday's Scottish Gossip Talks with Kilmarnock over a compensation deal to make Derek McInnes Heart of Midlothian's new team boss will not be concluded until after the sides meet in their final Scottish Premiership game of the season this weekend, with former Hearts head coach Steven Naismith favourite to replace him at Rugby Park. (Scottish Sun) Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes is edging closer to accepting the Hearts job - almost eight months after Jamestown Analytics suggested him as the ideal man to replace Steven Naismith before the appointment of Neil Critchley. (Daily Record) Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is seventh favourite with bookmakers to become Manchester United manager should the Premier League club part with Ruben Amorim this summer, with Jose Mourinho topping the betting. (Scottish Sun) Rangers are interested in 22-year-old Estoril centre-back Kevin Boma, but the Togo international is valued at up to £6.8m and is also on the radar of Union Berlin and Basel. (TeamTalk) Rangers have targeted Brazilian midfielder Metinho, who is currently on loan with Basel from Troyes, but could face competition from clubs in France and Germany for the 22-year-old who could be available for less than £4m. (TeamTalk) Former Manchester United and Trinidad & Tobago striker Dwight Yorke was offered a contract by Celtic in 2004, but the move never materialised. (Scottish Sun)
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Manchester United Step Up Move for Wolves Star as Højlund Faces Exit
Manchester United Move Boldly for Matheus Cunha: Hojlund Set to Depart Manchester United are wasting little time under Ruben Amorim's watch. According to a TeamTalk exclusive, United have tabled a five-year contract offer to Wolves' standout performer, Matheus Cunha, in a move that could reshape Old Trafford's attacking options. Cunha Talks Accelerate as Competition Grows Negotiations between Manchester United and Cunha's entourage have been progressing swiftly. 'Man Utd have been in talks with Cunha's entourage for some time and negotiations are advancing by the day, but they must move quickly as other Premier League sides also admire him,' TeamTalk reveal. Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Saudi Arabian clubs are reportedly monitoring the situation, ready to pounce should talks stall. Photo: IMAGO United initially proposed a four-year deal with an option for a fifth, but a 'straight five-year deal' running until June 2030 is now on the table. There are still minor salary details to finalise, but fresh meetings are planned to close the deal. Advertisement Interestingly, while United are prepared to meet Cunha's £62.5m release clause, they would prefer a 'deferred payment spread over three or four seasons' to navigate PSR (Profitability and Sustainability Rules) smoothly. Hojlund Facing the Exit Door Cunha's arrival has major ramifications for Rasmus Højlund. Despite high expectations following his move from Atalanta, the Danish striker has struggled, scoring 'just one goal in his last 18 Premier League games.' TeamTalk confirm: 'Given Cunha's potential arrival, Ruben Amorim's side have definitively decided to place Rasmus Hojlund on the transfer list.' Photo IMAGO Serie A sides are circling for Højlund's signature, with a return to Italy appearing increasingly likely. It is a stark reminder of the cut-throat nature of top-level football — potential alone does not buy patience at Old Trafford. Cunha's Fit Under Ruben Amorim The 25-year-old Brazilian has shone for Wolves this season, amassing 17 goals and six assists across all competitions. More than just a striker, Cunha's versatility could prove invaluable: 'Cunha generally plays as an attacking midfielder for Wolves but has also featured as a striker or winger.' Advertisement Such adaptability will be crucial in Amorim's favoured 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 formations. A dynamic forward who can press, create, and finish — Cunha looks an ideal fit for the style United crave but have rarely delivered in recent seasons. Final Steps Before A Major Summer Statement As TeamTalk underline, 'Man Utd are the clear frontrunners in the race to sign Cunha, but nothing is done until a transfer is formally sealed.' Confidence is growing inside Old Trafford that Cunha will become one of the first major additions of Amorim's reign, setting the tone for a summer of aggressive rebuild and high ambition. Word Count: 494 Our View – EPL Index Analysis From a concerned Manchester United fan's perspective, this move feels loaded with risk. Yes, Cunha's numbers at Wolves are impressive, but £62.5m is an enormous outlay, especially when considering United's recent struggles with big-money forwards. Cunha's versatility is a plus, but supporters will wonder if the club is simply swapping one unfinished project for another. Advertisement The decision to offload Rasmus Højlund also feels ruthless. While his output was undeniably disappointing — 'just one goal in his last 18 Premier League games' — fans might argue that an injury-hit, transitional season under Erik ten Hag and now Amorim warranted more patience. Selling so soon after investing heavily in the young Dane may end up looking shortsighted. Moreover, with Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Saudi clubs hovering, the deal isn't done yet. There's a nervous energy among fans: excitement at the idea of Cunha's flair, but scepticism about whether another major transfer gamble will pay off. United must get this right. Otherwise, another season of underachievement beckons, regardless of Amorim's fresh ideas.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Man Utd chase ambitious double transfer to fix midfield crisis
Man Utd Plot Ambitious Midfield Rebuild With Eyes on Guimaraes and Wharton Bold Midfield Plans Reflect Scale of United's Rebuild It has been a sobering season for Manchester United—a campaign where the only glimmers of hope have come not from the Premier League, but from the club's unlikely Europa League run. Ruben Amorim's arrival was meant to signal progress, but it has instead underscored just how much work remains. Photo IMAGO As reported by TeamTalk, United's summer transfer ambitions are taking shape, with a bold move to sign both Bruno Guimaraes and Adam Wharton being discussed internally. It's an audacious plan, one steeped in ambition, but also heavy with logistical and financial challenge. Advertisement Both midfielders are admired for different reasons. Guimaraes brings tenacity, creativity and a winning mentality that has elevated Newcastle's midfield. Wharton, still only 21, is a composed presence with elite potential and a footballing intelligence that belies his age. Amorim is said to be a huge admirer of both, keen to reshape his central core with players who suit his vision of control and aggression in midfield. Guimaraes Deal Hinges on Finances and Fierce Competition Bruno Guimaraes is, in many ways, the perfect profile for a club like United—already Premier League proven, Brazilian international pedigree, and the technical prowess to dictate tempo in any game. But Newcastle, predictably, are not keen on parting ways. Photo: IMAGO 'The competition for the Brazil international midfielder is fierce,' TeamTalk notes, with European heavyweights such as Barcelona already circling. Sources also indicate that Newcastle are planning a contract renewal, complete with a pay rise, to fend off interest and reward the player's influence. Advertisement It would require not just financial flexibility but also Champions League football to convince the 26-year-old to switch clubs—and as things stand, that's far from guaranteed at Old Trafford. Wharton Interest Shows United's Eye for Long-Term Planning While Guimaraes might be the marquee name, Adam Wharton is arguably the more plausible target in the short term. The 21-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise at Crystal Palace and is now an England international with suitors across Europe, including Bayern Munich and Juventus. 'Sources though have confirmed to TEAMtalk that Wharton has been a key target for United for several months,' and Amorim sees him as a key long-term piece in a system that demands technical security and flexibility from its midfielders. Photo: IMAGO Newcastle are also monitoring Wharton as a potential Guimaraes replacement, making this a complex web of interlinked interest and valuations. United must act quickly and decisively if they are to make their admiration count. Casemiro Conundrum Adds Layer of Complexity While the focus is on arrivals, United's challenge also lies in who they can afford to offload. Casemiro, once a linchpin, has struggled to assert himself this season, and the club are looking to move him on. But his wages and diminishing form may make that exit harder to facilitate than initially hoped. Photo IMAGO Christian Eriksen's expected departure is more straightforward, freeing up a slot and easing the wage bill. Still, any progress on incoming deals hinges on how efficiently United manage the outgoing flow. Photo: IMAGO Our View – EPL Index Analysis Guimaraes and Wharton? That's a proper midfield pairing. One's got Premier League steel and flair, the other has raw talent and the coolness under pressure United have been screaming for since Carrick retired. Advertisement You look at how Casemiro has dropped off and Eriksen's legs are gone—it's so clear this midfield needs a total refresh. Amorim seems to get that. What's really exciting is how these two would complement each other. Guimaraes doing the gritty, creative work and Wharton dictating tempo beside him? That's balance. That's modern. That's United moving forward. Yes, it'll be tough to get both. But the fact they're even talking about them suggests INEOS and Amorim aren't messing around. If they want to play progressive, possession-based football, these are the right profiles. Pull this off, and Old Trafford would finally have a midfield worthy of the badge again.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Leverkusen and Atletico lead chase as Man Utd set £70m asking price
Leverkusen and Atletico lead chase as Man Utd set £70m asking price Garnacho Attracting Interest from Bayer Leverkusen and Atletico Madrid Amid Manchester United Uncertainty Winger's Future in Focus as United Eye Rebuild Manchester United's summer transfer window looks set to be shaped by a number of key decisions, and one of the most pressing could concern Alejandro Garnacho. As reported by TeamTalk, the 20-year-old winger is attracting serious attention from across Europe, with Bayer Leverkusen and Atletico Madrid both tracking his situation closely. Photo: IMAGO United face a familiar dilemma: how to balance ambition with a tight transfer budget. With the club under pressure to reshape the squad under the INEOS-led football structure, sales will be necessary to finance arrivals. And that reality is putting some of their most valuable assets, including Garnacho, under the spotlight. Atletico Madrid maintain strong interest According to TeamTalk, Atletico Madrid are among Garnacho's 'favoured landing spots' should he leave Old Trafford this summer. Interest from Diego Simeone's side isn't new. Atleti reportedly 'checked out his situation in January,' but no deal materialised. Advertisement However, their interest has not cooled. Sources suggest Atleti will be 'at the front of the queue' if United give any indication they are willing to entertain offers. The Spanish club are fully aware of Garnacho's long-term ambition to one day play for Real Madrid and see a move back to La Liga as potentially appealing to the player. Photo: IMAGO Bayer Leverkusen join pursuit The latest club to join the race are newly-crowned Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen. As per TeamTalk, the German outfit have already 'checked in with his representatives over a potential deal.' Manager Xabi Alonso is believed to be an admirer of Garnacho's direct style and considers him a strong fit for his high-energy, attack-minded system. Advertisement Leverkusen are aware of the fierce competition and understand that Garnacho may prioritise a return to Spain. However, the allure of Champions League football and the club's impressive upward trajectory could make them a persuasive option. Chelsea monitoring developments Chelsea are also monitoring the situation. Garnacho has long been on the radar of the recruitment team at Stamford Bridge, with his age and profile aligning closely with their data-driven transfer strategy. Yet financial considerations may be a hurdle. TeamTalk note that 'his wage demands would likely be a big problem for Chelsea,' who are cautious about committing large salaries to younger players. United's valuation and next steps Despite reports elsewhere suggesting a £50m price tag, TeamTalk insist Manchester United are holding out for closer to £70m. If offers fall short of that figure, United are likely to push for structured deals including add-ons and performance-related clauses to bridge the gap. Photo IMAGO For now, Garnacho remains under contract and an integral part of the first team. But with interest mounting and United needing to make tough decisions this summer, his future remains one of the key storylines to watch. Our View – EPL Index Analysis For the Manchester United fans, the thought of losing Alejandro Garnacho this early in his career is deeply unsettling. This is a player who embodies everything fans want to see in the shirt — directness, fearlessness, and the kind of spark that's been missing too often in recent years. Advertisement Yes, the club needs funds to reinvest, but selling one of the brightest talents the've produced in the past decade feels short-sighted. We've been down this road before with United cashing in on young assets to fund a rebuild, only to regret it later. Think of how Jadon Sancho was once seen as the solution. Now they're flirting with letting go of a player who has already outperformed him in moments that matter. There's no guarantee that selling Garnacho for £70m will lead to a more balanced squad. And while that figure sounds substantial, it won't go far in today's market, especially when trying to bring in multiple players across positions. The bigger concern is what it says about their direction. If Garnacho, at 20, improving fast, already a fan favourite — isn't part of the long-term vision, then who is? Letting him go now could be a decision United regret for years.
