Latest news with #midfield
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Real Madrid eye England international duo as midfield options
Real Madrid's midfield is entering a new chapter following Luka Modric's switch to AC Milan following the expiration of his contract. The Spanish giants saw Toni Kroos retire in 2024, and Modric's departure signals a changing of the guard, as Xabi Alonso plans for the long-term. The club have spent heavily on new defenders this summer, but they are yet to bring in a central midfielder to bolster their weakened engine room in Madrid. Alonso has identified the need for a deeper midfielder, who can provide defensive cover alongside a playmaking role, to ease the void created by Kroos and Modric's exits. The FIFA Club World Cup was used as a testing ground by Alonso, with Arda Guler impressing with his creativity in a central spot, but the coaching staff are unconvinced he can step up straight away. Real Madrid eye Premier League midfield duo According toDefensa Central, Alonso has now turned his attention to the Premier League and is closely monitoring Manchester United's 20-year-old schemer Kobbie Mainoo and Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton. 📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp Despite their respective lack of experience, both players have shown the technical quality to develop into stars at the highest level, with neither playing in Europe in 2025/26. According to the same report, Los Blancos are targeting a signing in the near future and the England international duo have impressed their scouts, but they are 'yet to stand out enough to integrate into Europe's elite'. Real Madrid's scouting department will continue to keep a close eye on both players in the coming months. Any potential offer will not be straightforward, with United keen to retain Mainoo, with an update from GiveMeSport claiming the Red Devils recently rejected approaches from Tottenham. Crystal Palace are also determined to keep Wharton and they could demand a fee in excess of £100m [$132m] to consider a sale at Selhurst Park. Real Madrid news and related links Why Rodrygo could stay at Real Madrid despite Premier League interest Champions League winners facing the axe as Real Madrid plot major changes Real Madrid eye 15-year-old Arsenal wonderkid
The Sun
15 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Tottenham in talks with Bayern Munich to sign Joao Palhinha on loan a year after he left Premier League in £46m transfer
TOTTENHAM are in talks with Bayern Munich over a loan move for Joao Palhinha. Bayern only bought the Portuguese, 30, from Fulham this time last year for £46million. 3 But he struggled with injuries and has fallen down Vincent Kompany's midfield pecking order. Spurs are keen to bolster the centre of the park and are keen on the former Cottagers favourite, though they would prefer to borrow him rather than sign him permanently. Palhinha only featured in 17 Bundesliga appearances last season. He did earn some minor minutes in the Champions League, DFB-Pokal and Club World Cup. He did not contribute a single goal or assist in all competitions. They have already done business with Bayern this summer, having turned Mathys Tel's loan permanent for £30m. Two years ago, they sold their greatest-ever goalscorer, Harry Kane, to the Bundesliga giants for £86m. Kane has since gone on to become a massive hit in Germany and taken his goalscoring to a new level. The striker has scored 85 goals in 96 appearances for the club as well as provided 26 assists. He has also ended his career trophy drought as he lifted the Bundesliga title last term. Spurs star Pape Matar Sarr lobs Arsenal's David Raya 'playing as a centre back' from half-way line in pre-season clash 3 Should Palhinha arrive, it could spark the exit of fellow midfielder Yves Bissouma, who has 11 months remaining on his Spurs deal. New boss Thomas Frank looks set to play with two holding midfielders this season. He has started exciting teenager Lucas Bergvall alongside Rodrigo Bentancur during the pre-season friendly with Arsenal in Hong Kong. 3
Times
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Times
Joao Palhinha: Tottenham in talks to sign Bayern midfielder on loan
Tottenham Hotspur are in talks with Bayern Munich about a loan move for the Portugal international João Palhinha. The 30-year-old has had interest from elsewhere, but he is understood to be keen on a move to north London. Any agreement is likely to feature an option to buy next summer and Bayern are open to a departure. Thomas Frank's side are looking to strengthen the base of their midfield and Palhinha is seen as a good fit for the Premier League, having excelled previously with Fulham. He joined Bayern last summer in a deal worth an initial £42.3million, plus £4.2million in add-ons, which made him the west London club's record sale. He had been a standout performer for Marco Silva's team, winning their player of the season award during his first season after signing from Sporting in July 2022. His aggressive style of play suited the league, and he topped the division for tackles in both campaigns with Fulham. His performances caught the attention of the former Bayern head coach Thomas Tuchel, who tried to sign him in the summer of 2023, but a potential move collapsed on deadline day. Palhinha continued to perform well for Fulham and would finally secure his move to the new German champions a year later, however his first season was difficult. He struggled to adjust to the style of play of the club's new coach, Vincent Kompany, amid competition from Leon Goretzka and Aleksandar Pavlovic, as well as dealing with off-field issues including a muscle injury. He made only six league starts from 17 league appearances for the club. West Ham United tried to sign Palhinha in 2023, a year after he moved from Sporting. He is a product of the Portuguese club's academy and helped them win the league title in 2020-21. Tottenham are also looking for an attacker after a proposed deal for Morgan Gibbs-White collapsed and he signed a new contract at Nottingham Forest. The club also want to bring in a left back and have signed the Ghana forward Mohammed Kudus from West Ham, and the Japanese centre back Kota Takai.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Report – Inter Milan Struggle To Offload Poland & Albania Stars This Summer
Inter Milan are reportedly struggling to offload midfielders Piotr Zielinski and Kristjan Asllani this summer. This according to today's print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews. Inter Milan are thinking about a shakeup in midfield, according to Tuttosport. The aim would be to bring in a player suitable for the central positions in the 3-4-2-1 formation that coach Cristian Chivu is aiming to transition the team to playing. Therefore, the Nerazzurri want a physical, dynamic player with strong tackling and ball-winning ability. A midfielder who can cover extra ground behind the attack. Inter Struggle To Offload Piotr Zielinski & Kristjan Asllani CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JUNE 30: Jhon Arias #21 of Fluminense FC runs with the ball while under pressure from Kristjan Asllani #21 of FC Internazionale Milano during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Fluminense FC at Bank of America Stadium on June 30, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by) Two players who would have little place in Inter's new-look midfield are Piotr Zielinski and Kristjan Asllani. Both of the two midfielders offer plenty in possession. However, where there are doubts is in the pair's physicality and presence off the ball. Therefore, Inter are reportedly looking to part ways with Zielinski and Asllani and sign a different profile of midfielder. Doing so won't be easy though. While Zielinski's quality is hardly in doubt, the 31-year-old's age and wages makes finding a buyer tricky. Meanwhile, Kristjan Asllani has rejected a move to Real Betis this summer. Inter will therefore have to find a solution that the Albanian is happy with.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Revealed – Why Inter Milan Could Prefer To Sign Parma Star Over Genoa & Denmark Midfielder
Inter Milan could prefer to sign Mandela Keita over Morten Frendrup due to the latter's similarity to Nicolo Barella. This according to today's print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews. Inter Milan are reportedly looking to make changes in midfield. The Nerazzurri are aiming to switch from a 3-5-2 formation to a 3-4-2-1 system under Cristian Chivu. Therefore, the duties of the central midfielders will change. Above all, the midfield roles will become more defensive. With an extra forward or attacking midfielders on the pitch, the midfielders must cover a lot of ground and support the attack. Therefore, Tuttosport confirm recent reports that Inter want to sign a more defensively-minded central midfielder. Why Inter Could Prefer Mandela Keita Over Morten Frendrup GENOA, ITALY – APRIL 4: Morten Frendrup of Genoa looks on during the Serie A match between Genoa and Udinese at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on April 4, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by) One name that has popped up on Inter's radar is that of Genoa midfielder Morten Frendrup. The Danish international would certainly offer a strong defensive presence in midfield. However, Tuttosport report, Inter consider Frendrup's profile to be too similar to that of Nicolo Barella. On the other hand, the newspaper anticipate, the Nerazzurri have shown an interest in Mandela Keita. The Belgian is a player who worked effectively with Cristian Chivu at Parma.
