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Jose Mourinho says he has not given up hope of being handed a Premier League winner's medal if Manchester City are stripped of their titles.

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• Mourinho finished second with Man Utd
• Hoping for medal if City lose titles
• Portuguese icon preparing to face former club

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Fenerbahce boss Mourinho is currently preparing to take on former club Manchester United in the Europa League. Ahead of Thursday's match, Mourinho has looked back on his time with the Red Devils and admitted he hasn't yet given up hope of being handed a Premier League winner's medal. Mourinho guided United to a second-placed finish in the 2017-18 campaign, finishing behind local rivals Manchester City, and the Portuguese boss thinks there's still a chance that his team can be crowned champions if City are found guilty of breaching FFP rules and are stripped of their titles.

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  WHAT MOURINHO SAID

  He told reporters: "As you know, we won the Europa League, we finished second in the Premier League. I think we still have a chance to win that league if they punish Manchester City. And then they have to pay me the bonus and give me the money! I wish the best to Manchester United since the day I Ieft, I want the best for them."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Mourinho was sacked by Manchester United in 2018 after two-and-a-half years in charge of the club. During that time he won the League Cup and the Europa League but couldn't deliver a Premier League title. Mourinho did manage to secure runners-up spot for United, an achievement he has subsequently claimed "was one of his best achievements in football" because "people don’t know what is going on behind the scenes." Meanwhile, Manchester City could face punishment if found guilty over their alleged 115 breaches of Premier League rules. It's been claimed sanctions could range from points deductions, relegation or even the possibility of being stripped of their league titles.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MOURINHO?

  Mourinho has not enjoyed the best of starts to life with Fenerbahce. His team are currently down in fourth place in the league table and he has been accused of "generating unhappiness and hopelessness" in the dressing room. The self-titled 'Special One' will hope to get one over his former side on Thursday, while United are in need of a win after opening their Europa League campaign with two draws.

Tottenham are being tempted to move for a £40 million ex-Chelsea player, after hearing he's now been put up for sale by his current club.

Spurs targeting replacement for Harry Kane this summer

Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou has done very well in his first full season without club-record goalscorer and former superstar Harry Kane, guiding the north Londoners back into Europe and contending for a Champions League place over a large portion of 2024/2025.

Levy urged to re-sign £9.7 million ex-Tottenham player likened to Maddison

He could be a bargain buy for Tottenham.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jun 7, 2024

The majority of their scoring output came courtesy of Son Heung-min and Richarlison, as well as other sources like winger Dejan Kulusevski, with goals being delivered from across the team in a variety of different positions. However, as per widespread recent reports, Postecoglou and the wider Spurs recruitment team are looking to sign another new attacker this summer after Timo Werner – and one who could potentially fill the void left by Kane after his multi-million-pound move to Bayern Munich last year.

Tottenham are open to offers for Richarlison as well, who is attracting interest from the Saudi Pro League, so any name coming in would potentially succeed the Brazilian alongside Kane.

There are few names who have been linked with a move to north London as Spurs eye up new front men. This week, Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri has emerged as a potentially serious target for Tottenham, as some Spanish media sources state they're even in advanced talks.

The Morocco international, who reached the 2022 World Cup semi-finals in Qatar with his country, scored 20 goals in all competitions last season and could cost as little as £21 million.

However, his lack of Premier League experience is one small downside. Spurs have names in mind more suited to the hustle of English football, like Brentford star Ivan Toney, but a new target to be mentioned this week is former Chelsea hitman Tammy Abraham.

Abraham up for sale with Tottenham tempted to move

Roma have apparently put the Englishman up for sale, which has alerted N17 chiefs in their pursuit of a new striker. According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham are tempted to make a move for Abraham after hearing he'll be made available for transfer, with the Serie A side set to demand around £40 million to do a deal.

The former Aston Villa forward enjoyed a phenomenal debut season at the Stadio Olimpico, scoring 17 Serie A goals over 2021/2022, but has failed to replicate those numbers since then – partly due to injuries and the form of his teammates.

"I’ve always said that with the right application, work, commitment and mentality, he can become one of the best strikers in the world," said Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini.

"Tammy has incredible potential. Last season he produced impressive numbers. Besides being a great player, being with him in the dressing room is a pleasure – he’s vital for our group.”

Lucy Bronze insisted Chelsea must play better if they want to win the Champions League after victory over Real Madrid.

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• Chelsea beat Real Madrid in UCL
• Bronze not completely happy
• Bompastor has three UCL wins

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Sonia Bompastor's side opened their Champions League group stage with a 3-2 win on Tuesday, but their performance was less than convincing. Real Madrid had multiple opportunities to get back into the game, and Bronze believes Chelsea should have put the game to bed after Mayra Ramirez made it 3-1 to the hosts early in the second half.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Blues are still getting to grips with Bompastor's tactics after the former Lyon coach's arrival in the summer. The French coach boasts an impressive record in the European competition, having won it twice as a player and once as manager of Lyon in 2021-22, and she will be hoping her expertise can inspire Chelsea to win the tournament for the first time.

• WHAT BRONZE SAID

  "It's a good start but playing like that we won't win the competition," Bronze said after the win. "We gave up goals easily. We were the better team on the night, we possessed the ball in spells really well and our goals were really well taken – but we should have put them to bed early on when we were 3-1 up in the second half.

  "We were playing quite well so we could have scored another and not let them back into the game. In the Champions League, when you let a team back in, they can punish you."

  The defender added: "Both playing for and against Chelsea, I know there is the talent and the competitiveness to win the Champions League [in the squad]. This team has beaten the best teams in Europe in Barcelona and Lyon, and I think this year we are going to have improved on last year.

  "We are poised to push on, we need to improve a lot on tonight but we are in a good position and I think by the end of the season we will be in a really good place."

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• TELL ME MORE

  Chelsea hadn't played a competitive fixture in 10 days leading into the Real Madrid match, which Bompastor believes contributed to her side being sluggish at times.

  "We have to play with a lot of intensity. I don't want to find excuses but maybe because we didn't play for 10 days, it's something that can help you understand why tonight we were a little bit down," she said.

  "We scored the two goals but the players were not working as hard as I wanted them to work on the pitch. When we had the ball we were just walking to get the ball which is not enough. If you want to possess the ball, you have to run a lot.

  "When you begin the game with two goals, it's good to keep that result. We conceded two goals where we maybe could have done better. We were a bit nervous about Madrid getting stronger. I would like us to manage the game better."

Graham Potter addressed his future and insisted that he "hasn't ruled out" managing England as the former Chelsea boss is linked with the Three Lions.

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• Southgate stepped down after Euro disappointment
• Potter has been speculated to take over
• The English manager talked about his future prospects

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  After a whimpering exit from Chelsea, Potter decided to take a break from the public eye to recover from the intense pressures of top-level management. And after remaining 17 months away from the dugout, the manager feels that he is once again ready to don the tactician's hat.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  With Gareth Southgate stepping down following England’s narrow defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final, Potter has emerged as one of the key candidates for the now-vacant England managerial position. He is reportedly on the Football Association’s shortlist of candidates, especially if current interim manager Lee Carsley is not given the permanent post.

• WHAT POTTER SAID

  In an interview with Potter insisted that though he is gearing up for a comeback, the 49-year-old is carefully weighing his next move.

  “I’ve felt ready to return for a little while,” said Potter. “But it still has to be the right thing. I’m excited to hear what the opportunities are and I’ll take each one and judge it on its merits.”

  When asked about his chances to lead The Three Lions he said: "I like the day-to-day and the building process of club management. International management is a different rhythm and there are pluses for that. It’s more intense when it’s on, but you’ve got a bit more breathing space in between. It’s nothing that I’ve ruled out, but at the same time, I do like the day-to-day bit of working with the players and being in at the club and trying to build and make a difference. Making a difference to people is why you do this. When you look back at the players you’ve helped in some way. That’s the most rewarding part.”

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• WHAT NEXT FOR POTTER?

  While Potter remains a key candidate for the England position, he faces stiff competition from other high-profile managers. Eddie Howe, who has performed admirably at Newcastle United, is reportedly under consideration, and there has also been speculation that the FA might look beyond the English shores. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been mentioned as a potential target, with the FA considering a foreign appointment for the first time since Fabio Capello's tenure.

Celtic are plotting a move to sign a "world-class" talent who is earning £10,000-a-week with his current club.

Celtic eye new goalkeeper

Earlier this year, Celtic no.1 Joe Hart announced that he would be retiring at the end of the Scottish Premiership season, ending his career on a high after the Hoops clinched yet another title.

"I wanted to get the message out, as of June I am going to stop playing football", Hart explained in February. "This is something that I have thought about for a while, there's no right or wrong time is there?

"There is obviously a conversation around the goalkeeping position for next season and I think it's really important that with the blessing of the club we get the message out and it takes one thing out of what people are going to speculate over.

"I have gone down every avenue to keep myself in the best possible shape to give my all on game day and I do really think I am at that peak, but I am aware time waits for no man and I don't want my body to be retiring me. That was one of the key factors, thinking I can smash through the finish line."

Following news of Hart's impending exit, the Scottish champions have been linked with a number of new keepers heading into the summer. Celtic have reportedly made an offer of around £6.4m for the services of Trabzonspor goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir, who has been a long-term target for the Scottish outfit. Southampton shot-stopper Alex McCarthy is also being monitored ahead of him becoming a free agent this summer.

Elsewhere, Middlesbrough shot-stopper Tom Glover appears to be of interest, while Motherwell goalkeeper Liam Kelly is said to be on Celtic’s list of summer targets, although rivals Rangers are also keen.

Report: Celtic ahead of Rangers in bid to sign 24 y/o who "does everything"

What an addition this could be at Parkhead.

By
Henry Jackson

May 24, 2024

Now, however, another name, arguably of a much higher quality, has seemingly caught the eye of those at Celtic Park.

Celtic plot move to sign £10,000-a-week player

According to Football Insider, Celtic are long-term admirers of Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher and are plotting their move. Crucially, it is added that the goalkeeper views this summer as the ideal time to move if he is to become the first choice at another club and also the first choice for the Republic of Ireland.

Kelleher, who earns £10,000-a-week on his current deal, which runs until 2026, was handed a more regular starting berth for Liverpool across the 2023/24 season following injury issues with Alisson. He made 26 appearances across all competitions for the Reds, keeping five clean sheets in the process and there have been claims recently that he is pushing to leave Merseyside.

Said displays earned the 25-year-old high praise from Liverpool and Netherlands stopper Virgil van Dijk. Speaking alongside Kelleher after being named man of the match in the League Cup final versus Chelsea, the Dutchman said:

“He should have got it. I’m probably one of his biggest fans, I think. I have always said he is world class and he stepped up today, again. It’s good to see. He’s a good boy, good goalkeeper and that’s what we need at a club like Liverpool.”

Lionel Messi could be in line for a return to the Club World Cup, with Inter Miami open to gracing that event in 2025.

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• Expanded event heading to the United States
• Herons may be asked to join the party
• Argentine has won trophy on three occasions

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  An expanded version of the FIFA-hosted tournament will be heading to the United States next summer. Some 32 teams will now be taking part in the competition, which is set to be held on a quadrennial basis rather than an annual one.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Seattle Sounders, as winners of the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League, will be providing MLS representation on U.S. soil. The United States will also be allowed to send another team on an invitation basis – with it suggested that Inter Miami may get that nod.

• WHAT MARTINO SAID

  The Herons are an obvious choice as they have eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi on their books, and are in the hunt for MLS Cup glory in 2024. Inter Miami boss Tata Martino has said of accepting an invite if one were to be sent to Florida: “Obviously we would like to. Who wouldn't like to participate in a Club World Cup? We have the objectives for this year, what lies ahead, but the other part and the way of qualifying will be determined by those who have to decide.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Messi has graced the Club World Cup on several occasions in the past, but not since capturing that particular crown in 2015. He claimed said title on three occasions while on the books at Barcelona – with global glory complementing three of his four Champions League triumphs during a record-setting spell at Camp Nou.

Over the past couple of seasons, Newcastle United have been blessed with a return to European football, following the fourth-placed finish in the Premier League last season, which secured the club automatic qualification for the Champions League.

Before last season's success, the Magpies had gone 20 years without Champions League football at St James' Park, with a whole generation missing out on the club's glory days.

Since the club's last European adventure, they have dropped into the Championship on multiple occasions, led by the likes of Steve Bruce in what was a dark period under former owner Mike Ashley.

Some of the Magpies' older supporters will remember the impact of players such as Alan Shearer and Les Ferdinand on Tyneside in a period where the club narrowly missed out on claiming the league title.

However, the club also employed another fantastic striker, who enjoyed a successful run in front of goal during his stint at the club throughout the 1990s.

Andy Cole's stats at Newcastle United

After forking out a then club-record fee for his signature in 1993, striker Andy Cole was brought into the club to help the Magpies get out of the old first division and secure promotion to the Premier League.

No one would have envisaged the immediate impact he would have at St James' Park, scoring 12 goals in as many games towards the tail end of the 1992/93 campaign – a run of form that included two hat-tricks.

However, that would only be the start of a phenomenal goalscoring period for the striker on Tyneside, with the Nottingham-born forward bagging 34 goals and 13 assists in just 40 Premier League matches the season prior – an average of 1.2 goal contributions per game during that campaign.

Cole's staggering record would propel the Magpies to a third-placed finish that year, qualifying for the UEFA Cup just one season after securing promotion from the second tier.

Whilst he slowed down his goalscoring form during the 1994/95, he would still post a tally of 15 goals in his first 26 matches – taking his goals scored to 64 in just 86 matches, an obscene record.

However, he would fail to add to his Newcastle tally after he completed a shock £7m move to rivals Manchester United in February 1995 – an English record transfer that would cause outrage amongst the Magpies fanbase.

Everyone knows goalscorers don't come cheap and, whilst it was a record transfer then, how much would he be worth in a modern transfer market? We have the answer.

How much Andy Cole would be worth in 2024

In 1993, when Newcastle signed Cole from Bristol City, it was an expensive one that broke their own record, but it was one deal that proved to be a successful investment.

Whilst his departure set the British transfer record over 30 years ago, if the club had sold him in 2024, that transfer would have been roughly worth an extraordinary £122m, according to a conversion tool from The Totally Money Transfer Index.

That is a deal that would have eclipsed the current British record £115m that Chelsea paid Brighton last summer to acquire the services of midfielder Moises Caicedo and also the £105m Arsenal paid to sign Declan Rice from West Ham United.

Whilst Newcastle selling Cole at the time was seen as an awful move by the club, the fee raised allowed the Magpies to invest the money in Shearer, with the Newcastle-born striker enjoying a successful stint at his boyhood club which saw him become the Premier League's all-time leading scorer and a English icon.

New England manager Lee Carsley has already caused controversy by admitting he won't sing the national anthem.

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• Carsley preparing for first England game
• Ex-Ireland midfielder replaced Southgate
• Won't sing God Save the King before match

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Carsley is set to lead the Three Lions for the first time against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday evening. The former Everton midfielder is the newest England coach after Gareth Southgate called an end to his eight year-reign as after Euro 2024, and Carsley has already said he won't be partaking in the national anthem ahead of kick-off.

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  THE EXPLANATION

  The decision has riled some fans and people in the media, but this isn't a new thing for Carsley. Speaking to the press ahead of the Ireland encounter, the 50-year-old, who represented Ireland 40 times, admitted he's often so in the zone before games that his focus isn't on the national anthem. When the Birmingham-born coach managed England's Under-21, he was also tight-lipped when 'God Save the King' was playing.

• WHAT CARSLEY SAID

  Carsley said: “This is something that I always struggled with when I was playing for Ireland. The gap between your warm-up, your coming on to the pitch and the delay with the anthems. So it’s something that I have never done. I was always really focused on the game and my first actions of the game. I really found that in that period I was wary about my mind wandering off. I was really focused on the football and I have taken that in to coaching.

  “We had the national anthem with the Under-21s also and I am in a zone at that point. I am thinking about how the opposition are going to set up and our first actions within the game. I fully respect both anthems and understand how much they mean to both countries. It’s something I am really respectful of.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR CARSLEY AND ENGLAND?

  Carsley will be hoping for a winning start to life as England's 19th manager. After the opener, the Three Lions face Finland in their second Nations League game on Tuesday. Carsley also hopes to implement his style and philosophy on the squad as the full-time vacancy for the role is still available.

Sporting director Edu and the Arsenal board are ready to green-light three senior players' exits this summer in an effort to fund the major signing of a £100 million star.

Arsenal draw up plans to sign striker, midfielder and winger

The north Londoners are preparing for what will be another crucial summer window, regardless of whether or not they pip Man City to the Premier League title.

Clubs fear £51m striker is certain to join Arteta with Arsenal impressed

The Gunners also think he’s affordable.

By
Emilio Galantini

May 2, 2024

Arsenal have scored more goals and conceded the fewest of any other side in the top flight, but City are usually near-unstoppable at this point of the season and currently hold all the cards with a game in hand on Mikel Arteta's side – who currently top the league by one point.

Following what has been an excellent campaign in terms of form, it will be a real disappointment if Arsenal miss out on the title again after also coming close last season. However, if that is to be the case, Edu and co will soon have an opportunity to shore up the squad and come back stronger next campaign.

The Brazilian and Arsenal chiefs are thought to be eyeing a new striker, midfielder and potentially another winger – according to reliable journalist Charles Watts.

"It's no great secret that Arsenal want to sign a striker this summer. When the window opens it will be the priority, along with a midfielder and potentially another wide attacker," Watts said to CaughtOffside recently.

"It will be interesting to see whether they move for Victor Osimhen. He, like Toney, is a player they like and I know that his representatives have visited Arsenal's training ground for talks with Edu. Those talks took place in the summer when Arsenal eventually signed Gabriel Jesus. Jesus was always the priority that year, but Osimhen was definitely a player they viewed as a serious alternative.

"That interest will remain, but the Nigerian could prove to be too costly an option in a summer given Arsenal want to spread their budget around as they look to take the squad to the next level."

In terms of the midfield players attracting Arsenal interest, one big name who's been repeatedly linked is Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes.

The Magpies midfielder has continued to star under Eddie Howe this season, leading to big clubs targeting a summer move for him, but sides will have a limited time to pay the £100 million release clause in his contract – which is only valid from the last week of May to the beginning of the last week of June (Fabrizio Romano).

Arsenal are considering a summer bid for Guimaraes alongside Man City, and a new report has shed light on how they plan to move for him.

Edu ready to sanction triple Arsenal exit to afford Guimaraes deal

According to Football Insider, Arsenal are ready to offload Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah to fund a move for Guimaraes this summer – as all three don't feature in Arteta's long-term plans.

All three are also homegrown and will count as pure profit, as Arsenal look to try and afford a move for Guimaraes without sailing too close to the wind in terms of potentially breaching Profit and Sustainability rules.

It's added that the Gunners face a race against time to raise the funds needed to sign the £160,000-per-week Guimaraes, due to his release clause only being valid until the end of next month.

Nikita Parris called time on her Manchester United career by moving to Brighton on deadline day.

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• Parris joins Brighton on deadline day
• Man Utd send heartfelt farewell
• Links up with England's Fran Kirby

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 30-year-old was United's top scorer last season as they won their first Women's FA Cup trophy. It is a big coup for Brighton, who are keen to break into the top four ranks in the Women's Super League and showed another statement of intent by signing Fran Kirby.

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• WHAT MAN UTD SAID

  Manchester United said farewell to Parris on Instagram, writing: "Lil Keets, big impact. You'll be missed, @NikitaParris17."

• WHAT BRIGHTON'S MANAGER SAID

  Dario Vidosic said: "We're delighted to bring a player of Nikita's ability and experience to the club. It signals our ambition as a club. Nikita's record as a goalscorer speaks for itself and she will help us a lot in that regard. She is vastly experienced and will be an excellent role model, particularly for our young players. She is looking forward to getting stuck into a new challenge and we can't wait to start working with her ahead of our first WSL game next Saturday against Everton."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR PARRIS?

  Parris was not the only big departure from United this season with Mary Earps moving to PSG, but the English winger opted to stay in the WSL. At only 30, she has plenty of years ahead of her and will now be looking to create history with Brighton. The Seagulls host Everton in their WSL opener next Saturday.