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Manchester United reportedly look to be finalising a deal to hire Mauricio Pochettino as their next manager, but it’s not 100% done yet.

According to the Athletic’s David Ornstein, the Red Devils have chosen Pochettino as their candidate to come in if they go ahead with the sacking of Michael Carrick.

However, it seems Man Utd have yet to contact Pochettino’s current employers, the USA national team, while it seems a final decision has also not yet been communicated to Carrick.

Talks will take place today to finalise the decision, with the Athletic‘s report suggesting the expectation remains that Carrick will be sacked…

? EXCLUSIVE: Manchester United finalising deal to appoint Mauricio Pochettino if ultimate decision made to replace Michael Carrick. 54yo lined up & terms being done with camp. #MUFC yet to contact US but straight-forward should plan proceed @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/YTEGRxbVpF

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) November 11, 2026

“EXCLUSIVE: Manchester United finalising deal to appoint Mauricio Pochettino if ultimate decision made to replace Michael Carrick. 54yo lined up & terms being done with camp. #MUFC yet to contact US but straight-forward should plan proceed,” Ornstein posted on X.

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What else is being reported about Mauricio Pochettino and Manchester United?

Additional reporting from BBC Sport states that United are in talks with Pochettino, who has a release clause in his USA contract.

Meanwhile, Ben Jacobs has posted the below on X, stating that the Argentine wants to take over at Old Trafford…

Mauricio Pochettino set to become the next Manchester United manager if Michael Carrick departs, which is the recommendation of Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox.

Meeting in Monaco today, as revealed. Carrick still waiting to be informed and is currently at Carrington.

Pochettino… pic.twitter.com/2q9kuwxelf

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) November 11, 2026

Pochettino looks like an exciting potential appointment, having done great work during his time in the Premier League with Southampton and Tottenham.

The 54-year-old also had a recent spell in charge of Chelsea, which was more of a struggle, while he is also seen as having under-achieved slightly during a spell in charge of Paris Saint-Germain.

The United job would be a big challenge, with Carrick’s side currently sitting in the relegation zone with just one win in their first ten Premier League games of the season.

Even though MUFC finished third last season, there are numerous issues in this current squad that Pochettino would have to contend with, as well as a huge amount of external pressure due to the expectations of the fanbase.

The post David Ornstein says Man United “finalising deal” for Pochettino – but here’s why it’s not a done deal yet appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool are reportedly ready to keep faith with Jeremie Frimpong and block any potential exit for the Dutch right-back for the rest of this season.

Despite recent links with Frimpong and Saudi Pro League clubs, it seems there is no truth to there being any prospect of the former Bayer Leverkusen man leaving Anfield any time soon.

Frimpong has struggled for Liverpool and looks to have fallen down the pecking order since Andoni Iraola became manager, but for now the club have decided to keep him until at least next summer, according to TEAMtalk.

The Reds might do well to look at the right-back position soon, however, as it perhaps seems unlikely that Frimpong has much of a long-term future with the Merseyside giants after such a disappointing start.

Jeremie Frimpong has struggled at Liverpool

Frimpong looked like a hugely exciting talent during his Leverkusen days, playing as an attack-minded wing-back and excelling in Xabi Alonso’s system as they won the 2023/24 Bundesliga title unbeaten.

For one reason or another, it just hasn’t happened for the 25-year-old in English football, and it now seems that Ronald Araujo is ahead of him in the pecking order.

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For now, Araujo is only at Liverpool on loan from Barcelona, but his quick adaptation and strong performances could mean LFC choose to make that move permanent, and that would surely be an issue for Frimpong.

Liverpool seem keen to keep Frimpong around for depth for the time being, but it could make sense for the player’s future to come into question again next summer, even if he’s safe in his position as we approach the January transfer window.

In truth, it was always going to be a challenge for Liverpool to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, with the England international a world class performer there for many years until he ran down his contract and joined Real Madrid.

The post Decision made: Liverpool make plan for 25-year-old this season appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United are reportedly eyeing up a potential transfer move for Brentford centre-back Nathan Collins for January after failing to strengthen in that position in the summer.

It’s been a terrible start to the season for Man Utd, who drew 4-4 with Aston Villa in their most recent game, which could finally spell the end for manager Michael Carrick.

Still, the manager is not the only problem at Old Trafford, with some questionable decisions made over the summer when the club only signed three new midfielders and failed to fix other areas of their squad.

MORE: Proof Brentford are one of the best-run clubs in the Premier League and Man United are the worst

According to the Daily Mail, this ‘costly misjudgement’ could now see the Red Devils move for Brentford’s Collins this winter, while Fulham’s Calvin Bassey is also mentioned as an option under consideration.

Nathan Collins to leave Brentford for bigger club?

We’ve often seen Brentford selling star names to bigger clubs, with Bryan Mbeumo a recent example as he also left the Bees to join United.

It could be that Collins will be their next major sale, with the Republic of Ireland international often impressing as one of their most solid performers at the back.

Earlier this year, United were linked with Collins by TEAMtalk, while the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham have also been mentioned as suitors by Football Insider.

It certainly seems inevitable that Brentford are going to struggle to keep Collins, and one imagines plenty of MUFC fans would be happy to see him join in the near future as an upgrade on the out-of-form Lisandro Martinez, and the ageing Harry Maguire.

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The post Manchester United eye signing of Premier League star to make up for summer transfer error appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi is reportedly a transfer target for Atletico Madrid, who are also eyeing up Manchester United centre-back Lisandro Martinez.

The Spanish giants are said to be leading the race to sign Zubimendi, who has fallen down the pecking order at Arsenal in recent times despite initially making a strong start to life at the Emirates Stadium last season.

The 27-year-old impressed at Real Sociedad and immediately looked at home at Arsenal, forming a strong partnership with Declan Rice and proving a key figure for Mikel Arteta’s side as they ended their 22-year wait to win the Premier League title.

Still, Zubimendi lost his place towards the end of the campaign and has barely featured so far this term, with talkSPORT now linking him strongly with Atletico Madrid.

They claim Diego Simeone has approved the move, though the Spain international has also been linked strongly with Chelsea by the Independent.

Will Martin Zubimendi leave Arsenal?

We recently covered Zubimendi’s situation here, with the understanding being that Arsenal would prefer to keep him for the rest of this season at least.

Still, things can change, and it is clear that the former Sociedad man has struggled to impress for a while now, with more competition for places since Bruno Guimaraes’ arrival in the summer.

Zubimendi will surely not want to spend that much longer warming the bench, but it remains to be seen if AFC will be prepared to sanction an exit when they need the squad depth.

All in all, it’s an intriguing situation that seems worth keeping an eye on, with top clubs likely to be interested in a quality player like this if he does become available.

Zubimendi could link up with Lisandro Martinez at Atletico Madrid

Another Atletico target mentioned by talkSPORT is Man Utd defender Martinez, who seems more likely to definitely be on the move soon.

The Argentina international has struggled to reach his best form at Old Trafford and he’s also put himself in a difficult position after his recent public outburst against sporting director Jason Wilcox.

Atletico would surely do very well to land two proven talents like this in one go.

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The post La Liga giants eyeing transfer moves for Arsenal and Manchester United stars appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal are reportedly keen on a potential January transfer window deal for Real Madrid forward Endrick as they eye cover for the injured Bukayo Saka.

The Gunners failed to bring in a top class attacking player during the summer despite being linked with big names like Vinicius Junior and Morgan Rogers at the time, so they could do with trying again in January.

Endrick’s lack of playing time at Real Madrid could make him a serious option, and it seems Berta also has connections with the Brazil international’s representatives, according to talkSPORT.

The report suggests that Endrick is available this winter, having been offered to a number of Premier League clubs, so this certainly seems like one to watch.

Our recent information on Endrick transfer situation

Some of the details in talkSPORT’s piece are similar to what we were told about Endrick recently, with the player’s agents keen to get the 20-year-old a move this January due to his struggles at the Bernabeu.

Our understanding has been that although Arsenal have had some historic interest, they are not currently actively pursuing Endrick, with more concrete interest coming from Newcastle United, Aston Villa, and Tottenham.

One significant issue in the past has been that Real Madrid are not keen to let Endrick go, so that could still be an issue, and it might mean clubs are more likely to sign him in a straight loan deal, rather than in any kind of arrangement involving an option to buy permanently.

Can Endrick turn his career around?

Endrick arrived at Real Madrid as one of the most highly-rated young talents in world football after catching the eye at Palmeiras.

A quick and skilful forward who can play up front or out wide, Endrick was well known around the world when he was still only 16, but he’s faced a lot of competition for a first-team place in Madrid.

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A loan move could be a good option for him now, and one imagines he’d be ideal to help Arsenal while Saka is out injured.

Still, if he’s struggled for minutes with Los Blancos, he needs to think carefully about his next move, and perhaps just coming in as short-term cover at another big club is not the ideal next step he needs to get his confidence and rhythm back.

The post Arsenal could use Andrea Berta connection to sign Bukayo Saka cover in January appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United are reportedly keeping a close eye on Rennes defender Mahamadou Nagida as they look to strengthen their left-back options ahead of the January transfer window.

According to a report from TEAMtalk, the Red Devils have been impressed by the Cameroon international following several scouting missions, with the 21-year-old emerging as a serious candidate for a move to Old Trafford.

United are keen to address their left-back problems, having struggled to find a consistent solution at the position. Diogo Dalot has been forced to play left in recent matches, highlighting the need for further reinforcements.

Mahamadou Nagida could be an ideal defensive addition

United believe Nagida has the potential to develop into an important player, with his pace, attacking instincts and defensive work rate making him an attractive option. The youngster joined Rennes in 2023 after developing at the Ecole de Football Brasseries du Cameroun academy and has continued to make encouraging progress in French football.

The Red Devils have reportedly monitored him over the past six weeks, including during Rennes’ Europa League encounters against Juventus and Olympiacos. The feedback from those scouting assignments has been particularly encouraging.

However, United are also considering several alternative options. Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde, RB Leipzig’s David Raum, Club Brugge’s Joaquin Seys and Bournemouth’s Adrian Truffert are among the defenders on their shortlist.

Manchester United planning significant investment at left-back

United’s interest in Nagida comes as Jason Wilcox and Christopher Vivell look to reshape the defensive department. The club could potentially recruit two left-backs across the next two transfer windows, with Luke Shaw’s long-term future also a consideration.

Nagida signed a contract extension with Rennes until 2029, meaning negotiations could prove challenging if United decide to pursue his signature.

Nevertheless, his impressive development and the positive assessments from United’s scouts make him an interesting option. A move to the Premier League could give the 21-year-old the chance to take the next step in his career.

The post Manchester United step up scouting of Ligue 1 defender ahead of January transfer window appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool right-back Jeremie Frimpong is reportedly open to leaving the club during the January transfer window, with Saudi Arabian giants Al-Hilal emerging as a potential destination for the Dutch international.

According to a report from WinWinAllSports, intermediaries have approached Al-Hilal on the 25-year-old’s behalf, and the defender is prepared to discuss a possible move to the Saudi Pro League.

Jeremie Frimpong open to Liverpool exit

Frimpong joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2025, arriving as a replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold after the Englishman moved to Real Madrid.

However, his time at Anfield has not gone as planned. Persistent injury problems and inconsistent performances have prevented the Netherlands international from establishing himself as a regular starter.

Liverpool have also seen Ronald Araujo impress at right-back, while Conor Bradley could provide further competition once he returns to full fitness. These developments could make it increasingly difficult for Frimpong to secure regular playing time.

A move to Saudi Arabia could therefore give the former Leverkusen star a chance to revive his career and take on a fresh challenge.

Liverpool could consider Frimpong’s departure

Meanwhile, Liverpool could explore bringing in another right-back if Frimpong moves on. Barcelona loanee Araujo has emerged as a potential permanent solution, with the Reds reportedly holding a €55 million purchase option.

Chelsea defenders Malo Gusto and Josh Acheampong have also been linked with the Merseyside outfit, while Feyenoord youngster Givairo Read could emerge as another option.

Frimpong still has a contract until 2030, so Liverpool are unlikely to rush into a decision regarding his future. Nevertheless, his difficult start to life in English football could make a separation beneficial for everyone involved.

A January departure would give the defender an opportunity to start afresh, while Liverpool could use the transfer proceeds to strengthen their defensive options.

The post Liverpool star open to January exit as Saudi giants explore potential move appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Chelsea have an important situation to resolve in their defence, with one key player understood to be attracting interest from the likes of Liverpool and Barcelona.

That player is Levi Colwill, with Chelsea hoping to tie the England international down to a new contract to resolve this uncertainty.

This story was first published via the Daily Briefing on Substack – click here for more exclusive content, completely ad-free, delivered straight to your inbox!

While there isn’t too much of a hurry for the moment as Colwill’s current contract expires in 2029, my sources tell me that it’s something the Blues would ideally like to solve soon, with new contract talks one of the priorities at the top of their list for 2027.

Colwill rose up through Chelsea’s academy and has continued to develop well, even if injuries have hampered his progress slightly. There is a strong feeling inside the club, however, that the 23-year-old has a very bright future at Stamford Bridge and can be a real leader and face of this project.

Liverpool and Barcelona eyeing Levi Colwill

Still, sources in the industry are also aware that there is strong interest from both Liverpool and Barcelona in Colwill, and that could be a concern if it tempts him to consider a new challenge.

“Barcelona view Colwill as a top target after studying his performances and stats in great detail,” one source told me this morning. “There have been internal discussions about putting a bid together, possibly as early as this January.”

Other sources played down talk of bids coming any time soon, but there is definitely also the feeling inside Chelsea that they need to get on top of this and ensure that Colwill stays.

The west London giants will seek to hold talks with the defender in the New Year, and by then it might become clearer if the likes of Barca and Liverpool have successfully got in his ear.

Levi Colwill has his price

Even if CFC are absolutely adamant they don’t want to sell, there have been some figures touted by intermediaries that point towards an asking price that they could see as acceptable.

“To be clear, Chelsea want to keep Colwill,” one source said. “That’s their plan. But if someone came in with £65-75m they’d have to think about it. Let’s see how his contract talks go, but that kind of money would be hard to turn down.”

Chelsea could have the opportunity to make a huge amount of ‘pure profit’ from selling Colwill, as they never had to pay anything for him in the first place due to him being homegrown.

That adds another layer of complexity to this situation, but one imagines Chelsea will now act fast to try to resolve the matter and avoid a worrying transfer saga.

If it comes to replacing Colwill, then Chelsea like Como’s Jacobo Ramon and AC Milan’s Koni De Winter, while they previously looked at Jeremy Jacquet before he moved to Liverpool.

The post Liverpool and Barcelona competing for star who could be cleared for £75m transfer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

I posted an exclusive this morning about Liverpool’s interest in Levi Colwill and the whole situation there, but I can now also provide a quick update on another top target of theirs: Luka Vuskovic.

There has been a lot of speculation linking Vuskovic with Liverpool and other top clubs in recent times, and I can confirm that the Reds’ interest in the Brighton centre-back is really strong, as first reported via the Daily Briefing Substack.

Liverpool have been alongside the likes of Bayern Munich in closely monitoring Vuskovic’s rise, with the 19-year-old really catching the eye on loan at Hamburg last season.

I’m reliably told by sources in the industry that senior Anfield figures were “surprised” when Tottenham decided to sell Vuskovic to Brighton. Although Spurs have a 20% sell-on clause and can match any future bids for the Croatia international, they do not have a buy-back clause. This has encouraged Liverpool as they scour the market for centre-backs.

Liverpool looking at Luka Vuskovic and Levi Colwill

There is a recognition at Liverpool that work needs to start on finding Virgil van Dijk’s successor, with the Merseyside giants making Vuskovic their top target, as well as considering Chelsea’s Colwill.

As mentioned in my report earlier, however, it’s clear that Chelsea don’t want to sell Colwill, and hope to start talks with him over a new contract soon. Vuskovic may be more realistic, with Brighton known for cashing in on their stars and making a big profit on them in most transfer windows.

Vuskovic’s strong start to life with the Seagulls has already, I’m told, left senior figures at the club under no illusion that they’re going to face a major struggle to keep hold of him next summer.

Make no mistake, however, any interested clubs will likely have to pay over €100m, perhaps somewhere in the region of £85-90m.

“Brighton are realistic and pragmatic about this, they know, because it’s part of their whole strategy, that eventually Vuskovic is going to leave for big money,” one source said. “Liverpool view him as elite, and perfect to slot in to Andoni Iraola’s system.”

Early indications are that Liverpool are aware of Vuskovic being set to be given a huge asking price, but “that won’t put them off,” according to one well-placed source.

Luka Vuskovic is in elite company

If Vuskovic passes the eye test, then there are also plenty of stats to illustrate just how good he’s been for Brighton.

See below for a look at his aerial duel success rate against his pass accuracy

While Vuskovic could perhaps work on his passing, he’s still young and has the defensive basics absolutely nailed on, putting him in a very similar category to Van Dijk.

He arguably also already looks like a more solid option than Jeremy Jacquet, whose done well since joining LFC this summer.

What do you think about Vuskovic and the idea of him slotting into this Liverpool team? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

The post Sources: Liverpool “surprised” at transfer development, Reds on alert as target could now move for €100m appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United are reportedly confident of winning the race for Leicester City’s in-demand wonderkid Louis Page.

The Red Devils first looked into signing Page in the summer, and it seems they remain frontrunners for the highly-rated 18-year-old midfielder, even if other top clubs could also come into the equation.

A report from TEAMtalk states that Man Utd remain confident of landing Page, but are also up against Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea for the England youth international’s signature.

It seems that Leicester are likely to find it hard to keep hold of Page, who continues to shine as a regular in the Foxes’ first-team despite his inexperience.

Leicester have produced some top talents in recent times, having lost Jeremy Monga to Man City in the summer, and it seems that Page could be the next up-and-coming star to be poached from the King Power Stadium.

Louis Page set for Manchester United transfer?

United have a strong history when it comes to signing top young talents, as well as bringing them up from their academy.

Page looks like he fits the bill for MUFC, with the teenager already looking like someone who’d be comfortable at a higher level, just like the kind of talents the club would sign during the Sir Alex Ferguson era.

Still, with United far from at their best at the moment, it might be that Page will view other clubs like City, Arsenal, or Chelsea as more tempting destinations for his development.

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Leicester will hope to keep Page for a bit longer if possible, as he could be crucial to help them gain promotion back to the Championship following their relegation last season.

Leicester are currently 10th in League One, which is far from ideal, but there’s a long way to go in this campaign, so could still have it in them to put a run together and climb the table.

The post Man United confident of winning wonderkid transfer battle despite City & Arsenal threat appeared first on CaughtOffside.