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Manchester United want Jacobo Ramon, but we’re not sure they’ll get him, even with all the money in the world. 

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Inevitably, in the aftermath of Manchester United’s humiliating defeat to Como in the Champions League, the Premier League club are being linked with transfer interest in one of the Italian team’s best players.

Jacobo Ramon is one of the Spanish talents that coach Cesc Fabregas has been able to tempt over to Serie A, and the former Real Madrid man looks like one of the best young defenders in Europe.

Confident on the ball and physically dominant, it’s natural that top teams are queueing up to sign him. Madrid have a buy-back clause in his deal, and look very likely to exercise it, either to include him in their squad or to sell him on again, as they did with Ramon’s Como teammate Nico Paz this summer.

Ramon an unrealistic target for Man U while club struggle

The Red Devils certainly need fresh blood in their defence, and Ramon looks a rising star.

But honestly, why would he move to Man U? Right now at Como he’s having great success. If he wants to move on (and there will be no shortage of interest) there are clubs just as big as United, but with a much more functional setup in place keen on him.

United’s issues combined with Como’s success and the complicating factor of Real Madrid’s clause make any interest in the 21 year old feel very speculative right now.

Still, given Man U’s history and their budget, nothing can be ruled out fully.

The post Manchester United want rising defensive star – but must be realistic about their prospects appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Oliver Glasner has insisted that Nottingham Forest are heading in the right direction, despite their struggles to start the season.

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The big storylines in the big 6 clubs are keeping Nottingham Forest out of the headlines right now, but there are plotlines bubbling under the surface at the City Ground ready to burst to the surface.

It’s been a disappointing start to the season under new manager Oliver Glasner, and there is pressure on Austrian already. His team are 18th in the table, with just 6 points from 8 games. Their next four games see them face Brentford away, Man City, Bournemouth away and then Chelsea, so things aren’t getting any easier for him and his team.

They have conceded 10 goals, significantly fewer than the teams around them, but have scored just 6 of their own.

Glasner respects the point – but fans may feel differently

“The first thing I learned in the Premier League is to respect the point, especially away from home,” he said after Friday’s draw against Ipswich.

“The result doesn’t reflect the performance. But I don’t know a different solution than just keep going, because everyone feels we are on the right track.”

“Respecting the point” is just not the sort of phrase fans want to hear, especially when you’ve just faced Ipswich. Glasner deserves time, but he needs to convince others that he and his team are indeed “on the right track,” because we’re not sure “everyone” thinks they are as he claims.

The fact that he’s got a notoriously explosive owner watching over his shoulder won’t help any sense of stability at the club right now.

The post Nottingham Forest “on the right track” claims under pressure Glasner appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Michael Carrick is a lame duck at Man U, and it’s doing a huge amount of damage day by day as they panic about a replacement.

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Michael Carrick is a lame duck at Manchester United right now, and that always ends the same way.

Clubs sometimes want to keep a coach in place because they want to sack him at a more convenient time. But it usually backfires like this. Any remaining authority they have evaporates because it’s an open secret they’re going.

Results only get worse, and the decision to postpone their removal ends up looking more foolish by the week. In this case, the dressing room had already given up on Carrick, and things are spiralling fast.

Decision to keep faith in Carrick proving wrong one as spiral continues

“I reckon what’s happened in the 24 hours after Bournemouth is that [the club decision makers] literally debated it back and forth,” Neville speculated on his “Stick to Football” podcast with Jamie Carragher.

“I don’t know this, but they’ve debated it to the point where they’ve got themselves into a muddle, and thought, ‘we’ll just stay with him’.

“I think staying with him is a result of the lack of planning, the lack of probably available options, the lack of decision-making around the two people that probably are available. That’s when you’re really struggling.

“Sometimes a manager needs sacking for their own good. I needed sacking at Valencia. I was happy that they put me out of my misery.”

We don’t know who Man U are lining up to replace the former interim man, but the list of people willing to take that job must be shrinking every day.

The post Neville clear on why Man U are still sticking with Carrick despite collapse in results and morale appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Aston Villa are looking increasingly impressive, and some of their summer departures are probably wishing they had stayed put.

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Aston Villa beat Man City at the weekend, continuing their steady improvement this season.

On Football Insider, former Aston Villa scout Bryan King explained how impressed he had been by the way Unai Emery had once again regenerated a team from the ashes. As usual they started the season slowly, but are now picking up steam as the summer arrivals settle in:

“They’ve settled in and they’re starting to perform very well. They look a good side, Villa,” King said.

“You certainly have to give a lot of praise for the recruitment during the summer. They never sat back. They went out and spent the money that they got in from [Morgan] Rogers and from the other players.

“I bet people like Tielemans are starting to think, ‘I wish I’d stayed’. One player doesn’t make a football team.”

Villa reassemble on the fly while Man U continue to look lost

Tielemans may well wish he had stayed at Villa. And given how well Villa are starting to do this season, they might be wondering what their ceiling would have been had they been able to keep the Belgium star.

It’s really a tale of two clubs – one which has infinite resources and yet can’t build a successful squad or find a manager who can bring success. The other has a top coach who continues to rebuild, even after a summer where he lost the spine of his team.

The post “I wish I’d stayed” – Man U summer signing might be having transfer regrets claims former scout appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Chelsea’s chances of signing Alex Scott in January look to be improving as things fall in place for a potential massive deal.

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Jordan Henderson made a positive impact at Chelsea this season, seemingly both and off the pitch.

Having him partner Moises Caicedo in midfield returned some stability to the team. But we all know that we should be aiming higher than a guy who Liverpool shipped off to Saudi Arabia three years ago for being past it.

The top option for a dynamic player to come in and play alongside Caicedo is Alex Scott of Bournemouth. And the more we hear, the more possible a January switch for the midfielder is.

The Cherries have found some good form, even with Scott out injured. That will make them feel more comfortable about not being in a relegation battle this season, and about selling a key player mid-campaign.

Chelsea could try to break trends with major January addition

Chelsea insider Simon Phillips has reported consistently that the Blues are ready to make an ambitious bid for Scott in the winter window.

Scott’s contract at Bournemouth, which is up in 18 months, puts more pressure on them to sell, and they may see this upcoming January as the peak of his value. It would be unusual to see a £100m move happen mid-season, but things do seem to be falling into place for that to happen here.

There is a sense that a move of that size, for a player in such an important role, could really put the Blues’ season back on track.

The post Sources increasingly confident Chelsea ready to break records with £100m+ January move appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool and Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha as both clubs assess potential reinforcements ahead of the January transfer window.

According to an exclusive report from TEAMtalk, Dortmund are reluctant to sanction the German international’s departure during the winter window, despite growing interest from the Premier League giants.

Felix Nmecha attracts Premier League interest

The 26-year-old has developed into an influential midfielder since joining Dortmund from Wolfsburg in 2023. His technical ability, physical presence and energy have made him an attractive option for several leading clubs.

Manchester United have maintained their interest in Nmecha and have reportedly made contact as they explore midfield options. The Red Devils want to strengthen their engine room, and the Germany international could add physicality, ball-carrying ability and defensive stability.

Liverpool are also monitoring his situation as they consider alternatives to Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott. The Reds could benefit from adding another dynamic presence in midfield, particularly if they struggle to secure their preferred targets.

Nmecha’s familiarity with English football could also help him adapt quickly. He spent more than a decade in Manchester City’s academy before moving to Germany, making a potential return to the Premier League an intriguing possibility.

Dortmund demand huge fee for Nmecha

However, convincing Dortmund to sell will not be straightforward. The Bundesliga club considers Nmecha an important part of its long-term plans and has tied him to a contract until June 2030.

According to TEAMtalk, Dortmund value the midfielder at approximately €90 million to €100 million, making a January transfer financially challenging.

An €80 million release clause is reportedly due to become available in summer 2027, rather than during the upcoming winter window. This means interested clubs would need to negotiate directly with Dortmund to secure his services before then.

Liverpool and Manchester United are expected to keep monitoring developments, but a summer move seems more likely. With Dortmund unwilling to lose a key player midway through the campaign, both clubs may have to wait before making a serious attempt to sign Nmecha.

The post Euro giants set huge asking price as Liverpool and Man United target €90m-rated signing appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Newcastle United are reportedly intensifying their pursuit of Wisla Krakow left-back Jakub Krzyzanowski as they look to strengthen their defence ahead of the January transfer window.

According to an exclusive report from TEAMtalk, the Magpies recently sent scouts to watch the 20-year-old in action against Rakow Czestochowa, underlining their growing interest in the promising Polish defender.

Jakub Krzyzanowski attracts Newcastle interest

The youngster has progressed through Wisla Krakow’s academy and established himself as a regular first-team player. His consistent performances this season have drawn attention from several European clubs, and Newcastle is now assessing the possibility of signing him.

Krzyzanowski has featured in every league minute this campaign, demonstrating his reliability and defensive consistency. His attacking contributions and ability to operate effectively down the left flank have also enhanced his reputation as an exciting prospect.

Newcastle could benefit from adding another natural left-back. Lewis Hall remains an important option at the position, but signing a promising young defender would add depth and strengthen the club’s long-term plans.

The Magpies are not alone in their pursuit, however. Augsburg previously submitted an offer for the Polish talent, and several other European sides have also expressed interest in signing him.

Newcastle consider January move for Krzyzanowski

However, completing a deal could require careful negotiations. Wisla Krakow rejected Augsburg’s approach in the summer and later extended Krzyzanowski’s contract until June 2030, putting the Polish club in a strong negotiating position.

Newcastle are reportedly considering a January agreement that would let the defender stay at Wisla until the end of the season before moving to England. The clubs could also explore an immediate transfer if they agree on suitable terms.

With his performances attracting increasing attention, Krzyzanowski could become an interesting target for the Premier League side. Newcastle are expected to continue monitoring his development, although competition from other clubs could complicate their efforts to secure his signature.

The post Newcastle step up pursuit of 20-year-old wide man after sending scouts to watch him appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are both paying close attention to the situation of one big name at Barcelona, as reported first via the Daily Briefing.

The player in question is Fermin Lopez, who has long been on the radar of top clubs in the Premier League and elsewhere in Europe.

Although Barcelona would prefer not to sell the Spain international, their ongoing financial issues mean they would have to consider big offers, and my understanding is that Chelsea and PSG could be ready to test that.

“PSG are preparing a serious offer worth around €80million for Fermin Lopez,” a source with links to the agents industry told me. “Chelsea are also considering a massive bid.”

Fermin Lopez’s transfer situation

It’s not currently clear if Lopez himself is pushing to leave Barcelona, as he previously turned down interest from Chelsea.

It was confirmed that the Blues made a very significant offer for the player back in the summer of 2025, and they seemingly made it clear they would be prepared to come back in for him if his situation were to change.

Barca may now be open to cashing in on Fermin and although this has not been formally communicated to him, it could be significant in terms of encouraging him to explore other options.

While he was previously sure of his role and keen to stay at Barcelona, there is a lot of competition in Hansi Flick’s squad and he might find he gets more regular playing time at Chelsea or PSG.

Those clubs have the most concrete interest for the moment, while I’m also told that Arsenal and Manchester United have made checks on his situation in recent months.

It’s all a little speculative for now as it would require big money and buy-in from the player, but there’s certainly something brewing here and a growing feeling that this could be a serious story to watch either in January or next summer.

Chelsea have money to spend

With Cole Palmer going a little off the boil in recent times, and Estevao Willian increasingly out of favour under Xabi Alonso, it could be that we’ll see Chelsea make some changes to their attack.

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For now, however, the more imminent possibility is that Chelsea will prioritise a move for Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott for January.

The west London giants are understood to be increasingly confident of their chances of winning the race for the England international after first trying for him in the summer.

That will likely be Chelsea’s main business this winter, but if they can wrap that up early it will also be interesting to see if they decide to step up their pursuit of Lopez.

The post Chelsea & PSG battling for potential €100m attacker transfer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea are reportedly among the clubs eyeing up the potential transfer of Como attacking midfielder Nico Paz.

The talented young Argentina international is tearing it up in Serie A and the Champions League at the moment, earning the reputation for being one of the most exciting players on the market.

Paz is not for sale at the moment, with Como likely to ask for as much as €100m to let him go if any clubs come calling, according to a report from TEAMtalk.

Real Madrid are also mentioned in the piece, as they have a buy-back clause worth €80m for Paz, who they sold to Como for €60m this summer.

It seems inevitable that Paz is going to go right to the top, but it will be interesting to see where he ends up next after this impressive spell at Como.

Nico Paz shining under Cesc Fabregas – could they move together?

One interesting detail to watch could also be the future of Como manager Cesc Fabregas, who is also surely going to be linked with big clubs before too long.

The former Spain midfielder, who represented Arsenal and Chelsea during his playing days, has occasionally been linked with top jobs, so he might want to sign Paz in the future.

United are struggling at the moment and that might see them consider Fabregas as an upgrade on Michael Carrick, in which case they could then be in an advantageous position for Paz.

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At the same time, MUFC might go for someone more experienced for now, while Fabregas might also favour returning to one of his former clubs later on.

If Arsenal or Chelsea make a change any time soon, that could then give them the edge in the race for Paz, though Real Madrid’s buy-back clause is also surely still significant.

Los Blancos surprisingly sold Paz this summer instead of bringing him into their first-team, but perhaps they’ll find it harder to ignore him when it comes to next summer.

The post Arsenal, Man United & Chelsea eyeing star with €100m asking price appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal are reportedly alongside the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain as transfer suitors for Monaco striker Paris Brunner.

The talented 20-year-old has impressed this season, scoring six goals in his first eight appearances of the season in all competitions.

It seems this has alerted the Gunners and other major European clubs as Monaco look to be under some pressure to sell players due to financial issues this January, according to TEAMtalk.

Brunner surely looks like he could soon be capable of stepping up to a higher level, though he’s also relatively inexperienced and this is his first real run in the Monaco first-team.

Still, there’s no doubt this season is going really well for the Germany Under-21 international and it makes sense for big clubs to monitor him, especially those in need of attacking reinforcements in January.

Could Paris Brunner be a smart investment for Arsenal?

Arsenal have issues up front at the moment as both Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres struggle for form, while there are also injuries to Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, and Christos Tzolis.

The Gunners tried signing big names like Vinicius Junior and Julian Alvarez over the summer, but it may be that investing in a young talent like Brunner would be better.

The Monaco youngster might not necessarily go straight into Mikel Arteta’s starting line up, but he could add depth and challenge the other strikers to up their performance levels.

It will be interesting to see if Arsenal go for Brunner or for another exciting young talent in the form of Club Brugge striker Nicolo Tresoldi, who is another name attracting headlines at the moment.

Tresoldi has been linked with Arsenal by Sky Germany and could be another emerging young talent that wouldn’t cost a fortune.

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The post 6 goals in last 8 games – Arsenal rival Euro giants for transfer of 20-year-old talent appeared first on CaughtOffside.