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Plymouth manager Wayne Rooney says Derby County have a 'huge place' in his heart as he prepares to face his former team this week.

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• Rooney was player and manager at Derby
• Club were devastated by financial issues
• Plymouth boss set for return to old team

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Rooney's playing career ended and his managerial career started at Derby as he oversaw a difficult time for the club. The Rams narrowly avoided relegation from the Championship with Rooney at the helm, but were relegated the following year as financial issues sent the club into administration.

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  Derby secured promotion back to the second tier last season after finishing second in League One and come up against Rooney's Plymouth on Saturday, and the former striker looked back on his time at Pride Park.

• WHAT ROONEY SAID

  "It was difficult times for the football club, for the fans, for the staff," he told reporters. "We had staff members being made redundant and losing their jobs, but we had to really try and keep it close-knit. Sometimes through the most difficult moments bring people together, and I think that's exactly what happened."

  Rooney added: "Derby County has a huge place in my heart. My last game in football was for Derby and they gave me an opportunity in management and I had some really good times there. The fans were excellent, so it's a place where I really enjoyed going into work. Of course while they're playing us I don't want them to do well, but other than that it's good to see them back in the Championship."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR PLYMOUTH?

  Plymouth are third-bottom in the Championship after 14 matches, but the table is still tight at this stage as just four points separate them from ninth place. They will hope to claw their way up the table with a second straight win at the weekend.

Manchester United and new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe have submitted an improved £60m offer to sign a "complete" midfielder for Erik ten Hag.

Man Utd eyeing centre-back, midfielder and forward

The Red Devils and INEOS have already made their first big decision of the summer by keeping Ten Hag in charge at Old Trafford and handing the Dutchman a new contract until 2026.

That has been signed by the 54-year-old, who said: "I am very pleased to have reached agreement with the club to continue working together. Looking back at the past two years, we can reflect with pride on two trophies and many examples of progression from where we were when I joined.

"However, we must also be clear that there is still lots of hard work ahead to reach the levels expected of Manchester United, which means challenging for English and European titles. In my discussions with the club, we have found complete unity in our vision for reaching those goals, and we are all strongly committed to making that journey together."

Attention is now on the transfer market ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, with a new centre-back, midfielder and forward wanted by the Red Devils. In regards to specific targets Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee and Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt appear to be high up on the club’s wishlist.

Man Utd close to signing teenage winger represented by Jay-Z agency

He’s been called quick and dynamic.

By
Charlie Smith

Jul 5, 2024

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte has also been heavily linked with a move to Manchester, alongside Benfica’s Joao Neves. Previously, Ratcliffe submitted an opening £51m offer for the Portuguese star, and it looks as if they aren’t giving up with a new offer made.

Man Utd submit improved £60m bid for Joao Neves

According to reports in Portugal, relayed by The Metro, Man Utd have now made a new offer to sign Neves from Benfica. It is claimed that the improved bid is worth €70m (£60m), however, it has once again been rejected, with Paris Saint-Germain also having the same proposal turned down.

Neves has a release clause of €120m (£105m) in his contract, and it looks as if any side wanting to sign the midfielder will need to place an offer closer to that figure, with Benfica possibly willing to negotiate a price following the European Championship.

Currently at Euro 2024 with his country, Neves has also been linked with Arsenal and Liverpool, and former trainer Luis Castro has also praised Neves, describing him as a “complete” player who could shine in the Premier League.

“(He can) play in any championship in the world. (He’s) a complete and very intelligent player. The Premier League is the best league in the world, and not only would he be able to adapt, but he would also play and shine.

“Knowing Joao, I think he is not worried about the next step but about the next game. He had good training at Benfica, but at family level he also had a lot of support. He is very focused. I believe that if and when he takes the leap he will be prepared. He started training with the A team around the time of the World Cup because they needed him, and I told my technical team that we probably wouldn’t see him again. I knew his quality and his way of working.”

Amid their widely reported agreement with Aston Villa over Ian Maatsen, it is believed that Chelsea chief Todd Boehly is prepared to offload a £175,000-per-week member of the squad as well.

Chelsea agree deal to sell Ian Maatsen to Aston Villa

Following on from Thiago Silva's departure from Stamford Bridge, it now looks as if left-back Maatsen, who helped Borussia Dortmund reach the Champions League final last season, will be the next high-profile exit.

Chelsea chiefs identify new top target in £85 million Duran alternative

Todd Boehly and co look like they’re moving on from the Colombian.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jun 19, 2024

The Dutchman spent the second half of 2023/2024 on loan at Dortmund and earned rave reviews. He contributed both defensively and going forward, scoring two goals and adding another two assists in 16 Bundesliga appearances.

Maatsen also played a heavy hand on their run to the Champions League final with seven outings and a goal in the competition, but there is no place for him in Enzo Maresca's plans as Chelsea chiefs give the green light to offload him.

Indeed, Aston Villa have agreed a deal to sign Maatsen from Chelsea, which could amount to around £35-£40 million. His move is subject to a medical, and the player has been offered a six-year contract in the Midlands.

This fee will do wonders to bolster Maresca's transfer kitty, as the Blues look to operate within the PSR limit and back their new manager with key additions. As well as Maatsen, a succession of Chelsea players are being linked with the exit door, and many more are expected to follow the 22-year-old.

Chelsea also prepared to sell Marc Cucurella this summer

According to reliable journalist Matt Law, one of them is fellow left-back Marc Cucurella.

The Spaniard, who earns around £175,000-a-week in west London, worked his way into Mauricio Pochettino's plans last term after spending the first few Premier League games on his bench.

Cucurella started all of Chelsea's final 12 top-flight matches, bagging two assists in that time, as Pochettino's favoured left-back option. He could've started more as well, if not for his ankle injury which kept him out for nine games midway through the season (Transfermarkt).

The former Brighton ace was praised for thriving in a late-season inverted role under Pochettino and has been called "perfect" for Maresca's system (Ben Jacobs). However, despite this, Law claims Chelsea would accept bids for Cucurella this summer and may let him leave.

“I’ve been told a lot of players will go," said Law on London is Blue, via Chelsea Chronicle.

"Casadei might go, and Datro Fofana will go, whether on loan or permanent. I think they would accept bids for Cucurella; whether they’d get any, I don’t know. Maatsen will go; he’s part of the Duran thing with Villa. I do think Chalobah will go.”

It will be interesting to see whether Chelsea do accept offers for Cucurella given his potential suitability for Maresca, but it appears the axe is swinging over the Italian's squad afrer Maatsen.

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a last-gasp spot-kick as Al-Nassr crashed out of the King Cup of Champions, and has since spoken out on social media.

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• Ronaldo missed last-minute penalty
• Al-Nassr out of King Cup of Champions
• Ronaldo will next meet Neymar's Al-Hilal

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Al-Nassr suffered their first major setback in the Stefano Pioli era on Tuesday as they went down 1-0 against Al-Taawoun in a round-of-16 clash and crashed out of the King Cup of Champions. Waleed Al-Ahmed handed Al-Taawoun the lead in the 71st minute but Ronaldo had the golden opportunity to score a last-minute equaliser as his club were awarded a penalty.

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  The Portuguese star, who is known for his accuracy from the spot, shocked everyone as he blasted his kick over the crossbar, resulting in his team's elimination from the competition. After the game, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player sent out a defiant message to his colleagues and Al-Nassr fans.

• WHAT CRISTIANO RONALDO SAID

  On Instagram, the 39-year-old shared a photograph of himself from the match and wrote in the caption: "Every challenge is an opportunity to grow."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR CRISTIANO RONALDO?

  The superstar forward will be back in action for the Saudi giants this Friday as they take on reigning champions Al-Hilal in a mega Saudi Pro League clash at home.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has admitted he's "saddened" to see Erik ten Hag leave Manchester United in his first statement as interim head coach.

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• Ten Hag sacked after West Ham defeat
• Van Nistelrooy in as interim head coach
• Will oversee cup game against Leicester

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Van Nistelrooy reacted to Ten Hag's sacking in his programme notes ahead of United's League Cup fixture against Leicester City. The former Red Devils striker, who returned to the club as Ten Hag's assistant in the summer, will take charge of the game as his stint as interim boss gets underway with a home contest.

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  In his message to the club's supporters, Van Nistelrooy admitted Ten Hag's departure had left him "saddened" as he thanked his compatriot for giving him an opportunity to return to Old Trafford as part of the coaching setup. Little more than three months after his arrival, Van Nistelrooy will now take up Ten Hag's old seat in the dugout.

• WHAT VAN NISTELROOY SAID

  “As I am sure everyone can imagine, I am writing these notes with a huge amount of mixed emotions," Van Nistelrooy said in United's official matchday programme notes. "Erik ten Hag brought me back to Manchester United in the summer and, while I have only been part of the coaching staff here for a few months, I will always be grateful to him for giving me the opportunity, and I am saddened to see him leave.

  “Even on an interim basis, it is a great honour to manage the club I love for however long I am asked to do so. I can promise that I will continue to give my all, in whatever capacity, to try to turn around our fortunes.

  “Despite our results, I am loving being back at Old Trafford and working with the team and staff every day. We’ve seen the squad’s potential at times this season, but clearly not often enough.

  “Now is the time for everyone at the club to work together, give everything and turn this season around while we have time. From my experiences as both a player and a coach here, I can say for sure that when players, staff and supporters pull together, Manchester United can be unstoppable."

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• TELL ME MORE

  Van Nistelrooy also insisted that United can return to the heights he enjoyed himself as a player under Sir Alex Ferguson, as he urged the club's supporters to get behind the players.

  "Every game we play is also an opportunity for us to remind everyone – ourselves included – of what this great club stands for," he added.

  "When I returned in the summer as Erik’s assistant, it was because I believe that Manchester United can climb back to the levels that I knew here as a player. I still have that belief, but it will take time and a lot of hard work.

  “The first step is to restore the winning habit, starting at Old Trafford this evening. I know first-hand the positive effect that our wonderful fans can have on the team, so please get behind the players as we fight together to move a step closer to Wembley.”

Everton Football Club have recently become the home to one of England under-20s' most exciting talents after they confirmed the signing of young midfielder Tim Iroegbunam from Aston Villa. He cost the club £9m, and will likely become a first-team option for Sean Dyche in midfield.

However, Iroegbunam is not the only young talent from the England under-20 side who could make waves in the Premier League this season. Midfielder Adam Wharton is now at Euro 2024 with the first team, after switching from Blackburn Rovers to Crystal Palace in January and excelling in the middle of the park at Selhurst Park.

That is a team that also features Lewis Miley of Newcastle, a player who broke into the Magpies side last season aged just 17 and locked down a place in the starting eleven for much of the season. His Newcastle teammate Lewis Hall is also involved in the squad, as well as Manchester City winger Micah Hamilton and Tottenham striker Dane Scarlett.

However, with the summer transfer window upon us, the Toffees have been linked to another member of that squad, who captained the side until he became too old to feature. He could well make the switch to Goodison during the transfer window.

Everton target League One defender

The player in question here is Peterborough United’s English defender Ronnie Edwards. The 21-year-old is highly rated by fans of the Posh and neutrals alike, and he could well depart the club this summer amidst interest from Premier League clubs.

At least, that is according to a report from journalist Graeme Bailey. Bailey explains that the race for the exciting young defender is 'heating up', and that 'interest from the Premier League has gathered' in recent days, as clubs look to prise the youngster away from the club.

However, the Toffees will not be the only top-flight club hoping to add Edwards to their ranks. Bailey suggests that 'enquiries have landed' from more than just Everton, with Newcastle wanting to reunite him with Miley and Hall and add him to their ranks. South Coast sides Brighton and Southampton also hoping to bring him into their club, with the Saints also making enquiries.

In terms of a price for Edwards, Sky Sports explains that the Posh would accept a bid in the region of £10m. The 21-year-old’s contract expires in 12 months, and Peterborough may well accept a cut-price deal to avoid him walking away from the club for free.

Why Edwards would be a good signing

Despite his age and inexperience in the grand scheme of things, Edwards played 55 times for Peterborough last season, missing just one game out of 46 in League One and 90 minutes in their play-off semi-final defeat to eventual winners Oxford United. The England under-20 captain also helped to keep 13 clean sheets in League One.

Football analyst H is one person who is a big advocate of the Peterborough man. He regularly waxes lyrical about him on social media, explaining that he will “play for England one day”, as well as calling him the “crème de la crème” of young English centre-backs.

In terms of his profile, Edwards is a progressive centre-back who is wonderful on the ball. He is an excellent carrier and is statistically one of the best passers of the ball in League One. According to Sofascore, the 21-year-old averages the most accuracy passes per game in the entire division, with 83.4 at an accuracy of 92%. His 6.9 long balls per game on average are also more than any other League One player.

Should Everton get a deal for Edwards across the line, the 21-year-old could become an ideal replacement for Jarrad Branthwaite. Like the Peterborough defender, Branthwaite is highly rated and already has one England cap to his name. His future at Goodison Park is not certain, with Manchester United sniffing around to add him to their squad, If he does leave, Everton could replace one of the best English centre-back prospects with another at the heart of their defence.

In terms of their quality as out-and-out defenders, the pair are both excellent. Like Branthwaite, Edwards is more than adept at defending wide areas and is also an excellent box defender like the England international. This is reflected in their stats from last season, which are neck and neck despite the quality gap between the leagues they played in during 2023/24.

If Everton manage to get a deal for Edwards sealed this summer, he would add quality and depth to their defensive options, meaning the potential sale of Branthwiate would be less impactful. Whether or not he is an immediate starter remains to be seen, however, the 21-year-old could be a dream replacement for Branthwaite.

Coming in at just £10m, the Posh defender could be England’s next big thing, and be at the heart of the Everton defence for years to come, an ideal replacement for the former Carlisle defender.

Everton target Onana replacement who used to be "the best DM in the PL"

Everton could sign the perfect replacement for Amadou Onana.

By
Connor Holden

Jun 27, 2024

Manchester United are looking to part ways with Antony during the January transfer window, either on loan or through a permanent sale.

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• Man Utd ready to sell Antony
• Will listen to offers in January
• Might be loaned out to secure more minutes

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Antony has regularly come in for criticism for his dreadful performances in a United shirt. Despite being afforded many chances by manager Erik ten Hag, he has constantly failed to deliver the goods and is considered one of the club's worst-ever signings.

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  Signed for a staggering £86 million ($112.4m, €103.2m) from Ajax in the summer of 2022, Antony's displays have failed to meet expectations, and the club are now willing to listen to offers of around £40m ($52.3m, €48m) as they look to cut their losses, according to the

  The report further mentions that United are also weighing up whether to loan out Antony in hope of increasing his value ahead of the summer 2025 window.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  In total, Antony has played 86 games for the club, scoring just 12 goals and assisting five more. He has made only four appearances and started just one match in the Premier League this term.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ANTONY?

  Antony will be hoping to feature when United return to Premier League action on Saturday at home to Brentford. If the club are indeed trying to move on him, he's running out of time to fight for his future.

Aston Villa have been dealt a blow as it has emerged that a potential sale is in danger of collapsing, piling more pressure on the Midlands club as they look to meet financial fair play guidlines.

Villa one of five clubs facing race against time

Aston Villa are one of several clubs in danger of falling the wrong side of the Premier League's Financial Fair play guidelines this summer. After posting losses of £120m last year, Unai Emery's side need to sell players to balance their books.

They are not alone, with reports claiming that Everton, Nottingham Forest, Leicester City and Newcastle United are all under the same pressure, and all facing a race against time to turn a profit.

Aston Villa hold talks for dream £25m Gallagher partner

After sorting out PSR concerns Emery can shape his squad with talented new members.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jun 13, 2024

Villa are already well on their way, with an interesting swap deal set to send Douglas Luiz to Juventus. In exchange, the Midlands outfit will receive Juve outcasts Weston McKennie and Samuel Iling-Junior, as well as £17m, which will boost their profits.

There is also interest from Chelsea in Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran, who is valued at around £50m, which could raise further funds should a deal go through.

From Emery's side, there is thought to be interest in Conor Gallagher, also valued at £50m, though the Blues are considering offering their skipper a contract extension at Stamford Bridge. And, in another blow to the Villans, a potential departure could be set to collapse just weeks before the financial fair play deadline.

Defender deal in danger of collapse

Now, it has emerged that Villa's sale of Matty Cash is in danger of falling through. The Poland international was a key figure in the opening months of the season, but fell down the pecking order over the course of the campaign and was displaced from right-back by Ezri Konsa.

He was not even in the squad for the final two games of their record breaking season, though he started both legs of the UEFA Conference League semi-final defeat to Olympiacos.

As per journalist Dean Jones, Emery is "happy for him to leave the club” this summer, and AC Milan are one of the sides keen on adding the 26-year-old to their ranks ahead of the new season.

However, Villa won't let him leave cheaply, and have slapped a £30m price tag on his head as they look to maximise his value, with Cash still having three years left to run on his £80,000 per week deal at Villa Park.

That appears to have scared off the Rossoneri, who deem that valuation 'excessive', and have 'gone completely cold' on the transfer as a result, with the club only likely to return to the negotiating table if Villa lower their price tag.

At 35m euros, Cash would be the joint-ninth most expensive signing in the club's history, alongside fellow Pole Krystof Piatek, and that is clearly too much for the Milan outfit to countenance. For now, Villa look set to lose out on some much needed funds.

Paul Pogba says his comeback to football is "loading" after the French midfielder saw his doping suspension reduced.

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• Pogba can play again in March
• Midfielder already preparing
• Shared video on social media

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Pogba was given a four-year ban after testing positive for a banned substance but a successful appeal saw it cut down to 18 months. He will now be allowed to train with Juventus in January before being eligible to play again in March.

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  It is not yet known if Pogba will be wearing the Juventus jersey when he steps back onto the field for the first time since September 2023 as there are reports of a possible January transfer to Marseille. Regardless, the France international is already preparing for his return.

• WHAT POGBA POSTED

  Pogba took to Instagram to share videos of himself working out in a swimming pool and the gym. He wrote in the caption: "Loading", with an egg timer emoji.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  The 31-year-old former Manchester United midfielder will continue preparing for his first game back while talks over his future continue ahead of the January transfer window.

The latest summer transfer window saw the rise of the Saudi Pro League.

Known as the Roshn Saudi League (RSL) for sponsorship reasons, the division has seen several high-profile players join Cristiano Ronaldo in the Middle East, and it is quickly becoming one of football's biggest talking points.

DAZN recently secured the rights to broadcast the league's matches for a two-year period on a multi-territory basis, which will undoubtedly continue to raise the profile of the rapidly rising division.

Football FanCast brings you the lowdown of all the latest information and news regarding the competition.

Saudi Pro League transfer news: Salah tipped to leave, big Chelsea rumour & Everton star eyed

Eyes are on the Saudi Pro League once again as the summer window gets closer. Here are the latest big transfer rumours from the Middle East…

By
Alex Caple

Apr 19, 2024

Latest Saudi Pro League results

With the league title wrapped up for some time, Al-Hilal just needed to avoid defeat once more to complete an unbeaten season. They did so with victory at Al-Wehda, thanks to a stoppage-time winner from top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic.

The two remaining places for the revamped AFC Champions League were also secured before the final day, but Al-Taawoun made sure of their place in the AFC Champions League Two, which will be Asia's answer to the Europa League next season.

Al-Ittihad's tumultuous campaign saw them fail to secure continental football for next term, with Cristiano Ronaldo's record-breaking double consigning them to fifth place. Ronaldo set a new Saudi league record with his goal tally – details of which can be seen below.

There was also drama at the bottom, at Al-Okhdood escaped relegation with a 2-0 win at Al-Tai, who were fighting against the drop themselves. They stayed up at the expense of Abha, who were unable to beat bottom club Al-Hazem to secure the result they needed.

Final Saudi Pro League standings

Top goalscorers in the Saudi Pro League

Cristiano Ronaldo broke the record for goals scored in a Saudi Pro League campaign, with his second goal against Al-Ittihad putting him clear of previous record holder Abderrazak Hamdallah, who netted 34 goals in the 2018/19 season.

His goals weren't enough to steer Al-Nassr towards the title, but it has still been a dazzling campaign for the 39-year-old on a personal level, with the Portugal forward netting 44 goals in 44 games in all competitions.