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Tottenham Hotspur have approached a Brazilian transfer target via his representatives as they look to get a head start on the summer window, with north London rivals Arsenal also contacting him in the last seven days.

Tottenham face AZ Alkmaar in Europa League last 16

Spurs take on Eredivisie giants AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their last 16 clash in the Europa League this evening, with manager Ange Postecoglou revealing that winger Dejan Kulusevski will miss the tie with a foot injury.

Tottenham plan to sell Bissouma to fund bid for £66m "generational talent"

The Mali international could be shown the exit door this summer, with a number of Premier League clubs keen.

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By
Dominic Lund

Mar 5, 2025

Postecoglou could well benefit from the full returns of Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Dominic Solanke, who have all been missing for weeks, but the Australian was coy over their chances of starting tonight.

“We’ll see, we’ll train today,” said Postecoglou in his latest pre-match press conference. “Obviously they’ve all out for significant amount of time so we’ll see when we reintroduce them but they’re all here and training today, so we’ll make decisions after that.”

Spurs’ boss will be eager to reintroduce as many first-team stars as possible before the next international break, and the Europa League represents their only chance of winning any major silverware in Postecoglou’s second season in charge.

“I think it is fair to say the boys really understand there is a great opportunity for us,” said Postecolgou on the Europa League. I think they’ve appreciated the fact that the guys who have been playing through are now able to recover and train and prepare themselves better for games.

“That’s coincided with seeing their teammates come back and certainly the guys that have been out injured, we’ve already seen with guys like Vic, Brennan, Madders to a lesser extent (due to time out) but Wilson, Destiny, they’ve come back with a real hunger and desire to help the team because I think they’ve all been frustrated to sit on the sidelines and see how difficult it has for the group of players who have been playing. They’ve just wanted to help and now they get that opportunity.

“Again, I think you sense that in the group that they appreciate they have some support and some help. There is a platform there for us to hopefully get back to playing our football and seeing how far we can progress.”

Tottenham open talks with Flamengo defender Wesley Franca

According to RTI Esporte, the Lilywhites are also preparing for next season by making enquiries over key targets, and one of them is believed to be Flamengo defender Wesley Franca.

As per their information, Tottenham have held talks with Franca’s representatives, but they’re by no means the only Premier League side who are keen on a move for the right-back.

Cross-town rivals Arsenal also made contact with his camp this week, to gauge the conditions of a potential deal, with Franca’s price tag believed to stand at around £29 million.

The 21-year-old, called “exceptional” by ex-Chelsea and Atlético Madrid defender Felipe Luis, can also play as a right-midfielder when required. After claims of Real Madrid interest in Pedro Porro, Spurs have been sporadically linked with a new full-back, and Franca could be an astute option.

Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta accompanied the trophy to Bavaria, taking part in FedEx's 'Delivering for Success' event.

The big day is almost here, and the anticipation is building.

On 31 May, PSG and Inter willface each otherin one of the most important football events of the year: the Champions League final.

This match will determine which team will be crowned European champions and lift one of the most coveted trophies in sport.

The final of the 2024/2025 UEFA Champions League will take place in Munich, and FedEx, one of the competition's official sponsors, will be responsible for transporting the trophy famously known as 'Big Ears.'

• FedEX
  

  FROM NYON TO MUNICH

  FedEx and the UEFA Champions League have created a series of content called 'Delivering For Success'.

  The series documents the trophy's journey from UEFA headquarters in Nyon to Munich.

  The journey is divided into stages and features one of the greatest midfielders in the history of world football: Andres Iniesta.

  The former Spanish star joined FedEx as a very special courier.

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• THE STAGE IN BERN

  During a journey that took them from Switzerland to Bavaria and was also designed to inspire young people, Andrés Iniesta and his precious cargo also stopped off in Bern.

  Here, the former Barcelona star met the boys of the International Football Club, an amateur, self-managed team with over 40 players from 16 different countries.

  On this occasion, FedEx donated football equipment, while Iniesta showed off the extraordinary skills that led him to win the Champions League four times with Barcelona.

• ARRIVAL IN BAVARIA

  The second leg of the trip took Iniesta to Bavaria, where he had the opportunity to visit the DFI Football Academy.

  For Iniesta, it was also an opportunity to remember his years at La Masia, which were fundamental in developing his personality and desire to never give up.

  Iniesta took part in a question and answer session, during which he also explained how to manage success both on and off the pitch.

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• FedEX
  

  THE UEFA FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN

  On the last leg of his journey, Iniesta visited the UEFA Foundation for Children charity, SCORING GIRLS*.

  He was welcomed by founder Tugba Tekkal, who outlined the organisation's mission and explained how football can be a vehicle for positivity.

  Iniesta took part in a training session before an incredible surprise: together with FedEX, he unveiled the UEFA Champions League trophy.

Randal Kolo Muani has publicly expressed his desire to stay at Juventus beyond his loan from Paris Saint-Germain, despite interest from other clubs.

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• Kolo Muani confirms Juventus stay for Club World Cup
• Joined Italian side on loan without buy option
• PSG contract runs until June 2028

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Kolo Muani, on loan at Juventus from PSG, has made his position clear regarding his future. The French striker confirmed he will remain with Juventus for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup and expressed a strong desire to stay in Turin permanently.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  After struggling for game time at PSG, his move to Serie A has reignited his form, scoring eight goals and providing an assist in just 16 appearances. Kolo Muani's loan deal with the Bianconeri didn’t include a purchase option, meaning he is expected to return to France this summer.

  However, his successful half-season in Italy has changed the dynamics. Juve are now interested in negotiating a permanent move, while other clubs like Manchester United are also monitoring his situation. PSG, who hold his contract until 2028, will have the final say.

• WHAT KOLO MUANI SAID

  Speaking after France's 2-0 win over Germany in the Nations League third-place match, Kolo Muani told : "I'm very happy to have been able to play a little more, whether for the national team or for my club. I'm very happy at Juventus, I hope to continue there. They welcomed me well, and I'm enjoying it. I'm going with them to the Club World Cup."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR KOLO MUANI?

  The 26-year-old striker will represent Juventus at the Club World Cup, facing teams like Al-Ain, Wydad Casablanca and Manchester City. Once the tournament ends in mid-July, Juventus and PSG will likely revisit his transfer situation. Juventus are impressed by his form and attitude and may push for a permanent deal.

How will the 2024/25 campaign end for Liverpool?

Will the exultant players be perched atop a big red bus, celebrating three shiny trophies to add to Anfield’s cabinet as they wend their way through Merseyside’s packed streets?

Whatever happens, you’d think Arne Slot’s Redmen have done enough to lift at least one, for Liverpool are 15 points ahead of Arsenal with just two months of the Premier League campaign still to go. To slip from this point, well, it would be unprecedented, and unendurable besides.

On the other fronts, much will be clearer this time next week, with Liverpool’s looming fate against Paris Saint-Germain decided and Sunday’s Carabao Cup final wrapped up too.

During last week’s first-leg victory over PSG in Paris, Alisson took all the plaudits and rightly so. But praise for Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, who stood steely and stubborn in the defensive third as they limited the spaces their opponents could fire from.

It’s a formidable partnership, but FSG are looking to sign a new centre-back all the same. Let’s dig into exactly why that is.

Why Liverpool want a centre-back

Liverpool are anticipating a big summer. Slot has only welcomed Federico Chiesa to the fold thus far, with a deal also agreed for Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili in 2024; he arrives this summer.

According to The Athletic, the club are looking to land a new left-back and a high-class central defender, ostensibly as Van Dijk’s long-term successor.

Van Dijk – as with Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold – has been one of Europe’s standout players this season. He’s Liverpool’s all-inspiring leader and one of the finest defenders of his generation.

You can understand why tying him down to the final few years of his prime is viewed externally as a necessity, but Liverpool need to prepare for his departure all the same.

Liverpool’s captain turns 34 this summer, and while he has the technical quality, intelligence and experience to keep performing at his apex for a while longer, FSG cannot sell themselves short – which is exactly why they are looking to invest this year while extending the Netherlands star’s stay too.

Meanwhile, Konate is approaching the final year of his £70k-per-week deal, and while he’s been engaged in negotiations regarding a renewal, these discussions have become protracted, with reported interest from PSG and Real Madrid heightening the negative noise.

So then, who has sporting director Richard Hughes got in mind?

Liverpool leading race for PL star

As per Caught Offside, Liverpool are said to be leading the race for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, who is approaching the final year of his deal. London’s most prominent clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, are also keen on signing him.

Last summer, Newcastle United saw a series of bids rejected for the Three Lions star – the last of which exceeded £65m – and Palace would be looking to bank some £80m for his services this year.

It’s hard to imagine suitors such as Liverpool would entertain such an exorbitant notion, and while Steve Parish may be trying to pull the strings ahead of an inevitable summer saga, FSG will likely manage to engineer a deal worth less – if they get there first, of course.

What Guehi would bring to Liverpool

There’s a reason Guehi, 24, is coveted by so many outfits seeking the highest station in the Premier League, and blended in with Liverpool’s preexisting defensive options, he could become a real superstar.

Liverpool have done their homework. Toward the end of last year’s summer transfer window, discussions were held concerning Guehi.

One of the myriad Cobham youth stars found across Europe, Guehi left Chelsea for Selhurst Park in a deal worth £18m three years ago, since amassing 145 appearances across all competitions, scoring eight goals.

He’s developed nicely, building a strong defensive base while fostering impressive ball-playing skills to bespeak his suitability at the highest level, for a club such as Liverpool.

This season, Palace have failed to kick on under Glasner’s wing, albeit improving over the past few months. Guehi has been instrumental.

Indeed, the unflappable centre-half has been hailed by correspondent Bobby Manzi as a “top professional and a phenomenal talent.”

As you will see from the data below, Guehi has been a pillar of strength over the past several top-flight seasons, despite injuries limiting his availability under Glasner, in the thick of Roy Hodgson’s downfall, and indeed the club’s collective struggles to match the heights last year.

Improvements are evident. In fact, Guehi’s potency in goal-involved sequences and his progressiveness – FBref record he ranks among the top 20% of Premier League centre-backs this year for successful take-ons per 90 – are traits shared with Konate, who the data-driven site list as one of his most comparable players.

This would be perfect for a Reds team seeking a long-term successor to Van Dijk’s throne but one whose athleticism and energy could also match Liverpool’s other thriving backliner. A hybrid, of sorts.

Guehi has been described as “one of those versatile CBs who can play both sides equally as comfortably” by analyst Ben Mattinson, something Van Dijk excels in.

Landing a player with qualities already working perfectly in Slot’s Liverpool project makes it a no-brainer. If a more affordable figure can be agreed upon, Liverpool simply have to sign this “absolute tank” of a defender – as he has been called by former England U21 teammate Josef Bursik.

It could cement the rearguard for many years to come, providing Konate with a partner he can get on the same wavelength as, smoothing the transition away from the Van Dijk era.

Liverpool struck gold on star whose value has risen 253% since Slot joined

This rising talent could become one of the best in the business over the coming years.

By
Angus Sinclair

Mar 10, 2025

Antony admits that he “hit rock bottom” after flopping badly at Manchester United, but an “emotional” return to the Brazil squad is being embraced.

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• Forward struggled at Old Trafford
• Rediscovered spark on loan at Betis
• Earned Selecao recall under Ancelotti

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Tricky winger Antony moved to Old Trafford as part of an £85 million ($115m) transfer package in the summer of 2022. He was reunited with former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag in England and enjoyed a bright start to his spell with Premier League heavyweights.

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• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Things quickly unravelled from there, on and off the pitch, with Antony mustering just 12 goals for United through 96 appearances. He was deemed surplus to requirements in January 2025 and allowed to link up with La Liga side Real Betis on loan.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  A spark was rediscovered in Spain, with nine goals being recorded while also gracing the Conference League final, and Antony has been drafted back into the Brazil ranks by new Selecao boss Carlo Ancelotti.

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  WHAT ANTONY SAID

  The 25-year-old has told of earning an international recall after coming through some dark days: "It was one of the most emotional moments. I mentioned to some friends here in the national team that this call-up was more exciting than the first time I came here [October 2021], and it was even more emotional because of everything I've been through.

  "Being in good shape, hitting rock bottom, and having the resilience that I had, with the help of God and my family, was very important."

Already setting their sights on summer reinforcements, Sheffield United are now reportedly set to accelerate their move to sign a former Championship star for Chris Wilder.

Sheffield United already preparing for Premier League

Sat second in the Championship with two points separating themselves and Burnley in third place and the same gap standing in the way of leaders Leeds United, Sheffield United are once again on course to secure promotion. With just nine games left to play, Wilder could guide his side back to the top flight at the first time of asking.

As the Blades discovered last time out, however, there’s still plenty of drama to come, with Mark Sykes’ last-gasp equaliser earning a point for Bristol City to dent Sheffield United’s promotion charge.

Those at Bramall Lane will be desperately hoping that the draw was a blip and only that as they begin to set their sights on potential reinforcements in the even of promotion.

Having got things so wrong last season too, Sheffield United will be well aware just how important it is that they get their recruitment spot on this time around. And that could see a midfield star make his return to English football.

According to Fanatik in Turkey, Sheffield United are now set to accelerate their move to sign Gabriel Sara from Galatasaray this summer in what would see them finally secure the signature of a long-term target.

The former Norwich City midfielder swapped Carrow Road for Turkey last summer, leaving for a reported €18m (£15m), but could be on his way back to English football just one year later.

Whether the Brazilian is in Sheffield United’s price range remains to be seen, however, especially if Galatasaray look to make profit on the 25-year-old just one summer after his arrival.

"Great" Sara is Premier League-ready

Having never stepped into the Premier League during his time at Norwich, Sara could finally get the chance to make his mark on the top flight if Sheffield United earn promotion and come calling this summer. Following a year at Galatasaray, in which he has featured in the Europa League, the 25-year-old is more than ready to take that chance too.

Earning plenty of praise during his time at Carrow Road, David Wagner told reporters when asked about Sara last season: “He works hard. He can easily run between 12 and 13 kilometres and has great vision. He is an outstanding player and a top professional.

“He always has ‘team first’ in his head, and it is something very special to have a player who is producing these numbers but has this in their head.”

With 20 Championship goals to his name throughout his career, Sara’s quality is one that Sheffield United know all about. Whether they can secure his signature this summer will likely rely solely on just how successful their push for promotion turns out to be, however, as they fight for an instant return to the top flight.

Leeds United are now expecting to complete the transfer of an “excellent” player on a long-term deal at the end of the season, according to a new report.

Leeds eyeing new defender and midfielder this summer

The Whites still have work to do to become a Premier League team, but given how the campaign has gone for them so far, it still looks more likely than not they will be promoted. If that does happen, it is expected to be a busy summer for the Yorkshire side, as the 49ers look to back manager Daniel Farke and make sure they have the best chance of remaining in the top flight.

Leeds had a "very talented" gem who was ahead of Gray, then he left for £0

Not every promising Leeds United youngster goes on to make the grade at a senior level.

By
Kelan Sarson

Mar 25, 2025

Leeds could be in the market for a new defender, and according to Give Me Sport’s Ben Jacobs, the Whites are keen on signing Nico Elvedi from Borussia Mönchengladbach. Elvedi has been on Leeds’ radar for a while now, with the Championship leaders looking into a deal during January, but the player wasn’t keen on a move to the Championship. However, Elvedi would be willing to move to Elland Road, as long as they are in the Premier League.

As well as looking at signing a new centre-back, Farke also wants to improve his midfield options, and it’s been reported that Leeds are looking to sign Kalvin Phillips on loan from Manchester City. The midfielder is set to be available for a transfer this summer after his loan stint at Ipswich Town, and the Whites are now keen on reuniting with their former player, but a loan deal looks more likely given his hefty wages.

Leeds expect to complete signing of "excellent" £15m forward

But as well as looking at new recruits for next season, Graeme Bailey has told LeedsUnited.News that Leeds are now expected to sign Manor Solomon on a permanent basis this summer.

The Whites signed Solomon on a season-long loan deal from Tottenham Hotspur last summer, and he has performed so well that he has become a key player for Farke in Leeds’ attack. Bailey has now revealed that Solomon is expected to leave Spurs at the end of the season, and the Whites are keen to get a permanent deal completed.

“I don’t believe Ange Postecoglou’s future will matter when it comes to Solomon; he will be allowed to leave. Leeds are keen to do it and firmly believe he will go,” Bailey told LeedsUnited.News.

The 25-year-old, who has seven goals in 31 Championship games this season, is likely to cost Leeds between £10-15 million this summer.

The Israel international has only played a handful of games in the Premier League, but he’s already received huge plaudits from none other than Man City captain Kevin De Bruyne, who called Solomon an “excellent player”.

“I know Manor Solomon from the Premier League. From Fulham, Tottenham, and now he has moved to Leeds. He has the qualities to play at this level. He is an excellent player.”

The German needs to find solutions – and fast – if England are to meet their supporters expectations and mount a serious challenge in North America

It's getting serious now. We're exactly one year away from the start of the 2026 World Cup and, for Thomas Tuchel, time is fast running out to construct an England squad that he feels is capable of flying out to North America and bringing the trophy home. By his own admission, and the length of his contract, that's the target, but judging by the last international camp of the 2024-25 season, the Three Lions are a million miles off being capable of navigating that final step and getting over the line at a major tournament.

If Andorra was bad, Senegal was worse. After delivering so many high points and memorable moments during the Gareth Southgate era, you could forgive England for a wobble in a World Cup qualifier that they ultimately won. What followed a few days later, though, and after a proper public dressing down from their manager too, was unacceptable. Friendly or not, Tuesday's disastrous showing at the City Ground shows just how much work needs to be done to put things right.

Hopefully the first defeat of the Tuchel era is the sobering wake-up call and reality check that the players need. Talked up, and rightly so, as one of the favourites to win the World Cup after reaching another Euros final, England have regressed, and significantly. Make no mistake about it, play anything like they have over the last two matches and the Three Lions will be lucky to make it through the group stages.

GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from England's final camp of the 2024-25 campaign…

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WINNER: Harry Kane

  On more than one occasion at Euro 2024, during another unsuccessful quest to finally win a first men's international trophy since 1966, the finger of blame was pointed squarely at Harry Kane. He dropped too deep they said, he'd lost his sharpness they said. Some went as far as saying he was finished, and that it was time for change and to give someone else a go.

  The candidates to step in remain plentiful, but Kane's proved yet again during this international break that he really isn't the problem. Another incredible season at club level that saw him finally end his trophy curse provided further evidence that, in their record goal-scorer, England still possess one of the most lethal finishers in the business.

  Granted, he wasn't at his devastating best against either Andorra or Senegal, but the service was severely lacking, to put it mildly. And yet, even feeding off scraps in the second game especially, Kane still managed to score his 72nd and 73rd goals for his country, becoming the first player in England history to score in four games in a row for a new manager. Kane is Tuchel's Mr. Reliable and he remains one of the first names on the teamsheet. One thing he's not is the problem.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  LOSER: Kyle Walker

  If Kyle Walker was clinging onto his international career beforehand, it's surely slipped from his grasp now. It would be wholly unfair to rip Walker to shreds, given the service he's given England over his 96 caps, and, at the peak of his powers, there was no better right-back in European football – and certainly not one who could rival his breakneck recovery speed that became something of a comfort blanket for England fans and all the managers he's worked under.

  That legendary pace, though, just isn't there anymore at the age of 35, and Walker's dire performance against Senegal should be the straw that broke the camel's back. Switching off like he did for Ismaila Sarr's equaliser, as he failed to sense the obvious danger as Nicolas Jackson prepared to send over the cross, was simply inexcusable.

  Tuchel jumped to the defence of the Manchester City defender in his post-match press conference, as he well might, but he'll be asking for big trouble if Walker remains in his starting XI come the World Cup. Take your pick between Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James – and don't rule out Tino Livramento – for the right-back berth, but Walker must now be out of the running.

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  WINNER: Jack Grealish & Phil Foden

  Rewind only a year or so ago and the thought of BOTH Jack Grealish and Phil Foden, free of any injury issues, being left out of an England squad would've been unimaginable. Pie in the sky. Surely just a printing error. But when Tuchel named his 26-man travelling party for the games against Andorra and Senegal that was the reality – the Manchester City duo were nowhere to be seen, two of the more glaring omissions that also included another Southgate regular in Harry Maguire.

  Given the disappointment of City's season, and the lack of meaningful contributions from the aforementioned, it must be said that fans weren't rushing to the German's door with torches and pitchforks. Based on form alone, there were simply more favourable options.

  The drab showings in both matches have at least opened the door to Grealish and Foden winning back their places, not only in the squad but perhaps even the starting XI – of which there's surely now only a handful of guaranteed picks. For Grealish, let's be honest, he urgently needs to escape his current situation at City and ensure he's playing far more regularly over the next 12 months. Foden's position at the Etihad is far less terminal, but he won't need to be told that standards must improve. The challenge is on.

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  LOSER: Ivan Toney

  As the second half ticked on against Senegal, the cameras kept panning to Ivan Toney, sat emotionless on the England bench. It was obvious why he was becoming the focus – the Three Lions were toiling in a home fixture against a nation ranked 15 places below them in the FIFA rankings and yet, repeatedly, Tuchel turned to other options.

  Despite replacing Kane with 59 minutes gone, Al-Ahli striker Toney was overlooked, with Morgan Rogers becoming the most advanced player in a desperate and disjointed system despite the ex-Brentford man being the obvious like-for-like replacement. The 29-year-old was eventually brought on for Myles Lewis-Skelly with with a couple of minutes remaining; it was far too late.

  It begs the question 'why'? Why call up Toney, who was an unused sub in Barcelona in game number one of the camp, if there was no real plan to use him, especially when the game was crying out for someone of his abilities.

  The forward's prospects in an England shirt really don't look great. With Kane being Tuchel's undisputed leader of the attack, and the likes of Dominic Solanke and Ollie Watkins likely ahead of him in the pecking order – plus the expectation that Chelsea's new signing Liam Delap will soon come into the picture – there's even a possibility that's the last we'll see of Toney in a Three Lions shirt.

Al-Hilal CEO Esteve Calzada has revealed that Simon Inzaghi had agreed to join the club before the Champions League final.

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• Inzaghi agreed to join before Champions League final
• Al-Hilal sacked Jorge Jesus after disappointing season
• Coach's first assignment comes against Real Madrid

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  In an interview with , the Al-Hilal chief executive stated that the club were in contact with Inzaghi before the Champions League final, and the manager had verbally agreed to join them. However, he wanted to focus on the final and requested the Saudi Pro League side to wait until that game was over, and signed only after the conclusion of the mega-fixture where Inter lost 5-0 to Paris Saint-Germain.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Al-Hilal, who finished eight points behind the current champions of Saudi Pro League Al-Ittihad, roped in Inzaghi as their new manager after Inter’s 5-0 humbling in the final. Calzada has brought it to daylight that contact was established way before. On 27 April, Al-Hilal lost against compatriots Al-Ahli in the AFC Champions League Elite semi-finals, losing out on potential trophy in the first edition of the newly structured competition by the Asian Football Confederation. Soon after, the most successful side in AFC Champions League sacked Jorge Jesus and finally in June announced Inzaghi as their new boss.

• WHAT CALZADA SAID

  Calzada said: “It might look like it's something that came quickly, but it's the result of hard work. He was playing a massive match and asked (us) to keep things aside until after the final, it was decided but not signed before the final, just because out of respect he asked us to wait, which is certainly fair enough.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR AL-HILAL?

  Al-Hilal will face Real Madrid in their first Club World Cup game on 18 June at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida.

In what would be quite the move, Manchester United are now reportedly aiming to hijack Real Madrid’s attempts to sign their top target this summer in a deal worth around £42m.

Amorim expresses Man Utd frustration

Even Ruben Amorim wouldn’t have been aware of just how difficult a job he had on his hands when he arrived a number of months ago, but the reality has since hit him in the most ruthless fashion. The former Sporting boss arrived with all the hope in the world that a young, ambitious manager would finally have what it takes to turn things around at Old Trafford.

Man Utd now open to selling star to fund move for "world-class" £62m striker

The Red Devils could cash in on a first-team player, following a very disappointing performance against Nottingham Forest.

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By
Dominic Lund

Apr 3, 2025

Now in April, however, the squad that Erik ten Hag left behind has failed to adapt to his 3-4-2-1 system and it’s clearer than ever that Manchester United simply cannot afford to get things wrong this summer. Without back-to-back Premier League wins all season, the Red Devils had their latest moment to forget against Nottingham Forest – losing 1-0 courtesy of Anthony Elanga.

Amorim expressed his frustration over the result as his side took one step forward and two steps back once again. He told reporters: “It’s more [of] the same since this season began. So I think if you look at the game we are improving the way we play football.

“We are creating more chances, we are dominating more games. But in the end, when you don’t win, you feel that and that is a good thing. So we know that this season is going to be like that, the momentum. So we continue to go to the next [game].”

Go again is exactly what United must do too, with the Manchester derby awaiting in a run of crucial games towards the end of the campaign.

With key clashes in the Europa League – arguably United’s last chance to qualify for European football – Amorim will be desperate to avoid a repeat of the Forest result and kick on once more at Old Trafford.

Man Utd target Hincapie hijack

One way to ensure that results such as the one against Nottingham Forest becomes less of a habit is to welcome some much-needed defensive reinforcements. And if reports are anything to go by, INEOS are well aware of that.

According to TeamTalk, Manchester United are now aiming to hijack Real Madrid’s move to sign Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen, who value their central defender at €50m (£42m) this summer.

Described as “athletic”, “physical” and “quick” by analyst Ben Mattinson, 23-year-old Hincapie could go from a Leverkusen invincible to Manchester United saviour this summer. Having already reportedly made contact over a move, the Red Devils’ plot to seal an ambitious hijack on Madrid seems on.