Tottenham are said to be at the front of the queue to sign Atletico Madrid’s Rodrigo De Paul ahead of this summer’s transfer window.
This is according to Inter Live, who say that several clubs from England and Italy as well as Spurs are keen on De Paul, including Roma, AC Milan, Brentford and Everton.
The outlet states that the fact that former Spurs sporting director Fabio Paratici held talks for the 28-year old just before he took a leave of absence over alleged offences he was said to be involved with during his time at Juventus means that Spurs are leading the way to sign the player.
De Paul was a key part of Argentina’s World Cup-winning squad in the winter, the Atletico Madrid man a player who isn’t shy of getting stuck in and is known for his desire to get involved in the scrappy side of the game.
Fans have joked that De Paul is Lionel Messi’s “protector” when they play together for their country
Inter Live also say that €30million could be enough to tempt Atletico into the sale of De Paul, a move that could leave a gaping hole in Diego Simeone’s midfield when you consider what he offers in that position.
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Plenty of teams are interested in him though, so it’ll be interesting to see who, if anyone, can prise him away from Spain this summer.
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French international striker Olivier Giroud has been linked with a move back to the Premier League at the end of the season.
A report from the Sun claims that West Ham United could be a potential destination for the 36-year-old. The likes of Fulham, Crystal Palace and Brentford have been mentioned as well.
The 36-year-old will be a free agent at the end of the season and it remains to be seen whether the Hammers are keen on signing him.
It is no secret that West Ham will have to bring in a quality attacker and Giroud could prove to be a superb short-term acquisition.
Despite being in his 30s, the French international remains a quality player and has 11 goals and 6 assists to his name across all competitions. Giroud excelled in the recently concluded World Cup with his country as well and helped France reach the finals of the tournament.
The 36-year-old has done well in the Premier League with Arsenal and Chelsea in the past and he should be able to settle in quickly and make an immediate impact at West Ham next season.
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His style of play is likely to fit in well with David Moyes’s approach as well.
The opportunity to join a London club is likely to be a tempting proposition for the French international as per reports and it remains to be seen how the situation develops. Signing him for free would be a coup for West Ham, but they will need to beat relegation this season first.
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Two weeks after Argentina’s victory at the World Cup, Lionel Messi will return to Camp des Loges to better prepare for the second half of the season with PSG. And while some observers are worried about the possible decline in motivation of the Pulga after the world title, his entourage categorically rejects this option.
On December 18, Lionel Messi finally managed to win the Grail. For his last world Cup, The Pulga actually won its first world title at the expense of the France team in the final. A result that could have an impact on his second half of the season with the PSG. Some observers indeed wonder about the motivation of Lionel Messi after achieving its ultimate goal. But his entourage is reassuring.
Mercato – PSG: Barça tried a maneuver to convince Messi pic.twitter.com/CIGdOsOZmo
‘Messi didn’t feel any extra pressure during the World Cup’
” That World Cup victory was not a form of release for him as he had offloaded that after winning the Copa America in 2021. It was his first major title with Argentina so he didn’t did not feel any additional pressure during the World Cup “, we are assured in the entourage of Lionel Messi nearby Parisian.
“He was relaxed on the pitch”
” This is surely one of the reasons why he played very well. He played the matches in a liberated way. He was relaxed on the pitch and throughout the competition “, adds the same source. Something to reassure fans of the PSG.
Footballer almost failed, I chose journalism because it is the only profession that allows you to criticize those who have succeeded. After realizing my dream of competing in the 2010 World Cup (in the press box), I live from my passion with the transfer window and major sporting events as a second family.
The 22nd edition of the biggest mass in the world of football took place during the months of November and December 2022 in Qatar for the happiness of round leather lovers. During this period of pure spectacle, the teams impressed the general public with collective performances, but also with key individuals who were their strength. Several players made it rain or shine during this month to showcase all the magic of the king sport.
The eternal Lionel Messi
It has been over a decade since Lionel Messi is at the forefront of world football and nothing seems to be able to stop it. Considered one of the greatest players in the history of football, the artist threw all his strength into battle to finally stroke the Holy Grail that refused him and made his trophy cabinet incomplete. During this World Cup, the Argentinian held his role as leader of the Albiceleste and showed that he still had juice in his legs.
He graced his audience with his one-man show several times during the competition by ridiculing one of the best players in the world. (Robert Lewandowski) and forcing him to commit a fault. His vision of the game and his passes from elsewhere have done a lot of good to his team and to all football lovers. Now it’s time for the resumption of the championships with the opportunity to bet and follow your favorite teams whatever the continent.
The prodigy Kyllian Mbappé
If a player came within a hair’s breadth of stealing the show at Lionel Messi during this World Cup, it is of course the Frenchman Kyllian Mbappé. The native of Bondy almost single-handedly carried the France team decimated by the numerous injuries of its major executives.
He ran, dribbled, scored and scored during the World Cup which he hoped would be the second title of his selection career. The maturity shown by the striker Paris Saint Germain pinned down all the people who put forward his ego and his ambition to always shine alone. Many Internet users felt that Mbappé deserved the title of best player in the Qatar 2022 World Cup more than Lionel Messi.
The tireless Sofyan Amrabat
The Moroccan Sofyan Amrabat showed at this world a level that we had never seen in the past. The midfielder did an impeccable job in his area of the field, but also in central defense when he came to support Saiss. He is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful surprises of the competition. Its market value has also increased considerably since the end of the competition.
Beyond the sparkling physical level he showed during the World Cup, Amrabat showed an excellent technical level to accompany the oiled collective of his team. The maturity with which he and his teammates handled the comebacks after opposing attacking assaults left the whole world speechless. It is now part of the history of the biggest football event in the world.
Return of Ziyech
The best Moroccan player over the last 4 years had disappeared from the radar for quite a while due to his low playing time on the pitch at chelsea and his absence in selection. Everyone was waiting for him for his big comeback and he was there. He dazzled the public with his reading of the game, his passes that break the lines and his gestures from another planet. With Ashraf Hakimi, they formed an “offensive” duo of fire and terrorized the defenses they faced.
Other surprise players from this World Cup
Beyond the 4 players mentioned above, other footballers scored points during this World Cup. Points that will probably serve them for the rest of their career. Of course, we can cite Antoine Griezmann who will have made successful matches in his position throughout the world. Or Julian Alvarez, young Argentinian unexpected as holder within the Albiceleste and who will be revealed throughout the tournament, in particular by his stalls to allow Léo Messi to be less marked by opposing defenders. Finally, although his team stopped in the quarter-finals, the Portuguese Goncalo Ramos was also a nice surprise with his hat-trick scored against Switzerland (6-1 in the end) during the competition. While he had only played 30 minutes with the Portuguese selection so far. It is very likely that the future will be bright for these last 2 players.
World Cup-winning midfielder Enzo Fernandez is reportedly on the verge of signing for Chelsea.
That’s according to a recent report from Spanish outlet Relevo, who claim the Blues are close to reaching an agreement with Benfica believed to be worth a staggering £115m (€130m).
Fernandez, 21, was a standout performer for Argentina during the winter World Cup in Qatar. Not only was the 21-year-old crowned the tournament’s best young player, but his performances, which saw him link up well with the likes of Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria, have seen his stock rise immensely.
Widely regarded as one of Europe’s most talented young central midfielders, it appears to be just a matter of time before Benfica’s number 13 moves on to a bigger challenge.
MORE: Souness slams Chelsea’s transfer policy and says £75m star won’t score ‘enough goals’
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Understood to be Chelsea’s top target this January, the potential signing of Fernandez will not come cheap due to the midfielder having a release clause believed to be worth £106m (€120m), and although the Blues are unlikely to trigger the 21-year-old’s clause outright, after already agreeing on personal terms, a suitable structured payment plan should be enough for Benfica to give the green light.
Enzo Fernandez in action for Benfica.
Interestingly, it seems the Portuguese side are willing to part ways with their World Cup-winning starlet, who has just under five years left on his deal and would welcome a sale as early as the first week of the new year.
Since joining Benfica from River Plate last summer, Fernandez, who also has 10 senior international caps to his name, has gone on to feature in 25 matches, in all competitions, directly contributing to eight goals along the way.
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Chelsea have been linked with the move for the RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol.
According to a report from Fabrizio Romano, the Blues are currently in contact regarding a potential transfer and the German club will demand a sum of more than €100 million for the Croatian international.
Romano told GiveMeSport: “Now, Leipzig want way more than €90million. They hope to go for more than €100 million to make Gvardiol the most expensive centre-back ever.
“Chelsea are still working on it. They are still in contact with people close to the player and Leipzig.”
The 20-year-old was one of the best defenders in the recently concluded World Cup, and he has all the attributes to develop into a world-class player in the near future.
Chelsea are looking for a quality long-term replacement for players like Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva. Gvardiol could prove to be a sensational long-term acquisition for them.
The 20-year-old has proven himself at the international level and in the Bundesliga. He might be keen on making a step up in his career and moving to Stamford Bridge could be the ideal challenge for him.
Playing against world-class attackers in the Premier League will only accelerate his development and help him fulfil his potential.
The Blues will have to make him the most expensive defender in the world and it remains to be seen whether they are prepared to break the bank for his services.
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Chelsea were very active during the summer transfer window and owner Todd Boehly is expected to back Graham Potter with considerable funds in the upcoming windows as well.
Chelsea will need to improve their squad substantially if they want to compete for the league title and the Champions League in the coming seasons. Signing a world-class talent like Gvardiol would be a real statement of intent from the London club.
The post Fabrizio Romano reveals what Chelsea must do to sign World Cup star appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Passionate about sport, cinema and television (on screen and behind it) since childhood, Bernard has been a journalist for 10 Sport since 2018. More skilful with the keyboard in hand than with the ball, he decided to mainly cover a much-loved sport, criticized and hated both (football) and a sport that is not (wrestling).
While the World Cup has closed its doors after a historic final, it is now time for the resumption of the championships and the start of the winter transfer window. Several clubs should take advantage of the competition which has just ended in Qatar to identify some of their priorities. For their part, PSG intend to be calm, but in your opinion, which French international Luis Campos should turn to in the future?
After an already legendary final between theArgentina and the France (3-3, 4-2 tab.) won by Lionel Messi and his teammates, club football regains its rights. The championships will soon resume while the winter transfer window will open its doors in a few days. Several players took advantage of the World Cup in Qatar to shine and now appear in the sights of many clubs. This is particularly the case ofEnzo Fernandez (Benfica) with Argentina or Azzedine Ounahi (Angers) with Morocco. Many French also shone during the five weeks of competition, enough to convince the PSG to bet on one of them?
Marcus Thuram in the sights of PSG?
According to MediaFoot, Luis Campos would have particularly fallen for MarcusThuram. The son of Lilian was the author of satisfactory performances during his appearances during the World Cup, just like RandallkoloMuani (Eintracht Frankfurt), enough to seduce the football adviser of the PSGnot insensitive either by its situation with the BorussiaMonchengladbach. Currently in his last year of contract, the 25-year-old striker is not expected to extend and will therefore be free at the end of the season, or else available from January at an affordable price.
France team: After the World Cup, an incredible revelation falls on Mbappé and Benzema https://t.co/zK2k9ff3st pic.twitter.com/3tIAM8PW0U
During the World Cup, other proteges of DidierThe fields knew how to stand out. This is particularly the case of DayotUpamecano (Bayern) and IbrahimaKonate (Liverpool) in defence, a sector in which the PSG seeks to strengthen. To the left, TheoHernandez (AC Milan) managed to make his brother forget despite some clumsiness at times, whileAdrien Rabiot (Juventus) has established itself as an essential pawn, while a return to PSG has been mentioned as a possibility for several weeks by the Spanish press. It’s hard not to salute the services ofAntoine Griezmann (Atlético), replaced in a role of midfielder, andOlivier Giroud (AC Milan), the perfect complement to KylianMbappe.
So according to you, which French international would be the ideal recruit in the PSG ? To your votes
Paris Saint-Germain attacker Kylian Mbappe has been linked with a move away from the club for months now.
The 24-year-old was expected to join Real Madrid at the start of the season, but he ended up signing a contract extension with the French outfit.
Mbappe has a contract with PSG until the summer of 2025 and the French outfit will be hoping to hold on to him beyond this season.
According to reports, Real Madrid are looking to break the bank to sign him at the end of the season.
Apparently, Real Madrid will offer a sum of around £132 million for the player and the overall package to take the player to Santiago Bernabeu could be worth around £877 million.
The player will reportedly earn wages of around £552 million over a period of four years. There will be other add-ons and signing-on fees included in the deal.
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Mbappe is one of the best players in the world and he showcased his quality in the World Cup with France.
The 24-year-old won the Golden boot during the marquee event in Qatar, but he failed to guide his country to the trophy. France managed to reach the finals of the competition, but they were beaten by Argentina on penalties.
Mbappe managed to score a stunning hat-trick in the final.
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