Man Utd beaten as Bayern Munich ready world-record deal for Barcelona star as contract talks hit dea
Bayern Munich have reportedly informed Barcelona that they are willing to pay €100million to beat Man Utd to the signing of defender Ronald Araujo this summer.
Araujo‘s future is a hot topic as he prepares to enter the final two years of his existing Barcelona deal this summer, having arrived at the Camp Nou in the summer of 2018.
The Uruguayan defender is believed to have been offered a contract extension until the summer of 2029 by Barcelona sporting director Deco, but has not yet responded to the proposal.
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According to Spanish publication Marca, that has put Bayern Munich on high alert with the Bundesliga giants informing Barcelona through an intermediary that they are willing to pay €100m to tempt Araujo away this summer.
That fee would obliterate the world record sum for a defender, which currently stands at the £80m paid by Man Utd to sign Harry Maguire from Leicester City in the summer of 2019.
Under current conversion rates, the proposed fee for Araujo would equate to £85.5m, setting a new record.
The report claims no formal offer has been submitted as yet by Bayern Munich, with Barcelona convinced that Araujo will ultimately decide to stay put.
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Man Utd are also believed to be interested in Araujo, with reports last month indicating the Premier League side are planning a sensational £120m double deal to sign both Araujo and long-term target Frenkie de Jong.
Ronald Araujo ‘happy’ at Barcelona as Bayern Munich rumours swirl
Speaking while on international duty last weekend, Araujo dismissed speculation a move away by insisting he is “happy” at Barcelona, hinting he was in no rush to decide his future before the end of the season and this summer’s Copa America tournament in the United States.
He said: “There has been a lot of talk about this topic, but I am happy in Barcelona.
“Furthermore, we have to finish the season well because there are still challenges – [and] also with Uruguay [there is] the Copa America.”
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At just 25, Araujo is regarded as a key part of Barcelona’s plans alongside 17-year-old sensation Pau Cubarsi, who is seen as a star of the future after emerging from the club’s famed La Masia academy
Joan Laporta, the Barcelona club president, recently expressed the Catalans’ desire to keep Araujo, claiming that the defender is “very integrated” into the club’s philosophy.
“What happens is that sometimes communication doesn’t quite get where it needs to go,” Laporta said. “I’m talking about negotiations.
“And there I think that this is already solved in some way because there was some distortion when it came to communicating everything we had in mind for Ronald.”
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Everton primed to sign Arsenal forward who’ll be released this summer, as Sean Dyche bags bargain
Everton are on pole position for the signing of a forward Arsenal plan to release at the end of the 2023/24 season, according to a report.
Which division the Toffees will be playing in next season remains to be seen, though transfer bargains are vital irrespective of which level a team plays at.
According to Football Insider, Everton have been convinced by the displays of 18-year-old forward Omari Benjamin during a trial at Goodison Park.
Benjamin is on the books of Arsenal, though was taken on trial by Everton earlier in 2024.
The Welsh youth international operates either as a striker or on the left wing and scored for Everton’s Under-21s in the Premier League 2 on March 2.
Per the latest from FI, Everton chiefs have already seen enough from Benjamin to convince them he’s worthy of a long-term deal.
Furthermore, Everton will reportedly get the opportunity to bring Benjamin on board, with Arsenal ready to release the forward at the end of the 2023/24 season.
Everton are readying a contract offer for the teenage star, though FI do point out interest from other Premier League clubs is forming.
However, given Benjamin has already been on trial at Everton, it stands to reason the Toffees are the clear favourites for his signature.Related video: Premier League: Predictions for the Player of the Season award (Dailymotion)
FI noted Everton hold the belief Benjamin has the tools to become a bona fide Premier League star in the years to come.
As such, Sean Dyche may be about to pull off a significant transfer coup and those types of deals will be welcomed given the club’s well-documented financial woes.
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To balance the books it’s expected Everton will be forced to cash in on at least one of their prized assets – irrespective of whether they stave off relegation.
Centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite has emerged as Manchester United’s No 1 centre-back target. Competition is expected to come from Manchester City.
Elsewhere, dominant midfielder Amadou Onana is a target for many a club including Arsenal and Barcelona.
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Man Utd the ‘ones to watch’ in £70m race for 164-goal striker as Fabrizio Romano confirms transfer plan in place
Ivan Toney remains a player in huge demand this summer with both Chelsea and Arsenal hot on his trail, though Fabrizio Romano has now teased why Manchester United are the “ones to watch” as the race for the Brentford striker intensifies.
Toney has only recently returned to action following an eight-month suspension imposed by the FA for a breach of regulations. However, with his current deal due to expire at Brentford in summer 2025 and with elite strikers at a premium, interest in the player has never been higher.
And with all of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United in the market for a new centre forward this summer, the trio appear to be sniffing around many of the same, high-end targets.
Indeed, Toney has found himself at the centre of plenty of speculation with his manager at Brentford, Thomas Frank, effectively confirming his sale is expected this summer and even admitting it would be “fun” to see how the 28-year-old fares in another Premier League side.
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“It is relatively obvious that Ivan Toney will probably be sold this summer,” Frank said.
“We also know what he is worth. I don’t think there are many strikers in the world who are better than him right now.
“He is a really skilled striker who is in his prime football age. Personally, as a coach, I would prefer to keep Toney but one day it could be fun to see him on a top team.”Related video: Ranked! The 10 Best Manchester United Players Ever (FourFourTwo)
To that end, both the Gunners and the Blues are widely expected to squabble it out over Toney, who has scored an impressive 164 goals in 401 appearances throughout his career.
Ivan Toney next club: Man Utd cannot be discounted
His strike-rate at Premier League even better, where he boasts 36 goals in 76 appearances – a notch every 2.1 outings.
That level of potency, together with the fact his contract will have just a year to run comes the summer, means a move away now looks increasingly likely for Toney, with the Bees likely to demand around £70m for his services.
Arsenal are perhaps the club most strongly linked, especially amid TEAMtalk’s revelation that Eddie Nketiah has been told he can leave this summer with a number of Premier League clubs hovering over a potential £40m deal.
However, strong reports in Italy on Monday claimed Arsenal were instead turning their focus towards Victor Osinhem and had a strong belief they can seal his signing for a fee of around €90m (£77.1m).
Discussing the striker’s next club and confirming that United talks are underway over signing a striker this summer, Romano said: “It’s just one of the options to be considered and discussed internally.
“As I said here multiple times, Man Utd are still in early stages of the process to decide which striker they want to sign; experienced or young. Talks are gonna take place internally, Toney will be one of the names available on the market so could be one to watch.”
Man Utd have big striker decision to make
In addition to Toney, United are also being strongly linked with a move for Joshua Zirkzee, who at 22, has emerged as a player of real talent for Bologna this season.
The scorer of 11 goals in 30 games so far, he would also cost a similar fee to Toney, but is both considerably younger and potentially has a nuch higher ceiling.
Where United go from here will be entirely down to Sir Jim Ratcliffe and incoming new sporting director Dan Ashworth and there is a school of thought that suggests they are more likely to sign upcoming talent, as opposed those which are already at their peak.
However, it’s a means to an end, with Ratcliffe wanting United to return to the elite as quickly as possible. With Rasmus Hojlund also proving his worth, though still himself very much a work in progress, maybe United would be more sensible spending the money on someone tried and tested at this level – exactly what Toney would be.
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Man City expulsion: Punishment over 115 FFP charges ‘won’t kill’ club with fans to ‘stand strong’ after guilty verdict
Any decision to punish Manchester City for alleged breaches of FFP will not damage the club in the long term, with one former striker revealing how the supporters will ensure the Cityzens will ultimately reclaim their place back among the elite.
The blue side of Manchester have proved the dominant force in English football in recent times, winning the title seven times over the last 12 seasons since that historic first Premier League crown back in 2011/12. Having also won the last three Premier League titles, Manchester City are this season bidding to become the first side in English football history to win the crown four season in succession.
However, that success now has something of a question mark against it amid reports that the club are being investigated for 115 charges of alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play.
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And having seen Everton given a 10-point penalty (reduced to six on appeal), Nottingham Forest hit with a four-point deduction and Leicester City, currently battling for promotion back to the Premier League from the Championship, also now face a charge for a breach of profit and sustainability rules (PSR), all eyes are on the Cityzens to see what punishment is dished out their way.Related video: Why Man City's 115 Charges Could See Them Kicked Out Of The Premier League (FourFourTwo)
115 or 115, what would you think of
Per reports, these alleged breaches occured between 2009 and 2018 and include allegations of failing to disclose financial renumerations to one of their managers, failing to provide accurate financial information and not complying with UEFA’s FFP rules.
Man City PSR punishment: Iconic star tips club to bounce back
However, any sanctions against City are unlikely to be decided soon.
And while a 52-page document has been drawn up looking into their alleged indiscretions, it is widely believed that the hearing will not take place until the autumn and that any punishment administered to the club will not be made public until the spring of 2025.
Their punishments could range from being stripped of their titles, potential expulsion from the Premier League – with some even suggesting demotion down to League One – or even just a significant points penalty.
However, whatever punishment is meted out to the Cityzens, former striker Paulo Wanchope, who was a part of the last City side to lose their Premier League status in 2001, is adamant that the law-makers cannot kill the club, while he is also adamant that their wonderful supporters will ensure the club bounces back at the first available opportunity.
“They will be able to bounce back whatever happens. The fanbase is very, very strong. That’s why they are doing so well right now I think, because they had tough times before and got through it,” Wanchope told Livescorebet.
“I remember them playing in Division One [now the Championship] and Division Two [now League One] but even throughout that, the fans stood strong and they are very special.
“They will be okay whatever happens but hopefully there won’t be any damaging sanctions anyway.”
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Next Man Utd manager: Ratcliffe turns to outsider for Liverpool job after Ten Hag sack call made
Two reports have delivered huge updates on the managerial position at Manchester United, with Erik ten Hag learning his fate and a Liverpool-linked boss superseding Gareth Southgate as Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s first choice.
It’s been a rocky second season for Ten Hag at Old Trafford, with Man Utd struggling to qualify for next season’s Champions League. The competition’s expanded format next term may result in fifth place being good enough to qualify. However, United currently sit sixth and trail fifth-placed Tottenham by six points.
Furthermore, the dramatic 4-3 victory to dump Liverpool out of the FA Cup and end their hopes of a quadruple will live long in the memory.
A recent report from the Guardian claimed Ten Hag’s position as Man Utd manager is safe until at least the end of the season.
Now, a fresh update from i news has backed up that claim. However, they also state Man Utd decision-makers, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford, are actually planning for Ten Hag to be the club’s manager next season and beyond. As such, Ten Hag seems to be in zero danger of losing his job until the summer at the earliest.
It’s stated the victory over Liverpool has played a major role in convincing the INEOS chiefs.
Nonetheless i news then add that while the current plan is for Ten Hag to remain, United are ‘developing a strategy to be able to move quickly should they decide to replace him.’Related video: Why Manchester United Wants Dan Ashworth So Badly (Dailymotion)
Ashworth/Berrada input key
A final decision on whether to stick or twist on the Dutchman reportedly won’t be made until Dan Ashworth arrives.
Ashworth is Newcastle’s sporting director and has been placed on gardening leave by the Magpies amid Man Utd’s pursuit. United are still to agree a compensation fee with Newcastle.
i news add the ultimate decision on whether Ten Hag is axed will be made by Ashworth in conjunction with new CEO, Omar Berrada.
“Making big calls without consulting the experts is not what Sir Dave [Brailsford] does,” the i quote a source as saying.
“If anything, he will ask too many people’s opinions. Delegating to the right people is his thing.
“He is fully aware Ashworth and Berrada know better than he does whether Ten Hag is right for Manchester United.
“Transforming how major decisions are made is really what he is there for.”
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Man Utd pick Thomas Frank over Gareth Southgate
In the event Ashworth and Berrada do decide to go in a new direction, a separate report from Football Transfers has poured cold water on claims England boss Gareth Southgate will be Ten Hag’s replacement.
Instead, they state it’s Brentford manager Thomas Frank who has been installed as the club’s No 1 choice by default.
Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti is the dream target, though having recently signed a new contract in Madrid that ties him down until 2026, acquiring Ancelotti is deemed unfeasible.
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Frank has therefore been earmarked for Ten Hag’s spot if United do make a change. The report claims whether the Dutchman is fired in the summer is currently a ’50/50 decision.’
Frank, 50, has earned rave reviews for the magnificent work he’s done with the Bees. The Dane not only guided Brentford into the Premier League for the first time, but wasted no time establishing them as an established top flight side.
The attacking brand of football he deploys along with his excellent track reckon with developing rising stars were also highlighted in the piece.
Frank is among the outsiders to replace Jurgen Klopp at Anfield. He has admirers within the Reds, though Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso is the preferred target and Sporting’s Ruben Amorim appears to be the back-up.
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