Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s transfer strategy at Man Utd could be impacted by a ‘large unpaid tax bill’ at the club, according to reports.
It has been good news on the pitch for the Red Devils over the weekend with Erik ten Hag guiding his side to a 4-3 victory over Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

HMRC ‘holding talks’ with Man Utd

Ten Hag had been coming under pressure in recent weeks over his side’s performances with Man Utd out of the Champions League and sitting in sixth place in the Premier League.
There have been rumours that Ratcliffe, who completed a deal to buy 25 per cent of the club from the Glazers last month, could replace Ten Hag while he also looks to overhaul the recruitment department.
Dan Ashworth is expected to lead recruitment if they can agree a compensation fee with Newcastle to release the sporting director with Ratcliffe planning a summer of change.
However, that could be severely restricted as the I newspaper reports that HMRC are ‘holding talks’ with Man Utd ‘about the amount of tax paid on arrangements with players and agents in what could hamper future transfer budgets.’
READ MORE: Man Utd up to mid-table but top three still top three in the Barclays Mood Rankings
The report adds:

‘With financial regulations biting in the Premier League, if the club is forced to pay significant money to the UK tax authorities it could further hinder spending power in the upcoming transfer windows. The club do not yet know how much they may have to pay.
‘United were unable to spend liberally in January due to needing to balance the books and the outcome of discussions with HMRC, around the interpretation of rules regarding the amount of tax owed on dealings with players and their representatives, will likely impact budgets.’

One player who Man Utd have reportedly considered selling ahead of the summer transfer window is Antony, although they are unlikely to get anywhere near the £85m they spent on him in the summer of 2022.
Antony has yet to provide a goal or an assist in 22 Premier League matches this season but he did bag a crucial goal to take the match to extra time against Liverpool in the FA Cup on Sunday.

“It was a very important goal, it gave us the chance to go to extra-time and try to win,” Antony said after the match.
“Personally, it was a very important moment for me, I needed that goal. At no point did I stop thinking about it and working.
“It’s games like this that show our values and I believe this will motivate everyone for the season. It was a game that we had to help in every way and I managed to score the equaliser.
“I have also been training my right leg, to make it better and I have done my best to help in the defence, acting as a winger.
“It was a time for everyone to donate, whatever their position. We came together there and achieved an incredible turnaround.”

Antony: I have been working silently to evolve

On his struggles at Man Utd since joining, Antony added: “It has been a period of a lot of learning. I try to learn from each criticism, understand where I can improve.
“I have been working silently to evolve and show my football on the field. I know my potential and I know why Manchester United hired me. I want to repay all of this on the field.
“My team-mates are giving me a lot of confidence, my family too. This is important and gives me a lot of confidence.
“In the opportunity the coach gave me, I managed to be decisive and help. I’m grateful to Manchester United, it was my lifelong dream to be here.”

Chelsea need Diego Simeone if Mauricio Pochettino fails to win the FA Cup

FA Cup glory should grant Mauricio Pochettino another season at Stamford Bridge; otherwise, it’s time for Todd Boehly to play opposites and hire the man made for Chelsea: Diego Simeone.

“For a second time, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, we are going to Wembley. When I arrived in England at Southampton, they said, ‘we need to go to Wembley, we need to go to Wembley’. In Tottenham, ‘we need to go to Wembley, we need to go to Wembley’. Now look in nine months in two different competitions we got to Wembley and we need to enjoy and we need to trust more.”

If we take ‘going to Wembley’ as meaning a League Cup final or an FA Cup semi-final/final, Chelsea have managed that feat 26 times in the last two decades. It’s not the feather in the cap Pochettino would have us believe, and drawing favourable comparisons to Southampton and Tottenham is an odd tactic given a) it highlights his lack of cup success at those clubs and b) as he’s said on numerous occasions this season, expectations at Chelsea are far higher.


Chelsea fans aren’t saying ‘we need to go to Wembley, we need to go to Wembley’ because they’re always going to Wembley. What they haven’t been able to do in recent times is celebrate a trophy, with their last six Wembley finals all ending in defeat. Break that hoodoo and Pochettino will have earned another season at Stamford Bridge, whether the fans like it or not.
Possibly as important as claiming the actual silverware will be victory over Manchester City in the semi-final, and likely Manchester United in the final, adding further credit to the Big Six bank which has been Pochettino’s saving grace thus far.
They were comprehensively beaten by Liverpool and Manchester United in the Premier League, but have beaten Tottenham away in that madness of a game, drew with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City at home – in games they probably should have won – and clung to a point at the Etihad having again caused Pep Guardiola’s side problems on the break. The Carabao Cup final ended in defeat, but they had the better of it in normal time.
Related video: Pochettino gets with the programme - Chelsea boss on squad size after fans boo substitutions (SNTV)

Those games, against teams Chelsea are aiming to fight for titles, have offered more hope than anything this season. Arsenal, Spurs and United offer further opportunities in the Premier League, but victory under pressure at Wembley – with entry into the Europa League a hugely significant carrot on top of the trophy – will be the greatest harbinger of success for the Pochettino project.
Reports suggest Todd Boehly and Clearlake want Pochettino to remain whether they achieve glory or not, with a general upward trend in results and performances of late providing sufficient evidence in their eyes that he’s the right person to develop this group of young players, most of whom get on very well with a coach famed for his man-management. That said, Chelsea are ‘succession planning’, with the owners well aware that they will have little choice if the fanbase turns to the extent that saw them forced to send Graham Potter packing.


Hansi Flick is currently the favourite, while Ruben Amorim, Roberto De Zerbi and Michel Sanchez are all tipped to be in the mix should Pochettino be shown the door. But having given a couple of nice guys a chance, Chelsea should lean into a not-unreasonable belief that much of their success this century has come because they’ve had managers who, for want of a better phrase, have f***ed sh*t up. Chelsea fans loved that they were hated under Jose Mourinho, and to a lesser degree under Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel.
There is arguably no manager in world football despised more than Diego Simeone, but it’s the disparity between that hatred of others and the love of his own fans that should make him such an appealing option for Chelsea supporters, who have sorely missed the ‘us against them’ philosophy of the pr*cks that came before Potter and Pochettino.
They want to see someone dancing down the touchline and pulling a hammy, kicking every ball and refusing to shake the hand of opposition managers.
Simeone Atletico Madrid
© Provided by Football365
Diego Simeone is adored by the Atletico Madrid fans.
There are significant barriers to Chelsea hiring Simeone, not least the three-year contract he signed in November, along with the fact that he is Atletico Madrid, and him being anything other than manager of the club he’s been at since 2011 would feel alien enough for everyone else, let alone the man himself, who would presumably need twice as a long a break as Jurgen Klopp given the energy he exerts on a matchday.

Another impediment is Boehly and Behdad Eghbali’s apparent obsession with doing the exact opposite of their predecessor Roman Abramovich, whose methods were questionable, unethical and illegal, but – and it feels like the new owners should pay more attention to this – inarguably successful.
Abramovich would have hired Simeone if given the chance, which may well present itself should he take Atletico all the way in the Champions League, which looks more possible after a favourable draw which sees them first take on Borussia Dortmund before a semi-final against either Barcelona or Paris Saint-Germain.
It would be the most fitting end for a manager with nothing left to achieve at his current club, offering Chelsea the opportunity to snag a leader who fits the ethos of old and flies in the face of a current regime that needs a trophy to keep the wolves from scratching through Pochettino’s already splintered door.

Chelsea star ready to snub lucrative move to Saudi Arabia despite Boehly having other ideas

A Chelsea star is ready to snub interest from Saudi Arabia this summer and fight for his place in the team, despite Todd Boehly seemingly having other ideas.
It looks as if it’s going to be another hectic transfer window at Stamford Bridge as the club looks to narrow down the squad where necessary.

As previously reported by TEAMtalk, the likes of Conor Gallagher, Trevoh Chalobah and Armando Broja could all depart on permanent deals this summer.
Another star who seems to be facing an uncertain future is Raheem Sterling, but the 29-year-old is seemingly willing to fight for his place at Chelsea.
According to The Evening Standard, Sterling is determined to make a success of his Chelsea career and he is ready to snub any interest from Saudi Arabian clubs this summer.
As per Capology, Sterling is currently taking home a weekly wage of £325,000 which makes him the club’s highest earner. While he probably would be offered a pay rise by moving to Saudi Arabia, this doesn’t seem to be of interest at this stage.
Since arriving from Manchester City in 2022, Sterling’s form has fluctuated. The transfer has by no means been a disaster, but he’s not quite been able to live up to the original hype.
Related video: Pochettino gets with the programme - Chelsea boss on squad size after fans boo substitutions (SNTV)

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Chelsea have plans to sell Sterling

While Sterling himself seems determined to make a success of his Chelsea career, the club seemingly have other ideas. According to Football Insider, Sterling is expected to be part of a summer firesale as the club aims to raise funds.
However, given the winger’s lucrative wages, a move elsewhere in the Premier League seems unlikely. The only concrete interest in Sterling has come from Saudi Arabia, but this doesn’t seem to entice the winger at this stage of his career.
Given his current deal at Stamford Bridge runs until 2027, Chelsea will probably find it tough to move him on at this stage.
The winger arguably had his worst performance in a Chelsea shirt over the weekend against Leicester in the FA Cup as he missed a penalty and squandered several other chances.

A section of the Stamford Bridge crowd booed Sterling following a badly taken free-kick which he launched into the stands.
Despite the 29-year-old not being at the peak of his powers at this point in time, Mauricio Pochettino was quick to jump to his defence after the game.
“We need to support him, he’s an amazing player. He has more than 10 years’ experience in the Premier League,” Pochettino told reporters after the game.
“Of course I think the contribution was good. He was a little bit unlucky with some actions where he should have scored, but we are a team and we need to be there for everyone.
“Fans are entitled to show their emotion. For us, we try to emphasise with our fans not to criticise. They want the best for our team and players, but we are in a project. We need support and to really believe. We are trying to build something.”
READ MORE – The 11 Chelsea players that have brutally dropped in value since start of 2023/24 season

5 transfer options for rising Liverpool star tipped to leave club at end of the season

Caoimhin Kelleher will have a big decision to make on his future come the summer, with the Liverpool starlet needing to decide whether to stick or twist.
The Irish international has been the Reds' cup goalkeeper this season, as well as deputising for Alisson while the Brazilian has been out injured. With Alisson still having plenty of years ahead of him, though, Kelleher may decide he needs to leave to play regular first-team football.

Kelleher's recent run in the team has seen him impress, not least in the Carabao Cup final. An inexperienced Liverpool team got past Chelsea at Wembley, with Kelleher keeping the Blues at bay for 120 minutes.
At 25 years old, though, cup cameos and a status as first reserve might not be enough. Here, Mirror Football looks at some of Kelleher's options after former Manchester United and Everton keeper Tim Howard suggested this season might be his last at Anfield.
“I think this will give him a really good taste of football and think ‘I can play at this level, I can be a number one somewhere’,” Howard said on NBC Sports. “And by the way, it might not be his decision, I think there’ll be a lot of teams knocking on Liverpool’s door saying ‘we want this kid.’ He’s very, very good.”
Sunday's FA Cup defeat against Manchester United was Kelleher's 22nd appearance of the season, more than he had managed in his entire career before the start of the current campaign. The next question, though, concerns where he might be playing his football next season..
Related video: AMAD WINS IT IN THE DYING MOMENTS AGAINST LIVERPOOL United 4-3 Liverpool (The UBJ)

no team has knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup

Wolves

Wolves were among the interested parties over the summer when it looked as though Kelleher might seek a move away from Anfield. While manager Julen Lopetegui has since departed after reportedly pushing for a move, there are still questions over the club's longer-term plans between the sticks.
Where should Caoimhin Kelleher play next season? Have your say in the comments section
Caoimhin Kelleher during Liverpool v Manchester City
© Liverpool FC via Getty Images
With Gary O'Neil in the dugout, Wolves have conceded 44 goals in 28 league games, compared to 38 across Lopetegui's 27 games in charge in all competitions. First-choice keeper Jose Sa has just four league clean sheets to his name, and shipped three goals against Championship side Coventry as Wolves bowed out of the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage.
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Sa has plenty of time left on his contract but hasn't always convinced, and has encountered injury problems this term. Kelleher, six years his junior, might be seen as an upgrade if O'Neil is as keen as his predecessor.

Brentford

Brentford also eyed up Kelleher last summer, only to turn their attentions elsewhere when it became clear Kelleher wasn't for sale. They signed Mark Flekken as a replacement for Arsenal-bound David Raya, but the Dutchman has come in for some criticism this term.
Mark Flekken during Burnley v Brentford
© CameraSport via Getty Images
Flekken, like Wolves' Sa, has just four Premier League clean sheets this term. Just one of those shut-outs has arrived in 2024 - against Wolves, as it happens - with Brentford at risk of relegation after shipping more goals than any other side outside the bottom three.
With Raya expected to make his Arsenal loan permanent in the summer, the Bees ought to have the funds needed for a player like Kelleher. First, though, they need to stay in the league.

Bayern Munich

Manuel Neuer warming up for Bayern Munich
© Getty Images
Bayern will eventually have to make plans for a post-Manuel Neuer era, with the Germany international set to turn 38 this month. Neuer returned from long-term injury in October and has captained the team to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, but there are questions over what lies ahead in the longer term.

Second-choice keeper Sven Ulreich is 35 himself. Israel international Daniel Peretz, signed as cover over the summer, has just one cup outing to his name this term.
Kelleher would provide the benefit of European experience if Bayern decide now is the time to push for a younger starting keeper. He started Champions League games against Ajax and Midtjylland in 2020, and has been a near ever-present in this season's Europa League

Celtic

Joe Hart during Lazio v Celtic
© Getty Images
With Joe Hart set to retire at the end of the current campaign, Celtic will be after a new number one. While the Scottish giants might not have the financial sway of clubs in some of Europe's biggest leagues, the potential for regular Champions League football can't be underestimated.

Celtic have a rich history of Irish internationals, with Robbie Keane and Roy Keane among those to spend time at Parkhead after memorable stints in England. The current squad includes three Ireland representatives, with Adam Idah impressing in front of goal after joining on loan from Norwich.
Brendan Rodgers' side finished bottom of their Champions League group this season without a single clean sheet to their name. They may well feel a talented keeper like Kelleher can ensure they do better next time out.

Liverpool

Caoimhin Kelleher and Conor Bradley of Liverpool are congratulated by Jurgen Klopp
© Reach Publishing Services Limited
Of course, Kelleher may decide to stay put rather than chancing his arm elsewhere. He may feel he has proved himself this term in Alisson's absence, and a new manager may agree.
For now, we don't know who will replace Klopp in the dugout when the manager steps down. While there are no question marks over Alisson for as long as the current boss remains in charge, a new man may see things differently.
Whatever happens at the top, Kelleher is likely to hold talks with Klopp's successor to get a feel for where he stands ahead of the 2024-25 season. It's only then that he'll be able to make an informed decision about where he begins the campaign, and he may yet decide his future is at Anfield.
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