Transfer News

The agent of Chelsea midfielder Jorginho has opened the door to a summer exit, with a reunion with Maurizio Sarri at Juventus a possibility.  

Joao Santos spoke to TuttoMercatoWeb (h/t Football Italia) and said the upcoming Euro 2020 tournament will be a good opportunity for his client to showcase his skills:

"His objective is Euro 2020 with Italy, as there are many expectations around Roberto Mancini's side. The Euros also represent a good shop window on a personal level, as he is doing very well with Chelsea and I am certain that he'll receive some important proposals this summer, because there aren't many top level players in his role around."

When asked if a switch to Juventus could be possible, he said: "Why not? I am sure that some important offers will arrive and obviously we’ll evaluate them along with Chelsea."

The Italy international has been a regular starter for the Blues in midfield this season, netting four goals and adding two assists in 23 Premier League outings.

His most recent goal came in the 2-2 draw against rivals Arsenal:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEv_orXpbSY

He was Sarri's headline signing in the summer of 2018, following the tactician from Napoli to Stamford Bridge. Jorginho was seen as key to his plans after orchestrating things from midfield with the Partenopei.

Sarri lasted just one year in England before returning to Italy to sign with Juventus. Jorginho stayed behind and has been a solid performer under new manager Frank Lampard.

While his defensive abilities have been a target of criticism at times, the stats would suggest he's been quite good in that department:

Some takeaways:

1. Casemiro has been the best defensive midfielder in the world this season. Truly back to his best.

2. Jorginho is very underrated defensively. Not at all the liability some people have you believe.

3. Ndidi is due a big move. What a fantastic player. https://t.co/7ycRJ9rHZX

— EiF (@EiFSoccer) February 4, 2020

His distribution is his main selling point, however, and the Italians will be banking on that at this summer's European Championships. The Azzurri are eager to perform well after missing out on the 2018 FIFA World Cup, their first absence from the world's biggest tournament since 1958.

If the 29-year-old performs well, it would not be a surprise if Sarri and Juventus came knocking. The Bianconeri have struggled to find a midfielder who can replicate his distribution, with passing wizard Miralem Pjanic falling short of the expectations this season.

Jorginho knows Sarri's system like the back of his hand, so he could be the perfect midfield signing for the Italian giants this summer.

Manchester City full-back Angelino has opened up about his loan move to RB Leipzig after leaving the Etihad Stadium on the final day of the January transfer window. 

The Spaniard spoke to Kicker (h/t Sport Witness) after he was officially presented as a Leipzig player: "I didn't get many chances in the last club, so I had to look for new chances. It is great for me to have this opportunity."

He also suggested he has followed the recent progress of his new club: 

🗣️ @angel_tasende69 in his official presentation as a #RBLeipzig player:

"I was in talks with Leipzig for a while. The process here in Leipzig has fascinated me for a long time. So I'm really happy to be here." pic.twitter.com/DISB1tqdFl

— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) February 5, 2020

Angelino has already made his debut for the Bundesliga side, providing a key pass for Dani Olmo's goal in a 3-1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHdJ_mIh0Hg

Manchester City sold Angelino to PSV in 2018, but after a successful spell in the Netherlands, the Citizens used a clause to bring the 23-year-old back last summer. He only made six Premier League appearances and one in the UEFA Champions League during the first half of the season, however, leading to another loan.

City have moved him around a lot since he first joined the club:

2012: Signs for Man City
2013: Joins Man City
2015: Loaned to New York City FC
2017: Loaned to Mallorca
2018: Loaned to NAC Breda
2018: Signs for PSV
2019: Re-signs for Man City
2020: Loaned to RB Leipzig

Angeliño is on the move again. pic.twitter.com/HeXdPE9gn0

— William Hill (@WilliamHill) January 31, 2020

Leipzig can make the switch permanent thanks to a clause in the loan agreement, but according to Kicker, the two clubs are keeping the potential fee a secret.

Leipzig are in the midst of a tight Bundesliga title race after an excellent first half of the season. After a draw and a defeat in their last two league games, they are now one point behind league leaders Bayern Munich, who have won six games in succession.

Die Roten Bullen sent Marcelo Saracchi and Luan Candido out on loan to gain some more experience, opening up a big hole at left-back.

Angelino is likely to see plenty of minutes as a result, and he believes he should fit right in because of the similarities between Pep Guardiola and RB coach Julian Nagelsmann:

🗣️ @angel_tasende69:

"Julian #Nagelsmann and Pep #Guardiola are really similar in how they doing things and in their footballing philosophies. Pep gave me advice about moving to the Bunesliga, and said it would do me good." pic.twitter.com/qewZiqw2Ds

— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) February 5, 2020

With Benjamin Mendy and Oleksandr Zinchenko locking down the left-back position in Manchester for now, another spell at the club does not seem likely for Angelino. He has a great opportunity to earn a permanent move to Leipzig, though.  

New Inter Milan signing Christian Eriksen has opened up on previous talks regarding a transfer to Manchester United and said he was cast as "the black sheep" at Tottenham Hotspur prior to his January exit. 

Eriksen, 27, joined the Nerazzurri for €20 million (£16.9 million) during the winter transfer window, ending his six-and-a-half-year tenure at Tottenham before his contract was due to expire this summer.

The Denmark international told BBC Sport's Simon Stone that United were in the running to sign him "for a few years," but the prospect of joining Italian giants Inter was ultimately too tempting: 

"For a few years [United were interested], but it was never really likely. We did speak to them of course, and we did hear what was possible and what wasn't possible. But, in the end, [for] me personally, I wanted a new challenge. To stay in the Premier League would have been an easy solution.

"Of course, staying at Tottenham would also have been a solution but, for me, it just came down to wanting to try a new challenge in a new country. Once Inter came up it really wasn't a difficult choice."

Eriksen—who turns 28 on February 14—was a key figure for much of his career in north London, but he started in only three of his last 12 Premier League appearances after Jose Mourinho took charge of the team.

He suggested it's only natural that a player with an uncertain future at the club be portrayed as the villain:

"Any player would think about leaving. I was just the guy who said it publicly."

Christian Eriksen says he was "the black sheep" at Spurs.

Read the full interview 👉 https://t.co/WDsoVr0AWs pic.twitter.com/NQ6SyeSFYx

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 5, 2020

Spurs lost 2-0 to Liverpool in the final of last season's UEFA Champions League, and a runner-up finish in the 2015 Carabao Cup was the only other final Tottenham reached during Eriksen's time at the club.

The former Ajax star defended his approach in the weeks and months leading up to his Premier League exit, however, suggesting his honesty is what stirred critics:

"But that is the thing. If you have a short contract, you will be the black sheep. Of course, I did the interview. I was very honest. I felt I had to be honest. I didn't want to hide like a lot of players do. Everyone is different. I was honest. I wanted to say it out loud.

"I did get the blame for a lot of stuff, for being the bad guy. I read I was the bad person in the changing room, that ever since I said I wanted to leave, it was no good me being there. To be honest, over the last few years, if anything came up, any player would think about leaving but I was the guy who said it publicly."

It's fair to assume the midfielder's silverware aspirations—at least in the short term—will be better served playing under Antonio Conte at Inter, who recently lost the lead in Serie A and trail Juventus by three points.

Eriksen said he thought "Mourinho did well" in his approach after learning his player wanted to leave, offering an understanding response despite being mostly relegated to the bench prior to his departure.

Giovani Lo Celso looks set to take Eriksen's spot in midfield after the club confirmed his permanent transfer from Real Betis in January.

Tottenham podcaster Chris Miller recently hailed the Argentinian's energetic contribution following his former team-mate's move to the San Siro:

Lo Celso covered Eriksen levels of turf today - 11.78km.

— Chris I’Anson-Miller (@WindyCOYS) February 2, 2020

Eriksen—who made his full Inter debut in a 2-0 win over Udinese on Sunday—said he's joined a "very nice group of people and players," one with familiar faces like ex-United pair Romelu Lukaku and Ashley Young.

His future seems set in stone for the time being, at least, after he signed a contract with the Nerazzurri until 2024.

Paul Pogba has reportedly told his Manchester United team-mates he wants to leave the club in the summer. 

According to Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News, sources have said Pogba's "head is not currently at the club" amid ongoing rumours linking him to Real Madrid and Juventus. 

Luckhurst added the French midfielder remains popular in the dressing room, and most of United's players understand his position and believe his departure could benefit all parties. 

Pogba, 26, has had limited game time in 2019-20. Due to persistent ankle problems, he has made just five starts in the Premier League this term.

He rejoined United in 2016 from Juventus for a then-world-record fee of £89 million.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner has blown hot and cold for the Red Devils ever since, intermittently producing match-winning performances but too often displaying frustrating disinterest.

Rumours of his unrest at Old Trafford have been circling for over a year.

Pogba's departure was tipped when Jose Mourinho was in charge as he did not have a good relationship with the Portuguese.

He initially looked much happier after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer succeeded Mourinho, but his form faded again at Old Trafford as the 2018-19 campaign drew to a close, and exit rumours emerged again.

Pogba then confirmed back in June he would be open to a new challenge:

"After this season and everything that happened this season, with my season being my best season as well... I think for me it could be a good time to have a new challenge."

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) June 16, 2019

The France international could still be useful for Solskjaer in the remainder of 2019-20 if he can return to full fitness:

People saying Pogba won't play for United again....he has the Euros to prepare for and if he wants a move he needs to play well and put himself in the shop window before then. He"ll be back

— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) February 3, 2020

But it is becoming increasingly clear that Pogba is likely in his final months at Old Trafford.

Inter Miami are reportedly ready to double Luka Modric's salary in order to tempt the midfielder away from Real Madrid. 

The Florida-based outfit, part-owned by David Beckham, are set to enter MLS for the 2020 season, which begins at the end of February.

They are still making the final preparations for their debut season, and they include going after both Modric and Paris Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani, per Marca (h/t Football Espana).

The report added Inter Miami are prepared to double Modric's salary, but the Croatian does not want to leave the Santiago Bernabeu, where he has a contract until June 2020.

Cavani, meanwhile, was linked with an exit from PSG in the January transfer window.

He stayed put, but with his contract expiring in the summer, it seems all but certain the 32-year-old is in his last few months at the Parc des Princes.

The Uruguayan striker could be devastating in MLS given he still has a supreme goalscoring instinct, and a move to Miami for Cavani seems a genuine possibility.

Modric, though, will likely take more persuading. The rise in prominence of Fede Valverde this season has limited the 34-year-old's opportunities slightly. He has only started 11 of Real's 22 La Liga games this term.

But he remains a crucial component in Zinedine Zidane's side, and unlike last season, it is a side that looks to be going places.

With the Frenchman back at the helm, Real are the front-runners for the La Liga title while Barcelona are struggling for consistency under new manager Quique Setien:

📊🔝 @FCBarcelona's win helps them close the gap on leaders @realmadriden!#LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/1mjOBpaJqa

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) February 2, 2020

Los Blancos are also in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey, and the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

When the draw was made for the last 16 and Real were pitted against Manchester City, the Sky Blues were, for many, favourites to advance.

Now, though, Pep Guardiola's side look vulnerable having won just two of their last five in all competitions, and Real are unbeaten since October.

Modric is unlikely to be considering any departure from the Bernabeu while Real fight for silverware on multiple fronts. 

Marcos Rojo has said he decided to leave Manchester United on loan to Estudiantes in a bid to boost his hopes of playing for the Argentina national team.

The centre-back will spend the rest of the season on loan at the club where he began his career and explained that he spoke with Albiceleste boss Lionel Scaloni before the move, per Roy Nemer at Mundo Albiceleste:

"Also one of the reasons I came here was to play for the Argentina national team, I want to be close. I spoke with Scaloni and I told him that I came here to play every weekend, to get continuity and that I am anxious to be back with the team.

"We have the World Cup qualifiers which start in March and it's important to be in the rhythm of it all. He told me that in order to be there, I have to play. And that's why I left Manchester to come here."

Rojo moved to Old Trafford from Sporting CP in 2014 and has won the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Europa League with the Red Devils. However, he has never managed to secure a regular place in the team and has made only one Premier League start in 2019-20.

Football writer Karl Matchett highlighted his lack of game time:

Marcos Rojo has never played more than 24 league games in any single season.

As far as I can see he has only played 175 league games in his entire career.

He turns 30 next month.#MUFC

— Karl Matchett (@karlmatchett) February 3, 2020

Yet Rojo still appears to have attracted plenty of interest. He told El Intransigente (h/t Lucas Sposito at Sport Witness) that he "had many offers to go to other clubs" before opting to return to Estudiantes.

The centre-back still has 18 months left on his current contract, and Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hinted his career at Old Trafford is not over, per Simon Peach at the PA:

Solskjaer on Rojo: "He's such a passionate guy & he wants to support his team. He wants to come back a fitter & better player, hopefully having played well for Estudiantes, helped Seba (Veron) & his club, & gone to Copa America. That was something we just had to do" #MUFC

— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) January 31, 2020

Rojo is an experienced Argentina international with 61 caps and was named in their most recent squad for international friendlies against Brazil and Uruguay but had to withdraw due to a muscle injury.

His last appearance for the national team was in October's 2-2 friendly draw in Germany, but he will be hoping to feature when Argentina return to action next month in FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Bolivia.

RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner has talked about his future and a possible Premier League transfer amid persistent rumours linking him with Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea.

In an interview with Kicker (h/t Goal's Chris Burton), the Germany international said he's focused on doing well with Leipzig but that he's "open for everything:"

"When you score 20 goals as a 23-year-old in a season then, of course, there is interest. That's clear.

"But, right now, I am not thinking about what happens in the future.

"We are going into many important games. That's what I want to focus on now. I can still contemplate my future later.

"What do you say if a club comes knocking in the next two weeks, a club which is one of the favourites to win the Champions League and makes an incredible offer? Most likely every player would think about it. I can generally imagine playing abroad one day, although I don't have any specific club where I want to be.

"I am open for everything. I was over in America for a holiday recently and English football was on all of the time. That's an exclamation mark for the Premier League. But there are also big, famous clubs and it would certainly be fun playing there."

The 23-year-old is one of the best scorers in all of Europe and expected to be a hot commodity in the summer.

He signed a new deal with his current club last summer, but it includes a release clause that will tempt potential suitors, per Football365:

Surely Timo Werner's release clause is going to tempt someone soon...https://t.co/AQ1q0pPtBh

— Football365 (@F365) January 28, 2020

It is worth noting no one seems to know the amount of the clause. Per the Telegraph (h/t F365), the fee has been reported as low as £25.6 million and as high as £51.2 million, with the latter figure seeming more likely.

But even more than £50 million would be a bargain for a young, prolific striker who has already proved himself in one of the best leagues in the world. Werner has bagged an incredible 20 goals from 20 Bundesliga matches this season, just one shy of his previous best mark.

Here's a look at some of his best work in the 2019-20 campaign:

Werner has been tipped for greatness since making his senior debut at Stuttgart in 2013. He joined Leipzig in 2016 and has become a bona fide star in east Germany.

His tremendous athleticism and ability to play in space makes him a perfect fit for Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, who use many of the same principles as Leipzig. United have a much bigger need for a striker and could offer him almost guaranteed playing time, and Chelsea have prioritised the signing of young players in recent years.

Leipzig are likely prepared for his departure after agreeing to a contract that included a release clause. Werner's previous contract would have run out in the summer.

Gareth Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, has said that despite rumours linking the Real Madrid star with a return to Tottenham Hotspur in January, the Premier League club did not make an approach for him and he's unlikely to play for them again.

Asked whether Tottenham made an attempt to sign Bale in January, Barnett told TalkSport (h/t Goal's Chris Burton):

"No. [Spurs chairman Daniel Levy] may have [visited Madrid], it's not for me to say whether he did or didn't.

"Gareth is very happy over there. And let's be realistic: for most clubs, he is out of their league, financially.

"It is all well and good to say, 'give up that money and go and play somewhere else,' but it is not all about money. It is about his lifestyle and his children, who have grown up in Madrid."

Bale was on the verge of leaving Real for the Chinese Super League last summer, but he stayed put after Los Blancos withdrew from the deal.

Barnett suggested the 30-year-old won't be considering his future again until his contract expires, per ESPN FC's Alex Kirkland:

"I've had conversations and Gareth has had conversations that he's still a very important part of Real Madrid. The only people who really know what's going on are Mr Zidane, Gareth and the president. They know what's going on and they're all happy with the situation."

— Alex Kirkland (@alexkirkland) February 3, 2020

When asked whether Bale might return to Spurs in 2022, the agent added: "I don't think so, no."

The winger made 203 appearances for the Lilywhites prior to joining Real in 2013, scoring 56 goals and contributing 58 assists.

His output since moving to the Santiago Bernabeu has been highly impressive, as sports scientist and coach Simon Brundish highlighted:

Gareth Bale has scored 105 goals, made 67 assists in 193 full games for Real Madrid

That’s a goal or assist every 106mins

Over 7 seasons

Yet he’s some kind of liability

— SimonBrundish (@SimonBrundish) February 1, 2020

Bale's efforts have helped Real to win four UEFA Champions League titles, La Liga and the Copa del Rey, among other honours.

Injuries have dogged him for much of his time in Spain, though. Per Transfermarkt, he has missed 85 matches for Real because of fitness-related issues.

Bale reportedly earns in the region of £350,000 per week after tax. Between his wages, age and injury record, he has a limited pool of options outside Madrid unless he's prepared to take a significant pay cut.

He could end up extending his stay in Madrid, but he will need to be available more if he wants to remain a top earner there. Injuries have restricted Bale to 15 appearances this season, and he has scored three goals.

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has said he planned on leaving the club during the January transfer window, and he isn't happy with how he's been treated.

The Croat spoke to the press after the 2-1 win over Levante, per Sport:

"I've been through some bad times, but it's now in the past. I can say very clearly that things have happened that I have not liked. I have not deserved some of the behaviour (towards me).

"You (the media) also know how things are, but it's not the moment to open this issue again, but of course I have planned to leave because it's been a complicated time.

"Now I want to turn the page and work hard to help the team in the decisive moment of the season."

Per Goal, he also said he wants the fans and his team-mates to count on him now that the transfer window has closed.

The former Sevilla man was linked with a return to Andalusia before the January window opened, although sporting director Monchi said it would be difficult to get a deal over the line, per Canal Sur Radio (h/t Football Espana's Collin Millar).

There were also rumours of a possible swap deal for Juventus' Federico Bernardeschi:

Negotiations ongoing between Juventus & Barcelona about a possible Ivan Rakitić - Federico Bernardeschi swap deal, according to @DiMarzio.

— Get Italian Football News (@_GIFN) January 20, 2020

The 31-year-old ended up staying at the Camp Nou and started in Sunday's win over Levante. Ansu Fati scored both goals for the Catalans:

Rakitic has started eight La Liga matches so far this season, finding himself behind Frenkie de Jong, Sergio Busquets and Arthur in the pecking order. Arturo Vidal has often been the first midfielder off the bench as well.

He joined Barcelona in 2014 and has played more than 2,000 minutes in every La Liga season since, but he seems unlikely to get to that mark in the 2019-20 campaign.

A summer move appears likely, given the players ahead of him and the young talent pushing for a bigger role in the future. Riqui Puig has played his first La Liga minutes of the season since Quique Setien became manager, and Carles Alena has flashed his potential on loan at Real Betis.

Rakitic's contract runs until the summer of 2021, so if the Catalans want a decent return for the Croat, a summer transfer would be their best bet.  

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has said the club will not sell star forward Richarlison in the summer amid recent links to Barcelona.

Before the end of the January transfer window, reports emerged that the Toffees had rejected an £85 million bid for the Brazil international.

At his press conference ahead of Everton's clash with Watford in the Premier League on Saturday, Ancelotti was asked about the rumoured interest in the 22-year-old and made it clear the club is not looking to sell their key man, per Andy Hunter of the Guardian:

"I don't think it will be difficult to resist because it is enough to say no. There is no possibility because Richarlison is an important part of the future of Everton like the other young players we have—[Jordan] Pickford, [Mason] Holgate, [Moise] Kean, [Michael] Keane, [Dominic] Calvert-Lewin.

" ... Everything can happen in football. If an offer arrives that you cannot refuse, and it is an offer that can improve the squad, then why not? But, now, I can say Richarlison is an important part. With Barcelona you can do an exchange, no? [Laughs.] They have a lot of fantastic players, but I'm not nominating anyone"

Richarlison has missed Everton's last two games because of injury, and the team have been held to disappointing draws against West Ham United and Newcastle United. The Brazilian is scheduled to return to the starting XI for the clash with his former club on Saturday.

B/R Football's Sam Tighe believes that if Everton had been in receipt of £85 million bid for Richarlison, they should have taken it:

You can’t be bidding £85m for Richarlison

You can’t be rejecting £85m bids for Richarlison

— Sam Tighe (@stighefootball) January 29, 2020

Patrick Boyland of The Athletic said he understands why the Merseyside club would knock back any bids for the player:

Some piping hot takes on Richarlison by the way. Full Brazil international with four years left on his deal. Already into double figures this season. Young, versatile and will get even better.

How much is a player like worth in current market? #EFC

— Patrick Boyland (@Paddy_Boyland) January 29, 2020

Since moving to Everton in the summer of 2018, Richarlison has made major strides at Goodison Park.

His dribbling skill, finishing ability and work rate has made him a crucial part of the side, while he's also been able to establish himself as a regular in the Brazil team. Richarlison netted for his country in the final of the Copa America in the summer.

Given his age, ability and versatility in operating centrally or on either wing, it's no surprise that Barcelona are being mentioned as possible suitors.

Per OptaJoe, there aren't many players in Richarlison's age bracket as productive as he is at the highest level:

21 - Of players currently aged 22 or younger, only Kylian Mbappé (45) and Jadon Sancho (23) have scored more non-penalty goals than Richarlison (21) in Europe's top five leagues since the start of last season. Coveted. pic.twitter.com/e51WWoutCx

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 29, 2020

Barcelona would benefit from adding another forward in the summer. While Lionel Messi is still inspired and Antoine Griezmann is settling in to life at the club, Luis Suarez is sidelined with an injury and is now 33 years old.

Ancelotti appears adamant that the club want to keep Richarlison for many campaigns yet, and in December, the forward committed to a new long-term deal at Goodison Park. However, if Barcelona are serious about signing him come the end of the campaign, then the player will obviously be tempted to move on.