Bayern Munich
RB Leipzig boss emerges as Tottenham’s ‘top target’ to replace Jose Mourinho
RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann has emerged as the likely candidate to replace Jose Mourinho, should Tottenham’s current slump continue. Spurs began the season in excellent form and even topped the table as recently as early December, yet just a few months later, Mourinho’s men find themselves 23 points behind leaders Manchester City and with a real job to do to secure a top-four spot. Their defeat to London rivals West Ham United on Sunday means they are now nine points behind the Hammers in fourth, albeit with a game in hand on David Moyes’ side. Despite a late rally in that game, inspired by half-time substitute Gareth Bale, Tottenham’s defensive woes once again came to the fore, the centre-back pairing of Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez looking particularly shaky in recent weeks. With...
Leon Balogun impresses at right back in Europa League for Rangers
Super Eagles center back Leon Balogun impressed in a right-back role as Rangers won in a seven -goal thriller in the Europa League round of 32 clash against Royal Antwerp at Bosuilstadion on Thursday night. With 24 minutes played, the Nigeria international came off the bench to replace Rangers skipper James Tavernier, who was not able to continue due to an injury. The right-back position is not entirely new to Balogun as he has played in that role for the national team, Mainz and Brighton & Hove. In fact, he made his debut for the Super Eagles as a right-back when he replaced Efe Ambrose in the second half of a pre-World Cup friendly against Mexico in March 2014. “I was back to an old role and I was happy I can still play it,” Balogun said at yesterday’s press conference. “I think the ...
Leeds receive boost to sign 31-cap int’l star after Euro club make transfer decision
German giants Bayern Munich have no interest in keeping Douglas Costa beyond this season, according to reports from Kicker. Costa joined the Bundesliga champions on loan from Juventus this summer. However, Bayern have no intention to make his loan deal a permanent one. His decision to join Bayern came as a big surprise. Bayern already boast two of the finest young wingers in Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry. On top of that, they also signed Leroy Sane from Manchester City on a big-money deal. Costa, who has made just three starts in Bundesliga, is unwanted at Turin and the Old Lady are looking to offload him in the summer. He is not in Andrea Pirlo’s first-team plans, with the club considering him surplus to requirements. Costa will enter the final year of his contract at the...
Club official confirms that Chelsea & Liverpool have missed out on major target
RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano has agreed a deal to join Bayern Munich. According to Fabrizio Romano, the 22-year-old will complete a move to the reigning Bundesliga champions this summer. Salihamidzic just confirmed to Bild that Dayot Upamecano has reached an agreement with Bayern Münich on personal terms: “I can confirm, we’re very happy!” 🔴 The deal will be signed and completed in the coming months, when the release clause [€42.5m] will be paid to RB Leipzig. — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 12, 2021 SL View Upamecano has been one of the most sought-after defenders in Europe following his impressive performances for Leipzig over the past couple of years. The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea, while Manchester United and ...
With Chelsea closing in on Boateng, who will Bayern Munich sign in defence?
Chelsea are close to signing Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng on a free transfer this summer and that could pave the way for the German champions to bring in a replacement. The Bavarian giants celebrated the second treble in their history last season with Boateng and David Alaba making up their central defence, but both players appear set to head for the exit door in four months’ time. There has been a complete breakdown in contract talks with Alaba and CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge recently confirmed that the Austrian will leave the club when his deal expires at the end of June. Boateng is in a similar contract situation and the indications are that he could leave alongside his defensive partner, with the Blues said to have agreed a deal in principle with his agent to sign him this summe...
Bielsa lines up an exciting target for Leeds…could be another transfer masterstroke
According to reports from Juve Live, Marcelo Bielsa has identified Douglas Costa as the ideal replacement for Raphinha in case he leaves the club in the summer. Raphinha’s situation Leeds signed Raphinha during the summer transfer window from Rennes for a fee of around £17 million. The jet-heeled winger has dazzled in the Premier League, with four goals and four assists to his name already. He was sensational against Crystal Palace in the last game and earned rave reviews from the UK press. Raphinha v Crystal Palace: 76 touches40/53 succ. passes20 sprints (🌟 most on pitch)18/27 final third passes18 pressures9 progressive ball carries9 pen box touches4 shots2 on-target4 duels won1 tackle won1 nutmeg 🔥1 big chance created Phenomenal. Poor Gary Cahill. pic.twitter.c...
FIFA Club World Cup final preview: Bayern Munich vs Tigres UANL
Bayern Munich will take on Tigres UANL in the FIFA Club World Cup final on Thursday. The Bavarian giants booked their spot in the final with a 2-0 win over CAF Champions League holders Al Ahly on Monday evening. They will be aiming to win the competition for the second time in their history when they come up against Tigres, who have played two games en route to the final. The CONCACAF Champions League winners beat Ulsan Hyundai 2-1 in the second round before clinching a 1-0 semi-final win over Palmeiras last weekend. The Mexican outfit are featuring in their first-ever Club World Cup final. They are also the first CONCACAF side to reach this stage of the competition. Team News: Bayern: Bayern manager Hansi Flick is likely to stick with the same combination from the win over Al Ahly. Marc R...
Forget about it – Upamecano will not go to Chelsea or Liverpool
At the end of the 2021 January transfer window, Sky Sports did an exclusive interview with Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge about their pursuit of RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano. That is where Rummenigge confirmed that David Alaba was definitely leaving and that Bayern were one of three clubs, alongside Liverpool and Chelsea, that were interested in Upamecano. That is where all the chatter in the last week about Chelsea and Liverpool being interested in Upamecano comes from although, to be fair, the defender has been kept in the news by websites (that includes us), pundits, media and his agent, all doing a fantastic job of getting us to discuss where he’ll go this summer. Upamecano departure confirmed Upamecano’s departure is all but confirmed, with Sky (last week) and Telefoot (...
Report: Agent confirms that Man Utd and Liverpool target is close to deciding on his future
RB Leipzig star Dayot Upamecano’s future appears to be moving closer to a resolution. Manchester United and Liverpool have both been linked with the centre-back, while Bayern Munich have been pushing hard to secure his services. However, according to German football reporter Florian Plettenberg, the player’s agent has confirmed that a deal is close to being agreed. The French defender is available for just £38 million this summer due to a release clause in his contract. SL View Upamecano’s impressive performances for Leipzig have understandably drawn admiring glances from Europe’s top clubs. Both United and Liverpool have been linked with the 22-year-old, although Bayern appear to have stolen a march on the Premier League duo. The defender’s representatives held talks with the German giant...
Cash-strapped Barcelona wants Sergio Aguero, David Alaba for free
Barcelona are hoping they can land Sergio Aguero and David Alaba on free transfers this summer after their contracts expire at Manchester City and Bayern Munich respectively. Aguero is expected to depart the Etihad Stadium after 10 years which have seen him become the club’s all-time top goal scorer with 256 goals and lift four Premier League titles in a glittering career. However, injuries have since caught up with the 32-year-old and he has now gone a full year without scoring a Premier League goal at the Etihad. According to Mundo Deportivo, Barca see the striker as the ideal No 9 replacement for Luis Suarez, who departed for Atletico Madrid in the summer, in providing a big name signing for supporters. Barca are in desperate financial struggles following the coronavirus outbreak, and t...
Arsenal linked with Chelsea’s Champions League winning defender
Arsenal are considering a move for former Chelsea left-back and current Southampton defender Ryan Bertrand as they look to provide competition for Kieran Tierney. Mikel Arteta revealed this week the club are in the market for a left-back to compete with Tierney after Sead Kolasinac was allowed to join former club Schalke on loan. Arsenal are looking at a number of targets, but it is understood that Bertrand is one player being monitored. Bertrand is into the final six months of his contract with the Saints and has been in protracted talks over a new deal with the south coast club. The 31-year-old, who still lives near the Blues’ west London training ground and commutes to Southampton, was of interest to Leicester in the summer following the sale of Ben Chillwell and the Foxes have kept tab...
Report: Everton close to sealing loan deal for Bayern Munich striker
Everton are close to sealing a loan deal for Bayern Munich striker Josh Zirkzee as manager Carlo Ancelotti looks to bolster his attacking options, according to talkSPORT. The teenager will be moving to Goodison Park temporarily till the end of the campaign with a view to sealing a permanent move afterwards. Everton could be without Cenk Tosun in the coming days, with the Turkey international keen to leave before the end of the transfer window if he isn’t guaranteed regular playing minutes in the top-flight. It appears that the Toffees are preparing for his potential departure, and a move for Bayern’s 19-year-old Dutch striker looks to be on the cards. Zirkzee has featured in five games for the Bundesliga giants across all competitions in 2020-21 after playing 10 times last season and scori...
