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Summer Transfer Talk 28th June 2023

Dad Playing Football With Child In Garden

Do we finally have a breakthrough in the race to sign Declan Rice? Well breaking news last night at bang on 11pm GMT, we got word that Arsenal had submitted a record breaking bid for an English player (£105m – £100m up front and £5m in add-ons). This puts them at the head of the race again after Manchester City had previously matched their £90m bid but with more favourable payment terms. It has yet to be seen what West Ham’s reaction is on this bid, but there have been positive murmurings around the club. West Ham just need to wait and see whether Man City will match it. There is also a slight concern how much money they are going to get day 1, as with a lot of modern day deals, they are paid on the drip over a few instalments.

 

One confirmed deal now is Mateo Kovacic to Manchester City from Chelsea as they seek to replace Ilkay Gundogan who has signed for Barcelona on a free transfer. He has very big shoes to fill but he is a classy operator with 95 caps for his country and he’s won 4 champions leagues. A fee of £25m + add-ons seems fair and good luck to him on a new journey. Staying with City, they are rumoured to be bidding or have bid an enormous amount for Centre Back Josko Gvardiol. A compatriot of Mateo Kovacic, he looks an unreal talent, ever since bursting through with Dinamo Zagreb a few seasons ago and looks sensational every time I’ve watched him at RB Leipzig. What may complicate the deal is whether Newcastle bid for Dominik Szoboszlai, the Hungarian wonderkid as RB Leipzig only need to sell one to balance the books.

 

More outs for Chelsea, Kai Havertz has agreed a deal to sign for Arsenal, just a medical to be done which should happen towards the end of this week. Leaked pictures on social media have shown him already in an Arsenal kit so this is as good as done, £65m fee. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who incidentally I have actually met in person, (and sold him a camera) has agreed to sign for AC Milan, £15m + add-ons. One that rumbles on though is Mason Mount, Manchester United are holding firm that their £55m bid is their last one, and there doesn’t seem much interest elsewhere in the player. Aubameyang is still sticking around, a new offer has been rebuffed for his services from Galatasaray.

 

Tottenham have finalised a 5 year deal for Guglielmo Vicario from Empoli on a 5 year deal. Lloris was coming to the end, very shaky at times, and this is a good move. A fee just shy of £20m for his services. They are also very close to agreeing a deal for James Maddison, personal terms understood to be no issue and a fee of £40m agreed, presumably with add-ons. To me this seems like an absolute snip, the way the rest of the market is. Guaranteed goals, and assists. Harry Kane may be on the move, allegedly personal terms have been agreed in principle with Bayern Munich and a verbal £60m bid tabled. It’s understood this has been rejected out of hand, but Bayern are confident an agreement could be reached.

 

Elsewhere though, there doesn’t seem to be too much going on, when the free agents are released on the 1st July, i expect a bit more movement and when players are back from holidays there will be more too. Keep it locked to Football for Kids for more great transfer updates and interesting football articles.

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Arsenal

Summer Transfer Talk 21st June 2023

Another week, and plenty more rumours and deals to satisfy us all. With the international matches now completed, England were sensational by the way, the players have all gone off for their Summer holidays. After the longest season in history, their holidays won’t be long as most will be back by the 2nd week of July for pre-season.

 

That doesn’t stop deals being made between clubs and agents are in overdrive. Saudi Arabia’s march to buy every player on the planet continues, Kante has been sealed, Ruben Neves is expected to sign in the next coming days for a £47m fee. A lot of this is convenient, as Wolves were facing FFP difficulties.

 

A clutch of Chelsea players are set for the Middle East, inlcuding Eduoard Mendy, Hakim Ziyech, Aubameyang and Romelu Lukaku. The targets are becoming more adventurous, and the ages and profile of the player is becoming more exciting. By moving for players more in their prime, Saudi Arabia could become a disruptor in the market in the longer term.

 

I am also a boxing fan, and I was hoping we would have seen Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk by now, but because of Saudi money this fight has not been made. This is happening in other sports, and I’m not sure it’s a good thing for sport as a whole. It will be interesting to see who has made the move to the Petro state by the end of the Summer Window.

 

Could Mbappe be on the move? It is still unlikely at this stage, but with only one year left on his deal, and the optional year held by the player not the club, I wouldn’t rule it out. The player has stated he is not going to extend that, but also he is prone to U-turns. President Macron, whom Kylian is close to has apparently tried to persuade him to stay in France but it looks like he has his heart set on the Spanish goliaths Real Madrid. Whether they have the budget is the thing, they have just shelled out £115 for Jude Bellingham but I’m sure they could rustle a few quid from their luxury sofas if they needed to. 

 

On to the Premier League and the main story of course is around Declan Rice, his favoured move is to Arsenal and they have 2 bids rejected. One at £80m and on at £90m, both structured and apparently with unrealistic bonuses. West Ham have rejected both out of hand, as they are holding out for a British transfer record fee which is the £100m Manchester City paid Aston Villa for Jack Grealish’ services. I think Arsenal are making a mistake by stalling here, as Manchester City are prowling and other clubs are interested.

 

Arsenal are also bidding for Kai Havertz of Chelsea, a £60m fee mooted. It seems such a strange one for me, but again Bayern Munich are very keen on him too. In my opinion he is one of those players who promises much, but constantly under delivers. Jurrien Timber of Ajax has been subject of a £30m bid too, although competition is expected to be fierce here, with Manchester United very keen (Ten Hag worked with him at Ajax) as well as Romeo Lavia of Southampton, so bids in but nothing signed yet.

 

Manchester City are close to signing Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea, does this signal the end for Ilkay Gundogan, who was Pep Guardiola’s first signing? They are also in for Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol who I have been keeping an eye on for a few years since his Dinamo Zagreb days and he could be the best defender in the world, that isn’t a joke.

 

Manchester United are trying to ship out a few players first, Harry Maguire, Jaden Sanchio potentially. Fred has interest from Fulham if a fee can be agreed. Their key target at the moment is definitely Mason Mount, 2 bids have been made, the current one £50m but that is expected to be rejected with Chelsea wanting £70m. The player is set on a move so its just a matter of time. They also want “the next Haaland”, Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta, but that’s a complicated deal, Atalanta are tough negotiators.

 

Liverpool are still looking for midfielders, James Ward-Prowse has appeared on their shortlist, as well as Kephren Thuram and Manu Kone who looks an exciting young player. No concrete bids on the table as far as I’m aware.

 

Tottenham’s Son has been subject of a bid from the Middle East and all has gone quiet on the Harry Kane front, looking increasingly more likely to stay at the club. A big boost for them. Harry Maguire has been touted, and I think he has a point to prove, but I don’t think he’s the right fit for Ange Postecoglou’s approach as he loves a high line and Maguire just doesn’t have the pace.

 

For now the rest of the league are just drawing up their targets, but if there’s any breaking news, we will be on top of it here at Football For Kids. Let us know your thoughts or transfer rumours in the comments, catch you next week!

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Arsenal

Summer Transfer Talk 14th June 2023

£20 notes

Well a lot changes in a week in football. Developments and steps have been made in the market. Declan Rice looks on the verge of joining Arsenal. I reported as much last week however I had my doubts as to whether Arsenal could win trophies and he would actually sign. Looks like £100m up front with a few add-ons is enough to get this deal over the line, and Arsenal are continuing to build an exciting young squad. They are still hopeful of signing Moises Caicedo, too from Brighton to fully overhaul that central midfield but we shall see as they have lots of competition for his signature.

 

Tottenham are rumoured to have agreed personal terms with David Raya of Brentford, who in my opinion was the best goalkeeper in the Premier League last season. His distribution is exceptional and he had the highest save percentage in the whole league. But David De Gea wins the Golden Glove? Don’t get me started on that! So just a fee to be agreed between the clubs, Tottenham want to pay £20m, Brentford want £40m, but a deal looks close.

 

The Harry Kane interest seems to have died down, and it looks ever more likely he will stay at the club. With only a year left on his contract though, will he sign a new one or leave for free next Summer? Daniel Levy is insistent he will not sell to a rival and Real Madrid look like they are now on high alert with Kylian Mbappe as a replacement for Benzema, who departed for the Saudi League.

 

And what’s going on with that now? Benzema and Kante this week have gone, Lukaku, Aubameyang, Hakim Ziyech and more are being strongly linked. No one was taking them seriously but if this keeps happening for a few years then they may become a serious threat to European leagues. Not necessarily the premier leagues best stars, as the economics are far higher than other leagues but one to be wary of.

 

Newcastle have been linked with a couple of players. Harry Maguire for £30m, seems a strange one for me, but he would certainly have a point to prove and under the right management he may still have a lot to offer. Great experience, in both International and European competition, he would aid in thickening their squad for the Champions League campaign this season. Talks of a double raid from Leicester City emerging for both Harvey Barnes and James Maddison, although Leicester ant £60m for the latter. For a man with one year left on his deal, it looks to be a waiting game there, Leicester can’t afford to lose him for nothing but £60m is unrealistic given their position.

 

Chelsea are busy as usual, many ins and outs on the cards. Outs will include Kepa, Edouard Mendy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mason Mount, Hakim Ziyech, Aubameyang and possibly Trevoh Chalobah. Mateo Kovacic looks close to signing for Manchester City, seems kind of a strange deal to me, but perhaps he is a replacement for Gundogan who hasn’t renewed a contract yet. Andre Onana, Inter Milans superb keeper has reportedly agreed personal terms and a fee should be agreed. They are also looking to raid the other half of Milan for their keeper Mike Maignan but the player and club seem much more resistant. A much more exciting development might be the Victor Osimhen rumour. It will take a fee over £100m but they need a number 9 and he would be exceptional for many years.

 

The main story this week though is still the ongoing saga with the Manchester United takeover. It still isn’t completed but it doesn’t seem to be stopping them in the market. The thought I’ll leave you with this week though is if they do get taken over should they go all out for Mbappe and really try to challenge Man City?

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Football Guides

Messi and Middle Eastern money

You may have seen in the news this week that Lionel Messi was pictured with his family having fun in Saudi Arabia. Nothing wrong with that you might say? Well this was just a day after a disappointing defeat in the league and Paris Saint Germain fans seemed to have turned on Messi.

 

The fans always have a right to voice their opinions but was Messi in the right? After all he is an ambassador for Saudi Arabia and promoting the country and the sport in the country and around the world. Amnesty International have come out in no uncertain terms to say that this is all just “sportswashing”. And for my money that’s what it is. Saudi Arabian and middle eastern money is corrupting not only football but the majority of sports on the planet.

 

Why do you enjoy watching football and in particular the Premier League and Champions League. To me, it’s because no matter how small a club there is still competitiveness and a dream that we can beat Real Madrid, or we can beat Manchester United. You only have to look back to September 28th, 2021 and you have Sheriff Tiraspol, a Moldovan club beating Real Madrid 2-1 in the Bernabeu. We have seen the likes of Brentford and Brighton absolutely destroy Manchester United in the league this season.

 

I’m also a huge boxing fan and was really excited to see Usyk and Fury fight for all the belts and unify the Heavyweight division for the first time since Lennox Lewis. But due to Ramadan and Saudi Arabia not wanting to put an event on over that time the fighters pulled out. As if only £10-20m each wasn’t enough for them to fight at a packed Wembley Stadium. Then you have LIV golf, you have Tennis, talks of Snooker moving the World championships to Qatar, it’s not right.

 

Qatar to their credit put on an outstanding world cup, but look into the reasons why they were awarded the tournament and it gets very messy. Definitely one for a rainy afternoon! But back to the Messi situation, I personally just think its sad that Saudi Arabia have to pay a reported £320m a year to lure Messi over there, just to gain a little bit of recognition or any sort of spotlight on their own professional football league.

 

I think money is a great divider of people and Messi doesn’t need the money. What will this do for his legacy if anything? He’s a 7 time Ballon D’or winner, he’s a world cup winner and has won the champions league multiple times, countless league trophies and cup triumphs. There is nothing more to achieve in the game, and PSG were already paying him extortionately so would it hurt for our favourite players to show some humility and retire with honour rather than looking for the last payday. It sours his legacy for me, but for some, he will always be the GOAT, a legend, talked about forever.

 

But are we all snobs when it comes to football in the West. Would it be better if he went to Inter Miami or another American club for a final payday? There is a sense of snobbery about Middle Eastern sport. But money does buy you a seat at the table, it does buy you coverage globally, and I look forward to the day when a Saudi player plays in the premier league or they are legitimate threats in the World Cup. Football is a global game, put your cheque book away and invest in the infrastructure and policies that will make men and women across your nation take part in football and be excited to make it a viable career.

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News

Should Gareth Southgate Be Sacked?

There has been a lot and I mean, A LOT of speculation surrounding Gareth Southgate’s future as the Three Lions boss. To some extent, this is completely understandable when it comes to England fans jumping the gun and wanting him gone. His tactics and choice of players have not paid off whatsoever during the current Nations League. To think England has only managed 2 points out of their last 4 games is just unthinkable. This is the big reason why people want him gone with England suffering from their worst home defeat and only their second-ever loss to Hungary.

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