March 11, 2021

Edinson Cavani sets date to make transfer decision amid Manchester United exit talk

 

 

 

Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani is reportedly waiting until the end of the season to make a decision on his future.

According to ESPN, the Uruguay international is not yet sure what he’s going to do at the end of this current campaign, despite his father suggesting he wanted out of Old Trafford after failing to settle in England.

Some United fans might be keen to see Cavani stick around for another year at least, but it also won’t be the biggest tragedy if he decides to move on.

The Red Devils will surely need to think about signing a younger player to be their main centre-forward in the near future, whether Cavani stays or not.

According to The Telegraph, Newcastle are on the verge of signing the 18-year-old left-back after his departure from RB Leipzig in January.

The Nottingham Forest academy starlet moved to Germany in 2018, but after  two-and-a-half years in Germany the youngster wanted to return home.

The England Under-18 defender failed to make the breakthrough with the Champions League club and spent a loan spell with FC Dordrecht.

West Ham were close to signing him in January, according to Football Insider. The Hammers held talks with him in January, but could not complete a deal.

Both Chelsea and Sporting Lisbon were also thought to be looking at the player.

However, Newcastle have landed Bondswell, who never made a senior appearance for Leipzig’s senior side.

Bondswell is expected to go into Newcastle’s U23 squad where he will be assessed by Chris Hogg.

Steve Bruce will be hoping England U18 star Bondswell can make the leap into the first-team squad and challenge Jamal Lewis for a place in first XI.

There is unlikely to be a great amount of cash to spend on transfers in the summer and the club are already looking at loans and free transfers.

Bruce said last month: “I think what you are going to see, especially during the pandemic, is that we haven’t seen many big transfers and I can’t see things changing in the summer.

“So I think it will be the same again I would have thought.

“There will be a few and a privileged few that will have money, but certainly the way it’s looking I don’t think there will be supporters back in the ground this season.”

 

‘The operation is underway’ – Process of signing Manchester City player has already started

Barcelona are already negotiating with Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero about a move to the club this summer.

That’s according to Sport, who cover the situation today after claims in Argentina that Barça were pushing ahead with a potential move.

Aguero is out of contract with Manchester City in the summer and, at this moment in time, unlikely to sign a new deal to extend his stay at the Etihad.

That has led to talk of where he might end up next, and Barcelona have emerged as the surprise front-runners over the last week, with it believed they are keen on the forward, perhaps as he would help convince Lionel Messi to stay at the club.

Sport cover the situation today and back up claims that Aguero is on the ‘possible list’ of Barcelona signings for next season.

They say his name has entered the negotiations ‘with force’, although it is more a case of his name being on the table than anything being definitively decided at this point in time.

To date, there is no agreement with the player because the new board of directors wants to sit down and analyse the plan for next season before jumping into any decisions.

Their plan is have a chat with the sporting side, including manager Ronald Koeman, and discuss the pros and cons of any deal, but the option comes after Aguero ‘was offered’ to the club a few weeks ago.

The deal would be ‘relatively straightforward’ to get over the line given the Argentine will be available on a free as he will not be renewing his contract with Manchester City.

 

An international star with experience of La Liga and a style that would fit Barcelona’s, Aguero is seen as a smart signing, but the major plus point is that he may help them convince Messi to remain for at least one more year.

There are doubts, though.

Aguero is 33 and has spent most of this season out injured, so there are concerns there, all the while having to adjust his wages as Barcelona cannot afford what he currently is on at Manchester City.

That is something for the club to work out, and while Joan Laporta has his sights ‘set on the player’, there is no agreement as of yet.

 

Where Celtic stand on Liam Shaw transfer probe after Sheffield Wednesday’s Neil Lennon anger

Liam Shaw insisted he couldn’t turn Celtic down as seething Sheffield Wednesday hit out at Neil Lennon for confirming the pre-contract deal.

The English Championship club released a terse statement claiming they are investigating the agreement that has seen the 19-year-old secure his switch to Parkhead in the summer.

Wednesday are unhappy Shaw’s move was put into the public domain by ex-Celtic boss Lennon.

Reports in Sheffield have even suggested they may get their legal team involved.

Record Sport understands Celtic are aware of the statement but have done everything by the book.

The statement read: “We are currently investigating this matter and will consider if there are any further steps available to protect the club’s interest. It was not our intention to place this development into the public domain out of respect to all parties concerned.”

haw said: “By joining Celtic next season, I will fight for a place in a team challenging for titles, trophies and to play in Europe, which is something I’ve always dreamed of.

“I thank Celtic for this amazing opportunity, which is impossible for me to turn down.”

Erling Haaland may be key to new Bruno Fernandes Man Utd contract as £100m transfer eyed

Manchester United are eager to sign Erling Haaland this summer – and doing so would help prove to Bruno Fernandes that they mean business in the coming seasons.

 

Bruno Fernandes has only been at Manchester United a little over 12 months, and yet you would find very few who wouldn’t argue he’s not their defacto talisman. It’s no surprise that reports are emerging that United want to sign him to a new contract.

His penalty in the derby win over Manchester City at the Etihad last Sunday takes him to 24 goals and 18 assists in 42 Premier League matches for the Old Trafford outfit.

But there have been claims this week that the Portugal international is hesitant to immediately put pen to paper on a new contract to stay in Manchester.

That’s despite the fact the main reason behind any new deal will mainly be to boost his salary, given United aren’t fearful of losing him any time soon as he’s already tied down until 2025 on his current £100,000-a-week (before bonuses) terms.

United may want Fernandes signed to a new contract for more positive PR as much as anything. The 26-year-old will probably only extend his stay for another year or two if he does put pen to paper, but him doing so would be quite the message.

Signing a new contract would essentially be Fernandes the Red Devils to fulfil his clearly lofty ambitions.