Football transfer news

Bayer Leverkusen have upset the applecart this season in some style. As is always the case with these tales, the stars of the story are being linked with moves away.

The latest name in the transfer gossip column is wing-back Jeremie Frimpong, whose contract contains a relatively cheap €40m release clause.

A report from BILD claims four clubs in particular are eyeing a move for the Netherlands international. But where would be best for him to land?

Let’s assess Frimpong’s options.

Even if Manchester United’s season hadn’t spectacularly imploded, they would still probably be bottom of this list.

The Red Devils’ squad is a mixed bag of visions that needs serious overhaul. In terms of age profile, Frimpong would fit the bill, but this is the type of signing United historically have failed to embed correctly.

Frimpong is a rather specialist wing-back, not a traditional full-back. It would take a strong coach to sell him the vision of a move without the Red Devils changing formation – which, we should add, isn’t out of the question due to the uncertainty around Erik ten Hag’s future.

But United should not even be a consideration for Frimpong right now. It’s not worth getting ripped into on Monday Night Football every week just because you’re in the wrong environment.

If Arsenal follow up on their interest in Frimpong, then it’ll likely be because Mikel Arteta has another tactical switch up his sleeve.

The right-back role firmly belongs to Ben White, and unless he inconspicuously falls into a black hole, he’s not going to lose it.

Bringing in Frimpong would suggest that Arteta is planning to mix up his setup or that he’s just desperate to bring in a profile he doesn’t already have. Either way, it’s unlikely the Dutchman would start when he could get minutes elsewhere.

Let’s just play devil’s advocate for a second – why does Frimpong need to leave Leverkusen?

Xabi Alonso has confirmed he is staying next season and other star players could follow suit. If Leverkusen do end this campaign with an unbeaten treble (!!!!!!), then they should fancy their chances of a Champions League push as well as a successful defence of their Bundesliga title.

Frimpong is still only 23. He doesn’t need to rush into a bad move.

Recent history has taught us that if you are a top player and Manchester City want to buy you, it’s unlikely that you will regret going there.

Frimpong spent nine years in the City academy before he joined Celtic, and during his time away from England’s north-west has blossomed into one of the very best in his role.

Again, the sticking point is City don’t really play with a specialist wing-back, but Guardiola is more likely to drastically switch up his system than Arteta. If the call from the Etihad Stadium comes, Frimpong should consider answering.

Real Madrid are the force to be reckoned with in the transfer market once again.

Their squad already includes Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga. They are expected to add Kylian Mbappe this summer and Alphonso Davies could follow. Endrick will be on the first plane to Spain once he turns 18.

They’re building a squad for the present and future at the Santiago Bernabeu, and it might not only include Frimpong, but one of the men who know him best as well in Alonso.

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Barcelona are back in La Liga action on Thursday night as they travel to bottom-of-the table Almeria.

2023/24 has been a campaign of tumult for the Catalans, who endured a miserable title defence and have already relinquished their crown to Clasico rivals Real Madrid. Thus, their primary objective with three league games remaining is to hold off surprise package Girona for second spot.

Barca were beaten by their Catalonian rivals for the second time this season at the start of May, but a 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad on Monday night means they hold a point advantage over Girona having played a game less.

Xavi’s side almost succumbed to their most embarrassing result of the season in the reverse fixture as Almeria twice drew level at the Montjuic in December, but Sergi Roberto’s second-half brace ensured Barca escaped with all three points.

Almeria were consigned to the drop in April and have won just two La Liga games all season – one of which arrived on 5 May away at Rayo Vallecano.

Here’s 90min’s preview of the game.

Almeria vs Barcelona H2H record (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

Largie Ramazani is once again suspended for Barcelona’s visit, with Almeria also set to be without injured pair Aleksandar Radovanovic and Iddrisu Baba.

Radovanovic is dealing with a thigh injury.

Almeria predicted lineup vs Barcelona (4-3-3): Maximiano; Pubill, Chumi, Gonzalez, Centelles; Robertone, Pena, Vieira; Baptistao, Lozano, Embarba.

The quick turnaround from Monday night’s game means we should see a few changes to Xavi’s XI in Almeria.

The Spaniard won’t be able to call upon the suspended Ilkay Gundogan, with Fermin Lopez the most likely to replace the German international.

Ronald Araujo should also come back into the side and replace Inigo Martinez at the heart of defence. Young Hector Fort could get a start at left-back.

The visitors are without Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, and Alejandro Balde.

Barcelona predicted lineup vs Almeria (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Fort; Christensen, Pedri, Lopez; Ferran, Lewandowski, Felix.

Almeria gave Barcelona a scare in the reverse fixture, and their recent outings suggest they’ll make a good fist of it on Thursday night. They’re playing without pressure – they’re just not very good.

It’s been another rollercoaster for the visitors in the wake of Xavi’s U-turn, and perhaps more drama will unfold in this one. Anything but a win and questions will once again be raised of the manager.

Xavi will likely rotate for this fixture given the swift turnaround, but it’s hard to predict anything but a Barcelona win.

Prediction: Almeria 1-3 Barcelona

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Inter Miami’s five-match winning streak came to a halt Wednesday night as the points were shared in a goalless draw against in-state rivals Orlando City with Lionel Messi missing out through injury.

The visiting Herons were looking to continue their winning ways against their in-state rivals to extend their stay atop the Supporters’ Shield standings. Orlando City, however, were eager to play spoiler and avenge their crushing 5-0 defeat suffered at the hands of Miami back in March.

Orlando were on top through the opening half-hour of play, getting into good attacking positions after clever combinations from Nico Lodeiro, Facundo Torres, Luis Muriel and Duncan McGuire. Oscar Pareja’s side came close to opening the scoring on a couple of occasions in the first half — most notably Drake Callender’s outstretched left glove to deny Martin Ojeda from close range — but it remained 0-0 at the break.

Miami would respond in the second half with a flurry of shots at Pedro Gallese’s goal. Jordi Alba — who was making his first appearance since April 13 after recovering from a hamstring injury — served up an inviting cross that was denied at the last second before reaching Leo Campana. But without Messi — who missed the game with a knee injury — the Herons were lacking just a little sharpness and ingenuity in attack.

The 0-0 draw saw the Herons remain at the top of the Supporters’ Shield with 28 points collected from 14 matches played. On the other hand, Orlando improved to 10th place in the division with 13 points claimed from 12 contests.

GK: Drake Callender – 7/10 – Came up clutch in the first half with a huge save to deny Ojeda who was through on goal after a brilliant turn into space.

RB: Marcelo Weigandt – 7/10 – Started off rather slow but picked up in the pace in the second half with clever movement and link-up play down the right-hand side.

CB: Tomas Aviles – 8/10 – Didn’t put a foot wrong and timed one of his challenges perfectly to prevent Duncan McGuire from getting his shot off in front of goal.

CB: Nicolas Freire – 6/10 – An average showing from the veteran defender who was outshone by the young Aviles.

LB: Franco Negri – 7/10 – Perhaps Miami’s best attacker in the first 45 despite lining up at left-back. He helped set up Taylor for the Herons’ first real chance of the game but it was all for not.

CM: Julian Gressel – 6/10 – The former Columbus Crew midfielder was just a bit off the pace and didn’t really get the chance to showcase his pin-point accurate delivery from set piece.

CM: Sergio Busquets – 7/10 – Excellent in possession once again in the middle of the park, constantly looking around for a fellow Heron to kickstart an attacking move.

CM: Benjamin Cremaschi – 6/10 – A little careless in possession at times and lacking sharpness as he’s still shaking off the rust from returning to action.

RW: Matias Rojas – 6/10 – Hit a couple of well-timed diagonal passes to switch play but nothing impactful.

ST: Luis Suarez – 6/10 – Got into good positions in front of goal but was unable to fire any threatening shots off to test Pedro Gallese.

LW: Robert Taylor – 6/10 – Linked up well with his fellow forwards around the Orlando penalty area. Squandered a huge chance to put his side up in the first half as he waited too long to pull the trigger.

Substitutes

SUB: Jordi Alba (64′ for Negri) – 7/10 – Was bright in his first appearance in roughly a month and nearly assisted what would’ve been the opening goal.

SUB: Leo Campana (64′ for Suarez) – 6/10 – Good movement up front but wasn’t provided enough service.

SUB: Leo Afonso (80′ for Taylor) – N/A

SUB: David Ruiz (80′ for Cremaschi) – N/A

SUB: Serhiy Kryvtsov (86′ for Aviles) – N/A

Manager

Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino – 7/10 – This one was always going to be tough for Martino to manage. A midweek match on the road vs a rival who’s started to pick up form in recent weeks with Messi unavailable for selection. However, the Herons did extend their unbeaten streak to six games and this could end up being a valuable point when the end of the regular season rolls around.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has made plain his desire to stay at Old Trafford beyond this season, as long as that feeling is reciprocated by the club.

Fernandes has seen his future become the subject of much speculation in recent weeks, with links to Bayern Munich and the Saudi Pro League emerging in the last few days alone.

But he has always stated that he will be a Manchester United players for as long as he is wanted. Speaking after Wednesday night’s 3-2 win over Newcastle United, the skipper suggested that the club are firm in their belief that he is still a necessary piece of the puzzle.

“I will be here till when the club wants me and the club wants me to be a part of the future. If for some reason they don’t want me, then I will go,” Fernandes told Sky Sports.

With the win over Newcastle, United moved level on points with the Magpies in the Premier League ahead of the final day of the 2023/24 season on Sunday. A vastly superior goal difference keeps Newcastle in front in seventh place – likely good enough for the Europa Conference League – but any slip up away at Brentford at the weekend will open the door for United, who travel to Brighton.

Even if United finish eighth and record their lowest ever Premier League finish, they could still land a Europa League spot by beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final. Ironically, were that to happen it would do Newcastle out of a European place, assuming they don’t leapfrog Chelsea into sixth place.

“Obviously the job isn’t finished yet. We still have one game in the Premier League then the biggest game of the season, the FA Cup final,” Fernandes explained.

“It has been a tough season. The table shows that and we are all aware of that. The fans have been amazing and behind us all season. We all appreciate what they have been doing for us. We want to do better and do differently and they [fans] deserve that.

“They have been amazing for us and we had to do something, we have been trying but results don’t show that. We have been working hard and everyone has been giving their best it is not enough and we have to do more.

“It doesn’t exist, a captain’s performance, it is a team performance. I am no different from anyone just because I have the armband. I always try my best and we always do the best we can for the club – nobody hides that we play for a big club and we have to lift our standards every game.”

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A barnstorming Championship play-off encounter is in store at Elland Road on Thursday night as Leeds United take on Norwich City with the tie firmly in the balance.

Sunday produced two typically cagey first legs as Southampton and West Brom played out a stalemate in the Midlands after Leeds and Norwich had done the same at Carrow Road.

Leeds would’ve undoubtedly left East Anglia the happier of the two sides, although a tense evening is expected in the second leg with so much at stake. Daniel Farke’s side duelled Leicester and Ipswich Town for an automatic promotion spot and, at one point, looked like they could’ve gone on to win the title.

However, Leicester’s recovery and Leeds’ struggles down the stretch saw them sink to third and settle for a spot in the play-offs.

Norwich are in similarly poor form to their opponents, winning just two of their last eight, and failing to win at Carrow Road on Sunday could be crucial in deciding the victor of this tie given that David Wagner’s side haven’t lost on home soil since November. Their away form has been far more spotty, and Elland Road will be rocking on Thursday night.

Here’s 90min’s preview of the game.

Leeds vs Norwich H2H Record (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

Pascal Struijk will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing groin surgery, while Patrick Bamford has a patellar tendon issue and will be a doubt for the final if Leeds progress on Thursday night.

Former Manchester United winger Daniel James was back in action on Sunday and the Welshman will battle Willy Gnonto for a start down Leeds’ right in the second leg.

Leeds predicted lineup vs Norwich (4-3-3): Meslier; Byram, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Gray, Gruev, Kamara; Gnonto, Rutter, Summerville.

Josh Sargent was forced off in the closing stages of the first leg and is a doubt for the return fixture in Yorkshire. Wagner also likely won’t be able to call upon a potential replacement for the American in Ashley Barnes, who’s struggled with a calf injury.

Liam Gibbs and Onel Hernandez remain sidelined for the visitors.

Norwich predicted lineup vs Leeds (4-3-3): Gunn; Stacey, Duffy, Gibson, Giannoulis; Nunez, McLean, Sara; Rowe, Van Hooijdonk, Sainz

The attacking exuberance typically associated with these two teams failed to manifest at Carrow Road, and, in truth, neither side has fired on all cylinders down the stretch.

That, however, could change on Thursday night with both teams needing to rise to the occasion. This is a hugely significant bout, and you’ve got to back the home side given the circumstances.

Leeds’ first leg draw was a great result, and although they’ve proven to be vulnerable at Elland Road as of late, the home faithful will expect to roar their side to the right side of the result on Thursday.

Prediction: Leeds 3-1 Norwich

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