In our weekly talk cock sessions, we look at the latest transfer news, gossips, and highlights that have football fans all over the world buzzing with excitement.
Andreas Christensen close to Barcelona transfer
The Denmark international is nearing the end of his contract at Stamford Bridge, and although it will be disappointing to see him leave for nothing, it seems Chelsea fans can at least take some comfort from the fact that he doesn’t want to play for another Premier League club. Christensen has snubbed offers from other English teams to choose a move to Barcelona, as he wanted to remain loyal to the Blues and avoid representing one of their rivals. Christensen’s departure will still be disappointing, but it’s refreshing to see a top player thinking about the fans when it comes to making a decision on a transfer. All too often we’ve seen players like Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole, Carlos Tevez and Robin van Persie move between rival clubs without any consideration as to how that move would make supporters feel.
Newcastle and West Ham challenge for Boubacar Kamara
Kamara is due to be out of contract with Marseille in the summer, and he was supposedly offered to Manchester United on the cheap in the January transfer window, though this ever materialised. According to the Sun, it now seems that Newcastle and West Ham are leading the chase for the 22-year-old’s signature, though Crystal Palace are also set to join the running. It would be interesting to see this versatile young talent in the Premier League next season, as he could surely strengthen a number of teams in the top half of the table. Kamara could offer something in both defence and defensive midfield, and makes sense as an ideal signing to help Newcastle’s new owners as they look to put together a squad that can start to compete with the big six.
Manchester United revive interest in Antonio Rudiger
The Germany international will be out of contract at Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, and has been linked with a whole host of top European clubs such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain. However, there also appears to be genuine interest from Chelsea’s rivals Man Utd, with previous reports suggesting that Ralf Rangnick is a big fan of the player, and has connections with his agent. The Red Devils could certainly do with strengthening in defence next season, and it seems they’re very much ready to rival Europe’s elite for this tempting free agent. Rudiger has been a star performer at Chelsea and it would undoubtedly be a big blow for Blues fans to see him strengthening one of their rivals.
Tuchel upset with Chelsea fans
Prior to kick-off in the game between Chelsea and Burnley, a minutes applause was held in respect for those currently suffering in the Russo-Ukraine conflict following Russia’s invasion of the country. But a section of Chelsea fans chose this as the time to chant the name of Chelsea owner Abramovich, who announced he would be selling the club earlier this week. Tuchel described the chants as “not the moment” to do it, when asked about it in his post match press conference. The chants have overshadowed what should have been a happy day for Chelsea as they romped to a 4-0 win over Burnley. Abramovich, who has not been able to visit Chelsea since sanctions placed on him a few years ago due to a previous Russian escalation on the Ukraine border, decided it was in the best interests of the club to sell up, prompting a defiant response from a section of the Chelsea fanbase who have refused to criticise the source of the Russian oligarch’s wealth.
Juventus want Jorginho
Not only are defensive trio Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and club captain Cesar Azpilicueta all going to be out of contract at the end of the season, but according to recent reports, midfielder Jorginho, 30, also faces an uncertain future. That’s according to a recent report from Italian outlet Calciomercato, who claims the 2020 Euros winner could be set for a return to Serie A with Juventus keen to bring him to Turin. Jorginho has frequently seen his name linked with a move back to Italy’s top-flight. Juventus are clearly in the market for a new midfielder but after struggling financially now appear to have turned their attention to targets who are either going to be out of contract this summer, or targets with very little time left on their deals – Jorginho, like Manchester United’s Paul Pogba fits this profile.
Juventus considering contract offer for Pogba
Juventus would like to bring Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba back to Turin and have stepped up their interest. That’s according to a recent report from Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, who claim the Italian giants are now in talks with super-agent Mino Raiola and would be prepared to pay Pogba as much as £6.2m-per year. Pogba, 28, will be out of contract at United at the end of the season and despite playing an important role under interim boss Ralf Rangnick, has still offered the side no indication that he is prepared to extend his deal. Failure to renew the 2018 World Cup winner’s deal would see him eligible to move clubs for free at the end of the current campaign – dealing a hefty commercial blow to the Red Devils, who paid as much as £94.5m to bring him back to Old Trafford in 2016 just four years after he joined Juventus for free.
