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Transfer rumors, news: Barcelona plan big move for Atlético Madrid’s Julián Álvarez
Barcelona have set their sights on Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez, while Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano could be on his way to Real Madrid. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.
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TOP STORIES
– Bayern chief: Ready to talk ‘next steps’ with Kane
– Rooney: ‘No faith’ in Amorim; owners need to act
– Mourinho: Chelsea ‘back’ after losing identity
TRENDING RUMORS
– A move for Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez is being explored by Barcelona, according to Diario Sport. Club president Joan Laporta is believed to have placed the 25-year-old at the top of Barça’s shortlist as they continue their search to land a forward to potentially replace 37-year-old Robert Lewandowski. However, there is belief that a deal could be difficult, with the Blaugrana expecting Atleti to demand an offer worth €200 million. The report adds that Barça are also yet to rule out a move for Manchester City‘s Erling Haaland, with the LaLiga champions lining up a statement signing for 2026, when the club’s presidential election will take place. Haaland, 25, remains contracted at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2034.
– Bayern Munich “fear another offensive” from Real Madrid for Dayot Upamecano with the defender out of contract in Bavaria in 2026, Marca reports. Madrid have a long history of looking to sign Bayern players on free transfers, from Toni Kroos and David Alaba — who both moved to the Bernabéu — to Alphonso Davies, who ended up deciding to stay put. Madrid are expected to sign a centre-back next summer, when both Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger could leave.
– A race between Liverpool and Manchester United could take place for Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba, according to TEAMtalk. While the Red Devils have “concrete interest” in the 21-year-old, he is also reportedly being tracked by the Premier League leaders, who could “step up” their pursuit of him in the coming months. A move from the Old Trafford hierarchy to sign Baleba isn’t believed to be affected by whether or not they decide to move on from manager Ruben Amorim. Previous reports have indicated that an offer worth at least £100m would be required to persuade the Seagulls to let him go.
– Arsenal are ready to make winger Bukayo Saka one of the highest earners in the Premier League, the Daily Mirror reports. The Gunners are looking to secure the 24-year-old to a new long-term deal to ward off potential interest in his signature, having made him their main priority after defender William Saliba recently agreed a new five-year contract at the Emirates Stadium. Saka, who returned from an injury lay-off this month, started for Arsenal in the 2-1 win over Newcastle United on Sunday
– Both Manchester United and Chelsea are in the race for AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, reports TEAMtalk. The Red Devils are believed to see the 30-year-old as a “world-class upgrade”, while Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca reportedly wants to add a “top-tier” shot-stopper between the posts. Whether either club is successful in their pursuit of Maignan — who is keen to test himself in the Premier League — hinges on if he decides to stay at the San Siro, with the Rossoneri keen to sign him to a new contract extension.
EXPERT TAKE
OTHER RUMORS
– On-loan Barcelona forward Marcus Rashford could be required to lower his salary if he is to join the La Liga club from Manchester United on a permanent basis. (Football Insider)
– Manchester City midfielder Matheus Nunes is on Napoli’s radar, with the Serie A champions, reported to have contacted the 27-year-old’s representatives regarding a potential switch. (Nicolò Schira)
– Multiple clubs in the Premier League and LaLiga are watching the contract situation of Inter Milan full-back Denzel Dumfries. (Fabrizio Romano)
– Newcastle right-back Kieran Trippier, who is on the radar of Monaco as well as clubs in the MLS and Saudi Pro League, could sign a contract to end his career with the Magpies. (Chronicle)
– Manchester City, Manchester United and Aston Villa are among the clubs tracking Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo. (TBR Football)
– Winger Savinho could push to join Tottenham Hotspur from Manchester City in January with hopes of playing more minutes to increase his chances of being selected by Brazil at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (Football Insider)
– Bayern Munich are one of the latest teams exploring a potential move for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic. (Christian Falk)
– Chelsea are exploring the market to sign a center-back in January. (Football Insider)
– Leeds United are keen on Internacional winger Gustavo Prado. (TEAMtalk)
– Scouts from Juventus are keeping close tabs on Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. (Nicolò Schira)
– Atlanta United, LA Galaxy and Portland Timbers are interested in Club America winger Alex Zendejas. (Ekrem Konur)
– Monterrey forward German Berterame has been watched by scouts from Roma, Bologna, and Atalanta (Ekrem Konur)
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has said that Ruben Amorim’s time as Manchester United manager so far has been a “disaster” and that it may be best for both parties to “just shake hands and move on.”
Amorim was appointed at United in November last year off the back of a successful spell as head coach of Sporting CP, but he has failed to turn fortunes around at Old Trafford since then, collecting just 34 Premier League points in his 33 games in charge at the club.
Carragher, who made over 700 appearances for Liverpool, has joined a host of former United players and pundits in suggesting time may be wearing thin for the Portuguese coach.
“This has been a disaster for Manchester United but also for Ruben Amorim,” Carragher said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.
“What he did at Sporting Lisbon was fantastic. But bringing a manager like that in with the system he plays I don’t think ever suited a club like Manchester United with the traditions at Manchester United.
“We are just waiting for the inevitable, unfortunately, because you don’t want people to lose their jobs. But this [Amorim’s time in charge] has to end as quickly as possible.”
One of the most talked about aspects of Amorim’s time at United has been his favoured 3-4-3 system, with many suggesting it has been at the forefront of his side’s struggles but Carragher doesn’t believe the blame is solely on the coach for the playing style.
“I have never been a big one for saying he has to change his system. A lot of managers speak and say the system might change but my style does not. His baby is his system,” he said.
“It is like asking Jürgen Klopp not to press or Pep Guardiola not to play short passes through the middle of the pitch. This is what he is.
“This is on Omar Berrada [CEO] or Jason Wilcox [director of football ] or Jim Ratcliffe [shareholder]. They brought him in. They knew that when they brought him in.”
Despite his struggles at the back end of last season, Amorim was backed by the club in the summer window with over £200 million ($268m) of attacking talent brought into the club aswell as goalkeeper Senne Lammens on deadline day.
“The only positive for Manchester United is that they have not gone all in on his system,” Carragher said.
– United’s Amorim running out of excuses: The numbers don’t lie
– Man United ‘soul’ is gone, no faith in Amorim – Rooney
– Ruben Amorim ‘not concerned’ over United job future
“The players they have brought in could easily be flipped into a back four … And I think a competent Manchester United manager could get that team into the European places or certainly be fighting for them.
“It could not have gone any worse and I feel for him. But those results for a club of that stature are just beyond belief.”
“You don’t want to see anybody lose their job but I think it would just be better for everyone if they just shake hands and move on.”
Everybody has history to play for during the postseason. But some have more on the line than most.
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KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suspended all no-objection certificates (NOCs) previously issued to national players for participation in overseas leagues, while finalising a new strategy to link future approvals to players’ performance.
According to sources, a notification issued by PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmad Syed read that all NOCs for participation in foreign leagues and tournaments have been placed on hold with immediate effect and until further orders. The decision came just a day after Pakistan’s defeat in the Asia Cup final.
The suspension impacts several leading cricketers, including Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf, who had earlier been granted permission to play in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL).
The PCB sources confirmed that the issuance of NOCs will be performance-based in the future and only those players who meet the set standards in international and domestic cricket will be eligible to play foreign leagues.
Players failing to meet the criteria will be required to work at the National Cricket Academy with coaches to improve their skills before seeking overseas contracts.
The sources also said the decision aims to ensure that national players prioritise their performance for Pakistan in both international and domestic competitions.
They stressed that earlier NOCs, including those issued for the upcoming Big Bash League, now stand suspended pending review of the players’ recent and upcoming performances.
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