La Liga soccer rumours

24 Aug 2023 13:59:09
Hi Ed002,

Have just seen reports that Origi might leave AC Milan this summer. Do you know of any clubs that are interested?

Cheers

{Ed002's Note - Divock Origi (F) Apparently down the list for West Ham - I doubt the fans would be happy if they signed him. Sheffield United have spoken with his agent about what demands they have. Real Betis may have an interest depending on a departure.}

17 Aug 2023 21:49:58
Any interest in Yeremi Pino this summer Ed?

{Ed002's Note - Yeremy Pino (RW/LW/AM) His agent spoke with Manchester City and Chelsea last summer about the player but Pino agreed a new contract at Villareal with a significant €80M buy-out clause and a contract to 2027. Manchester City have other targets to replace Mahrez. Chelsea have kept him on a list of potential wide players at the behest of an ex-player who was offered the job of DoF at the club. Barcelona opted for Raphina but would now be happy to move him on. His agent also spoke with Manchester United and proposed him as a potential Sancho replacement. Was orginally the first choice replacement for Pepe at Arsenal but is no longer, although they may retain an interest. Real Madrid have him on their lengthy list of potential replacesments for Eden Hazard. Prior interest of Liverpool as a Salah replacement will have gone.}

18 Aug 2023 11:53:14
Awesome thanks Ed!

14 Jul 2023 21:50:53
Hi Ed hope you're having a great summer.

Any clubs interested in Joao Felix that you know of?

{Ed002's Note - Joao Felix (AM/F) Chelsea had no option to buy in the loan agreement but Atletico did give them an eye watering fee for which he would be available, but Chelsea would not pay the full asking price, and they have already agreed the transfer of a similar player for the summer so he returned to Atletico. Benfica offer an option for Joao Felix to return, and the player is open to that. They may seek an initial loan or a slightly creative solution - that may well suit Atletico as the coach wants the player gone as soon as possible. Real Madrid are keen on him but would want to include players in any deal and they are now turning all efforts to Mbappe. Barcelona may look to him again but they are still working on wage issues that need to be resolved so can do nothing this summer. Manchesteer United may offer a wildcard option but they already have Bruno Fernandes and there pressing need is for other positions. Interest of Bayern Munich and Manchester City will have gone. PSG attract the player but they have other targets. Newcastle approached Atletico but I understand the player would have no interest in a move there.}

21 May 2023 10:53:39
Ed is Vlahovic likely to leave? Who is interested and is there any truth that Chelsea have bid? Thank you in advance

{Ed002's Note - Dusan Vlahovic (S) Only joined in January 2022 but financial issues that Juventus now have will likely determine if he is sold in the summer. Regardless of his loss of form, there will be a lot of interest if he is and his agent has approached Manchester United, Chelsea and PSG. Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are also keen. Chelsea may be open to an exchange of players and he is the likely first choice as they have held discussions over two other players with Juventus. As a wildcard, Arsenal may rekindle interest but would likely want to include players in any deal and Aston Villa seek a high profile addition. Seen as a potential addition by Atletico although they can likely be discounted.}

05 May 2023 18:11:11
Ed002 who is interest in lautaro thanks

{Ed002's Note - Lautaro Martinez (S) An option but not first choice for Manchester United or Chelsea.}

19 May 2023 12:21:26
Ed would Inter sell Lautaro? Would he look to move? And does Pochettino coming maybe move him to or closer to first choice for Chelsea?

{Ed002's Note - Emiliano Martinez (G) Aston Villa will resist a sale but Spurs see Martinez as a Lloris replacement and West Ham see him as a Fabianski replacement. He is on the lengthy list Chelsea has compiled. Bayern Munich offer a wildcard option. Interest of Manchester United remains, but he is not first choice. It is nothing to do with Pochettino.}

19 May 2023 14:56:06
Thanks a lot for answering Ed but I asked about Lautaro Martinez, apologies for any confusion

{Ed002's Note - Lautaro Martinez (S) An option but not first choice for Manchester United or Chelsea. It is nothing to do with Pochettino.}

01 Mar 2023 22:42:11
Hi Ed002, any interest in Vinicius Junior? Or any thoughts he may want to leave?

{Ed002's Note - There has been interest due to racial slurs but expect him to stay.}

01 Mar 2023 23:26:28
Much appreciated Ed.

27 Nov 2022 21:32:37
Hey ed, would Atlético be willing to sell/loan João Felix? If so, who would be interested in him? For some reason I don't know, he's not being used that much this season.

{Ed002's Note - Joao Felix (AM/F) Approaches for him from Bayern Munich and Barcelona were rejected last summer although they just may return. Manchester City have a preferred option now but could turn to him as a cheaper alternative, but I think it unlikely. Manchester United could look to an offer but would not be an attractive solution. Juventus, Milan and Inter have enquired after a loan as Atletico need to reduce their wage bill - that won't suit Atletico. His agent has spoken with PSG, Chelsea and Spurs - and both Chelsea and PSG may be interested depending on departures. Diego Simeone and Atletico are not going to block a move but may force him to provide a formal transfer request.}

28 Nov 2022 19:29:19
Thanks Ed! Have a nice week.

02 Nov 2022 13:56:00
Hi Ed002, is there any serious interest in Ruben Neves? I've heard Barcelona may be keen next summer, but are there any other teams in the mix?

{Ed002's Note - Right now Barcelona are pushing and interest from others has moved on.}

02 Nov 2022 15:20:17
Thanks, Ed002.

03 Aug 2022 11:46:37
Hi Ed hope you are well.
Are Chelsea in talks with Barcelona for fdj?
If so have manchester utd now moved on ( as they should have a while ago) or are they still clinging on to some sort of false hope.
Thanks

{Ed002's Note - Frenkie de Jong (CM) Barcelona don't really want to sell although if a significant offer (perhaps €80M) were made, their financial situation would mean they would have to consider it and the hierarchy except that removing his very significant wages from the books would free up space to register other players. There was a chance that a deal involving Lewandowski and cash could see something happen as he was seen as a Tolisso upgrade for Bayern Munich but they had already committed to another. During discussions between Barcelona and Chelsea options for a number of players were discussed but Chelsea do not again want protracted negotiations which led nowhere over another player last summer - they may make a take it or leave it offer including a player or perhaps two. Manchester City may provide another solution using Laporte or Silva as part of the deal - and don't be surprised if PSG switch their attention to him, but have preferred targets. Manchester United did switch their attention to de Jong but have failed to persuade the player to join them - and it would be a hard sell for MU without Champions League, although no doubt having a coach he knows well will help. Manchester United are still talking to Barcelona about the player but at some point will revert to other ideas as his "agent" has told Barcelona he will not be leaving to join Manchester United and they do not want to negotiate a new contract. His agent has spoken again with Chelsea and Manchetser City. And he may well stay where he is.}

03 Aug 2022 12:11:04
Thanks Ed.
Utd should have moved on a while ago. I'm guessing neves from wolves will be someone united interest will lead to.
Enjoy your week Ed.

{Ed002's Note - There are several options for them.}

07 Jul 2022 22:00:50
Hi Ed,
There are rumours Barcelona are making a move for Lewandowski.
How is it they are able to sign Kessie, Christensen, and pursue Lewandowski without offloading players when they are believed to be in such awful financial difficulty?
They seem to be trying to tie Dembele down to a new contract also which is interesting. From the outside they don’t appear to too concerned with letting players leave.

Laporta has apparently said Frenkie De Jong needs to take a pay cut which seems strange when they are signing several players.
What is their position as it relates to outgoings? Are they a stubborn bunch?

{Ed002's Note - They are selling players and have significant additional funding arriving.}

08 Jul 2022 09:50:24
Thanks Ed. Have a good weekend.

{Ed002's Note - And you.}

28 May 2022 02:48:40
Hi Eds, there seem to be a few rumours circulating about Neymar being made available from PSG. My expectation is that his wages, the fee etc might be too massive for anyone to realistically be able to afford, and he might not want to move (I can't see him desiring Newcastle, no offence Newcastle fans but the project hasn't moved to that level yet). However, do you think that he might move on? Any possible locations for him?

{Ed002's Note - Neymar (LW/F/AM) PSG will sell if they can to utilise his saved wages in order to keep Mbappe. Offered to Chelsea and Barcelona, and will be offered to others. The transfer fee will be small but the wage demands will be huge. Any club buying him need to consider looking for additional sponsorship to help with wages and will need to think about any disruption it may cause. Chelsea very nearly signed him in 2011 and again in 2013, but his "additional" demands killed off any chance of a transfer then. Barcelona will look to avoid the temptation for a return and look to much younger additions.}

05 Jun 2022 01:22:40
I know you may not want to get into finances ed002 but as a general norm do clubs get sponsors to contribute to a specific players contract? And would it be a Nike/Adidas sort of clothing company or any sort of sponsor who the player then endorses? Many thanks :)

{Ed002's Note - No. Players, or rather their agent, can obtain sponsorship of their own.}

10 May 2022 19:30:28
Hi Ed. Do you have any updates on what clubs are looking at Isak please?

{Ed002's Note - Nothing has changed as far as I know.}

10 May 2022 21:44:39
Thank you

05 May 2022 18:18:21
Ed002 who is interested in koulibaly thqnks

{Ed002's Note - Kalidou Koulibaly (CB) Bayern Munich put in an offer for KK that was much less (about half) than Napoli's valuation of €50M last summer. The interest of Liverpool, Everton, Real Madrid, PSG, Manchester City and Manchester United has likely gone due to his age and whilst there is no doubt about how good he is, €50M for a 30 year old would not seem like good business. Perhaps at half that price he would be a good solution and financial issues may see Napoli reduce their asking price and to ask for offers from elsewhere. Barcelona want to add him on a loan with an obligation to buy deal but they are split between board members whether they should add him in addition to AC with three CBs leaving or not. Milan has a declared interest but have much preferred options. It has been suggested that Newcastle may be interested, but if they start buying without the right structure in place it will will go horribly wrong. Hard to see him moving.}