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Arsenal interested in Fiorentina’s Michael Kayode

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The 2004-born defender was a product of the Juventus youth academy and played for fourth-tier side Gozzano before joining La Viola in 2021, and he is starting to make a name for himself at senior level.

After amassing six goals and four assists in 71 games for Fiorentina’s Primavera side, Kayode made his senior debut as a starter on the opening day of the 2023-24 Serie A season, playing 81 minutes in a 4-1 thumping of Genoa.

Kayode had previously made the bench for the Italian giants in the 2022-23 season, and he has made another three top-flight appearances for La Viola, registering an assist in a 3-0 win over Cagliari on Monday.

In addition, the teenager earned his first continental start in Fiorentina’s Europa Conference League opener with Genk last month, playing the full 90 in a 2-2 stalemate, and he is expected to nail down a place in the first XI as Dodo recovers from a severe ACL injury.

Standing at 5ft 10in tall, Kayode was a key player for Italy’s Under-19s during their run to European Championship glory this summer, scoring the only goal in the final against Portugal.

The right-back – who has also been deployed as a left and right-winger – has since earned his first call-up to the Azzurri’s Under-21s, and his exploits over the past few months have inevitably attracted attention from some of Europe’s leading clubs.

According to Calciomercato, Arsenal have sent scouts to Italy to monitor Kayode’s progress, and they have had their eye on the defender since his European Championship-winning contributions over the summer.

Kayode is only contracted to Fiorentina until the summer of 2025, although his terms include a 12-month extension option, and the report adds that the Europa Conference League finalists are determined to tie him down to a new long-term deal.

La Viola supposedly want to extend his stay in Serie A until 2027 or 2028, but Arsenal remain attentive to the situation and will be ready to pounce if talks between Kayode and Fiorentina lead to nowhere.

Juventus could also try to bring Kayode back to Turin, as the Bianconeri allegedly regret releasing the defender from their academy, having believed that he would not make it to the top level.

Arsenal strengthened their defensive ranks over the summer with the acquisition of Jurrien Timber from Ajax, but the Dutchman sustained an ACL injury on his Premier League debut and will miss most – if not all of – the rest of the season.

Nevertheless, Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Cedric Soares all represent out-and-out right-back options for Mikel Arteta, while Thomas Partey has also filled in on that side when needed.

The Gunners are believed to have begun contract talks with White and are confident of reaching an agreement with the Englishman, but Cedric has made just one substitute appearance in the EFL Cup this season and is expected to leave when his deal runs out in 2024.

Arsenal sit third in the Premier League table and can leapfrog current leaders Manchester City should they overcome the champions on Sunday before the international break.

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Transfers

Man United Eye €75 Million Rated Victor Osimhen

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Victor Osimhen To Man United? Ruben Amorin Told To Sign Nigerian Goal-Getter

Manchester United have started to show interest in Victor Osimhen, who’s producing in spades in Turkey. They are mulling offering a swap that could entice Napoli to sell the striker. They plot to propose Joshua Zirkzee and some cash consideration in return, Fanatik reports (via OneFootball).

The 25-year-old has tallied eight goals and four assists in nine seasonal appearances. His release clause will amount to €75/80M in the next transfer windows. According to the publication, Azzurri coach Antonio Conte would be open to bringing in the former Bologna star, who’s having a tough time in the Premier League.

Manchester United turned their attention toward Osimhen after Sporting CP repelled them for Viktor Gyokeres, nixing a quick reunion with his former boss Ruben Amorim. The Red Devils will have to overwhelm the resistance of Galatasaray to sign the Nigerian international. The Turkish team is determined to keep him until June, as coach Okan Buruk recently reaffirmed (via Calciomercato).

“Victor plans to stay here until the end of the season. The clause doesn’t matter, and he said that. It’s up to the player to decide.”

In addition, the Cimbom recently lost Mauro Icardi for the rest of the season because of a knee injury.

 

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Man United Told To Sell Marcus Rashford For One Reason

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Manchester United are looking forward to a new era under Portuguese tactician Ruben Amori, as reported by Manchester Evening News

The 39-year-old has arrived at Old Trafford with a stellar reputation from his time at Sporting, and excitement is building ahead of his first game in charge. First up for Amorim will be a trip to Ipswich Town on November 24 (kick-off: 4:30pm) after the international break.

And he will need to make plenty of decisions if he wants to get United back to the top of English and European football. The former Braga boss will inherit a side that sits 13th in the top-flight table, although just three points off Chelsea in third.

Below, The Manchester Evening News has taken a look at what United’s new manager should do in his task to restore the Reds to their former glory…

Sign Gyokeres

Manchester United and Viktor Gyokeres seem like a match made in heaven, judging by the Swedish striker’s form at Sporting under Amorim. Transferring that level to Old Trafford won’t be easy of course, but it’s clear that United’s new boss was able to get the best out of a player who could significantly strengthen the Reds.

Will he want to join a team that looks far from Premier League title challengers though? The attraction of reuniting with Amorim is one thing but any top player will want to play for a club competing for the game’s biggest prizes, something the Reds are far off from doing right now.

There’s also the issue of being able to fund a deal with PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules) needing to be carefully considered. The next point could help in that respect though…

Sell Rashford

There are several reasons why selling Marcus Rashford may benefit United. Due to his homegrown status, his sale would represent pure profit, giving the Reds some flexibility with PSR to sign Gyokeres, for example.

There is also a debate over whether he would fit into Amorim’s team. The academy graduate is not a No 10 or a wing-back and has never convinced as a striker.

Also, is he good enough to help United compete for Premier League and Champions League titles? The jury is still very much out on that one.

Kerkez deal

Bournemouth star Milos Kerkez has emerged as one of the Premier League’s most promising left-backs with his performances this season playing a key role in the Cherries’ rise under Andoni Iraola.

United are in need of a left-sided full-back with both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia struggling with injuries. A wing-back may also be needed in Amorim’s potential 3-4-3 and the Hungarian fits the bill on both counts.

Kerkez only joined Bournemouth last summer, though, where he signed a long-term contract. Agreeing a deal, therefore, is likely to be difficult, particularly with United’s PSR considerations, but he would be a shrewd signing.

Manchester Evening News

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Galatasaray: Osimhen Wants To Stay But We Can’t Afford €75 Million Release Clause

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Galatasaray: Osimhen Wants To Stay But We Can't Afford €75 Million Release Clause

Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk insists that while Victor Osimhen does have a release clause set for January, the Napoli-owned striker ‘wants to stay with us to the end of the season.’

The Nigeria international made the move in September on loan when transfers to Chelsea and the Saudi Pro League fell apart before the deadline.

There are a series of different release clauses in his contract, including one worth €80m from the summer of 2025.

The clause is available in January, reportedly set to be worth €75-80m, and this is alerting interest from Premier League sides including Manchester United.

“Osimhen intends to stay here until the end of the season,” assured Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk in a press conference today.

“He wants to stay and has been telling me that from the start. There is a clause, but it does not matter, because he said that he will remain.

“The player is the one who ultimately decides and Osimhen says he is staying here. He said the same from the moment he arrived.”

Osimhen has certainly impressed with the Turkish club side, scoring eight goals and providing four assists in just nine games since arriving from Napoli, between the Super Lig and the Europa League.

Napoli paid €77.5m plus bonuses to purchase him from Lille in September 2020 and only extended his contract in December 2023.

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