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Arsenal interested in Fiorentina’s Michael Kayode

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.

Transfers

Liverpool Star Agrees Five-Year Deal With Real Madrid

Liverpool Star Agrees Five-Year Deal With Real Madrid

Liverpool boss Arne Slot will hope to see his side get their season back on track when they face Everton in the Merseyside derby at the start of April.

The Reds had been in contention to complete a remarkable quadruple at the turn of the year, but exits from the FA Cup and Champions League – as well as a Carabao Cup final defeat against Newcastle United – mean Slot’s side can now only win the Premier League title.

At present the Reds sit 12 points clear at the top of the table, although that lead could be reduced to nine points if Arsenal beat Fulham on April 1, one day before the Merseyside derby takes place at Anfield.

Much of the talk surrounding Liverpool this season has been in relation to the futures of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, all of whom are set to be out of contract this summer.

Now, it appears that one of the three players has agreed a free transfer to Spain this summer.

According to Sky Sports’ Sacha Tavolieri, full-back Alexander-Arnold has agreed personal terms with Real Madrid ahead of a move to the Spanish capital this summer.

The 26-year-old is a product of Liverpool’s youth system and has been a regular for the Merseyside club for several years now.

His next appearance will be his 350th for the club across all competitions, but Tavolieri claims that the player’s proposed free transfer to Real is ‘settled’.

Tavolieri claims that the England international is expected to join the Spanish champions in July, having agreed a five-year deal with the club.

He also claims that the Englishman will be in line for a significant pay rise when he joins Real, with the full-back set to earn around £240,000-per-week from the start of next season.

 

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Transfers

Man United List Rashford, Nines Others To Quit Old Trafford For New Players

Man United List Rashford, Nines Others To Quit Old Trafford For New Players

Manchester United are reportedly preparing for a huge clear-out this summer with at least 10 departures on the cards.

It is no secret that the club’s new ownership and manager Ruben Amorim are looking to overhaul the squad after another desperately disappointing campaign.

The Manchester Evening News claim United are looking to permanently sell the trio of Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho.

All three players are currently on loan at other clubs after falling out of favour at Old Trafford.

And the money made from those sales will be put towards signing a new proven goalscorer.

Rashford has impressed since joining Villa on loan in January but it seems the damage is done in terms of his future at the club after a public falling out with Amorim.

Chelsea have an obligation to buy Sancho for £20-25m but it has been revealed they could pay United £5million in compensation in order to avoid doing so.

Antony has also has somewhat of a career revival since joining Real Betis but there looks to be no way back for him too.

Veteran midfielder Casemiro will also be put up for sale as United look to raise funds for new signings.

Fellow experienced players Jonny Evans and Tom Heaton are expected to announce their retirements at the end of the season while Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelof are set to be released.

The Red Devils are also believed to be in the market for a new winger with a host of attacking talents set to depart.

The prospect of no European football also puts United in a position to trim their squad with both the Europa League and Champions League guaranteeing at least eight more games in a season.

The future of goalkeeper Altay Bayindir is also up in the air as the Turkish stopper could seek more football in order to improve his chances of playing at next year’s World Cup.

 

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Transfers

Chelsea Launch Transfer Bid For Bellingham

Chelsea Launch Transfer Bid For Bellingham

Chelsea have reportedly made an offer to sign Sunderland’s rising star Jobe Bellingham.

The Blues have made a habit of investing in young talent as part of their long-term strategy, and the midfielder has emerged as a prime target to bolster Enzo Maresca’s midfield options.

The 19-year-old midfielder, who is the younger brother of Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, had previously shown a preference for a move abroad. However, Chelsea’s fresh offer appears to have altered the situation significantly.

“I left Arsenal because my wife told me she wanted to get out of London – then six months later she told me to go BACK!” – which Arsenal legend instantly regretted leaving?

Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Crystal Palace have all been linked with Bellingham, but Chelsea’s bid could now put them firmly in the driving seat. Sunderland, meanwhile, are hoping to keep hold of their young star, particularly if they achieve promotion to the Premier League through the play-offs.

With Bellingham contracted until 2028, the Championship side holds a strong position in negotiations – while it’s not clear whether he’d be open to a switch to west London.

FootballTransfers previously reported that Sunderland have a gentleman’s agreement in place, allowing Bellingham to leave this summer if a suitable offer arrives, which is believed to be in the region of £20million.

Unlike his brother who is deployed as a No.10 at Los Blancos, the younger Bellingham operates more as a traditional box-to-box midfielder.

 

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