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Transfers

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.

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Premier League

Amorim defends January Transfer Risks at Man United

£40m Striker: Man Utd, Liverpool In Transfer ‘Tug Of War’

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has admitted it was his decision to “take the risk” of not securing additional signings in the January transfer window, despite squad concerns.

The Red Devils completed only two signings: left-back Patrick Dorgu from Lecce and centre-back Ayden Heaven from Arsenal.

However, the loan exits of Marcus Rashford to Aston Villa and Antony to Real Betis left United without reinforcement in attack.

“We are taking a risk, but we want a different thing in the team, different profiles. It was my decision to do that,” Amorim explained.

He emphasized the club’s cautious approach: “Everybody here does not want to make the same mistakes of the past. In the summer we will see, but we are being really careful with transfers because we did some mistakes in the past.”

United face Leicester City in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday, where Dorgu and Heaven could debut.

Acknowledging the pressure of results, Amorim admitted, “This is a sport of results, and we are in a difficult situation… but I have a clear idea of what I want to do and I take these risks because in the end, it’s going to pay off.”

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Transfers

Willian rejoins Fulham on Short-Term Deal

Willian

Fulham have re-signed winger Willian until the end of the season, six months after his departure from the club. The Brazilian, who previously played for the Cottagers from 2022-24, returns as a free agent after leaving Olympiakos in December.

“I’m completely happy, my family’s happy. We are happy to be back, and I think we can do good things until the end of the season,” Willian said, expressing excitement to rejoin the team.

During his previous spell at Craven Cottage, the 36-year-old made 67 appearances, scoring 10 goals and providing 7 assists. He moved to Greece in September but spent only three months with Olympiakos.

Willian has accumulated 317 Premier League appearances, having played for Chelsea and Arsenal, and won two titles with the Blues.

Fulham’s next match is away at Wigan in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday.

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Serie A

AC Milan Director refutes reports linking Chukwueze with Turkey Move

AC Milan’s director, Geoffrey Moncada, has dismissed rumors suggesting that Samuel Chukwueze could be moving to Turkey.

The Nigerian forward had been linked with a transfer to Besiktas, as well as attracting interest from Fulham on transfer deadline day, although the Premier League side ultimately chose to sign Willian instead.

Moncada reassured fans that Milan has no intention of letting Chukwueze leave, stating, “For Chukwueze, I can say that he will stay with us. He is another possibility on the right, and we are happy.”

Chukwueze has made an impact for AC Milan this season, contributing two goals and two assists in 19 matches.

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