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Why LaLiga Blocked AC Milan’s Rafael Leao Move To Barcelona

Why LaLiga Blocked AC Milan's Rafael Leao Move To Barcelona

There was no shortage of talk about what Barcelona would be able to do if they got a new sponsorship deal over the line with Nike, particularly in the transfer market. They even tried to do some of that business without getting it over the line.

According to Bar Canaletes, in his desperation to make a star signing, Barcelona President Joan Laporta went all out to sign AC Milan forward Rafael Leao. That attempt hinged on being able to register him, and Laporta sent a memorandum of understanding to La Liga stating their and Nike’s intentions to sign a deal.

Laporta continued to insist on this step, and La Liga President Javier Tebas then contacted unofficial Barcelona fixer Alejandro Echevarria to make it clear that this would not be sufficient, and Laporta should stop trying to make it happen. More concerning, Tebas intimated that they ‘would not look the other way’ as they did with Dani Olmo’s signing, wherein he was allowed to be registered via an emergency injury rule in place of Andreas Christensen’s salary. There was some debate over whether the Dane’s injury was likely to keep him out as long as the suggested four months.

La Liga were more steadfast on this matter though, and Nike remain in control of the deal, as they try to include Barcelona Licensing and Merchandising in the deal, in exchange for a major signing bonus, which would give Barcelona short-term liquidity in the transfer market. Bar Canaletes say that BLM could turn over €125m this year.

Barcelona are looking for a right-back. Óscar Mingueza and Joshua Kimmich, the latter for his versatility, are options. @gbsans

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) September 11, 2024

Barcelona’s chasing of major signings at seemingly any cost continues to look short-sighted, with the original ‘economic levers’ continuing to cause havoc with the club’s salary limit and finances. Laporta’s strategy of first exciting fans and securing victories via spending to start a virtuous cycle of income is certainly a risky one given the situation.

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Transfers

Barcelona Express Interest In Bosman Deal For Tottenham Target; Arsenal Also Keen

Barcelona Express Interest In Bosman Deal For Tottenham Target; Arsenal Also Keen

Tottenham Hotspur have been looking to bring in a fullback (particularly a left back) in the 2025 transfer interval as the North Londoners look to add more depth and dynamism in the position given consistent injuries to Destiny Udogie, and the Lilywhites have reportedly identified Crystal Palace ace Tyrick Mitchell as a potential target.

The 25-year-old has been impressing at Selhurst Park with not only his attacking contributions but also his solid defensive performances, which makes him an attractive option for the Lilywhites. Moreover, the England international’s ability to play in a traditional full-back role as well as in a more advanced wing-back role.

This versatility and ability are something Ange Postecoglou has used well with Ugodie, and he wouldn’t mind having a player with similar intent in his roster.

Tottenham have competition to sign Mitchell

The North Londoners bid to bring Mitchell to White Hart Lane won’t be an easy one with Spanish giants Barcelona expressing interest in his signature, per the latest report by Sport.

Mitchell will be free to negotiate a pre-agreement with the Catalan giants next month given his contract situation with the Eagles, and he could be ready to take the next steps in his career.

Spurs north London rivals Arsenal are also in the run for the 25-year-old’s signature.

Daniel Levy has to gear up for a highly competitive transfer race given the interest in Mitchell’s signatures.

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Transfers

Juventus Want To Seal Move For Milan’s Fikayo Tomori Quickly

Juventus Want To Seal Move For Milan’s Fikayo Tomori Quickly

Serie A giants Juventus are keen to sign Milan defender Fikayo Tomori and want to seal their move quickly.

La Gazzetta dello Sport report today that Milan and Juve could meet each other on the negotiation table right after they play their games in the Supercoppa Italiana.

Tomori is someone that Juve have liked in the past and his name is at the top of the club’s shortlist again, largely due to his low gametime at Milan.

Negotiations with the Englishman will be unrelated to those involving Pierre Kalulu. Milan are open to selling the player but do not want to make any discounts. Juve are looking to close the move as soon as they can once they return from Saudi Arabia and want to get a deal done for a package that could be upto €25 million.

It could be an initial loan deal with the obligation to buy, with manager Thiago Motta already having given approval for the move.

 

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Transfers

PSG Ready To Hand Bukayo Saka Injury Solution To Arsenal With Transfer Proposal

Bukayo Saka Update Emerges After He Went Off Injured Against Crystal Palace On Saturday

Paris Saint-Germain are likely to offer Arsenal the chance to sign out-of-favour forward Randal Kolo Muani.

Arsenal have been hit with the news that star man Bukayo Saka will be ruled out for ‘many weeks’ with a hamstring tear and are weighing up whether to find a solution to his absence in the January transfer window. Saka, 23, has played the fourth-highest amount of minutes among Arsenal’s outfielders this season and the Gunners don’t have a natural right winger to replace him with.

His injury has given Mikel Arteta a dilemma as the winter window nears but PSG could have the answer to his problem in the shape of Randal Kolo Muani. The 26-year-old was signed for £64.2m in the summer of 2023, having shone for Eintracht Frankfurt, when he attracted interest from Manchester United. Kolo Muani was expected to play a larger role under Luis Enrique following the departure of Kylian Mbappe, but he’s only started two matches in Ligue 1 this season and played just 28 minutes of football in the last month.

The France international has now been made available on loan, despite being under contract until 2028, and the Evening Standard report that the French champions will offer him to a number of clubs in January, including Arsenal.

Saka’s absence has been compounded by an injury Raheem Sterling, who would’ve been in contention to replace him in the Gunners’ starting line-up against Ipswich Town on Boxing Day. Asked about the prospect of signing a replacement for Saka next month, Arteta insisted that his focus is on players who are already at the club.

“My focus honestly now is just about within the squad the resources we have to be as competitive as we possibly can,” the Arsenal manager said. “We have many, many options to do that. And if something unbelievable [becomes] available and if the club is willing to do it, we’ll have to consider it.”

The France international has now been made available on loan, despite being under contract until 2028, and the Evening Standard report that the French champions will offer him to a number of clubs in January, including Arsenal.

Saka’s absence has been compounded by an injury Raheem Sterling, who would’ve been in contention to replace him in the Gunners’ starting line-up against Ipswich Town on Boxing Day. Asked about the prospect of signing a replacement for Saka next month, Arteta insisted that his focus is on players who are already at the club.

“My focus honestly now is just about within the squad the resources we have to be as competitive as we possibly can,” the Arsenal manager said. “We have many, many options to do that. And if something unbelievable [becomes] available and if the club is willing to do it, we’ll have to consider it.”

“Obviously we didn’t predict a situation with Bukayo and Raheem at the same time. We predicted more it would be something else, for example if something happened in the defensive line, but the job is done.

“Then, okay, if something has to happen, we will be open. But the main focus is now, how will we extract still a lot of potential that there is in this squad.”

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