Transfers

Real Madrid Tipped To Make £150m Bid For Chelsea Star

Chelsea Potential 2025 Club World Cup Opponents

Graeme Souness has backed Real Madrid to make a £150m bid for Cole Palmer.

The 22-year-old has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world since joining Chelsea from Manchester City on deadline day last year.

Palmer featured 33 times in his debut Premier League campaign for the Blues, netting 22 and setting up 11. The England international directly contributed towards more goals than any other player in the English top-flight, which earned him the Young Player of the Season award.

Despite already signing a seven-year contract upon his arrival at Stamford Bridge, he penned an extension in August, extending his stay until June 2033. Palmer has continued his excellent vein of form this term, scoring six and assisting five in seven games.

Speaking to the MailOnline, Souness claimed that Real Madrid could ‘come knocking’ and table an eye-watering bid for the maestro. The Liverpool legend said: “I’m sure there are other players Man City could have cashed in on.

“Chelsea paid £40m for Palmer but if Real Madrid come knocking next summer and he is still at the level he is showing, I would not be surprised if they got an offer of £150m for him. He’s a young man, so we’re going early on this call, but if this is Palmer’s level and he can be consistently this good, he’s going to be a top man.

“He has got silky skills, athleticism and a fabulous football brain. There’s simply nothing to dislike about him. He’s 22. At that age, no one ought to be that good. I like his temperament, too.”

Souness added: “You can read a lot into a player from their reaction when they score, and Palmer doesn’t go mad when he finds the net. He seems to have a really sensible head and he looks to have had a really good football education – which you would expect at the modern Manchester City.”

Gary Neville has also recently lavished praise on Palmer, arguing whether he’s the best player in the Premier League. Speaking on NBC Sports, the Manchester United legend said: “He’s not far off! I have to say that I was surprised last season.

“I remember when Mohamed Salah scored those goals all those years ago and I thought, ‘He won’t repeat that in the second season, he won’t repeat that in the third season,’ and Cole Palmer is just going and completely shocking me in terms of what he’s delivering.

“I can’t believe the level that he’s getting to and to think that he wasn’t playing for England in the European Championship in the summer now just seems absolutely ridiculous. And it seems even more ridiculous that Manchester City, who have been unbelievable in the transfer market, have let one of their own go.”

Transfers

Czech Giants Slavia Praha Sign David Moses Until 2029

Twenty-year-old Nigerian midfielder David Moses has signed a contract with top club Slavia Praha from another Czech club MFK Karviná.

Slavia Praha announced Moses has signed a contract until December 31, 2029.

“David is an extremely interesting player, proven in the Czech league, many clubs were interested in him, not only from the Czech Republic,” said sports director Jiri Bilek.

“We believe that he will fit perfectly into our playing style. This is a great promise for the future.”.

The player himself was equally excited about the new challenge.

“It’s a big step for me, a big challenge. I’m going to the best team in the Czech Republic,” he said.

“I want to make a name for myself, help the club. I haven’t played in Eden (Slavia home ground) yet, but I’ve heard a lot about the fans. I’m looking forward to playing in front of them.”

Moses joined the Karviná academy in March 2022, played his first ever competitive match for the A-team against Slavia in the round of 16 of the domestic cup, and the team won 2-0 on November 18 with goals from Olayinka and Lingro.

Karviná returned to the top flight at the end of the season after a one-year second-league hiatus, four points ahead of second-placed Vyškov.

The 171-centimeter-tall central midfielder made his league debut for MFK on July 22, 2023 in the first round against Zlín. In the 2023/24 season, he played in 25 matches and helped Karviná survive in the top flight after successfully managing the play-off against Vyškov.

He played 13 matches this season and helped his club reach eleventh place in the table.

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Transfers

The Two Midfield Stars Who Are At The Top Of Real Madrid’s Transfer Wishlist – Report

Real Madrid are currently focusing their efforts on two key midfield targets: Florian Wirtz and Franco Mastantuono, claims a report from Daniel Peinado in AS.

The journalist suggests that while other potential options like Joshua Kimmich and Martin Zubimendi have been mentioned, Wirtz remains the primary target, with the club also keeping a close eye on Mastantuono.

The situation with Wirtz has become more complex in recent weeks. After months of speculation about a potential move from Bayer Leverkusen, it now seems that the German is set to remain with the Bundesliga club for the foreseeable future.

Wirtz’s signing is difficult
Recent reports suggest that Wirtz will sign a new contract with Bayer Leverkusen, extending his stay at the club until at least the summer of 2028.

Despite this, Real Madrid are not giving up on their pursuit of the talented midfielder. He is still seen as a top priority, and his situation will likely be closely monitored by the club.

At the same time, Bayern Munich and Manchester City also remain interested in securing his services, making the competition fierce for Wirtz.

What about Mastantuono?

On the other hand, Mastantuono, the River Plate star, is one of the most highly sought-after young talents in football.

Real Madrid are not the only club tracking his progress; rivals Barcelona, as well as top European sides like Liverpool and AC Milan, are all keen on the Argentine midfielder.

While Madrid have been keeping a close watch on Mastantuono, they have yet to make a formal move. This cautious approach suggests that the club may be waiting for the right moment to act, allowing them more time to assess the player’s development.

In conclusion, Real Madrid’s midfield targets for the near future remain Wirtz and Mastantuono. Although Wirtz’s move seems less likely in the short term, Madrid continue to keep him on their radar.

As for Mastantuono, he remains one of the hottest young prospects in world football, and it seems only a matter of time before one of Europe’s giants makes their move for him.

Transfers

Liverpool And PSG Lead The Race To Sign Lyon’s Rayan Cherki

According to a report from Foot Mercato, Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool are both leading in the race to sign Olympique Lyonnais’ Rayan Cherki (21).

The France youth international was ostracised at the start of the season amid a contract standoff. His contract had been set to expire at the end of the season, however, ultimately, he extended by a further year, allowing his re-integration. He has since gone on to net five goals and register seven assists in 17 matches. Since breaking through as a teenager, this is his first consistent patch of form.

However, the Frenchman may leave the club in January. Whilst OL are reportedly keen to retain Cherki, they may have little choice in the matter. Lyon are being forced to raise funds this January following a provisional relegation to Ligue 2. Selling assets, such as Cherki, will prevent that fate, even if other, more peripheral figures have been touted for departures.

Whilst Cherki is reportedly keen to see out the season with his formative club, the matter will be taken out of his hands should a club meet OL’s €30m price tag. As per Foot Mercato, Liverpool and PSG are most keen to recruit the attacker in January although Get French Football News understands that Les Parisiens will not return for Cherki, having been snubbed by the player in the summer.