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We’re listening to many tales about prospects to signal gamers from the Saudi Professional League – for instance, as I solely revealed final week, Jordan Henderson goes to affix Ajax. It’s ‘right here we go’ for Henderson’s transfer from Al Ettifaq to Ajax – he’s agreed a deal till 2026 and can journey to Amsterdam right now for medical exams. It’s a implausible signing for Ajax, with the previous Liverpool captain terminating his contract at Al Ettifaq.
Folks preserve asking me about different gamers presumably leaving Saudi as effectively, as we’ve had switch rumours about Roberto Firmino and Karim Benzema. So, what’s the fact? To start out with Firmino, from what I’m listening to, he isn’t going to go away Al Ahli regardless of hyperlinks with Chelsea, Manchester United and plenty of different golf equipment. The intention of Al Ahli is to proceed with Firmino and the message I’m getting from the participant’s camp is that he’s not leaving in January – nothing is going on round Firmino. He’s anticipated to proceed with the Saudi membership and never be a part of any motion afterward within the January switch window. It was by no means a subject for Firmino to go away the membership in January, so all stories of negotiations with English golf equipment had been by no means confirmed.
On Benzema, the state of affairs has been fairly tense between the participant and a few individuals at Al Ittihad. We’ve had stories in regards to the relationship being damaged, and whereas I wouldn’t say we’re at that stage but, it’s a tense state of affairs. Nevertheless, there may be now a brand new director of soccer on the membership, Ramon Planes, who has beforehand been at Barcelona, Actual Betis and Getafe. He introduced Pedri, Ronald Araujo and plenty of different gamers to Barca, and the thought now could be for him to have a dialog with Benzema and the supervisor. From what I’m listening to as effectively, there isn’t a intention from Al Ittihad to provide any inexperienced mild for Benzema to go away. It’s not going to be simple, so let’s see what the state of affairs might be within the subsequent days and weeks.
Once more, we’ve had hyperlinks with Benzema and Man United, Chelsea and different golf equipment, however I’m not conscious of something concrete with English golf equipment or anybody else. Let’s see within the subsequent days if the state of affairs might be troublesome between Benzema and Al Ittihad, as a result of issues might change, however the actuality right now is that it’s not one thing concrete. And though Henderson is leaving Al Ettifaq, it wasn’t simple both, in that case a direct dialog between Henderson and supervisor Steven Gerrard was serving to. Let’s see what occurs with Benzema, however in the intervening time it doesn’t look simple for him to go away, and I’m not conscious of any superior negotiations with different golf equipment.
Normally, many gamers are proud of their life within the Saudi Professional League, in contrast to what some stories have been saying within the media. Have a look at Cristiano Ronaldo, for instance, and plenty of others are additionally not determined to go away the league, they’re joyful and centered on the current and future there. Then in the summertime switch window Saudi golf equipment will most likely be again once more to attempt to signal some extra stars from European soccer. Renan Lodi has simply joined Al Hilal from Marseille, whereas Atletico Madrid’s Angel Correa is a high goal for Al Ittihad, let’s see if they’ll agree on a deal.
Away from Saudi tales, we’ve had an interview from Ivan Toney that has inevitably attracted a variety of consideration. Following hyperlinks with Chelsea and Arsenal in current months, the Brentford striker informed Sky Sports activities: “It’s apparent I’d wish to play for a high membership, all people desires to play for the highest golf equipment, combating for titles and these sorts of issues. So whether or not it’s this January for a membership to come back in and pay the correct cash, who is aware of? However my major focus is doing what I do on the pitch and let the background work maintain itself.”
My feeling is that this isn’t an try by Toney to pressure a approach out of Brentford or to ask affords from different golf equipment, I believe Toney has simply been sincere. It’s fairly apparent – massive gamers wish to play for high golf equipment, however as we at all times stated, Brentford need loopy cash for his or her star striker, or nothing. Regardless of Toney’s public quotes, there are not any adjustments on this story to date.
On a associated word, we all know Chelsea desire a new striker in the summertime, and, as broadly reported, it’s a chance for Armando Broja to go away this January. It is determined by the proposals, as Chelsea would solely enable that in the event that they obtain vital cash. Whereas I perceive the chance of dropping a fantastic younger expertise like Broja, Chelsea already know they wish to make an enormous signing up entrance in June, so most likely it might make sense for all events to make this sale now, so long as the cash is correct.
Kalvin Phillips – Regardless of new tales about curiosity from Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in Kalvin Phillips, I’m not conscious of concrete talks to date. That is an costly mortgage for Spanish golf equipment with FFP limitations, so it’s a troublesome one. West Ham, Crystal Palace and Newcastle stay within the England midfielder. It’s additionally going to be as much as Manchester Metropolis, not simply the participant aspect.
Raphinha – I’m conscious that Raphinha has attracted consideration by saying he almost joined Manchester United, but it surely’s an previous story actually – when he was tremendous younger Man United had been however then the deal was not accomplished. It’s nothing current. As for now, his future is at Barcelona for the January window, then once more in the summertime we’ll see what’s subsequent.
Paul Mitchell – One of many names linked with the director position at Man Utd, we’re now additionally seeing Paul Mitchell linked strongly with Roma. Nonetheless, my understanding is that he’s considered one of many candidates on Roma’s listing, not the one one. They’re contemplating a number of choices for brand spanking new director, let’s see what the house owners Friedkin household resolve to do.