Ruben Amorim's Cryptic Reply Hints at Excitement for Man Utd Role
During a press conference on Thursday, Ruben Amorim, the current Sporting Lisbon manager, offered a brief but revealing response when questioned about his potential move to Manchester United. With Erik ten Hag's departure from Old Trafford, Amorim is poised to take over, and his one-word answer to a question about the Premier League spoke volumes about his enthusiasm for the challenge ahead. Despite his attempts to be discreet, Amorim's excitement was evident when he was queried about his views on the English top-flight league, to which he succinctly replied with a smile, "Everything." Amorim, who is currently in discussions with Manchester United regarding the terms of his move, including the £8.3 million release clause and the additional costs to bring his coaching staff, was cautious with his words during the media interaction before Sporting's match against Estrela da Amadora. The 39-year-old, who has led Sporting to two Primeira Liga championships since his arrival from Braga, is set to become the first managerial appointment under the new leadership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe at Manchester United. While he was tight-lipped about the specifics of the negotiations, he acknowledged the complexity of such a transfer, stating, "It's a negotiation between two clubs. It's never easy. Even with the clauses, they have to talk." He promised clarity after the upcoming game, saying, "We will have clarification after the game. It will be very clear, so it's one more day. After the game tomorrow, we will have the decision made." Manchester United, who recently triumphed over Leicester 5-2 in the Carabao Cup under the interim management of Ruud Van Nistelrooy, had hoped to expedite Amorim's arrival for the weekend's match against Chelsea. However, due to a 30-day notice period in Amorim's contract with Sporting, further negotiations were necessary. The two clubs have agreed on a £10 million fee for Amorim to join immediately during the international break, allowing him to complete three more matches for Sporting, including a Champions League match against Manchester City. Amorim is then expected to start his tenure at Manchester United from November 11, with his first match in charge scheduled for November 24 at Ipswich Town. United defender Diogo Dalot commented on the potential appointment, saying, "Obviously, he is a good manager. We do not know if he's coming or not, we see the rumors like everybody, but we will focus on what we have here. Doing our job. What the future brings, we will be ready."
Paris Saint-Germain is reportedly keeping a close eye on the contractual developments of Vinicius Jr. with Real Madrid, as per a Relevo report. The Spanish giants are said to be keen on retaining the Brazilian winger as a key figure in their long-term plans, with discussions already underway to extend his stay beyond the current contract's expiration in 2027. Despite this, Vinicius Jr. is taking his time to sign, seeking an opportune moment to enhance his financial package in Madrid.
In the wings, PSG, along with Manchester United, Chelsea, and Al-Nassr, are believed to be interested in luring the 24-year-old to their respective squads. For PSG, the pursuit of Vinicius Jr. carries a more personal dimension, as they aim to retaliate against Real Madrid and its president, Florentino Pérez, following the summer transfer of Kylian Mbappé from Paris to Madrid. This move is seen as PSG's strategic response in the ongoing rivalry between the two football powerhouses. Source: GFFN | Nick Hartland Paris Saint-Germain is said to be closely observing the contract negotiations between Vinicius Jr. and Real Madrid, with an intention to potentially sign the player. Real Madrid is eager to secure Vinicius Jr.'s future, initiating talks to extend his contract, yet the player is taking his time, possibly to negotiate better terms. PSG, along with other clubs, is interested in Vinicius Jr., with PSG's interest being particularly motivated by a desire to counter Real Madrid's acquisition of Kylian Mbappé.
Arsenal reject ambitious transfer offer for Jesus: 'The subject is closed'
Arsenal have rejected an approach from Brazilian side Palmeiras for Gabriel Jesus.Jesus is yet to score in 11 appearances for the Gunners this season and has completed 90 minutes just once. He has fallen behind Kai Havertz in the pecking order and has been relegated to a role as a late substitute in the Premier League. But Mikel Arteta considers the struggling striker an important part of his squad. Arsenal have rejected an approach from Brazilian side Palmeiras for Gabriel Jesus. Jesus is yet to score in 11 appearances for the Gunners this season and has completed 90 minutes just once. He has fallen behind Kai Havertz in the pecking order and has been relegated to a role as a late substitute in the Premier League. But Mikel Arteta considers the struggling striker an important part of his squad. There has been plenty of speculation about his future, with reports from Brazil suggesting that Arsenal could be tempted to sell in January if their valuation - claimed to be in the region of £33.4m - is met. Jesus is under contract with Arsenal until June 2027 and appears keen to stay and fight for his place as the team challenge for the Premier League title. It seems that the feeling between club and player is mutual, judging by comments from Palmeiras president Leila Pereira, who had been keen to bring Jesus back to the club where he started his career in 2015. “Gabriel Jesus is not coming,” Pereira told ESPN. “We got in touch with Arsenal, and they said ‘Leila, there are no conditions whatsoever. We are not going to negotiate on the player.’ "The subject is closed.” Jesus came through Palmeiras’ youth ranks and spent two years playing for the Sao Paulo club before earning a move to Manchester City in 2017. He won four Premier League titles, the FA Cup and three Carabao Cups with City before Arsenal shelled out £45m to sign him in the summer of 2022. The Brazilian striker had a promising debut campaign, but netted just eight times in 2023/24 and an injury in pre-season derailed his start to the current season. The only time he has completed 90 minutes came in a 5-1 thrashing of Bolton in the Carabao Cup, but more opportunities should be on the horizon, with a trip to Preston coming on Wednesday in the same competition. "He came on in a great shape, probably in the best condition he's been with us," Arteta explained earlier this month. "He was flying in pre-season and unfortunately he got that injury straight away that affected him for a few weeks. "He put again a lot of work into it to come back and now he needs to get the rhythm. He's playing a few games, he's started two games in a row vs Atalanta and Bolton, he's come on against Southampton. "So yeah, he's there. Now he needs to earn the right to play more. He's got our full support, he's a player that can play in various positions and he's a really important player for us."
Is Neymar Bound for Santos in the Upcoming Summer Transfer Window?
Discussions are underway that could see Neymar make a sensational return to his first professional club, Santos. Osvaldo Nico, a key member of the club's Board of Directors, has hinted at the possibility of the Brazilian superstar coming back to his roots next year. The prospect of Neymar's homecoming is becoming increasingly tangible, moving from a distant dream to a potential reality. Osvaldo Nico, a prominent figure on the club's Board of Directors, has confirmed preliminary conversations with Neymar, suggesting a potential return to his original team in the near future. According to Nico, the discussions are progressing, with the statement, "Neymar arrives at Santos in June. That’s the conversation we are having. Everyone played with Neymar at Santos - even [Zé]Love and André [Felipe] scored goals when he was there. He’s coming to Santos," highlighting the optimism surrounding this development. Neymar's journey to Al Hilal in August 2023 for a reported fee close to $87 million was a significant move. With his contract set to expire in June 2025, speculation is rife about his next destination. Neymar's Comeback After a Long Absence Neymar's tenure in Saudi Arabia has been fraught with challenges, including muscle issues that caused him to miss the initial games of the season, followed by a devastating ACL tear in his left knee, sidelining him for a year. Recently, he made a comeback, featuring in the final 13 minutes of a 5-4 victory over Al Ain in matchday 3 of the AFC Champions League Elite group stage. Rumors of a return to Santos have been circulating for months, with even the club's president, Teixeira, acknowledging contact in February. He stated, "The conversation was quick, but it is often the swiftest ones that have the best outcomes. No, no, it is too early [to sign a pre-contract]. He still has to recover from his knee injury. To play here, he has to make a full recovery. He will continue gaining experience there and then he will come back." Communications with Santos Neymar himself has played down such rumors, yet has not ruled out a return, saying, "There is no possibility of me returning to Santos next year. What has been said is completely false; there is nothing planned. I have one more year of contract with Al-Hilal. I hope to have a great season. I missed the last one. We are taking it one step at a time. There is still a lot of time ahead. Obviously, Santos is my favorite team, and one day I want to return, yes, but I have nothing planned in mind right now." A top official at the Brazilian club has now confirmed that discussions and negotiations are actively being pursued. Santos is currently leading the second division of Brazilian football (Série B) with four games remaining, and the top four teams will be promoted to the Brasileirão. Securing a spot in Série A would facilitate the signing of Neymar, as his salary—reportedly around $111 million at Al Hilal—poses a significant financial challenge for Santos. Nevertheless, his return would be a monumental event for the league. Neymar's impact before his move to Barça in 2013 was transformative, propelling him to global fame. His return would invigorate the club's new project following its historic relegation.
Injury-hit Juventus welcome back Koopmeiners for Parma test
Thiago Motta confirmed midfielder Teun Koopmeiners will be available for Juventus' upcoming Serie A clash with Parma on Wednesday.Koopmeiners, who joined Juventus from Atalanta in the summer, has missed the last three matches after sustaining a rib fracture in a 1-1 draw with Cagliari earlier this month. Thiago Motta confirmed midfielder Teun Koopmeiners will be available for Juventus' upcoming Serie A clash with Parma on Wednesday. Koopmeiners, who joined Juventus from Atalanta in the summer, has missed the last three matches after sustaining a rib fracture in a 1-1 draw with Cagliari earlier this month. The Dutch international had made seven appearances in all competitions for his new club before his injury, notching one assist in a win against Genoa. Koopmeiners' return to action is a timely boost for Motta, though he revealed Juventus are still without injured trio Gleison Bremer, Arek Milik, and Douglas Luiz. "We won't have Gleison, Douglas, Nico or Arek but we will recover Koop. We'll see if he can start from the first minute or be with us during the game," Motta told reporters. Juventus come into the game against Parma on the back of an enthralling 4-4 draw with Inter in the Derby d'Italia over the weekend. Kenan Yildiz scored a second-half brace to seal a share of the spoils at the San Siro, but the Bianconeri remain five points behind leaders Napoli in Serie A. Motta was happy with his side's previous showing, but bemoaned their defensive lapses, having conceded two penalties against Inter that were converted by Piotr Zielinski. "It was a good performance at San Siro but we could have won," Motta said. "But that's now in the past, everything else is just people's opinions and doesn't count much at this moment in time," Motta said. "Something to improve, for sure is penalties. We must always finish with 11 men and not cause penalties. I always say, the next match is the most important. "I respect everyone's opinions, mine as a coach is that we have to learn to manage the moments when others do better than us." Juventus will be confident of maintaining Motta's unbeaten league start against Parma, who are without a win in their last seven Serie A matches. The hosts have done historically well against the Crociati, with Juventus unbeaten in 13 of their last 14 matches against Parma in Serie A (W10 D3). They have also won eight of the last nine matches played on a Wednesday in the Italian top-flight (L1), scoring 20 goals in the period (2.2 on average per match). Parma, meanwhile, have not won any of their last 18 Serie A away games (D8 L10) and have only once recorded a longer away run without a win in the competition, between May 2007 and September 2009 (23).
'I called my father crying' - Rodri admits he nearly quit football
Rodri claimed his Ballon d’Or triumph was a victory for football after revealing he nearly quit as a teenager.The Manchester City midfielder’s surprise win in Paris was overshadowed by the childish boycott of the ceremony by Real Madrid after Vinicius Jr came second. But Rodri is a worthy winner after winning a fourth consecutive Premier League title and then the Player of the Tournament as his Spain won Euro 2024. Rodri claimed his Ballon d’Or triumph was a victory for football after revealing he nearly quit as a teenager. The Manchester City midfielder’s surprise win in Paris was overshadowed by the childish boycott of the ceremony by Real Madrid after Vinicius Jr came second. But Rodri is a worthy winner after winning a fourth consecutive Premier League title and then the Player of the Tournament as his Spain won Euro 2024. And his election is recognition by the jury that football is a team sport not just made up of superstar egos. Since Kaka ’s win in 2007, only Luka Modric (2018) and Karim Benzema (2022) have broken the domination of Lionel Messi (eight wins) and Cristiano Ronaldo (five). And Rodri, who appeared at the ceremony on crutches after undergoing season-ending ACL surgery last month, said: “We are often overshadowed by more attacking players but this time it is our turn. I am just a normal boy who profits from his job. I try to be a good team-mate, to give the best version of myself. “I have a thought for all the great midfielders, those who have won the Ballon d’Or before me. Messi and Ronaldo, the two best players in history, have for a long time confiscated this trophy but they are no longer here. Their absence launches a new era with a lot of great players. Football has won.” He is first Manchester City player to win the award and first Spanish male since Luis Suarez in 1960. His City team-mate Ilkay Gundogan said: “From today on he is finally not ‘underrated’ anymore. I’m especially happy that someone in a defensive position is winning this title and not always just the offensive players.” Shaped by Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid and now Pep Guardiola at City, the modest star has developed into the perfect modern midfielder. Rodri, who scored the winning goal in the 2023 Champions League final, added: “Winning the Ballon d’Or is the realisation of a dream and a genuine honour for me. “However, individual prizes are so often the result of strong team performances, and I am eternally grateful to everyone at Manchester City. My teammates are the best – I could not ask for more from them, both personally and professionally – and the support I receive from across every department at the football club means I am given the opportunity to focus on my football and perform at my very best. “I am very fortunate to be able to call myself a Manchester City player. My focus now is returning to full fitness and pulling on a City shirt again.” Madrid-born Rodri, who was rejected by the Atletico Madrid academy, also spoke about his testing journey to the top. “When I was 17-year-old I packed up my suitcases and I went to Villarreal with a dream to work in the Premier League,” he recalled. ”One day I called my father crying, telling him it was all over and that I had invested my life to get here and I had the feeling that this was it. “My father said we had come all the way here, let’s keep going and this is something that changed my mindset and now, here I am.” Rodri added: “I am going to keep doing what got me here. It is a message to young people: work, well done, can allow you to reach a very high level . It is my formula for success which will happen again I hope.”