Chelsea Eyeing Potential Summer Move For Neymar

Chelsea are reportedly monitoring Neymar's situation at Paris Saint-Germain ahead of a potential summer move for the Brazilian legend.

Is Neymar leaving PSG this summer?

The 31-year-old has arguably been one of the leading footballers of his generation, not managing to reach the heights of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but sitting in that bracket of truly elite players below them. He is Brazil's record goalscorer of all time, scoring 77 times in 124 caps, while for PSG, he has 118 goals and 77 assists in 173 appearances.

Neymar's current deal at the Ligue 1 giants expires in the summer of 2025, but there has been some speculation suggesting he may depart at the end of the season. Chelsea have been linked with a move for the world-renowned forward, as they look to do some serious business in the summer transfer window.

It is a rumour that is refusing to go away, with the Blues still seemingly eyeing up an audacious move for the attacker, as Todd Boehly looks to work his magic in the coming months.

Could Chelsea make audacious move for Neymar?

According to Football Insider, Chelsea are "monitoring" Neymar ahead of a "potential summer move". PSG are thought to be "considering a major squad overhaul in the summer and could look to sell the 31-year-old Brazilian at the end of the season."

Their lack of success in the Champions League is reportedly now becoming a major issue to the point that they are willing to "completely change the direction of the club by selling a number of their superstar players."

That's where Chelsea come into play, with the Blues "particularly interested" in Neymar, even their financial problems "could make a move hard to complete."

There is no denying Neymar's pedigree as a footballer – he has been called "one of the best players on the planet" by PSG boss Christophe Galtier – but Chelsea should avoid moving for him at this stage in his career. At 31, there is an argument to say that his best years are behind him, and he continually picked up more injuries in recent times, too. He was also labelled as a "joy to coach" by Mauricio Pochettino, who could turn out to be the next Blues boss.

Considering the money he would cost, and the wages he would demand, the Blues would be better off signing a younger alternative – someone who can be a mainstay of the team for many years, rather than a quick fix who may produce some magic for a shorter period.

If a move for Neymar came to fruition, it would certainly be exciting for Chelsea given his standing in the game, but it is a move that has too many negatives to it overall.

Tottenham: Spurs Eyeing "Likeable" Trophy-Laden Manager

Tottenham Hotspur are thought to be targeting Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou and he is on their managerial shortlist, according to reports.

Which managers could Spurs appoint?

In Spurs' latest managerial mishap, chairman Daniel Levy has now relieved former interim head coach Cristian Stellini of his duties, placing Ryan Mason in temporary charge until the end of the season.

This comes after the north Londoners suffered a mighty blow in their quest to seal a top four Premier League finish, having been thumped 6-1 at Newcastle on Sunday – a new low for Spurs in an otherwise regrettable campaign overall.

Levy, who is under mounting pressure at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, quite simply must get Spurs' next appointment right or risk more protests and backlash from members of the fan base.

Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly on the verge of joining Chelsea, ruling him out as an option, with both Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann being heavily linked in the last fortnight.

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou

Meanwhile, the likes of Vincent Kompany (Burnley) and Arne Slot (Feyenoord) are both also under consideration despite their currently employed status.

According to The Telegraph, another tactician 'of interest' to Tottenham is Hoops manager Postecoglou, who has been hugely successful north of the border since his appointment in 2021.

The 57-year-old has won an SPFL title and two Scottish League Cups at the club but is on course to add even silverware more this year. Indeed, Celtic are currently miles in front of Rangers at the top of the league with a Scottish Cup semi-final also nearing.

His success has clearly not gone unnoticed at Tottenham with his Parkhead contract also set to expire next month as things stand.

What could Ange bring to Spurs?

While there is an argument to be made that the Scottish Premiership isn't quite on the same level as England's top tier, Postecoglou has done an exceptional job – shifting the balance of power back Celtic's way after Rangers won the title in 2021.

Called a 'really likeable' manager by former Spurs defender Alan Hutton, the coach has won nine major honours overall at club level – winning trophies at Yokohoma F. Marinos, South Melbourne FC and Brisbane Roar.

His current status as a soon-to-be free agent is also tantalising, with Celtic potentially worried that the call of Premier League football could tempt Postecoglou.

The 4-3-3 attack-minded boss, interestingly, also shares the same agent as Tottenham star Son Heung-min.

Levy Waiting For ‘Outstanding’ Boss to Join Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is personally waiting for Julian Nagelsmann to show an interest in joining Spurs, according to reports.

Could Nagelsmann join Spurs?

The former Bayern Munich boss, after being relieved of his duties last week, has been linked with taking the Spurs managerial post this summer – with former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel stepping into his shoes in Bavaria.

Now out-of-work and readily available, Nagelsmann stands out as a prestigious new candidate to take the reins in north London with Levy actually eyeing him back in 2021. The 35-year-old was a target to replace Jose Mourinho back then and reports suggest Tottenham see an opportunity to go back in for one of European football's most exciting young coaches. Sky Sports claim an approach has been made by the Premier League top four hopefuls as Levy begins work on finding a replacement for Conte.

The Italian parted company with Spurs by mutual consent earlier this week, tasking Cristian Stellini and assistant coach Ryan Mason with guiding the club to Champions League qualification. Nagelsmann is seen as a top candidate by Levy and co, joining the growing list of prestigious candidates alongside Mauricio Pochettino and Luis Enrique among others.

Now, a report by The Daily Mail has an update on Tottenham's chances of hiring the German, with Levy personally waiting to see if Nagelsmann is in fact interested in making a move to Hotspur Way.

The Mail add that contact has been made with the former RB Leipzig boss as Levy weighs up his chances of hiring him, especially considering the possible interest of other big clubs. Indeed, Tottenham aren't the only interested party when it comes to Nagelsmann, as both Real Madrid and Chelsea are currently monitoring developments.

Is Nagelsmann perfect for Spurs?

We believe the manager's new-found availability should be a big draw for Spurs and arguably puts him out in front with the likes of Pochettino. Nagelsmann encourages an intense, high-pressing and entertaining brand of football which could be a breath of fresh air to supporters who are yearning for a departure from the more pragmatic styles of Conte, Jose Mourinho and Nuno Espirito Santo in recent years.

BBC Sport Writer Raj Chohan, writing on Twitter, recently gave an insight into Nagelsmann's tactical attacking, stating:

"No Lewa replacement led Nagelsmann to plan a 4-2-2-2 in pre-season with a Mané-Gnabry front 2. This pair’s obvious decline then forced him to abandon. He did excellent to then re-shape the attack around a hold-up 9 like Choupo. His methods of coaching an attack are outstanding."

Going by claims like this, he could be exactly what Spurs need, but the competition for his signature may well be fierce.

Tottenham manager news: 43 y/o in contention to replace Antonio Conte

Tottenham Hotspur are all but certain to move on from Antonio Conte in the coming months, if not weeks, and another Premier League manager is thought to be in contention to replace him…

Will Antonio Conte leave Tottenham?

March has seen the Lilywhites crash out of both the FA Cup, losing to lower league opposition yet again, and the Champions League, leaving the Italian and his squad only fighting for a top-four finish once again.

Renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano recently claimed that Conte is likely to leave his post when his contract expires in June, meaning chairman Daniel Levy will be tasked with finding his 15th manager in 22 years and ninth of the last decade.

That search could even be sooner after the 53-year-old’s recent media outburst at the players and Levy, following their 3-3 draw with Southampton over the weekend.

What’s the latest on Tottenham’s interest in Roberto De Zerbi?

Brighton and Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi has emerged as a candidate to take over from his fellow countryman after his impressive work on the south coast, according to Matt Law of the Telegraph.

Meanwhile, fellow journalist Dean Jones has since provided a fresh update on the situation to GiveMeSport, where he claimed the 43-year-old ‘will be one of five or six candidates’ in the running to succeed Conte at Hotspur Way.

De Zerbi was the Seagulls’ replacement for Chelsea-bound Graham Potter in September 2022 and he has continued the Englishman’s fine work by steering his side to seventh in the Premier League standings thus far.

Is De Zerbi a good appointment for Tottenham?

Boasting a 50% win rate across all competitions from his 24 matches in charge, the Brescia-born tactician has carried on where Potter left off and has Brighton well-placed to earn European football next term and he’s done so by making them exciting in attack yet still resolute defensively.

Indeed, the south coast outfit have conceded nine fewer goals than Spurs, who under Conte are supposed to be a defensively-minded machine whilst, in the absence of a true striker, they have still found the net more times than Newcastle United and Manchester United, both of whom are above them in the table.

As Pete O’Rourke recently described it to GiveMeSport, De Zerbi would be an “exciting appointment” for Spurs, thanks to his “attacking” and “slick” football and it could lend some similarities to when Mauricio Pochettino arrived at the club.

De-Zerbi-Brighton-Spurs-Levy-Potter-Premier-League-opinion

He – just like the Italian – impressed at a ‘lesser’ side in the English top-flight, with his work at Southampton catching the eye of Levy back in May 2014.

And the parallels between the two don’t just stop there as the pair both raised the stock of many players within their respective squads, whilst also achieving impressive results on the pitch.

De Zerbi has also shown a ruthless streak, axing his top goalscorer Leandro Trossard in January, which is something that Pochettino was renowned for – if you didn’t put in the work, you were gone, as former goalkeeper Brad Friedel once recalled to beIN SPORTS.

As such, given the evidence above, Levy and the club’s hierarchy could well discover their next Pochettino by hiring De Zerbi to replace the under-fire and erratic Conte in the coming months.

He’d certainly bring a more attacking and vibrant style to N17, something that should have the Lilywhites’ faithful purring with excitement.

Guendouzi transfer could ‘happen’ at Villa

Aston Villa signing Marseille midfielder Matteo Guendouzi is a genuine possibility this summer, according to journalist Ashley Preece.

The Lowdown: Guendouzi linked January move

The Frenchman made a name for himself as a youngster during his Arsenal days but he has since matured into a much more rounded performer for Marseille, starting 19 games in Ligue 1 this season.

Guendouzi was linked with a move to Villa during the January transfer window but it was a move that didn’t materialise and he stayed put in France.

It looks as though there are still legs to the saga, however, following a key new update.

The Latest: Summer transfer on

Writing in a Q&A for The Birmingham Mail, Preece backed Villa’s move for Guendouzi to come to fruition:

“If you’re asking me now…I expect Guendouzi to happen.”

The Verdict: Good deal?

Villa’s midfield could certainly do with extra depth and quality ahead of next season, with Unai Emery looking to take his team up another gear in his first full campaign in charge.

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In Guendouzi, the Villans could acquire the signature of an excellent player – one who was part of the France squad that reached the 2022 World Cup final and someone who has been hailed as a ‘natural leader’ by former Marseille boss Jorge Sampaoli.

A pass completion rate of 88.6% in Ligue 1 this season highlights Guendouzi’s quality in possession, but he is also averaging 1.2 tackles per game, showing that he is effective off the ball.

The fact that the £42,000-a-week midfielder already has 57 Premier League appearances to his name is an added bonus, some of which under Emery, already being familiar with both the division and manager’s system.

Phil hay admits Orta knew Schreuder prior to Leeds approach

Phil Hay has claimed that Victor Orta knew Alfred Schreuder prior to him being approached for the Leeds United job.

The Lowdown: Orta failed to land a new manager

After being met with a brick wall in their attempts to appoint both Andoni Iraola and Arne Slot as Jesse Marsch’s successor it appeared as though Orta changed tactics and started looking at people who were already out of a job.

This seemingly saw him turn to former Ajax manager Schreuder who was in attendance for the club’s defeat at the hands of Manchester United, although nothing ever came of that meeting.

The fact that Schreuder was invited to Elland Road would suggest that Leeds certainly had an intention of handing him the keys and letting him crack on until at least the end of the season, which may have been down to the fact he was known by Orta already.

The Latest: Schreuder was certainly of interest to Leeds

Hay has admitted on The Phil Hay Show that Orta certainly knew Schreuder before he attended a Leeds game which shows he may well have been looking out for someone he knew.

He said: (25:10) “I think he does know Schreuder but it seemed to me that it became an option towards the end of the week when it was apparent that Iraola wasn’t going to be coming out of Rayo Vallecano.”

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The Verdict: Leeds can’t afford relegation

The fact that Orta was looking to bring in someone that he already knew within football isn’t a good sign of how he must like to operate by connecting with people he is familiar with and not necessarily just the best man for the job.

It is a huge amount of pressure that Orta and Andrea Radrizzani have thrust upon the inexperienced shoulders of Michael Skubala as he is tasked with guiding them away from the bottom three despite having no first-team managerial experience prior to this stint in charge.

Leeds can’t afford to drop down a division because of their impending takeover by the 49ers enterprise and also the fact that they’ve spent very heavily in the last few windows which would certainly harm them financially if they were to be relegated.

Man United: Ten Hag must ditch Weghorst

Manchester United defeated Nottingham Forest 2-0 in midweek to seal a place in the Carabao Cup final, leaving them just one step away from lifting a first trophy since Jose Mourinho led them to Europa League glory back in 2017.

Erik ten Hag will be hoping to end the Red Devils’ six-year trophy drought and continue his impressive rejuvenation at the club, with that hopefully being just the first of many pieces of silverware coming to Old Trafford under the 53-year-old.

Despite the straightforward victory, there were a few players who underperformed against Forest in midweek. Alejandro Garnacho was given a rare start but failed to take his chance to impress, succeeding with just two dribble attempts and taking only one shot as he recorded the team’s joint-lowest Sofascore rating.

However, it was January signing Wout Weghorst who was perhaps the poorest United player on the night, and Ten Hag should consider ditching him against Crystal Palace today.

United signed the Dutchman on a six-month loan from Burnley during the January transfer window, and the move was surprising to say the least, echoing that of the deal to sign Odion Ighalo on loan until the end of the 2019/20 season.

The 30-year-old has hardly set the world alight during his first five appearances for the Red Devils, scoring just once, despite netting nine goals for Besiktas during the first half of the campaign.

The £40k-per-week frontman was statistically United’s worst performer during the second leg against Forest, earning a rating of just 6.4/10 via Sofascore.

During his 63 minutes on the pitch, he had just one shot (which was blocked), missed a big chance and hit the woodwork, all while taking just 16 touches as he couldn’t get himself into the game.

The Dutchman lost possession three times, was also dribbled past once and won only four duels from nine. It was a night to forget for him, and one former United captain didn’t hold back when it came to analysing his performance after the game…

Roy Keane was offering his post-match thoughts on Sky Sports (via The Sun) regarding Weghorst’s miss after he headed against the post when it seemed easier to score, saying: “He has to score, I don’t know what he was thinking. He was brought in for his aerial ability.”

Ten Hag faces a big decision ahead of today’s clash against Palace, and with the 30-year-old struggling, the manager may have to make a few changes in personnel. Dropping Weghorst should be one of them.

Everton eyeing up loan for Sulemana

Everton are holding talks with Rennes over a potential deal for the Ghanaian winger Kamaldeen Sulemana to bring the 20-year-old to Goodison Park this month.

What’s the latest?

Frank Lampard’s future on Merseyside is seemingly hanging in the balance now following a dismal defeat against Southampton on the weekend.

However, due to their issues with FFP, the Toffees are yet to see any new faces come through the doors at Finch Farm this month.

But this could soon change with Everton believed to be currently locked in negotiations with the Ligue 1 side over a possible swoop for the Ghanaian.

This is according to the reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano who has been speaking on the House of Champions YouTube channel to discuss the Toffee’s search for improvements over the January window:

“Many players are worried about the situation in the table, and so it’s normal to see a difficult market for Everton, but they’re trying.

“They are trying in many positions, for example, Kamaldeen Sulemana from Rennes, the Ghanaian winger is a player they really appreciate. They are in negotiations for a loan with buy option.”

Adding real quality

The idea of a loan deal is something that could hugely benefit Everton given their current situation as any big signings this month would not only affect FFP but could prove risky given the club’s current league position.

Although the notion of signing players this month is to help Everton survive the drop this month, it does pose the risk of signing an expensive asset and still potentially going down.

But in Sulemana, Everton could be landing a player full of potential with his former Rennes teammate, Jonas Martins, full of praise for the 20-year-old:

“Kamaldeen Sulemana is very talented. He is a player like there are not many in the teams. He is able to create situations on his own, there is no need for many people around him.”

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In his 13 appearances in Ligue 1 this season, the Ghanian has only been able to find the back of the net on one occasion and is yet to prove an assist (via Transfermarkt).

However, he has impressed in their Europa League campaign having provided two assists during the four appearances he has made in the competition.

Given the Toffees find themselves in a relegation scrap, perhaps there is something to be taken from Sulemana’s defensive stats with the 20-year-old in the upper fourth percentile for tackles and interceptions made (via FBref).

Of course, Everton fans will want a winger who can create opportunities and he ranks in the top two percentile for dribbles completed but this does demonstrate he could be up for the fight on Merseyside.

Todd Cantwell set for Rangers medical

A big update has emerged regarding Glasgow Rangers’ efforts to improve their squad during the January transfer window…

What’s the talk?

According to Football Scotland, the Light Blues have won the race to secure the services of Norwich attacking midfielder Todd Cantwell this month.

The report claims that the gem will undergo a medical with the Ibrox club this weekend as Michael Beale closes in on his first signing since taking charge of the Gers.

It is stated that Rangers have agreed a fee with the Canaries and have now ironed out a contract with the player, who will put pen to paper on a deal after completing his medical checks.

Football Scotland have also revealed that the Gers have beaten off competition from Eredivisie giants PSV Eindhoven and other teams in the English Championship to land Cantwell’s signature.

Aribo replacement

Beale could finally land Rangers’ replacement for Nigerian attacking midfielder Joe Aribo by bringing the Norwich dynamo to Ibrox in the coming days.

Last season, the former Charlton man produced eight goals and six assists in the Premiership for Giovanni van Bronckhorst, before Tom Lawrence was brought in on a free transfer in the summer, seemingly to fill that void.

However, the Welshman has struggled with injuries this term and has been limited to five appearances in the Scottish top flight, scoring twice in that time, and Cantwell could now come in to finally take up that place in the team in the long-term.

The 24-year-old magician has previously shown that he has the quality to make a big impact at the top end of the pitch, and it is now up to Beale to help the gem to rediscover his magic touch in the final third.

Former Norwich and Celtic striker Chris Sutton once hailed him as an “exceptional” talent and tipped him to play for a top club in England at some point in his career.

This came during a period when Cantwell scored six goals during the 2019/20 Premier League campaign, before he went on to score six and set up another six in Norwich’s Championship title-winning season the following year.

The former England under-21 international has not been directly involved in a goal since the start of last season but his previous form for the Canaries in the top two tiers of English football, along with his age, indicates that there is a quality player who could be unlocked by Beale.

If Cantwell can rediscover his form in front of goal and begin producing goals and assists on a regular basis again, he could be Rangers’ heir to Aribo by replicating the now-Southampton talent’s impact at the top end of the pitch at Ibrox.

Chelsea: Ornstein shares Fernandez update

Chelsea are going into the January transfer window loving the Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez but will not pay over the odds for the Argentine.

What’s the word?

Reliable journalist David Ornstein has claimed the Blues have entered the January market with a midfield reinforcement firmly on their radar and Fernandez is certainly one of their options. However, he has also said the Londoners will be disciplined in their pursuit of the gem who shone at the World Cup.

“I can tell you that Chelsea love Enzo Fernandez. They love Jude Bellingham as well,” Ornstein told NBC Sports.

“There’s no doubt that they are focusing on Enzo Fernandez but not at all costs, reports that they have agreed or are on the verge of agreeing a deal, as my understanding are not quite accurate. That’s not to say that they won’t. It’s to say that they won’t be held to ransom. They’re going to be disciplined in this situation.”

The future of the 21-year-old appears to be up in the air following his success in Qatar with Benfica reportedly expected to hold out for the player’s €120m (£106m) release clause if he is to leave this month.

Fabrizio Romano has suggested the 21-year-old would green-light a move to Stamford Bridge despite only making the move to Portugal last summer from River Plate in a deal believed to be worth in the region of €12m (£10.6m).

Blues won’t be bullied

Although Ornstein has suggested the Blues are in love with this player, he did also make it clear that Todd Boehly will not be bullied into paying over the odds for the midfielder on the back of his displays for Argentina.

During his displays for Argentina which saw him awarded the Young Player of the Tournament award, the 21-year-old completed the most tackles and most passes into the final third of the pitch among all players in the Qatar competition (via Squawka).

However, it is not just in the World Cup where he has shone with previous praise coming from journalist Guilherme Lopes in 2022 where he claimed the player “has everything to be world-class”.

High praise for a player who is clearly providing a huge influence despite being just 21. But it is still a huge price to potentially pay for a player who hasn’t played a full campaign in Europe yet.

It is also believed Chelsea hold a strong interest in the West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice ahead of this summer’s transfer window – a player with vast Premier League experience at a young age.

Albeit with Rice playing for a struggling West Ham side, this season has seen Fernandez attempt on average 45 more passes per 90 minutes than the Englishman (via Fbref).

And the Argentine has a much, much higher pass completion rate than the West Ham midfielder but Rice does edge Fernandez when it comes to tackles completed per 90 – although only marginally (via Fbref).

With Rice and England international and established Premier League player, his price tag will likely be in a similar range to Fernandez so it will be interesting to see what avenue Boehly goes down in the coming months.

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