Chelsea Transfers

[Vesper 29,020]

Barella to Manchester United is nonsense

https://thedailybriefing.io/i/149335922/barella-to-manchester-united-is-nonsense

Despite the rumours linking Nicolo Barella with a €75m move to Manchester United, I have zero information on this.

He only extended his contract at Inter just a few months ago, and he's a key player for them.

I don't even know where this is information is coming from!

[Vesper 29,020]

On 05/09/2024 at 01:35, Vesper said:

Chelsea forward posts goodbye message as Liverpool transfer confirmed

Liverpool have signed 16-year-old Chelsea forward Rio Ngumoha to bolster their youth ranks

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/Chelsea-forward-posts-goodbye-message-29870613

The Premier League has finally approved Liverpool's signing of Rio Ngumoha from Chelsea. The 16-year-old will join the Reds' under-18s for the 2024-25 season.

Liverpool's scouts had tracked the England youth international for some time and in July, began the process of bringing the forward to Anfield. On Thursday, he took to Instagram to officially confirm his departure from Chelsea: "Thank you for everything Chelsea Academy," wrote Ngumoha, who trained with the club's first team earlier this year, before later uploading photos of his scholarship signing at Anfield.

As he rejected Chelsea's scholarship offer, the Londoners will be entitled to a compensation fee from Liverpool. It's expected Ngumoha will be blooded into the under-18s setup with Marc Bridge-Wilkinson for the coming campaign before being assessed for a potential call-up to the U21s and Liverpool are delighted at managing to bring the 16-year-old to their thriving Kirkby base.

Club scouts have been hugely impressed with the skilful winger during checks and after listening to the enticing pitch laid out by Liverpool, Ngumoha has now moved to Merseyside. It's believed Chelsea are furious with how Ngumoha has been allowed to leave for what will be a nominal fee, although suggestions Liverpool have broken their wage structure to land the winger have been rubbished.

It's understood Ngumoha's arrival is in-keeping with existing policies that are strictly set out by long-serving Academy director Alex Inglethorpe and the youngster will be on a scholarship wage at Kirkby. The club's recent track of blooding players from their academy ranks into the first-team is understood to have been key to the decision over the move with the 2024 Carabao Cup final cited as the perfect example of the two contrasting strategies at both clubs.

Liverpool won the game at Wembley 1-0 thanks to Virgil van Dijk's extra-time header but finished the match with James McConnell, Bobby Clark and Jayden Danns all on the pitch and they were also able to name Caoimhin Kelleher, Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley and Harvey Elliott in the team on the day, four players who all sharpened their skills in the youth ranks at Anfield.

Liverpool have been keen to pursue the best young talents across the country since the introduction of laws that came off the back of the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union at the end of 2020, which made signings from the continent more difficult.

Why Rio Ngumoha is already the talk of Liverpool’s academy

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5767200/2024/09/24/rio-ngumoha-liverpool-academy/

Fifteen minutes was all Rio Ngumoha needed to highlight why Liverpool believe they have landed one of the most exciting young attackers in the country.

The 16-year-old made his debut for the under-18s as a late substitute against Blackburn Rovers earlier this month and immediately caught the eye with an array of flicks, tricks and dribbles.

His arrival from Chelsea, who are bitterly disappointed to lose a player they felt was capable of progressing into the first-team setup, has created a buzz on Merseyside. Those who pushed hard to bring Ngumoha into the club for a compensation fee that has not yet been decided and may have to be resolved at a tribunal, are confident they have a gem.

Those who watched him against Rovers at Liverpool’s academy in Kirkby agreed. By the closing stages, there were screams from the defence to “hit him” and some increasingly wild challenges. It was some way to announce himself.

Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, Liverpool’s under-18s manager, is keen to avoid overhyping Ngumoha. “He is here because he’s got potential to go and reach the first team, but besides that, there’s no pressure from us,” he said after the Blackburn game.

Steps to shield Ngumoha are likely to follow after what can only be described as a whirlwind entrance. After the transfer was confirmed by the Premier League following a five-step review, required for all moves between clubs with Category 1 academies, Ngumoha was introduced to the senior setup during the most recent international break. He spent a few days with the remaining first-team players and trained alongside Federico Chiesa, the new arrival from Juventus.

Then he was introduced to the under-21 team before preparing for his debut with the under-18s. Last week he featured in the UEFA Youth League game against AC Milan, under the watchful eye of club coaching staff including under-21 head coach Barry Lewtas, before impressing once again after coming on at half-time in the under-18s’ 2-2 draw with Leeds last Saturday.

“He needs to find some rhythm,” Lewtas said. “There’s no rush with him. He’s only just turned 16. Let him settle and find his way and let’s see where it goes.”

How quickly he settles into the new surroundings will determine the trajectory of his journey, but muffling the external noise will perhaps be the biggest challenge. John Terry, the former Chelsea captain who now has an academy role at the club, posted on social media that Ngumoha “is and will be a top, top player” when his move to Liverpool was confirmed, and there is no mistaking the excitement around him.

The Athletic has spoken to multiple sources with knowledge of the deal that took him to Liverpool — on the condition of anonymity to protect their positions — to understand why he was considered such a priority signing and what the future might hold.

Recruiting one of the most highly-rated teenagers in the country was no easy process, not least because Chelsea did not want to lose him, and there was a late push from the club to keep him.

Ngumoha has always attracted interest from the elite. He was touring top-level clubs across the country when he was just eight years old and spent time at Liverpool, Everton, and Manchester City, among others, before choosing Chelsea. Those within his inner circle have long predicted a bright future. His brother, James, is a big influence and was by his side during those early decision-making years and when he was considering a move away from London in more recent times.

In June, Ngumoha spent time at Manchester United listening to plans they had for him if he decided on a move. United pushed for his signature but felt they were already behind Liverpool in the race and eventually conceded defeat.

Chelsea know they have lost a player who has so much potential to develop. The attacker’s style hasn’t changed much since his early years when his mission was to entertain. He’s always been a fearless dribbler who loves the creative side of the game. The key, perhaps, will be to get the right balance in his attacking play as he matures.

An insider with knowledge of the Chelsea academy, speaking anonymously to protect relationships, says: “The coaches loved working with Rio because he’s a great kid, but also because he would take on board what they were saying. There had been times when he was trying to do it all by himself.”

One particular game where he stood above the rest was in the Under-17 Premier League Cup final between Chelsea and Wolves at Molineux in April. The scouting section was packed and even before a ball had been kicked, his name was the subject of most conversation.

His performance solidified what Liverpool, in particular, already knew; that he was a future star in the making. Not only did he score a stunning solo goal, but he also caught the eye with his purposeful running from left and central areas.

His performance also showed that he could step up when it mattered. This was a big final for the youngsters and not every player is cut out for the high-pressure moments. Clearly, Ngumoha is cut from a different cloth.

“It was a performance that was expected as he lived up to the hype,” said a scout who was watching that day. “Some of us thought he was a bit too flashy, but others were already on board with his quality.”

At Liverpool, there is a specific plan for each player in the academy and the club are determined that Ngumoah will get all the coaching and support he requires to maximise his talent, as well as an education that keeps him grounded.

Rio is on a standard scholar’s contract of £1,200 ($1,600) per month (£14,400 per year). When he turns 17 next August he will pen his first professional contract. Liverpool currently limit first year pros to a basic salary of around £52,000 a year but they can earn more through bonuses. Contracts are heavily incentivised to ensure progress is rewarded.

GO DEEPER

How will Arne Slot use Liverpool's academy this season?

Ngumoha is well regarded as a humble and likeable young man and his attitude in his first official week at the club has been exemplary. Staff have tried to speed up the settling-in process by exposing him to all sections of the club and show him the pathway if he develops in the way they expect, although he is playing catch-up after a period where he was training alone.

“He’s come from a big club,” Lewtas added. “It’s not like he’s been plucked out of obscurity. He knows what elite looks like. The environment that we create will help him and on top of that, we have got a lot of other good players around him. Some of the other boys are a bit older and they will help him settle.”

All the buzzwords you can imagine have been used to describe Ngumoha and any attempt to deflect some of the noise is going to be difficult. Liverpool’s plan will be to bed him in slowly, but this is a boy who plays like he is in a hurry.

[NikkiCFC 8,056]

Osimhen couldn't score first 3 games for Galatasaray. Very happy we didn't get him. Will probably be available for 35m soon. 

[Vesper 29,020]

Chelsea planning more transfers in January window – Enzo Maresca

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5782097/2024/09/20/Chelsea-transfers-january-window-enzo-maresca/

Enzo Maresca says Chelsea are already intending to make more signings next year in order to bridge the gap to Manchester City and Arsenal.

Chelsea were the biggest spenders for the third time in the last four windows this summer, with £219million spent on transfers.

It takes their outlay on the team since the Todd Boehly-Clearlake consortium took over in May 2022 to well over £1billion.

Despite this, Maresca does not see Chelsea as ready to compete with Manchester City and Arsenal, who currently sit first and second respectively in the Premier League table.

He said: “I think we are a very good squad but there are clubs like Manchester City and Arsenal that are ahead of us, no doubt. Hopefully (if) we progress and (keep) improving, we can slowly, slowly be close to them. But I think it is quite clear that in this moment Arsenal and Manchester City are ahead of the rest.

“Like I have said, the reason why is one club is nine years with the same manager (Pep Guardiola joined Manchester City in 2016), the other (Mikel Arteta at Arsenal) is five years. The rest of the clubs…is a short time.”

When pressed if that meant Chelsea need to buy more players, he added: “The target after the last summer (window) is to try to do less things but more specific.

“This is the target for January and for next summer. Hopefully it can be like this.”

GO DEEPER

Chelsea squad audit: Analysing the 33-player group and their roles under Enzo Maresca

[KEVINAA 106]

 

RB Leipzig centre-back Castello Lukeba as they continue to target the best young talent

[Vesper 29,020]

5 minutes ago, KEVINAA said:

 

RB Leipzig centre-back Castello Lukeba as they continue to target the best young talent

He is also a more than decent LB.

Super athletic.

Plus he is 5 cm taller than Jurrien Timber, a similar type player.

1.84m v 1.79m

[mkh 295]

Inter Milan are interested in signing Benoit Badiashile as they believe he would fit into Simone Inzaghi system. The French CB is valued at €20m-€25m.

[mkh 295]

28 minutes ago, Vesper said:

He is also a more than decent LB.

Super athletic.

Plus he is 5 cm taller than Jurrien Timber, a similar type player.

1.84m v 1.79m

Too bad Chelsea almost signed Lukeba in the summer of 2022 for €43m today RB Leipzig is asking €75-€90M for him.😵‍💫

https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2022/lyon-turned-down-summer-offer-from-Chelsea-for-defender-castello-lukeba/

[Reddish-Blue 2,354]

7 minutes ago, mkh said:

Inter Milan are interested in signing Benoit Badiashile as they believe he would fit into Simone Inzaghi system. The French CB is valued at €20m-€25m.

He would probably do better in the Italian league.  I thought Inter recently signed another defender

[Special Juan 27,439]

1 hour ago, mkh said:

Inter Milan are interested in signing Benoit Badiashile as they believe he would fit into Simone Inzaghi system. The French CB is valued at €20m-€25m.

Terrible player, his Disisi need to be gone

[milka 3,354]

How are you expected to have consistency when transfers not stopping ?  Clownlake  should stop pretending they understand football and leave these decisions to people who do .

 

[Vesper 29,020]

3 hours ago, mkh said:

Too bad Chelsea almost signed Lukeba in the summer of 2022 for €43m today RB Leipzig is asking €75-€90M for him.😵‍💫

https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2022/lyon-turned-down-summer-offer-from-Chelsea-for-defender-castello-lukeba/

that is way too much

JUST ON CBs we fucked about with:

Wes Fofana £75m

Disasi £38.5m

Badiashile  £33.5m

Koulibaly £35m (Lukeba would have cost roughly the same in transfer fees back then and Lukeba also would have been on a massively lower wage, plus as Lukeba is left footed, we never would have bought Badi I wager)

£182m gross shit away (somewhat less IF Fofana really comes good AND stays healthy but he will never be a £75m CB post-massive injuries, the main one which happened BEFORE we bought him, ffs, Leicester raped us for him and also KDH, £105m total in transfer fees + add-ons, basically we paid DOUBLE what they are worth)

Edited September 26 by Vesper

[mkh 295]

Man City appear to have secured a potentially significant victory in their legal battle with the Premier League over the rules designed to limit how much associated parties can pay clubs in sponsorship, reports @TimesSport.

The main thing is that our deal with Infinite Athlete has been scrutinized for weeks and City has been getting away with it for years!!!

🤢🤢

[Vesper 29,020]

24 minutes ago, mkh said:

Man City appear to have secured a potentially significant victory in their legal battle with the Premier League over the rules designed to limit how much associated parties can pay clubs in sponsorship, reports @TimesSport.

The main thing is that our deal with Infinite Athlete has been scrutinized for weeks and City has been getting away with it for years!!!

🤢🤢

Vote delay suggests Man City legal victory over Premier League

‘Last-minute’ withdrawal of league-wide vote indicates City have had at least partial success in attempt to change rules on sponsorship deals

https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/premier-league-manchester-city-apt-rules-trial-result-mzc65t0m7

Manchester City appear to have secured a potentially significant victory in their legal battle with the Premier League over the rules designed to limit how much associated parties can pay clubs in sponsorship.

As The Times revealed in June, City launched unprecedented legal action against the league in a move that has sparked civil war in English football’s top flight.

A two-week private arbitration hearing that started on June 10 was focused on Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules, which City argued are unlawful and contrary to the Competition Act 1998.

Introduced in December 2021 in the wake of the Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle United, the rules were designed to maintain the competitiveness of the Premier League by preventing clubs from inflating commercial deals with companies linked to their owners. The rules dictate that such transactions have to be independently assessed to be of “fair market value”.

A central pillar of those new rules was a databank to which clubs are required to submit all commercial contracts, and which in certain circumstances can be used to validate the value of such deals.

The Times understands the 20 Premier League clubs were due to vote on an amendment to rules specific to the database at the shareholders’ meeting in central London on Thursday. The clubs were to be asked to vote on restricting access to the databank. The vote would have meant regulatory commissions and arbitration panels could not have given access to individual clubs to use the databank to acquire commercial information about rival clubs.

However, the planned vote on the amendment was removed from the agenda late last night, even though more specific details of what the amendment regarded were not included.

According to sources, the “last-minute” withdrawal is being interpreted as an indication that a City legal team, led by Lord Pannick KC, have certainly enjoyed some success in convincing an independent panel that the rules on sponsorship deals need to be changed.

Further to that, it may also suggest that it was deemed pointless making one amendment if an issue with the databank actually has wider implications for all the rules regarding APTs.

The development comes with the Premier League’s case against City for 115 alleged breaches of financial rules now in its second week. It remains to be seen how a change to APT rules could impact on the case concerning those alleged breaches, but many of the charges concern City’s sponsorship agreements. That hearing, which is expected to last ten weeks, could lead to huge fines for the club owners and possibly even relegation for Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering side.

City submitted a 165-page legal document challenging the APT rules. The English champions argue that they are the victims of “discrimination”, describing rules they say have been approved by their rivals to stifle their success on the pitch as a “tyranny of the majority”.

Clubs feared that, should City be successful, it could enable the richest clubs to value their sponsorship deals without independent assessment, vastly boosting the amount of money they can raise and therefore giving them far greater sums to spend on players.

The Premier League have been approached for comment. A spokesperson for City said: “As you know, we are not in a position to comment.”

 

Edited September 26 by Vesper

[Vesper 29,020]

Arsenal and Chelsea send scouts to watch Max Moerstedt

https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2024/09/27/arsenal-and-Chelsea-send-scouts-to-watch-max-moerstedt/

Arsenal and Chelsea scouts were present on Wednesday to watch Max Moerstedt in action, thus sparking rumours of their interest. 

According to TBR, Max Moerstedt has emerged as a player of interest to the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea. The Hoffenheim teenager scored on his European debut for the Bundesliga side on Wednesday, as scouts from both teams were present to watch him in action. 

It’s not a surprise that scouts from top clubs are ever present to watch a given player. These sides with enormous resources often have a wide scouting network that allows them to be in different places at the same time, and that was the case with Arsenal and Chelsea. 

These are two Premier League sides with many young players on their radar. Chelsea in particular, have shown the knack to sign young and unproven stars for big money as they seem to be investing in the potential rather than proven talent, as they watched Max Moerstedt in action on Wednesday in the Europa League. 

Hoffenheim took on FC Midtjylland in Denmark, as Moerstedt scored in the 89th minute to salvage a draw. The 18-year-old Bundesliga attacker has come to the fore for his club this season since the departure of former Chelsea target Maximilian Beier last summer, as the forward chose to join Borussia Dortmund despite heavy interest from the Premier League. 

In any case, Hoffenheim has found a suitable replacement for Beier in Moerstedt and could look to develop the teenager into a far better striker than his predecessor. However, with scouts of big clubs such as Chelsea and Arsenal watching with intent, it will be soon that Moerstedt leaves for new pastures. 

Arsenal and Chelsea keen on Moerstedt

By now, it must be clear that Moerstedt is a player of interest to both Arsenal and Chelsea. While the Blues are clear with their idea of building a future project with young and unproven stars, the Gunners have different ideas as they are looking for a young forward to play close to the first team. 

Arsenal have Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus in their squad and need a new young player to replace the departed Eddie Nketiah. Having cooled their interest in Benjamin Sesko lately, they could potentially target a younger name to come into the side and stake his claim for a regular spot in the team. 

 

 

 

[Vesper 29,020]

EXCLUSIVE: Enzo Maresca requests Bayer Leverkusen wonderkid as Chelsea send scouts

Bayer Leverkusen Under-19s midfielder Francis Onyeka is being scouted by Chelsea after Enzo Maresca pinpointed the youngster as a possible addition, FootballTransfers can reveal.

https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2024/09/Chelsea-transfer-news-enzo-maresca-requests-bayer-leverkusen-wonderkid-as-bliues-send-scouts

The 17-year-old has already caught the eye of several Premier League clubs, with the Blues and Tottenham being huge admirers.

According to sources close to Maresca, we are informed that the Italian had scouts also watching him while he was in charge at Leicester City. For Chelsea, meanwhile, the wonderkid fits their blueprint of bringing the world’s best young footballers to Stamford Bridge.

READ MORE: How a former Chelsea star's court case could KILL the transfer market

Onyeka is a product of Bayer Leverkusen's youth academy, and he is been called up for Germany Under-18s on several occasions.

The versatile midfielder can operate as a central attacking midfielder, central midfielder, or left winger. Onyeka's strengths include precise passing, incredible vision, and excellent link-up play, something which has impressed Maresca.

Bayer will play hardball

In April it was reported via Kicker that Bayer will now invest heavily in bringing through young academy players. There is a feeling that the club would be better served bringing in potential future first-team players rather than footballers who directly strengthen the first XI.

Despite being reigning Bundesliga champions, the club feel that they cannot compete financially with 'England and the multi-club-ownership models in the Premier League.'

Simon Rolfes, the club's director, said:: "That is why it is important to train good players in our own academy or sign them at the age of 16, like Florian Wirtz."

Another player who is highly regarded at the club is Onyeka and Bayer will fight tooth and nail to keep him at the BayArena.

Edited September 26 by Vesper

[Vesper 29,020]

Surprisingly low: Bayern's offer price for Wirtz

https://www.fussballtransfers.com/a1467119340200011389-ueberraschend-niedrig-bayerns-preisvorstellung-bei-wirtz

It has long been known that FC Bayern would like to complete the congenial national team duo Wusiala. But the record champions apparently want to put far less money on the table for Florian Wirtz than Bayer Leverkusen imagines.

This weekend there will be a big clash between the two wonderkids of German football. In the top match of the Bundesliga, record champions Bayern Munich will host reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday evening (6:30 p.m.) . It will also be a duel between Jamal Musiala (21) and Florian Wirtz (21). Both have already proven in the national team that they can work magic together. If it is up to the Munich team, the two attacking players should soon do the same at club level.

While the record champions are working on extending Musiala's contract, they are still dreaming of signing Wirtz from Leverkusen. The club is said to be aiming for this, even if it will not be a cheap undertaking. In the spring, Bayer boss Fernando Carro announced in a widely watched radio interview that Leverkusen would "never let their top technician go for less than 150 million" . But FCB seems to have other ideas, as the 'Abendzeitung' is now reporting.

Bayern wants to push down prices

As a result, those in charge at last season's third-placed club are assuming that Wirtz will be available for significantly less next summer. The national player is expected to cost a maximum of around 100 million euros - so Bayern want to reduce the price by a third. It will be interesting to see what Leverkusen thinks of this asking price.

In addition, Munich will not be the only ones bidding for the playmaker. Real Madrid is also still considered to be interested. And Wirtz is also being watched from the Premier League. Arsenal FC, along with Manchester City, are also said to want to get into the poker game for the right-footer . Wirtz himself recently stressed that he has no idea of a transfer in mind and does not want to deal with the topic at the moment. However, this will probably only apply until next spring at the latest.

[Vesper 29,020]

Barcelona eyeing Mykhailo Mudryk swoop

September 27, 2024 

 

https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2024/09/27/barcelona-eyeing-mykhailo-mudryk-swoop/