03 Apr 2023 23:54:53
Hi eds,

You mentioned Ugarte won't be joining neither Kone. However, we have been look at DM players if you have already said who then sorry but who are looking at luis of Benfica you said would cost his release clause options are limited would you say.

Thanks.

{Ed002's Note -
Alan Varela (DM) Boca youngster interesting Barcelona, Chelsea and Benfica. Newcastle, Liverpool and Braga have also sent scouts to watch the player. Questionable whether he would immediately be able to get a Work Permit to play in England or be an immediate first team player.
Florentino (DM) Scouts continue to watch Benfica but they have no interest in selling Florentino Luis unless his buy out clause is met. Seen by Real Madrid as a Casemiro replacement. Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool spoke with his agent last summer. Manchester City want to upgrade Kalvin Phillips and Florentino fits the bill. Benfica have said they do not intend to sell. For Liverpool he would realistically be a Fabinho replacement but they will be priced out of a move. PSG were interested a year ago but have moved on.
Ruben Neves (DM/CM) Wolves would look to get €50M should Neves be sold, and they may be more accepting of that now. Mr Mourinho is a huge fan and has tried to take him to three different clubs in the past - and he would, I am sure, be interested in taking him to Roma but their focus right now is elsewhere and there is no guarantee he will be there after the summer. He was always been seen as an option to replace Matic at Manchester United, but they didn't act at the time and had other priorities to deal with first and preferred options and now they have Casemiro. Unclear if they still might make an offer or perhaps see Nunes as more versatile. His agent has been actively offering him around and has spoken with Juventus who are looking to offload players but none that I would expect Wolves to be interested in and they have other priorities for their cash. Newcastle have a declared interest. Prior interest of Spurs and Liverpool may remain - and Paratici is certainly a fan. I suspect Liverpool see Nunes as more versatile. Arsenal interest has likely gone. Chelsea have other targets. There has been a discussion with Barcelona - but there is a huge difference in valuation and they are looking at others now.
Khephren Thuram (DM/CM) Interest of Manchester United has returned. Interest of Newcastle and Crystal Palace remains although I would discount Crystal Palace. RBL want him as a Laimer replacement and will push following initial discussions. Liverpool asked Nice about his availability given that they looking to add a more DM player and he could become foirst choice. If interest grows his price will rise and the club would sell given the emergence of Alexis Beka Beka and an impressive youngster in Reda Belahyane. Player wants PSG but they have no interest at this time.
Arthur Melo (DM/CM) May make enough of an impression for Liverpool to look for a reduced fee. Unlikely.
Ismael Bennacer (DM/CM) Player wants to stay and sign a new contract but financial demands are high. Interest of Manchester City has gone. Team Riaola are now involved and they will talk with Chelsea knowing that they have a need for such a player and that Milan and Chelsea are already discussing a number of other players. A return to Arsenal seems less likely although they may be keen. Manchester United and Liverpool are wildcard options but both have other targets. This could simply be a means to push Milan into increasing their offer. I suspect he will get the additional money he wants.
Matheus Nunes (CM/DM) Liverpool have looked at the Wolves player. Do not rule out Manchester City letting Kalvin Phillips go and replacing him with Nunes.
Adrian Rabiot (CM/DM) Juventus are looking to replace their midfield misfits (Zakaria, Arthur, McKennie, and Rabiot). They are looking to fund replacements they have already identified. Rabiot will, like every other player, be offered to Newcastle. A third party has been instructed to find him a new home and whilst he could have been used in part exchanges he has let his contract run down and will leave as a Free Agent in the summer. He was offered to Chelsea as part of a deal for any of several Chelsea players Juventus are interested in, but Chelsea wanted to keep transfers as clean as possible. With Manchester United struggling to find midfield players, he becomes a squad option but the wages being asked could kill off any deal. A return to PSG is seen as an option but PSG have preferred targets. Monaco is a good option. Approaches have been made to Barcelona - but they will look to others, and Arsenal who have a much preferred target but should not be discounted. Liverpool, Everton, Newcastle and Spurs may provide wildcard options and I would not rule out Liverpool or Arsenal trying to negotiate a deal. Out of contract in the summer.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (CM/AM/DM) Will be offered a new contract - if he refuses, which he will, they will only then look to sell. Juventus are very keen as they look to replenish their midfied, but Lazio will seek a huge fee which won't suit Juventus, but realistically his value has halved as he will only have 12 months left on his contract by the summer. There was also a discussion with Chelsea but they have other targets. Arenal offer an option but he would likely be an alternative to Declan Rice. West Ham and Newcastle will offer less tempting solutions to the player. Potentially another alternative to Bellingham for Manchester United and Liverpool who both know that he has become financially viable as he enters the last year of his contract this summer. Very versatile and would be a great signing if it could be done.

1.) 04 Apr 2023
04 Apr 2023 12:17:21
Thanks Ed002, That's my fix for a while.

2.) 04 Apr 2023
04 Apr 2023 13:26:59
Thanks mister Ed002.

3.) 04 Apr 2023
04 Apr 2023 18:46:39
Cheers Ed 2.

4.) 04 Apr 2023
04 Apr 2023 18:55:58
Crikey, Ed. Thank you!