May 2023 - Soccer Wiretap

Chelsea Breaks Premier League Record In Signing Enzo Fernandez

Jan 31, 2023 9:10 PM

Chelsea have signed Enzo Fernandez from Benfica after meeting his £106.8 million release clause. 

The deal breaks the previous Premier League record fee of £100m that Manchester City paid for Jack Grealish when he joined from Aston Villa in 2021.

The 22-year-old impressed for Argentina as they won the 2022 World Cup and was named the Young Player of the Tournament.

Benfica boss Roger Schmidt was not keen on seeing Fernandez leave, but had previously said their hands would be tied if a club paid the player's release clause.

ESPN

Tags: Benfica, Chelsea, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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United Signs Marcel Sabitzer On Loan From Bayern

Jan 31, 2023 9:09 PM

Manchester United have signed Marcel Sabitzer on loan from Bayern Munich.

United moved for Sabitzer after Christian Eriksen was ruled out for at least three months with an ankle injury. 

"Marcel is a player that we have watched for a long time," Man United football director John Murtough said.

"The opportunity arose quickly, and we knew that he was someone with the ability and character to make an impact. He adds further quality to our squad and experience to the dressing room, and all of us are pleased to be welcoming him to Manchester United."

Rob Dawson/ESPN

Tags: Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Loan, Misc Rumor

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Arsenal Signs Jorginho From Chelsea

Jan 31, 2023 9:06 PM

Arsenal have signed Jorginho from Chelsea for £12 million after they were unsuccessful in convincing Brighton to sell Moises Caicedo.

Arsenal had been looking to add depth in the midfield. 

“I was a bit surprised, but I took the opportunity of this amazing challenge,” Jorginho said. “It’s an important shirt. It’s an amazing club.”

Jorginho would have left for free in the summer. 

Jacob Steinberg/The Guardian

Tags: Arsenal, Chelsea, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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Weston McKennie To Join Leeds From Juve On Loan With Buy Option

Jan 30, 2023 11:25 AM

Weston McKennie is undergoing a medical at Leeds United ahead of a season-long loan move from Juventus.

The move to Elland Road would initially be on loan for a fee in the region of £1.5 million, sources have said that Leeds will have the option to sign McKennie on a permanent deal for £35 million at the end of the season.

McKennie, 24, would become the third USMNT player to move to Leeds, following Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson.

Mark Ogden/ESPN

Tags: Juventus, Leeds United

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Bayern Close To Loan For City's Joao Cancelo

Jan 30, 2023 11:20 AM

Bayern Munich is closing in on a loan move for Joao Cancelo of Manchester City.

Bayern wants the deal to include a buy option in the summer for €70 million. 

Cancelo's relationship with Pep Guardiola has broken down and he's keen to leave. Guardiola is open to letting Cancelo leave after being impressed with Rico Lewis' emergence and with Nathan Ake's performance at left-back.

Rob Dawson/ESPN

Tags: Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Loan, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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Messi, Mbappe, Benzema Headline Guardian's 2022 Top 100

Jan 27, 2023 2:36 PM

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema, Erling Haaland and Luka Modric comprise the top-5 of The Guardian's Top-100 footballers in the world for 2022.

Robert Lewandowski ranked first last year with Messi ranked second. Cristiano Ronaldo dropped from No. 8 to No. 51.

  1. Lionel Messi
  2. Kylian Mbappe
  3. Karim Benzema
  4. Erling Haaland
  5. Luka Modric
  6. Kevin De Bruyne
  7. Robert Lewandowski
  8. Vinicius Junior
  9. Thibaut Courtois
  10. Mohamed Salah
  11. Sadio Mane
  12. Neymar
  13. Harry Kane
  14. Jude Bellingham
  15. Casemiro
  16. Achraf Hakimi
  17. Antoine Griezmann
  18. Federico Valverde
  19. Pedri
  20. Emiliano Martinez
  21. Enzo Fernandez
  22. Bukayo Saka
  23. Rafael Leao
  24. Phil Foden
  25. Jamal Musiala
  26. Son Heung-min
  27. Virgial van Dijk
  28. Bruno Fernandes
  29. Bernando Silva
  30. Olivier Giroud
  31. Josko Gvardiol
  32. Julian Alvarez
  33. Christopher Nkunku
  34. Alisson
  35. Martin Odegaard
  36. Joao Cancelo
  37. Gavi
  38. Angel Di Maria
  39. Toni Kroos
  40. Khvicha Kvaratshelia
  41. Joshua Kimmich
  42. David Alaba
  43. Yassine 'Bono' Bounou
  44. Ruben Dias
  45. Aurelien Tchouameni
  46. Theo Hernandez
  47. Alexis Mac Alliser
  48. Rodrigo De Paul
  49. Sofyan Amrabat
  50. Cody Gakpo
  51. Cristiano Ronaldo
  52. Victor Osimhen
  53. Rodri
  54. Ederson
  55. Ilkay Gundogan
  56. Antonio Rudiger
  57. Riyad Mahrez
  58. Marcus Rashford
  59. Luis Dias
  60. Trent Alexander-Arnold
  61. Richarlison
  62. Gabriel Jesus
  63. Hakim Ziyech
  64. Alphonso Davies
  65. Marquinhos
  66. Dusan Vlahovic
  67. Eder Militao
  68. Marcelo Brozovic
  69. Ousmane Dembele
  70. Lautaro Martinez
  71. Dominik Livakovic
  72. Cristian Romero
  73. Nicolo Barella
  74. Mike Maignan
  75. Thiago Silva
  76. Hugo Lloris
  77. Fabinho
  78. Mehdi Taremi
  79. Azzedine Ounahi
  80. Kalidou Koulibaly
  81. Lisandro Martinez
  82. Darwin Nunez
  83. Aleksandar Mitrovic
  84. Kyle Walker
  85. Raphael Varane
  86. Dayot Upamecano
  87. Ciro Immobile
  88. Declan Rice
  89. Frankie de Jong
  90. Bruno Guimaraes
  91. Manuel Neuer
  92. Giorgian de Arrascaeta
  93. Rodrygo
  94. Reece James
  95. Serge Gnabry
  96. Sandro Tonali
  97. Andrew Robertson
  98. Leroy Sane
  99. Gabriel Barbosa
  100. Nicolas Otamendi

The Guardian

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Arsenal Submits $74M Bid To Brighton For Moises Caicedo

Jan 27, 2023 2:34 PM

Arsenal has submitted a £60 million ($74 million) bid to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton.

Chelsea had a £55 million bid for Caicedo rejected. 

Mikel Arteta said this week he wanted a midfielder because of a knee injury to Mohamed Elneny. 

Fabrizio Romano/The Guardian

Tags: Brighton & Hove Albion, Arsenal, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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United States To Host 2024 Copa America

Jan 27, 2023 2:32 PM

The United States will host the 2024 Copa America.

The format will feature 16 teams, 10 from CONMEBOL and six from CONCACAF, with teams from the North, Central American and Caribbean confederation qualifying via the 2023-24 CONCACAF Nations League tournament.

The Copa America features all South American national teams, including Brazil and Argentina, but has also historically invited guest countries to participate.

Argentina is the defending Copa America and World Cup champion.

The U.S. have participated in the tournament four times previously.

Sam Borden/ESPN

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Newcastle Buys Anthony Gordon From Everton

Jan 27, 2023 12:01 PM

Newcastle has agreed to buy Anthony Gordon from Everton in a deal worth up to £40 million.

Gordon missed three days of training as negotiations continued and had wanted the move.

Chelsea was previously interested in Gordon as well, who has struggled this season.

Andy Hunter/The Guardian

Tags: Everton, Newcastle United, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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Everton Hires Sean Dyche As Manager

Jan 27, 2023 11:59 AM

Everton has hired Sean Dyche as manager after Marcelo Bielsa passed on the job.

Bielsa was first choice, but he didn't want to take over until the summer as he didn't want to take on a relegation battle.

Dyche has been out of work since being sacked by Burnley in April.

Andy Hunter/The Guardian

Tags: Everton, Misc Rumor

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Claudio Reyna Steps Down As Sporting Director Of Austin FC

Jeff Carlisle/ESPN

Earnie Stewart Leaves USMNT Post To Join PSV

Jeff Carlisle/ESPN

English Clubs Spent Over $2 Billion On Transfers In 2022

ESPN

Anthony Gordon Skips Training Hoping For Move To Newcastle

Mark Ogden/ESPN

Spurs Beat Everton For Arnaut Danjuma Loan

David Ornstein/The Athletic

Newcastle Confident They'll Buy Anthony Gordon From Everton

Luke Edwards/The Telegraph

Everton Hopes To Hire Marcelo Bielsa As Manager

Andy Hunter/The Guardian

Chelsea Hoping for $43.5M Transfer For Malo Gusto Of Lyon

Julien Laurens/ESPN

Everton Fires Frank Lampard As Manager

Andy Hunter/The Guardian

Arsenal Signs Leandro Trossard From Brighton

ESPN

Chelsea Moved Fast To Beat Arsenal To Mykhailo Mudryk

James Olley/ESPN

Atleti Signs Memphis Depay From Barcelona

Sam Marsden, Moises Llorens/ESPN

Apple To Bid On Premier League Rights In UK

Matt Hughes/Daily Mail

Arsenal Increase Efforts To Sign William Saliba To Extension

James Olley/ESPN

Jurgen Klopp: I Will Not Leave Liverpool

ESPN

Marcelo Bielsa Emerges As Favorite To Become Manager Of Mexico

Cesar Hernandez/ESPN

Aston Villa Buys Jhon Duran From Chicago For $18M

Jeff Carlisle/ESPN

Arsenal Submits Third Bid To Shakhtar For Mykhailo Mudryk

James Olley/ESPN

Christian Pulisic Out Two Months With Knee Injury

James Olley/ESPN

Gareth Bale Retires From Soccer At 33

Ben Fisher/The Guardian