Soccer Wiretap

Eddie Howe: Bruno Guimaraes' $125M Release Clause Expires In June

Apr 26, 2024 2:25 PM

Eddie Howe has revealed that Newcastle's £100 million ($125 million) release clause on Bruno Guimaraes expires in June.

“Having that was well planned and structured in the sense that there’s a finish point,” said Howe. “We don’t want a summer of speculation. I don’t think that would be healthy for the player or for us.”

Howe is desperate to build his roster around Guimaraes, but if a club meets the release clause, it would allow Newcastle to use those funds this summer. 

Howe is optimistic the short window will keep Guimaraes on his squad.

“We want to keep Bruno,” he said. “We want to build our team around him. He’s an integral part of what we’re doing. His form has been very good. He seems very happy and settled here. He’s a big part of where we can hopefully take the team. But we’re not in control of that so we shall see.”

Louise Taylor/The Guardian

Tags: Newcastle United, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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Manchester City Has 71 Percent Chance To Win EPL After Liverpool Loss

Apr 26, 2024 12:28 PM

With their loss to Everton this week, Liverpool has essentially fallen out of the running to win the Premier League. Liverpool's odds have dropped to +3300 heading into the weekend, which is less than a three percent implied probability. 

Manchester City are the favorites at -250 (71 percent), followed by Arsenal at +200 (33 percent).

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RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City

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Arne Slot Expects To Become Next Manager Of Liverpool

Apr 25, 2024 9:32 PM

Arne Slot has confirmed he would like to leave Feyenoord to become the next manager of Liverpool. Slot has two seasons remaining on his contract and it will take a compensation fee of approximately €10 million to release him from his deal.

Jurgen Klopp is stepping down as manager of Liverpool at the conclusion of the season.

“The only thing I can say about it is that the clubs are in negotiations – and then you sit in the waiting room and wait for what will come out. It seems clear to me that I would like to go to Liverpool,” he said. “Now I am waiting to see whether the clubs reach an agreement. I have every ­confidence in that.”

Slot added: “The clubs have to do their job and then I am waiting, and as the ‘main character’ I have to respect that. It will undoubtedly become clear in the coming days. It’s no secret that I want to go to Liverpool.”

Mark Dobson/The Guardian

Tags: Liverpool, Misc Rumor

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Xavi Reverses Decision, Will Remain As Barcelona Manager Next Season

Apr 24, 2024 9:47 PM

Xavi has agreed to remain as manager of Barcelona until the end of his contract at the end of the 24-25 season. Xavi previously announced he would step down at the end of the current season.

Barcelona vice president Rafa Yuste appeared to confirm the agreement when exiting the meeting late Wednesday night.

"We had a meeting with the coach and the president in which Xavi showed us his commitment," he told reporters. "He is a Barça guy, he is the coach who can lead our project and our young players from the club. I am convinced that he will do a great job, I am very happy for him because he is a great 'culé.'

"I am happy [with Xavi staying] because I always defended the continuity of the project he started two-and-a-half years ago.

"We have not talked [in the meeting] about changes in our team at all. Xavi has shown his enthusiasm and we must support him and his staff to continue with this project."

Xavi was appointed manager in 2021 and led them to win their first LaLiga title in four seasons last year.

Sam Marsden, Moises Llorens/ESPN

Tags: Barcelona, Misc Rumor

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Erik Ten Hag To Take 25 Percent Cut Next Season With United Out Of UCL

Apr 24, 2024 9:45 PM

Erik ten Hag will face a 25 percent pay reduction next season if he is retained as manager of Manchester United due to the club's failure to quality for the Champions League.

Ten Hag signed a three-year contract after leaving Ajax to join United in May 2022.

United's new football regime, headed by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, have been exploring possible alternatives to Ten Hag by assessing the qualities of other managers including England's Gareth Southgate, Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi, Brentford's Thomas Frank and Wolves' Gary O'Neil.

Mark Ogden/ESPN

Tags: Manchester United, Misc Rumor

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Arne Slot Emerges As Leading Candidate For Liverpool Job

Apr 24, 2024 11:55 AM

Feyenoord manager Arne Slot has been identified by Liverpool as a leading candidate to replace Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool's interest in Sporting CP coach Ruben Amorim has reportedly cooled. Slot has emerged ahead of Amorim and Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi in the race to replace Klopp.

Xabi Alonso was Liverpool's top choice, but he decided to remain with Bayer Leverkusen. 

Slot, 45, rejected Premier League advances from both Chelsea and Tottenham last season in order to remain at Feyenoord. 

Mark Ogden/ESPN

Tags: Liverpool, Misc Rumor

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Aston Villa Extends Unai Emery's Contract Through 2027

Apr 23, 2024 10:19 AM

Aston Villa have exercised their one-year option on the contract of Unai Emery to extend his stay at least through 2027.

Bayern Munich and Barcelona had interest in Emery as they look to fill their vacancy.

Emery is on course to lead Villa into the Champions League and, after reaching the Europa Conference League semi-finals, he could deliver the club’s first major trophy since 1996. 

Emery has transformed Villa since succeeding Steven Gerrard 18 months ago .

Villa finished seventh last season and are six points clear of Spurs for fourth place, though Tottenham has two matches in hand.

Ben Fisher/The Guardian

Tags: Aston Villa, Misc Rumor

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Xavi Willing To Listen To Barcelona's Pitch On Returning Next Season

Apr 22, 2024 2:18 PM

Xavi hasn't made a final decision on his future as manager of Barcelona as the club makes a push for him to remain in charge next season. 

Xavi announced in January that he planned to step down as manager at the end of the season, but there has been a push to have him reverse his decision.

President Joan Laporta, vice president Rafa Yuste and sporting director Deco have all voiced their desire for Xavi to remain at the helm.

Barcelona are unable to invest significant money in a new manager due to the club's financial issues.

Xavi could reconsider his decision if he receives certain guarantees with regard to squad planning and signings ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Sam Marsden, Moises Llorens/ESPN

Tags: Barcelona, Misc Rumor

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Thomas Tuchel Prefers Return To Premier League Over Barcelona

Apr 22, 2024 2:09 PM

Thomas Tuchel has received interest from Barcelona for their managerial job, but he reportedly prefers a return to the Premier League.

Tuchel will leave Bayern Munich this summer.

Tuchel managed Chelsea between January 2021 and September 2022. Erik ten Hag's future with Manchester United is in doubt.

Tuchel, however, has not ruled out the Barcelona job. Rafael Marquez and Hansi Flick are also candidates for Barcelona. 

Rob Dawson/ESPN

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

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Jude Bellingham's Goal Beats Barcelona, Likely Secures LaLiga Title

Apr 21, 2024 10:33 PM

Real Madrid all but clinched LaLiga with their 3-2 victory over Barcelona in El Clasico on Sunday. Real Madrid is 11 points clear with six matches remaining.

With the match tied at 2-2 as stoppage time began, Jude Bellingham scored on a pass from Lucas Vazquez at the far post. Bellingham has now scored 17 goals in LaLiga as he continues perhaps the best debut season for Real Madrid since Alfredo di Stefano. 

Both Real Madrid and Barcelona entered the match carrying the weight of their Champions League matches midweek. For Barcelona, they had an extra day of rest but had a disappointing result against Paris Saint-Germain. Real Madrid defeated Manchester City in penalties, but they played an extra 30 minutes and had one fewer day of rest.

Sid Lowe/The Guardian

Tags: Barcelona, Real Madrid

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Guardiola: I Don't Know How We Survived Two Days Rest Before FA Cup

Jaime Jackson/The Guardian

Zinedine Zidane Hasn't Had Talks With Bayern

Julien Laurens/ESPN

Pep Guardiola: Cole Palmer Wanted To Leave City For Two Seasons

Rob Dawson/ESPN

LaLiga Could Drop From Five To Three Champions League Spots

Dermot Corrigan/ESPN

Pep Guardiola: I Absolutely Don't Have Any Regrets After UCL Exit

Jamie Jackson/The Guardian

Daniele De Rossi To Remain Manager Of Roma Next Season

ESPN

Real Madrid, Bayern, PSG, Dortmund Reach Champions League Semifinals

RealGM Staff Report

Rafa Marquez Emerges As Candidate For Barcelona Job

Sam Marsden, Moises Llorens/ESPN

Kylian Mbappe: I Dream Of Winning Champions League For Paris

ESPN

Jude Bellingham: LaLiga Needs To Fix 'Massive' Racism Issues

Alex Kirkland, Rodrigo Faez/ESPN

Bayer Leverkusen Clinch First Bundesliga Title

Pep Guardiola: We Are In Big Big Trouble With Injuries, Fatigue

ESPN

97 Real Madrid Academy Graduates Currently Playing In Europe

Rory Smith/New York Times

Luis Enrique: I Embody Barcelona Philosophy More Than Xavi

Sam Marsden, Moises Llorens/ESPN

Monterrey Coach Apologizes For Calling Lionel Messi 'Possessed Dwarf'

The Guardian

Everton Receives Two-Point Deduction For 2nd Breach Of Financial Rules

Andy Hunter/The Guardian

Lionel Messi Reportedly Confronted Monterrey In Locker Room

Lizzy Becherano/ESPN

Chelsea Want To Keep Reece James Despite Financial Pressures

James Olley/ESPN

Spurs In Talks With Prospective Investors Amid Major Financial Losses

The Guardian

Liverpool Have 48 Percent Odds Of Winning Premier League

RealGM Staff Report