Category Archives: Transfer Market

If there’s a transfer on the market, we’re covering it on O-Posts.com for you to read and comment.

Giovani Dos Santos: Former Barca prodigy joins LA Galaxy in the hope of finally becoming a star

  By O-Posts Team | July 20, 2024 - 19:10 | , , , , ,
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“We are committed to assembling the best roster that will compete for championships year in and year out,” were the words of the LA Galaxy president Chris Klein who last week saw Giovanni Dos Santos fill his team’s third designated player slot.

Currently side-lined with an abductor injury suffered whilst away with Mexico in the Gold Cup, Dos Santos is not due to make his debut for the Galaxy until August, but when he does he will join Robbie Keane and Steven Gerrard as Klein, together with head coach Bruce Arena, strives towards achieving his aim of repeated success.

“Giovani is a special player,” said Arena. “He has experience and success competing at the highest level and we believe he will only continue to develop. We are happy to add him to our roster and have confidence he can be an integral part of our success going forward.” Dos Santos undoubtedly possesses the talent to gratify Arena’s optimism and the 11 goals and 8 assists he managed in La Liga just two seasons ago suggests he will not look at of place alongside Keane and Gerrard.

Of course, that is if he produces the form he is widely known to be capable of on a regular basis. Too often Dos Santos has been the underwhelming anti-climactic winger who followed up that excellent year for Villarreal with just one goal and three assists from 27 games last season.

From being named the world’s 5th most exciting player by World Soccer Magazine after breaking into the Barcelona senior team in 2007 to make his debut aged 18, now to the MLS via loan spells at Galatasaray and Ipswich Town, Dos Santos has failed to settle in anywhere since switching to Spurs in 2008 and his talent has suffered for it.

Despite enjoying a successful career with Mexico since making his debut 8 years ago, his club career has simply failed to replicate the same success that won him the Gold Cups of 2009 and 2011 with his country, as well as the Olympics with the under 23s in 2012.

He is the holder of 90 caps for El Tri and scorer of the goals that beat USA in the final of the 2011 Gold Cup and threatened to dump Holland out of last year’s World Cup in the last-16 stage. Veteran of two World Cups and runner-up for the Young Player of the Tournament award in South Africa in 2010, Dos Santos’s tales of his time with the national team will be full of fulfilment and content. At club level however the 26 year old just hasn’t managed to find his way since being billed as the “new Ronaldinho.”

Maybe the sizeable task of living up to that name of having the tag of being a graduate from Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy is the main factor behind the Mexican’s failure to realise his true potential at club level, or rather it could be the misfortunate timing with his managers.

Frank Rijkaard, who integrated Dos Santos into Barca’s senior team as a teenager in 2007/08, a season that ended with a hat-trick in the 5-3 win over Real Murcia, was that summer replaced by Pep Guardiola who immediately sold the winger to Tottenham.

Juande Ramos was the Spurs coach who brought Dos Santos to White Hart Lane and by that October he was fired and in came Harry Redknapp who the Mexican said stymied his progress in London. “It was very frustrating for me because, like every footballer, I just wanted to play. I’d prepare for a game every three days, then not play.”

Dos Santos started just 11 games for Spurs, mainly in the cups as he failed to make a single start in league competition, and four years later, after unsuccessful loans to Ipswich, Galatasaray and Racing Santander, he signed for Mallorca. Despite relegation he finished top scorer with six goals and racked up seven assists, attracting newly promoted Villarreal.

His first season with the Yellow Submarine on top of his year with Mallorca hinted at a resurgence in form but his second year, spent with his brother Jonathon after he followed suit by moving from Barcelona, duly stamped that. Now, La Galaxy have offered Dos Santos the chance to turn his career around in the Americas.

Galaxy have chased Dos Santos for the past four years but have previously been restricted by the MLS guidelines that limit teams to three designated players. A change in the rules this summer allowed a down payment to be made on the contract of Omar Gonzalez, which then freed up one of the DP spots for Dos Santos.

The Mexican will add pace, flashy technique and the benefit, unlike Keane and Gerrard, of having yet to reach the peak of his talents at 26. It is also hoped that his arrival will gain the team more followers from southern California’s Mexican American community, in which it currently enjoys little presence.

“He has the individual flair that sometimes we lack in the final third of the field,” Arena said. “His running off the ball’s good. He can go by people. He has an excellent first touch. He’s a finisher. He can pass. “He’s got all those great little qualities in and around the penalty area.”

They are qualities apparent to many familiar with Dos Santos since he broke onto the scene with Barcelona. Now he is back in the west, he has a great chance to deliver consistently on the vast billing he has never quite realised.

 

Written by Adam Gray

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Adrien Rabiot: Why Tottenham and West Ham should seek the PSG starlet

  By O-Posts Team | July 20, 2024 - 07:23 | , , , , , , ,
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It isn’t really news that Adrien Rabiot is unhappy — with his role — at PSG. The talented youngster has once again demanded to leave the club and his mother and agent was supposed to meet the PSG president to request a move away from the club.

Tottenham have been on his tail for a while now and have been severely linked with the Frenchman in the last two windows. Recent reports say they have reignited their interest in the player. West Ham are also said to be keen on the player.

Even though there isn’t any real indication as to whether Tottenham or West Ham are genuinely interested in the player, it is definitely clear that Rabiot doesn’t want to stay at PSG. The 20-year-old midfielder feels he needs to be play more and it is understandable for him to want to move to a place where he gets more game time, especially if he wants to be chosen for the senior France side for the upcoming Euros.

Spurs need a central midfielder, someone who can command the midfield and do so with conviction and in Rabiot, they will get exactly that.

The Frenchman started his career playing in the suburbs of Paris for US Creteil Lusitanos before Manchester City came offering him a place in their academy. Then 13 year old, Rabiot struggled with life at city as he faced big problems due to the language barrier.

Just six months hence, he decided to leave England and move back to his native France. His boyhood club, PSG came asking for his services and the youngster joined the Parisian giants, quickly making his way up the ranks.

Rabiot is capable of playing anywhere in the midfield, from the holding role to a more box to box attacking role. He has usually been deployed in a deeper role for PSG and has proved his worth. He doesn’t shield the defence and at the same time he doesn’t bombard forward regularly to try and get to the final third. Instead, he sits in the centre and starts plays from the heart of the pitch, to try and orchestrate things from the centre.

His biggest strength has to be his positioning. He is not caught out of position and even if he is, he is quick enough to track back. He is not the bulkiest of players so instead of using his physicality, he uses his vision to help his side. He can thread neat through balls and passes to his teammates and move the play forward.

With competition from the likes Marco Verratti among others for a place in PSG’s midfield, it is understandable why Blanc hasn’t given him the game time he thinks he deserves. He started 10 league games last season and came off the bench in 11. He scored four goals and got an assist to his name last season. With a lack of starts and goal scoring not being his main priority, these stats can show a glimpse of how talented the midfielder is.

Tottenham and West Ham can definitely use a player like him even though he’s not yet the finished article and may take a while for him to get going, if either of the Premier League clubs lands him, they will have a great player for the future within their ranks.

 

 

Written by Aakriti Mehrotra

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Newcastle: Four Signings that Could Boost the Magpies this Season

  By O-Posts Team | July 19, 2024 - 16:14 | , , ,
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Newcastle manager Steve McClaren is into his first pre-season as Magpies boss and has already said the club are close to “one or two” more signings following the recent acquisition of Dutch international Georginio Wijnaldum.

Here are four realistic, potential signings that could significantly boost Newcastle’s chances in the English Premier League this season.

 

Charlie Austin (Striker, QPR)

After plundering 18 goals in the English Premier League last season despite his Queens Park Rangers side being relegated, by the end of the campaign Charlie Austin was on the cusp of making his England debut.

A £15 million fee is being demanded by QPR, with Leicester City having already had a £12 million approach rejected. Newcastle are expected to meet their valuation some time this week and have widely reported to be the club in pole position to sign Austin: betting on the move recently suspended by a number of outlets.

The player himself is said to be keen on relocating to the north-east of England, where his physical strength and uncompromising finishing would add another dimension to Newcastle’s attacking play.

His outstanding goal-scoring record over the past couple of seasons in England makes his acquisition a no-brainer.

 

Aleksandar Mitrovic (Striker, Anderlecht)

The 20 year-old is another striker who has been linked with Newcastle this summer and it was only recently that his family were given a guided tour of St. James’ Park, as the club courted the Serbia international.

A £12 million fee has been mooted in the press and at one point it seemed his acquisition would be a formality, only for the player’s father to intervene: it is believed Mitrovic is now holding out for interest from a club that can offer European football. Chelsea have been linked but it is unlikely Jose Mourinho risk signing a player who is not quite the finished article.

Mitrovic – like Austin – is a towering presence in the penalty area and brilliant in the air. A move to Newcastle would not only bolster United’s attacking stocks but also offer Mitrovic the chance to develop his game in England with regular football.

 

Florian Thauvin (Winger, Marseille)

The Magpies are long-term admirers of Thauvin’s considerable talents and at 22 years-old he fits perfectly into Newcastle United’s transfer policy: one that prioritizes buying young, talented players with a potentially high re-sale value.

Thauvin is not yet a France international but is considered one of the most exciting young players in Europe. His ability to beat players at pace is just the tonic for a Newcastle team desperately lacking in creativity last season.

Indeed, the relative struggles of Remy Cabella – who only joined last season - did nothing to offset the departures of Yohan Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa and Cabella will now be used in a swap deal for Thauvin, according to reports.

 

Chancel Mbemba (Defender, Anderlecht)

The bizarre circumstances surrounding Chancel Mbemba’s registered date of birth might take on added significance, given the Newcastle board’s preference for acquiring younger players.

Nonetheless, his signing could be the surprise of the summer, and might come part of a double-swoop involving his club teammate Aleksandar Mitrovic. The asking price for DR Congo international Mbemba is around £8 million, though the player’s youth means Newcastle will have to invest time in developing the centre-back.

However, a paucity of options in that department – Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson struggled last season, while Steven Taylor’s discipline and fitness troubles are constant – mean that Newcastle manager Steve McClaren will be desperate to sign another central defender before the season starts.

 

Written by Chris Paraskevas

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Fabian Delph: Aston Villa skipper committed an act of betrayal by joining Man City

  By O-Posts Team | July 18, 2024 - 21:14 | , , , ,
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Fabian Delph sits across the Man City club photographer, letting the ink dry on a new 5-year-deal and a nice wage hike due to his international plaudits and an all round good form. Turn the clock back to January and a similar scenario was taking place, but at a different club.

In the biggest set of U-Turns in football for as long as I can remember, Fabian Delph has signed for Manchester City for around £8 million thanks to the attraction of Champions League football and the opportunity to play with world class players.

This comes six days after releasing a statement stating his desire to lead Aston Villa into the new season as captain, a few months off signing a brand new deal with Aston Villa, and publicly announcing how he is proving loyalty still exists in football.

Now as a Villa fan, I well and truly feel betrayed by a player that the club could have easily disbanded at any point and cut our losses – with the player picking up several injuries and getting into a fight at a Birmingham nightclub, but the club stuck with him through thick and thin – realising the investment and the quality.

It seems to the outside looking in that at the first opportunity he left Villa and used us as a springboard which so many players are doing recently; Benteke is another who is expected to leave soon.

However, some may argue that signing a contract got Villa a fee that we can use to replace him with unlike if he didn’t sign a deal which would have seen him leave on a free transfer.

It’s a mixed kind of deal, but whatever the case is it has left a very bitter taste to Aston Villa losing two of their best players within one summer.

However, with around £40 million to reinvest – it is thought that Villa will make a better side with the money while replacing the players that have left.

 

Written by James Clark

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Arturo Vidal: Bayern’s man to replace Schweini may pose more questions than answers

  By O-Posts Team | July 18, 2024 - 15:41 | , , , , , , ,
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Bayern Munich’s chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummennigge wasn’t at the launch of his club’s new kit to hear the jeers from a number of supporters, but he did say he expected it. “I don’t know if they were booing Bayern Munich or just the transfer itself” he told Bild, referring to the exit of Bastian Schweinsteiger to Manchester United.

The midfielder who had won everything with Bayern over 13 years and the friendly face who drank in the local pub and played with friends in the park, Schweini as he is endearingly known to Bayern loyalists, was suddenly leaving Bavaria, where he holds a saint-like status, behind.

Rummennigge, who himself served the German giants for a decade, would have empathised with Bayern’s supporters and would have braced himself for the reaction. He would be aware Schweinsteiger would have been extremely difficult to replace, if not for his expertise on the pitch but for the admiration and worship he received off it.

Juventus’ 28 year old Arturo Vidal may have been identified as the on-field replacement however, in a move that at first glance is most unlike Pep Guardiola. Analyse it to more detail however and it takes on greater levels of curiosity.

Anathema to the graceful ball-movers that the Spaniard usually prefers, Vidal will bring with him tenacity and the raw aggression that earned him 49 bookings in his four years in Italy. Guardiola may be directing Bayern to a shift in style, but with the 44 year old entering the last year of his contract at the Allianz Arena those fond of a conspiracy theory may query if it is Bayern preparing for life without the coach.

If Guardiola is to bow out at the end of his three year deal his time will be unfulfilled if he fails, at the third attempt, to secure the Champions League that Jupp Heynckes discovered couldn’t prevent him from being shuffled aside to make way for the Catalan.

The box of league supremacy has been ticked emphatically, but humbling defeats to Spanish opposition on the continent has left a sour taste in the mouths of the hierarchy who may have even handed Guardiola a show of strength by sanctioning the sale of Schweinsteiger. The politics may be uncertain, but this coming season is undoubtedly pivotal for Guardiola.

The €30 million signing of Brazilian attacking midfielder Douglas Costa from Shakhtar Donetsk suggests he is looking for an injection of pace and he would also get that in abundance from Vidal who operated as the legs for Andrea Pirlo at Juventus.

With Schweinsteiger the one to be offloaded from glut of Bayern midfielders who all appear so similar; Phillip Lahm, Thiago Alcantara, Javi Martinez and Xabi Alonso, Vidal will offer much-needed bite and steel. Guardiola may envisage the Chilean, supported by Alcantara, doing the same dogged shielding job he did for Pirlo at Juve with Alonso.

Given his senior Chile debut by the revolutionary Marcelo Bielsa and a vital cog in the exciting teams of the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, the latter under Jorge Sampaoli which eliminated Spain and nearly did for Brazil, Vidal’s education in the persistent pressing game will appeal to Guardiola who coached it so effectively at Barcelona.

He attempted the most tackles (134) at Juventus last season and won the ball back through challenges and interceptions at a rate of 4.7 per game, stats that will be alluring to Bayern’s studious coach.

Vidal also won this year’s Copa America under Sampaoli’s tutelage, earning himself a place in the team of the tournament, a consolation prize for the failure to secure a Champions League for Juventus under Massimiliano Allegri whose focus on relentless hard-work secured a league and cup double.

It was Vidal’s fourth successive league title in Italy and a £28 million move, with Juve looking to recoup funds after renovating their squad with Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic, Simone Zaza and Roberto Pereyra in a spree which has exceeded £60 million, will see him join a side who enjoy a similar level of domestic dominance. It will be on the continent that will provide the true test of his pedigree and mettle.

It will not always be pretty; Vidal is a persistent fouler and will too often walk the tightrope between the yellow and a second red card, but perhaps for once the idealist in Guardiola isn’t searching for aesthetics.

He will be asking Vidal to prowl fiercely around his midfield to allow his possession-artists to operate, and to drive an irrepressible will to win, the same kind that got Carlos Zambrano of Peru sent-off in the Copa America semi-final. With Vidal in it, Bayern won’t have the same team that bowed with a whimper to both Real Madrid and Barcelona over the course of the past two seasons.

For a reasonable fee in this current market, Vidal will provide a satisfactory replacement for Schweinsteiger and is three years the German’s junior. Though regardless of how much of a fighter he is on the field or how much he work he ploughs through in his midfield station, replacing Schweinsteiger’s Bavarian void will be way beyond him.

 

Written by Adam Gray

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Augusto Batalla: The Argentine stopper that might provide a long-term solution for Real Madrid

  By O-Posts Team | July 17, 2024 - 17:51 | , , , , , ,
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He might not be much of a household name given he is yet to make his senior debut at club level yet, but if River Plate and Argentina’s young goalkeeper Augusto Batalla makes the strongly rumoured switch to Real Madrid then expect to hear a lot more about the 19-year-old.

 

Who is Augusto Batalla?

Born in the neighbourhood of Hurlingham, just west of Buenos Aires, Batalla has been part of River Plate’s youth sides since childhood and despite not appearing for the first team yet is considered by coaches in Argentina to be a player of enormous potential after starring for the Albiceleste under-17s and under-20s.

In 2011, having already caught the attention of coaches whilst playing for River, Batalla travelled to Uruguay for the under-15 South American Championship under the guidance of Miguel Angel Lemme. This was the beginning of a long running connection with the Argentine youth sides and although La Albiceleste could only finish third, Batalla had cemented his position as the number one.

It was in 2013 when Batalla really made scouts take notice when he and has teammates from the under-15s stepped up to under-17 level and lifted the South American Championship on home soil. A month later, River travelled to Spain for the under-17 World Club Championships and it is reported that it was in this tournament that Madrid first began chasing the youngster’s signature.

Real Madrid actually defeated River in the group stage but both sides qualified for the knockout stages where River then defeated Barcelona and Atletico Madrid en route to being crowned champions. Batalla kept clean sheets in both matches and was the penalty hero in the semi-final against Barcalona before being named the goalkeeper of the tournament.

Later in the year Argentina under-17s travelled to the United Arab Emirates for the World Cup but lost in the semi-final to a strong Mexican side. However, that was not to be the end of Batalla’s success in national colours as this January, the under-20s captured the South American Championship.

With three clean sheets from the five matches in the final round, Batalla was of huge importance to the side and although World Cup disappointment followed, the 19-year-old has been earmarked for future success having come through all the youth sides.

 

Are Madrid really looking to tie up a deal?

According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Real Madrid have been tracking Batalla since witnessing his display in the Club World Championship for River in 2013 and a deal has been strongly rumoured ever since.

River president Rodolfo D’onofrio confirmed this link earlier this year and was quoted as saying: “The contract hasn’t been signed yet but in June, Batalla will to to Madrid on a one-year loan, with an option to buy for a large sun.”

This deal hasn’t yet been finalized but the interest is very real. River, like all Argentine clubs, are in desperate need of money as the monthly costs of running the club sees them run at a loss, only to be balanced by player sales.

As much potential as Batalla may have he is yet to have any impact at first team level. The number one spot is filled by the hugely reliable Marcelo Barovero and with the reported figure being touted as high as €10 million it is little wonder that D’onofrio is willing to let Batalla go.

There are few clubs in world football who are able to spend that type of money on a promising young player, who will not be considered for the first team for a number of years but Real are one of them.

 

What will Batalla bring to Madrid?

Well, at this point Batalla will bring nothing more than potential as he will make no impression on the Real Madrid first team for a little while. The idea is that he would go straight into Zinedine Zidane’s Castilla squad alongside the talented Norwegian talent Martin Odegaard but the hope would be that with the correct development, Madrid would have a top goalkeeper for many years.

At six feet two inches, Batalla is not the tallest goalkeeper but is an agile shot stopper and a decent enough penalty box presence at youth level.

With the reported interest of Real Madrid such common knowledge, Batalla’s under-20 coach Humberto Grondona said in January: “Real Madrid are guaranteed a goalkeeper with a brilliant future. Augusto has everything he could need to go continue making progress. It is not just that he has the footballing qualities that make him stand out from the rest, but also that as a person he is very mature for his age.”

Of course, signing any young player comes with no guarantee but Grondona is correct in saying that Batalla has all the tools to be a top goalkeeper.

A move to Real would be a testing one, but would be a wonderful place to develop to the level of world class that Madrid and Argentina would be hoping.

 

Written by Peter Coates

Follow Peter on Twitter @golazoargentino

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Bastian Schweinsteiger: Three Reasons Why He’s Van Gaal’s Most Important Signing

  By O-Posts Team | July 16, 2024 - 16:41 | , , , ,
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Following Bastian Schweinsteiger’s £14.4 million move to Manchester United, we take a look at three reasons why the German international is Louis Van Gaal’s most important signing since he took over the English club.

 

1. Training

One of Louis Van Gaal’s defining traits as a manager is the emphasis he places on training: the Dutchman is meticulous and intense with his conditioning and preparation.

As he grew older, Sir Alex Ferguson gradually favoured a less hands-on approach on the training pitch and this might explain the culture shock that some United players experienced last season under Van Gaal, who himself admitted his more demanding methods were taking their toll.

Injuries and loss of form to key men stole momentum from United’s campaign and the signing of Schweinsteiger is a direct reaction to this. Under Van Gaal at Bayern Munich, the Germany international was famously converted from a wide midfielder his now-favoured holding role.

“Schweinsteiger never played there, so after two weeks of training sessions and two matches, he felt he could do more than ever,” Van Gaal told FIFA.com in 2013.

In other words, Schweinsteiger trusts Van Gaal’s methods and knows what will be expected in pre-season and in between big matches. His faith in the philosophy should inspire other players, young and old, and he will no doubt be one of Van Gaal’s lieutenants in this regard.

After all, Schweinsteiger’s career enjoyed a meteoric rise after being converted by Van Gaal, as Bayern immediately won a league and cup double and narrowly missed out on the UEFA Champions League that season.

 

2. Control

Ultimately, Schweinsteiger’s time at Manchester United will be judged on his performances on the pitch: this is a club where expectations of players are especially high, given the calibre of recent greats (David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Eric Cantona, to name a few).

Schweinsteiger differs from many of his midfield predecessors in his style of play, offering control and rhythm rather than innovation or audacity. He appears to be a replacement for his ageing, English equivalent, Michael Carrick.

This fascinating comparison between the former Bayern Munich lynchpin and Spanish great Xavi provides great insight into the qualities he will bring to United. It is also no coincidence that Van Gaal has previously mentioned both Xavi (whom he handed his Barcelona debut when in charge of the Catalan club) and Schweinsteiger in the same breath, as players he has fostered and developed.

Indeed, United experienced considerable trouble controlling games in midfield and dictating tempo last season, with a number of personnel and combinations attempted in midfield.

Schweinsteiger might not be quite the metronome that Xavi is, but he is one of the Spaniard’s closest contemporaries.

It is ironic then, that Schweinsteiger never flourished under Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich, who implemented a philosophy in which Xavi had previously thrived. The truth – as shown in the above link – is that Schweinsteiger favours a slightly more direct flavour to his midfield play.

Van Gaal is a manager who is slightly more pragmatic than Guardiola and will foster a style of play that is slightly less focused on ball retention.

This will suit Schweinsteiger perfectly, allowing him the freedom to shoot and get forward without compromising his main job: helping United to keep the ball more effectively.

 

3. Leadership

“Basti is an absolute leader and world-class player who can put his stamp on any team, including of course Manchester United,” Germany coach Joachim Low said on www.dfb.de recently.

“He knows Louis van Gaal, who wanted him unconditionally.

“He will approach his new challenge in England like we all know him - with edication and highly-motivated.”

A glowing endorsement from his national team coach and pretty much everyone who has cared to comment on the transfer says it all about Schweinsteiger: he is universally respected for both his achievements on the pitch and the manner in which he conducts himself off it.

Until this point he has been a one-club man and all of the quotes attributed to the 30-year old thus far reflect his professionalism.

Leadership is an area where Manchester United have struggled since Ferguson’s retirement, with Wayne Rooney shouldering much of that burden.

Schweinsteiger’s immense experience – at both international and domestic level – will not only relieve that burden but also bring an added air of confidence and direction to every aspect of the club’s running.

 

Written by Chris Paraskevas

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Munir El-Haddadi: The promising Barca prospect linked with Arsenal and Chelsea

  By O-Posts Team | July 16, 2024 - 13:58 | , , , , , , ,
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For the second summer in succession, one of Barcelona’s most promising young talents is being linked with a move away from the club. If reports are to be believed, Munir El-Haddadi is a target for many top European clubs including Arsenal and Chelsea with the Gunners supposedly in pole position for his signature.

Many football fans may not be too familiar with the player known simply as Munir; after all, he only made his debut for the Blaugrana B team in March 2014 and has only made ten senior league appearances since then. So what is all the fuss about? Why are so many teams interested in the youngster and would the Catalonians be willing to sell?

Munir was born to parents of Moroccan origin and raised in a small town northwest of the Spanish capital. As a child, his favourite team was Real Madrid. His prolific goal scoring record as a youngster eventually secured him a place in the youth ranks of Atletico Madrid at which point he ditched any previous allegiances. Aged just 15, he was sent on loan to CF Rayo Majadahonda where he bagged an incredible 30 goals in 29 matches in the Tercera División.

His record in the Spanish fourth tier drew attention from his boyhood team across the city, but it was Barcelona who made the only firm approach for his services. After just a year at Atletico, Munir was on the books at the Catalan club and made his debut at youth level.

His style of play and ability to score goals soon attracted lazy comparisons to other top players including Lionel Messi. At UEFA youth league level, Munir averaged a goal a game for Barca and was voted the outstanding player in 2013-14. During a game against Benfica in July 2014, he became a social media hit after scoring from the halfway line.

His performances prompted new coach Luis Enrique to give the youngster first team opportunities during the 2014-15 season. He made an instant impact by scoring on his debut in the 3-0 win against Elche at the Camp Nou and made a further nine appearances in the league. He also featured six times in the Copa del Rey and Champions League campaigns.

With Pedro’s future in doubt, it seems crazy that the Catalan club would sell a player with such talent and potential. Any new players that Luis Enrique recruits this summer will not be able to play until January and as a result, Munir will be a valuable asset to the squad in the coming months. The coach has also expressed his intention to continue developing the player so if he does move, a loan would be most likely.

In the unlikely event that a permanent transfer does occur, Arsenal would be the most likely destination. Arsene Wenger has previously taken Barca youth players Jon Toral and Hector Bellerin to the Emirates and of course Cesc Fabregas made the same move eleven years ago.

The one thing that is certain is that Munir has a big future ahead of him and wherever he ends up; he is set to be a star.

 

Written by Neil Morris

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Angel Di Maria: The Argentine could wave goodbye to United, but will still be a huge coup for PSG

  By O-Posts Team | July 15, 2024 - 20:58 | , , , , ,
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In the midst of the excitement borne out of the frenzy of free spending that has landed Manchester United Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin, there is some warning to be found in the tale of Angel Di Maria that big reputations partnered with big fees will not always be the formula for success. A year since United shelled out a British record sum of £59.7 million for Di Maria, it seems that fresh interest from Paris St Germain may end his short-lived time in England.

Louis Van Gaal may be reluctant to admit his time with the winger, who was the headline of his first transfer window in charge, is up after just one season but the Dutchman, who has given indications to his ruthless streak by flogging his countryman Robin Van Persie to Fenerbahce, will appreciate that it is business.

Van Gaal’s total summer outlay has neared £70 million with the signings of Memphis Depay and Matteo Darmian as well as Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin, and with the potential of more to come, a reported £43 million sale will be an important recoup of funds. United’s eye-watering revenue streams means Financial Fair Play regulations are never a concern at Old Trafford but a chance to balance the books will be welcomed as they look to fund moves for PSG’s Edinson Cavani, possibly as a direct swap for Di Maria, and Valencia’s Nicolas Otamendi.

PSG meanwhile have benefitted from the relaxation in the FFP ruling that prevented them from beating United to Di Maria’s signature last year. UEFA sanctions handed to the French champions for breaking the governing bodies’ rules on finances have been identified by Nasser Al Khelaifi, PSG’s Qatari owner, as the main reason behind their failure to lure Di Maria directly from Madrid.

The announcement from UEFA president Michel Platini in May about the easing of those restrictions has permitted PSG to enter the market with the same aggression that previously snared David Luiz, Thiago Silva, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lucas Moura, Marquinhos and Cavani as their ambitious owners, the Qatari Investment Authority, sought to establish their club as a European powerhouse. Their refreshed spending powers has reportedly allowed them to offer Di Maria a package of the same £200,000-a-week wages he is currently on at United.

Their work in this summer’s market has so far been slow, spending £7 million on Serge Aurier from Toulouse and £6.6 million on Eintracht Frankfurt’s Kevin Trapp, deals offset by the £9 million sale of Yohann Cabaye to Crystal Palace. But a move for Di Maria will be a statement of intent in-keeping with their desire to make it deeper into the Champions League than the quarter-final stage that has so far been an impasse for the club under Carlo Ancelotti and Laurent Blanc.

Di Maria of course won that competition with Real Madrid only 14 months ago and was a vital part of his country’s run to the World Cup final just a month later before injury robbed him of the chance to compete against Germany in the Maracanã showpiece. He moved to United as La Liga’s leading assist maker and as the player Cristiano Ronaldo personally lobbied Florentino Perez not to sell.

Man of the match in the 4-1 triumph over rivals Atletico as Real brought home La Decima and a big part of the 2012 La Liga championship under Jose Mourinho having fought back from a difficult start to the season, Di Maria’s stock was extremely high. His genius apparent, Van Gaal could justify all of the money it took to buy him.

Back then, that is. Di Maria ended his season of struggle at United with just one start in the last eight games after getting sent off for pulling the referee’s shirt in an FA Cup tie with Arsenal. Before then hamstring injuries had blocked a promising start in which he was named player of the month for September and illustrated his vast talent with an audacious chipped goal against Leicester. Off the field, there was also the misfortunate case of his house being attacked by men with scaffolding poles.

Di Maria witnessed the incident with his wife and daughter who probably would have met with relief Van Gaal’s announcement in May that he would be interested in selling the winger if he asked to leave. United’s raft of new arrivals is likely to mean there will be a shift to a 4-3-3 and no room for Di Maria in the midfield role he prefers, leaving the position on the right-flank of an attacking trio where he will face competition from Juan Mata.

Though with 11 assists last term he was United’s creative player and he remains for Van Gaal a vital asset who can dictate the pace of a game with his intelligence and guile, as he did in the away victory over Liverpool in which he produced a delicate lofted pass for Mata to dispatch the game’s winning goal. He is still the player that can produce pivotal performances of the kind that guided Argentina past Paraguay in the semi-finals of the Copa America with a 6-1 win.

Though he limped off with injury in the final defeat to Chile, his two goals and an assist in the demolition of Paraguay posed a dilemma for Van Gaal as much as it would have attracted PSG.

With the Dutchman toying with the temptation to try and find a way of fitting Di Maria into his side and PSG looking for a replacement for Ezequiel Lavezzi who is set on a return to Italy, there are many questions to answer but with a hugely talented player determined to get his club career back on track at the centre of them all.

 

Written by Adam Gray

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Asmir Begovic: Can the Bosnian challenge Courtois for a first team place at Chelsea?

  By O-Posts Team | July 15, 2024 - 18:29 | , , ,
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Asmir Begovic has ditched Staffordshire-based Stoke City and moved into the big city and give himself a massive challenge – to fight for a first team place against one of the most coveted young goalkeepers in the world, Thibaut Courtois.

Begovic started his career off at Portsmouth, he was farmed out several times wanting first team football during his time at the club – but when the Bosnian and Herzegovina international joined Stoke 5 years ago, and it would have been hard to see him joining a club within the top four.

The growth and development of Begovic is impressive. His shot stopping, positioning and composure have all improved during his time at Stoke and ultimately will go on to help Chelsea in the several competitions they’re participating in throughout the year.

Depth is important for Jose Mourinho this season, as was evident in the signings he made last season – but even more so with the signings he has already made. Falcao for example, seemingly a replacement for Didier Drogba, may have had a bad season but is still a player of undoubted quality.

Begovic is just another part of that. Mourinho is ambitious and likes to spend money, and he is at the perfect club to do just that. Mourinho wouldn’t admit it but he is setting his squad up for a massive season, to try and compete for not just one trophy but two or maybe even three.

With an abundance of Premier League experience and a goal to his name, Asmir Begovic shouldn’t have any problems fitting in to life at Chelsea Football Club, and for a modest fee of £8m it should see a nice healthy profit after the sale of Petr Cech in the goalkeeping department this season.

Champions League experience is what Begovic would have joined Chelsea for, to prove himself on the big stage, and there is no doubt he has the quality to live up to that standard.

 

Written by James Clark

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