Man Utd step up interest in Ederson & Fernandes
Latest from Your Site News' team of reporters:
Manchester United have stepped up their interest in Atalanta midfielder Ederson and West Ham's Mateus Fernandes.
United want to sign at least two new midfielders this summer and are currently working on a shortlist of several leading contenders.
The aim is to position themselves to make an offer once their preferred targets come into focus and the current variables play themselves out.
In that vein, United will not give up on Nottingham Forest's Eilliot Anderson, but the increasing likelihood that he ends up at Man City means work has intensified on other players - and Ederson and Fernandes are high among them.
Ederson had looked destined for Atletico Madrid but a pivot from the Spanish club towards Wolves' Joao Gomes - another name on United's radar - in part because of the financials involved, has opened the door for United and other clubs on the Brazilian.
Reports of an agreement on personal terms between Ederson and United are not accurate, however,Your Site News has been told.
Fernandes too has impressed United this season along with a number of other clubs, and if West Ham are relegated - as they are 85% likely to do according to Opta - then it will be clearer how gettable he is and how much he will cost.
Brighton's Carlos Baleba also remains a top target for United and a lot of work on him has already been done, with Your Site News revealing their intent to try and sign him in January. One source claims United would be keen get him in before the World Cup.
Aurelian Tchouameni also remains a player of interest to United but there is much still to play out at Real Madrid despite his clash with team-mate Federico Valvarde, including the increasing likelihood of Jose Mourinho's arrival as manager.
Other names on United's longlist include Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton and Bournemouth duo Tyler Adams and Alex Scott. Younger prospects include Lille's Ayoub Bouaddi and Olympiakos player Christos Mouzakitis.
Casillas: I don't want Mourinho at Real Madrid
Iker Casillas has demanded that Real Madrid do not hire Jose Mourinho as head coach.
Mourinho is highly likely to be named as Real's new boss - 13 years after he left his first stint at the club.
In Mourinho's final season, he dropped captain Casillas as No 1 goalkeeper in one of many tricky relationships he had with his players.
And Casillas says that while he has no personal issue with the Special One, he believes he is not the right man for the job.
"I have no problem with Mourinho. He seems like a great professional to me," Casillas wrote on X.
"I don't want him at Real Madrid. I think other coaches would be better equipped to coach at the club of my life.
"Personal opinion, nothing more."
Mourinho rumours continue as Real Madrid president calls press conference
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez will address the media on Tuesday evening amid reports Jose Mourinho has agreed to return to the club as head coach.
The Portuguese is reported to have struck a deal with the Spanish clubs management, with Perez said to be the main driver in bringing Mourinho back to the Bernabeu.
Mourinho has been at Benfica since 2025 and previously served as Real Madrid coach between 2010 and 2013.
In his first spell Real won La Liga in 2012 and the Copa del Rey the season before. He moved to Madrid off the back of winning the Champions League with Inter Milan.
The 63-year-old left Madrid by mutual agreement at the end of the 2012-13 season.
Real appointed Alvaro Arbeloa as interim head coach in January following the departure of Xabi Alonso after less than eight months in charge.
Arbeloas stint has been a turbulent and eventful one. Real lost out to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals and have been eclipsed by bitter rivals Barcelona in the race for La Liga.
There have also been numerous issues to contend with among his playing squad, not least a violent clash between midfielders Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni last week.
Earlier this season Mourinho was accused of gaslighting Real forward Vinicius Junior by anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out in comments he made following the Champions League play-off clash against Benfica in February, when the Brazilian alleged he had been racially abused by Benficas Gianluca Prestianni.
Mourinho said to Amazon Prime: There is something wrong because it happens in every stadium. A stadium where Vinicius plays, something happens, always.
The allegation of racism was found not proven but Prestianni was later banned for six matches three suspended and one already served by UEFA after admitting to using homophobic language towards Vinicius.
Chelsea... or Liverpool? | Where could Alonso end up?
Join Chelsea or wait for 'dream' Liverpool job? Alonso's big dilemma
Xabi Alonso has a big decision to make if he is offered the Chelsea job.
Managing Chelsea is still an attractive option for leading managers, but they are also aware that other jobs will be available this summer.
Alonso's dream job would be managing Liverpool, but as things stand there is no vacancy at Anfield.
He wants to manage in the Premier League and - despite what you have heard or read - he would take the Chelsea job in the right circumstances.
Merson: Liverpool will finish above Man Utd next season
Paul Merson says the fan reaction at Liverpool shows Arne Slot is up against it at Anfield, but theYour Sitepundit is still confident they will finish above Man Utd next season...
Flick to extend his contract with Barcelona until 2028
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick said on Tuesday he will extend his contract with the LaLiga club until 2028 after they sealed a 29th league title.
Flick, whose current deal was due to expire in June 2027, is set to sign a one-year extension, with an option to prolong his tenure. His team moved to an unassailable 91 points with three games remaining, securing the title by beating arch-rivals Real Madrid on Sunday.
"I'll let you know - sorry - the last few days I've had different things to do," Flick, whose father died on Sunday, told reporters.
"Of course, I'm really happy about this (contract extension). They have given me and my team the confidence to work one or two years more, so for me it's like that.
"I think a lot of coaches would be happy if they get a contract of three, four or five years, but in Barca's case it's good to limit it. I really appreciate it a lot.
"We go to 2028 and then we'll see if everything is right, and if so, we can decide on one more year. The club has the right, and I have the right - I think it's a good deal."
'Anything can happen' Gomez unsure over Liverpool future
Liverpool defender Joe Gomez could join the growing list of senior players set for an Anfield exit this summer.
Gomez, who turns 29 on the final weekend of the season, has only a year left on his contract and a number of niggling injuries have restricted him to 15 starts in 31 appearances.
With 60m defender Jeremy Jacquet arriving from Rennes in the summer, and fellow centre-back Giovanni Leoni and the right-sided Conor Bradley both expected to be back after serious knee injuries, Gomez may find opportunities limited.
As the current longest-serving player at the club, joining in 2015, he still has plenty to offer in terms of experience and versatility, being able to play anywhere across the back four, but he may need to look elsewhere for first-team opportunities.
He has managed just 48 appearances over the last two campaigns and was linked with a move to Newcastle last season and AC Milan this term.
Asked if he had any thoughts on his future, Gomez said: No. I think anything can happen. I dont know is the honest answer.
Ive only got a year left so I dont know, but whatever is meant to be will be, I guess.
But Im so grateful to have had this time here at this club. Ill always be grateful to have had 11 years at a place like this. All I can do is be thankful and well see.
Mourinho says Benfica fate wont impact his future amid Real Madrid links
Jose Mourinho insists Benficas Champions League fate will not influence whether he leaves for Real Madrid.
The 63-year-old has been heavily linked with a return to the Bernabeu to replace Alvaro Arbeloa following a difficult season for Real.
Mourinho took over at Benfica in September and has led the side to an unbeaten season in the Portuguese league with one match remaining.
But a draw with Braga on Monday evening leaves them two points behind second-placed Sporting Lisbon ahead of Saturdays clash with Estoril.
Speaking at his post-match press conference, Mourinho said: Youre talking about Real Madrid, Im not talking about Real Madrid. Im talking about Benfica, and the work weve been doing wont change because were second or third.
Thats not whats going to influence my future. Obviously, Benfica wants to play in the Champions League, and so do I as a coach, but it has no influence whatsoever.
Mourinho managed Real from 2010 to 2013, winning one league title as well as the Copa del Rey.
A miserable campaign for Los Blancos was capped on Sunday evening when defeat at Barcelona sealed title for their rivals, while dressing-room unrest has also burst into the public domain.
Ex-Chelsea and Brighton defender Lamptey terminates Fiorentina contract
Former Chelsea and Brighton right-back Tariq Lamptey has left Serie A club Fiorentina after a mutual agreement was reached to terminate his contract.
The Ghana international picked up an anterior cruciate ligament injury in his left knee in September last year, just weeks after signing from Brighton.
The 25-year-old made only two appearances for Fiorentina, totalling 25 minutes of action.
