The 2024 summer transfer window has shut for all of Europe’s big five leagues and after months of working on transfer stories, Fabrizio Romano has revealed his favourite signing over the last three months. 

The summer transfer window is crucial for football clubs as they look to add to their squads for the new season and fix issues that appeared throughout the previous campaign.

Major deals took place during this summer with Kylian Mbappe’s switch to Real Madrid being the biggest story, while Atletico Madrid’s acquisition of Julian Alvarez from Man City was the most expensive with £82m switching hands.

However, none of these two deals were Fabrizio Romano‘s favourite from the 2024 summer transfer window.

The transfer expert has admitted that Paris Saint-Germain’s capture of João Neves from Benfica was his favourite transfer ahead of the 2024/25 campaign as he believes that the midfielder was somewhat of a bargain, despite the €70m fee attached to the deal, as the midfielder’s potential is very high.

Fabrizio Romano reveals his favourite signing of the 2024 summer transfer window

Speaking on the latest episode of CaughtOffside’s The Debrief podcast, Fabrizio Romano stated that Neves’ move to PSG was his favourite, but also threw another transfer into the mix.

“My favourite deal has been João Neves to Paris Saint-Germain. I think Paris Saint-Germain signed a fantastic, fantastic player for the present and also for the future. I still believe that the future of João Neves is going to be super bright. The potential of this boy is something really, really special,” the transfer expert said.

“Signing a quality player like him with a big potential for €60m plus €10m in add-ons, I think for modern football and modern transfer markets, it’s an incredible price. It’s kind of a bargain. So I think PSG signed a gem with Neves, one of my favourite transfers.”

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Romano continued by giving an honourable mention to Scott McTominay’s switch from Man United to Napoli.

“I also really appreciated Scott McTominay to Napoli. I think for Serie A, he’s perfect. For Antonio Conte, he’s perfect. It was a very good signing for Napoli. So I mentioned these two, but Neves is my favourite.”

The post Fabrizio Romano unveils his favourite transfer from the 2024 summer window appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Neal Maupay has addressed his outburst on social media after leaving Everton to join Olympique Marseille over the summer. 

The 28-year-old striker endured a disappointing spell at Goodison Park, registering just one goal in 32 appearances across all competitions, the same number of goals scored by popular ex-goalkeeper Tim Howard’s time at the club.

Maupay will now hope to get his career back on track in his native France at Marseille, who have signed him on loan with an obligation to buy. The striker managed a confidence-boosting eight goals in 31 appearances across all competitions on loan at former club Brentford last season.

The day before his move, Maupay stuck the boot in on Everton via social media.

Maupay replied to Fabrizio Romano’s post on X confirming the move to Marseille with a clip from The Shawshank Redemption, where the main character Andy Dufresne breaks free from prison.

https://t.co/H4AaFp4Iu2 pic.twitter.com/aJywOsdXgB

— Neal Maupay (@nealmaupay_) August 29, 2024

Neal Maupay explains social media post that fired up Everton fans

It’s safe to say Maupay’s post didn’t go down well with Everton fans, who were quick to remind him of his poor goalscoring record at the club.

One supporter even labelled Maupay the ‘worst signing in Everton’s history’, while another called him an ‘absolute clown of a footballer’.

Speaking in his first press conference as a Marseille, Maupay has explained his post, although he didn’t exactly back down.

“Supporters like to discuss, criticise, and celebrate and it doesn’t bother me because I consider myself a normal person and if everyone can tweet I can do it too,” said Maupay (via Get Football News France).

“I published a funny little video because my situation at Everton was known, I wanted to leave and the club didn’t want to keep me. So this little video was to say that I was relieved to leave the club.”

The post “I was relieved to leave” – Controversial Everton departure explains social media stunt that left fans fuming appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal defender William Saliba is being tracked by Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, sources close to the situation have informed CaughtOffside.

Although there is little prospect of the Gunners selling Saliba for anything other than crazy money, at least €120million or probably more, there is understood to be strong interest from these three elite clubs as they rate the talented young Frenchman very highly.

Saliba has firmly established himself as one of the finest defensive players in world football in recent years, and it would be a huge blow for Arsenal to lose him as they aim to get back to the top in the Premier League and become serious challengers for the Champions League as well.

Thankfully for Arsenal fans, Saliba has a contract until 2027 at the Emirates Stadium, so there’s little pressure to let him go, though one imagines the 23-year-old might find it hard to say no to some of these big names involved.

Saliba transfer: Arsenal need to keep star centre-back

Arsenal used to sell their star names, much to their detriment, as they lost the likes of Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and Alexis Sanchez during their peak years.

They won’t want to make the same mistake again as it cost them success in the past, and someone like Saliba surely has it in him to be a real leader for this team for many years to come.

More Stories / Latest News

Fabrizio Romano unveils his favourite transfer from the 2024 summer window

Sep 9 2024, 19:03

“I was relieved to leave” – Controversial Everton departure explains social media stunt that left fans fuming

Sep 9 2024, 18:26

Watch: 31-year-old footballer gets arrested during match right after scoring the winning goal

Sep 9 2024, 18:00

Arsenal have made so much progress under Mikel Arteta, and Saliba is surely going to be someone viewed as untouchable for the foreseeable future, alongside others like Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka.

Real Madrid would surely love to have a Galactico of this kind, however, while we all know PSG like to sign the best French players if they can, so this story won’t be completely going away any time soon.

The post Exclusive: Trio of elite clubs chasing ambitious Arsenal transfer raid, deal likely to cost €120m-plus appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is reportedly open to staying in Europe despite transfer rumours linking him with clubs in the Saudi Pro League as he nears the end of his contract with the Reds.

The Egypt international has been a star player for Liverpool for many years now, winning major honours such as the Premier League and the Champions League, and netting a remarkable 214 goals in 352 games for the Merseyside giants in total.

Salah has his admirers in Saudi Arabia, but it seems he’s also attracted enquiries from Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus after he recently made it clear this would be his final season at Liverpool, with the player still open to staying in Europe for a while longer, according to a report from El Nacional.

The 32-year-old might not be at the very peak of his career right now, but he remains a world class talent and doesn’t seem to be showing much sign of slowing down, so could perhaps emulate someone like Cristiano Ronaldo, who is still going strong even as he approaches his 40th birthday.

Salah transfer: Could Liverpool star move to PSG or Juventus?

PSG lost Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer, so it makes sense that they could be in the market for a top attacking player like Salah to help replace their former star.

Salah would surely be tempted by these projects, with both PSG and Juve tending to play in the Champions League and compete for major honours basically every season.

More Stories / Latest News

Fabrizio Romano unveils his favourite transfer from the 2024 summer window

Sep 9 2024, 19:03

“I was relieved to leave” – Controversial Everton departure explains social media stunt that left fans fuming

Sep 9 2024, 18:26

Watch: 31-year-old footballer gets arrested during match right after scoring the winning goal

Sep 9 2024, 18:00

After conquering English football, it’s easy to imagine Salah might be tempted to test himself in another major European league, though he has already spent some time in Italy, representing both Fiorentina and Roma earlier in his career.

Liverpool fans will no doubt hope there’s still a chance, however, for them to keep Salah for a bit longer.

The post Liverpool star open to staying in Europe as two major clubs enquire about transfer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Canadian striker Jonathan David has confirmed he is in talks with Lille over a new contract despite being heavily linked with several Premier League clubs.

David has been a key player for Les Dogues since joining from Gent in 2020, notching 87 goals and 20 assists in 190 appearances across all competitions while lifting Ligue 1 and French Super Cup titles along the way.

The 24-year-old’s form has not gone unnoticed, with Sky Sports reporting over the summer that Premier League quartet Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and West Ham United all showed interest.

David has just one year left on his current deal with Lille, which is understood to have further fuelled the intrigue from England.

Jonathan David opens Lille talks despite PL interest

Of course, with the English window now closed, any move for David would have to wait until January.

The current state of affairs would mean clubs are able to discuss terms with David over a free transfer in the summer, or force Lille’s hand to sell for a reduced fee in January rather than lose him for nothing six months later.

But David has now made the surprising revelation that he is discussing a new deal with Lille, probably in an effort by the club to ensure they can land a huge fee for the 55-time Canada international.

“Right now, we’re speaking with (LOSC president) Olivier Letang about a possible extension. We’ll see how that goes,” David — who drew level with Cyle Larin as Canada’s all-time top scorer on 29 goals with his strike in a 2-1 win over the USA — told The Athletic (via Sky Sports).

The striker added: “I’m open to anything. I think obviously the Premier League is regarded as one of the best leagues in the world.

“And for me, it’s not the Premier League or bust. I’m open to anything and every league has its challenges.”

The post “Right now, we’re speaking” – Man Utd, Chelsea & Tottenham target confirms talks appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Paris Saint-Germain reportedly have a new contract proposal ready for their manager Luis Enrique as he’s done an impressive job in his time at the Parc des Princes.

According to Fabrizio Romano on X, formerly Twitter, PSG are keen to keep hold of Enrique, whose current contract only runs until summer 2025, meaning there actually isn’t that long for the Ligue 1 giants to resolve the Spanish tactician’s future.

See below for details from Romano as he explains just how keen PSG are to keep on working with Enrique, who has also been heavily involved in the club’s transfers since taking the job in the French capital…

??? Paris Saint-Germain have new contract proposal ready for Luis Enrique as key part of the project.

Spanish manager was fully involved in transfer plan this summer and he’s highly rated at the club.

Current deal expires in June 2025, PSG are working to extend it. pic.twitter.com/POguvflPm1

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 8, 2024

Enrique previously impressed during his time in charge of Barcelona, where he won the treble in the 2014/15 season, while he also did well during a spell as manager of the Spanish national team.

More Stories / Latest News

Fabrizio Romano unveils his favourite transfer from the 2024 summer window

Sep 9 2024, 19:03

“I was relieved to leave” – Controversial Everton departure explains social media stunt that left fans fuming

Sep 9 2024, 18:26

Watch: 31-year-old footballer gets arrested during match right after scoring the winning goal

Sep 9 2024, 18:00

PSG have had a number of underwhelming managers in recent years, but Enrique looks like a really smart appointment, and it’s clear he’d have a lot of interest from other top clubs if he were to leave his current job at the end of his contract.

It will be interesting to see how this saga develops, but one imagines PSG have the resources to give Enrique the kind of new contract that would satisfy him.

PSG won the Ligue 1 title last season and made it to the semi-finals of the Champions League, and it’s the latter that club bosses will really be keen for Enrique to deliver as soon as possible.

That won’t be easy after the blow of losing star player Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer, but Enrique’s good work with the team means they actually still look in good shape, even with the departure of such a world class talent up front.

The post PSG have new contract ready for key figure whose current deal is close to expiring appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Former Everton and Barcelona star Andre Gomes is undergoing a medical ahead of sealing a return to French club Lille, according to reports. 

Gomes is a free agent following the expiration of his Everton contract, leaving Goodison Park having made 114 appearances for the club across all competitions since joining in 2018, registering four goals and seven assists.

During that time, the 29-time Portugal international — who was last capped by his country back in 2018 — spent the 2022/23 campaign on loan at Lille, notching three goals and two assists in 27 appearances to help them finish fifth in Ligue 1.

Ex-Everton midfielder Gomes undergoing Lille medical

According to reports from L’Equipe and Foot Mercato (via Get Football News France), Gomes arrived in Lille to undergo a medical ahead of his return to the club.

Gomes — who has also played for Barcelona, Valencia and Benfica previously — is understood to be signing a two-year contract at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Lille finished fourth in Ligue 1 last season, meaning they made the Champions League qualifying rounds.

Les Dogues went through two rounds of qualifying, beating Turkish giants Fenerbahce 3-2 on aggregate before seeing off Slavia Prague 3-2 over two leagues to reach the revamped League Phase of the Champions League.

Among the teams Gomes can now look forward to facing are Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Juventus. The 31-year-old will also return to old stomping grounds with Lille facing his former Lisbon rivals Sporting CP and Everton’s Merseyside neighbours Liverpool.

The post Former Everton and Barcelona star on the verge of sealing move to Champions League club appeared first on CaughtOffside.

If there was one thing at the Euros which was notable from the get go, it was how tired so many players looked, England in particular, and Stan Collymore has hit upon an ingenious idea to lighten the load for Premier League players.

It isn’t just an English top-flight problem, with the most successful sides across the continent playing far too many games now in any one season.

Aside from domestic cup competitions and the bread and butter of league football, there are Champions League/Europa League/Conference League games to get through on top of that for certain clubs.

Collymore wants Premier League players to have capped appearances

Not to mention either Nations League games or qualifiers for the World Cup or European Championship.

A former professional himself, Collymore believes he has hit on the solution.

“There is an absolutely ridiculous amount of football played in a season nowadays and players, despite being in peak physical condition, just can’t cope with it. This was proven by several lacklustre displays in the EUROs,” he said in an exclusive interview.

“There is a reason Erling Haaland looks like a beast compared to other big-name strikers. He’s 100 per cent fit and fresh after having the summer off following Norway’s failure to qualify for the EUROs.

“If players are going to be expected to compete across multiple competitions, both domestically and internationally, then surely it’s time we thought about bringing in an appearance cap. I recommend a 50 appearance cap per player, per season, and then let the player decide how we wants to split his allowance.”

More Stories / Latest News

Fabrizio Romano unveils his favourite transfer from the 2024 summer window

Sep 9 2024, 19:03

“I was relieved to leave” – Controversial Everton departure explains social media stunt that left fans fuming

Sep 9 2024, 18:26

Watch: 31-year-old footballer gets arrested during match right after scoring the winning goal

Sep 9 2024, 18:00

It would certainly need a sea change in attitude from the various authorities, but the idea isn’t perhaps as avant-garde as it seems.

Indeed, it would appear to be a perfectly sensible option that not only ensures a player’s longevity in the game – rather than burn out – but would help to provide a more appealing product for supporters, because will still be in peak fitness at all stages of the season.

The post Exclusive: Stan Collymore’s ingenious plan to ensure Premier League players remain in peak condition appeared first on CaughtOffside.

This article was originally published on Fabrizio Romano’s Daily Briefing, a subscription service. If you would like to receive Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive articles via email ahead of publication on caughtoffside.com, please sign-up for the service here: thedailybriefing.io

—

Simple reason why Eze stayed at Crystal Palace

I want to clear up any confusion regarding Eberechi Eze, guys, as the England international didn’t leave Crystal Palace this summer.

There was a release clause in his contract with the Eagles, so the situation this summer was never about whether the club would have accepted or declined offers for Eze or not.

If any club had come in and paid the release clause, there was nothing Palace could’ve done about it and the decision to move would’ve rested with Eze himself.

No club did trigger the release clause and there were no concrete contacts so in the end, that was the reason he remained at Selhurst Park.

Man City for sure had him on their list in 2023, and it’s true that Tottenham appreciate him, but there was never any formal bid presented from either club or any other this summer.

As Steve Parish said, everything was quiet.

Time for Fabio Vieira to return to playing regular football

The situation with Fabio Vieira is also a simple one to understand.

Firstly, it’s time for him to return to playing regular football every week, which is the expectation with the loan to Porto, and something he hasn’t been able to achieve to this point with Arsenal.

The loan deal will also allow Arsenal to monitor his progress over the course of the 2024/25 season and then assess things again in 2025.

At that point there will need to be a conversation between Mikel Arteta, the player and his representatives.

By then, the attacking midfielder will be 25 years of age and a definitive decision about his career one way or the other will need to be made.

I can guarantee that no plans are in place at the moment and no final decision has been made for Fabio Vieira.

This is why the move is a straight loan.

Nothing concrete to report on Angel Gomes’ situation

Many clubs are following and scouting Angel Gomes, but in this moment there’s nothing concrete or specific to report.

Any ‘interest’ mentioned now would be guesswork and as you know guys, I don’t work in this way.

It’s just normal monitoring of a very good player, who has just made the England squad after impressing at Lille.

England coach, Lee Carsley, has clearly seen something that he likes, and with fixtures against the Republic of Ireland and Finland coming up in the next few days, it does offer Gomes the perfect opportunity to be able to show how much he’s improved of late.

At 24, the former Manchester United player looks to be on the verge of a special moment in his career.

No Messi or Ronaldo in the Ballon d’Or nominee list

The full list of this year’s Ballon d’Or nominees have now been released, and it’s the first time since 2003 that both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are not in the final 30 names.

It’s almost the end of a spectacular era for the game but both players will be remembered forever. As much for the joy they’ve brought to so many fans as well as the multiple awards that each have won.

I won’t comment on my favourite candidate for this year’s award, but in general I think it was a fair list.

It’s almost an impossible job to narrow down the names and I’d have probably added Rodrygo, Xavi Simons and Frimpong. Rodrygo has even gone on social media already to show his feelings about his omission.

More Stories / Latest News

Fabrizio Romano unveils his favourite transfer from the 2024 summer window

Sep 9 2024, 19:03

“I was relieved to leave” – Controversial Everton departure explains social media stunt that left fans fuming

Sep 9 2024, 18:26

Watch: 31-year-old footballer gets arrested during match right after scoring the winning goal

Sep 9 2024, 18:00

There are some big names in the final 30:

Jude Bellingham, Ruben Dias, Phil Foden, Federico Valverde, Emiliano Martinez, Erling Haaland, Nico Williams, Granit Xhaka, Artem Dovbyk, Toni Kroos, Vinicius Jr., Dani Olmo, Florian Wirtz, Martin Ødegaard, Mats Hummels, Rodri, Harry Kane, Declan Rice, Vitinha, Cole Palmer, Dani Carvajal, Lamine Yamal, Bukayo Saka, Hakan Calhanoglu, William Saliba, Kylian Mbappe, Lautaro Martinez, Ademola Lookman, Toni Rudiger and Alejandro Grimaldo.

The post Transfer news: Why Eze stayed at Palace, Fabio Vieira needs time and more appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Being called up by your national team is one of the highest honours that a player can have, and Lille’s Angel Gomes has seen his hard work finally pay off in that regard.

With Lee Carsley now in charge of the Three Lions, there’s been a clear shift in terms of the types of players brought into the England set-up.

Carsley has experience at all levels of the game of course, and can perhaps be a little broader than his predecessors, including Gareth Southgate, when casting the net.

England’s Angel Gomes being monitored

It isn’t clear at this stage whether former Man United ace, Gomes, will be handed a first cap against either the Republic of Ireland or Finland, however, the fact he’s been noticed by the coach will surely give the player a boost.

There’s a possibility that a move back to the Premier League could be a by product of his good form too.

“Many clubs are following and scouting Angel Gomes, but in this moment there’s nothing concrete or specific to report,” Fabrizio Romano said to CaughtOffside for his Daily Briefing.

“Any ‘interest’ mentioned now would be guesswork and as you know guys, I don’t work in this way.

“It’s just normal monitoring of a very good player, who has just made the England squad after impressing at Lille.

“England coach, Lee Carsley, has clearly seen something that he likes, and with fixtures against the Republic of Ireland and Finland coming up in the next few days, it does offer Gomes the perfect opportunity to be able to show how much he’s improved of late.

“At 24, the former Manchester United player looks to be on the verge of a special moment in his career.”

More Stories / Latest News

Fabrizio Romano unveils his favourite transfer from the 2024 summer window

Sep 9 2024, 19:03

“I was relieved to leave” – Controversial Everton departure explains social media stunt that left fans fuming

Sep 9 2024, 18:26

Watch: 31-year-old footballer gets arrested during match right after scoring the winning goal

Sep 9 2024, 18:00

What Gomes’ call-up also does is give hope to any other players that might’ve been on the fringes of the senior squad before without ever actually making it over the threshold so to speak.

Those players in the squad who also believed they were shoo-ins might also now be looking over their shoulders and realising that under Lee Carsley there’ll be genuine competition for places and no coasting – which can only benefit English football.

The post Romano: England international has “many clubs” following him after impressive club showing appeared first on CaughtOffside.