EXCL: Osimhen Arsenal link, Ben White’s important decision and more

8 months ago 47
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There is no ‘moving ahead’ because it’s not a proper race. There’s no negotiation with Napoli as there’s a release clause, so it’s about paying that money and reaching an agreement with Osimhen. At the moment no club is close to that.

Interest from various clubs has been there for months, but at the moment we’re not any further along in the story.

I’m curious to see how Mbappé will handle the game vs Barcelona in what are crucial months for his future with Real Madrid working on the deal.

It’s an exciting Champions League season, for sure.

Why? I can tell you that the position of the player was announced last week to Gareth Southgate. He was informed of the news by Arsenal, and the feeling of those close to Ben White is that this situation is not going to change in the short-term.

This is a very clear position from the player at the moment, it’s considered to be serious and he wants to be respected.

We will see if one day Ben White will change his mind but at the moment he’s not changing his position.

Also, the player signed a new contract at Arsenal this week. The agreements have been completed on a deal through until 2028 with an option for a further season.

He will, 100 percent be an Arsenal player next season. I told you already in October and November that Arsenal had a verbal plan with Brentford because they wanted to sign Raya last summer.

Then the deal was changed because of Financial Fair Play rules, so Arsenal decided to proceed with a loan deal that had a buy option, and the two clubs had a gentlemen’s agreement that Arsenal would buy David Raya for £27m.

Also, the player wants to stay at Arsenal. He’s very happy with Arteta, with the staff, with the club, with the board and with his team-mates, so everything is perfect.

Obviously in this case, I will keep you posted on Aaron Ramsdale as he’s still expected to leave Arsenal at the end of the season.

It’s important to clarify something with regards to Marcus Rashford, because I’ve been getting many questions coming from you, guys.

There are many rumours concerning PSG bidding for Rashford, and let me say guys, I’m not aware of anything concrete in terms of negotiations or bid at this point.

PSG appreciate Rashford and he is a player they really wanted two years ago when Pochettino was in charge, but Man United said no, Erik ten Hag said no and he confirmed again in his press conference that he wants to continue with Marcus Rashford as a crucial part of his project.

The situation remains quiet, and Rashford’s full focus is on Manchester United. Let’s see if it changes in the summer.

Rasmus Højlund is doing very well but the club want one more striker to replace Anthony Martial who’s going to leave the club as a free agent.

United also want a new left-back. Tyrell Malacia won’t play anymore this season, and from what I’m hearing, no matter what happens with him, the club are still going to bring in a new left-back.

To understand who it’s going to be, we will have to wait for the board structure to become clearer over the course of the next few weeks.

From what I’m hearing, it could be a young, talented player – so not an old player. This is the idea of the club. Something similar is probably going to happen at Chelsea as their intention for Ian Maatsen remains the same; to look at new opportunities for him and to maybe sell him in the summer transfer window.

He has a clause in his contract for £35m and is doing very well on loan at Borussia Dortmund. So the feeling is that there is a concrete chance for Ian Maatsen to leave Chelsea on a permanent basis but let’s see what’s gonna happen.

Napoli’s expectation is for Victor Osimhen to leave the club in the summer and for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to extend his contract. The Italian team wants to get the new deal done as soon as possible, with the player’s agent saying everything will be clear by the end of May.

It’s crucial for the Partnopei to close this new deal quickly, otherwise there could be a dangerous situation that develops in the summer.

That’s because there is interest from many clubs – Barcelona, clubs in England and others – but nothing is concrete at the moment.

Ange Postecoglou confirmed they will look at centre-backs but I’m sure something could happen in the midfield as I expect Hojbjerg to leave the club this summer and Spurs will try to replace him.

They’ve done a really good job in the recent transfer windows, especially because the feeling with the manager is great and they share same ideas.



That position has always been considered as something crucial at the club as they believe they need an improvement in that area.

The owners, directors, obviously the staff, they always wanted something extra in that position, and now they’re getting one of the best in this job around Europe.

Chelsea will pay a compensation fee to Brentford and from what I’m told it’s going to be £750,000. The deal is done and will be completed in July, but Cueva already said yes to Chelsea and the official announcement is expected soon.

No decision has been made yet and I don’t expect his decision to be made soon either.

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