The blog is coming to a close now but thank you for contributing your memories of Franz Beckenbauer as we looked back at his impressive career. I’ll leave you with this brilliant piece by Paul Wilson:
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Former Bayern Munich chief executive and team-mate Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has said: “I am deeply shocked. Franz Beckenbauer rewrote the history of German football and left a lasting impact on it. He was my captain at FC Bayern, my coach at the national team, our president at Bayern and in all of these roles he was not only successful but unique. As a personality, he impressed with his great respect for all people - because everyone was equal before Franz. German football is losing the greatest personality in its history. We will miss him more than painfully. Thank you for everything, dear Franz!”
“There are no words to express how great our sadness is - and what a gap Franz Beckenbauer leaves behind,” Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer said. “As a player, he brought lightness to the field, elegance and magic: Franz Beckenbauer brought the shine. Even after his playing career, he left an immense mark on FC Bayern and football; his legacy cannot be measured by titles. The FC Bayern family is eternally grateful to him, and I personally mourn the loss of a friend.”
Honorary president of Bayern Munich and former team-mate Uli Hoeness, meanwhile, added: “Franz Beckenbauer is the greatest personality FC Bayern has ever had. As a player, coach, president, person: unforgettable. Nobody will ever reach him. People can say they saw football in Franz Beckenbauer’s time. He was a friend to me, a unique companion - and a gift to all of us. Dear Franz, rest in peace!”
Beckenbauer’s former club Bayern Munich have changed their profile picture to be black and white in tribute to their club legend. Club figures have also paid tribute, here’s the first from their X account:
Suddenly, our world isn’t the same as it once was — darker, quieter and worse off. The record champions are mourning the loss of Franz Beckenbauer, the incomparable ‘Kaiser’ without who FC Bayern would never have become the club it is today.
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) January 8, 2024
Rest in peace, Kaiser.
“Franz Beckenbauer will always have a place in football history quite apart from popularising the role of libero, establishing Bayern Munich as the force in German football and being one of only three individuals to win the World Cup as a player and as a manager. He had one of the best and most distinctive nicknames ever, and just as with his near contemporary Eddy “The Cannibal” Merckx in cycling, his Der Kaiser moniker both suited him and served to introduce him in advance.” Read the full piece:
Borussia Dortmund mourns the loss of a great German footballer. Rest in peace, Franz Beckenbauer. “Der Kaiser” will forever be remembered. Our thoughts are with his family and all relatives. pic.twitter.com/TSMSv3HFyV
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) January 8, 2024
The German national team have posted a tribute and said: “Rest in peace, Franz Beckenbauer. One of the best players this sport has seen and a natural leader. He will be deeply missed by us all.”
“I was working at the then Munich Airport in Riem, when Franz Beckenbauer and the team of Bayern Munich came through every second week,” Dietrich has emailed. “Although I was no footie fan, I had friends who were. So, when Franz Beckenbauer addressed me personally for the first time, asking me to help him find an item, I thought of my friends and what they would feel if they saw me now and that just took my breath away. So instead of answering I just took his hand and dragged him to where he could find what he was looking for.
“The whole situation ended in friendly laughter and ever afterwards Franz Beckenbauer never missed to greet me whenever we met. Amongst the Bavarian team he was the most polite and although he was famous already he was just simple nice and showed not a hint of arrogance.”
What a lovely anecdote.
“Beckenbauer was a fantastic player,” Peter Shilton says.
Very sad to hear that the great @beckenbauer has sadly passed away he was a fantastic player reaching world class status @FIFAWorldCup 🇩🇪 RIP #Legend pic.twitter.com/hFQjo0SeY3
— Peter Shilton (@Peter_Shilton) January 8, 2024
Bundesliga shares tributes:
The Bundesliga family is devastated to learn of the death of Franz Beckenbauer. A true icon, then, now, and always. RIP, Der Kaiser. 👑🕊 pic.twitter.com/zE2CcggVNd
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) January 8, 2024
We mourn the loss of a legend of world football.
— DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga (@DFL_Official) January 8, 2024
Rest in peace, Franz Beckenbauer. pic.twitter.com/XIzYCI7VwG
More tributes have been posted:
It fills me with deep sadness to hear about the passing of Franz Beckenbauer, a true icon of the game. It was a privilege to share one of my proudest moments with him when he presented my 100th cap for Scotland. My thoughts are with him and his family at this time. RIP Der Kaiser pic.twitter.com/32p8T2rEkI
— Sir Kenny Dalglish (@kennethdalglish) January 8, 2024
German legend Franz Beckenbauer has passed away today aged 78.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 8, 2024
RIP, Franz. 👑🕊️ pic.twitter.com/IwdSA5KaiT
Sad news.
— Simon Hattenstone (@shattenstone) January 8, 2024
Only three months after Bobby Charlton passed away, his great rival Franz Beckenbauer has died aged 78 (while Der Kaiser marked Bobby in the 1966 World Cup Final, Bobby was also told to mark Der Kaiser) pic.twitter.com/SOX9uj184L
“I can speak for the entire company and for all employees when I say that we are very moved and deeply sad,” General Secretary of the German Football Association Heike Ullrich has said “Much of what the DFB represents today contains achievements, successes and thoughts that Franz Beckenbauer had a significant influence on.
“This also applies to the DFB campus, which is our home today. It was Franz Beckenbauer who first formulated the idea of a sporting competence centre in the 1990s.
“I am glad to have him as a footballer, idol, role model and as a person, we got to know and appreciate Franz Beckenbauer on various occasions.
“Franz Beckenbauer will always have a prominent place in the history of German football, as well as in our hearts. We will always be grateful to him and him miss it very much.”
“The best there was, the best there is, the best there will ever be,” Aaron Jones has emailed.
A sentiment felt by many, a player and manager who had a profound impact on the game.
Germany’s current head coach Julian Nagelsmann has paid a heartfelt tribute to Beckenbauer:
“For me, Franz Beckenbauer was the best footballer in German history,” he said. “His interpretation of the role of the libero changed the game, this role and his friendship with the ball made him a free man.
“Franz Beckenbauer was able to float on the lawn, as a footballer and later also as a coach he was sublime, he stood above things. When Franz Beckenbauer entered a room, the room lit up, he rightly earned the title ‘lighting figure of German football’.
“An aura surrounded him until the end, which even the health problems and strokes of fate that he had to cope with could not shake it. I am grateful and proud that I was able to get to know him and will remember him fondly.”
I’ll be sharing new tributes as they come in but I’d also like to hear from you. You can share your favourite Franz Beckenbauer moment via email or on X – @rendellx.
While he is one of three male footballers to have won the World Cup as a player and a manager, he was the first to do it as captain and then manager.
We're saddened to hear of the passing of Franz Beckenbauer.
— Guinness World Records (@GWR) January 8, 2024
He was the first person to win the FIFA World Cup as captain (1974) and manager (1990). pic.twitter.com/ixPAClBiBm
Updated
Here are some of the tributes that have been posted to X, formerly Twitter.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Franz Beckenbauer, one of football's greatest ever players
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 8, 2024
A World Cup winner as both player and manager, 'Der Kaiser' was as elegant as he was dominant
He will forever be remembered pic.twitter.com/dJDF4eAuod
Very sorry to hear that Franz Beckenbauer has died. One of the absolute greats of our game. Der Kaiser was the most beautiful of footballers who won it all with grace and charm. RIP.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 8, 2024
The great Franz Beckenbauer gone now, so soon after Bobby Charlton. Bobby was given the job of keeping him quiet in the 1966 World Cup final. Maybe this is a very profound example of man to man marking. RIP. pic.twitter.com/JiuDuP5poS
— David Baddiel (@Baddiel) January 8, 2024
The sad news was confirmed by his family who released a statement.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce that my husband and our father, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday, Sunday, surrounded by his family,” the family said.
“We ask that you be able to grieve in silence and refrain from asking any questions.”
Tributes have started to come in for the German football legend, I’ll share those imminently.
Beckenbauer, who started out as a midfielder but made his name as a defender, also won multiple trophies in the club game. As a player he won the Bundesliga four times and the European Cup three times with Bayern Munich.
He also won the Ballon d’Or twice, in 1972 and 1976, and came in the top three for the gong on three other occasions.
As a manager he claimed the Bundesliga and UEFA Cup while in charge of Bayern Munich and won Ligue 1 with Marseille.
Beckenbauer was only one of three male players to win the World Cup as a player and manager with Brazil’s Mario Zagallo, who died earlier this month, and France’s Didier Deschamps also managing the feat.
He won the World Cup as a player and captain for West Germany in the 1974 tournament, after losing in 1966 to England, and was victorious again as a manager in 1990 for the same team.
Franz Beckenbauer has passed away
Some sad news to bring you now, German football legend Franz Beckenbauer has died at the age of 78.
He was widely regarded as one of the best players of all time, winning the World Cup as a player and as a manager.
More to follow.
We have quite a debate about Timo Werner on our hands. “James Threlfall’s assessment of Werner last year seems a bit harsh, doesn’t it?” emails Fred Decker. “His nine in the league and 16 in all competitions last season put him second (on both counts) on a Leipzig team that finished third in the league. It also put him in the top 20 for the Bundesliga as a whole.
“If he was going into a Chelsea or Man United scenario, and expected to be *the* striker, that wouldn’t bode well. But as a highly useful, fleet-footed forward who can chip in a significant level of secondary scoring, he seems like a good fit with Ange-era Spurs. My two cents’ worth from across the pond.”
There are quite a few arguments for Werner not needing to score many goals but isn’t that why Spurs are bringing him in? Just a question for you Spurs fans.
North Carolina Courage have announced the signing of Canada international Bianca St-Georges from Chicago Red Stars on a deal that runs until 2025.
The deal also includes an option for another season.
“I am beyond thrilled to join Courage Country. North Carolina is undoubtedly a winning culture and, as a competitor, it’s exactly where I want to be. This team is savvy, professional, fierce, and has incredibly high standards.
“I believe our personalities match well and I could not think of a better place to grow and reach my potential. I cannot wait to meet everyone and embrace this new journey with a reputable and promising team,” said St-Georges.
Signed, sealed, and delivered ✍
— NC Courage (@TheNCCourage) January 8, 2024
We have signed forward Bianca St-Georges to a two-year, guaranteed contract! The Canadian National Team member was drafted by the Chicago Red Stars in 2019.
“I too am not overwhelmed at the thought of Werner arriving,” Martin Gamage writes. “On the other hand, one big change Postecoglou has overseen since his arrival is that pretty much every player they brought in (Maddison, Van de Ven, Vicario, Johnson) has come off - and it’s been a problem at Spurs for a while that so many buys have not really worked out. Add in a rejuvenated Richarlison, Davies and Porro and I trust the recruiting and coaching at Spurs to get a tune out of Werner.”
The sense seems to be if any other manager was in charge of Spurs then the Werner move wouldn’t be one fans would approve of. But if anyone is going to get the best out of a player Ange is the one to do it.
Some transfer news for West Ham fans …
“If we’re expecting to replace Son’s goals we’ll probably be disappointed [with Werner],” Alex Porritt emails. “If we get a more physical version of Bryan Gill - someone who comes on, runs around a lot and annoys the opposition defence - it’s probably a good option to have. Hopefully his harrying will result in chances for others. A goal or two would be a bonus.”
This is probably the most optimistic reply yet, I’m loving the positivity.
Hull City’s owner has spoken to Sky Sports and says Fabio Carvalho’s move is sealed.
“We agreed all terms with him. I’m very happy to say he’s going to wear the Hull shirt,” Acun Ilicali said. “It’s almost done. The announcement has to be done, that’s all. The club will do it.
“So many clubs wanted him and he chose us. It’s because of the way we are playing the game. Liam Rosenior has a big effect on that, playing nice football. He wants to go to a place where he will enjoy football. Hull is the best place for him to improve his talents.
“We are a fantastic club with fantastic players and a fantastic coach. Everything is so good here.”
We touched on Mbappé’s agents dismissing the rumour he had agreed terms with Real Madrid earlier today but here are all of the details
Jaivir has added his opinion to the Werner to Spurs potential move. “I get James’ point, his return to Leipzig has been underwhelming. But considering the optimism around the club at the moment, and the fact that he’s hungry, fast and energetic; I have a strong feeling he’ll turn out to be a good signing to fill in for the next 6 months.”
Okay so there is some hope among Spurs fans, albeit mixed with some doubt.
Some confirmed news from the Championship as Scott High returns to Huddersfield after being on loan to Ross County.
The loan move was underwhelming for the midfielder, who made just two substitute appearances, but the deal was terminated prematurely as the 22-year-old has a hamstring injury.
“Werner hasn’t been great at Leipzig,” James Threlfall writes. “He scored 16 from 40 appearances last year and two from eight so far this year and Leipzig are happy with him going on loan. It doesn’t fire me up. Hopefully Ange can help him find something again, but who knows.”
A Spurs fan not overly enthusiastic about their potential new loanee, any Tottenham supporters agree? Or are you a fan of Werner? Let me know via X or email.
A big update in Timo Werner’s transfer …
🚨⚪️ Timo Werner, travelling to London today in order to complete his move to Tottenham with medical booked.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 8, 2024
Loan deal with salary covered until June, €18/19m buy option also confirmed.
Werner will be at Spurs tonight, as @AlasdairGold has reported. pic.twitter.com/EjUJdP4hIy
Thank you Alex. Nothing like a bowl of soup to prep you for an afternoon of transfers.
Fulham boss Marco Silva has been speaking to media before the club’s Carabao Cup match against Liverpool. He has spoken on Tim Ream’s fitness and Adam Traore: “He’s [Ream] getting closer. As you know we have another session tomorrow and will assess him again. He’s getting involved with the sessions with his team-mares. He’s not ready yet to start the game tomorrow but let’s see if we can involve him with the squad.
“Tim’s another solution for us because as you know Calvin Bassey is at the Afcon so it will be good to involve him in the squad list. We will assess him tomorrow. He reacted well from the session this morning. That’s it. If he reacts well we are going to take a decision tomorrow. Out of the game is Adam Traore.”
Manchester United go to Wigan tonight in the FA Cup, which is their last realistic chance of silverware this season. You feel it’s a must-win. Yet the transfer rumours so far are all around players leaving Old Trafford rather than exciting new arrivals. Jadon Sancho is rejoining his former club Borussia Dortmund on loan, as we all know.
However there are also reports linking the 20-year-old midfielder Hannibal Mejbri with a loan to either Sevilla or Everton. While striker Anthony Martial, out of contract at the end of the season, could find a loan home with Fenerbahce, according to reports in Turkey.
United slimming down the squad a bit so that Erik ten Hag can bring in some sensational new signings this winter? We shall, erm, see. And on that thrilling note, I’ll hand you back to the far more capable hands of Sarah Rendell.
Updated
Reports in Belgium are linking Arsenal with a Premier League-based Onana – though it is the Everton midfielder Amadou, rather than goalkeeper André. Probably for the best, as how many more knocks could Aaron Ramsdale’s confidence take?
Anyway, according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri and other sources, the north London club are lining up a £50m bid for the 22-year-old Belgium international. However Everton’s asking price is likely to be far higher than that for a player Sean Dyche values.
A defensive midfielder might not be quite the cutting-edge striker Arsenal fans crave right now but he’s clearly a quality footballer. Let’s see if a bid is made and if Amadou Onana can be pried away from Merseyside.
Updated
Fábio Carvalho to join Hull on loan
Thanks Sarah. Let’s start with some Liverpool news via the emperor of transfer intel, Fabrizio Romano, who reports that Fábio Carvalho is on his way to join Hull on loan until the end of this season.
The 21-year-old was at RB Leipzig for the first half of the season. But it’s interesting that Liverpool, with several injuries and the – admittedly irreplaceable – Mohamed Salah away at Afcon, are not planning to use Carvalho in this campaign. There is no option for Hull to buy, however, so the Portuguese is still very much in Jürgen Klopp’s longterm plans.
🚨🇵🇹 Fábio Carvalho has received now the green light from Liverpool to travel and undergo medical tests at Hull City.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 8, 2024
Done deal on loan until June, there’s no option to buy.
Here we go 🟠⚫️ pic.twitter.com/OFjcYbbdHU
Updated
Well I am off to grab some lunch but I shall be back in an hour. I leave you in the very capable hands of Alex Reid who will bring you any breaking news or transfers as they drop.
And of course the Chelsea manager was asked about the transfer window. He was specifically quizzed on whether they need to buy a striker, to which Poch replied: “No, no, no. We are assessing the squad like always. We had a conversation with the owners and sporting directors yesterday and today. We are looking [in the transfer market] like other teams for options or opportunities.
“But I am so happy because we have [Armando] Broja, we have different players that can play in the striker position and we need our second line offensive players to help the team score goals and help to win games. I am very positive and happy with the squad. Of course, if something appears, we will announce. At the moment we are assessing and working normally.
“Conversations with the owners? They are really good. We keep a good relationship and yes, I think everything is very well. Of course, conversations, normal conversations that we need to have we will announce it as soon as possible.”
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has faced the media before his club play Middlesbrough tomorrow in the Carabao Cup and he has given an update on Christopher Nkunku’s injury.
It’s not related to his old injury, it’s a different problem,” Poch said. “An issue in his hip, we are cautious with him because it is six months from his injury, and was involved in few games.
“He won’t be involved tomorrow, we will see if he is available for Saturday. We will see. We have to be cautious. I hope it is not a long period but at the moment he is not training and he is doing recovery. But it’s not a big issue.”
Who are the best women’s footballers in the world? Our top 100 list will be revealed soon with numbers 100-71 to be published tomorrow. Read all the details:
Signing claxon! Tottenham defender Ashley Phillips has joined Plymouth Argyle on loan for the rest of the season.
The England youth international signed for Spurs this past summer and has made five appearances for the club’s U21s side.
The women’s transfer window is also in full flow and full of whispers of who could go where. An intriguing report, from Soccerdonna, says French international Sakina Karchaoui could head to Women’s Champions League holders Barcelona.
Karchaoui has been impressive for Paris Saint-Germain this season and it would be a huge signing for her and Barca if it goes ahead.
Kylian Mbappé has been a part of the headlines today as it had been reported he had agreed terms with Real Madrid. However, the player’s representatives have commented on the rumours and rubbished them.
“There is no agreement made on the future of Kylian, nor have any discussions begun on this topic,” his agent group said.
“No influence can dictate Kylian’s timing, discussion, thinking or decision.”
The wait on his future continues.
Some clubs have not confirmed the destination of where the teams are going or if they are just allowing players a few days off.
Liverpool, Aston Villa, Tottenham, West Ham, Man Utd, Newcastle, Chelsea, Bournemouth, Fulham, Crystal Palace, Brentford and Burnley have not revealed any details.
Man City and Wolves are reportedly off to Abu Dhabi, Arsenal and Brighton are jetting to Dubai and Sheffield United are staying in their home city. Everton plan to give players time off.
There are some clubs though that have had their plans thrown into the air because of FA Cup replays, which will be played in the middle of the two league rest weekends. Seven top-flight clubs will be involved in the FA Cup replays with Crystal Palace, Everton, Brentford, Wolves, Luton, Nottingham Forest and West Ham all having to play again.
Nottingham Forest were planning to go to St George’s Park but have said that is now off, while Luton Town wanted to go abroad but have also had their plans disrupted.
Updated
The Premier League’s winter break is almost upon us. It is being split over two weekends and so fans will not go without football, just a reduced amount.
10 teams will play the weekend of 13/14 January with the other 10 playing 20/21 January. Arsenal, Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, West Ham and Wolves will rest the first weekend with Aston Villa, Burnley, Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Luton, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle and Tottenham taking the second weekend off.
But where are the clubs going on their break? Stay tuned to find out …
We touched upon the news earlier that Sam Kerr has been ruled out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury. Here’s a feature on the impact this will have:
It’s not just the club game where appointments are being made, the international stage may see a new coach too:
Will Jadon Sancho secure a loan move to Borussia Dortmund in this window? He will hope so after falling out of favour at Old Trafford but the deal with his former club has not yet been finalised.
Financial parts of the agreement have largely been agreed, according to Sky Sports, but other details need to be shored up.
We will turn back to some more rumours in a moment but if you are wondering where you can see all the confirmed deals from both men and women’s football then we have you covered. Have a look at these:
Updated
Who doesn’t love a football transfer rumour? Get your chops around these:
Ah the chocolate chat continues. “Fave Revel was always the coconut one, alas no more,” writes Prophet of HaZe on X. “Hopefully Mbappé realises that Madrid is a bad option now [Jude] Bellingham is ripping it up and heads to Merseyside and the loving embrace of Mr Klopp. But I think I have more chance of coconut Revels making a return.”
I think you’re right there, I can’t see Mbappé joining a Premier League club but I would love to be proved wrong.
Schär extends stay at Newcastle
Newcastle have some good news for fans with Fabian Schär signing a contract extension until 2025.
The defender has made 169 appearances for Newcastle since joining in 2018.
He said: “Playing for this team where I feel so comfortable with all my team-mates and with the coaching staff feels really like a family for me, so I’m really grateful to stay here a bit longer and hopefully to have some more exciting times.”
Brighton have recalled Chelsea Ferguson from her loan to Blackburn Rovers. The 19-year-old joined the Seagulls academy in 2020 and signed her first professional contract last summer.
Women and girls’ managing director Zoe Johnson said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming Chelsea back to the club as we look to continue her development.”
Brighton are currently 10th in the WSL after two wins from 10 games.
“No word about Arsenal signing a forward player who might actually score goals, so that means they’re keeping the deal very much under wraps,” Charles Antaki writes. “We look forward them to them imminently unveiling Marco van Basten, Gerd Müller and / or Denis Law.
“I would accept signing Harry Kane. Reluctantly, but I would accept it. Needs must.”
I think a lot of Arsenal supporters would join you in welcoming Kane. Ivan Toney was rumoured but that story looks to be running out of steam. The club have a few weeks yet but you’re right, no glimpse of an announcement yet.
Updated
Here’s all the information you need about Birmingham City’s appointment:
Of course Mowbray is taking over from Wayne Rooney who was sacked six days ago. The former Manchester United player took over when the club were in ninth and left with the side 20th in the Championship. Here are a few pieces to sink your teeth into about the failed venture:
Do you think Mowbray is revelling at the Birmingham opportunity? Yes that was a sloppy pun on the manager’s love for chocolate.
In a press conference when he was in charge of Sunderland he discussed his favourite flavour of Revels and I have to say I agree with his, the orange one. What’s your favourite? Let me know via email or X – @rendellx.
“I. Love. Revels!” - Tony Mowbray pic.twitter.com/Q6dLWLzWgl
— Joe (@joehay_) December 8, 2022
Birmingham City name Mowbray manager
Birmingham City have named their new manager and it’s Tony Mowbray who has signed a two-and-a-half year deal.
The 60-year-old was sacked by Sunderland in December after just over a year in the role.
“I am excited to be joining Birmingham City at this time,” he said on his appointment. “I can’t wait to get back on the training pitch and start working with this talented group of players.
“My focus is on building their confidence, delivering results, and giving Blues’ fans a team they can be excited by and proud of. I know from personal experience how passionate Bluenoses are, home and away, and I’m looking forward to having their full support for the team starting on Saturday at home to Swansea City.”
American Emily Fox has been one of the main rumours for Arsenal in this window and eagle-eyed fans spotted her in the background of a picture, now deleted by the club, on social media.
Now it’s been talked about on social media will Arsenal confirm the signing sooner rather than later? Time will tell. You can see the image below:
Who is that in the back? pic.twitter.com/b9s2mGHlj5
— Emily (@emtalksfootball) January 7, 2024
From one coy manager to another as Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was relatively tight lipped about the rumoured return of Jordan Henderson. The England international has reportedly not settled in Saudi Arabia and wants a move back to the Premier League.
“Did Hendo have a press conference and say that?” Klopp said when asked. “Ahh, it’s just written! That means for me it’s not existing.
“He didn’t call me! We spoke actually, but not about that. So really nothing to say about that.”
Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier set tongues wagging last week with the rumour he is close to a move to Bayern Munich. The move would see him reunited with former Spurs teammate Harry Kane but Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel is keeping his cards close to his chest about the transfer.
“Have you already asked the sporting director?” he said when asked about Dier. “There will be no comment from me.”
Kalvin Phillips has failed to play many minutes for Manchester City since signing in 2022 and so it makes sense as to why he wants a loan move away from the club. Juventus looked to be the front runners but the Italian side have reportedly now backed out.
⚪️⚫️ Juventus have no intention to proceed for Kalvin Phillips deal at current conditions after talks with Man City on loan fee/salary coverage.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 7, 2024
Newcastle remain interested in Kalvin Phillips, race open to more clubs. 🏴
Juventus priority is now Tiago Djaló as new centre back. pic.twitter.com/Nyaov6S0aD
Before Manchester United face Wigan in the FA Cup, manager Erik ten Hag was asked if the club’s potential targets in this transfer window would be put off of signing for United after some high profile players have failed to carve a place in the team.
“That is always on those players and the confidence you have in your capabilities,” Ten Hag said. “I can tell you one thing: the Premier League is tough, Manchester United is tough to play there because it is easier to play in almost any other team than Manchester United because the pressure is always high – you have to deal with that.
“If you have confidence in yourself, then this is the best challenge. This is the best club you want to be at as a player. That depends from player to player, especially it depends on the character and personality of the player.”
The big headline in women’s football emerged yesterday afternoon when Chelsea confirmed striker Sam Kerr had ruptured her ACL. It’s a huge blow to the Women’s Super League defending champions as well as her national team Australia with their captain now expected to miss the Olympics. Read the full story:
While I gather some transfer news for you let’s reflect on some of the weekend’s top lines. First up the talking points from the FA Cup, including a few upsets:
Preamble
Good morning and welcome to today’s transfer live. We are in the full swing of the window now and the rumour mill is in overdrive about who could move where next.
One of the top stories centres around PSG forward Kylian Mbappé, whose contract at the French side ends in the summer. He has been heavily linked to Real Madrid for some time and now some outlets, like Foot Mercato, are reporting he had agreed terms with the Spanish team. If there are any updates on the move I will bring them to you here.
The busy weekend of FA Cup fixtures also spill into today with Wigan hosting Manchester United, I’ll bring you any team news updates or any news lines for that fixture too. The competition’s fourth round draw is also taking place today at 7.50pm GMT.
Right let’s dig into some transfers shall we? If you have any thoughts on the transfer window get in touch with me via email or X – @rendellx.
