• Winning the FA Cup and beating rivals Manchester City saved Ten Hag but of greater importance is the fact that the new owners could not decide who would replace him after meeting several candidates.
• Dominic Calvert-Lewin might not be one of England manager Gareth Southgate’s chosen few for the Euros but Everton are in no doubt that they want to keep him.
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Manchester United have delayed the option to take Sofyan Arambat on a permanent deal but do not rule out the possibility of retaining his services.
Amrabat, who belongs to Italian side Fiorentina, is on a season-long loan and is available for £22m (Sh3.6bn). Following a slow start, Amrabat impressed at the end of the season, starting the final four games and playing in the FA Cup final.
Erik Ten Hag pushed for the signing of the 27-year-old and his future depends on the new ownership’s strategy now that Ten Hag is confirmed as staying at Old Trafford for next season.
What happens with Casemiro is also a factor and United are yet to decide whether he leaves or stays.
Ten Hag stays at United but with a big if…
The staff at Old Trafford were kept quiet about whether or not Erik Ten Hag would stay on as coach.
In the end, it was Sir Dave Brailsford, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s No2, who persuaded his boss to give Ten Hag more time in charge. The whole process was handled badly and was embarrassing for the coach.
Winning the FA Cup and beating rivals Manchester City saved Ten Hag but of greater importance is the fact that the new owners could not decide who would replace him after meeting several candidates.
I await the announcement of next season’s fixtures in July and, in particular, United’s first dozen games because if Ten Hag goes on another losing streak, he could be gone by December.
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No offers for Bernardo Silva
Surprisingly, Manchester City have not received any interest for Bernardo Silva which could be due to his £50m release clause.
Bernardo signed a contract extension last year but had hoped to play for Barcelona. The Spanish giants have financial problems and cannot afford to pay the £50m (Sh8.2bn).
Pep Guardiola confirmed that City have received no enquiries. He said, “Barca has never called…I hope Bernardo stays, he is a fundamental player for us, a gem of a player and as a person.”
Chelsea’s Jackson “seriously” injures ankle
Chelsea face an anxious wait with Nicolas Jackson sustaining a “serious” ankle injury playing for Senegal. Jackson was forced to withdraw from Senegal’s 1-1 draw with DR Congo last week. Scans have shown the injury will take weeks if not months to heal.
This is new coach Enzo Maresca's first crisis. It is an early setback since Jackson scored 14 goals last season. Chelsea start pre-season training in early July.
Eriksen says no to Saudi
Manchester United’s midfielder Christian Eriksen has denied that he will finish his career in Saudi Arabia.
He made only 12 starts last season after Kobbie Mainoo impressed and forced his way into the starting line-up.
United are accepting bids for the player in the final year of his contract. He said: “I have never received an offer from Saudi Arabia and if my agent has said something, I’ve always said that I don’t even want to know what it is because it’s not something that interests me.”
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Explanation of City’s case against Premier League
I will endeavour to explain what is happening with Manchester City and their current courtroom battle with the Premier League.
City are challenging the Premier League’s financial rules regarding the associated party transaction (ATP). The rules are meant to ensure that commercial deals or player transfers between clubs which are linked through ownership to other companies are conducted at fair market value so that club revenues are not artificially inflated.
If the arbitration panel rules for City and declare the APT rules cannot be applied, then clubs would be free to do any commercial deals without independent judgment that they are being done at fair market values.
That could lead to wealthy club owners being able to conduct deals outside of the transfer and wages financial sustainability rules.
Rich clubs such as Newcastle and Manchester City would be able to spend much more than smaller clubs which would be unfair, argues the Premier League.
City lawyers claim their club is a victim of discrimination and subjected to a “tyranny of the majority” under current rules. There has to be a 14-club majority vote for any motion to be approved. There have been reports that 10-12 clubs have offered support to the Premier League’s defence case.
It is worth pointing out that this case does not involve the 115 charges over alleged breaking of the financial rules. Those cases will be heard in court later in the year. City are strenuously denying the charges.
Palmeiras 18-year-old to sign for West Ham
West Ham’s director of football Tim Steidten has been in Brazil recruiting players for new coach Julen Lopetegui who, starts work at the London Stadium on July 1.
Brazilian midfielder Luis Guilherme is possibly the first signing for £25m (Sh4.1bn). He has played for Palmeiras since he was 17. He is considered to be one of Brazil’s brightest emerging youngsters. He was due to have a medical this week. Steidten is trying to bring in a centre-forward, right-back and centre-half.
Potter of interest to Leicester
Leicester City have identified who they want to replace Enzo Maresca, who has joined Chelsea. In a merry-go-round situation, former Chelsea boss Graham Potter tops the Foxes' list. Ex-West Ham coach David Moyes is also of interest. Nottingham Forest’s sacked coach Steve Cooper is another possibility but Potter is a firm favourite.
Time is ticking away as the new season approaches and Leicester want their new man to take charge before August. Potter has taken things slowly after leaving Chelsea. He recently held exploratory talks with Brighton and Ajax, which did not go anywhere.
Sagny tells Varane to talk to Gunners
Former defender Bacary Sagna gave Manchester United’s outgoing Raphael Verane some advice this week: join Arsenal. The centre-back ended his Old Trafford career after United beat fierce rivals Manchester City in winning the FA Cup.
Sagna played with Varane for France. He said: “He is a fantastic player with a lot left to offer because he is only 31. I think he would be a brilliant signing for Arsenal because of his winning mentality and personality. He still has that desire and competitiveness to play.”
Vardy aims for one more season
Jamie Vardy is back in the Premier League with his long-time employers Leicester City. The 37-year-old veteran striker has been given a one-year contract for his 13th season with the Foxes. Vardy said, “My legs feel fine. Age is just a number and I really look after myself.”
Vardy has scored an impressive 136 goals in the top flight, 190 goals overall and needs another nine to move up to 14th place in the all-time Premier League charts. He has played 464 times for Leicester.
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Newcastle eye Everton’s Calvert-Lewin
Dominic Calvert-Lewin might not be one of England manager Gareth Southgate’s chosen few for the Euros but Everton are in no doubt that they want to keep him.
Calvert-Lewin’s current contract expires in June 2025 and he is a potential target for Newcastle, who are strengthening their squad this summer.
He has suffered regular injuries over the past few years, hindering his career.
But his end-of-season performances were noted by many Premier League clubs. He scored in four of his last seven games including the 2-0 derby win against Liverpool.
Despite what you might have read, I can confirm that Everton are not in talks with Burnley regarding 22-year-old defender Maxime Esteve. They don't have eyes for Ao Tanaka or Arthur Melo but are pursuing Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips, on loan.
United told “Hands off our Frenkie”
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has told Manchester United that Frenkie De Jong is “untouchable” and should, therefore, forget signing him. The 27-year-old has been on United’s radar for some time. Erik Ten Hag worked with him at Ajax. United tried to sign Frenkie soon after Ten Hag’s appointment and discussions got quite heated as the Manchester club were told to go away.
Manchester United are banning all personnel not working with the first team from eating in the main canteen at the training ground. They will eat in a separate part of the building which will not include the ‘high-performance” food allocated to players. This follows a move which sent the club’s laundry team to another part of the training ground.
This move directly contradicts Sir Alex Ferguson’s rule that everyone mixed together.
In his autobiography, he said: “I wanted to form a personal link with everybody around the place. All had to believe they were part of the club and a resurgence was coming.”
New part-owner Sir James Ratcliffe disagrees.
Richarlison denies press rumours about leaving
Relax Tottenham supporters, Richarlison has denied rumours that he is leaving. He described the stories as “fake news”.
Spur’s £60m (Sh9.88bn) signing from Everton in 2022 has been linked with a return to Brazil or new adventures in Saudi Arabia. He suffered a frustrating injury-hit season after rotating the central striker position with Heung-min Son. He has scored 12 times in 31 appearances.
He took time off from his summer break to return to Brazil to work on his fitness in Sao Paulo and denied that he is unhappy at Spurs.
“I gave up my vacation and came to work so I could return well and be ready for the next season. …I won’t leave England next season!”
Timo Werner’s loan from RB Leipzig has been extended for a further season.
Transfer news…
Arsenal, Chelsea and Man United are all disappointed after their target, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, decided to stay at the German club.
Tottenham need to clear out players and have dropped Emerson Royal’s price from £25m (Sh4.1bn) to £20m (Sh3.2bn). AC Milan are in pursuit but have around £15m (Sh2.4bn). Spur’s will also accept bids for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Bryab Gil and Giovani Lo Celso.
Juventus are interested in signing Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz, which is good and bad news for the Midlands club. I am told Villa are close to breaking the £105m (Sh17bn) losses over three years rule and whereas the club do not want to lose Luiz, they need the cash.
Mason Greenwood, still unwanted at Manchester United, has agreed to join Juventus but the Italian Serie A club are trying to lower the price of £30m (Sh4.9bn).
Columbian and Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran has instructed his agent to make a deal with Chelsea. The 20-year-old has scored eight goals in 49 appearances for Villa but has struggled to get into the first team because of the blistering form of Ollie Watkins.
Italian club Bologna are also interested. They have qualified for Champions League football next season and their main striker, Joshua Zirkzee, could be on his way to AC Milan.
Promoted Ipswich Town are looking at signing Tottenham reject, 25-year-old Japhet Tanganga, who is leaving in a month. Tanganga can play at full-back or in central defence. He impressed while on loan at Millwall last season.