Latest news with #DavidOrnstein
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Man United fans choose clear favourite to fix midfield woes
Manchester United have many positions to fill this summer after a terrible season last year. They have already started well with the signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Nonetheless, they are not done yet as it has been widely reported that the Red Devils want to sign a striker and a goalkeeper before the window shuts at the end of next month. The need for a midfielder Whilst links to a midfielder have been quieter, there are many fans who believe that the Red Devils lack a certain type of player in their engine room. The opening pre-season match against Leeds United highlighted the lack of control in central areas that a partnership of Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro brings. Ruben Amorim also mentioned the team's lack of pace in the midfield in his post-match comments. Fans will be glad to know that ultra-reliable journalist, David Ornstein, reported on Tuesday that a number six signing was 'on the agenda' at United. The Peoples Person consequently held a poll for our readers to let us know who in fact they would choose to do the job in Amorim's midfield. Clear favourite There was a clear winner as 39% of readers chose Sporting CP's Morten Hjulmand. The Dane played for Ruben Amorim at the Portuguese champions and is said to be on United's radar this summer. The midfielder clearly has a strong connection with the manager as he was left incredibly disappointed by his exit in November to take up the United job. In second place was Atalanta's Ederson, who had 25% of the vote. United have had a long-term interest in the player but face competition from teams such as Juventus. There was less clarity in the last three options however, as Wilfred Ndidi came in third with 14% of the vote. The Nigerian is said to have a low cost this summer due to Leicester City's relegation to the Championship. Slightly below Ndidi is Douglas Luiz, who only 12% of supporters want. This is perhaps surprising considering his strong performance in the Premier League for Aston Villa and his age of 27-years-old. The Red Devils had been linked with a swap deal involving Jadon Sancho going to Juventus, but this looks unlikely as of now. Finally, 10% of readers decided that another midfielder not on the list would be the best option to sort United's midfield woes out once and for all. Follow us on Bluesky: @
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hendrick: Liverpool using Saudi interest to raise Diaz price
Luis Diaz Liverpool Future: Daily Red Podcast Reveals Transfer Tension Luis Diaz remains one of the most talked-about names in Liverpool's summer transfer window, and for good reason. On the latest episode of the Daily Red Podcast, contributor Dave Hendrick broke down the evolving situation with typical candour, highlighting the tension between the club's stance and the Colombian winger's apparent intentions. Liverpool reject Bayern bid for Diaz As reported by David Ornstein and dissected by Hendrick, Liverpool have rejected a €67.5 million offer from Bayern Munich for Luis Diaz. But the message coming from Anfield is far from straightforward. According to Hendrick, 'The line is Liverpool have no intention to sell. There's no world in which Liverpool have no intention to sell and also no intention to extend his contract. That's just not a real thing.' Advertisement That contradiction speaks volumes. While the club are publicly firm, behind the scenes, it seems the narrative is being shaped for a potential exit. Hendrick added, 'My guess is we don't want to sell Luis Diaz to a European club unless we get a big fee because we have a big fee waiting for him from Saudi Arabia.' Diaz wants out The crucial detail in Ornstein's report, and reinforced by Hendrick, is that Diaz 'has made it known he wants to leave the club.' From there, the dominoes begin to line up. 'If Diaz wants to leave, I don't think there's any chance we're going to keep him at the club. I do think he'll get sold,' said Hendrick. He went on to explain how Liverpool appear to be leveraging interest from the Saudi Pro League to drive up the price: 'I think we're trying to push him that way.' This would echo the approach Liverpool have taken with other players. As Hendrick noted, 'We've turned down bids from Napoli because I think we know there's a bigger bid waiting from the Saudis.' Advertisement Saudi route or stay put? Luis Diaz's desire might be to play for clubs like Bayern or Barcelona, but Liverpool are clearly setting boundaries. Hendrick offered a stark take on the options facing Diaz: 'Luis, you might want to go to Barca or Bayern, but your option might be staying on the contract that you're not happy with or taking this enormous bag from Saudi.' It is also worth noting that this is not the first time Diaz has shown willingness to move to Saudi Arabia. 'He was willing to go to Saudi two summers ago,' Hendrick reminded listeners, implying this route is not entirely out of the question. Shaping Liverpool's attack With Arne Slot at the helm and looking to evolve Liverpool's forward line, Diaz's exit could open doors for significant additions. Hendrick noted that Richard Hughes, Liverpool's new sporting director, has made signing a 'top number nine' a priority. Whether that is Alexander Isak, Victor Osimhen or Julian Alvarez remains to be seen, but it adds further weight to the idea that Diaz may be moved on to fund these ambitions. Advertisement What's becoming increasingly evident through the quotes and breakdowns in the Daily Red Podcast is that Liverpool are playing the long game. They are not in a rush, but the writing may already be on the wall. Hendrick summed it up succinctly: 'If we didn't think we could get [Isak], why wouldn't we have bought a striker by now?' Luis Diaz has been a valuable player for Liverpool since joining, but this summer could mark the end of his time at Anfield. Whether Bayern, Barcelona or Saudi Arabia becomes his next destination, the final decision will rest not just on fee, but on strategy, timing and leverage.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ornstein: Liverpool draw up striker shortlist amid transfer uncertaint
Liverpool's No 9 Puzzle: Pre-Season, Transfers and the Hunt for Firepower Tributes in Preston, Business in Motion Liverpool's pre-season curtain-raiser at Preston North End on Sunday was always going to carry a sombre tone. The death of Diogo Jota has shaken the club to its core, and the tributes that dominated the occasion were as heartfelt as they were heavy. Football, for all its tribalism, has a way of pausing in moments like this. Advertisement But while grief weighs on hearts, the football calendar waits for no one. Arne Slot handed minutes to new arrivals Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, two signings that hint at a well-prepared recruitment plan already in motion. Still, there is a glaring need to add further firepower before the serious business begins in August. As reported by David Ornstein in The Athletic. Photo IMAGO Gap in the Centre Forward Role Liverpool's recent strategy has centred around strength in depth across their front three. With options stacked on the wings, Diaz and Gakpo on the left, Salah and Frimpong on the right, the centre is the concern. There is no clear first-choice No 9. Photo: IMAGO Advertisement Federico Chiesa has been floated as a possibility, but his profile leans more towards a wide forward. Meanwhile, Napoli and Al Hilal are monitoring Darwin Nunez, whose Liverpool career has been anything but straightforward. The club appear ready to move on if the price is right. Nunez, despite flashes of promise, managed only seven goals in 47 appearances last season. 'He only started eight Premier League matches,' David Ornstein notes, 'with Slot preferring to play Luis Diaz as a false nine as he felt the Colombian was better suited to his system.' Photo: IMAGO Targets Under Review Richard Hughes, Liverpool's sporting director, is now focused on securing a genuine centre-forward. Several names have been considered. Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen, and Joao Pedro all fit the bill. Hugo Ekitike is another name that has surfaced, while Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson, admired by Hughes from his Bournemouth days, would have been a strong option if not tied to Stamford Bridge. Photo: IMAGO Advertisement Isak and Ekitike remain under consideration, though each would come with significant complications, be they financial or contractual. Chelsea, meanwhile, seem well stocked after recruiting both Joao Pedro and Liam Delap. Decision Time on Nunez There is still admiration for Nunez within sections of the fanbase. His energy, commitment and occasional match-winning moments cannot be denied. But football is ultimately judged in cold numbers. A meagre return of seven goals does not justify leading the line for a team chasing major honours. 'If Liverpool can get £60million for Nunez they should cash in,' Ornstein states. That fee could fund a more clinical and composed presence in the box. Florian Wirtz has been considered as a possible solution in the 4-2-3-1 system, although he thrives when playing slightly deeper. The need for a specialist striker remains. Advertisement Our View – Anfield Index Analysis Supporters expecting a title defence won't be content going into the season without a proven centre-forward. The experiment with Diaz as a false nine has its merits in theory, but over the course of a 38-game season, it lacks the consistency and goal return needed to win major trophies. Most fans still like Nunez. He plays with emotion, he presses, he cares. But he's had chances, and the numbers don't lie. Seven goals in 47 appearances just won't cut it for a team with Liverpool's ambition. If Saudi Arabia or Napoli come knocking with serious money, the club should not hesitate. That £60million could go a long way toward securing a complete forward who can thrive in Slot's structured attack. The idea of landing someone like Isak is mouth-watering, even if it's unlikely. But Liverpool need to be bold. Go after a player who will transform this side from a contender into a champion again. The time for patience is over. It's time to fix the No 9 position properly.
The Sun
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
‘Cancel the season' – Man Utd fans give up after latest Bryan Mbeumo transfer update
MANCHESTER UNITED are already reaching for the panic button after begging for next season to be CANCELLED. Just a week into pre-season, supporters are in full meltdown mode as the deal for Brentford ace Mbeumo hits a new deadlock. 3 The gap between Man Utd and Brentford on their valuation of Mbeumo remains big, according to The Athletic. Transfer guru David Ornstein revealed that the Red Devils still have some distance to cover before reaching an agreement with the Bees. The once considered done-deal is at risk of collapsing, with the two Premier League sides reportedly several million pounds apart. While Mbeumo, 27, has agreed personal terms with United, Brentford chiefs have rejected two bids for him. United's second offer of a £55million fixed fee plus £7.5million in add-ons falls short of the £65million Brentford want up-front. And fuming United fans are in a frenzy over the new stand-off over money, with next season starting in a month's time. One raged on X: "Cancel the season already." business is done." A third wrote: "What on earth is going on? The man is clearly worth the money. PAY IT." A fourth fumed: "We're just not serious as a club 😡." 3 One more added: "This absolutely ridiculous. Next season is another write off." Mbeumo turned down all other tracks, including a reunion with Thomas Frank at Spurs, in favour of a move to Old Trafford. But he was forced to report for training duty at Robert Rowan on Monday, as new manager Keith Andrews' squad returned from their summer breaks. Meanwhile, striker Yoane Wissa is a target for Tottenham, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest, the latter recently having a £22million bid rejected. Brentford revealed on Monday that they aren't prepared to sell both players this summer. Mbeumo scored 20 Premier League goals last season while Wissa netted 19. Former manager Frank has already been stolen by Spurs, who paid his £10million release clause. 3 TRANSFER NEWS LIVE - KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW While midfielder and club captain Christian Norgaard, 31, has joined Arsenal for £12million, breaking down in tears after seeing his son in a Gunners kit for the first time. Brentford made an approach to Ipswich Town on Monday for Omari Hutchinson, who has a £35million release clause. The West London club see the former Chelsea star, 21, among a small number of potential replacements for Mbeumo should he join United.
The Sun
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Transfer news LIVE: Henderson to JOIN Brentford, Spurs ANNOUNCE Kudus and close in on Gibbs-White deal
Tottenham eye MGW Tottenham have turned their attention to Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White. According to transfer insider David Ornstein, new Spurs boss Thomas Frank is a "long-term admirer" of Gibbs-White. The North Londoners will try to convince the playmaker to join if a deal is reached with Forest. And the England international is likely to leave the City Ground this summer.
