Tag: Atletico Madrid

  • Arsenal’s favourite for new sporting director signed Rodri for just £16.5m

    Arsenal’s favourite for new sporting director signed Rodri for just £16.5m

    Former Atletico Madrid sporting director Andrea Berta has emerged as the frontrunner to take the same role at Arsenal.

    The Gunners are searching for a replacement following Edu’s exit in November.

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    Berta is the frontrunner to become Arsenal’s new sporting directorCredit: Getty
    Edu stepped down from the role back in November

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    Edu stepped down from the role back in NovemberCredit: Getty

    Edu had spent five years at the Emirates Stadium having returned to the club in 2019.

    Interim sporting director Jason Ayto had been a candidate for the role along with former Gunners midfielder Tomas Rosicky.

    Former Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth was also linked with the role having suddenly left Old Trafford in December.

    However, Berta is currently the leading candidate after holding advanced talks with the Gunners, according to Fabrizio Romano.

    The Italian had been linked with joining AC Milan in recent weeks following his exit from Atletico Madrid.

    Berta spent 12 years with the Spanish giants before leaving the club in January.

    During his time with Atletico, Diego Simeone’s side won six trophies including two LaLiga titles and the Europa League.

    It is his transfer prowess which has caught the eye, though, after a string of high-profile deals in the Spanish capital.

    Berta completed the £16.5million signing of Rodri from Villarreal in 2018.

    After 47 appearances, the midfielder was sold to Manchester City for £58million a year later.

    Berta left Atletico in January after 12 years with the club

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    Berta left Atletico in January after 12 years with the clubCredit: Getty
    He signed Rodri for £16.5million before selling him to City a year later

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    He signed Rodri for £16.5million before selling him to City a year laterCredit: AFP

    Rodri has gone on to win 11 trophies with City, including the treble, and won the Ballon d’Or in October.

    Berta also oversaw the sale of Antoine Griezmann to Barcelona for £99million in 2019 before re-signing him for £18million four years later.

    His notable signings also include Joao Felix, Kieran Trippier, Luis Suarez, Julian Alvarez and Conor Gallagher.

    Having started his career in his native Italy with Carpendolo, Berta has also worked with Parma and Genoa in the past.

    He was also named ‘sporting director of the year’ at the Globe Soccer Awards back in 2019.

    The award has also been won by former Tottenham director Fabio Paratici and outgoing City chief Txiki Begiristain.

    Darren Bent names Edu’s top 5 signings for Arsenal as Sporting Director

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  • ‘First leg for the ages’: Comebacks galore as Spanish rivals play out wild eight-goal thriller in Cup semi

    ‘First leg for the ages’: Comebacks galore as Spanish rivals play out wild eight-goal thriller in Cup semi

    Atletico Madrid conceded a two-goal lead then fought back from two down in a wild 4-4 draw with Barcelona in a Copa del Rey semi-final first leg thriller on Tuesday.

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    After Diego Simeone’s side scored twice in the opening six minutes through Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann, Barca raced through the gears in a high-octane performance.

    The superb Pedri Gonzalez pulled one back with Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez and Robert Lewandowski going on to score for the Catalan giants.

    Marcos Llorente netted for Atletico before Alexander Sorloth struck in the 93rd minute to leave the tie perfectly poised ahead of the second leg at the Metropolitano stadium on April 2.

    “It’s a terrible result when you go 4-2 up… you have to be more careful, these are things we have to learn,” Pedri told Movistar.

    “Today we started badly but I’ll focus on how the team reacted.

    “When we got in front we have to be calmer… it will be a difficult (second leg) but we will go there to try and win.”

    Hansi Flick left Barca’s top goalscorer Lewandowski out of the starting line-up, with Ferran Torres taking his place in a false nine role.

    Simeone picked a strong side despite his side’s extremely tricky fixture list, with this the first of three matches against Barca and a Champions League last 16 tie against Real Madrid on the horizon.

    Atletico took the lead inside the first minute, with Alvarez pouncing at the back post after Griezmann’s cross was flicked on.

    Atletico doubled their lead in the sixth minute when Jules Kounde gave the ball away and Alvarez produced a stunning pass to release Griezmann.

    The French forward was being pressured by Alejandro Balde but cleverly worked room for a shot, which Wojciech Szczesny got a hand to but could not keep out.

    After Atletico’s opening salvo, Barcelona dominated the rest of the first half. Ferran Torres should have levelled for Barcelona after Raphinha sent him through on goal but his shot was week and Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso saved easily.

    The La Liga leaders hit two goals in two minutes to pull back level, with Kounde setting up Pedri for the first before Cubarsi nodded home from a corner.

    Torres spurned another golden chance for Barca’s third, rounding Musso but misfiring under pressure from Clement Lenglet, on loan from the Catalans at Atletico.

    – ‘90 minutes to go’ –

    Szczesny saved well from Griezmann at the start of the second half, with Barca still largely in control.

    Sorloth had a goal disallowed for off-side as the visitors sought an equaliser, but instead it was Barca who moved further ahead.

    Teenage winger Lamine Yamal created it with a brilliant dribble, blazing past Reinildo Mandava and squaring for substitute Lewandowski to tap home.

    Barcelona’s performance merited their lead but Llorente’s 84th minute strike from the edge of the box opened the door for Sorloth to net late on.

    The Norwegian forward grabbed Atletico a last-gasp victory at Barca’s Olympic stadium in December in La Liga and he was in the right place at the right time once more to finish from Samuel Lino’s cut-back.

    “It was crazy, a lot of goals, we knew it wouldn’t be easy against one of the best teams in Europe, they’ve proved that,” Alvarez told Movistar.

    “We did our work too though and there’s 90 minutes to go… we have to continue on this path.” On Wednesday Real Madrid visit Real Sociedad in the other semi-final first leg.

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  • ‘Very harshly done by’: Arsenal boss fumes after keeper ‘punches’ rival in VAR drama

    ‘Very harshly done by’: Arsenal boss fumes after keeper ‘punches’ rival in VAR drama

    A Hakan Calhanoglu penalty gave Inter Milan a 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday, while a 93rd-minute winner ensured Atletico Madrid left Paris with all three points.

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    The Italian champions remain undefeated in the competition this season and sit fifth on 10 points at the midway point of the new league phase format.

    “I think we played a great game against a strong side who play with great intensity,” said Inter coach Simone Inzaghi.

    Arsenal, on the other hand, experienced defeat for the first time in Europe this season and lie three points and seven places behind their opponents.

    The match at the San Siro looked set to go into the break goalless until a penalty was signalled against Mikel Merino after Mehdi Taremi’s flick deviated the ball into the Arsenal player’s raised hand from close range.

    Earlier in the first half, Merino felt he was denied a penalty when Sommer connected with his head as he punched clear Gabriel Martinelli’s cross, but VAR did not see enough to overturn the on-field decision.

    “We were very harshly done by,” Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta told TNT Sports.

    “There is no deflection, nothing you can do in the box, so can he get away from it?”

    Arteta continued in the post-match press conference: “We were told at the start of the season that wasn’t a penalty. That was clear. Today it was a different story. But OK. They decide that is a penalty.

    “But if that is a penalty then the one on Mikel Merino where he punches him in the head has to be a penalty, 1,000 per cent. These are the margins in this game and it’s very, very difficult to accept.”

    Inter Milan’s Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer makes a save in front of Arsenal’s Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino. Photo by Gabriel BOUYS / AFPSource: AFP

    Calhanoglu stroked home the resulting spot-kick three minutes into first-half injury time.

    Yann Sommer and Denzel Dumfries combined on the line to deny Gabriel Magalhaes a leveller shortly before the hour.

    Arsenal cranked up the pressure in the second half but were unable to break down Inter’s solid defensive block as the Premier League side fell to a second defeat in four days.

    Barcelona beat Red Star Belgrade 5-2 in Serbia to claim sixth spot in the standings.

    The Catalans took the lead on 13 minutes via a stooping header by defender Inigo Martinez.

    But Red Star struck back just prior to the half-hour when Silas Mvumpa sprang the Barca offside trap and lifted the ball past Inaki Pena.

    Robert Lewandowski effectively ensured Barca stayed in the automatic qualification spots with a quick-fire double either side of the break.

    Raphinha and Fermin Lopez then netted, before Felicio Milson curled in a late consolation for the hosts.

    Atletico stunned PSG 2-1 in the French capital as Angel Correa’s stoppage-time winner gave the Spaniards a second Champions League win this term.

    “Paris played very well, they attacked the whole match, but we were confident, we worked hard in defence and as a team, and we got our goal at the end to claim victory,” Correa said to Movistar.

    The loss means the French champions sit in the elimination zone with one win and a draw from four, with matches against Manchester City and Bayern Munich to come.

    Warren Zaire-Emery sent PSG ahead with a dinked finish past Jan Oblak on 14 minutes, before Nahuel Molina drilled in an equaliser four minutes later.

    The home team pressed as the match wore on but left themselves exposed as Oblak’s throw found Antoine Griezmann on the break and the Frenchman’s pinpoint pass landed at the feet of Correa, who cut in and finished past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

    Jamal Musiala struck in the 67th minute to get Bayern Munich’s stuttering campaign back on course with a 1-0 win at home to Benfica.

    The six-time winners’ record of two wins and two defeats leaves them mid-table with four matches remaining.

    Stunning brain fade ends Villa’s streak | 01:03

    Aston Villa’s 100 per cent record in the Champions League ended with a 1-0 defeat at Club Brugge, sparked by a bizarre penalty conceded by Tyrone Mings.

    After making his debut in the competition in just his second match back after a long injury lay-off, the England centre-half gifted Brugge a penalty in the 51st minute after he picked up a short goal kick taken by Emiliano Martinez.

    Hans Vanaken stroked home from 12 yards to drop Villa to eighth. Brest continued their excellent start to life at European football’s top table, a 2-1 win at Sparta Prague taking them to fourth place.

    Second-half strikes by Ademola Lookman and Nicolo Zaniolo gave Europa League champions Atalanta a 2-0 win at Stuttgart.

    RB Leipzig picked up their first points of the campaign with a 3-1 victory in the Netherlands against 10-man Feyenoord.

    Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine defeated Young Boys 2-1, condemning the Swiss side to a fourth consecutive defeat in the competition.

    UEFA Champions League results

    Club Brugge 1 (Vanaken 52-pen) defeated Aston Villa 0

    Shakhtar Donetsk 2 (Zubkov 31, Sudakov 41) defeated Young Boys 1 (Imeri 27)

    Bayern Munich 1 (Musiala 67) defeated Benfica 0

    Feyenoord 1 (Hadj Moussa 81) lost to Salzburg 3 (Konate 45+2, 58, Guindo 86)

    Inter Milan 1 (Calhanoglu 45+3-pen) defeated Arsenal 0

    Paris Saint-Germain 1 (Zaire-Emery 14) lost to Atletico Madrid 2 (Molina 18, Correa 90+3)

    Red Star Belgrade 2 (Silas 27, Milson 84) lost to Barcelona 5 (Martinez 13, Lewandowski 43, 53, Raphinha 55, Lopez 76)

    Sparta Prague 1 (Olatunji 90+2) lost to Brest 2 (Fernandes 37, Kairinen 80-og)

    Stuttgart 0 lost to Atalanta 2 (Lookman 51, Zaniolo 88)

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  • Gallagher serenaded by entire Wanda Metropolitano as he makes Atletico debut

    Gallagher serenaded by entire Wanda Metropolitano as he makes Atletico debut

    Conor Gallagher is already endearing himself to his new supporters after Atletico Madrid’s fans serenaded him on his debut.

    The England midfielder made his Atletico bow on Sunday evening as they took on Girona at the Wanda Metropolitano – a match that they won 3-0.

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    Conor Gallagher is already a big fans’ favourite in MadridCredit: Getty

    While initially named on the bench, Gallagher was introduced just before the hour-mark as he replaced Rodrigo Riquelme.

    His introduction came much to the delight of the Atletico fans who had clearly been waiting all evening to get a glimpse of their new signing.

    With Diego Simeone‘s side already 2-0 up, Gallagher was introduced down the left side and immediately got fans onside by showing his incredible work rate as he closed down the opposition with aggression and put them under immediate pressure.

    READ MORE ON CONOR GALLAGHER

    Keeping the ball well, the midfielder came away with a pass completion rate of 90 per cent.

    Clearly impressed with what they’d seen, footage posted on social media showed the Atletico Madrid fans singing Gallagher’s name after a successful first outing.

    Gallagher completed his move to Madrid last week in a deal worth £34million.

    He was effectively forced out at Chelsea after 18 years at the club, a decision that left a sour taste in the mouths of fans who saw the 24-year-old as one of their own.

    Since moving, Gallagher has been taken under the wing of Chelsea legend Cesar Azpilicueta, with the midfielder saying that he’s delighted with his move to Spain.

    Speaking after his unveiling, Gallagher said: “I loved every minute of it. I was always confident that the deal would be done because of how much I wanted to come to the club and how much the club felt like they wanted me so I kind of knew it was going to happen but these things take time.

    “I am so happy that it is finally done.

    Gallagher made an immediate impact when coming off the bench

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    Gallagher made an immediate impact when coming off the benchCredit: Getty

    “The whole thing really excites me: not just playing for this massive club but living in a different country, a different city, [with] a different language. All these things really excite me and my partner.

    “I need to learn Spanish quickly, and it is something I am looking forward to.

    “The culture is very different from London, the way of life, but I love it. Every single player has been super-friendly. I look forward to building a friendship with all the players.”

    Danny Murphy CALLS Chelsea’s Handling Of Conor Gallagher’s Transfer To Atletico Madrid AMATEURISH

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  • Chelsea branded ‘pathetic’ over Gallagher and Felix announcements

    Chelsea branded ‘pathetic’ over Gallagher and Felix announcements

    Chelsea were branded pathetic for how they handled the announcements of Conor Gallagher’s departure and the arrival of Joao Felix.

    The Blues posted a heartwarming video of Gallagher talking about how much playing for the club meant to him, alongside clips of him in the academy all the way to captaining the first team.

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    Gallagher was unveiled at Atletico on Wednesday night

    That was in complete contrast to how the club engineered his exit, exiling him from the first team and forcing him out.

    The England midfielder joined Atletico Madrid and was unveiled at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday night.

    Felix moved in the opposite direction, with Chelsea needing to do a deal with Atletico so the Gallagher move went through.

    The Portugal forward was announced as returning ‘home’, despite only previously spending a brief loan spell at Stamford Bridge, which Chelsea opted against making permanent at the time.

    talkSPORT presenters Hugh Woozencroft and Flex were seething over the way Chelsea handled it all.

    Woozencroft said: “To add insult to injury, they made out that Conor Gallagher was a young player at the club they couldn’t bare to lose. It was heartbreaking to see someone who was one of their own and they put interviews up of him talking about what it meant to him to be a Chelsea player, shots of him in the academy.

    “Heartwarming video from Conor Gallagher’s side, but he will look at that and say ‘hold on a minute, that underlines how much I wanted to be a Chelsea player and shows how much you didn’t want me here’.

    “How can you watch that and not think this is a player we want at our football club. It’s crazy, particularly when they were doing the business for you on the football pitch.

    “Also, are they trying to kid us all? They said he is taking his next step in his football adventure as if he’s going on to bigger and better things and we couldn’t stop him like when Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale went off to Real Madrid.

    “It is crazy to think you couldn’t have kept him.”

    Flex added: “On top of that, the Joao Felix post says ‘home again’. What!? They went into the window wanting [Samu] Omorodion, but didn’t quite get him and had to take this guy because they needed to do a deal with Atletico so Gallagher goes the other way.

    “To put ‘home again’ after letting Gallagher go is just awful. And they put ‘Chelsea is where he belongs’. Chelsea weren’t interested in him two weeks ago.

    “If this is where he belongs and you can’t wait to get Joao Felix back home to Stamford Bridge and Cobham, then why wasn’t he one of your primary targets during the window… pathetic.”

    La Liga expert Terry Gibson warns Chelsea on ‘disaster’ Joao Felix and reveals Atletico Madrid were ‘desperate’ to get rid of him

    Flex added: “Gallagher – after Cole Palmer – was their best player last season.

    “For large parts of the season, he had the most regains, the most tackles, covered the most ground, he had the captain’s armband.

    “He really stood up during a disappointing time for Chelsea. With Enzo Fernandes and Moises Caicedo not showing up, Romeo Lavia not there, you tell me who the £100m player in Chelsea’s midfield was last year?”

    Nobody quite knows what will happen next at Chelsea with more departures expected as they try to trim down their already bloated squad.

    What Joao Felix said after joining Chelsea

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    What Joao Felix said after joining Chelsea

    That has not stopped them signing a remarkable 10 players already this summer.

    Alongside Gallagher, Armando Broja, Trevoh Chalobah and Romelu Lukaku were forced to train away from the first team.

    Then Enzo Maresca decided Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell were surplus to requirements and exiled as well.

    To add insult to injury, Sterling’s number seven shirt number was handed to Pedro Neto.

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  • Chelsea target Joao Felix is ‘such a talent’ but fans are right to be skeptical

    Chelsea target Joao Felix is ‘such a talent’ but fans are right to be skeptical

    Darren Bent believes that Chelsea fans are right to be skeptical about a move for ‘talented’ star Joao Felix.

    The Atletico Madrid star is being linked with a return to Stamford Bridge as part of a bid to push through Conor Gallagher‘s move to the Spanish giants.

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    Links with Joao Felix have certainly got Chelsea’s fans talkingCredit: Getty

    It comes after Samu Omorodion’s move to Chelsea collapsed, with Atletico keen to recoup some funds to bankroll their move for Gallagher and Julian Alvarez, who joined from Man City on Monday.

    Felix is a familiar face to fans at Stamford Bridge having joined the club on a half-season loan deal in January 2023.

    In 20 appearances for the club, the forward scored four goals before returning to the Wanda Metropolitana.

    He then spent last term on loan with Barcelona where he scored 10 times and offered six assists.

    The link comes as something of a surprise following Pedro Neto’s £51.4million Stamford Bridge switch, with fans wondering how Enzo Maresca will fit such talent into one team.

    Asked if Chelsea’s fans will be excited or worried by the amount of transfer activity, Bent told Drive: “A little bit of both.

    “I think with Pedro Neto, fans will think ‘yes!’.

    “With Joao Felix, his debut last time was against Fulham and he got sent off but he looked really good before that.

    “I like Joao Felix, I think he’s such a talented footballer but for whatever reason, there always seems to be something missing.

    “But I watched him in the Euros against Georgia and he had some nice touches but when you need to score a goal or create something, it’s not there.

    Joao Felix scored just four goals during his last loan spell with Chelsea

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    Joao Felix scored just four goals during his last loan spell with ChelseaCredit: AFP
    Enzo Maresca could have a huge number of attackers on the books

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    Enzo Maresca could have a huge number of attackers on the booksCredit: Getty

    “Chelsea fans will be looking at it and thinking, ‘do we really want him back?’

    “Who would you rather play as number 10, him or Cole Palmer? It’s not even close.”

    Maresca has a plethora of attacking options with the potential signing of Felix joining Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall who also joined Chelsea this summer.

    Title winners? Top 4? Relegation? talkSPORT pundits give their Premier League predictions ahead of the 2024/25 season

    Add those stars into the mix with Cole Palmer, Raheem Sterling, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Noni Madueke – you start to see where Maresca could have his work cut out.

    But according to Darren Bent, the only thing that the new Chelsea boss must focus on is getting off to a good start.

    “Enzo Maresca has got to get it right early,” Bent said.

    “I think that’s what he’s got to do – he’s got to pick a team who he fancies and just go with it.

    Enzo Maresca could have a huge number of attackers on the books

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    Enzo Maresca could have a huge number of attackers on the booksCredit: Getty

    “If they start to get results then the rest will take care of itself because at least you have a base.

    “I felt that with Poch last season, he was trying different teams, different systems, different players – he has to go bang, this is my best XI.

    “If they get smashed 5-0 by Man City then it’s different, but if they put in a positive performance or result then at least he’s got a base to work off.

    “Once Poch got the team that he wanted you started to see good results.”

    Chelsea start their season with a home clash against Man City on Saturday afternoon.

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  • Spurs on brink of mega $126m Dominic Solanke coup; Chelsea land NINTH star in wild spree: PL Transfers

    Spurs on brink of mega $126m Dominic Solanke coup; Chelsea land NINTH star in wild spree: PL Transfers

    Ange Postecoglou has got his man.

    The Australian manager of Premier League side Tottenham wanted a new star striker, 12 months on from the departure of legendary club and England captain Harry Kane.

    Now Spurs are on the brink of signing their number one target – Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth – according to widespread reports.

    Solanke has a £65 million ($A126m) release clause, but a deal could be struck for slightly less according to some reports. Regardless, it will smash Bournemouth’s club record.

    Solanke, a Chelsea academy product who struggled to impress at Liverpool, enjoyed the finest season of his career, with 19 Premier League goals seeing him unlucky to miss out on an England call-up for the Euros.

    Just as impressive as his goalscoring form was his link-up play, crucial to Postecoglou’s free-flowing attacking approach.

    Ange Postecoglou has landed his top target.Source: Getty Images

    Postecoglou said on Friday: “I have always felt that if you get the recruitment right then whoever it is hits the ground running.

    “We signed Mickey van de Ven three days before the first game last year against Brentford and we threw him straight in. He literally hit the ground running.

    “We are trying to identify players who fit into our style of football. There will be a bit of adjustment but hopefully they will already have those qualities to come into the group and contribute straight away.

    “That is my expectation when we sign someone. They will be ready to contribute from the moment they arrive.”

    Yet he emphasised that any new signing would not bear the weight of replacing club legend Kane.

    “We showed last year that we were still a threatening team going forward without Harry. We are talking about a generational talent here, he was never going to be replaced, but invariably there will always be comparisons,” Postecoglou added.

    “It’s pretty evident from the way we play that we are never going to be reliant on one player. When we are up and running we can score from many different areas.

    “Hopefully the striker, when he is playing in our system, is a beneficiary of that as well as a contributor.”

    Meanwhile, Chelsea’s overfull squad looks set to be stretched even farther with the club set to sign winger Pedro Neto from Wolves.

    Neto is excellent in one-on-one situations against fullbacks.Source: Getty Images

    It would be their ninth arrival of the window, with the club desperately needing to offload some of their almost 45 contracted players.

    Chelsea reportedly agreed a deal worth up to £54m ($A105m) for Neto, and are also closing in on the signing of striker Samu Omorodion from Atlético Madrid for a reported £34.5m.

    24-year-old Portuguese international Neto has struggled with injuries over the last three seasons but boasts plenty of talent and impressed at the Euros.

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  • Simon Jordan: Conor Gallagher is mediocre and Chelsea will surprise this season

    Simon Jordan: Conor Gallagher is mediocre and Chelsea will surprise this season

    Simon Jordan says Conor Gallagher’s departure does not call for Chelsea panic stations as he tipped the Blues to fare well this season.

    Gallagher has completed his medical at Atletico Madrid, talkSPORT understands, as he brings an end to his 16-year association with the west London club.

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    Jordan doesn’t believe Chelsea fans should be so furious over Gallagher’s saleCredit: Getty

    The 24-year-old – who wore the armband on numerous occasions for the Blues last season – will sign his five-year contract shortly to complete his £33million transfer.

    His impending departure has not gone down well with the Chelsea fan base, who are gutted to see the back of a homegrown player who has Cobham running through his veins.

    But talkSPORT’s White and Jordan co-host Simon Jordan isn’t so sure Blues supporters should be as outraged as they are, suggesting he is not the be-all and end-all of the club’s chances of success.

    When Jim White stated he believed it was a big move for a player the age of Gallagher, the ex-Crystal Palace owner said: “If you’re being transferred from a London, or English leading Premier League club, irrespective of the certain travails Chelsea have had recently, and you’re being transferred to Real Madrid, or Barcelona, then absolutely.”

    “Oh, come on,” White interjected. “Simon, it’s not [a] bad [move].”

    “Of course it’s not bad,” Jordan responded. “And it’s not bad for Conor Gallagher. I think Conor Gallagher is seemingly getting a reputation of being some sort of world beater, and the reason why they might have some success which is nonsense.

    “They got £40million for a mediocre player, not a bad player, an international player with some recognition.”

    After coming through Chelsea’s academy, Gallagher went on loan to Charlton, Swansea, West Brom and then Crystal Palace.

    He then broke into the first team and has made 95 appearances in total, scoring 10 goals and grabbing 10 assists.

    But despite his role in the team over the last two seasons, Jordan thinks Chelsea will be fine without him.

    Jordan still commends Gallagher for the job he did at his former club, Palace

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    Jordan still commends Gallagher for the job he did at his former club, PalaceCredit: getty
    But thinks Maresca and co will be fine without him

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    But thinks Maresca and co will be fine without himCredit: AFP

    He continued: “I listened to Darragh [MacAnthony] making a very good point with Alex Crook about the outrage of selling Conor Gallagher.

    “How many people were watching England saying ‘you know what, we must have Conor Gallagher on the pitch because if we don’t have him you’re not going to win anything!’

    “So the reality of it is, Chelsea have done some business, he’s got a good deal. He’s done the same route as Kieran Trippier did, which is leave a football club, no one could conceive why Trippier was leaving Spurs at the time could they?

    Conor Gallagher arrives in Spain to sign for Atletico Madrid after leaving boyhood club Chelsea

    “And he went off to Atletico, reemerges in England with an even bigger potential to be an England player and went to Newcastle which was a much loved project which had no finances involved.”

    Despite this, Jordan has hailed Gallagher for his impact he had on loan at Palace in the 2021/22 season.

    “Oh I like his energy,” he said. “There’s no doubt about it, he’s an honest player. He’s one of those players you can put your hat on every single game and know every game you’re going to get a seven out of 10 from him.

    “But he’s not an exceptional player. At Palace what he did was he gave the team enormous vibrancy. He worked from the first minute to the 90th minute.”

    And whilst Gallagher moves on, Jordan expects Chelsea to surprise people this season under new boss Enzo Maresca

    That’s despite recent underwhelming seasons and question marks over owners Todd Boehly and co’s running of the club.

    “I expect Chelsea to right this ship,” he said. “Irrespective of how much their owners are spending, which is their own money they’re spending and maybe wasting.

    “I still think Chelsea will be – I think they’ll surprise people this season, I really do.”

    Chelsea get their season underway next Sunday against Manchester City.

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  • Man City agree fee to sell Julian Alvarez – nearly six times what they paid

    Man City agree fee to sell Julian Alvarez – nearly six times what they paid

    Man City have agreed a fee with Atletico Madrid for Julian Alvarez, talkSPORT understands.

    The transfer fee is around £81million – six times more than what the Citizens paid for the 24-year-old in 2022.

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    Atletico Madrid are closing in on Julian AlvarezCredit: Getty

    And a move is now set to be a formality with the versatile forward agreeing personal terms over a move to the Wanda Metropolitano.

    Alvarez joined the Premier League champions for a fee of £14m two years ago from River Plate.

    The Argentine star had been keen on a move away from the Etihad in his quest to play regular first team football.

    READ MORE ON PREMIER LEAGUE

    Arsenal had already expressed an interest in the forward, but Atletico have won the race.

    It will also be a club-record sale for City.

    Alvarez will likely join Conor Gallagher who is closing in on a £33m move from Chelsea.

    It also offers good news for the Blues, with Atletico set to soften their stance on Samu Omorodion as they look to sign the forward for a fee in the region of £34million.

    Since joining City, Alvarez has scored 36 goals in 103 appearances, providing 18 assists along the way.

    The World Cup winner has also won the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League and Club World Cup during his stint in England.

    He revealed he would consider his future following the Paris Olympics, with a decision expected soon following Argentina‘s quarter-final exit to France.

    Julian Alvarez has a hugely impressive trophy haul after two and a half years at City

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    Julian Alvarez has a hugely impressive trophy haul after two and a half years at CityCredit: Getty
    His move could pave the way for Chelsea to sign Samu Omorodion

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    His move could pave the way for Chelsea to sign Samu OmorodionCredit: Getty

    Alvarez, who was part of his nation’s Copa America-winning squad this summer, said: “I haven’t stopped to think about what I’m going to do.

    “Last season I was one of the players who played the most minutes in the team.

    “But it’s true, in the end, in some important games, it’s not pleasant to be left out. I will have time to consider my decision.

    Pep Guardiola punches dugout in frustration during Manchester City pre-season friendly with Barcelona

    “I haven’t stopped to think things through calmly. Once the Olympic Games are over, I will take the time to reflect on what I want for myself.

    “Maybe it’s annoying to be out in big games; players always want to help on the pitch.”

    City boss Pep Guardiola publicly hit back over the 24-year-old’s comments, where he stated he wants a swift resolution as to whether he does intend to leave.

    Speaking during the club’s pre-season tour of America, the Spaniard remarked: “I read he has to think about it, so okay think about it and after that he will inform us what he wants to do.

    “Julian played a lot. He wants more? It’s fine. So that’s why [he wants to] think about it. And when he thinks about it, he will inform us.”

    Keep up to date with all the latest news, rumours and gossip with our LIVE transfer blog

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  • Atletico eye Arsenal target but may have to sell star wanted by Aston Villa

    Atletico eye Arsenal target but may have to sell star wanted by Aston Villa

    Atletico Madrid are one of the clubs interested in signing Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez, talkSPORT understands.

    The Argentina international has hinted a potential exit from City this summer having expressed his frustration over a lack of game time in important matches last season.

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    Alvarez is attracting interest from top European sidesCredit: Getty

    talkSPORT understands Premier League rivals Arsenal have expressed an interest in signing Alvarez ahead of the new campaign.

    However, the Gunners could be set to face competition from Atletico for the forward, who City value at £70million.

    Alvarez has scored 36 goals in 103 appearances across all competitions for the Premier League champions and assisted a further 18.

    Although Atletico are keen on the 24-year-old, they are likely to need to sell Aston Villa target Joao Felix to facilitate a deal.

    talkSPORT reported last month that Unai Emery’s side are considering an ambitious move for the Portuguese star.

    Felix spent last season on loan at Barcelona and the second-half of the 2022/23 campaign at Chelsea.

    Atletico signed the forward from Benfica in 2019 in a £113million deal that makes him the fourth most expensive transfer ever.

    However. his relationship with boss Diego Simeon appears to have deteriorated and he expressed his ‘dream’ to join their LaLiga rivals Barcelona last summer.

    Felix did not play a single minute of their pre-season tour as a result and was also booed by Atletico fans.

    He may be set for another exit from the Spanish capital in the coming weeks, a move that could aid Atletico’s pursuit of Alvarez.

    Atletico may need to sell Villa target Felix if they are to buy Alvarez

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    Atletico may need to sell Villa target Felix if they are to buy AlvarezCredit: Getty

    Simeone’s side have already signed Robin Le Normand and Alexander Sorloth from Real Sociedad and Villarreal this summer.

    A third arrival could soon be made official as talkSPORT understands that Conor Gallagher will travel to Madrid today to complete a move.

    The Chelsea midfielder has agreed a five-year deal in a move that will cost Atletico £33million.

    Pep Guardiola punches dugout in frustration during Manchester City pre-season friendly with Barcelona

    Gallagher, who graduated from the Blues’ Cobham academy, turned down a new two-year deal to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge.

    The 24-year-old is set to leave after making 95 senior appearances, scoring ten goals and assisting another ten.

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