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Sir Alex Ferguson Wanted To Sign Xabi Alonso at Man Utd

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Ask any modern Premier League manager, and they will point to Sir Alex Ferguson as an aspirational figure. After all, the Manchester United legend has won the competition more times than any other coach.

Beyond those 13 league titles, he left a huge imprint on British football with his fiery personality, which always helped drive him to more success. His ruthless nature allowed him to freshen both playing and coaching staff as he built and rebuilt numerous trophy-winning sides during his 26 years at Old Trafford.

Ferguson certainly knew how to replace top talent. For instance, he was able to sign Michael Carrick in 2006, as Roy Keane departed. The Englishman was a hit, winning five Premier League titles and the Champions League, and is now set to be appointed the club’s next permanent manager.

But Ferguson also had his eye on another Premier League coach during his time at Man Utd, but he couldn’t get a deal for the player across the line.

Ferguson Wanted to Bring Liverpool Icon to Old Trafford

Sir Alex Ferguson

Way back in 2003, the Manchester United boss let slip that he had his eye on a young Spanish midfielder. That player just so happened to be Xabi Alonso. Confirming his interest in the Real Sociedad star to the press, Ferguson said:

“Alonso’s contract runs until 2007 but we have been told there is a £20m buy-out clause. But we understand that Madrid have offered a down payment of £10m and that they are prepared to let him stay at Sociedad next season.”

Alonso would end up in England, but signed for rivals Liverpool in 2004 instead. Ferguson once again publicly disclosed his interest in the player, noting: “We had a look at Alonso for a while, but our priorities changed a little bit.”

The Spaniard went on to prove himself as a top player at Anfield, winning both the Champions League and the FA Cup during his five years with the Reds. He then left in 2009, with Real Madrid eventually getting their long-term target.

Back in Spain, Alonso would lift La Liga, another Champions League, and two Copa del Rey trophies, before ending his career with three Bundesliga titles at Bayern Munich. He also won the European Championship in both 2008 and 2012, while his crowning career moment came as he lifted the 2010 World Cup.


Xabi Alonso smiles in a press conference while working as Real Madrid manager


England Ace on 6-Man Chelsea Shortlist as Xabi Alonso Plans to Scrap Senior Star

Ruthless from Alonso.

Alonso’s Coaching Quality Leads Him to Chelsea

xabi alonso real madrid-1

Having had such a fine club career at Liverpool, many expected he’d return to Anfield as a coach. But instead, Chelsea have moved in and landed Alonso. Upon joining the Blues, he said: “Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club.

“From my conversations with the ownership group and sporting leadership, it is clear we share the same ambition. We want to build a team capable of competing consistently at the highest level and fighting for trophies.

“There is great talent in the squad and huge potential at this football club and it will be my great honour to lead it. Now the focus is on hard work, building the right culture and winning trophies.”

While things didn’t go smoothly for Alonso during his seven-month spell at Real Madrid, he does come with a big reputation. That was mostly built off his time with Bayer Leverkusen, where he won a domestic double in 2024, most notably going the entire league season without losing a single game, as he delivered the club’s first Bundesliga title.

It will be interesting to see how he gets on now at Chelsea, as he gets a first taste of Premier League management.

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Crystal Palace Handed Huge Dilemma as Sarr Makes Transfer Decision

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Crystal Palace could be set to lose another one of their most important players in a huge blow for new manager Pierre Sage.

Last season’s UEFA Conference League triumph put many of Palace’s star players in the spotlight. Maxence Lacroix impressed and earned himself a £52 million move to Chelsea.

Replacing Lacroix should be a priority but Sage does have an excellent pool of central defenders in his squad. The same can’t be said for out wide, and their single most influential player could be on the move.

Crystal Palace’s Sarr Says Yes to Fenerbahce

Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr reacts after missing a chance against Man City

The standout performer for Palace last season was Ismaila Sarr, who won the Conference League’s Golden Boot with nine goals in 13 games. He finished with 21 goals in 45 games, becoming the first player since Glenn Murray in 2013 to reach 20 goals in a single campaign.

Sage will have been eager to start his reign with Sarr, but Italian journalist Marco Conterio has suggested the Senegalese winger could be on his way to Turkey. He is said to be “one step away” from a move to Fenerbahce, and he has already said yes to the Turkish Super Lig giants.

Fenerbahce are now “pressing for an agreement with Palace”, and they have accelerated a move for the 28-year-old after failing to sign Rafael Leao. With the player seemingly agreeing on a switch, it’s a nightmare situation for Steve Parish and the South Londoners.

Sarr, dubbed “incredible”, has been at Selhurst Park since August 2024 when he arrived from Marseille in a £12.5 million deal. He has won the FA Cup, the Community Shield and the Conference League in that time.

Palace Must Get Tough With Sarr

Steve Parish Hannah Mckay via Reuters

Unless Palace receive a club-record fee for Sarr, he shouldn’t be going anywhere and the club can’t let him depart without a suitable replacement. Their transfer business in January has come into question amid Brennan Johnson’s disastrous spell thus far.

Johnson has failed to live up to expectations and, as a result, isn’t a worthy backup to Sarr, let alone a permanent option for the right-wing berth. With Sage only just arriving as Oliver Glasner’s successor, the Senegal international is probably the one player he wouldn’t want to be sold.

Palace must insist on an astronomical fee for the former Watford man, who had previously said that he’d only move if the club wanted him to. He has three years left on his contract and has also been linked with Manchester United.

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Guimaraes Replacement: Newcastle Eye Tyler Adams

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Newcastle United are likely to have a new-look midfield next season under new manager Matthias Jaissle as Bruno Guimaraes closes in on a move to Arsenal.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the Magpies are looking for a new midfielder ahead of Guimaraes’ anticipated departure. He claims that the Brazilian is expected to join the Gunners ‘very soon’.

Guimaraes will be the latest midfielder to head for the exit door after Sandro Tonali joined Tottenham Hotspur for £100 million earlier this summer. There is also growing uncertainty over Joelinton’s future amid talk of a potential move to the Saudi Pro League.

Newcastle Line Up Guimaraes Replacement

Matthias Jaissle Al Ahli 2025 REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari via Action Images

That’s all three of Newcastle’s starting midfielders that could be sold, and Eddie Howe’s frustrations are understandable. The English coach opted to leave St James’ Park last week, and Jaissle is set to take over.

It appears that the Magpies have lined up a replacement for Guimaraes as Football Insider reports that they are keen on signing Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams. The American had previously been linked with Manchester United following an impressive season at the Vitality.

Adams, 27, was crucial in Andoni Iraola’s midfield, registering two goals and as many assists in 25 league games. He helped the Cherries qualify for the Europa League, and his eye-catching performances haven’t gone unnoticed.

Talk of a move to Old Trafford has quietened, and former Premier League scout Mick Brown told the aforementioned outlet that he’d be “surprised” if the Red Devils moved for him. He instead believes St James’ Park could be a destination for the 27-year-old, who has two years left on his contract.

Newcastle reportedly feel they can convince Adams on a move to Tyneside despite no European football next season. He has proven Premier League experience that could prove beneficial for Jaissle.

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

Adams Is An Ideal Signing For The Magpies

Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams playing for the USMNT

Moving for Adams, who scored an “unreal” goal against rivals Sunderland, would be a clever decision given the need to address Tonali and Guimaraes’ departures. He has been a huge hit at Bournemouth and could be reasonably priced.

The Magpies may have concerns about his injury record after he sat out last season’s winter period with a knee ligament injury. If he can stay injury-free and replicate the form shown during his time at the Vitality, he’ll surely be a success on Tyneside.

Adams’ importance at Bournemouth was made clear by club legend Steve Fletcher. He said that “every team needs a Tyler Adams” and that the American’s “knowledge is second to none.”

Jaissle will want a new midfielder sorted before the new season kicks off and a potential deal for Adams seems straightforward. It’s vital that the transfer chiefs explore other options in the meantime as they prepare for life without Tonali and Guimaraes.

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Vinicius Junior’s Agency Shares Explosive Statement Amid Arsenal Links

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This summer, one of the biggest potential transfers could see Vinicius Junior move from Real Madrid to Arsenal. Amid all the speculation, the winger’s agency, Roc Nation Sports, has shared an explosive statement.

Vinicius Jr is currently locked in contract talks with Madrid, but it’s unclear if player and club will be able to come to an agreement on new terms. If not, he could potentially leave for free next summer, with his current deal set to expire in 2027.

Los Blancos obviously don’t want to lose a star player for free, so may look to sell in the current market. If that is the case, Premier League champions Arsenal appear best-positioned to sign the Brazilian amid their firm interest in the player.

Roc Nation Sports Speak Out ‘Unacceptable’ Reports

Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura

Naturally, there have been many rumours about Vinicius. Adding fuel to the flames of speculation, Real Madrid are looking to sign another winger, Yan Diomande. That deal appears close, but a transfer from RB Leipzig has yet to be anounced yet.

Diomande is also represented by Roc Nation Sports. And with so many rumours swirling around some of their key men, such as the Ivorian and Vini Jr, the sports agency has shared an explosive statement:

“Roc Nation Sports International and our entire team cannot stand idle when unprofessional and uninformed media publish fake and damaging information for attention-seeking purposes.

“This is especially unacceptable when it personally targets our clients without any foundation.

“It is disruptive, harmful and libellous. Media outlets and journalists need to hold themselves more accountable.”

Vinicius Jr and Yan Diomande Both Linked With Huge Summer Moves

Joshua Kimmich (Germany) vs Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast) Thomas Mukoya via Reuters

It’s worth noting that the statement does not directly name any player or club; as such, Roc Nation Sports may not necessarily be talking directly about Vinicius.

Interestingly, trusted Arsenal insider HandofArsenal recently reported that the Real Madrid winger has agreed personal terms with Arsenal. The report also noted: ‘We fully expect Roc Nation to deny it but we stand on our information.’ Spanish journalist Ramon Alvarez de Mon did indeed later report that Vinicius’ entourage denied the agreement.

There is a great deal of talk about a possible move to north London, but the statement could also relate to reporting around RB Leipzig star Diomande. Transfer journalists Florian Plettenberg and Fabrizio Romano clashed online over the player, with the pair disagreeing on the status of the player’s potential move to Madrid.

In short, Romano has given the deal the ‘Here We Go’ treatment, claiming a move will go through soon. Plettenberg insisted that a full agreement has not yet been reached. The pair argued online, as Plettenberg warned Romano he had ‘crossed a line’ by accusing him of ‘fake news’.

Of course, Roc Nation Sports represent many other players – such as Gabriel Martinelli and Endrick – so their comments could relate to a different topic altogether. They may also be talking generally about all the rumours, as opposed to taking issue with just one thing.

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