Manchester City linked with surprise Rodri replacement, Son Heung-min to stay at Spurs - Paper Round
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ByEurosport
Published 25/09/2024 at 22:29 GMT
Fenerbahce are one of several clubs reportedly chasing Newcastle United defender Kieran Trippier, while Tottenham Hotspur will extend Son Heung-min’s contract in north London. Elsewhere, former Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is set to come out of retirement to join Barcelona, and Manchester City could move to replace the injured Rodri by signing Rafinha on a free transfer.
Rafinha.
Image credit: Getty Images
Fenerbahce chase Trippier
A move to Saudi Arabia, Burnley or Atalanta are just some of the options for Kieran Trippier, according to The Sun.
The veteran defender hopes to leave Newcastle United, with both Fenerbahce and AC Milan also in the mix.
The paper reports: “SunSport revealed how the defender is 'desperate' to leave Newcastle amid his struggles on and off the pitch.
“Less than 12 months after Bayern Munich failed in their attempts to sign him, Trippier is losing the battle with Tino Livramento as the first-choice right-back under Eddie Howe this term and has retired from England international availability.
“The club reportedly leading the chase for Trippier's signature in January is said to be Fenerbahce.
“The Turkish giants showed interest over the summer following Mourinho's arrival in the dugout. AC Milan are also thought to be monitoring Trippier's situation keenly.”
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Tottenham set to keep Son
Tottenham Hotspur will avoid losing Son Heung-min on a free transfer at the end of the season, according to the Evening Standard.
The club will exercise an option to extend his contract by another season, though talks are yet to start on fresh terms.
The paper explained: “Tottenham will trigger a clause to extend captain Heung-min Son’s contract by a further year.
“The Spurs skipper is out of contract at the end of the season but the club has an option to extend his deal by a further 12 months, which they will exercise.
“The extension will see Son enter an 11th season with the club, having arrived from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 in a deal worth around £22 million.
“Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Son revealed he had not held talks with the club over a longer-term extension but was focused on finally delivering silverware this season.”
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Szczesny set for Barca switch
Former Arsenal and Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is set to come out of retirement just a month after announcing his decision.
The Athletic claims that the Polish veteran will be brought to Barcelona as back-up following Marc-Andre Ter Stegen’s recent injury.
The website notes: “Barcelona have made contact with Wojciech Szczesny as they explore possible options to replace injured first-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
“Ter Stegen, 32, ruptured a patellar tendon in his right knee against Villarreal on Sunday. On Monday, Barcelona confirmed he had undergone a successful operation on the area, and there are fears he will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season.
“The club are targeting an experienced goalkeeper to offer competition for Inaki Pena, who has deputised for Barcelona in Ter Stegen’s absence, and Szczesny would initially come in as understudy to the La Masia graduate.
“Szczesny announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 34 in August.”
City linked with Rafinha deal
Although unlikely, the Mirror believes that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola could make a signing after Rodri’s injury.
They suggest that Rafinha, who played under Pep Guardiola at Barcelona, could be an option as he is currently a free agent.
The paper writes: “Guardiola could also be tempted to bring a new face on board - albeit unlikely. With the transfer window being closed, City might potentially dip into the free agent market.
“The most likely option might potentially be former Barcelona midfielder Rafinha. The Brazilian played under Guardiola at the Camp Nou and has been out of work since leaving Qatari side Al-Arabi.
“A few more injuries might trigger Guardiola into moving but it seems slightly unlikely at this moment in time.“
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