Transfer notebook: Manchester United to copy Chelsea, Roberto De Zerbi to Real Madrid latest, and a power shift in the Premier League
The balance of power in the Premier League appears to be shifting in the wake of a coalition of rebel clubs blocking a bid to ban loans between teams under the same ownership.
Historically votes on such matters would basically be a battle between the traditional ‘Big Six’ sides, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham and the other 14.
However, seeing the likes of Wolves, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United and Everton join forces with City and Newcastle – who stood to be impacted more than most if the ban had been approved – is a game-changer.
Arsenal vice-chair Tim Lewis, who has long since rallied against sovereign state influence on clubs, was particularly fuming with the defectors at one of the most dramatic Premier League shareholders’ meetings in recent times.
The lack of a ban means Newcastle are now free to raid Saudi teams owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), who are the Magpies’ majority shareholders.
Stars currently registered with PIF-ran clubs include Ruben Neves, whom Toon boss Eddie Howe has admitted being an admirer of, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane and Aymeric Laporte.
Manchester United to follow Chelsea plan
Manchester United are ready to follow Chelsea’s model by hiring multiple sporting directors.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is planning a major overhaul of United’s recruitment department once his 25 per cent minority shareholding is formally ratified after being left far from impressed by their recent transfer dealings.
Paul Mitchell and Dougie Freedman are both under consideration for prominent roles in the reshuffle while Paulo Maldini has also been mentioned as a potential candidate.
There is a strong possibility that Ratcliffe hires Mitchell and another transfer specialist to work in tandem with the former Southampton, Tottenham and Monaco recruitment guru.
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Chelsea’s £1bn spend in the last three transfer windows has been led by co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, although Winstanley has come under scrutiny for his handling of soon-to-be USA Womens’ team coach Emma Hayes’ contract negotiations.
Everton exit on the cards
Everton could be forced to cash in on midfielder Amadou Onana in January to ease their financial woes.
talkSPORT understands Everton are being propped up by potential new owners 777 Sports by as much as £20m per month and the longer their takeover drags on the more likely the Toffees are to turn to the transfer market to raise funds.
Onana is on the radar of clubs including Manchester United and Chelsea and is one of the Merseysiders’ most sellable assets along with Jordan Pickford and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Brighton cool on De Zerbi links
Brighton remain relaxed about the future of manager Roberto De Zerbi despite fresh interest from Real Madrid.
De Zerbi is on the Spanish giants’ list of possible replacements for Carlo Ancelotti, who is primed to become Brazil’s new boss at the end of the season.
However, Brighton have received no indication from De Zerbi that he is looking to leave the Amex Stadium and, in any case, former Liverpool midfielder and current Bayer Leverkusen chief Xabi Alonso appears to be ahead of the combustible Italian on Real’s shortlist.
As previously reported by talkSPORT Brighton are also protected by a hefty release clause in De Zerbi’s contract.