Erik ten Hag is facing increasing pressure at Manchester United as Dan Ashworth holds discussions with Graham Potter.
In the world of Manchester United, there are whispers of change in the air. The pressure on current manager Erik ten Hag is mounting, and it seems that former Chelsea boss Graham Potter could be waiting in the wings to take his place.
According to The Sun, United’s prospective sporting director Dan Ashworth recently met with Potter, fueling speculation about a potential managerial switch at Old Trafford. The Sun reports that Potter is the preferred choice of new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is said to be a fan of the former Brighton manager.
It is believed that Ashworth and Potter have a close working relationship from their time together at Brighton, and they recently got together to discuss the possibility of Potter taking the reins at United. This news comes as no surprise, as SunSport revealed back in December that Potter was being lined up as a replacement for Ten Hag after Ratcliffe met with the 48-year-old. Ratcliffe had previously tried to lure Potter to manage his French side Nice, further highlighting his admiration for the ex-Brighton boss.
Over at Aston Villa, there is concern that their star players could be lured away by Premier League clubs. Jacob Ramsey and Douglas Luiz have both caught the attention of top-flight teams, and Villa may find it difficult to resist tempting offers for these talented individuals.
The Daily Mail notes that Ramsey, a product of Villa’s youth academy, would bring in a significant profit if sold, as any transfer fee would go straight to the club’s bottom line. Aston Villa, like many other Premier League clubs, must carefully manage their finances to comply with spending rules. The recent points deduction for Everton, as well as potential penalties for other clubs like Nottingham Forest, has put the entire league on high alert.
Ramsey, valued at around £50 million, was a target for Newcastle during the January transfer window, and any fee received for him would be considered pure profit for Villa’s profit and sustainability purposes. Meanwhile, Brazilian international Douglas Luiz has long been admired by Arsenal, and the injury to Boubacar Kamara has only increased the spotlight on Luiz’s potential departure.
Pep Guardiola, the esteemed manager of Manchester City, has reportedly offered his advice to his former club Barcelona on who they should appoint as their next coach. With the impending departure of current manager Xavi, Barcelona are in need of a new leader.
The Mirror reveals that Guardiola has suggested Roberto De Zerbi, the current manager of Brighton, as the ideal candidate for the job. Barcelona, once a dominant force in European football, have struggled in recent years, with only one La Liga title in the past four seasons. Despite their financial investments, they have failed to reclaim their former glory.
De Zerbi, who arrived in England as a relative unknown, has quickly made a name for himself at Brighton, leading the team to their first-ever European qualification. Barcelona possesses a wealth of talented players, including academy graduates Pedri, Gavi, and Lamine Yamal, and Guardiola believes that De Zerbi could be the one to guide them back to success.
Chelsea has set their sights on Gent defender Archie Brown, a promising 21-year-old left-back. However, they face competition from several other clubs, including Juventus, Nice, and West Ham.
The Evening Standard reports that Brown is valued at £15 million and is expected to attract significant interest during the summer transfer window. Both Chelsea and West Ham are in the market for a left-back, and Brown has emerged as a potential option for both clubs. Juventus, AC Milan, and Lyon are also considering a move for the talented defender.
Chelsea’s interest in Brown stems from their desire to provide cover for Ben Chilwell, especially if Marc Cucurella becomes available for sale. Meanwhile, Ian Maatsen is available for a £35 million release clause, and Lewis Hall’s loan move to Newcastle is expected to become permanent for £28 million if all add-ons are met.
In the ever-changing world of football transfers, these stories provide a glimpse into the potential moves and managerial changes that could shape the future of English football.