Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal get Kroupi boost; Man Utd in Carrick sack decision; Chelsea, Liverpool latest

Three manager candidates emerge as Ratcliffe weighs Manchester United decisionManchester United are reportedly considering three potential managerial replacements as pressure mounts on Michael Carrick following a difficult run of results.

According to reports, Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte have emerged as candidates. Howe is viewed as a strong contender, while Nagelsmann and Conte offer alternative options as United assess their next move.

Carrick’s immediate future could depend on upcoming results, with United facing a crucial decision over whether to maintain their current course or appoint a new manager to revive their season.

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Arsenal have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi after the youngster returned to first-team training ahead of the January transfer window.

According to football.london, Kroupi remains on Arsenal’s radar as Mikel Arteta considers strengthening his attacking options. The 20-year-old scored 13 Premier League goals last season, establishing himself as one of the division’s most promising young forwards.

Arsenal also explored a move for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez during the summer, but a deal failed to materialise. Alvarez remains highly regarded by Arteta, although his growing importance at Atletico and interest in joining Barcelona could make a transfer difficult.

Bournemouth are reluctant to sell Kroupi in January and are understood to value the Frenchman at around £90m-£100m. His return to fitness could reignite Arsenal’s interest, but the Gunners would need to convince the Cherries to part with one of their key attacking players.

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Flashscore claims that Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are following Chelsea's Malo Gusto.

Chelsea have started searching for a new right-back as they assess the 23-year-old's long-term future. The Blues are also reassessing Gusto's previous €80million valuation ahead of the upcoming transfer windows.

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Si Phillips claims that Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has approved a move for Trent Alexander-Arnold as he targets a reunion with the defender. The former Real Madrid boss is keen for Chelsea to strike a deal for Alexander-Arnold.

Chelsea are looking at right-back options, with Malo Gusto expected to leave the club next summer.

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Gus Poyet believes Chelsea’s recruitment strategy changed because the owners realised “what the fans want”, writes Dom Smith.

The former Chelsea midfielder has also praised the club’s owners for their highest-profile signings, claiming all three players purchased under BlueCo that cost north of £100m have proven shrewd investments.

Chelsea’s most expensive signings since Roman Abramovich’s May 2022 sale of the club have been Enzo Fernandez from Benfica for £106.8m, Moises Caicedo from Brighton for £115m, and the July arrival of Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa for a club-record £117m.

They sold Fernandez to Manchester City this summer for £125m.

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Liam Delap insists he will “never regret” moving to Chelsea but says it was “a bit rubbish” spending time in the infamous ‘bomb squad’ before his move to Nottingham Forest was finalised, writes Dom Smith.

Delap joined Chelsea last summer when they triggered the £30m relegation release clause in his Ipswich contract, yet the Englishman underwhelmed at Stamford Bridge and scored only three goals in 47 appearances.

The Blues then sold the 23-year-old to Forest for £45m plus £5m in add-ons this summer.

Delap had been training with a small group of outgoing first-team players during Chelsea’s pre-season and the first couple of games of their campaign, rather than working with new manager Xabi Alonso.

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Pedro Neto says he feels at home at Chelsea despite a summer where the transfer window drove him “a little bit crazy”, writes Dom Smith.

The Portugal winger had interest from Manchester City and Al-Hilal and was also linked with Liverpool and Tottenham, the Blues’ opponents on Saturday, during a summer in which his future appeared uncertain.

However, it is understood that new manager Xabi Alonso was keen to keep him and Chelsea were also reluctant to let him leave.

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Manchester United appear to face huge hurdles if they want to make Fabian Hurzeler their next manager.

The highly-rated Brighton boss is rumoured to be a key target to replace the under-fire Michael Carrick following his excellent work at the Amex Stadium.

However, The Telegraph report that there is no release clause included in Hurzeler’s current contract at Brighton, who would almost certainly demand a world-record fee for his services as a result.

To make matters worse for United, talkSPORT insist that the German has no interest in taking the Old Trafford job at the moment anyway.

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Manchester United’s shortlist of potential managers to replace Michael Carrick appears to have been confirmed.

Carrick is under enormous pressure after a torrid start to his first full season in charge hit a new low with Wednesday’s 4-1 Champions League humiliation by Como, which was followed by explosive public criticism from captain Bruno Fernandes.

Man Utd insist it is business as usual and that Carrick will take charge of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday, despite all the mounting speculation.

But there are suggestions that the likes of Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte have already been approached, with United’s director of football Jason Wilcox and head of recruitment Christopher Vivell said to be split on their preferred candidate.

There are reports that Wilcox wants Eddie Howe, with Aston Villa’s Unai Emery also rumoured to be a “dream target” for United.

Fabian Hurzeler is also in their sights, though that doesn’t look to be happening. More on that in a moment.

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Chelsea and Liverpool have received a new update in the race for Alex Scott.

The Premier League heavyweights are expected to battle it out in January for the England midfielder, who could have a price tag worth up to £100m.

However, in an interview with talkSPORT on Thursday, Bournemouth owner Bill Foley insists that the club have not yet given up hope of agreeing a new long-term contract with Scott.

The 23-year-old has rejected multiple previous offers, with his current deal due to expire in the summer of 2028.

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