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07 Nov 21:30
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08 Nov 14:30
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08 Nov 16:00
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08 Nov 17:00
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XABI ALONSO OFFER COULD HAVE LURED FLORIAN WIRTZ TO REAL MADRID
Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro reveals the club was willing to break its salary cap in a desperate attempt to keep Florian Wirtz, but the star's Champions League ambition led to his departure, not a move to Bayern Munich.
Florian Wirtz - Photo Credit: Getty Images
In a frantic attempt to keep Wirtz at the club, Carro also disclosed that Leverkusen had been prepared to blow through its salary cap. He implied that an extension would eventually be signed, but acknowledged the German team had harassed him too much.
He continued, "The Wirtz family and Florian knew that our primary objective was extending their contracts." "We handled pay throughout the summer moves with extreme caution.
However, we would have been willing to grant Florian an exception.
"Undoubtedly, in a range that has never been witnessed by Bayer Leverkusen. In order to extend the contract, we were willing to go above and beyond.
And it appeared as though it would work out for a time. I am aware that we occasionally bothered him excessively. However, although his parents serve as his advisors, Florian ultimately made his own decisions, and I believe it is admirable that they totally honour his desires."
Carro said that one of the main reasons Wirtz left Leverkusen was his ambition to win the Champions League, and he confirmed that the midfielder never made a deal with Bayern Munich, despite what was said at the time.
He remarked, "I do not think that was ever true (regarding Bayern)." "Papa Wirtz informed us that "it is not correct."
"Winning the Champions League is something he aspires to. We believed we could have accomplished more with this crew than we really did. He noticed that we had won the German title, but it might be harder to win the Champions League with Bayer Leverkusen.
In a frantic attempt to keep Wirtz at the club, Carro also disclosed that Leverkusen had been prepared to blow through its salary cap. He implied that an extension would eventually be signed, but acknowledged the German team had harassed him too much.
He continued, "The Wirtz family and Florian knew that our primary objective was extending their contracts." "We handled pay throughout the summer moves with extreme caution.
However, we would have been willing to grant Florian an exception.
"Undoubtedly, in a range that has never been witnessed by Bayer Leverkusen. In order to extend the contract, we were willing to go above and beyond.
And it appeared as though it would work out for a time. I am aware that we occasionally bothered him excessively. However, although his parents serve as his advisors, Florian ultimately made his own decisions, and I believe it is admirable that they totally honour his desires."
Carro said that one of the main reasons Wirtz left Leverkusen was his ambition to win the Champions League, and he confirmed that the midfielder never made a deal with Bayern Munich, despite what was said at the time.
He remarked, "I do not think that was ever true (regarding Bayern)." "Papa Wirtz informed us that "it is not correct."
"Winning the Champions League is something he aspires to. We believed we could have accomplished more with this crew than we really did. He noticed that we had won the German title, but it might be harder to win the Champions League with Bayer Leverkusen.
HARRY KANE REACTS TO REPORTS LINKING HIM WITH BARCELONA TRANSFER
Barcelona is eyeing Harry Kane as a potential replacement for the departing Robert Lewandowski. However, the striker's high wage demands could scupper any move due to the club's ongoing financial constraints.
Kane finally addresses potential 2026 transfer rumours - COURTESY/PHOTO
Given that Robert Lewandowski will most likely leave when his contract expires at the end of the current campaign, Barcelona plans to acquire a new striker next summer. Harry Kane is one of the candidates they have been connected to; this might be a rerun of the transfer they made for his potential successors in 2022.
Barcelona has had great success with its decision to sign Lewandowski. Instead of acquiring a younger player who might be the team's starting striker for many years to come, they might decide to bring in another well-known name, and Kane would be the perfect addition in this case.
Barcelona is aware of the exact amount they would have to spend to get Kane because his Bayern Munich contract includes a €65 million release clause. Sport claims that although the England international is aware of Catalonia's interest, he will not decide on his future until the end of the current campaign.
Barcelona's move would be doubtful due to Kane's demands.
Even though Kane has not decided yet, Barcelona might have already moved on by the time he does. He is reportedly demanding a high salary, probably comparable to the €25 million (gross) he presently makes at Bayern, which the Catalans may find difficult to match given their well-known financial difficulties.
Given that Kane is now among the top nine in the world of football, there is little question that he would be the best striker Barcelona could buy next summer. However, if his wage demands remain the same for when the transfer window opens next summer, it would not be financially prudent.
RUBEN AMORIM STRUGGLES AS MAN UTD BRUNO FERNANDES ISSUE PERSISTS
Manchester United's draw with Forest exposed deep flaws in Ruben Amorim's 3-4-3 system. The tactical analysis reveals a Bruno Fernandes dilemma, the need for Kobbie Mainoo, and a critical shortage of effective wing-backs at Old Trafford.
Amorim battles unseen challenge as Fernandes issue hits Man Utd - Photo Credit: Getty Images
Manchester United briefly appeared to be regaining control of the situation. Three consecutive victories, the first in almost two years, had sparked discussions about development, momentum, and Ruben Amorim's beginning to settle in.
However, Saturday's 2-2 draw with relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest—which would have been a crushing loss had it not been for Amad Diallo's incredible late goal—served as a sobering reminder that United's issues go far beyond a few recent performances.
The team is still unable to dominate games for extended periods of time. When under stress, they nevertheless appear delicate. United still feels like a work in progress, a side divided between tradition and change, despite all the buzz about Amorim's new ideas and enthusiasm.
In addition to stopping momentum, the draw at Forest revealed Amorim's ungainly balance in their changing 3-4-3. When United dominates possession, the system may appear sleek, but when they are forced to defend in numbers and scrape and claw, it swiftly breaks down.
Bruno Fernandes, the captain, talisman, and possibly one of United's biggest tactical issues, is at the centre of it all. In light of that, here are three things to remember from United's concerning weekend.
The issue of Fernandes
As one of the two centre midfielders in Amorim's 3-4-3, Fernandes has been comparatively successful. His inventiveness and deft passing may be crucial when United is ahead and has possession of the ball. However, his presence in that role becomes a problem in more difficult away games, such as Forest.
He lacks the discipline to keep shape and the mobility to cover territory, leaving United's midfield vulnerable. It reminds me of Cesc Fabregas at Chelsea under Antonio Conte, who was a good football player but too light for the structure and energy needed in a two-man midfield. Chelsea gained balance and eventually won the Premier League as a result of Conte's choice to give preference to N'Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic.
For the time being, United might be able to use Fernandes in that capacity, particularly while playing weaker teams. However, Amorim might have to make the audacious decision to move Fernandes further forward or off the club entirely if he really wants to assemble a team that can contend for major awards.
Naturally, the issue is that promoting him could displace Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, who both appear to be much more suited as inside forwards in this style. In addition, despite his tactical shortcomings, Fernandes is still a beloved goal scorer and talisman for United, one of the few players whose form has remained consistent over the past several tumultuous seasons.
However, if Amorim continues, so will his 3-4-3, and Fernandes will feel more and more out of place in it. Some will believe he's too excellent to drop and worth shoehorning into the side - but pushing him into a role that doesn't fit him could eventually cost United when it matters most.
Although it is a difficult puzzle to solve, the Red Devils must be prepared to omit even the largest piece if doing so makes the entire picture fit together better, if they genuinely want to be a top team once more.
Mainoo is essential.
One player must be a member of United's midfield if it is to be effective: Kobbie Mainoo. The 20-year-old gives United a unique combination of poise, agility, and intellect that they desperately lack. He possesses the discipline to defend his back line while gliding past a push and moving the ball forward purposefully.
You need balance, control, and vigour to make a 3-4-3 work. Mainoo meets all of those requirements, thus it makes perfect sense to partner him with a real holding midfielder like Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, or a summer acquisition like Carlos Baleba.
Many people have been perplexed by Amorim's choice to exclude him. Mainoo might be the difference in games where United finds it difficult to manage the pace. Mainoo provides rhythm, a sense of peace that lets others play, while Fernandes brings risk. Reintroducing the young player should be Amorim's first move if he wants to build a midfield that can dictate the game rather than just respond to it.
In addition to structure and discipline, two-man midfields require energy—the capacity to cover ground, press strategically, and recover swiftly during transitions. Amorim appears to be committed to partnering Casemiro with Fernandes, but that lineup just does not have the passion and agility needed to compete with the best.
Casemiro no longer possesses the legs necessary to control wide areas by himself, while Fernandes excels at creating chances and being creative rather than playing defence or recovering the ball. United's midfield, which is strong on paper but slow in practice, runs the risk of being overrun without a more energetic partner like Mainoo.
Wing-backs are required.
The other obvious problem is widespread. Wing-backs are crucial to Amorim's 3-4-3 because they can stretch the field and play smart defence. United currently lacks both.
The only obvious choice is Patrick Dorgu, although he has not always been reliable. Diogo Dalot, who is right-footed, is still filling in on the left, while Amad is being squandered at right wing-back. It is a clumsy arrangement that makes United much too vulnerable during transition and far too direct moving ahead.
Finding suitable wing-backs must be the focus of the January transfer window and the following summer if United is serious about making this formation work. Players with the ability to recover fast, deliver quality, and bomb forward. Last summer, they spent more than £200 million on forwards when it would have made much more sense to spend £50-100 million on two top-tier wing-backs.
They are now being connected to high-priced midfield players like Elliot Anderson and Baleba. However, the building will continue to collapse unless the flanks are fixed. The technique relies on balance, and Amorim will continue to try to construct a house without walls until United finds suitable wing-backs.
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