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BARCELONA EYE LIVERPOOL’S STAR IN MAJOR TRANSFER MOVE

FC Barcelona are reportedly targeting Liverpool's defensive midfielder Ryan Gravenberch as a priority signing for next summer. The Dutch star has become a key player for the Reds under Arne Slot.

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Barcelona line up Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch as prime summer target - COURTESY/PHOTO

Even though FC Barcelona did not spend a lot of money throughout the most recent transfer windows, they still made significant acquisitions like Joan Garcia and Dani Olmo.

The Catalan team will be eager to revive its finances and pursue further players in the transfer market going forward. Barcelona needs to add the right players to complete their roster, which is already extremely good.

Ryan Gravenberch, a great midfielder for Liverpool, is a top target for Barcelona next summer, according to Fichajes. The Dutchman is widely praised for his midfield skills and is one of the Reds' most vital players.

The 23-year-old has changed into a defensive midfielder since joining Anfield. He remains one of the first names on Arne Slot's team sheet because of his fast thinking and body feints to avoid pressure, which are reminiscent of a young Sergio Busquets.

Frenkie de Jong and Pedri, two of Barcelona's best pivot players, are both deep-lying playmakers. In addition to the fact that the 23-year-old is no mug with the ball at his feet, signing someone like Gravenberch might bring defensive solidity.

However, it would not be shocking if Liverpool demanded a high price for Gravenberch, one that Barcelona would probably be unable to afford. If Marc Bernal and Marc Casado fulfil their potential, the Dutchman is neither a must-have nor a simple addition to the Catalan team. It is advisable to avoid making too many assumptions about this interest at this time.

BRENTFORD DEFEAT HIGHLIGHTS NEWCASTLE’S STRUGGLE BALANCING EUROPE AND LEAGUE

Newcastle's away woes continue as Dan Burn's red card contributed to a 3-1 defeat at Brentford. Despite Harvey Barnes' opener, defensive errors and a penalty cost the Magpies, leaving them without a Premier League away win.

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Newcastle’s form dips - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Dan Burn was sent off during Newcastle's 3-1 loss at Brentford, prolonging their wait for their first away Premier League victory of the season.

Following the terrible away loss to West Ham at the London Stadium last week, where manager Eddie Howe acknowledged his team were "unrecognisable," a response was required. He received that midweek when they defeated Athletic Club in the Champions League, but at the Gtech Community Stadium, things went back to normal.

In the early going, they appeared to still be suffering from the effects of their meeting against the Bees, finding it difficult to match their intensity and giving the ball away cheaply with some sloppy passing. Additionally, they lost Joelinton, who was arguably their most vivacious player, to a hard knock early on.

However, the away team took the lead thanks to a superb goal from Harvey Barnes, who started in place of the injured Anthony Gordon. Barnes chopped in and then out before hitting low into the back of the net. Newcastle led by one goal at halftime, and the goal appeared to shake Brentford's confidence.

But after the interval, their opponents were energised, obviously seeing their opponents' fatigue, and equalised when Kevin Schade headed in from close range after Newcastle defender Sven Botman had unintentionally flicked on Michael Kayode's long ball.

Kayode's long throw-in is one of the most deadly attacking weapons in the Premier League, and you would be hard-pressed to find a finer one in all of football. Throughout the first half, its speed and flatness caused issues for Newcastle's defence and goalie Nick Pope, and the visitors were ultimately penalised for their inability to handle it.

Then, when the defender seemed to trip the dangerous Dango Ouattara in the penalty area, Newcastle and Dan Burn got away with it. Although Burn's response seemed to indicate that he believed he had handed away a spot-kick, referee Stuart Attwell chose to book Ouattara for diving instead.

And the replays undoubtedly demonstrated how brutal that was. Burn obviously made contact with the striker, and even though the Brentford player tumbled theatrically to the ground, which might have worked against him, the touch was mild. It was also far more of a penalty than a yellow card for diving.

However, the Bees would soon forget their emotions of unfair treatment when Burn brought down Ouatarra in the box once more and was disciplined this time. The Burkina Faso international's speed gave the England defence a nightmare, and he was caught off guard once more when he failed to make a clearance effort and instead made contact with his opponent. Even worse, he was sent off after receiving his second yellow card of the match.

After a lengthy VAR review and Howe's decision to make four changes, including replacing Nick Pope with Aaron Ramsdale in goal, Igor Thiago had to wait a long time to attempt the penalty kick. Ramsdale's first assignment was to try to save Thiago's penalty kick, but the Brazilian handled it coolly, sending the former Arsenal goalie in the wrong direction and sliding the ball into the net.

After racing through and neatly slotting past Ramsdale to make it 3-1, the outstanding Brazilian had time to score another goal. The Brentford striker has scored more Premier League goals this season than anyone else save Erling Haaland, and he has undoubtedly contributed to the fact that the losses of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa—who did not play for Newcastle against his old team because he is still recovering from a knee injury—have not been felt as much as many had expected.

Losing against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium is hardly a cause for embarrassment. This season, many teams have done so and will undoubtedly continue to do so. After a challenging summer that saw the loss of important players Mbeumo, Christian Norgaard, and Wissa, as well as manager Thomas Frank, Keith Andrews and the club's management handled the situation admirably, bringing in more than enough replacements for the departing players, including the head coach.

However, there are serious concerns at Newcastle. Their Champions League campaign may be their saving grace, but if their recent league results are any indication, they have little chance of returning there the following season. They also appear to be having difficulty adjusting to the demands of playing midweek and weekend games against elite opponents.

LIVERPOOL TO OFFER £88M FOR ITALY’S HIGHLY-RATED INTERNATIONAL ACE

Inter Milan plans a January defensive overhaul, targeting Nathan Aké and others to rejuvenate an ageing backline. The move comes as Liverpool is linked with a shock €100m bid for star defender Alessandro Bastoni.

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Liverpool set £88m bid for Alessandro Bastoni - Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images

In January, Inter Milan plans to strengthen their defence line as part of a larger strategy to lower the average age of the team and maintain their hopes of winning the championship. Although the Italian team has excelled at home, recent results have cast doubt on their defensive endurance and depth. Ilgiorno claims that the Nerazzurri are evaluating several targets, including Nathan Aké of Manchester City, in an effort to revitalize Cristian Chivu's aging defense.

The defense line is under increased scrutiny after they gave up their first goal in four games against Kairat in the Champions League. Even though Inter's defense has only given up 12 goals in Serie A thus far, one less than they did under Simone Inzaghi the previous season, there has been a noticeable drop when compared to their championship-winning performance. They had only given up five goals at that point in the season.

The influence of age is becoming indisputable. Matteo Darmian becomes 36 in December, and Francesco Acerbi, 37, is reaching the conclusion of his contract. The 33-year-old Stefan De Vrij is also approaching the end of his contract, which expires in June 2026.

Marotta's Financial Confidence Beppe Marotta, the club president, has highlighted Inter's financial development and indicated that the team is now ready to make calculated investments. "It is a significant and intentional accomplishment that we have finished our financial statement with a profit for the first time," Marotta added. "The club has exhibited caution and insight. We have succeeded in advancing our ideology because the ownership has established certain rules and goals.

With revenues climbing 37% to €546 million, Inter reported a €35 million profit as opposed to a €36 million deficit the previous year. This better financial situation has made room for a possible January addition to bolster the team.

Aké, 30, is one of the top names being considered. This season, the Dutch defender has only made six appearances for Manchester City in Premier League and Champions League games. He is rumoured to be open to a move to get more playing time, with the 2026 World Cup in mind. Crystal Palace and Juventus are also keeping an eye on him.

Other possible choices include Dayot Upamecano, 27, whose contract renewal negotiations with Bayern Munich have so far stagnated, and Marc Guehi, 25, of Crystal Palace, whose youth and profile appeal to Inter's recruitment approach. Younger defenders like Oumar Solet of Udinese and Mario Gila of Lazio are also being scouted in the meantime. Tiago Gabriel, 20, of Lecce, is regarded as a long-term investment with promise.

The Interest of Liverpool in Bastoni


In a shocking turn of events, Ilgiorno revealed that Liverpool is willing to put Inter to the test by making a €100 million offer for Alessandro Bastoni. The 26-year-old, whose contract expires in June 2028, is still among Serie A's most accomplished defenders. With an annual salary of €5.5 million, Bastoni ranks among the club's highest earners, along with Nicolò Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu.

Inter is steadfast for the time being. However, the temptation might increase given that English teams are frequently prepared to pay top dollar, especially if the Nerazzurri look to add new defensive players.

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