Further rumours: Liverpool is mentioned as a potential candidate for Gabriel Moscardo

Defensive midfielders and Chelsea. Identify a more famous pair.

Chelsea is prepared to compete with Arsenal for the services of 18-year-old defensive midfielder Gabriel Moscardo, according to a report by Nizar Kinsella from The Standard. Barcelona and Liverpool FC are also listed as potential employers for the Brazilian sensation, who plays for Corinthians, his local team.

There could be a transaction for about £26 million.

Chelsea’s summer offer of £18 million for him was already turned down. However, they will have to wait as Corinthians would only talk about a deal following their November 25 presidential election. Given that Romeo Lavia hasn’t even touched the ball yet, it’s amusing that Chelsea is looking for another defensive midfield player.

Moscardo fits the profile of a player similar to Klopp. When he was seventeen, he led Corinthians, a U21 team, to the FIFA Youth Cup final. He did not make the winning penalty, however, but he did win Player of the Tournament.

He is at ease playing as the deepest midfielder in terms of position, showing a strong football IQ, accurate passing, and a keen understanding of the game. He fights with remarkable endurance for his age and is a skilled presser. According to the player, he should be able to play anywhere in midfield in 2022 and have a striking ball-carrying ability in addition to scoring 10 goals.

We’ll see whether this rumour gains traction, but because Chelsea is the main character in the narrative, we shouldn’t hold our breath too long.

More news…..

As Real Madrid and Liverpool battle it out for players, Man Utd is “ready to activate” their release clause.

Goncalo Inacio, a highly-rated center-back for Sporting, is available for Manchester United to compete with Liverpool and Real Madrid in the New Year.

Prior to the winter transfer season, Manchester United and other top European teams are still after Sporting defender Goncalo Inacio.

After rising through the Sporting academy, the highly-regarded 22-year-old has become an important member of the team. This season, he has also made a major impact on Portugal, playing alongside Ruben Dias in central defence.

Foreign observers have taken note of Inacio’s commanding play, especially in the Premier League. Liverpool reportedly deployed scouts to watch the young player, according to reports from last month, but the Reds’ fierce rivals also think highly of the Sporting prospect.

United is prepared to move forward with their interest in the defender, who has a €60 million (£52.5 million) release clause, according to a recent report from CM Sport. According to rumours, Inacio would receive an initial offer of €45 million (£39.3 million), with further €15 million (£13.1 million) coming from add-ons and conditions that would make up any possible transaction.

It won’t be easy to prise Inacio away from Portugal, though, as other teams are keeping an eye on the defender’s development besides Liverpool. Inacio is being watched by La Liga powerhouse Real Madrid, who intends to lure him to the Bernabeu, and other teams are probably aware of his skills as well.

Interestingly, Miguel Pinho, who also represents Bruno Fernandes, is Inacio’s agent. Pinho arranged the £47 million transfer that moved the United captain to Old Trafford in January 2020. Should United increase their interest in Inacio when the transfer window reopens in January, he would be in charge of arranging any transaction.

Homegrown talent has always been profitablely sold by Sporting; one such example is Cristiano Ronaldo, who signed a contract with Manchester United in the summer of 2003. Over 130 appearances have already been made by Inaco for the Portuguese Primeira Liga team.

In an effort to strengthen his defence, Erik ten Hag first put Inacio on a shortlist of four players that also included Sporting star Jean-Clair Todibo, Antonio Silva, Edmond Tapsoba, and the goal of signing one of the four players the following summer.

United might now, though, act quickly to pursue Inacio in the New Year. After a terrible start to the 2023–24 season, the Red Devils have been playing with Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans in the middle of defence.