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Sergio Rico is reportedly nearing a remarkable return to PSG after somehow surviving a horrific horse and cart accident & subsequent brain aneurysm.

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• Rico set to return to training
• Spanish goalkeeper awaiting medical clearance
• Set to offer competition to Keylor Navas and Gianluigi Donnarumma

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  In a heartwarming turn of events, Rico is on the verge of making a remarkable comeback to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) after a challenging nine-month absence from football, reported

  Rico's journey back to the pitch follows a harrowing accident on May 28, 2023, when he suffered a fall from a horse, resulting in a cerebral aneurysm, a life-threatening condition that necessitated immediate surgery.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Despite enduring significant injuries and a lengthy rehabilitation process, Rico has exhibited remarkable resilience and determination. During his 82-day hospitalisation, he faced daunting physical challenges, including a staggering weight loss of 19 kilograms (approximately 42 pounds). However, his unwavering commitment to returning to peak physical condition has seen him regain 15 kilograms (about 33 pounds) of lost weight, a testament to his strength and resolve.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The severity of Rico's condition led to a critical 26-day period in which he was placed in an induced coma to manage the cranioencephalic trauma caused by the fall. This phase was pivotal for Rico's recovery, allowing his body to heal under intensive medical supervision.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  If Rico receives medical clearance to resume training with PSG, it will mark a significant milestone in his recovery journey. Upon returning to training he will provide competition to PSG's top two choices – Keylor Navas and Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Southampton fans want to sign Duje Caleta-Car after it was suggested they are interested in a move for the Marseille central defender.

The Saints kicked off their Premier League season with a 3-1 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park despite taking the lead through Adam Armstrong. That defeat came without Jannik Vestergaard, who recently made the move to Leicester City from St. Mary’s Stadium (lcfc.com) – as such, the Saints could do with a new central defender.

As per Hampshire Live, the Saints are looking at Caleta-Car to come in to replace the Denmark international. He was previously at Red Bull Salzburg, where he won the Austrian Bundesliga four times, while he was also a part of Croatia’s squad for the 2018 World Cup when they reached the final.

The news was shared on Twitter by @TheSaintCentre, and it attracted plenty of attention from the Saints supporters. They took took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about Caleta-Car news below

“Yes please”

Credit: @oliverrschmidt8

“Put the money in Saints !!”

Credit: @sfc2110

“Make it happen! I don’t care what it takes but Semmens needs to get it done ASAP.”

Credit: @BenneseeWhiskey

“That’d be a great signing and there’s no way they can’t afford 22.5 mill”

Credit: @Sam_Maynard_

“This lad is Brilliant, been outstanding for MARSEILLE for a couple of years now. Never played for Lyon as far as Im aware?!?!”

Credit: @saintbannerman

“Would be an insane signing but anything above £15M isn’t gonna happen. More likely we get Cahill sadly!”

Credit: @SFCMart

In other news, Southampton fans want to sign this Champions League winner.

Pep Guardiola believes Manchester United "will be back" after hearing Sir Jim Ratcliffe's plans to knock Manchester City "off their perch".

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• Ratcliffe wants United to topple City
• Guardiola expects Red Devils resurgence
• Spaniard always admires the ambitious

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ratcliffe's £1.3 billion ($1.6bn) partial takeover of the Red Devils was confirmed on Tuesday, with the British billionaire outlining his ambitions to get the Premier League giants winning trophies again- and edging out City and Liverpool in the process. Now, City boss Guardiola has responded to Ratcliffe's determined proclamations.

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  WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

  When asked about Ratcliffe's remarks, Guardiola told reporters on Friday: “It’s the truth! As [soon] as the teams admit it, they will be closer to us. If they want to deny it for things that are not the reality then it’s their problem. It’s not our problem. When I’ve been below teams I’ve always admired them and thought about what we need to do to be close, to challenge them. If they want to be judged on things they are comfortable with for one day they will not arrive where we are now.

  “When we were below and United were winning, we were watching them, admiring them. We wanted to learn from them. The period of Sir Alex Ferguson – the generation with Roy Keane, David Beckham, Gary Neville – and all those big, big players, Rio Ferdinand – I’m pretty sure City admired and thought ‘we want to be there’. Now we are there. That’s why, for these type of comments, that I have the feeling that they will be back.”

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ratcliffe, who is now in charge of football operations at United, has already recruited Omar Berrada from City as their CEO and Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth could follow suit. While this is a positive start, they still are a long way off Guardiola's Cityzens and Liverpool in terms of winning the biggest prizes in football.

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• WHAT NEXT?

  Long-term plans aside, United host Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, whereas City travel to Bournemouth later that day. Liverpool, on the other hand, take on Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

Former France international Jerome Rothen has asked PSG fans to boo Lionel Messi if he travels with the Argentina squad for the Paris Olympics.

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• Former PSG star wants fans to boo Messi
• Messi could be part of Argentine squad at Paris Olympics
• Relationship with PSG turned sour towards the end

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  After securing a berth in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, Argentine U23 coach Javier Mascherano hinted that Lionel Messi could be called upon as an overage pick. The Albiceleste will, however, be in Copa America action this summer at the senior level – with a continental crown to defend in the United States.

  Now Rothen, who played for Paris Saint-Germain in the past, has urged the club fans to jeer the Argentine should he travel with the team to the French capital in the summer.

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• WHAT JEROME ROTHEN SAID

  Speaking on his talk show , the former PSG star said, "We should not forget what he has not given. As a French and a Parisian, seeing him parading with Argentina? Guys, if there is any way to dispute the fact that Messi took the piss on us for two years, boo him. He said it would be a disaster to live in Paris and that he hasn’t received the welcome he feels he was owed. Nonsense. He was above the Eiffel Tower like Neymar was. Every French folk showed him respect when he arrived. You expect respect in return and it never arrived."

  Rothen added, "When he was given off days, he never experienced Paris to the fullest and his performances never lived up to what we hoped for from him (…). We heard he was not celebrated accordingly after winning the World Cup. You beat France in the final! He shouldn’t have expected to see the red carpet rolled out for him."

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  Messi, who spent two seasons at PSG, saw his relationship turn sour with the club towards the end of his stint in the summer of 2023. Fans questioned the player's commitment and the club's ultras even unveiled an anti-Messi banner outside Inter Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR LIONEL MESSI?

  The 36-year-old will be next seen in action for The Herons in the club's final pre-season friendly against his boyhood club Newell's Old Boys on February 16 before they kick off the new season against Real Salt Lake on February 22.

Sam Inkersole insists that West Ham United want to sign a striker with Premier League experience this summer.

The Hammers have yet to bring in a new forward this summer, with Michail Antonio the only senior striker in the squad.

With David Moyes’ side preparing for a campaign that will include Europa League football, one has to imagine that the club will be desperate to bring in a new striker.

They have been linked with a number of potential acquisitions up front, including Slavia Prague’s Abdallah Sima, and Barcelona forward Martin Braithwaite.

But Inkersole, who covered West Ham for Football.London and now covers Chelsea, believes that the club will want to bring in a player of the ilk of Tammy Abraham and Danny Ings, who have scored goals in the English top-flight.

However, he is unsure if either player, of Chelsea and Southampton respectively, would be willing to make the move to the Irons this summer.

Speaking to Football FanCast, Inkersole said: “I think West Ham would ideally like to bring in a striker that knows the Premier League and has scored goals in the Premier League, like Tammy Abraham, Danny Ings, someone like that.

“Whether they would move to West Ham, I don’t know.”

Brighton are yet to make an offer or an enquiry for Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard, according to The Athletic’s Andy Naylor.

The Lowdown: Edouard rumours

Edouard, who is now into the final 12 months of his contract, has been linked with a move to the Amex in recent weeks after a reunion with Brendan Rodgers at Leicester City fell through earlier in the window.

Reports on Wednesday went as far as saying the Seagulls made an £18.5m bid for the 23-year-old, which could rise over £20m in the future.

However, according to Naylor, Graham Potter’s side haven’t approached the Hoops for Edouard, let alone tabled a big-money bid.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/celtic-updates-11/” title=”Celtic updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Latest: Naylor clears things up

Naylor, The Athletic’s correspondent for all things Brighton, took to Twitter on Friday lunchtime to share what he knows about Edouard.

He said this, ending his post with a bullish eight-word update.

“Had parked this to avoid repeating myself but, since so many people keep on asking/reporting. Here’s how things stand at the moment with Brighton and Edouard. Not made an offer, not even an inquiry.”

The Verdict: Hoops need to find a buyer

With Edouard’s Parkhead future continuing to drag on, the Hoops appear to be in a tricky situation.

The Frenchman is still reportedly looking to leave Glasgow during the current window, so the Hoops need to find a buyer.

If they don’t, they’ll be left with a player who doesn’t want to be there and to add insult to injury, could then lose him for nothing the following summer, should he agree on a pre-contract agreement with a new club in January.

It’s not ideal that his future is still up in the air on the same weekend of the new domestic season, so Celtic CEO Dom McKay needs to act fast when it comes to Edouard.

In other news: Journalist in Turkey drops transfer development; Celtic now close to signing 5-trophy ace. 

Manchester City star Jack Grealish had a conversation with a disabled journalism student in the mixed zone after England's win over Malta.

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• Grealish shows class with great gesture
• Spotted aspiring journalism student in the mixed zone
• England beat Malta 2-0 in Euro qualifiers

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The winger was seen chatting with a journalism student, Tom Horn, in the mixed zone after England's Euro 2024 qualifying game against Malta on Friday. Horn, a Manchester United fan, spoke about last month's Manchester derby, where City won 3-0, and expressed his admiration for the winger and City's style of play. Grealish then posed for a photo with Horn before heading out of the stadium.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The 28-year-old did not play a part in the Three Lions' comfortable 2-0 win over Malta. An own goal by Enrico Pepe and a strike from Harry Kane made sure that the Three Lions maintained their unbeaten run in the ongoing Euro 2024 qualifiers.

  For his club, the player has appeared in 13 matches thus far where he provided two assists but is yet to score a goal. The arrival of Jeremy Doku and then his fine run of form has put the English international's position in the team under scrutiny.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?

  Gareth Southgate's side will aim to end their qualifying campaign on the high as they are set to face North Macedonia in their final game at this stage on Monday.

Raphael Varane finds himself out of the Manchester United team purely for footballing and tactical reasons, it has been suggested.

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• Varane not started league game since September
• Ten Hag prefers left-footed centre-backs such as Evans
• Frenchman not regarded as a progressive passer

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The four-time Champions League winner and 2018 World Cup winner finds himself on the fringes of the United team after a huge decline in form. He has not started a Premier League match since the 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on September 30 and, despite returning from injury in October, he has played just 11 minutes of league football for the struggling Red Devils. Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans have all been preferred to the former Real Madrid defender in recent weeks. According to , Varane has tumbled down the pecking order due to Ten Hag's preference for having left-footed players in the left centre-back position and due to his difficulty in making progressive passes.

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  Ten Hag has stated on several occasions that left-footed players have better passing angles when they are in the left centre-back position and have better chances of making good tackles rather than hooking the ball away with their stronger right foot. Evans and Lindelof are all more capable with their left foot than Varane, meaning he is forced to compete with the resurgent Harry Maguire for the other position in the heart of United's defence.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Another factor is Varane's conservative passing. Ten Hag is desperately trying to make United a more progressive side, which explains why he axed David de Gea in the summer and signed Andre Onana. But Varane is reluctant to make long passes, unlike Maguire, and is more comfortable playing sideways which leaves United vulnerable to losing the ball in dangerous positions.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR VARANE?

  He is enjoying the international break since retiring from the France team and will be be hoping to return to the starting line-up for United's next league game away to Everton on November 26.

Chelsea and Manchester City are two of the five Premier League clubs keeping an eye on Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz, according to a report.

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• English clubs eyeing Wirtz
• German is flying with Leverkusen
• Has four goals and eight assists

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Chelsea are showing strong interest in the 20-year-old as they believe he is an ideal fit for their squad due to his versatility, reports. He could follow the example set by former team-mate Kai Havertz by joining the Blues, but City are also in the frame to sign him, as are Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle. Bayern Munich and Barcelona are also said to be monitoring him.

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  The attacking midfielder has enjoyed a great start to the season at Leverkusen, scoring four goals and setting up a further eight in the Bundesliga and Europa League. His form has helped fire Xabi Alonso's team to the top of the German league.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Both Chelsea and City are reported to have considered making a bid for Wirtz in the summer transfer window. The Germany international is seen as a possible successor to Kevin De Bruyne and it has been claimed that he is eager to work with City coach Pep Guardiola.

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  England and Europe's top teams will get more time to see Wirtz in action ahead of the January transfer window, with Leverkusen facing Sandhausen in the DFB-Pokal on Wednesday before taking on Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga.

Manchester United are locked in a race with Barcelona to sign 18-year-old Royal Antwerp star Arthur Vermeeren, according to a report.

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• United eye midfielder
• Barca and Liverpool also after him
• Valued at around €20m

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The midfielder, who has been compared to Andres Iniesta, has impressed for the Belgian champions since breaking into the first team last season. According to , Manchester United, Liverpool and Ajax have been watching him closely.

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  The Premier League teams may already be behind in the race to get the 18-year-old, however, as reported more recently that Barca director Deco has already discussed the defensive midfielder with Marc Overmars, his counterpart at Royal Antwerp and fellow former Blaugrana star.

• WHAT THEY SAID

  Antwerp coach Mark van Bommel confirmed interest in the Belgian, who is reportedly valued at around €20 million (£17m/$21m), from top teams before his side faced Barcelona in the Champions League this season, telling reporters: "I am very happy that he has been playing with us all this time. It is incredible how he has improved in one year. Since he started playing he has been decisive. He is not only interesting for Barcelona but for all the teams."

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  United's immediate attention will be on their upcoming Premier League match against Crystal Palace.