Mark Ogden says that Manchester United is looking for a cheaper alternative to Declan Rice from West Ham. (1:08).
Manchester United is looking for Declan Rice's replacement -- ESPN's Insider Notebook has all the latest. Plus: Cristiano Ronaldo's move to a new house was not caused by sheep.
Messi exit disappoints Barca sponsors
Manchester United will look elsewhere for Rice
Sources tell ESPN that Manchester United's scouts were instructed by the club to find alternative options to Declan Rice during their search for a defensive player next summer. This was amid concerns about West Ham's valuation and differing opinions within Old Trafford regarding Rice's ability to improve the team.
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Rice, 22 years old, was one of Gareth Southgate’s key players in England's Euro 2020 campaign. This helped the Three Lions reach their first major tournament finals since 1966 World Cup. David Moyes' team has had an impressive start to the season, facing United in their two last senior fixtures in Carabao Cup and Premier League.
Although Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, United manager, remains a fan of Rice's work, sources tell ESPN that the club's recruiting team still has not convinced Rice of the ability to lead the team to the next level.
Rice is known for being a powerful presence at midfield and possessing a strong defensive mindset. He has also been noted for his ability to move forward into attacking areas. Sources at United say that some doubts have been raised about Rice's ability to be quick with or without the ball and whether he could match the qualities of Scott McTominay.
United believes there is an alternative to West Ham, who are expected to value Rice between 80-90million and that they will not be subject to the inflation associated with the fees for English players.
Sources claim United prioritized a right-sided forward as well as a central defender before this season. This focus saw them sign Jadon Sáncho from Borussia Dortmund, Raphael Varane (Real Madrid) and Raphael Varane (Real Madrid).
Next year, the plan is to sign a defensive player and try to sign Dortmund forward Erling Hailand. This blueprint was not altered by the signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus. It was funded outside United's summer transfer budget.
United continues to support Rice's move, but he will likely be one of many options when the club makes their move at the close of the season. -- Mark Ogden
Manchester United is interested in Declan Rice, but may still look elsewhere. IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images
Ronaldo's house move not a surprise to sheep
Sources told ESPN that Cristiano Ronaldo moved into a new house after returning to Manchester. He was unhappy with the state of his first property's garden, which had been neglected. United has denied that Ronaldo was forced to move because he was being kept awake at night by sheep nearby.
After he moved from Juventus to Lisbon, Ronaldo was placed in quarantine in England. He has since been released. The 36-year old kept his fitness up by exercising at home, but ESPN sources said that passers-by could see his garden. Ronaldo and his family moved into a nearby home owned by Andy Cole, a former United striker. This was to have more privacy.
Wright Thompson: Ronaldomania and the fight to save the soul of Man United
Ronaldo scored four goals in his three previous games since his return to Old Trafford. He also scored two in his comeback win over Newcastle (4-1).
Although his arrival has had some commercial benefits, the club shop sold out his No.7 shirt briefly. However, Richard Arnold, the group managing director, stressed that he was primarily signed to help United win trophies.
Arnold stated, "All the players that have signed have only signed because they are capable of delivering on the pitch."
My job is to maintain a positive cycle by generating as much revenue as possible. Every signing that we make, and some of them are more well-known than others, has a positive impact on fan engagement as well as the activity we do. This is fueling a well-run engine. We're known in the industry for maximising commercial opportunities.
"But we are focusing on signing players who can perform on the pitch, and then maximising that opportunity thereafter. It would be unfair to single out one player for their impact. Rob Dawson
play 1:35 Why Paul Pogba suddenly seems brighter at Man United Julien Laurens, Stewart Robson and Stewart Robson discuss whether Paul Pogba could be extending his contract at Manchester United.
Barca partners are unhappy with Messi exit
A senior member of the board stated this week that one of Barcelona's major sponsors complained to the club about Lionel Messi's departure for Paris Saint-Germain in august.
Eduard Romeu, vice president of sponsorship, denied that Messi's departure would have a significant impact on revenue but confirmed that some club partners were unhappy about his departure. Romeu did not name the sponsor that complained about Messi's departure, but sources said ESPN that the grievance was brought to his attention by one of the club’s most important partners. Rakuten and Beko have relied on Messi's image for years to market their products.
After a leaked video on social media showed Ousmane Dembole and Antoine Griezmann mocking Asian staff, Barcelona has already been subject to a backlash by Rakuten (the club's main sponsor).
Laurens: Inside Story on Messi's First Week at PSG
Messi business: How an icon traded Camp Nou for Parc des Princes
Barca's financial situation is at its most difficult time with Messi's departure. They are currently searching for a shirt sponsor to replace Messi.
Rakuten, an e-commerce company from Japan, extended their agreement by one year last November. However, the terms were reduced to 35m per season. Romeu said that talks are ongoing with potential sponsors. The agreement will expire in 2022.
Romeu said that the club will have to do better marketing for their other players after Messi's departure. He said that half of all shirts previously sold had names on them. Out of that 50%, 80% had Messi's name.
Romeu said to Diario SPORT, "What we need to do is open the door for all the players." "I'm certain that we can grow in terms merchandising." Moises Llorens and Sam Marsden
play 0:38 "It's beyond humans": Hislop marvels about Ronaldo's Man United form Shaka Hislop, Craig Burley and Craig Burley discuss Cristiano Ronaldo’s quick start at Manchester United with four goals in three matches.
Tuchel's great gesture for Paris cleaners
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel's Paris Saint-Germain legacy is a gift to one family: his former cleaner in Paris.
Tuchel's family hired a cleaner to help them during his time as PSG coach, 2018-20. Sources told ESPN that Sissi, his wife, told Tuchel that the cleaner was working overtime to pay for surgery for her son with a heart condition.
As his time at the Ligue 1 giants was drawing to a close, Tuchel spoke with his Paris cleaner about his future plans. ESPN reported that the woman hoped to buy a home in the Philippines.
PSG fired Tuchel just before Christmas 2020. He moved to London one month later to replace Frank Lampard as Chelsea boss. However, he did not give his cleaner the keys of a property that he had bought for her. -- Julien Laurens
Play 1:39 Lionel Messi's injury to keep vs. Metz Julien Laurens, Frank Leboeuf give an update on Lionel Messi’s knee injury that will keep vs. Metz out of PSG's match.
Winter is coming... more World Cups?
Sources told ESPN that Arsene Wenger's FIFA-backed plan for reshaping the international calendar, which includes the staging of a World Cup every 2 years instead of four, wouldn't signal the end to winter World Cups.
Since May, when the feasibility study was sponsored by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, Wenger, a former Arsenal manager, has been developing his blueprint. Wenger's plan calls for major tournaments to be held in June and July each year. World Cups and continental championships would be played on an alternate basis.
Marcotti: Why FIFA wants biennial World Cups
The plans do not rule out Saudi Arabia hosting a World Cup. Average temperatures in Saudi Arabia are 36c (96F) during the summer months. Leaders of the country have expressed their desire to host the tournament in short-to-medium term.
Due to summer heat, Qatar's 2022 World Cup has been moved to November-December from its original June-July slot. Saudi Arabia will also face this issue.
ESPN sources said that Wenger's proposal for a long international break in October could allow a future host of the World Cup with summer climate issues to stage the tournament in October instead of June-July.
In a FIFA vote, a decision about the reshaping of the international football calendar will be made later in the year. UEFA opposes the biennial World Cup plan. However, 166 of FIFA’s 210 member organizations have signed up for Wenger's feasibility report. -- Mark Ogden
Arsene Younger would like the World Cup to be held every two years. Getty
Camavinga's gift to Rennes staff
Sources told ESPN that Eduardo Camavinga had left replica Real Madrid shirts to every Rennes staff member after he moved to the Bernabeu.
As he still had one year on his contract, the midfielder left the Ligue 1 club in a 30-million deal. He wanted to leave the club as a free agent and ensure that they received a transfer fee out of respect for the 10-year-old opportunity they gave him.
Sources tell ESPN that Camavinga also sent a shirt bearing his name to Rennes' 166 employees. The gesture was appreciated by the club. The 18-year old has made a bright start in Spain, scoring in Real Madrid's victory over Celta Vigo. -- Julien Laurens
Eduardo Camavinga had a great start to his life in Madrid. Photo by Sportinfoto/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Garay enters property development
Ezequiel, a former Valencia and Real Madrid defender, revealed this week a surprising career change: selling luxury homes in a development close to his home.
Garay, 34, retired this summer after failing to find a club for Valencia's expired contract 12 months prior. He revealed that he was suffering from coxartrosis, a chronic hip condition, for the past three years.
Garay shared his new direction in an Instagram post, accompanied by a photo of him wearing a hard hat, hi-vis jacket, and a photo taken at the construction site. Today, I can proudly say that I fulfilled one of my dreams.
Gargor Real Estate, a developer, claims the detached, high-end properties have four bedrooms and three bathrooms. It also states that there is a large living and dining area, kitchen, and private pool.
This development is called "Los Altos Argentinos", in a nod towards the former Argentina international centre back. It is about 15 minutes from Garay's former workplace and the club's training grounds.
Garay started his club career at Newell's Old Boys. He then moved to Spain with Racing Santander and joined Real Madrid. After that, he had successful spells at Benfica and Zenit Saint Petersburg. Garay, a centre-back, played 31 games for Argentina and started all seven of the country's 2014 World Cup matches.
Garay was previously in the news for his rift with Valencia during his last season at the club. In February 2020, he suffered a cruciate ligament injury. He then took to social media in May of that year for a 12-minute video where he claimed the club was trying to discredit him over failed contract renewal talks. Alex Kirkland
