Depay, Rudiger updates, Neymar a ‘tramp’ and Arsenal takeover – Monday’s biggest stories

Robin Bairner

27 Sep 2021 16:48 CDT
3 min read

Memphis Depay at his Barcelona unveiling, July 2022 — © ProShots

Chelsea and Barcelona have been the clubs most in the news on Monday, with the Blues jostling for new players and Barca simply seeking to keep those they already have.

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The Stamford Bridge outfit will have been heartened to learn that Bayern Munich have played down their interest in Antonio Rudiger, while on the subject of centre-backs Jules Kounde looks like a better bet than Matthijs de Ligt.

On the subject of potential signings, is the £90 million Chelsea and Manchester United have been quoted for Declan Rice good value? Find out here.

Meanwhile, Olivier Giroud said it was the “obvious” choice to leave the Blues and join Milan in the summer.

North London rivals Arsenal are simply seeking to get their own house in order, with Thierry Henry admitting that his hopes of a takeover bid along with Sportify CEO Daniel Ek are certainly not dead.

At Old Trafford, the reason for Jadon Sancho’s move to Man Utd has been revealed, while club legend Jaap Stam was sacked by FC Cincinnati after a dreadful run of form.

From an arrival in England’s north west to a possible departure, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has admitted that Bernardo Silva could leave the club.

Big movement at Barca

Across in Spain, Barcelona are ready to offer a new contract to attacker Memphis Depay, who has impressed greatly since moving from Lyon in the summer. Equally, Ansu Fati is set to be offered new terms having returned from injury after close to a year on the sidelines.

Equally, head coach Ronald Koeman remains on the brink, with Roberto Martinez still the hot favourite to replace him.

There have been big stories developing in Italy, where Victor Osimhen’s excellent start to the season goes on, and France, where PSG appear on the brink of civil war after Kylian Mbappe reportedly called Neymar “a tramp”.