In the latest football transfer news, Newcastle United have opened talks with Chelsea over German forward Timo Werner, while Inter youth starlet Casadei on the Chelsea wishlist for this summer.

Timo Werner on loan to the Tyneside?

Newcastle are in talks with Chelsea over a loan deal for Timo Werner, who has also been linked with a return to RB Leipzig.

If the German international, 26, is allowed to leave Stamford Bridge on a temporary arrangement, it will mean with Romelu Lukaku shunted out to Inter Milan in similar circumstances, Chelsea will have £145million of striking talent out on loan.

Werner is desperate to be a success in the Premier League, which has given Newcastle hope that they could bring in the 26-year-old on loan, although it's believed Chelsea will insist on a clause that the deal will be made permanent at the end of the season.

The player's former club, RB Leipzig, where he scored 34 goals in his final 45 games, have also expressed a willingness to bring him back to the Bundesliga.

Neither Newcastle nor RB Leipzig are willing to match his wages - believed to be around £270,000 per week - so he will either have to take a big cut or persuade Chelsea to keep paying a large chunk.

Werner is still popular with Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel and the Stamford Bridge fans - despite gaining a reputation for missing a glut of chances - for his ferocious work rate and refusing to hide when things go wrong.

Inter young starlet Casadei is wanted by Tuchel

Chelsea want to sign Inter Milan's talented young midfielder Cesare Casadei.

The West London club have proposed paying between £5m and £7m for the 19-year-old, who has not yet played in Serie A, Sky in Italy say.

However, they describe Casadei as the "absolute protagonist" of the Inter youth team's Primavera Scudetto victory last season, and he is considered one of the most important talents in the Italy youth setup.

They are therefore not inclined to agree to such a fee to sell the U19 international.

For more Latest Football Transfer News, follow Sportz Point.

Luis Díaz netted a hat-trick to keep Liverpool at the top of the league table with a flawless record, while AC Milan shocked Real Madrid on their home turf. Celtic, Borussia Dortmund, PSV Eindhoven, GNK Dinamo, and Monaco also secured wins.

Meanwhile, Viktor Gyökeres scored three goals as Sporting CP pulled off the night’s biggest upset against Manchester City. Sit back and relax, as we bring all the updates of the match week 4 of the UEFA Champions League 2024 - 25 league phase round.

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Tuesday night's action

Sparta Praha 1-2 Brest

The away team was in fine form tonight, causing a consecutive defeat to Sparta Praha. Edimilson Fernandes opened the scoring in the 37th minute to give Brest an early advantage, which they doubled in the second half courtesy of an own goal by Sparta midfielder Kairinen in the 79th minute.

Victor Olatunji ensured that the visiting team did not leave with a clean sheet when he fired home a left-footed shot to the center of the goal at stoppage time.

Feyenoord 1-3 RB Salzburg

It was a tough night for Feyenoord, who lost Nadje to a red card in the 45th minute, allowing Salzburg to take advantage. Striker Karim Konate seized the opportunity, scoring twice.

Moussa pulled one back for Feyenoord in the 81st minute, but Salzburg wasn’t finished; Guindo struck in the 86th minute to secure a comfortable victory for the visitors.

Stuttgart 0-2 Atalanta

In football, big transfer decisions that didn't seem like much then are frequently brought to light retrospectively. In 2021, Brighton & Hove Albion sold Swedish attacker Viktor Gyökeres, well-known for his Strength and goalscoring abilities, for a pittance of £1 million.

Now a key figure in European football, Gyökeres’ post-Brighton journey is a fascinating case of potential overlooked. This article discusses how Brighton let him slip away, his spectacular progress at Coventry City, and what his journey tells about modern player pricing.

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Who is Viktor Gyökeres?

Known for his height, strength, and technical skill, Swedish international forward Viktor Gyökeres started his professional career with IF Brommapojkarna in 2015 before joining Brighton & Hove Albion in 2018. Despite his potential, Gyökeres struggled to establish himself in Brighton's first team, which resulted in a string of loan moves going on loan to St. Pauli, Swansea City, and Coventry City before settling down permanently at the latter in 2021.

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Brighton’s Gamble: Selling Gyökeres for £1 Million

Brighton unexpectedly decided to sell Gyökeres to Coventry City in 2021 for a meager £1 million. This number was remarkably modest for a young striker with international experience, especially considering the growing expenses of skill in contemporary sport. 

It seems that Brighton's decision-makers at the time believed his potential impact would be minimal, therefore they decided to split apart rather than support his growth.

However, as Gyökeres started to dominate the Championship and garner significant attention for his goal-scoring and playmaking scoring 17 goals in 45 league appearances for Coventry in the 2021–22 season, this decision to sell soon appeared faulty.

Brighton, who made an early investment in him, may now view the transaction as a lost opportunity to capitalize on his full potential. Because the club is known for pricing and selling its talent at optimal value this is reflected in the deal for Moises Caicedo to Chelsea.

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The Economic Impact: Coventry’s Financial Gain

Coventry City's acquisition of Gyökeres proved to be a wise financial move for the team. Gyökeres' market value surged as a result of his outstanding performances and expanding recognition. Top European clubs were interested in him by 2023, so Coventry was able to demand a high transfer fee.

Gyökeres cost an estimated £17 million which was about €20 million (plus €4 million in bonuses) to make the move to Sporting CP, but Coventry received a return on investment that was almost 17 times greater than what they had originally paid for him. 

This amazing profit demonstrates how well-positioned lower-division teams may take advantage of the sale of their best players as a means of raising capital to finance club expansion.

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Lessons for Brighton: Did They Miss Out on a Star?

Many of Brighton's players have gone on to excel in the top leagues, demonstrating their reputation for identifying quality talent early. But as the Gyökeres case demonstrates, even the most data-driven teams are sometimes mistaken about a player's potential. 

His growth inside Brighton's ranks may have been advantageous, particularly in light of his performance at Coventry and his suitability for the demands of English football.

The difficult decisions clubs must make between short-term outcomes and long-term player development may also be reflected in Gyökeres' departure. Since Brighton wanted to secure their spot in the Premier League, they probably gave preference to experienced players over up-and-coming players who hadn't yet demonstrated their abilities.

Clubs throughout Europe are keeping a closer eye out for possible deals and cheap assets as transfer prices continue to rise. Gyökeres' path highlights the value of having a long-term plan for teams like Coventry, who leveraged his development to improve their team and financial standing.

Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim is reportedly set to join Manchester United for a speculated fee of €10M. He surpasses the record of his own transfer to Sporting from Braga as Sporting paid €10M to Braga as a compensation fee. However, United has agreed to trigger the said release clause of €10M to bring the 39-year-old Portuguese to Old Trafford. 

🚨🔴 BREAKING: Manchester United are set to pay €10m exit clause for Rúben Amorim to become new manager, here we go!

Sporting confirm formal communication received from #MUFC for Amorim to be appointed.

Amorim has already said yes to Man Utd proposal and project. pic.twitter.com/v17tR1oqlm

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 29, 2024

Here is the list of the managers for whom the biggest transfer fees were paid.

Biggest transfer fees paid for a manager

7. Ruben Amorim | SC Braga to Sporting CP, €10M

Ruben Amorim was a former teammate of Cristiano Ronaldo in the Portuguese national team. Amorim retired from professional football in 2017 but It did not take long for him to bag a managerial job as he took up the hot-seat of Portuguese side Casa Pia AC in 2018. 

Amorim joined another Portuguese outfit, SC Braga in 2019 and he was in charge for only 13 games in Braga. Sporting CP barged in soon to take Ruben away and he was appointed as the manager of Sporting in March 2020. They paid a compensation fee of €10M to bring Ruben in. 

Sporting gave the hot seat to Ruben Amorim and he did not disappoint the club officials at all. Ruben won Sporting their first Liga Portugal title in 19 years in his very first full season in Charge, 2020-21. Amorim also won his second Portuguese league title in 2023-24. 

6. Ruben Amorim | Sporting CP to Manchester United, €10M

With Erik Ten Hag getting sacked after 2 years in charge as Manchester United's head coach, Ruben Amorim has emerged as the best profile to replace the Dutch. Sporting CP has officially confirmed in a statement that United agreed to trigger Amorim's reported release clause of €10M.

Amorim was in charge of Sporting for 228 games in total and he holds an extraordinary record of winning 162 out of them while drawing 33 and losing 33 as well. Amorim made Sporting the Portuguese champions in 2020-21 which was his first full season in charge. He also won the 2020-21 Portugal League Cup with Sporting.

Amorim clinched the Portuguese Super Cup and his third League Cup in 2021-22 and became the Portuguese champions again in 2023-24. Before heading to Old Trafford, Ruben Amorim has already won 5 trophies with the current Portuguese champions. 

5. Brendan Rodgers | Celtic to Leicester, €10.5M

Brendan Rodgers left the Scottish side Celtic FC to surprisingly join Leicester City midway through the 2018-19 season. The former Liverpool boss and his coaching staff joined Leicester City in February 2019 as Leicester paid €10.5M to Celtic as transfer fees which led to massive controversies during that time.

"You traded immortality for mediocrity. Never a Celt. Always a fraud."

Celtic fans had a strong message for Brendan Rodgers after he left the club to join Leicester City 👀 pic.twitter.com/6weLme7L25

— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) February 27, 2019

Rodgers led Leicester to win the 2020-21 FA Cup and 2021 Community Shield before leaving the English side in April 2023. He left the club during a disastrous 2022-23 PL season and Leicester got relegated from the Premier League. 

In July 2023, Rodgers assumed the charge of Celtic head coach again and won them the 2023-24 Scottish Premiership title and 2023-24 Scottish Cup. 

4. Vincent Kompany | Burnley to Bayern  Munich | €12M

Coming off as a total surprise, Vincent Kompany was brought in by Bayern Munich as the successor of Thomas Tuchel after they paid Burnley a sum of €12M in 2024. 

This move was indeed a surprise from Bayern because Kompany's previous season's endeavour with Burnley was a total disaster. Burnley got relegated from the Premier League last season which was Kompany's second season in charge of Burnley. They won only five games in the whole season and finished 19th before eventually getting relegated. 

2017-18: Vincent Kompany captained Manchester City to 100 Premier League points.

2022-23: Vincent Kompany manages Burnley to 100+ Championship points.

Vinny is a Centurion through and through 💪 pic.twitter.com/I2TI0QWKKj

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 8, 2023

However, the 38-year-old Belgian won the EFL Championship with Burnley with 101 points to earn them promotion to the Premier League in the 2022-23 season. 

3. Andre Villas-Boas | Porto to Chelsea | €15M

The current FC Porto President, Andre Villas-Boas arrived in the Premier League to assume the charge of Chelsea gaffer in July 2011. Villas-Boas was a part of Chelsea legend Jose Mourinho's coaching staff, back in 2004 to 2008. 

• Part of Sir Bobby Robson’s coaching staff at 16
• Four trophies at Porto, including the league undefeated
• Youngest coach to win the Europa League
• Three trophies with Zenit
• Successful spells at Shanghai SIPG and Marseille

Happy birthday André Villas-Boas. 🇵🇹🎂 pic.twitter.com/jVaar6FOrl

— Coaches' Voice (@CoachesVoice) October 17, 2024

Only after one year in charge of FC Porto, the Blues welcomed him to Stamford Bridge after paying a hefty fee of €15M but it did not quite pay off. Villas-Boas lasted only 40 matches as Chelsea's manager and was sacked in March 2012. However, assistant manager Robert Di Matteo made Chelsea the European Champions that season as a caretaker manager after the departure of Andre Villas-Boas.

2. Graham Potter | Brighton to Chelsea | €23M

One of the most successful managers in Brighton and Hove Albion's history, Graham Potter moved to Chelsea in September 2022. The West London club paid Brighton a total of €23M to snatch him away, just one month into the 2022-23 season.

The pic of Graham #Potter’s signing with #Chelsea as new manager. Contract until 2027. #transfers #CFC pic.twitter.com/1l6uVOrk0s

— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) September 12, 2022

Potter replaced Thomas Tuchel, the UCL-winning coach for the Blues, but his tenure at Chelsea did not pay off at all as he was sacked in April 2023 despite having a five-year contract. Potter lost 11 matches and won only 12 games for the Blues and was sacked after only 31 games in charge. 

1. Julian Nagelsmann | RB Leipzig to Bayern Munich | €25M

In June 2021, Bayern Munich paid RB Leipzig a total sum of €25 million to acquire the services of Julian Nagelsmann and this is still the world-record fee paid for a manager. The Bavarians appointed Nagelsmann as the successor of former boss Hansi Flick. 

Although the 35-year-old guided Bayern to their tenth consecutive Bundesliga victory, Bayern's 2021-22  Champions League exit after losing to Villareal in the quarter-final made a huge impact on his future. In Nagelsmann's second year in charge, Bayern was struggling in the German league and the Bayern officials finally decided to sack him. The news was made official on 24 March 2023. 

Julian Nagelsmann’s record as Bayern coach:

84 games: 60 W, 14 D, 10 L
71.4% win percentage
1 Bundesliga title
2 German Super Cups
8/8 wins in UCL this season

😳 pic.twitter.com/A7oXZ3TEmA

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 24, 2023

However, he also won two more trophies with Bayern; the DFB Supercup in 2021 and 2022. Currently, Nagelsmann is the head coach of the German national team.

In a thrilling night of EFL Carabao Cup action, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal produced the expected result to secure their spots in the quater- final round.

However, the competition took a surprising turn as Chelsea and current League Champions Manchester City bowed out, marking the end of their Carabao Cup campaigns. Here’s a closer look at the highs and lows from this round’s key matches.

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Fixtures and Results

Brighton 2-3 Liverpool

This game was quite an interesting one. with all 5 goals coming in the second half Cody Gakpo opened the scoring in the 46th minute and he added another one in the 63rd minute. Simon Adingra responded for Brighton with a right footed shot in the 81st minute.

Two minutes later Luis Diaz strikes the ball comfortable to give Liverpool a 2 goal advantage again. Tariq Lamptey drew on back in the 90th minute for the home side but Liverpool held on to seal the win.

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Aston Villa 1-2 Crystal Palace

In a match that Villa looked to be the clear favourities to win the game. Crystal Palace started the game very strongly with an early goal from an Eberechi Eze header in the 8th minute. Leon Bailey laid a nice ball for Jhon Duran that he struck to the bottom right corner in the 23rd minute to draw the sides level.

Palace substitute Kamada responded again for the vistors in the 64th minute with a right footed shot from outside the box to give the club a crucial win.

Manchester United 5-2 Leicester

Interim Manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy got off to a winning start. A brace from captain Bruno Fernandez, Casemiro and a single goal from Garnacho secured an overwhelming victory for the home side.

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Newcastle 2-0 Chelsea

Another suprising defeat on the night. Sandro Tonali's pass to Isak in the 23rd minute was effectively dispatched by the striker to the bottom left corner. Chelsea were dealt another blow when defender Disasi put the ball behind his net 3 minutes later to help Newcastle double their lead.

Preston 0-3 Arsenal

Arsenal eased passed Preston comfortably. A powerful volley from Gabriel Jesus in the 24th minute opened the scoring for the visitors. Ethan Nwaneri doubled the led with a curled shot to the top left corner in the 33rd minute. Kai Havertz wrapped up the scoring in the 57th minute.

Tottenham 2-1 Manchester City

Though City dominated possession in the first half, Tottenham made their chances count. Timo Werner opened the scoring in the 6th minute, slotting in a precise cross from Dejan Kulusevski. Pape Matar Sarr then doubled the lead on 25 minutes with a powerful 20-yard strike off another Kulusevski assist, leaving Stefan Ortega with no chance.

Matheus Nunes sparked hope for a comeback in the final minute of first-half stoppage time, skillfully finishing a sharp cutback from the energetic Savinho. Despite City’s relentless pressure,Tottenham held firm to secure a narrow victory.

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Quarter-Final Fixtures

 With a date yet to be finally decided the following teams will face off in the quarter finals

Manchester United vs Tottenham

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace

Newcastle vs Brentford

Liverpool vs  Southampton.

Hello and welcome to live coverage of Champions League football at Sportz Point. For the next two nights, we will cover the match week number two of the UEFA Champions League 2024-25 league phase round, as teams like Arsenal, AC Milan, PSG, FC Barcelona and Inter Milan return to action in the grande stage of European football.

Updates of 18 games altogether

In the new Champions League format, the fans are getting to see some of the incredible matches as teams from many unknown European leagues are getting their chance to show their courage and skill at the highest stage of European football. This has also enabled us to cover fixtures which have not been seen before.

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As it gets tough for each and every football fans to cover all the 18 games going nearly concurrently within two nights, we have decided to bring every update of all those 18 games altogether in this live blog.

So, sit back and relax, as we bring all the updates of the match week 2 of the UEFA Champions League 2024 - 25 league phase round.