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Thursday Kickoff: Man United target Cavani; Man City, No European bans from FFP; and more

Edinson Cavani of Paris Saint-Germain

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By DAN KARELL

Manchester United have begun targeting summer signings.

Even without a full-time head coach in place, Man United are interested in opening the check-book to sign Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson Cavani. The Uruguayan forward was acquired last summer by PSG for €60 million and it will take a bid of at least €72 million ($100 million) to bring Cavani to Old Trafford.

Cavani is one of three players that are high on Man United’s shortlist, including Southampton left back Luke Shaw (£30 million) and Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas. Man United tried and failed last summer to sign Fabregas.

The 27-year-old Cavani has scored 24 goals in all appearances in his first season with PSG. He’s expected to lead the line with Luis Suarez for Uruguay at the World Cup this summer.

Here are some more stories to start off your Thursday:

NO FFP PUNISHMENTS FORTHCOMING

Michel Platini has spilled the beans regarding some of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play investigations, saying that there will be no teams banned from European competitions.

According to an interview with Platini in Le Parisien, the UEFA president said that when the findings are released in May, there won’t be any huge punishments aimed at the investigated clubs. A number of reports in England and France have implicated Manchester City and PSG as clubs investigated by UEFA for their spending.

“In effect, the first decisions will be announced at the start of May,” Platini said in the interview. “But if you are expecting blood and tears and you will be disappointed. There will be some tough things but no exclusions from European competition.”

JANUZAJ DECLARES FOR BELGIUM

In a surprise announcement, Adnan Januzaj has changed his mind about his international future.

Despite all signs pointing towards Januzaj hoping to play for the Kosovo National Team some day, Belgium National Team head coach Marc Wilmots announced on his official Twitter account that Januzaj has declared his intent to play for Belgium for the rest of his career.

“I have received official confirmation that Adnan Januzaj will play for the Belgium national team for the rest of his career! This is great news and I am delighted that such a talented player is available for selection,” Wilmots wrote on Twitter, translated from Dutch.

Even with this big news for Belgium, Januzaj’s agent has stated that the 19-year-old is not guaranteed a place on the World Cup squad. Januzaj has had a breakout season for Manchester United, playing in 32 matches and scoring four goals and three assists.

In addition to Belgium, Januzaj is eligible to represent Turkey, Serbia, Albania, and Kosovo. Had he waited until his 23rd birthday to play international soccer, he could have potentially played for England.

QUICK KICKS

The FA have charged Ramires with violent conduct and both Rui Faria and Jose Mourinho with misconduct for their actions against Sunderland. (REPORT)

The Czech Republic and Poland have pulled out of the running to host matches in the 2020 European Championships, but Scotland plan on bidding. (REPORT)

Chelsea and Galatasaray are both interested in acquiring PSG’s Ezequiel Lavezzi. (REPORT)

Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta has asked Gerardo Martino to remain as the club’s head coach. (REPORT)

Sydney FC have fired head coach Frank Farina, with 40-year-old Alessandro Del Piero being touted as his replacement for next season. (REPORT)

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What do you think of these reports? Do you see Cavani coming to Man United next season without the Champions League on the horizon? Did you expect Man City and PSG to be banned from European competitions? Do you see Januzaj making the Belgium World Cup squad?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Man U has more creative midfield issues and sloppy defense. And replacing legend like Sir Fergie takes time to gel with the team.

    Reply
  2. US should put a bid in for the 2020 Euro’s … imagine all the money they could make filling up 100k+ staduims for each game! 😉

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    • Why not…if you can hold the WC in the middle of the desert and then (post-bid-award) change the season in which it is played…why not move Euros to the US?

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    • I can see it now. FIFA will be bringing the game to new lands…bringing the best in the world to the football backwater that is…the United States!

      Somebody get the director of the Qatari WC film on the phone, grab some US kids kicking a ball on a dirt lot, and we’re halfway there.

      Reply
  3. So FFP was essentially meaningless, as I think most of us expected. I’d say the biggest impact this will have is on PR for clubs who were trying to sell their fans the idea of “frugal spending to give us an advantage when FFP starts being inforced” (I’m looking at you, Arsenal). Now it couldn’t be clearer that the only advantage from frugal spending is a bigger check going into Kroenke’s account.

    Reply
  4. Belgium is stacked! Shame this years’ World Cup is in Brazil… Euro squads NEVER win in South America.

    But damn…

    GK: Courtois / Mignolet

    Backs: Vertonghen, Kompany, Alderwerild, Lombaerts, Cavanda, Vermaelen

    D-Mid: Fellaini, Witsel, Defour, Naingollan

    Winger/CAM: Hazard, Mirallas, de Bruyne, Mertens, Januzaj

    Striker: Benteke, Lukaku

    Whats not to like??

    Reply
    • Benteke is injured but they also have Mirallas who can score nice goals when they need them the MOST. and of course with Januzaj. they can go the distance. Quarter-finals or better

      Reply
      • I don’t think they can unless they can any easy draw after the group stages. They are an extremely young and “inexperienced” team. Although, if we get second place in our group and they get first we have to play them, I believe. That would not be fun. Now, if they have to play Germany or Portugal that would be a different story.

      • Mirallas is injured too now. So their midfield is looking a bit soft. I dunno if we could exploit that but other teams certainly could.

  5. The 2020 Euros should def be either Scotland/Ireland/Wales or Turkey or an Eastern European bloc of nations maybe like Croatia/Serbia (though perhaps Violence and football hooligans and racism might appear)

    Reply
  6. does that mean RVP is leaving United? Or Rooney

    Cavani is 1 of the top 5 strikers in the world. Would dominate in France but PSG plays him on the wing when he should be central but even though he scores every other game, he’s still too good for the French league. If I were him I’d head to Real Madrid. Replace Benzema

    Reply
  7. Man City is the highest paid sporting team in the world, and if I recall, history. You’d think they’d be a prime candidate for FFP.

    Reply
  8. Anyone hoping that FFP would have or ever will have some actual teeth is at this point being a bit delusional. There’s simply too much money at stake to let something like FFP get in the way.

    Reply

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