EPL Postseason Update: News and Rumors

Euro 2020 has begun! It’s wonderful to have international football back in the summer, games being broadcast for a month, pretty much every single day. We can also witness South American teams compete with each other for this year’s Copa America in Brazil.

However, let’s not forget what’s happening in the English top-flight as we look over the latest news and rumors that have emerged since the end of the domestic season.

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Video Assistant Referee (VAR)

First thing first: the Premier League has decided to use ‘thicker lines’ for the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) next season to reduce the number of marginal offside calls.

Plenty of managers, players and fans have been upset by many goals being disallowed because of a single pixel of a player’s elbow or toe being judged offside when the precision of video scan rate really can’t support such find slicing.

The report stated that thicker lines will allow a more realistic margin of error in offside decisions, granting an attacking team with a benefit of doubt (being “even”).

The new systematic approach, which is already being used in the Dutch league, has been approved by the game’s lawmakers International Football Association Board.

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Super League Fallout

After the Super League’s disastrous fail to launch, England’s so-called “top six” clubs (Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal and Tottenham) collectively have reached a combined £22 million financial settlement deal with the Premier League.

The Premier League statement:

“The six clubs involved in proposals to form a European Super League have today acknowledged once again that their actions were a mistake, and [they] have reconfirmed their commitment to the Premier League and the future of the English game. They have wholeheartedly apologized to their fans, fellow clubs, the Premier League and the FA (Football Association). As a gesture of goodwill, the clubs have collectively agreed to make a contribution of £22 million, which will go towards the good of the game, including new investment in support for fans, grassroots football and community programmes.”

The top clubs have also agreed to the idea of supporting any rule changes to prevent any similar intentions in the near future would be punished by a 30-point deduction from the season.

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Latest transfer rumors and signings

Watford signs Boro’s Fletcher

Striker Ashley Fletcher joins Watford FC on a free transfer after his release clause by Middlesbrough. The former Man United forward has scored 28 goals in 108 games for Boro. 25-year-old joins the newly promoted side of Watford, back in the Premier League after just one season away.

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Liverpool aiming for Neuhaus

Jurgen Klopp and club have reportedly found Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Florian Neuhaus as a replacement for new Paris Saint-Germain star Gini Wijnaldum. The Reds have been in talks, but no official bid has been put forward on the table, the midfielder having a price tag that will cost more than €40 million.

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Everton ‘contacts’ Rudi Garcia

Everton has been looking to hire a new manager to take charge at Goodison Park, and former Lyon manager Rudi Garcia is the latest candidate. After the exit of Carlos Ancelloti to become the manager of Real Madrid again, the Toffees are on a hunting spree for a new manager, suggesting the likes of Nuno Espirito Santo, Eddie Howe, Graham Potter, Scott Parker and Rafa Benitez.

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Man United show interest in Coman

Man United have identified Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman as a back-up option if they fail to sign Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund. Coman is reportedly happy in Munich, but his representatives are open to hearing offers this summer.

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Leeds interested in Noa Lang; Bielsa to sign new contract

Leeds have taken interest in Dutch forward Noa Lang at Club Brugge. The 21-year-old is tied down to a new contract by the Belgian club to keep away the distractions from the Peacocks. On the other hand, Leeds is also offering Marcelo Bielsa a new contract extension for his efforts in the Premier League last season; the Argentine is expected to sign soon.

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Chelsea offer ‘swap deal’ for Hakimi

Thomas Tuchel has picked out Inter Milan’s Achraf Hakimi as the prime candidate to strengthen his wing-back position; Chelsea is likely to offer cash plus players as the Blues are also looking to off-load a few. On the other hand, Inter has priced the former Real Madrid player for only €80m in cash as they look to fix their financial issues after the exit of Antonio Conte.

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Spurs cash in on Paulo Fonseca

After a few failed attempts of re-calling Mauricio Pochettino or recruiting Antonio Conte, Tottenham has now opened the door to former Roma manager Paulo Fonseca. The famous journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that it is now up to Daniel Levy to decide if he wants to bring the Portuguese manager to his team, Fonseca ready to pen a contract to June 2024, or June 2023 with an option of one more year option.

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Man United close on Sancho

According to news from Fabrizio Romano, United is closer than ever to landing Jaden Sancho to Old Trafford from the German club of Borussia Dortmund. The Red Devils are confident but aware of the situation that occurred last year, with personal terms and agent fees agreed.

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Keane to Man United: Just sign Harry Kane

United legend Roy Keane is urging management to sign Tottenham’s Harry Kane for a £120 million fee. The Red Devils are known to be in the race for Kane who had earlier revealed his desire to leave Spurs this summer. Man City and Chelsea are also interested in the striker.

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What do you think about new VAR rule? Do you think the ‘big six’ clubs deserved their fine? If so, was is enough? Also, what holes do which teams have, and whom do you think will arrive at what club in this summer’s transfer window? Please let us know in the comment section below!

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