Tuesday Morning Hot Links
Do you know how stupid it is to go to, or even watch, the Club World Cup? All the teams I would want to watch (mainly the South American teams and Portuguese teams - I don’t need to see Manchester City play PSG, I’ve seen that) are on DAZN, and that’s another $20-$30/month subscription. I’m not going to go to a game because, (a) they’re kind of far away and (b) ICE. Absolutely asinine tournament. Gianni Infantino can go to hell, ol’ Caillou-lookin headass boiiiiiiiiii.
Leeds United
Despite reports that former Leeds United GK1 Illan Meslier is flying to Istanbul for a medical with Fenerbahce, Leeds haven’t actually received any bids for him. Newcastle are in renewed talks for Burnley GK1 James Trafford, which may push Newcastle GK1/2 Nick Pope out the door.
Leeds “are confident” of signing Dan James to a new two-year deal.
If Leeds are truly interested in signing Lille left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson (who has approved a move out of Lille), they’ll need to hurry, as there is no shortage of interested clubs.
Brenden Aaronson is ready to prove people wrong during this spin through the Premier League.
The Jaka Bijol transfer from Udinese to Leeds is complete, and he said all the right things in his first day at Elland Road. Bijol will be just the second player to play with both Leeds United and Udinese, joining goalkeeper Marco Silvestri, who played with Leeds from 2014-2016 and Udinese from 2021-present (though his contract expires next week).
Leeds United Chairman/Rangers Vice Chairman/49ers Something Paraag Marathe dismissed concerns that Leeds would be a feeder club for Rangers, or vice versa. Sky Sports: How Rangers could benefit from Marathe’s experiences with the 49ers and Leeds.
Elsewhere
Whether it’s the weather or the actual field, it seems no one likes playing in the Club World Cup.
Manchester United have made an improved bid for Brentford’s Bryan Mbuemo, so now Tottenham look like they’re going after Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze. Speaking of Crystal Palace, co-owner John Textor has agreed to sell his shares in order to let Palace play in Europe next season.
Arsenal have been rebuffed for their surprise move for Paris St. Germain badass winger Bradley Barcola.
Viktor Gyokeres is going through a nasty breakup with Sporting Lisbon.
Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez is trying to get out of Anfield.
Nottingham Forest have apparently reached an agreement with Juventus/USMNT’s Tim Weah.
Opta: Eight of the best free transfers still available.
A guy from the Milwaukee Brewers has invested in a minority stake in Portuguese side Benfica.
Brentford have promoted their set-piece guy (think: free kicks and corner kicks) Keith Andrews to take over as manager following the departure of Thomas Frank to Tottenham.
Fulham just might be after Arsenal defender Oliksandr Zinchenko.
Paul Mullin is out at Wrexham.
Queens of the Stone Age are going on tour.
What To Watch: Tuesday, not-DAZN edition
2pm (Central): Club World Cup: Benfica v Bayern Munich. TruTV/TNT
6pm: Gold Cup: Guadaloupe v Guatemala (FS2) and Panama v Jamaica (FS1).
9pm: Gold Cup: Canada v El Salvador (FS1) and Honduras v Curacao (FS2).