Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro, will drop 16 players from his 41-man provisional squad for the upcoming African Cup of Nations. According to a source close to the team, the move aims to streamline the team for the tournament scheduled from January 13 to February 11, 2024, in six Ivoirian cities. Teams are allowed to register up to 27 players for the tournament, but Peseiro is opting for a “manageable 25” to ensure tactical flexibility during the tournament. The team is scheduled for friendlies against Burkina Faso and DR Congo in a pre-games competition in Abu Dhabi before heading to Cote d’Ivoire.
Super Eagles coach to cut down squad for AFCON 2024 The source, as reported by The Guardian, stated, “Everything is set for the team’s departure for Abu Dhabi, where we will play tune-up matches against Burkina Faso and DR Congo in a three-nation pre-games competition.” He added, “As we speak, the chosen players’ clubs have been notified and have agreed to their departure for Abu Dhabi starting from this weekend.”
Inter Milan goalkeeper, Andre Onana. Source: Getty Chelsea will now move on to other targets, leaving Manchester United as favourites to sign Andre Onana who is expected to cost around £50 million. Evening Standard reported that Tottenham-linked Brentford goalie David Raya is one name on the shortlist. Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel and Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili are also on the list. Andre Onana started his youth career in his homeland before graduating from Barcelona’s famed La Masia setup. But he rose to prominence during his seven-and-a-half-year stint with Ajax. The period also included a controversial doping ban, which left him on the sidelines for nine months. Meanwhile, his spell with Ajax ended last summer, with the 27-year-old leaving as a free agent. The Cameroonian international joined Inter Milan in a Bosman move but took some time to get going. But Onana has not looked back since usurping Samir Handanovic as the first-choice shot-stopper. And he kept 19 clean sheets in 41 games for Inter Milan this past season. But Inter’s perilous financial situation has left them in a spot of bother while alerting suitors like Chelsea and Manchester United. 
Manchester United coach, Erik ten Hag. Source: Getty Chelsea dropping out of the race means Manchester United are in a better position to sign the goalkeeper. Recent reports suggested David de Gea would sign a new contract with Manchester United. But the latest updates have claimed that the Spaniard will depart from Old Trafford as a free agent. So Manchester United will need a top-class replacement. This would signal a reunion between the Cameroon stopper and Erik ten Hag, with the pair previously working together at Ajax. 
Tottenham captain, Harry Kane. Source: Getty Red Devils’ manager, Erik ten Hag, had made the player his primary summer target and is disappointed that it has fallen through, but understands the club cannot go past a certain point when it comes to the transfer fee and the overall package for a 29-year-old, who has one year left on his contract. Spurs value Kane at around £100 million, despite his contract which would soon expire. Daniel Levy, the Spurs chairman, is keen to hold on to Kane, in the hope that he signs a new contract and despite the knowledge that he could lose the striker for free next summer. He also does not entertain the idea of selling Kane to a direct rival. Real Madrid have also expressed an interest in Kane, but with Kylian Mbappé now a possible option they may opt against pursuing a deal for the England captain. 
Tottenham owner, Daniel Levy. Source: Getty The Napoli striker Victor Osimhen remains of interest to United but he too is also likely to be out of their reach, with Napoli understood to be asking for a fee of €150 million for the 24-year-old. United are still keen to sign the Atalanta forward Rasmus Højlund, who has had an impressive first season in Serie A after joining from Sturm Graz. The 20-year-old scored nine times in 32 league games for the Bergamo side and United like the potential he is showing. But he would not be seen as a regular starter in the No 9 position in 2023-24 even if they could sign him during the summer. Atalanta could, however, ask for as much as €60 million for the Dane. 
