News about Thomas Meunier

SAMI MOKBEL AND SIMON JONES: Burnley's Lorenz Assignon, defender, has been on alert for Rennes' Lorenz Assassination as they plan to bring in a defender on deadline day. The Clarets had been in talks to sign Borussia Dortmund defender Thomas Meunier on loan for the remainder of the season. The 32-year-old has fallen out of favor at Signal Iduna Park and has made only seven appearances in the Bundesliga this season.

Fans were seen bursting into tears and hugging one another as some others frantically rushed to call friends and relatives in the fear of being stabbed. Some supporters erupted with blank stares, seemingly unable to comprehend what they were hearing as some supporters pressed their heads in their hands. On Monday night, 35,000 Sweden and Belgium supporters packed into King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels to watch the Euro 2024 qualifier between their respective teams. However, the ground in the Belgian capital changed from one of joy and excitement to one of fear, sadness, and anguish as Swedes in the stands looked at their phones to discover two supporters shot dead shortly before kickoff. The fans got even more troubling news at halftime: they were to be held inside the stadium indefinitely until Belgian police found no more attacks were in the offing, according to Belgian police.

Despite assisting Belgium's losing World Cup campaign in Qatar, Roberto Martinez has reportedly emerged as a candidate for the vacant Portugal post. Martinez has been 'on the radar' of the Portuguese Football Federation as they look for a new head coach,' according to the Telegraph. The Spaniard could be forced to choose either a return to club leadership or a stay with international football.

Roberto Martinez has revealed that the Belgium team was aware he was stepping down as head coach ahead of the country's vital World Cup group stage match against Croatia. Martinez resigned as Belgium's president after the country's disappointing World Cup experience, with the country suffering a group stage exit despite being ranked second in the world by FIFA at the time. After losing in group stage to Morocco, the Spanish coach told Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws that he had notified players of his decision to leave the tournament after losing on group stage to Morocco.

After crashing out in the group stage amid lagging in the camp, five members of Belgium's World Cup squad departed earlier flights to fly home separately from their colleagues from Qatar. According to Het Laatste Nieuws, Thomas Meunier, Axel Witsel, Jeremy Doku, Arthur Theate, and Lois Openda all paid for flights at their own expense. According to the Belgian daily, the five players had already arrived in Brussels, with the Red Devils expected to land in the evening.

On the third matchday for just two last-16 places, we're set for a thrilling finale in World Cup F as Belgium, Croatia, and Morocco face off on a dramatic finale. With both matches - Croatia vs. Belgium and Morocco vs. Canada - being played simultaneously on Thursday afternoon, we can anticipate plenty of twists and turns. Croatia and Morocco have four points in the game as a result of their victories over Canada and Belgium respectively on Sunday.

After a slow start to the summer season, boss Erik ten Hag was able to bring in six new faces to help the club lift the mood and gloom. Casemiro, the five-time Champions League champion, was lured by the Red Devils as well as bringing Christian Eriksen, Tyrell Malacia, Antony and Martin Dubravka. United were also offered nine other players, but none of them took action, according to Fabrizio Romano, but they turned down a move for any of them.

Barcelona was willing to part with the American full-back in the transfer window in order to help balance finances, and United manager Erik ten Hag, who had worked with Dest before at Ajax, was keen to bring him to Old Trafford. Dest eventually transferred to AC Milan on loan, with the Italian side having the ability to buy for £17.5 million. According to reports, Xavi's team considered a swap agreement with Borussia Dortmund for Thomas Meunier, and they discussed using Dest in negotiations to lure Juan Foyth from Villarreal, but talks didn't go far.

PETE JENSON, SPAIN: Director Mateu Alemany and Jordi Cruyff walked away from the Camp Nou in the early hours of Friday morning, as exhausted veterans who had performed a minor miracle this summer, bringing in eight internationals. 'It's been a good window,' Cruyff said from behind his own car window to the scrum of journalists. Barcelona's tone is strong. This summer, the suits have excelled... now it's over to Xavi. Barca's window has been a huge improvement over what was expected at the end of last season, but the tough work on the pitch has started, and Xavi knows he will have no excuses.

Barca is keen on Alonso and has reached personal terms with him, but they are not sure if they should register Alonso and sign the right-back they are prioritizing on deadline day. Alba's departure may have solved the issue. Inter was interested in signing Alba on loan, but the player has declined to discuss the possibility of moving to the club this window.

Erik ten Hag is keen to sign a new right-back before the transfer window is closed and previously managed Dest at Ajax. Benjamin Pavard of Bayern Munich and Thomas Meunier of Borussia Dortmund have been linked to moves. Dest has made 72 appearances for Barcelona since joining the Nou Camp from Ajax in 2020, but he has been left out of the matchday squad by Xavi for the first three LaLiga games of this season.

According to reports, Manchester United could make a bid for Barcelona and USMNT right-back Sergino Dest before the summer transfer window opens on Thursday, as the player will be 'open' to a transfer to Old Trafford. The American is deemed as surplus to needs at the Nou Camp and hasn't been involved in any of Barcelona's first three matchday squads this season, a strong signal from manager Xavi that the defender will search for pastures new. According to ESPN, the full-back for Ajax has been linked to a variety of clubs in the Premier League and LaLiga this summer, but it has been speculated that Dest will be lured by a late move to United.

Barcelona is set to add more signings to their squad ahead of this week's transfer deadline, with a potential £48 million more to invest on new faces. Marcos Alonso (top right) and Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva (bottom right) are among the long list of wanted players to add to Chelsea's (centre) squad. They could offload the likes of Memphis Depay (top left) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (bottom right) to free up more funds.

After a transfer for Chelsea skipper Cesar Azpilicueta fell through, the Belgian left-back has emerged as a target for the Catalan giants, and Sergino Dest is expected to move in the opposite direction, as reported by Spanish outlet Sport. Xavi has sent center-back Ronald Araujo on the right of his defense so far this season, with Dest a player who wants to get off the books, despite having failed to recruit a right-back to suit his demands this summer. Meunier's contract had slowed down early on because the Bundesliga team was uncertain they would find a replacement in time, and the Blaugrana were unable to afford Dortmund's £12.6 million (€15 million) price tag.

As the club continues to raise funds and announce a new signing Jules Kounde, Barcelona boss Xavi gave another glimpse of his plans - or lack thereof - on Saturday. After the manager revealed that the club was keen on Cesar Azpilicueta's right-back position, Xavi referred to Ronald Araujo, Sergi Roberto, and Kounde as players who might play there this summer. Xavi took a different tone when asked about Dest's role. According to ESPN, 'He knows what the situation is like.'

According to sources, Manchester United is expected to lose £40 million on Aaron Wan-Bisakka as they line up moves for Thomas Meunier and Sergino Dest. Erik ten Hag's side is also looking to grow in various areas, including full-back, with Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot being chastised for their poor results at right-back over the past year. United are prepared to sell Wan-Bissaka to Selhurst Park for only £10 million, just three years after the former Crystal Palace youngster was signed for £50 million, according to The Telegraph.

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: The question being asked on Monday morning by some Barcelona supporters was: just how many players do we need to sign before we can beat Rayo Vallecano, a team that won only three times away last season? Xavi is confident Bernardo Silva will transform his team from a longshot to favorite, and after watching Saturday's league opener, he feels more strongly than ever that the team must sign a new right back. The plate spinning is expected to continue until 00.01 a.m. on September the first. If Barcelona makes it to the end of the month with Alonso, Silva, and a new right back, then Xavi will be content, almost as long as it takes to make it happen.