Transfer Centre

Transfer rumours: Gutierrez to Betis, Fernandez to Preston, Juventus trio axed

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 24 July 2022

Sports Mole rounds up the latest transfer rumours, as Manchester United's Alvaro Fernandez prepares to leave on loan and Juventus plan to axe a midfield trio.

Manchester United are reportedly hoping to send teenage left-back Alvaro Fernandez out on loan to Preston North End for the 2022-23 season.

The 19-year-old caught the eye with his productive displays on the left-hand side in the Premier League 2 last term, scoring three goals and setting up four more in 23 games.

Fernandez is yet to make his competitive debut for Man United, but he was on the bench for their final four Premier League matches of the 2021-22 season.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Fernandez is set to depart the club temporarily for the upcoming campaign, and Preston are well-placed to sign the Spaniard on loan.

Fernandez has been observing Preston at Deepdale in pre-season, but he is understood to remain open to offers amid interest from several Championship clubs.

🚨Real Betis want to sign Real Madrid's 20-year-old Spanish left-back Miguel Gutiérrez on loan with an option to buy permanently.🇪🇸🟢#Betis ⚪#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/vUFtH9sCiv
— Ekrem KONUR (@Ekremkonur) July 23, 2022

Fernandez is not the only young Spanish left-back who could be on the move this summer, as Real Madrid's Miguel Gutierrez is also being linked with a move elsewhere.

The 20-year-old's path into the first team was blocked last year by Ferland Mendy and Marcelo, but the latter has now departed the club as a free agent.

Gutierrez could therefore be presented with more first-team opportunities next term, but according to journalist Ekrem Konur, Real Betis are plotting a move for the defender.

Konur claims that Los Verdiblancos are keen to strike a loan with an option-to-buy deal for Gutierrez, whose Real Madrid contract expires in 2024.

Gutierrez has two assists to boast in 10 senior appearances for Los Blancos and set up eight goals at youth level in the 2021-22 season.

Wales' Aaron Ramsey celebrates scoring their third goal, November 23, 2021 © Reuters

Over in Italy, the return of Paul Pogba to Juventus is expected to have implications on a number of Massimiliano Allegri's out-of-favour midfielders.

Pogba rejoined the Turin giants as a free agent after leaving Manchester United, and as many as three lynchpins could now be axed by Allegri in the coming weeks.

According to Tuttosport - via the Daily Mail - Juventus are now hoping to do away with Aaron Ramsey, Adrien Rabiot and Arthur before the current window closes.

All three players have been left out of Juventus' squad for their pre-season tour of the USA and seemingly do not have futures at the Allianz Stadium under Allegri.

Ramsey is already said to have turned down offers from Turkish clubs Galatasaray and Fatih Karagumruk, who are managed by former Juve head coach Andrea Pirlo.

Derby County's Malcolm Ebiowei pictured on March 1, 2022 © Reuters

Finally, Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira is already said to have made a decision on the immediate future of talented youngster Malcolm Ebiowei.

The 18-year-old arrived at Selhurst Park from Derby County earlier this summer and has left Vieira impressed with his pre-season showings.

As a result, The Sun claims that Vieira will block any possible loan move for Ebiowei ahead of the 2022-23 season and wants the teenage attacker to be a part of his first-team plans.

Ebiowei previously represented Arsenal, Rangers and West Ham United at youth level before joining Derby, where he scored once and provided two assists in 16 Championship matches last term.