CARABO CUP CHANGES
According to the Daily Mail, the Carabao Cup semi-finals will change starting next season. They will now consist of a single-leg match instead of the traditional two-leg format. This change is aimed at reducing fixture congestion. It is part of a new funding package worth £900 million, which is expected to be approved by Premier League clubs later this season. The funding is designed to support clubs in the lower divisions of the EFL.
The EFL has been in negotiations with the Premier League since 2020, working on a “New Deal for Football.” The new package is close to being finalized and will ensure that lower division clubs receive 14.75 percent of the combined broadcast revenues of both organizations from next year, in addition to interim funding from the Premier League for this season.
While the offer still needs approval from Premier League clubs, there is growing confidence on all sides that an agreement can be reached before the end of the current football season.
REAL MADRID WANTS KEPA
Real Madrid is interested in securing Kepa Arrizabalaga permanently after initially signing him on loan as backup for Thibaut Courtois. They are willing to pay up to £17.5 million for the Spaniard and might even consider a part-exchange deal involving their second-choice goalkeeper, Andriy Lunin.
Courtois is expected to be out for the rest of the season due to a serious knee injury, but Kepa is ready to compete with him next season when he’s back in top form. Meanwhile, Chelsea is also looking for additional goalkeeper options and has shown interest in Aaron Ramsdale.