Arsenal eye swoop for Noa Lang, Messi subbed off in PSG win, Chelsea beat Tottenham REACTION, Kane draws blank

TRIPLE THREAT

Barcelona are reportedly preparing a triple swoop that includes Manchester United star Paul Pogba, whose contract runs out in the summer.

Barca are also keeping tabs on Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland and RB Leipzig ace Dani Olmo next summer.

That is according to Mundo Deportivo, Barca have set their sights on the trio after managing to reduce their wage bill from 100 per cent to 80 per cent of their total income.

The Blaugrana were limited in their transfer business this summer due to the wage cap set by La Liga.

But after losing Lionel Messi to Paris Saint-Germain and Antoine Griezmann to Atletico Madrid the Catalans are now in a better position financially

LANG STORY

Arsenal are preparing a £20million bid for Brugge starlet Noa Lang ahead of the January transfer window.

Lang enjoyed a sensational campaign with the Belgian champions last season with 17 goals and 11 assists.

The winger has carried that superb form into the start of the new season where he has already hit the back of the net four times and registered another four assists.

And he also caught the eye in the Champions League last week when he was named man of the match in his team’s 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain.

According to Fichajes, the Gunners are impressed with the 22-year-old Dutchman and are thus keeping tabs on him

NEVILLE ADVICE

Gary Neville believes the team with the best chances of winning the Premier League will be the one that overcomes Chelsea.

That was a message to the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool.

The Blues have been on a roll ever since winning the Champions League title as they are undefeated in the league with four wins in five matches.

Neville told Sky Sports: “If you are Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool or any other team that has aspirations to win this title, then you will fancy your chances if you finish above this Chelsea team because they look really, really good”

BLUE BEAUTY

SunSport exclusive by Duncan Wright

Andreas Christensen is ready to sign a new deal with Chelsea – after the club initially offered a pay CUT when they first began negotiations.

Christensen has finalised talks with the European champions with the fine touches over a new deal thought to be worth £120,000-a-week now being rubber stamped before an official announcement.

It was a fitting reward for the way the 25-year-old has responded to being touted around for sale 18 months ago to now being a first team regular at Stamford Bridge.

But SunSport understands the Danish defender had initially been so under-valued by the club they tabled an initial contract offer which was lower than the current £78,000-a-week he earns.

That deal runs out at the end of this season and though the Blues were happy to keep him as a squad player at the time, they felt his role on the fringes was not worthy of a top salary.

Since then Christensen has made such dramatic strides, particularly under Thomas Tuchel, he is now seen as integral to the defence.

UNITED FRONT

Cristiano Ronaldo and Dean Henderson have offered their support to English striker Danny Hodgson after he spent his 26th birthday in intensive care.

The Manchester United stars have wished the star well after he was critically injured in an unprovoked attack at a train station in Perth, Australia, on September 4.

Former Carlisle player Hodgson, who was part of the club’s academy alongside Henderson, was struck from behind while celebrating the end of the National Premier League’s Western Australia football season with his club ECU Joondalup.

He is now in a critical but stable condition after being placed in an induced coma, with his parents flying out to Perth to be by his side.

But due to the strict hotel quarantine rules in Australia due to coronavirus, they are unable to visit him in hospital.

Hodgson’s story has sparked mass support from the football community in the United Kingdom and Australia, with Ronaldo inviting him to see a game at Old Trafford once he is better.

In a video sent to Hodgson, he said: “Hi Danny, I just hear about your history and I hope you get well soon.

“I invite you to come to one of [our] games in Manchester, so get well soon my friend. Take care.”

MANE THREAT

Sadio Mane couldn’t resist taking a swipe at Crystal Palace after scoring in Liverpool’s 3-0 win over them at the weekend.

The Senegalese striker scored his 13th goal in nine consecutive games against the Eagles and joked that he wouldn’t mind playing them all the time.

He told BBC Sport: “I am lucky to score so many goals against Palace.

“I would love to play against Crystal Palace… it would be great to play them every single weekend.

“In my head, I am always thinking it is possible. I will keep trying and trying and trying.”

I’LL BE BA-CK

Demba Ba is considering a return to English football – as a sporting director.

The former Chelsea, Newcastle and West Ham striker announced his playing retirement last week after leaving Swiss club Lugano.

Ba, 36, told Sport-Express.ru: “I would be happy to become a sporting director in future. I want to learn from Ralf Rangnick. I couldn’t imagine anyone better than him to learn from, as he is the best.

“I have kept in touch with him since leaving Hoffenheim, and he had a big impact on my playing career.

“Now he will influence my post-playing career as well. I will learn from him as long as we are both alive. Everyone knows that Thomas Tuchel studied directly with Rangnick.

“Ralph’s ideas inspired Jurgen Klopp, and many other coaches. He changed German football. Of all the countries I have played in, England was the one most right for me.”

BERND OUT

Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes Mikel Arteta has created a ‘big problem for himself’ following the arrival of Aaron Ramsdale.

Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “He [Leno] will get angry because his mental state is not right. His head is not in the right place.

“It is difficult as a goalkeeper when you are in and out of the side. Goalkeepers like to know if they are number one or number two.

“When there is a pecking order and you are told where you are in the pecking order you can accept it. You do not want to be fighting for your place every week.

“I cannot understand the signing of Ramsdale. He’s not any better than Leno.

“I think Arteta has just created a big problem for himself. He now has two goalkeepers of similar ability who both want to play.

“Ramsdale is talented but he makes a lot of errors that lead to goals.

“If Arteta wanted to replace Leno he should have gone out and signed a top-class goalkeeper. What he’s bought is not better than what he’s got.”

SHEAR BRILLIANCE

Alan Shearer has named his Premier League team of the week for matchday five.

What do we reckon, football fans?

RICE IS TWICE AS NICE

Roy Keane believes Declan Rice is ‘way ahead’ of where he was when he was the same age as the England star.

The Ireland legend was full of praise for the West Ham star before their Premier League clash with Manchester United on Sunday.

He told Sky Sports: “I think Declan’s improved as much as any player over the last one or two seasons.

“I know he’s been linked with Man United and if you’d have asked me a year or two ago, I would have thought give him another year or two in terms of maturing.

“I look to where I was when I was 22, I think he’s way ahead of me when I was 22.

“I think the next step will come when he’s playing at a higher level, Champions League, competing for trophies. He’s obviously a regular for England. There’s a lot more to come from him.”

SHEAR HELL

Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has voiced his concerns about the running of the club.

Speaking on Match of the Day, Shearer opened up in a passionate rant about the club’s affairs off the pitch after their 4-1 defeat to Manchester United.

He said: “I hate what my club is or has become. It’s been a long time now, it’s a hollow and an empty football club. There’s no hope or ambition and I’m pretty sick of it to be honest. It’s copy-paste-repeat every season.

“They give players who have been at the football club new contracts because they can’t sell them on. Then they have an excuse that they can’t bring other players into the football club because those players are being paid a salary.

“It’s cheaper to keep them on the books rather than buying other players. The fans deserve better. Every manager has the same problems – as I said, it’s copy-paste-repeat every season.”

NOU ORDER

Barcelona will reportedly make a triple swoop for Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland, Manchester United’s Paul Pogba and RB Leipzig’s Dani Olmo next summer.

The Catalan giants have set their sights on the trio after managing to reduce their wage bill from 100 per cent to 80 per cent of their total income, Mundo Deportivo reported.

Barca were limited in their transfer activities this summer due to the wage cap set by La Liga, but after flogging Lionel Messi to Paris Saint-Germain and Antoine Griezmann to Atletico Madrid they are now in a better position financially.

KEEP YOUR GARD UP

Manchester United fan Tyson Fury has praised Jesse Lingard after his winning goal against West Ham on Sunday.

The 28-year-old England international came off the bench to fire the Red Devils to a dramatic 2-1 victory at the London Stadium with a sensational strike.

And Fury, who is a big Man Utd supporter, reacted to Lingard’s goal on social media after the match.

Speaking on Twitter, he said: “‘It ain’t how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward.

“How much you can take, and keep moving forward.’ #Jlingz.”

MOUR CONFUSION

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has backed Roma to win Serie A under Jose Mourinho in a curious show of support.

The relationship between the two managers remains confusing as the Portuguese branded the Italian ‘dumb’ but later claimed he ‘loves’ him.

Speaking to Gianluca di Marzio via Get Italian Football News, Ancelotti said: “I hope that the Giallorossi [Roma] win with Jose Mourinho.”

Roma are currently third in Serie A after picking up nine points from their opening four fixtures, losing 3-2 at Hellas Verona on Sunday.

Real, meanwhile, are currently two points clear at the top of LaLiga after making an unbeaten start to the season under Ancelotti.

‘THE BEST MEDICINE’

Brazil legend Pele punched the air in celebration as he left intensive care this morning.

The 80-year-old caused fresh fears for his huge fan base as it emerged he had been readmitted to intensive care after his operation.

The former Santos’ striker was discovered to have had a colon tumour when he went into hospital for routine examinations at the end of August.

His surgery to remove it took place on September 4 and he had been expected to leave intensive care last week.

Pele initially left the intensive care unit (ICU) on Tuesday after undergoing his op. surgery to remove a tumour from his colon.

But the iconic footballer returned to the ICU after falling ill while still in Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Friday.

Now he has offered a positive update on his condition by sharing a snap of him in a wheelchair punching the air with delight while leaving ICU again.

The three-time World Cup winner captioned it with: “As you can see, I’m punching the air in celebration of every better day.

EYES OPEN

Roma boss Jose Mourinho says he’s creating a monster out Tammy Abraham for Gareth Southgate to use for England.

And the 58-year-old reckons if the Three Lions coach can’t see Abraham’s ability then his eyes have to be dodgy.

Speaking before Roma’s 3-2 loss against Hellas Verona, which was Mourinho’s first Serie A defeat with the club since taking charge, he said: “I am trying to create a monster of a forward for Gareth Southgate.

“Unless he doesn’t have proper eyes and still not call him up with the England national team, then I would suggest for Tammy to switch countries.”

“He deserves more caps under his name.”

DIER STRAITS

Eric Dier says Spurs need to be smarter to stop their slump, after their 3-0 defeat to Chelsea.

He said: “We played very well in the first half and we have to focus on that. We have to take the positives from that and build on it. Second half, they were the better team.

“We conceded the first goal very early in the second half and then lacked a bit of control to stay in the game and not concede the second. We needed to try to build and get back to the way we were playing.

“But we conceded again and it became very difficult. We lacked that control a little bit but they were sloppy goals, all three of them.

“We can do so much better. We were a little erratic in that moment.

“We need to just be a bit smarter, stay in the game for five minutes and try to get back on the front foot.”

QAT OUT THE BAG

Everton star James Rodriguez is set to leave Goodison Park.

According to multiple reports, the Colombian has flown to Qatar to seal a move to the Middle East.

The Colombian, 30, joined the Toffees from Real Madrid last year.

But he hasn’t featured at all under new boss Rafa Benitez.

NOT GUNNAR COMMENT

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has dismissed any talk of a Premier League title challenge despite Manchester United’s strong start to the domestic campaign.

When asked about a tilt at the Premier League, he told Sky Sports: “You’re not going to get me on that one now.

“It’s five games into the season. I was probably down and out and lost my job yesterday. That’s the way it is at Man United.

“We deserved three points. It’s a hard place to come, here. Hopefully these points can make a difference.

“Let’s see [about the title] when we get towards April and May.”

GUNNDERKIDS

Arsenal’s Under-23s thumped London rivals Chelsea 6-1 at Kingsmeadow despite being reduced to 10 men after just 35 minutes.

Mika Biereth, 18, netted a hat-trick for the Gunners as they ran riot away from home to secure a fourth win in a row in the Premier League 2.

Folarin Balogun also grabbed two goals, while Blues defender Lewis Hall’s own goal made it 6-0, before he then added a consolation at the right end.

FER GOODNESS SAKE

Phil Jones was disappointed by former team-mate Rio Ferdinand’s claim that he is a ‘waste of time’.

He told The Times: “I’m private, so maybe people don’t understand me, but (…) I’ve done my absolute utmost.”

PHIL FOR HIM

Manchester United defender Phil Jones has revealed that he has ‘been to hell and back’.

The 29-year-old told The Times: “Thankfully, I see the light at the end of the tunnel now, and I’ve been back training, played a few behind-closed-doors games and I’m feeling really good at the minute.

“It’s so good to be back out training with the lads and enjoying being a footballer again because for the last 15 months, it’s been all ‘daddy day care’ and not much football.

“I kept myself in great shape over lockdown and came back. But I remember just training out here [Carrington] and going into the doc and saying ‘enough is enough’.

“Unfortunately, there was going to be time off the pitch, which I knew was going to be difficult for me, but it was something that I had to do.

“Obviously, I’ve been through hell and back over the last couple of years. I struggled with my knee a little bit and [there] came a point after lockdown where I thought enough was enough.”

BLUNT RESPONSE

Pep Guardiola insists that signing a new striker over the summer would not have helped Manchester City beat Southampton.

The champions were held by the Saints to a goalless draw at the Etihad on Saturday and registered just one shot on goal.

But Guardiola is adamant that the lack of a new No9 was not to blame for the stalemate against the well-disciplined Southampton team.

He said: “Today we didn’t win not because we didn’t have a centre-forward, we didn’t win because our process to make the buildup or give better balls for players up front were not good.

“When they are good, they can run, arrive in other positions. We had just one shot on target but they had four or five blocks in the six-yard box so they were there.

“But that is not the reason. The reason is because we didn’t do our process for our back four and Fernandinho. The five guys who have to bring the ball to the other players were not good today.”

LANG STORY

Arsenal are preparing to bid £20million for Club Brugge winger Noa Lang, according to reports.

The 22-year-old Dutch winger enjoyed a sensational campaign with the Belgian side last season, scoring 17 goals and assisting 11 as Brugge won the title by a huge 16 points.

Lang has carried that superb form into the start of the new season where he has already netted four times and laid on another four assists.

And he also caught the eye in the Champions League last week when he was named man of the match in their 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain.

Lang, who features predominantly on the left wing, is a product of the Ajax youth set-up but left the club in 2020 having made just 14 appearances for the Eredivisie side.

His development at Brugge has been a rapid one and now Fichajes are reporting that he is being looked at as an option for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.

LING OF DUTY

Manchester United are reportedly in ‘direct contact’ with Jesse Lingard’s father over a new contract.

The England international attacker reignited his faltering career with a stunning loan spell at West Ham last season.

Lingard returned to haunt his old club by coming off the bench yesterday to fire United to a 2-1 win.

Now United are believed to be doing everything to secure the future of the ace after he initially rejected their first extension proposal.

That is according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, who claims the club and Lingard’s father have been in ‘direct contact’ for ‘weeks’ already.

The Italian also claims that ‘Solskjaer is pushing directly with the player’ in order to get him to stay.