ARSENAL are going toe to toe with RB Salzburg striker Patson Daka, according to reports.
Meanwhile Aaron Ramsey could be on his way out of Juventus this summer with Liverpool being touted as potential suitors for the Wales star, 30.
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Stay up to date with all the latest football news in our rolling blog…
ART DEALER
SunSport’s David Seager says: “Mikel Arteta has a huge decision to make over whether Arsenal skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang can lead the line in his starting XI.
“In my own mind I have been weighing up what he offers in the role and comparing it to what Alexandre Lacazette offers and, in truth, trying to convince myself that our Gabonese talisman edged it.
“No Arsenal supporter wants to see another Mesut Ozil situation on the horizon, so I am sure most would love to see a happy Auba, smiling on the pitch and scoring for fun.
“However, this is perhaps not the player we have at present.”
Read more HERE.
UNITED NATION
Manchester United have provided some of England’s finest ever players.
The Three Lions two top goalscorers – Sir Bobby Charlton and Wayne Rooney – were both best for their country during their time at Old Trafford.
Other names trip off the tongue – Beckham, Robson, Ferdinand.
So, we at SunSport decided to pick our ultimate Manchester United England XI of players who starred for the Red Devils while winning caps for their country.
To be included, they must have won at least one cap while playing for United…
MAD JOURNEY
Manchester United star Amad Diallo’s meteoric rise continued after he was called up by the Ivory Coast.
The 18-year-old starlet could make his full international debut for the African nation this month.
United confirmed his call-up to Patrice Beaumelle’s Elephants side alongside team-mate Eric Bailly.
Both Red Devils are part of the 30-man squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
BUNCH OF TWITS
David McGoldrick has revealed the Sheffield United players found out about Chris Wilder’s sacking on twitter.
The striker told talkSPORT: “The weird thing about it was that it came out of the blue from nowhere.
“We got into training as normal, got into the treatment room and someone said, ‘Look at this on Twitter! Someone’s posted something saying the gaffer’s going to be sacked’.
“Usually, you hear certain things.
“We heard there was talk a few months ago. We had found some form.
“There was no confirmation for 48 hours, the boys didn’t properly meet Hecky [Heckingbottom].”
BLUE RAGE
John Obi Mikel has revealed the ‘chaos’ which ensued after Chelsea’s controversial Champions League semi-final exit to Barcelona in 2009.
Speaking to The Athletic, he said: “It was chaos in the tunnel and the dressing room afterwards.
“Bottles, things flying everywhere. Tables were being smashed. Everyone was shouting and screaming.
“Mind you, one could say that was normal after that Chelsea team lost games!
“I don’t know about now but losing back then was definitely not acceptable at all…but that was a really crazy night.
“Drogba lost it on the pitch and then it just carried on from there.”
LOCK OUT
Wales have suffered a double injury blow on the eve of their 2022 World Cup qualifier with Belgium after Ben Davies and Tom Lockyer pulled out through injury.
The Dragons travel to Leuven for the opening Group E clash on Wednesday night.
But caretaker boss Robert Page will be without experienced Tottenham defender Davies and Lockyer of Luton.
The official Wales Twitter account tweeted: “Ben Davies and Tom Lockyer have both withdrawn from the squad due to injury.”
The nature of the injuries have not been revealed as yet.
AL OVER
Chelsea are reportedly out of the running to sign Bayern Munich ace David Alaba with the defender keen to join either Real Madrid or Barcelona.
The 28-year-old will be departing the Allianz Arena in the summer when his contract expires having refused to agree a new deal in Bavaria.
But according to Sky in Germany, Alaba has rejected the chance to join the Blues.
He is also said to have turned down an approach from Paris Saint-Germain, where the Ligue 1 giants were willing to meet his demands.
It has been stated that Alaba – who can play as a centre-back, left-back or in midfield – has his heart set on a move to Spain.
GUNNER MAKE IT
Arsenal have been given a boost in their hunt for a European place for next season – after it was revealed they have the EASIEST run-in.
EUROPA PROBE
Police have launched an investigation into allegations Rangers star Glen Kamara was racially abused during a Europa League tie.
Kamara alleged Czech defender Ondrej Kudela subjected him to the abuse during his side’s tie with Slavia Prague last week.
Uefa have since launched an investigation over alleged incidents both during and after the heated game at Ibrox.
And Kamara has since called on European football chiefs to take a zero-tolerance approach to racism.
Police Scotland have now begun their own investigation into the allegations against Kudela.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are investigating incidents of alleged racial abuse and a reported assault following the match between Rangers and Slavia Prague at Ibrox on Thursday, 18 March, 2021.
“Officers are liaising with both clubs and enquiries are continuing.”
GAARD OF HONOUR
Martin Odegaard’s Norwegian team-mate Joshua King revealed how he convinced his compatriot to sign for Arsenal.
He told NRK: “When I saw the rumour about Arsenal, I sent him a message and said: ‘You have to go to Arsenal'”
“He replied, ‘Are you sure? Are you sure?’ – I was so sure.
“Arsenal’s style of play and Martin… I have friends who have played for Arsenal, and I know a little about the club.
“In my head, I think it suited him well.”
BALE OUT
Gareth Bale has confirmed he is returning to Real Madrid next season.
The Wales captain, 31, has struggled to reach his best form during his season-long loan at Tottenham.
When asked about his future plans, Bale said: “It’s no distraction for me coming into the Euros.
“The main reason I came to Spurs this year was I wanted to play football first and foremost.
“But coming into the Euros I wanted to be match fit.
“The original plan was only to do a season at Spurs, then after the Euros, I’ll still have a year left at Real Madrid and my plan is to go back.
“That’s as far as I’ve planned to be honest.”
IRN BRU
Steve Bruce will hold crisis talks with his Toon flops after Mike Ashley’s vote of confidence.
Newcastle’s players were given two days off following Saturday’s humiliating 3-0 defeat at Brighton.
But they return today and Bruce will demand a response after a wretched run of two wins in 20 games sees them just two points above the drop zone.
However the Daily Mail states that there are plans to give the squad more days off during the international break from Friday through to Monday.
A source told the news outlet: “The players are used to doing their own training by now. They are not surprised by the schedule.”
MORE FROM SHAW
Luke Shaw also claimed that his current form has been better than when he won the United player of the year prize in 2018/19.
He told Sky Sports: “I was nowhere near my best then. If I am honest, it was quite a poor season from everyone.
“Maybe I was just one of the ones who stood out a little bit more but I was nothing special.
“Definitely now is the best period I have had. I have managed to sustain a run of games and keep playing. I am enjoying it and I think that is the most important thing that I wanted to get back, that enjoyment of football. Getting back to doing what I enjoy doing.”
MOUNT ON THE GREEN
Mason Mount was hilariously mocked and compared to Happy Gilmore by Ben Chilwell, Harry Wilson and Richard Keogh after taking part in a golf shoot.
Chelsea teammate Chilwell said: “Why are you using a driver on the putting green?”
Mount’s former Derby County pal Wilson then added: “I’m gonna need your thoughts on this Richard,” referencing fellow Rams player Richard Keogh.
And Keogh didn’t disappoint, writing: “Hi Harry, hi mason.. yeh listen H, I thinking inspector gadget based.. but a check version!? What your thoughts!?”
Wilson then responded: “”Yeah listen I can see where your coming from, can see a hint of happy Gilmore in there aswell…”
SHAW THING
Luke Shaw admitted Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has helped him mature at Manchester United.
He told Sky Sports: “His man-management is second to none. The way he conducts himself in terms of how he speaks to the players, it gets the best out of them. You can see that.
“He deals with situations perfectly in terms of what is needed, especially at a big club like Manchester United.
“He takes the pressure off the lads and takes it all himself. Sometimes it is not fair because we are the ones on the pitch and we need to take our fair share too. For me, especially, from what I had before Ole came in, it is a total difference. It has pushed me to a new level.”
ART OF WAR
Arsenal are reportedly looking at activating Real Betis midfielder Guido Rodriguez’s £68million release clause.
The 26-year-old has been a key part of Betis’ upturn in form with his combative displays in the middle of the park helping Manuel Pellegrini’s men rise to sixth in LaLiga.
And Mundo Deportivo reports the Gunners have been scouting the player for months and will make their move this summer.
GUD TIMES
Manchester City are stomping towards another Premier League title with Pep Guardiola at the helm.
But all this success doesn’t mean that they will rest on their laurels come the summer.
With Borussia Dortmund reportedly demanding upwards of £150million for top target Erling Haaland, City could turn their attention to Danny Ings – as Sergio Aguero looks set to depart.
Meanwhile, the Etihad side are believed to be one of five teams chasing FC Groningen left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson.
Here’s how they could line up next term…
HA LA LAND
Erling Haaland has revealed that a club ‘must’ want him if he is to sign for them.
The Borussia Dortmund striker has been linked with summer moves to Europe’s best including Manchester United and Chelsea.
When asked by VG, he replied: “They must want me.”
FRESH LIONS
England boss Gareth Southgate revealed his 26-man squad last week for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, the final chance to sample players before Euro 2020.
Here’s how they could lined up…
IN THE DOCK
Police have arrested and charged a teenager in connection with the alleged racial abuse of Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos.
SunSport exclusively revealed how the Rangers ace had been targeted by an individual in a video circulated on social media during the derby clash with Celtic.
Police launched an investigation into the offensive video following a series of complaints.
Now, cops have confirmed that a boy, aged 17, has been arrested and charge in connection with the incident.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We’ve arrested and charged a 17-year-old male youth in connection with an offensive social media post during the Celtic v Rangers SPFL match yesterday.”
MARC UP
Marcus Rashford is the most-valuable player on the planet – worth a staggering 15 per cent of Manchester United’s entire squad value.
According to the latest data from CIES Football Observatory, the England forward, 23, is valued between £130million and £170m.
INZ AND OUT
Juventus have reportedly drawn up a three-man shortlist to replace Andrea Pirlo.
Sunday’s shock 1-0 defeat to Benevento heaped even more pressure on boss Pirlo after the Old Lady’s disastrous Champions League exit to Porto.
Italian outlet La Repubblica reports Lazio boss Simone Inzaghi, Atalanta manager Gian Pero Gasperini and former Inter and Roma coach Luciano Spalletti are all in the frame.
POR SHOW
Chelsea have been called out for ‘celebrating’ being drawn against Porto in the Champions League.
He told Portugal’s CMTV, via Record: “It’s in the English press and I called later to confirm. Porto players have to run like never before in these two games.
“They think they have already won the tie. They celebrated!
“When I spoke to the person who told me, I was disgusted and would give anything to play against Chelsea.
“Porto’s players have to die on the pitch, [Chelsea] think they are already in the semi-finals.
“They celebrated in the morning when they saw that Porto were drawn against them. [Porto] can qualify, but they have to sweat blood.”
ODE TO MARTIN
Arsenal are keen to make Martin Odegaard’s loan move from Real Madrid permanent this summer – and it’s easy to see why.
BECKS BACKING
David Beckham is confident superstar players Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will be interested in signing for his MLS side Inter Miami.
Speaking to ESPN: “When we announced Miami, there was always going to be talk about what players we were going to bring in, whether it was Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar.
“There was always going to be those discussions. I actually don’t think it’s a tough one for players to decide, to be honest, because it’s a great place.
“Obviously, it’s a great city, I feel like we’ve got a great fan base, but I also understand there’s great talent in Miami and South Florida, and I think we have a real opportunity.
“Miami is a city that has that pull on players who have been playing in Europe that are big stars.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
