PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG is to be investigated by Arsenal after getting a new tattoo in an alleged covid rule break.
On the transfer front, defender Dayot Upamecano has been announced by Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
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Read our live blog below to get the latest from around the clubs…
JUR’LL BE OKAY
Pep Guardiola admits he feels sympathy for his great rival Jurgen Klopp – but expects the Liverpool boss to bounce back.
The German has had a tough start to 2021 when he lost his mother and saw his team’s title defence fall apart.
Asked if he has empathy with the Anfield chief, he said: “A lot, what he’s done in exceptional.
“We have good and bad moments all of us, no manager or club can sustain season after season, winning and winning, it would be boring.
“Sometimes you have to lose, to realise. It can be so effective if you lose a little bit. I speak personally, not for my colleagues.
“Sometimes it’s good to lose, you relaise how difficult it is. When you come back and start to win you get more credit and value for what you’ve done.
“I said many times now and last season, previously in Germany, he makes football attractive for all spectators.
“He wants to give joy to fans to world football, attacking football and there’s no doubts about it.”
KARL IT AS I SEE IT
Bayern Munich chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has laughed off suggestions the German giants could try to sign Lionel Messi this summer.
The Argentina legend’s contract expires in June with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City both desperate to secure his signature.
But Bayern Munich won’t be in the mix.
Rummenigge revealed it was unrealistic during an interview with Italian newspaper Correire della Sera.
The 65-year-old said: “I laughed when I saw Messi’s contract with Barcelona.
“I can only say congrats to him for obtaining an astronomical contract.
“But this salary situation needs to be changed.”
MARCED MAN
Paris Saint-Germain star Marco Verratti wanted to join Barcelona in 2017, according to his former agent.
The Italian’s former representative Donato Di Campli claimed the midfielder was eager to link up with Lionel Messi at the Nou Camp.
He told French outlet L’Equipe: “When Barca contacted me, I asked Marco what we’re doing.
“He told me to talk with them, and that we would also talk with PSG since an extension was in the pipeline. PSG was not great at the time, so I said to Marco: ‘Are we going or are we staying?’
“He said ‘OK, let’s try another experiment’. Marco really wanted to go to Barcelona. He texted Nasser [Al-Khelaifi] to tell him, I kept it.
“They were offering a lot of money, but it wasn’t even that. Playing with Messi, becoming a champion, which is a different thing to being a great player. PSG are one of the biggest clubs in the world, but they play in a weak league.
“I told Marco that if he wanted to become a champion, he had to change tune.”
RON-BELIEVABLE
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have revealed their top five Premier League transfers of all-time – and have NOT included Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Sky pundits collated their best ever signings but did not include the Portuguese megastar, despite him going on to be one of the best players of all time.
Manchester United signed Ronaldo, 36, from Sporting Lisbon for just £17million in August 2003 and ended up selling him to Real Madrid for £85m six years later.
Ronnie bagged 118 goals and 69 assists in 292 United appearances and left as officially the best player in the world alongside Lionel Messi.
The duo instead opted to select Alan Shearer, Eric Cantona, Jamie Vardy, Thierry Henry and Vincent Kompany.
CAL TO ARMS
Duje Caleta-Car has confirmed that Liverpool were keen to sign him last month but he decided to remain at Marseille.
The 24-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Anfield as Jurgen Klopp desperately looked to sign a centre-back due to their defensive crisis.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s top-flight encounter against Nice, the Croatian told reporters: “Today, there is the Champions League, and I am going to watch the two games.
“I received an offer from Liverpool. It was an honour for me to know that such a club wanted me.
“We decided with the club that I was going to stay.
“Marseille is also a great club and I still have a lot of improving to do here.”
ON THE MOU-VE?
Moussa Sissoko cast doubts on his Tottenham future – insisting he is wanted by several other clubs.
Sissoko, a £30million buy from Newcastle in 2016, has two years left on his contract and has attracted interest from Fenerbahce in the past.
He told beIN Sports: “I don’t know whether I will stay here at Tottenham. My contract expires in 2023.
“I could tell you ‘yes,’ but we know that everything can happen very quickly in football.
“I will try to have the best season possible with my club. Once it is over there will be the Euro 2020 finals, and I hope to be involved.
“I will leave my agent to deal with off-the-field matters.
“I have had calls from various other clubs. But I will remain focused on Tottenham for now.”
UNDERDOGS
Carlo Ancelotti admits Everton hardly have a chance when they face Manchester City – but is hoping their history of raising themselves against top teams will see them turn it on tomorrow.
The Toffees lost at home to Fulham on Sunday but the Italian is counting on their tendency to perform better against the top sides to inspire the Merseysiders tonight.
Ahead of playing City who have won 16 matches in a row, Ancelotti said: “You have to say we don’t have a lot of chance against Man City but we have a chance.
“I don’t know how much chance we have to fight and to try to win, but we have chance because usually this kind of game we did really well.
“Of course our home form we have to improve.
“We are still in a good position on the table, not because what we did at home, because at home was not good enough.
“The best games that we played at home were against top teams like Arsenal, like Chelsea where we won and we were really focused. I hope I will be the same against City.”
LENO BLOCKS IT OUT
Bernd Leno has stopped reading social media comments.
The Arsenal goalkeeper was sickeningly told to copy Robert Enke – the German’s compatriot who committed suicide in 2009.
Leno said: “There are so many stupid people on social media.
“I don’t need it, it doesn’t make me better, it’s wasting time. What’s the point?”
‘NEW CHALLENGE’
In a press conference on Tuesday, Alaba said: “I have decided to do something new. It wasn’t an easy decision.
“I have not yet made the decision where to go.
“I have personally decided to see something new, to look for a new challenge. That certainly took its time.”
On his future, Alaba continued: “It’s no secret that my agent is negotiating with other clubs.
“I am looking for a new challenge to develop myself as a person on and off the pitch.
“Where can I continue to play football successfully? That will certainly be important in my decision.”
AL BE OFF
David Alaba has confirmed he will leave Bayern Munich on a free transfer this summer.
The Austrian superstar, 28, refused to sign a contract extension at the Bundesliga giants after claiming he was made to feel under-appreciated by a series of low-ball wage offers.
Alaba – who is believed to be demanding £400,000 a week – is being chased by Chelsea, Man City and Real Madrid.
Credit: Getty Images – Getty
CONTRACT THRILLER
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he is happy to put talks over his future on hold while he looks to win silverware with Manchester United.
The Norwegian will just have one year left on his existing deal at Old Trafford by the end of the season.
SunSport exclusively revealed last week the club would wait until the summer before they opened negotiations about a new contract.
And the United boss has now confirmed there is nothing pencilled in yet as he chases glory on three fronts with the Red Devils.
Solskjaer, 47, said: “I have not thought about that, and we have not discussed it at all.
“I am just focusing on doing my job and part of the job is to stabilise things.”
I REMEMBER JU
Juventus have reportedly ‘contacted Zinedine Zidane’ to take over from Andrea Pirlo as manager.
The Italian giants have now fallen eight points behind Inter Milan at the top of Serie A.
And according to Spanish TV programme El Chiringuito, Juve are ready to make their move for Real Madrid chief Zidane.
It would of course mean a reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo, who left Real for Juventus for £88m in 2018.
But another option for the 48-year-old could be to succeed Didier Deschamps as boss of the France national team.
REF WATCH
Chris Kavanagh and Jon Moss have got the biggest gigs in the Premier League this weekend.
Kavanagh, below, will take charge of the Merseyside derby at Anfield on Saturday tea-time.
And then Moss is referee for Arsenal’s home clash with Manchester City the following afternoon.
Mike Dean will be back in action, too, as he keeps Burnley and West Brom in check.
Credit: AFP
KINGS OF EUROPE
Manchester City are finally set to win their first-ever Champions League crown, according to a supercomputer.
Since being taken over by their mega-rich owners in 2008, the Etihad club have wanted to win it all – but like PSG have fallen short of winning Europe’s elite club competition.
Man City take on Porto in their last-16 tie in their next step towards the holy grail.
And according to FiveThirtyEight, Pep Guardiola’s side are finally set to break their European Cup duck.
The numbers suggest absolutely no-one will put up a fight in their determined quest for ‘Old Big Ears’ either.
Incredibly, City have a 37 PER CENT chance to winning the Champions League crown such is their current dominance.
For context, their closest rivals are Barcelona with just a 13 per cent shot of getting their hands on the trophy.
AL-WRIGHT AFTER ALL
Mark Wright could return to action for Crawley tonight after his nightmare full EFL debut.
The 34-year-old reality TV star was hooked after just 45 minutes into his first start for the club with Crawley 3-0 down to to newly-promoted Harrogate.
But with the Red Devils facing Stevenage at home tonight, the ex-Spurs youngster may be back.
Betway are offering 11/2 on left-back Wright to score anytime, and 14/1 on him being the first scorer in the match.
He can also be backed at 14/1 to be the last scorer or at 80/1 to score in both halves.
Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
BAR-D ARRIVAL
Barcelona fans have vented their anger towards Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi over his alleged pursuit of Lionel Messi.
The two European giants clash in the Champions League tonight and there is clearly no love lost.
Al-Khelaifi was met with a barrage of insults from angry Barca fans as he arrived in Spain, furious at the thought their idol Messi could join the French champs.
The billionaire businessman was called a ‘son of a b**** thief’ while others told him to ‘let go of Messi’.
FLAMING HELL
Worrying scenes from the Ipswich training ground…
Furious fans started a FIRE during a protest calling for manager Paul Lambert to be sacked.
Their actions led to a session being halted and police are now investigating the incident.
Supporters rocked up to to the club’s training centre and let off flares while chanting for the Scottish boss to be given the boot after one win in five and a promotion bid faltering.
But some signage ended up catching fire, and the players were hurriedly led away.
Ipswich fans START FIRE in protest to get Paul Lambert sacked
MORE TO GIVE
And Morrison revealed he would change ’90 per cent’ of his life if he could go back to his senior debut.
The 28-year-old was one of the club’s most promising prospects when he made his debut against Wolves in the League Cup in 2010 when he was just 17.
But he would make just two more appearances for the Red Devils before he joined West Ham in January 2012.
“When I made my debut – words can’t describe that you know.
“Making your debut for Man United it was only a minute as well.
“It touches you because if I could go back in time I’d would change 90 per cent of my life.”
CRYING SHAME
Rio Ferdinand has claimed he was almost reduced to tears after reading Sir Alex Ferguson’s text message about Ravel Morrison.
The BT Sport pundit was joined by his former team-mate on his FIVE YouTube channel where he read out text messages from their ex-manager.
Ferdinand revealed that Ferguson told him Morrison’s footballing ability was on the same level as Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, but he was ultimately ‘beaten by his background’.
He later read out a message from Fergie, as he added: “Rio, my first and last impression of Ravel as a young lad was that he has always got time and space, always available to be on the ball, so unusual for a young lad of his age.
“Give my regards to him please. Another thing about Ravel which I’ve always treasured, because no other young player who made their debut did this.
“After the first game in the first team that he played, the next morning he came into my office and gave me a letter, thanking me for giving him his debut.
“I was gobsmacked Rio. The boy had a good heart, he was just beaten by his background.”
Ferdinand admitted that the honest and open text made him emotional, as he stated: “I almost started crying.”
‘LOTS MORE TO COME’
Greenwood told the club’s website: “When you join the club at seven years old, you just dream of playing for the first team one day.
“I’ve worked so hard to reach this level and the last two years have been amazing.
“There is so much that I want to achieve in the game and I know that this is the perfect environment to play my football.
“With the support from the manager, his coaching staff and so many great players to learn from; I know that I am developing every single day.
“There is a lot more to come from myself and this team and I am so committed to working hard week in, week out to help the group achieve success.
“I want to repay the club for the support that everyone has given me over the years and show everyone just what I am capable of.”
BREAKING NEWS
A bit of breaking news for you…
Mason Greenwood has signed a new long-term deal at Manchester United.
The 19-year-old has penned a bumper four-year contract to stay at Old Trafford until June 2025, with the option to extend for a further year.
Credit: Getty Images – Getty
NEXT AT SPURS?
Brendan Rodgers is the 2/1 favourite to replace Jose Mourinho following another Tottenham defeat.
The 3-0 loss to Man City is Spurs’ fifth defeat in six games in all competitions.
And Mourinho’s future is under scrutiny with fans frustrated with his style of football – especially with results now not going their way.
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- Eddie Howe 5/1
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GONE LIKE ‘PHON
Staying with Bayern Munich and how about this from Musiala’s team-mate Alphonso Davies?!
The flying full-back clocked a staggering speed of 35.6 km/h going into a brave challenge last night in the comeback 3-3 draw against Arminia.
And he even did it in the SNOW – as fans joked the Canadian was used to running in the cold stuff.
To top it off, Davies scored this thunderbolt to rescue a point for the Bundesliga leaders.
IN A JAM
Bayern Munich are reportedly set to end rumours over Jamal Musiala’s future by tying him down to a bumper new £100k-a-week five-year deal.
The 17-year-old left Chelsea’s academy for the Bundesliga side in 2019 and has burst on to the scene this season.
The England Under-21 international is still currently on a youth contract and has caught the attention of Manchester United.
Premier League rivals Liverpool are also interested in the winger – but now The Guardian claims Bayern are close to ending any uncertainty about their starlet.
They began negotiations over a new deal in December and now he is believed to be on the verge of penning an incentivised contract, running until 2026, when he turns 18 on February 26.
And although the basic salary will be lower than the three-figure mark, it could rise to that if he meets certain goals.
Credit: Getty Images – Getty
FREE WILL
Luis Suarez could leave Atletico Madrid on a FREE this summer.
But the Uruguay goal machine wants to stay in the Spanish capital after hitting the ground running.
The 34-year-old striker signed a two-year deal after joining from LaLiga rivals Barcelona last summer.
And, according to Marca, he has a clause in his contract that lets him leave for nothing at the end of the campaign if he wants to.
But the report adds that Suarez – LaLiga’s top scorer with 16 in 18 – has no intention of triggering it with Atletico top of the league and on course to win the Spanish league.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
