ARSENAL are reportedly keen on signing Odsonne Edouard from Celtic for a bargain £15m.
Meanwhile PSG are said to be ready to move for Jadon Sancho if a new contract cannot be agreed for Kylian Mbappe.
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GET AWAY
SunSport’s Martin Lipton has revealed that UEFA are set to partially scrap the away goals rule from next season.
Under the new regulations poised to be agreed on Friday, away goals will only count extra up to the end of 90 minutes in the second leg.
Any then scored in extra-time would have no advantage.
The proposal, understood to be backed by Europe’s top clubs, will be on the table at the meeting of Uefa’s competitions committee, which includes Manchester United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and Manchester City chief exec Ferran Soriano.
A plan to scrap the away goals rules altogether has been rejected.
Uefa are ready to green light the change next term after a season of Covid-hit competitions increased scrutiny of the rule, which was introduced for the 1965-66 campaign.
WIN OR BUST
Pep Guardiola knows he will be called a failure if Manchester City flop in the Champions League again.
City lead Dortmund 2-1 ahead of Wednesday night’s crucial quarter-final second leg.
Ahead of the game, Guardiola said: “If I retire now, or in five or ten years, what happened in my career, it was completely unexpected when I started.
“I’m most grateful to the clubs, for the players I’ve had, the way we played and the way we’ve done it.
“These are words and theories that make me so grateful and happy but this is a business.
“And the business is to win. If we don’t win, I’ll be a failure. And if we win, it’ll be ‘How good is Pep!’ ”
CHELSEA 0 PORTO 1 (AGG 2-1)
Thomas Tuchel is not shy about talking up his desire to win trophies this season.
And it might just be the grandest pot of all – Old Big Ears, the European Cup itself – if Chelsea keep on like this.
A first Champions League semi-final in seven years awaits them now after this highly effective protection racket ensured a two-goal first-leg advantage was never seriously threatened in the neutral venue of Seville.
Mehdi Taremi netted a spectacular goal for Porto but it was not until the 93rd minute so there was never any serious sweat.
PSG 0 BAYERN MUNICH 1 (3-3)
Bayern Munich surrendered their Champions League crown on Tuesday night after an away goals defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
The French side’s 3-2 win at Allianz Arena a week ago was protected thanks to staunch defending and some poor finishing in Paris.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting led the Bayern line in Robert Lewandowski’s absence and scored the only goal of a 1-0 second leg victory.
But it wasn’t enough as PSG reached the final four of a competition they have never won.
MORE FROM SOUTHGATE
The England manager told Sky Sports News: “One day I’ll be doing something that nobody is bothered about and it will be quite boring!
“So if you want to be in a role where you have got a chance of achieving something special, and we have never been to a European Championship final, so there is always a chance to make history.
“That is the challenge for us as a group of staff but especially for the players. They shouldn’t be burdened by that.
“We know it has been a long time since England have had that sort of success, we have made progress over the last few years and we have got to keep that progress going.
“We have got to be looking to be a country that is constantly at those latter stages of the tournaments which is what the really big football nations do.
“I know we always put ourselves in that bracket but our history doesn’t necessarily align with that. Those big nations that have constantly succeeded have always been in those latter stages and we have got to be doing that.”
RAF DEAL
AC Milan have reportedly slapped a £50million price tag on Everton and Wolves target Rafael Leao.
Calciomercato claims the Portuguese striker, 21, is a major target for Carlo Ancelotti and Nuno Espirito Santo this summer.
Former Sporting Lisbon and Lille forward Leao has netted seven times in 32 games for Milan this term.
And he could now be set for a stunning move to the Premier League.
FOOTBALL’S COMING HOME
Gareth Southgate has challenged England to win the European Championships this summer.
He told Sky Sports News: “Of course as a group, we want to win. What is the point of us going if we are not going there to try and win.
“We have got a group of players not just now but for the next few years as well that is going to mean England are competitive for years to come.
“When we were setting the blueprint for what St George’s Park would be about and the progress of the national teams, that was the discussion we had.
“We want to win, if you win you want to win again. It is a never-ending cycle. We haven’t won yet; we’ve had a lot of praise. We have got to take those next steps.”
ALL TO PLAY FOR
Neymar hit the crossbar and the post before Stoke City flop Eric Chupo-Moting grabbed a priceless away goal for the visitors.
MBUY OH BOY
Xavier Mbuyamba completed his long road to recovery by finally making his Chelsea Under-23s debut – and even got on the scoresheet.
It was a moment years in the making as a failed switch to Stamford Bridge and long injury layoff prevented the defender from making his mark.
On Monday, the Blues’ reserves faced Southampton in Premier League 2 and claimed a 3-1 win.
Coming off the bench for the final 25 minutes, 19-year-old Mbuyamba came out on top in a goalmouth scramble to cap his debut with a goal.
MORE FROM SHAW
The Manchester United defender named Chelsea legend Ashley Cole as his main influence growing up.
He said: “I think, looking back at when I was growing up and my sort of era, and watching him a lot and basing my game a lot on him and what I wanted to be like as a player, then I would have to say Ashley Cole.
“I’ve always been a massive fan of him and thought, when I was growing up, he was one of the best left-backs at that time.
“For me, as an all-round full-back he was one of the best I’ve ever seen with attacking and defending, so I’d say Ashley Cole.”
LUK AT THAT
Luke Shaw has laughed off comparisons with Roberto Carlos.
He told United’s website: “I’ll be honest I’ve seen some things on it on social media and sometimes in my group chats my mates send me some stuff and I just laugh about it.
“I can’t be compared to him, he was unbelievable. I’m aware of it and it’s nice to be even mentioned alongside his name but I just laugh about it.”
AGUER-OH
Sergio Aguero’s proposed move to Barcelona has reportedly heated up.
The Manchester City legend is leaving the Etihad at the end of the season with his contract expiring.
According to journalist Jose Alvarez, the player’s agent has touched down in Barcelona to hold talks over a potential move.
A deal now remains ‘a real possibility’ as he targets a reunion with national compatriot Lionel Messi.
UNITED WE STAND
Will Ole Gunnar Solskjaer keep faith with Dean Henderson or turn back to top earner David de Gea?
FOX-IC
A number of Leicester stars were left ‘seething’ by the news that a quartet of players had attended a Covid-flouting house party.
Ayoze Perez hosted the gathering of 20-plus guests, including James Maddison, Hamza Choudhury and Harvey Barnes, on April 4.
According to the Telegraph, members of the Leicester squad were furious at the timing of their escapades.
Consecutive defeats have reduced their advantage in the race to qualify for the Champions League, with the team still third but holding only a two-point buffer.
MORE FROM IGHALO
The Nigerian, who now plays for Saudi club Al Shabab, believes Lingard’s future at Manchester United is now over.
He added: “I don’t think he’d want to return to Manchester United to sit on the bench because he is playing regularly at West Ham United – week in, week out.
“But if he comes back with the confidence he has now, then it can only be a good thing for Manchester United.
“Personally, I don’t see him coming back – I can see his loan being extended or West Ham buying him.”
SOLD TRAFFORD
Odion Ighalo believes Jesse Lingard is thriving because the pressure of playing for Manchester United has been lifted.
He told Sky Sports: “He works so hard in training and when he was given the opportunity to play for Manchester United, he did so well.
“But when you play for a team like Manchester United, there’s a pressure to win every game.
“Manchester United is all about winning, winning, winning, and sometimes that pressure kicks in.
“West Ham is not as big as Manchester United and he’s there on loan so he’s more free to express himself.
“There’s not as much pressure or weight on him to do well and he is doing what we know he can do and we are seeing the best of him.”
ON ME EDSON
Pele hates his own nickname – and instead wanted to be known by his real name Edson as he admired Thomas Edison.
Speaking to Tuttosport, the three-time World Cup winner said: “I had a happy childhood. My name is Edson, then they started calling me Pele.
“I didn’t like it, I started arguing with everyone. I was a Thomas Edison fan.
“What is Pele? Thomas Edison is important!”
NEAR AND VAR
Manchester United are reportedly ready to take advantage of Real Madrid’s squad rebuild and bid for Raphael Varane.
A new centre-back is thought to be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s priority for the coming transfer window.
According to the Mail, World Cup winner Varane is the first player United will attempt to sign.
Real may be ready to agree a fee of around £60million to call time on his decade at the club, before his contract expires in 2022.
The Frenchman, 27, is said to be ready for a fresh challenge with boyhood club Paris Saint-Germain also a potential option.
FLICK OFF?
Bayern Munich chiefs are set to hold crisis talks with boss Hansi Flick amid an epic power struggle.
Members of the Bayern Munich board are now set to sit down with Flick, 56, to hash everything out.
Tensions between boss and club brass have been simmering since last summer.
Flick was frustrated at the departure of Thiago Alcantara to Liverpool after he played a huge role in their famous 2019-20 Treble.
And the boss has been left angered after club chiefs refused to dig deep enough into their pockets to convince David Alaba and Jerome Boateng to sign new contracts.
Now Salihamidzic, CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Oliver Kahn – set to replace the current chief executive officer in January 2022 – will hold talks with Flick to discuss where they go from here, say BILD.
SPURRED ON
Exclusive by Paul Jiggins: Jose Mourinho’s row with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has killed off any lingering chances of Harry Kane moving to Manchester United this summer.
The England captain will therefore not get the chance to follow in these former Spurs stars who made the switch to Old Trafford.
VIN-DICATION
Real Madrid signed Rodrygo because they ‘don’t trust Vinicius Jr’, claimed a former Barcelona scout.
Andre Curry told SPORT: “They did not trust Vinicius and feared that they had signed the wrong player and we the right one.
“That is why they have two players of the same age, in the same position and from outside the EU.
“I had known Rodrygo for a long time and had a profile to play for Barca. I started negotiating with his agent, Nick Arcuri.
“The club met twice here in Brazil with the president of Santos: Oscar Grau, Pep Segura and me were there.
“I told them we had to go out with the business closed. We did not. And Madrid arrived.”
MITCH HITCHED
Crystal Palace were beaming with pride after whizkid Tyrick Mitchell signed a new contract until 2025.
Chairman Steve Parish said: “This shows once again how our academy can attract the very best young talent and develop them into first-team players.
“Tyrick’s progress is an immense source of pride for our club and academy.”
Londoner Mitchell added: “It’s a great place to be and an exciting time so I’m delighted to sign a contract.”
RON MOVE
The assistant who failed to give Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘goal’ for Portugal against Serbia has been DROPPED from Holland’s Euro 2020 officiating team – by the man who was refereeing the same game.
Mario Diks’ blunder made him the centre of attention in last month’s controversial World Cup qualifier that ended 2-2.
The incident happened when Ronaldo, 36, appeared to put the ball over the line with just seconds on the clock to make it 3-2 to Portugal.
KANE NOT ABLE
Exclusive by Paul Jiggins: Jose Mourinho’s row with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has killed off any lingering chances of Harry Kane moving to Manchester United this summer.
The bitter row has put paid to Kane moving to Old Trafford this summer – after it increased the tensions between the two clubs.
United have never liked dealing with tough negotiator Levy, and vice-versa.
And while they still rate Kane as a striker, they would not be happy to pay Tottenham, of all clubs, top dollar for his services.
This means if Kane is to leave this summer he is likely going to have to move abroad.
KAMMY’S DIAGNOSIS
Chris Kamara has revealed his relief after a brain scan showed NO signs of dementia.
On Tuesday’s edition of Steph’s Packed Lunch on Channel 4, Kammy revealed the scan showed no signs of dementia, saying: “They didn’t find anything.
“Watching that back [a clip from an earlier episode of Packed Lunch], it’s slow and I know that’s not me of old.
“I went to Pontefract to the radiology department. The results were no loss of brain mass and very few lesions, which means no clinical relevance. So yes!”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
