THE transfer window is ramping up with news of Barcelona’s future as Lionel Messi weighs up signing a new deal while the club chase Erling Haaland.
Meanwhile Cristiano Ronaldo’s future is equally up in the air with the Portuguese ace reportedly looking at a Juventus exit.
And Chelsea have been promised a £150million transfer kitty this summer, while Naby Keita could leave Liverpool for Atletico Madrid.
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Follow ALL of the latest news and updates below…
SAINTS ROW
Southampton have eased to a 3-1 win against Fulham to inflict further woe on Scott Parker’s men.
Che Adams, Nathan Tella and Theo Walcott all got on the scoresheet for the Saints.
Click HERE to read the SunSport match report.
ARAM AND A LEG
Man Utd are interested in signing Getafe midfielder Mauro Arambarri, according to reports.
The Premier League giants are believed to have made contact with the 25-year-old’s representatives over a possible summer move.
According to AS, the Red Devils are one of many big European clubs monitoring the Uruguay international.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, however, are said to be the most keen on a move and have made contact with Arambarri’s people.
The report claims United see him as a player that can complement Bruno Fernandes’ abilities.
And as Arambarri has a rumoured €25million release clause – around £21.5m – he would come relatively cheap in today’s market.
There are even rumours that Getafe would accept as little as £17m for the midfielder.
Mauro Arambarri, 25, is said to be a target for Manchester United TO BE FRANK
Frank Lampard’s “fingerprints” are all over Chelsea’s transformation despite Thomas Tuchel succeeding him in January, claims Joe Cole.
Lamps’ ex-England team-mate told the Mail: “Tuchel has come in and done an unbelievable job.
“But you can’t disregard what Frank did – holding the fort during a difficult time, getting the club to a cup final last year, getting Champions League when they had lost their best player (Eden Hazard).
“He brought in many of these young players in and put £200million of talent on the bottom line.
“They were going through a bad spell earlier in the season and that’s Chelsea – you know if you go through a bad spell you could get the sack.
“Frank’s fingerprints will be on this team but you have to credit Tuchel – to come in and have the impact he’s had is extraordinary.
“Chelsea is in a really healthy place at the moment so I am very happy, very confident.”
TEAM NEWS
This is how Chelsea and Leicester start for the FA Cup final.
UP FOR THE CUP
Leicester and Chelsea fans are enjoying a big day out at the football once again as Wembley opened its doors for the FA Cup final.
Some 21,000 fans are attending Saturday’s clash between the Premier League clubs in the capital.
It is the biggest crowd welcomed into a live event since the coronavirus pandemic led to multiple lockdowns and games being played behind closed doors.
Those trekking up Wembley Way were asked to a Covid test in the days prior to the game before a lateral flow test this morning.
The game itself kicks off at 5.15pm as Leicester look to win their first-ever FA Cup final after four defeats in the showpiece, the most recent in 1969.
Wembley Way was back in business on Saturday ELNENY CONTINUED
In a statement to the JC, an Arsenal spokesman said: “As with any employees of Arsenal, our players are entitled to express their views on their own platforms.
“That said, we are speaking to Mo about this so he understands the wider implications of his post.
“As a club we are committed to confronting and eliminating all forms of discrimination and continue to champion the need for equality and diversity across all areas of life.”
MO LAUGHING MATTER
Arsenal sponsor Lavazza are holding ‘urgent talks’ with the club after a controversial tweet from Mohamed Elneny.
The Egyptian midfielder posted a pro-Palestine message amid the worsening conflict with Israel.
The Jewish Chronicle reported coffee group Lavazza’s insistence on urgent talks with the club following Elneny’s social media post.
The post included an image with the text ‘Palestine Lives Matter’ which shows an outline of Israel with pro-Palestine images within.
The Lavazza Group told the JC: “We’ll immediately reach out to Arsenal to remark we are concerned about the club associated with such a message.
“Content of this post is totally not aligned with our company values. Lavazza Group is fully committed against racism and antisemitism.”
FEEL THE BURN
Leeds eased to a 4-0 win away at Burnley earlier this afternoon with Spanish striker Rodrigo scoring twice.
The Whites are now two points behind ninth-placed Arsenal, and four points clear of Aston Villa in 11th.
Click HERE to read the SunSport match report from Turf Moor.
FOCUS ON IT
Alex Scott has been named as the new host of the BBC’s Football Focus, becoming the show’s first permanent female host in its 47-year history.
The former Arsenal and England star will take over from Dan Walker, who is stepping down after 12 years at the helm.
The 36-year-old full-back made more than 200 club appearances during her playing career, earned 140 caps for her country and represented Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics.
Announcing the appointment in a column for BBC Sport, she wrote: “When I was a kid, I would never have watched television and thought someone like me could be presenting a programme like Football Focus.
“For the BBC to trust me with this role and allow me to be my true, authentic self means a lot.”
Alex Scott has been named as the new host of the BBC’s Football Focus
SPURS RAGE
Furious Tottenham fans called for Daniel Levy to quit in protests outside the stadium.
Supporters launched flares and unleashed their anger after the recent European Super League controversy.
Tottenham fans vented their anger against chairman Levy after the recent attempt to take the club into the failed European Super League.
A Spurs fans’ group snubbed Levy’s offer of a peace summit with Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust turning down the chance to meet him.
The group insists it wants to meet owners ENIC directly to discuss the implementation of a six-point plan it has compiled “to lead the club into a new era.”
And fans put up a banner at the protest which said ‘To dare is too dear – ENIC out’.
Tottenham fans set off flares outside the ground ZLAT’S ENOUGH
Former Man Utd striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will NOT be taking part in the delayed Euro 2020 tournament for Sweden in the summer.
The AC Milan ace will miss out due to a knee injury.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano tweeted: “Sweden have decided that Zlatan Ibrahimovic will NOT take part to the Euros.
“After the announcement of the conservative therapy needed by Zlatan to recover after his knee injury, he’ll be OUT of the Euros. Official.”
Sweden boss Janne Andersson told Expressen: “It’s sad but Zlatan is gonna miss the Euros because of his injury.”
ERLI BID
Barcelona are keen to sell Antoine Griezmann in the summer for the right price amid their bid to sign Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland.
Barca are among Europe’s biggest hitters that are keeping tabs on Haaland, who is set to be a major talking point ahead of the summer transfer window.
But first, the Blaugrana need to raise some funds in order to meet the star striker’s staggering €150million (£129m) asking price after the coronavirus pandemic’s financial impact.
According to Matteo Moretto, who works for Italian Sky Sports and Di Marzio, the Catalan giants will listen to offers for Griezmann at the end of the season.
The talismanic forward has failed to replicate his Atletico Madrid success at the Nou Camp ever since his €120m (£108m) move two years ago.
The France international has improved this season with 19 goals and 12 assists in 49 matches across all competitions.
FAN ZONE
Hundreds of Rangers fans gathered outside Ibrox ahead of the club’s title celebrations amid warnings from cops and politicians.
Supporters descended on the stadium first thing this morning, setting off smoke bombs and waving flags, one of them even climbed up a light post.
This week police and politicians have been warning fans NOT to march from Ibrox to George Square to celebrate Premiership trophy day this weekend.
The club asked fans to celebrate “in their community” and observe all social distancing rules.
Supporters could be seen setting off flares outside the stadium before 10am this morning.
And the crowd cheered as Steven Gerrard and the players arrived for their match against Aberdeen this afternoon.
Rangers are celebrating the Scottish Premiership title DREAM TEAM
Liverpool legends Robbie Fowler and Jamie Carragher have teamed up to launch a new academy at the club’s old Melwood training ground.
The Fowler-Carragher academy will host a college offering training opportunities for youngsters in the city and wider region.
The Reds left their long-standing home in August as they moved into a £50million purpose-built facility on the site of their own academy in Kirkby.
Regeneration group Torus took ownership of Melwood and developed plans for a mixed-use affordable and sustainable housing scheme with community connections.
Olympians Steve Parry and Beth Tweddle will also launch a sporting hub from the facility.
Jamie Carragher and Robbie Fowler have teamed up to form the new academy Melwood will host the Fowler-Carragher academy RYAN AIR
Leicester have joined Arsenal in the bidding war over the departing Southampton ace Ryan Bertrand.
Bertrand confirmed on Wednesday that he will be leaving St Mary’s once his contract expires on June 30 and a raft of clubs have reportedly shown interest.
West Ham and Crystal Palace are said to be keeping tabs on the left-back, who will be available for a free transfer in the summer, and the same also goes for Arsenal.
The Gunners have been long-term admirers and manager Mikel Arteta is believed to still be keen on the 31-year-old.
According to the Evening Standard, the same goes for Leicester, who were linked with Bertrand last year.
Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers was reportedly open to reuniting with the player he worked with during his time at Chelsea’s coaching staff.
PARTY ON
Jamie Vardy revealed he considered quitting Leicester to become an Ibiza party rep and laughed: ‘Thank God I didn’t.’
The striker was so down in the dumps in 2012, that he requested to be loaned back before even contemplating packing it in all together for a life on the party isle.
Ahead of Leicester’s FA Cup final with Chelsea, Vardy, 34, said: “Moving to Ibiza felt a good idea at the time. It felt a really good idea. Thank God I didn’t. It was one of those things.
“I’d never been in that environment — playing in the Championship, struggling, the performances and the goals not coming and it does make you think.
“I had a chat with Nigel Pearson at one point and I was trying to get him to loan me back to Fleetwood, just because I’d had success there.
“He said, ‘Listen, you’re good enough, just knuckle down, you can play a lot higher’. At that stage I knew he believed in me and after that it all clicked together. It was a learning curve.
“The big jump in standard took a bit of time getting used to and then the season after we got promoted.”
RON HIS WAY?
Cristiano Ronaldo won’t be returning to Sporting Lisbon in the summer, according to his agent Jorge Mendes.
This works as a major boost for Manchester United, who are reportedly keen on a reunion with Ronaldo ahead of the summer transfer window.
The 36-year-old’s mother, Dolores Aveiro, fuelled speculation that Ronaldo could return to Sporting after they won their first Primeira Liga title for the first time in 19 years.
She said: “I’ll talk to him to bring him back. Next year he will play in Alvalade [Sporting’s stadium].”
But agent Mendes poured cold water on that prospect, as he remarked: “Cristiano is proud of the title won by Sporting, in fact, as he has publicly demonstrated.
“But at the moment his career plans do not go through Portugal.”
SIGN ME UP
Polish side Wisla Plock have quite possibly pulled off the greatest contract renewal announcement of all time.
The Ekstraklasa outfit confirmed Piotr Tomasik’s new deal in Grand Theft Auto style.
The 33-year-old – who joined the club in 2019 – has committed his future for another campaign until 2022.
Take a look at the amazing clip below.
HEART AND SOL
Sol Campbell met with England officials on Thursday for discussions over the vacant Under-21s job.
SunSport exclusively revealed earlier this month that the ex-Arsenal defender, 46, had thrown his hat in the ring to succeed Aidy Boothroyd.
It remains to be seen whether he will get the nod over the likes of current Under-17s chief Justin Cochrane and Liam Rosenior, who are also in the frame.
Campbell, who won 73 caps for the Three Lions, previously bossed Macclesfield and Southend.
Boothroyd is leaving this summer when his contract expires after presiding over a second successive group-stage exit from the Euros.
Prospective candidates have been encouraged to apply as the FA conducts a ‘formal open process’ to appoint the new boss.
Former Chelsea star Joe Cole spoke of his interest in the role last month but this week revealed he was given a ‘polite no’.
Sol Campbell has been linked with the England Under-21s job VAR-CICAL
Liverpool have reportedly joined Man Utd in the race to sign Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane.
According to the Manchester Evening News, the Reds have held talks with the Frenchman’s entourage about a move to Anfield in the summer.
Los Blancos could cash in on the defender with the player having just a year left on his contract.
Real president Florentino Perez recently fuelled speculation the World Cup winner could depart.
He said: “Varane? I’m happy with our team. But if players don’t want to stay at Madrid they can leave.”
United are determined to sign a centre-half in the upcoming window as Ole Gunnar looks to find a partner for Harry Maguire.
DAY AND NIGHT
RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano has revealed that he nearly joined Premier League giants Man Utd.
But his parents advised him to ‘think carefully’ about the potential move.
Upamencano will link up with Bayern Munich in the summer.
Speaking to The Athletic, the Frenchman said: “I was a young boy. I wanted to sign for them straight away. Manchester United!
“But then my parents took me aside and said: ‘Let’s think carefully about this.
“We thought about it for a long time and then decided that going ‘etape par etape’ [step by step] was the best option for me.
“Everything Ralf [Rangnick] said came true.”
TAKE XHAK
Arsenal star Granit Xhaka is reportedly seeking an exit away from the Emirates in the summer.
The Gunners midfielder could be on of a number of players that could depart North London in what looks set to be a busy window for the Gunners.
According to The Athletic, the Swiss international ‘intends’ to leave the club he has been at since 2016.
Xhaka has arguably been Arsenal’s most consistent midfielder this season.
Should he depart, Arsenal could replace him with either Yves Bissouma or Sander Berge.
SCOTT SAYING
EXCLUSIVE – Fulham will not sack Scott Parker despite friction between the manager and the club’s ruling Khan family.
Owner Shahid Khan and his son Tony, the club’s controversial director of football, are fuming with their 40-year-old manager after a late-season capitulation saw them relegated with three games to go.
But former player Parker is under contract for two more years. And he will not be offered a pay-off.
Parker has voiced concerns at the lack of communication with Tony Khan, who also works for his father’s NFL franchise Jacksonville Jaguars and in American wrestling.
But it is understood Khan has no intention of stepping aside from his Fulham duties and believes that the club has backed Parker.
Scott Parker will not be sacked by Fulham despite relegation FOR THE PEOPLE
Brendan Rodgers claims Leicester have the backing of every neutral in the land for Saturday’s FA Cup final with Chelsea.
He said: “We would love to continue growing and be the people’s club.
“We want to be the club other supporters around the country look at and hope that their club can ‘do a Leicester.’
“People will look at Chelsea versus Leicester and they will see us as the underdog and, in most walks of life, everyone likes to see the underdog to do well.
“It has been pretty clear with the talk around the Super League and Super Clubs and how they have been defined.
“The story here since winning the title has been one that has gone round the world. What we have tried to do here is build our own map and make the club sustainable.
“I sense there is a lot of good will for a club like us challenging the elite of the game. We are the pioneers for the clubs outside the top six, as such.”
Brendan Rodgers feels neutral fans will be cheering his side on to lift the FA Cup SAINTS’ TLC FOR RLC
EXCLUSIVE – Ruben Loftus-Cheek has emerged as a loan target for Southampton this summer.
Saints were keen on the England midfielder a year ago but lost out when Fulham borrowed him from Chelsea.
Loftus-Cheek, 25, has struggled for form with the Cottagers, scoring just once and registering no assists as Scott Parker’s side were relegated.
Yet Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl remains a fan and is confident he can bring the best out of RLC should he land him in the close season.
The Austrian even namechecked Loftus-Cheek ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Fulham when discussing the talent at Parker’s disposal.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
