Chelsea ‘confident of Donnarumma free transfer’, Cristiano Ronaldo ‘£21.5m price’ – Spurs and Liverpool transfer news

RING RING, OLE ON THE PHONE

Erling Haaland is repeatedly called by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as he tries convince him to join Manchester United.

According to AS, Solskjaer phones his Norwegian compatriot regularly to try and sell the idea of Old Trafford.

Borussia Dortmund forward Haaland, 20, is preparing for international duty alongside new skipper and Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard.

The striker has bagged 21 goals in 21 Bundesliga games this season and is wanted by a host of Europe’s top clubs.

DON DEAL

Chelsea and PSG are reportedly more confident they can convince AC Milan Gianluigi Donnarumma to move.

Sport Mediaset suggests both European giants are ready to meet his demands.

The report states the clubs are ready to meet the requirements set out by the player’s agent.

The highly-rated 22-year-old is out of contract this summer and has been previously linked with Manchester United.

JOR DROPPED

Chelsea have suffered another injury blow after Italy manager Roberto Mancini confirmed Jorginho is out with a knee problem.

The Blues midfielder has been a first-team regular since Thomas Tuchel’s arrival at Stamford Bridge.

Jorginho didn’t feature in the 2-0 Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid in midweek due to suspension.

But the 29-year-old would have missed the game anyway after picking up a knock in the 0-0 draw with Leeds last Saturday.

Mancini said: “As regards to the midfielders, we are really in a bit of difficulty in the centre.

“We’re missing Jorginho, who wasn’t well. He’d taken a knock to the knee and he wasn’t fit to play in these games so we didn’t risk him.”

TRUE DRAGON

Gareth Bale’s love for Wales is so strong he says he would play for his country even if he was injured.

Wales have not qualified for the global tournament since 1958 and Bale said: “I would never miss a Wales game. Even if I was injured I would try to play.

“My commitment to Wales is not really in question. I love coming away with the national team.

“I love putting on a Wales shirt, playing for the badge, playing for the country, the fans and they showed me so much love over the years.

“Coming into my Wales career the main thing was to play in a major tournament and then we wanted to qualify for multiple tournaments.

“We’ve managed to do that and to be able to tick everything off the list would be to qualify for a World Cup.

“It’s the one thing left that I want to achieve and there’s no time like the present to try and qualify for the World Cup this time. We haven’t done that for a long time. It would be amazing.

“All of us players have dreamed of playing in a World Cup for Wales, it would be amazing and we want to give it our best shot. Possibly it’s the last time I can qualify for a World Cup. Hopefully there is still one more fairytale to happen.”

KEAN ON A SWAP

Juventus are reportedly willing to offer Everton Aaron Ramsey in a swap deal for Moise Kean.

Welshman Ramsey has been heavily linked with a move away from the Serie A giants with Liverpool and West Ham said to be leading the race.

But the midfielder, 30, could be headed to the blue side of Merseyside, according to TuttoJuve.

Kean, 21, is currently on loan with Paris Saint-Germain until the end of the season after a disappointing spell at Goodison Park – managing just two goals in 31 Premier League games.

But the Italian has done well in France, scoring 11 goals in 20 appearances.

While he is behind the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Mauro Icardi, Kean has looked a lot sharper.

The Old Lady are said to be willing to offer cash plus Ramsey – who earns £400,000-a-week – or Douglas Costa for Kean.

BLUE ENGLAND

SunSport compiled a best XI from Chelsea’s England stars over the years.

ON THE BEEB

Real Madrid could once again line up with Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo in attack next season.

A huge summer in the transfer market is being prepared by Los Blancos which could see Zinedine Zidane return to his old favourite ‘BBC’ attack.

Between 2013 and 2019, Madrid claimed four Champions League crowns, one LaLiga title and a Copa del Rey with Bale and Ronaldo partnering Benzema in attack.

The setup broke apart when the Portuguese forward moved to Juventus but a summer swoop is reportedly being pondered.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, Zidane is considering giving the trio another go as he looks to revamp his attack – with their front page talking of going “back to the future”.

Karim Benzema has arguably gone from strength to strength since Ronaldo left but no other replacement has fully made their case.

If Real want to re-sign the 36-year-old, a fee as low as £22million has been touted.

LUC IS IN

Bayern Munich are in advanced talks to sign Lucas Vazquez on a free transfer, according to reports.

The Real Madrid winger is out of contract at the end of the season.

The 29-year-old, who has been linked with a move to Tottenham and Everton in the summer, is yet to agree a new deal in Spain.

And Spanish outlet AS claims Bayern are leading the race but there is no agreement in place despite the two having advanced talks.

The report adds that Vazquez still hasn’t given up on staying at Madrid but would welcome a move to the Bundesliga champions.

Hansi Flick’s side are also said to be keen to close the deal as quickly as possible with the Spain star’s versatility a huge bonus.

While traditionally a winger, Vazquez has provided cover for Madrid at right-back this season as well.

BARC FOR GOOD

Manchester City defender Eric Garcia has shared his excitement at playing alongside Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.

SPORT claims the Spaniard is set to sign a five-year deal at the Nou Camp and become Joan Laporta’s first signing since returning to the club.

The 20-year-old has snubbed several new contracts at the Etihad ahead of a return to Barca – where he spent nine years in their La Masia academy.

Messi meanwhile has been liked with a move in the opposite direction to City but Garcia admitted he is relishing playing with the Argentine in Spain.

He told SPORT: “It would be very special to play alongside Messi because he’s the best footballer in the world.

“We see week after week what he does and it’s incredible.”

RED REVAMP

Here’s how Liverpool could look next season with rumoured target Aaron Ramsey on board.

HAARSH WARNING

Erling Haaland could be a ‘disaster’ signing for Chelsea, according to Blues icon Frank Lebouef.

He told Sky Sports: “Haaland is a beast.

“Of course it would be a plus for Chelsea. But now you have to think financially and economically, and you also have to also think and make sure your dressing room is going to be following the coach.

“If you put Haaland (in the team) you lose [Olivier] Giroud.

“But you might lose [Kai] Havertz, you might lose [Timo] Werner as well. What about [Christian] Pulisic? Where are you going to play [Hakim] Ziyech?

“That is an equation that you have to make sure is going to work and that the results are going to be good for the club.

“You can add talents, that is not a problem. But you have to make sure the chemistry works.

“Otherwise it is going to be a disaster. Having only talent doesn’t make sure you are going to win something.”

BACK UP PLAN

Arsenal will reportedly turn their attention to signing Philippe Coutinho if they’re unable to permanently secure Martin Odegaard’s services.

Norway international Odegaard is currently on loan with the North Londoners until the end of the season.

After a slow start to life at the Emirates, Odegaard has really come into his own over the last month-and-a-half – prompting calls for the club to sign him permanently.

Gunners chief Mikel Arteta is said to be keen on making the Real Madrid midfielder’s deal permanent.

But according to The Daily Express, the Spaniard will look to pry Coutinho away from Barcelona’s clutches if an agreement for Odegaard can’t be reached.

They claim the Gunners will look to take advantage of an appearance clause in Coutinho’s contract with the Spanish giants in order to bring him back to the Premier League.

NO GOLDEN TUCH

Thomas Tuchel’s sour relationship with Borussia Dortmund could dent Chelsea’s chances of signing Erling Haaland.

Bild claims the German left Dortmund on bad terms and club chiefs are reluctant to sell to a side coached by their former manager.

The report adds that it’s ‘very unlikely’ the Bundesliga outfit will allow Haaland to seal a move to Stamford Bridge this summer.

Although Tuchel won a German Cup at Dortmund, his time there is best-remembered for the bust-ups he had.

There were disagreements with senior players, including Mats Hummels, Neven Subotic, Jakub Blaszczykowski and Roman Weidenfeller.

While Tuchel also clashed with former chief scout Sven Mislantat, who would later work for Arsenal.

He was then sacked by Dortmund with chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke saying he was ‘worn out’ dealing with the manager.

NOT SO FAB

Cesc Fabregas may live in Monaco but he is certainly no Formula One star.

ED IN HANDS

Eden Hazard is worth less than 30 per cent of the eye-watering £130million fee Real Madrid agreed with Chelsea for him just two years ago.

The Belgian has had rotten luck with injuries since his mega-money switch from Stamford Bridge in 2019 and that has seen his transfer value plummet.

Hazard, 30, joined Real in June 2019 from Chelsea for an initial fee of £89million – potentially rising to £130m.

But various injuries mean he has played just 36 of Real’s 90 games since he arrived at the Bernabeu and is now worth just £36m, according to Transfermarkt.

His latest problem is a persistent issue with his left ankle which could mean he ‘may never play football again’, according to a top doctor.

Hazard is said to have been in pain – which has got worse recently – since a procedure on it last March.

The winger has also picked up several muscle injuries since he has been at Real and they are linked to the underlying ankle issue, according to Spanish outlet Marca.

ON EUR OWN

The Prem’s Big Six are braced for frustration and disappointment over their attempts to force radical change on the top flight.

Leading clubs now recognise there is no chance they can push through a reduction of the league from 20 teams to 18.

While proposed revamps of Uefa competitions promise more money from 2024, the Big Six fear they will hit a brick wall in their efforts to get the green light to make more cash from selling rights to their own games either overseas or on club channels.

And it sets up a further squabble between the Big Six and the rest of the Prem starting at tomorrow’s “shareholder” meeting of the 20 clubs.

Prem chief executive Richard Masters agreed to engage US-based Boston Consulting to carry out a “Strategic Review” of the structure of the League.

That was a direct response to the Project Big Picture proposals backed by Liverpool and Manchester United as well as EFL chairman Rick Parry.

Masters vowed that he would be open to all ideas, insisting in November that “the status quo is not an option”.

Five months on, the Review will finally be a formal agenda item for the first time at Thursday’s meeting, with clubs to debate the “next steps”.

KOE ON THEN

Ronald Koeman has laid out his summer transfer plan after being given the green light to remain as Barcelona boss.

Doubts over the Dutchman’s role have persisted ever since he was appointed last summer, but a turnaround in form and Joan Laporta’s election as club president have counted in his favour.

Under contract for another season, he is reportedly setting about the task of revamping the side in the next transfer window.

According to Mundo Deportivo, a handful of new signings and a couple of contract extensions are on Koeman’s agenda.

Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum is a favoured option to add energy to the midfield as he becomes a free agent in the summer.

The club have denied reports of a pre-contract agreement with the Dutchman, who Koeman coached in his national team, but the switch is thought to be close.

Further low-cost deals involving long-term targets are eyed in Manchester City defender Eric Garcia and Lyon’s Memphis Depay, both out of contract in June.

PAUL THE OTHER ONE

Manchester City could see Sergio Aguero head straight across town if they don’t renew his contract, Paul Ince has warned.

Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea have all been linked with the Argentine, 32, and Manchester United are the latest club tipped to make an offer.

Former Red Devils midfielder Ince, 53, has told the club to consider Aguero when his contract expires in the summer.

Such a shock swoop could emulate Sir Alex Ferguson’s capture of Eric Cantona from Leeds during Ince’s time at Old Trafford.

He told Ladbrokes: “Sergio Aguero might be leaving Man City, why shouldn’t United make a move for him?

“You could see it now. If he wanted to stay in the Premier League and he’s living in Manchester, then I don’t think it would be a bad thing at all if they went and got Aguero.

“It can happen, who knows? You’ve got to ask the question if you’re United because you never know.”

SHAW THING

Luke Shaw credited Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s man-management for helping him get back in the England squad.

Luke Shaw praised boss Solskjaer’s man-management
Shaw 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.”

PREM WINNER SHAME

Former Manchester United star Ronnie Wallwork fractured a man’s eye socket in a row over trainers, a court heard.

The 43-year-old punched Alan Mulholland when he stepped on his trainers in a pub in Greater Manchester in 2019.

Wallwork admitted GBH and was handed an 18-month suspended sentence at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.

The 2001 Prem winner also must complete 200 hours of unpaid work, a rehab programme and pay £500 in compensation to his victim.

ZERO HERO

The EFL has recorded zero positive tests for Covid-19 for the first time ever.

GAARD OF HONOUR

Arsenal are exploring the possibility of keeping Martin Odegaard for at least another season, according to reports.

Odegaard, 22, is having a growing influence in Mikel Arteta’s side having started five of the six last league matches having joined on loan in January.

And the stats reveal how he is creating more chances than any other of his attacking team-mates.

Odegaard endeared himself to supporters with a goal in the 2-1 victory over North London rivals Tottenham.

He joined Real Madrid in 2015 but has struggled to cement his role in the side having endured three loan spells away from the club before joining Arsenal.

Arteta is now eager to entice him to stay in North London either on another season-long loan or on a permanent deal, according to Eurosport, and Madrid are reported to want around £40m with two years left on his deal.

HEAD START

Heading the ball in training is set to be significantly reduced as the FA and Premier League back new safety guidelines.

Prem chiefs will green light a formal study into the forces sustained by heading balls in different situations.

And FA chief medic Dr Charlotte Cowie explained that Wembley bosses believe the risk to long-term health and dementia means curtailing heading in the professional game is required.

Dr Cowie told a DCMS Select Committee hearing: “There is no argument about decreasing the exposure to the amount of heading in the game.

“But the main exposure is in training, so limiting that in terms of the number and types of headers is definitely the direction we need to go in.”

Dr Cowie was criticised by “staggered” and “appalled” committee chairman, Tory MP Julian Knight, after insisting she was unable to say what the FA’s annual budget was for dementia research.

That came after a series of deaths linked to heading, including the recent passing of 1966 World Cup legends Martin Peters and Nobby Stiles.

BRU-TAL

Bruno Fernandes had to be rested against Leicester to avoid him running himself into the ground.

Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revealed the Portuguese ace would play every single game if it was up to him.

The Norwegian said: “Bruno has played very, very much football.

“He broke all his records on Thursday night [against AC Milan at the San Siro] physically, statistically, and the boy is not inhuman.

“I know Bruno wants to play but sometimes you make decisions for the benefit of both the team and him.”

Fernandes has covered the seventh most metres in the Premier League this season.

He did come off the bench in the FA Cup quarter-final but couldn’t prevent the Red Devils slipping to a 3-1 defeat at the King Power.

SPURRED ON

Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has emerged as a rumoured transfer target for Manchester United.

At 34, the World Cup winner is said to want to leave North London for one final big challenge of his career.

A return to Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain or Nice has been reported and now L’Equipe detail a potential move to Manchester.

Lloris is in his ninth season at Tottenham but is yet to win a trophy, although he will get a fresh chance in the upcoming Carabao Cup final.

SunSport recently revealed the club’s plans to replace club captain Lloris at the end of the season.

England trio Sam Johnstone, Nick Pope and Dean Henderson are understood to all be targets for Jose Mourinho.

United star Henderson is finally getting his chance in the team but may seek a move if he is once again dropped to the bench with the club preparing to either sell the former Blades No1 or David De Gea.