CHELSEA are reportedly keen to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma on a free transfer from AC Milan.
Meanwhile Boris Johnson has backed a potential UK bid for the 2030 World Cup.
BETTING OFFER: GET A RISK-FREE £20 BET WITH PADDY POWER
Follow our LIVE blog below to get the latest from around the clubs…
NOU AGE ART
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is reportedly open to managing Barcelona one day but is focused solely on his job in North London at present.
The Gunners gaffer is claimed to be on the Blaugrana’s shortlist to replace Ronald Koeman should Joan Laporta be crowned as the club’s next president.
Former Barca academy star Arteta is not believed to be the LaLiga outfit’s No1 choice, with Xavi understood to be their preferred option.
According to Football.London, the 38-year-old has had no contact with Barcelona, with the Spanish side having no interest in hiring him currently.
However they state that the club are admirers of his work, with Arteta welcoming the idea of being in charge at the Nou Camp in the future.
But with his contract at the Emirates not expiring until 2023, the ex-Everton skipper is only thinking of his current job.
RAM’D WITH SERG IN QUESTIONS
Zinedine Zidane eventually exploded after constant questions regarding Sergio Ramos’ contract, blasting it as ‘madness’.
The Real Madrid boss faces the prospect of losing his captain on a free transfer with his current deal expiring this summer.
And despite the defender being out injured since January, press conferences are dominated with questions about Ramos.
Speaking ahead of the LaLiga clash with Real Sociedad – in which Vinicius Junior scored an 89th-minute equaliser – Zidane was quizzed once more, this time losing his cool.
The Frenchman said: “You always ask me the same thing, it’s madness. That’s impressive mate.
“I want him to get fit, but apart from that, nothing else. Tomorrow we have a game.
“What more should I say about it now? I have no idea. I just said that we are only thinking about the game. I want that to be sorted out as soon as possible.”
GHAN IN A FLASH
Michael Essien has come in for a barrage of abuse after declaring his support for gay rights in Ghana.
The Chelsea icon won 58 caps for his country and still commands vast attention there.
Michael Essien deleted this social media post after a backlash
Essien sparked controversy with his pro-equality message in a nation where homosexuality is still illegal.
The ex-midfielder, 38, wrote on Instagram: “Ghana supports equality. We see you, we support you.
“Our LGBTQIA plus Community in Ghana.”
However dad-of-two Essien deleted his post after being bombarded with abuse and criticism.
One comment on his post read: “You just lost your one follower, good luck, byee.”
RAPH AND READY
Real Madrid are reportedly ready to sell Raphael Varane to Manchester United.
The Frenchman looks set to snub the offer of the Real club captaincy which will force the Spanish giants to cash in this summer.
The 27-year-old defender has entered the final 18 months of his contract at the Bernabeu where he has been for 10 years.
And he is dragging his feet over whether to commit his future to the LaLiga giants.
With fellow centre-back and United target Sergio Ramos, 34, becoming a free agent in June, Real have made it a ‘priority’ to tie down Varane long-term.
But the two parties are said to be too far apart on salary expectations despite Real including the club captaincy as part of the deal to try and tempt him.
As a result, Real will cash in at the end of the season rather than lose him for nothing next summer, according to MEN.
PAUL YOUR SOCKS UP
Ipswich Town have employed more Pauls than any other EFL side.
Good omen for new boss Paul Cook?
REVOLVING DOR
Borussia Dortmund see Sevilla ace Youssef En-Nesyri as a potential replacement for star striker Erling Haaland, according to reports.
Haaland has set the world on fire with his goalscoring exploits as he already counts a staggering 27 goals in 26 matches across all competitions for Dortmund this season.
Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri could replace Erling Haaland at Borussia Dortmund
That has led to immense interest from some of Europe’s big hitters, including Manchester United and Chelsea, ahead of the summer transfer window.
According to Eurosport, Dortmund seem fully aware that they won’t be able to hold on to the Norway international for long and are starting to think ahead.
The Bundesliga giants are already seeking for a potential replacement in case Haaland leaves in the summer and seem to have found him in En-Nesyri.
The Morocco international has netted a total of 13 goals in 24 appearances in LaLiga for Sevilla ever since his move from Leganes last summer.
KICKING IT OFF
Arsene Wenger blueprint to make football better will be discussed by the game’s lawmakers on Friday.
SunSport revealed last year how the former Arsenal boss wants to bring in a ‘daylight’ law to reduce the number of offside calls and bring more goals.
Wenger’s stance is backed by Fifa President Gianni Infantino.
And Wenger is also pushing for a number of other Law changes designed to speed up the game and provide more entertainment for fans.
Wenger, who was appointed by Infantino as Fifa’s head of global football development in 2019, believes that players should be able to take quick free-kicks to themselves, as is allowed in rugby union and hockey.
That idea has already been backed by Gary Lineker and others.
Wenger is also proposing that teams can take kick-ins, rather than throw-ins, from within their own half, believing it will give sides more of an advantage in possession.
NEED FOR SPEED
Paul Scholes reckons Thiago would’ve been a better fit for Manchester United than ‘100mph’ Liverpool.
The Spanish midfielder joined from Bayern Munich in the summer and has struggled to find his feet at Anfield.
Former United midfielder Scholes explained to Premier League Productions: “The way Liverpool play with the three in midfield, I don’t think he has great legs about him, so that central role would suit him down to the ground.
“Once you are in a wider position in the three, it’s very difficult to get around the pitch because he’s not that type of player.
“He just needs to be sat in the middle, controlling things, bringing players into play and that’s what he’s good at – I just wonder if this way of playing that Liverpool play is suited to his style of football.
“He doesn’t seem a Jurgen Klopp type player, does he? You think of the midfield players he has got and the forward players. Everything is 100 miles per hour.
“I thought he would have been more suited to a Manchester United team. In a two in midfield with a holding player, really good strong defensive player, where he can sit and control games.
“Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool, I don’t see them controlling games. I see them going for the throat in teams. He hasn’t got that energy to really overpower midfield players.”
EUR WELCOME
Boris Johnson’s offer to stage the whole of Euro 2020 has been welcomed by European football chiefs.
Wembley is already due to stage SEVEN games at the tournament, including all three of England’s opening group matches, both semi-finals and the July 11 Final.
Wembley is set for a bumper delayed Euro 2020Credit: AFP – Getty
But the PM’s invitation, exclusively revealed by The Sun yesterday, has opened the way for the ultimate summer of football across the country.
One source told The Sun: “It is great for us that England is so keen to play its part this summer.”
European football’s governing body Uefa plans to confirm the schedule for this summer’s delayed tournament by April 7.
That is the date Euro bosses have ordered the current 12 planned host cities to confirm their willingness to host games.
But Uefa is demanding that ALL hosts commit to staging games with fans inside grounds.
‘HEALTH OVER FOOTBALL’
Fulham star Kevin McDonald has revealed he has been battling chronic kidney disease for the past 12 years – and hopes to have a transplant in April.
The Scot, 32, has not played since coming on as a sub against Cardiff in July and many were surprised when he did not go out on loan in January.
Fulham’s Kevin McDonald revealed his battle with kidney diseaseCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But McDonald has now explained the reason why by disclosing his kidney failure which he has had to manage throughout the majority of his career.
He said: “I have been fighting chronic kidney disease, a kidney failure, pretty much ever since I started playing football.
“I have been under the orders of the doctors my whole career.
“No one sees this part of football. People just see you on the pitch and they have their opinions of you on the pitch, and that’s that.
“I have had a lot of people asking about why am I not playing, why did I not go out on loan and this and that.
“It is something that we did not want to share until this moment, because obviously what’s coming up (with the transplant), it probably needs to be said now.”
RONALD-WOE
Cristiano Ronaldo’s abysmal free-kick record at Juventus has been revealed – and it makes for horrendous viewing.
The Portuguese superstar, 36, has been a goalscoring machine for the Serie A giants since arriving in a £99million move from Real Madrid in 2018.
Ronaldo has scored 91 goals in 118 games, while winning two Serie A titles since moving from the Bernabeu.
However, his set-pieces have left much to be desired – scoring just ONE in 65 attempts.
RUNNING WILD
Chris Wilder has cast doubt on his Sheffield United future after hinting at disagreements with owner Prince Abdullah.
The Blades are 15 points off safety and already have one eye on next season in the Championship.
But United boss Wilder admitted it was difficult to plan because “conversations” about the future “are not happening.”
He said: “We always plan short, medium and long term.
“But that plan is determined by other people than me, by the way. I’ve not had those conversations.
“I know what direction I want to take the club in, where it should be, but it’s not happening.”
REAL PLAN
Real Madrid could free up funds for a Kylian Mbappe swoop if they offload Gareth Bale to Tottenham.
The Welshman, 31, has finally found form in a Spurs shirt after his season-long loan deal.
Real Madrid could ship Gareth Bale permanently off to SpursCredit: Getty Images – Getty
SunSport earlier reported that Real are now ready to capitalise on that by shipping him off permanently.
And clearing Bale’s £650,000-a-week wages off their books would help them in their Mbappe quest.
Los Blancos are reportedly lining up a £135m swoop for PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe.
The Spanish giants hope it will persuade Tottenham to extend Bale’s stay for the final year of his contract next term.
And the good news for them is the North Londoners will look at taking him on loan again for next season if he continues to impress between now and the summer.
HOST WITH THE MOST?
Gareth Southgate has warned that hosting the whole of Euro2020 would be no guarantee of success for the England team.
Boris Johnson revealed in The Sun today that he has offered up Britain’s stadiums to stage the entire tournament due to the uncertainty over European travel.
Speaking to talkSPORT, England boss Southgate said: “Obviously, we have our group matches at Wembley anyway and we are hugely looking forward to that.
“Hopefully we will keep progressing and have fans back but everything else is up in the air. At the moment, we are being told that the tournament is staying in its current format but if the tournament was in one country we will be well placed but as a team, hosting is not a great guarantee of success.
“Only France have hosted and won. You don’t win just because you are the the host. We have to play well and be prepared as well as we can possibly be.
“But it will be an exciting time. The beer is back on the day after the Czech Republic game. I am less for throwing it around rather than drinking it but if we can play a part in the country getting back its energy and enthusiasm for life, great.
“At certain moments of the season, no-one gives a monkey’s about international football but at the major tournaments, the whole family sits and watches them.”
NO MO
Chelsea and Manchester City transfer target Mohamed Ihattaren is on his last chance at PSV Eindhoven due to ‘totally unacceptable’ behaviour.
Boss Roger Schmidt said: “It was totally unacceptable. It was impossible for me to include him in the group. Today he was able to see what is needed at his position.
“If he works as hard as Mario Gotze, Ryan Thomas, Mauro Junior, Cody Gakpo or Noni Madueke, things can work out. If not, it has no chance.
“It’s not a one-way street. Of course you have to support and help someone, but from the other side something also has to come back.
“Ultimately, it is always the same in life: you cannot change people, people can only change themselves.
“We tried to change him. It’s up to him now. It is also not always easy for young players. Hype quickly develops around them.
“Everyone is looking for these types of players. Everything is still possible, but we now have to change the style of aid.”
RED ALERT
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has begged his former employers to ‘move heaven and earth’ to sign either Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe.
The 42-year-old has urged Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to sign one of the two strikers as he stated the club cannot allow their Premier League rivals to nab them.
United should sign one of Mbappe or Haaland, according to FerdinandCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Borussia Dortmund marksman Haaland has been heavily linked with a switch to Old Trafford, but United are understood to face competition from Chelsea and Manchester City.
Meanwhile Paris Saint-Germain star Mbappe is believed to be attracting interest from Liverpool and Real Madrid.
With Edinson Cavani set to become a free agent in the summer, Ferdinand has declared a striker must be brought in if United want to compete for the title.
Speaking on his FIVE YouTube channel, he said: “Cavani, yes, he’s a good stopgap but (we need) a centre-forward. If people like Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe are available, you can’t allow them to go somewhere else and you need to move heaven and earth to get them here.
“United are used to having superstars and those boys would change the narrative at this football club, that’s how good they are.”
COOKING UP A STORM
Ipswich Town have appointed former Wigan boss Paul Cook as the club’s new boss.
FORWARD THINKING
West Ham are preparing to launch an offer to land Tammy Abraham after his brutal Chelsea snub, according to reports.
Boss Thomas Tuchel axed the striker in the 0-0 draw with Manchester United and the German said after ‘he is struggling with my decision.’
England star Abraham was also subbed in the last two Premier League matches.
The 23-year-old’s future at Stamford Bridge is now up in the air with just over two years left on his contract at Chelsea.
Several clubs in the top flight and across Europe are now closely monitoring his situation.
But the Star write how the Hammers are preparing to steal a march ahead of their rivals.
Boss David Moyes is desperate to land a new striker after Sebastien Haller’s January departure left them threadbare in attack.
MAGPIES MISERY
Newcastle’s survival hopes suffered a huge blow after Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin were ruled out until April.
With top-scorer Callum Wilson also crocked, the Magpies – sat just three points above the drop – are now without their three best players.
And it leaves beleaguered boss Steve Bruce in a desperate position having won just two of their last 17 matches.
Almiron came off at half-time of Newcastle’s 1-1 draw against Wolves with a knee injury, while Saint-Maximin hobbled off in the second half with a groin problem.
The club said ‘both have undergone scans and will continue their rehabilitation with the club’s medical team’.
Bruce is now down to the bare bones up front, with Almiron, Saint-Maximin and Wilson responsible for 16 of their 27 league goals.
FORWARD PLAN
With Manchester United still set to be without Edinson Cavani, here’s how the Red Devils could line up against Crystal Palace tomorrow.
ART DEALER
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is reportedly open to managing Barcelona one day but is focused solely on his job in North London at present.
The Gunners gaffer is claimed to be on the Blaugrana’s shortlist to replace Ronald Koeman should Joan Laporta be crowned as the club’s next president.
Former Barca academy star Arteta is not believed to be the LaLiga outfit’s No1 choice, with Xavi understood to be their preferred option.
According to Football.London, the 38-year-old has had no contact with Barcelona, with the Spanish side having no interest in hiring him currently.
However they state that the club are admirers of his work, with Arteta welcoming the idea of being in charge at the Nou Camp in the future.
But with his contract at the Emirates not expiring until 2023, the ex-Everton skipper is only thinking of his current job.
TOUGH LOVE
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has revealed the moment hot-headed Roy Keane lamped team-mate Chris Eagles in training.
Eagles, 35, joined the Red Devils academy in 2000 before being promoted to the first team three years later.
Chris Eagles and Roy KeaneCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
The winger managed 17 appearances in five years for the club and had four loan stints before joining Burnley permanently in 2008.
Speaking on the VIBE with FIVE podcast, the ex-defender said: “I remember when Roy Keane punched up Chris Eagles one time.
“He (Eagles) was only [a] young kid, (taking) liberties. It was good for him Eagles.
“Roy must have been coming back from an injury, or he didn’t play, and he was playing with the reserves and the youngsters that were in there like Eagles and Lee Martin were like rats, getting in close and trying to tackle.
“He went in late on Roy once or twice and Roy said to him, ‘Listen, slow down’. The ball comes in again, Eagles was trying to impress, trying to leave him mark and left a little bit on Roy again and pulled his jersey.
“Roy just turned round and went bang in the jaw. A quick short jab and I just stood there and went, ‘Roy, what’s wrong with you?’.”
NIC OF THE BUNCH
Manchester United and Leeds are keeping tabs on Torino star defender Nicolas Nkoulou ahead of the summer transfer window, according to reports.
Tuttosport reports United and the Whites are among a raft of clubs interested in signing Nkoulou, whose contract with the Serie A outfit expires at the end of the season.
Nicolas Nkoulou is attracting Premier League interestCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The centre-back has made a total of 128 appearances for the Turin-based club ever since his move from Lyon in 2017.
The former Cameroon international is reportedly keen on moving to another club in the summer but his focus currently lies on saving Torino from relegation, with the club just two points away from the drop zone.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is after an experienced defender that could partner up with Harry Maguire at centre-back.
BIRTHDAY BOYS
March 2 a popular day to be born for former Spurs bosses!
GET JACK BACK
Gareth Southgate has been boosted by the news that Jack Greaish could be set for a speedy return to first team action.
It was feared the Three Lions boss could be deprived of the Aston Villa ace for this month’s world cup triple header against San Marino, Albania and Poland.
However despite ruling him out of tomorrow’s visit to Sheffield United, Villa manager Dean Smith says Grealish is set to return to training this week and could even be set for a dramatic comeback in Saturday’s Midlands derby clash at home to Wolves.
The relieved Villa boss broke the news that every Villa fan, and many England supporters were hoping for, when he raised hopes that the injury is not as serious as initially reported.
“Jack will still be out for this game, because he’s still got pain with a certain movement he’s got,” said Smith ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Brammall Lane.
“But he could be training by the end of the week, I’m more hopeful on that.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
