TRANSFER speculation is intensifying ahead of a massive summer window.
Erling Haaland is the man on most clubs’ lips but there’s also interesting news from the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Barcelona.
Meanwhile England could be line to host additional Euro 2020 matches with Dublin reportedly likely to pull out.
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Stay up to date with all the latest football news in our rolling blog…
TUCH AND THIAGO
Thomas Tuchel faces a nasty back ache for Chelsea’s Champions League quarter-final with Porto – after Thiago Silva saw red in the manager’s first defeat with the Blues.
Here’s how the Blues could line-up…
ANT MAN
Anthony Elanga has been added to Manchester United’s squad for the Europa League first-leg against Granada.
MORE FROM TUCHEL
He added: “We got a big slap in the face, and it was required to remind us how tough it is to keep winning.
“I have the feeling we can overcome Porto but it will be tough. They are very experienced, but we are strong enough and believe in ourselves.”
CHIL OUT BEN
Thomas Tuchel has admitted the training ground bust-up between Antonio Rudiger and Kepa Arrizabalaga was ‘serious’.
The Blues gaffer said: “We calmed the situation immediately.
“They can happen because everyone is competitive in training.
“They cleared the air and there was nothing left afterwards. They solved it in an honest and humble way.
“For this situation, there will be no punishment.”
WHOLE LOTTA DOUGH
An American billionaire has dropped a huge hint he is considering buying Newcastle.
James Pallotta, the former owner of Roma, revealed how his next business move could be in the Premier League.
Speaking to the Athletic, Pallotta name-dropped the Toon for his next potential project and highlighted their ‘great fanbase’.
He said: “I do think that if there’s a place that makes sense for me, it’s the Premier League.
“It’s pretty difficult for an American — and I do think we actually did a lot of good stuff — but I do think it’s difficult in a lot of countries to deal with the cultural stuff, all kinds of stuff. There are just all kinds of variables.
“I think there are interesting teams in the Premier League that have great history and it would be nice to see them getting back to it. The Newcastles of the world. Great, great fanbase.
“Those are the kind of things I think would be interesting to be a part of with a good group (of investors) and there’s more rationality there (at league level) in many ways, right?”
DUBLIN AND OUT
England looks set to be handed at least four more Euro 2020 games – with Uefa braced for Dublin to effectively pull out of hosting on Wednesday.
And that would hand Gareth Southgate and his Three Lions the prospect of an extra match on home soil this summer, although NOT at Wembley.
Uefa’s deadline for the 12 scheduled venues to confirm they are able to stage games with crowds is close of business on Wednesday.
The Irish capital is believed by senior Uefa figures to be the most likely city to be unable to give Euro chiefs the guarantees they have sought, leaving the Aviva set to be stripped of its games.
And if so, it is now expected that the four games due to be played in Ireland will be switched to England, as the FA is already in advanced planning for seven games at Wembley.
HITTING BACK
An explosive response from Valencia to the public denial made by Juan Cala.
THE TEMP-BEST
Jesse Lingard is proving to be one of the signings of the season.
His loan switch to West Ham was a masterstroke from David Moyes, who is getting the very best out of the Manchester United midfielder.
The red-hot form got the 28-year-old a return to the England squad and could see him go to the Euros.
SunSport looks at some of the best loan signings in the Premier League era – an elite list Lingard is on course to join, particularly if he can fire West Ham into the Champions League HERE.
CLAS ACTION
Lionel Messi feared he would be banned for El Clasico during Barcelona’s tense win over Valladolid.
The Catalans’ LaLiga title pursuit was boosted by Ousmane Dembele’s late winner at the Camp Nou.
At half-time, Messi was overheard by Movistar+ microphones, as reported by Marca, complaining about the official.
The striker told a club delegate: “The referee wants to give me a yellow card, incredible.”
A booking would have incurred a one-game ban for the 33-year-old – a fate he managed to avoid for the rest of the game.
JESS WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED
By SunSport’s Jordan Davies
Jesse Lingard is leading the Premier League charts since arriving at West Ham on loan.
Since his West Ham debut on February 3 after a January window switch, only Tottenham’s Harry Kane has been involved in the same number of goal involvements.
Lingard’s six goals and three assists in eight appearances sees him with nine goal involvements.
That’s THREE more than United star Bruno Fernandes, as well as bettering Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus, Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez.
Only Harry Kane has scored more with seven, but has one less assist than Lingard in that time.
In terms of assists, Lingard’s three assists is the same as City’s Phil Foden and Tottenham’s Lucas Moura and Heung-Min Son.
Lingard is also proving to be efficient in front of goal, needing just 23 shots to reach nine goal involvements.
That is SEVENTEEN less than Kane, two less than Leeds’ Patrick Bamford and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and one less than Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.
Jesse Lingard has been outstanding for West HamCredit: PA RACISM ROW
Juan Cala has denied claims he racially abused Mouctar Diakhaby after a row erupted during Sunday’s LaLiga game between Cadiz and Valencia.
The Spaniard, 31, was accused of calling Diakhaby a ‘black s***’ before the Valencia players staged a walk-off.
On Tuesday, Cala held a press conference to strenuously deny the allegations, likening the situation to a ‘public lynching’.
He told reporters: “I don’t know if Diakhaby made it up, or misinterpreted it.
“I am in a state of shock. We are playing football without an audience. There are 20-25 cameras, microphones, players, referees… and nobody hears anything.
“There is no racism in Spanish football. What has been formed is a circus.
“Since Sunday my lawyer has been collecting the data to start legal action.
“I have received messages from all over with a lot of support, because I am being lynched right now.
“I don’t know what happened to the presumption of innocence. No one deserves this public lynching.
“I’m looking forward to settling this issue here and starting to prepare for the next game.”
Diakhaby complained to the referee, who did not hear the alleged comment COULD BE KIE
Arsenal endured a major blow in their defeat against Liverpool with a potentially serious injury to left-back Kieran Tierney.
But his absence could prove to be a blessing in disguise judging by the stats.
Arsenal’s record is actually better without Tierney despite impressing throughout his debut campaign in the Premier League.
According to Opta, they average 1.6 points per game without the left-back compared to 1.3 when he is in the side.
That includes three wins in seven matches and losing twice with a win percentage of 42.9 compared to 39.1.
Arsenal also average 1.4 goals per game without Tierney compared to 1.3 with.
But the most damning stat of all is Arsenal are conceding less goals when Tierney is sidelined with one goal against compared to 1.2.
Arsenal may be okay without Kieran Tierney after all WELL I NEV-ER
Gary Neville admitted he would have played for arch-rivals Arsenal if Manchester United decided to sell him.
He told Sky Sports’ Off the Script: “If you’d said to me, in a perfect world, in my years of playing, which clubs in the Premier League have the tradition, a proper club? Arsenal would be No 1.
“The tradition of Highbury, I felt they did things the right way. Also in the Premier League, I like Aston Villa and Newcastle.
“In Europe I admired Juventus and Bayern Munich. I respected them as football clubs. Bayern were meticulous in their preparation, so internationally, it would be them.”
Gary Neville would have been open to the idea of joining Arsenal if he was let go by Manchester United earlier in his career PUSH THE BOAT OUT
Premier League clubs have been alerted to Jerome Boateng’s availability after Bayern Munich decided to let the defender go.
Out of contract in the summer, the defender will follow David Alaba in departing as a free agent.
The 32-year-old has made over 350 appearances for Bayern, winning the treble twice, since a 2011 move ended a flop spell at Manchester City.
But, according to German publication Kicker, Boateng’s exit has been rubber-stamped by Munich bosses.
And his entourage have already been informed of the decision to move him on.
Jerome Boateng is set to become a free agent at the end of the season LIGT-BULB MOMENT
Matthijs de Ligt will be available for £130million next summer, according to reports.
The Juventus defender, 21, is thought to have a release clause in his contract.
But according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, it does not kick in until July 2022.
And that could have the likes of Manchester United and Barcelona on red alert to make a major swoop at the end of next season.
Matthijs de Ligt could be bought for £130million next summer when his release clause kicks in
GUEN AND BEAR IT
Arsenal outcast Matteo Guendouzi has been described as a ‘great player and great professional’ by Hertha Berlin sporting director Arne Friedrich.
Speaking to The Guardian, the German boss said: “When you talk about Guendouzi and see his skills, you realise that he is a great player.
“I’ve also read that he had problems at Arsenal but here he behaves very well. He puts all of himself on the field. He is a great professional.
“Guendouzi’s situation confirms that we must always understand how to help the players, with a talent like him it is worth it.”
Matteo Guendouzi is enjoying his time on loan at Hertha Berlin HOME DISCOMFORTS
Bruno Fernandes has issued a rallying cry to his Manchester United team-mates to ‘stop dropping as many points as we do at home’.
The Portuguese playmaker has been instrumental in helping United into second spot in the Premier League.
Speaking to FourFourTwo magazine, the 26-year-old said: “It’s tough in England, because the games are so tight.
“Every team genuinely has a chance to win the match. It’s 50/50 before every game, and we see it with the results. But we’re doing better.
“We can’t drop as many points as we do at home, but we’ve been in second, and at the start of the season there weren’t many people who were saying United would be second.
“After a few games and a bad start, nobody was saying United could reach the top of the table, but we ignored what people were saying on the outside.
“We knew what we had said on the inside, we had confidence that things would improve, and they did.
“We still have to be the best United we can, but we have improved.”
Bruno Fernandes gave an honest interview with FourFourTwo magazine RAPH RIDE
Raphael Varane has tested positive for coronavirus hours before Real Madrid face Liverpool.
The Los Blancos players were checked on Tuesday morning ahead of tonight’s clash.
And the club confirmed in a statement the result for their Frenchman.
He will now be forced to sit out of the first-leg quarter-final clash at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.
It also puts his availability to face Barcelona in a crunch El Clasico on Saturday night into major doubt.
Raphael Varane will miss the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool with coronavirus SAND SKIRMISH
Sheffield United star Sander Berge is reportedly being eyed by Manchester City.
A swift return to the Premier League once the Blades’ likely relegation is confirmed could take place for the midfielder, with Liverpool also keen.
According to Belgian outlet Voetbal24, City have made Berge their top target to replace Fernandinho this summer.
The 35-year-old Brazilian is set to leave once his contract expires at the end of the campaign.
Any deal for Berge, 23, would reportedly land old club Genk a 20 per cent cut of the fee after he left the club to sign for United in January of last year.
Liverpool are also said to be chasing the 6ft 5in midfielder with Georginio Wijnaldum on his way out.
Sander Berge is reportedly wanted by a number of clubs for a summer switch POSITIVE MATA
Manchester United star Juan Mata opened up on his relationship with ‘positive’ manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Spaniard told the UTD Podcast: “Of course, I heard much about him as a player. About that goal, about the many goals. So we had a meeting between us, the team, and they said: ‘Listen, it’s probable that Ole’s going to come. He’s going to take care of the team until the end of the season. He’s coming from Molde in Norway.’
“As soon as he came in, you could see the positivity. You could see the Manchester United DNA. He knew everyone, he felt like a proper United fan, and he was happy and smiley and full of energy. Until today. So we stay with him, and I think that’s a good sign of things going okay.
“I feel young, honestly, in my body and in my mind, but obviously I’ve been playing in the club, and in English football and professionally for 12-13 years now, and so that gives me experience to – especially in difficult situations – behave in a certain way or give advice to the youngsters or something like that, and I think he values that also.
“Me, as a player, what I can give on the pitch, but also that I will try my best off the pitch for the new players that come.”
Mata opened up on his boss SolskjaerCredit: EPA DON’T NEED JU
Juventus are reportedly considering a huge top-to-bottom overhaul if they fail to reach next season’s Champions League.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Andrea Pirlo and several other key figures could depart if the Old Lady’s financial situation worsens.
Talks over a fresh wage deferral are underway, according to Corriere dello Sport, to minimise the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The measure would see at least a portion of the squad’s pay for the period from March to June postponed to later in the year, saving up to £76million.
Such an agreement was necessary last year when Giorgio Chiellini and Gianluigi Buffon were said to have played a key role in dressing room talks.
But fresh deferrals may not be enough if Juve finish outside the top four.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Andrea Pirlo are both fighting for their future at Juventus
COUT OUT
Philippe Coutinho’s Barcelona nightmare lives on after being ruled out for the rest of the season.
The Brazilian, 28, has gone a second operation after having a ‘meniscal cyst’ in his left knee.
Coutinho hasn’t featured since late December after picking up an injury to his knee following a 1-1 draw with Eibar.
He went into surgery in the New Year and was set to be sidelined for at least three months.
Boss Ronald Koeman was hoping to have the playmaker back for the crucial run-in but he has been hit with a serious setback.
Barcelona revealed how he has had to go back under the knife having failed to recover from the initial procedure.
Philippe Coutinho has undergone a second surgery on his knee AL OKAY
Marcos Alonso claims the Chelsea training ground bust-up was GOOD and will happen again.
Defender Antonio Rudiger and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga had to be pulled apart after a ‘pushing and shoving match’ at Cobham on Easter Sunday.
But wing-back Alonso, 30, reckons the angry spat should be taken as a positive because of the desire within the squad.
And the Spaniard knows it will not be the last time players clash on the training pitch.
He told beIN SPORTS: “These are things that happen.
“It shows the level of competition that is in the team, the hunger we show even on the training ground and it is good for the team.
“Even before training finished it was all good. Nothing new, it has always happened.
“It will happen again. We have to take the positive and move on and get ready for the next game.”
Marcos Alonso reckons the bust-up between Antonio Rudiger and Kepa Arrizabalaga shows the hunger in the Chelsea squad MATA OF FACTS
Juan Mata has opened up on David Moyes’ Manchester United departure in 2014.
He told the UTD Podcast: “I always feel bad when a manager has to go, because it means that you are not doing right, or you are not getting results. So it’s not a nice feeling. So unfortunately he had to go. But of course, I’m very thankful to him.
“What I remember the most about that season was in the last game. Ryan Giggs was our caretaker manager at that time, and we always do the ‘lap of honour’. You say ‘thank you’, ‘goodbye’ and ‘see you next season’.”
David Moyes deserved to be sacked after a poor set of results in charge at Manchester United, Juan Mata said RON THE WAY OUT?
Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has confirmed that he would like Ousmane Dembele to STAY at the club, amid links with Man United.
Following the Frenchman’s late winner against Real Valladolid last night, Koeman said: “I would like Dembele to stay, he is an important player for us.
“He showed his quality with his game and the goal against Valladolid. The key is that he has physically improved and has been able to play a lot of games in a row.”
Dembele bagged a crucial late winner last nightCredit: Reuters
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
