GARETH SOUTHGATE has signed a new England contract, keeping him in the job until after Euro 2024.
The Three Lions boss has done a top job since taking the post in 2016 and
have reportedly joined the race to sign £70m Fiorentina star Dusan Vlahovic.
Newcastle are also putting their January transfer plans into place, with reports linking them to Inter’s Marcelo Brozovic and Bayern Munich’s Niklas Sule.
Meanwhile, Erling Haaland might be out of action injured at the moment – but that is not stopping speculation about his future.
A number of Premier League clubs are said to be circling the Dortmund superstar, with reports from Spain suggested Real Madrid are expecting him to head to England next.
Chelsea have been handed a boost with Romelu Lukaku returning to training from his recent injury, putting him in contention for a return to action this weekend.
And the Blues have resumed talks with Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana ahead of a potential summer transfer, reports say.
Get all the latest football news, updates and transfer gossip below…
SOUTHGATE REMINDER
England manager Gareth Southgate has officially signed a new double-your-money £6million contract until December 2024, the FA has confirmed.
Southgate’s assistant Steve Holland has also penned a new deal, keeping the pair in charge of the Three Lions through until after the next European Championship.
The English head coach has been in charge at St George’s Park since 2016, when he stepped up from his role with the under-21s to replace Sam Allardyce.
And the 51-year-old has since taken England to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2018 and the final of Euro 2020, as well as recently sealing qualification for Qatar 2022.
ALL BARK, NO BITE
Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley reportedly has a number of keen Premier League suitors who will go head-to-head to secure his signature in January.
The 27-year-old has only had 126 minutes of Premier League action so far this season and Leeds are thought to be the frontrunners to land him in January.
Marcelo Bielsa’s injury depleted side find themselves one place above the relegation zone after Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Spurs.
And according to the Daily Mail, Leeds are closely monitoring Barkley’s situation at Stamford Bridge with a view to making a move in January.
Relegation-threatened Burnley are believed to be interested in acquiring the former England international’s signature, with Newcastle also reportedly keen.
Barkley could favour a move to Elland Road though, having played for the club briefly back in 2013 on loan from Everton.
The 33-cap England international made four appearances for Leeds under then boss Neil Warnock.
Credit: PA CHELSEA DOUBTS
Romelu Lukaku and Kai Havertz are both doubts for Chelsea’s Champions League clash with Juventus tomorrow.
The Belgian has been out for several weeks with an ankle injury picked up in a 4-0 win against Malmo last month.
He missed out on Chelsea’s 3-0 win against Leicester on Saturday and is not expected to return in time to start their clash with Juventus tomorrow.
He could be available from the bench, however, with several other key players potentially unavailable through injury.
Speaking about Lukaku, Tuchel said: “We will not rush things. We will take things seriously as always, we will have talks with the doctor and the physios and the player, and if there is something to be decided it will be on Monday evening.”
Havertz picked up a hamstring injury in the win against Leicester and is a doubt, but his fellow countryman Timo Werner could return to the starting line-up.
Mateo Kovacic is still injured, but Christian Pulisic should be available once again after featuring against Leicester from the bench on Saturday.
‘I TAKE THAT AS A COMPLIMENT’
Tottenham fans booed their side as they trailed 1-0 to Leeds thanks to a Dan James goal in the first half of yesterday’s 2-1 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Second half strikes by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Sergio Reguilon eventually saw the North Londoners complete a fine comeback, inflicting Leeds’ fifth league defeat of the season.
Speaking about the booing, Hojbjerg said: “I kind of understand the boos… I hope it won’t happen again but I understand there are high demands, high pressure.
“The fans have great expectations because we’re a great team, so I take that as a compliment.
“We’re here to perform well and let the fans celebrate, which is the main thing. We did that in the second half and the fans were incredible in the second half also, so let’s try to do that from the start.”
He added: “I think the reaction after the game and the second goal showed how much it means to us.
“Technically, it wasn’t a perfect game from us. There were a couple of mistakes and I have to say the way Leeds play is very demanding and very aggressive. They cause these individual mistakes.
“But I thought collectively we came out for the second half very aggressively, on top with a good attitude. We got the stadium with us, with fantastic support.
“To come back the way we did, from a character and mental point of view, I thought was very important and very strong.”
Credit: PA NEW SOUTHGATE DEAL CONFIRMED
England boss Gareth Southgate has officially signed a new deal until December 2024, the FA has confirmed.
His assistant Steve Holland has also penned a new deal, keeping the pair in charge of the Three Lions through until after the next European Championship.
Southgate has been in charge at St. George’s Park since 2016, when he stepped up from his role with the under-21s to replace Roy Hodgson.
And he has since taken England to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2018 and the final of Euro 2020, as well as recently sealing qualification for Qatar 2022.
Discussing his new deal, Southgate said: “I am delighted that Steve and I have been able to extend our stay in our respective roles.
“It remains an incredible privilege to lead this team.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mark, John and the Board for their support – and of course the players and support team for their hard work.
“We have a great opportunity in front of us and I know they and the fans are all excited about what this squad could achieve in future.”
Southgate is now the fourth longest-serving England manager of all-time with 68 games under his belt and an impressive win-rate of 64.7 percent.
He was also awarded an OBE in the Queen’s 2019 New Year Honours list and will continue his quest for silverware in Qatar next year and Germany in 2024.
THREE OF A KIND
Antoine Griezmann has recently spoken about how much he enjoys playing alongside Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema for the French national team.
The Atletico Madrid striker said: “Sometimes I stopped in the middle of the field to watch them play: it was wonderful!
“The more they associate, the better it will be for us, because we create spaces, chances and goals.”
Griezmann and Mbappe won the World Cup together for France in 2018, with Benzema still out in the cold from the national team at the time.
But the Real Madrid striker was welcomed back into the fold for Les Bleus for Euro 2020 and formed part of a fearsome trio involving Griezmann and Mbappe.
They had a disappointing Euro 2020 campaign after being knocked out by Switzerland in the round of 16, with Mbappe missing the deciding penalty.
But they bounced back to win the Nations League in October, coming from behind to beat Spain 2-1.
Mbappe and Benzema both scored to earn France yet another trophy and they will go into the World Cup in Qatar next year as one of the hot favourites.
Although, Griezmann could end up facing Mbappe and Benzema next season if the PSG star’s long-awaited move to Real Madrid finally comes to fruition.
Credit: AFP GOLDEN BOY
Barcelona and Spain midfielder Pedri has won the 2021 Golden Boy award.
The 18-year-old has been named as the winner of the coveted prize for Europe’s best young player for this year.
And has beat out the likes of Phil Foden, Eduardo Camavinga, Mason Greenwood, Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham.
The Barca midfielder made 52 appearances in all competitions for La Blaugrana last season and has become a key player for them since joining in 2020.
Pedri joined the Catalan club from Las Palmas for just £4.2m and has since gone on to earn 10 Spain caps.
He starred in their team that reached the Euro 2020 semi-final and was named in the team of the tournament as well as being young player of the tournament.
Pedri then featured in Spain’s Tokyo 2020 Olympics side, who were beaten 2-1 in the final by Brazil after extra-time.
Previous winners include Erling Haaland, Joao Felix, Matthijs de Ligt, Kylian Mbappe and Renato Sanches.
Credit: AFP GOOD CHRISTIAN
Chelsea outcast Christian Pulisic is a target for Liverpool, according to the Daily Star.
The American has missed the majority of the season so far after suffering from a bout of coronavirus, as well as picking up an ankle injury on international duty.
As a result, he has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge and could find regular first-team football hard to come by in the coming months.
Jurgen Klopp is a big fan of Pulisic, and reportedly sees him as a long-term replacement for either Sadio Mane, 29, or Mo Salah, 30.
Salah is thought to be a target for both PSG and Real Madrid and contract talks with the Egyptian have stalled – with his current deal running out in 2023.
Pulisic, still only 23, is now in his third season at Chelsea, but has so far failed to live up to the huge expectations placed on him as Eden Hazard’s replacement.
He cost around £60m back in 2019 and is thought to be exactly the mould of attacking player that Liverpool look for – energetic, direct and technically gifted.
But Chelsea could be reluctant to sell to a Premier League title rival, which could force Liverpool to turn their attention to Villarreal winger Arnaut Danjuma.
Danjuma, who has previously played in the Premier League for Bournemouth, is a Dutch international and would reportedly be keen on a return to England.
GONE IN A WINK
Spurs midfielder Harry Winks, 25, is reportedly a key transfer target for Eddie Howe at Newcastle in January, who is desperate to shore up his midfield.
The 10-cap England international fell out of favour at Tottenham under Nuno Espirito Santo, starting just one of Spurs’ opening 11 league games.
But Winks played the whole 90 minutes in Spurs’ 2-1 victory over Leeds at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium yesterday under new boss Antonio Conte.
Conte and Spurs’ director of football Fabio Paratici will likely have a decision to make in January whether they should hold onto Winks, or let him leave.
The player is reportedly desperate for first-team football and could try to force through a move from his boyhood club if he continues to be left out.
But his preference would be to stay in North London and Conte is said to be willing to give Winks a chance to revive his Spurs career in the coming weeks.
Credit: Getty
HOT TO TOT
According to Football Italia, Tottenham are leading the race to sign Bayern Munich’s French midfielder Corentin Tolisso.
Tolisso is out of contract in the summer and could be available on a free transfer if he does not sign a new deal at the Allianz Arena.
He is also thought to be a target for Italian clubs Inter Milan and Juventus.
But Spurs are said to be serious about signing him and will step up their pursuit of him in the coming weeks.
Tolisso will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs from January.
And Tottenham director of football Fabio Paratici is thought to be a big fan of the Frenchman.
He previously attempted to sign him for Juventus back in 2017, when Tolisso was at Lyon.
And he would fit the mould of the kind of player new boss Antonio Conte is looking to build his squad with.
MAN IN DEMAND
Inter Milan star Marcelo Brozovic is out of contract in the summer and is reportedly wanted by a number of clubs, including Newcastle and Spurs.
Man Utd and PSG are also thought to be interested in the 29-year-old Croatian midfielder.
But it now looks like he is close to renewing his deal at the San Siro, after more than six years at the club.
He has racked up over 200 appearances for last year’s Serie A winners and the club are desperate to hold onto him.
Inter CEO Guiseppe Marotta told DAZN: “I hope Marcelo Brozovic will stay and extend his contract.
“I’m almost sure it’s gonna happen, I know he’s happy here. It’s not easy to find clubs that can give him what Inter gave him.”
AIN’T NO MOUNT-AIN HIGH ENOUGH
Chelsea and England star Mason Mount is being ‘tracked’ by a host of Europe’s top clubs, according to reports.
This includes Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
The German giants reportedly see him as the ideal long-term replacement for Thomas Muller.
But the 22-year-old has no intention of leaving, SunSport understands.
And Chelsea would not entertain any offers for him, with boss Thomas Tuchel viewing Mount as a crucial player – for now and the future.
Since breaking through in 2019, he has made 121 appearances for the Blues – scoring 20 goals and laying on 17 assists.
He has become an England regular as well, earning 26 caps so far for Gareth Southgate – one of which came in the Euro 2020 final earlier this year.
GOOD MORNING FOOTY FANS
Brendan Rodgers has been contacted by Manchester United after today’s sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Red Devils are prepared to pay £8million in compensation to his current club, Leicester.
That is on top of a £7.5million payoff for Solskjaer.
Ex-Liverpool boss Rodgers has a clause in his contract letting him speak to certain clubs if they come knocking — and United are one.
Sacked Solskjaer believes whoever takes over MUST win the Premier League.
He said: “Well, as I’ve said many times in interviews, I’ve been backed.
“The board and the owners have backed me in [terms of] bringing good people in, good players in and I think, or I know I leave this club with a better squad.
“The environment is fantastic, it’s an environment I’m proud of leaving because you have to enjoy coming in here working.
“I don’t want to pre-empt anything but the two times I’ve left Molde, they’ve won the league the year after.
“So all the best to whoever takes over – that’s the expectations!”
Mikel Arteta is eyeing a rebuild at Arsenal, and RB Salzburg’s Karim Adeyemi is someone the Spaniard is interested in.
According to the Mirror, the Gunners are interested in signing the 19-year-old as a long-term replacement for Alexandre Lacazette.
Ligue 1 descended into chaos yet again as Dimitri Payet was struck in the head by a full bottle of water thrown from the stands leading to the match being abandoned.
Payet, 34, headed over to take a corner for Marseille just four minutes into their clash away at Lyon on Sunday night.
But as he prepared to take the kick, a thug in the home end hurled the plastic bottle.
Leeds United are reportedly targeting Chelsea outcast Ross Barkley, who has only played 126 minutes of Premier League football this term.
According to the Daily Mail, Leeds are monitoring Barkley’s situation at Chelsea ahead of a possible January transfer.
Barkley has only played 126 minutes this term in the league, failing to register a goal or an assist.
EXCLUSIVE: RODGERS…AND OUT
Brendan Rodgers has been contacted by Manchester United after today’s sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, writes NEIL CUSTIS.
The Red Devils are prepared to pay £8million in compensation to his current club, Leicester.
That is on top of a £7.5million payoff for Solskjaer.
Ex-Liverpool boss Rodgers has a clause in his contract letting him speak to certain clubs if they come knocking — and United are one.
Solskjaer, 48, was fired this morning after nearly three years in charge.
The decision was made within 30 minutes of United’s 4-1 defeat at Watford on Saturday.
SunSport revealed last month that United were making plans to identify the Norwegian’s successor.
A leading agent had been asked to sound out Northern Irishman Rodgers, 48 — as well as Antonio Conte, Ajax’s Erik Ten Hag and ex-Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane.
PAYET PELTED
Ligue 1 descended into chaos yet again as Dimitri Payet was struck in the head by a full bottle of water thrown from the stands leading to the match being abandoned, writes JOSHUA JONES.
Payet, 34, headed over to take a corner for Marseille just four minutes into their clash away at Lyon on Sunday night.
But as he prepared to take the kick, a thug in the home end hurled the plastic bottle.
And it whacked the former West Ham man across the cheek.
A stunned Payet took a couple of steps before collapsing to the ground, clutching his face.
Marseille players rushed over to defend their team-mate while Lyon’s stars pleaded with their own fans to stop.
KARIM THE DREAM
Mikel Arteta is eyeing a rebuild at Arsenal, and RB Salzburg’s Karim Adeyemi is someone the Spaniard is interested in.
According to the Mirror, the Gunners are interested in signing the 19-year-old as a long-term replacement for Alexandre Lacazette.
The Frenchman’s contract expires next summer and is showing no signs of putting pen to paper on fresh terms.
But it is claimed to land Adeyemi, Arsenal will need European football.
‘THANK YOU’
Mason Greenwood has took to Twitter to react to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking.
The academy product said: “Thankyou for everything boss.”
MYSTIC MEG
Manchester United legend Roy Keane famously predicted the players would throw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer under the bus, writes JOSHUA MBU.
And United’s recent results and some members of the team’s individual performances suggest the Irishman is right.
Keane said back in 2019: “I don’t think his job is under pressure but he’s under pressure and he’s not getting the results and the performances.
“I’m always intrigued after games when managers say: ‘they will be up for the next game’. You have to be up for every game. I don’t care whether its Man United or Altrincham.
“I don’t fall for the things said that they will now play well. These are the same players who threw Mourinho under the boss and they will do the same to Ole.
“Leopards don’t change their spots.
“There are too many bluffers at this club to get United back to the very top.
“The fact we are saying United are going for fourth shows how the standards have dropped and they are in free fall, on and off the pitch.”
ARE BRU JOKING
Manchester United should consider appointing Steve Bruce to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, according to Sol Campbell’s bombshell claim.
The Red Devils are on the hunt for a new manager after sacking the Norwegian on Sunday morning.
And former Arsenal and England defender Campbell reckons Bruce could be the solution until the end of the season.
The former Macclesfield and Southend chief, 47, told Premier League Productions: “I think it’s a sticky situation really.
“Do they stick or move? If they move it’s costing a lot of money.
“To move Ole on and to bring someone in, it’s a lot of money.
“I know they’ve got a lot of money to spend but you’ve got to look at the books and you’ve got to look at where they are.
“Maybe is a Steve Bruce good? For just six months? I don’t know. Who knows?
“But it’s a real kind of sticky wicket big time, because either they stick or move. Whatever they do, it might be the wrong answer.”
AN-TENTION TO DETAIL
Antonio Conte’s attention to detail has been labelled ‘unreal’ after ordering the touchline to be groomed by hand.
Ahead of Tottenham’s Premier League clash on Sunday against Leeds, groundsman could be seen on their hands and knees attending to the grass.
Reporter Geoff Shreeves shared a video of it happening to Twitter with the caption: “We know Antonio Conte is big on detail but this is unreal!
“Sideline being groomed by hand.”
BACK ONLINE
Jack Grealish has resurfaced despite sitting out Manchester City’s clash with Everton after picking up a knock on international duty.
The England star had been keeping a low profile while his name hit the headlines when his love triangle drama emerged in The Sun.
He remained tight-lipped on his social media accounts as reports connected him to a series of glamorous women.
But the 26-year-old broke cover on Sunday when he posted a clip on Instagram from the Etihad stands as he took his seat for City’s 3-0 victory over Everton.
SOB STORY
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer choked back the tears in one last Manchester United interview after being given the chop at Old Trafford.
The emotional ex-boss admitted he knew his days were numbered as his United side won just once in their last seven Premier League games.
And he voiced his support for his assistant Michael Carrick, who has been installed as caretaker as club officials look for an interim manager until the summer.
A tearful Solskjaer said: “You know what this club means to me and what I wanted to achieve here. For the club, for the fans, for the players, for the staff.
“I wanted us to take the next step to challenge for the league, to win trophies and I only think it’s right that it comes from the horse’s mouth.
“This club means everything to me and together we’re a good match, but unfortunately I couldn’t get the results we needed and it’s time for me to step aside.”
ROSS REVIVAL
Leeds United are reportedly targeting Chelsea outcast Ross Barkley, who has only played 126 minutes of Premier League football this term.
According to the Daily Mail, Leeds are monitoring Barkley’s situation at Chelsea ahead of a possible January transfer.
The Englishman was an unused substitute in Saturday’s 3-0 convincing win over Leicester City.
And Barkley has only played 126 minutes this term in the league, failing to register a goal or an assist.
Barkley – who spent last season on loan at Aston Villa – has a number of Prem suitors.
YOUNG LEADER
Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard has hailed Ashley Young as an outstanding example for the young players at the club.
He said: “I know Ashley extremely well and he’s been absolutely outstanding since we walked through the door.
“Not just on the training pitch but his leadership and standard-setting.”
“We see players like him as an outer-layer of the staff, if you like, who really help us when we need to lean on him.
He was ready today and the big thing about Ash is he can play right-back, left-back, he can play as an eight, a 10 or wide.
That’s what good players allow you to do as a manager, allow you to play in different ways.”
CONOR CREDIT
Conor McGregor heaped praise on ‘icon, inspiration, hero, legend’ Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following his sacking.
The Norwegian was axed by Manchester United on Sunday morning following his side’s latest horror show, this time at Watford.
But UFC superstar and massive Red Devils fan McGregor was quick to laud Solskjaer.
And the Irishman will forever hold the dismissed manager in high regard, especially after the 1999 Champions League heroics.
McGregor, tipped to buy shares in the Old Trafford club in April, tweeted on Sunday lunchtime: “I want to give a major shout out, and a huge thank you to the living legend that is Ole Gunnar Solskjær!
“Ole you are forever, Sir! Icon! Inspiration! Hero! Legend! Thank you Ole.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
