ERLING HAALAND’S representatives have held a positive meeting with Barcelona regarding a potential transfer to the club.
Agent Mino Raiola and dad Alf-Inge Haaland flew to Spain and met with Barca president Joan Laporta as Europe’s top clubs vie for the Norwegian’s signature.
And no sooner than they were done there did they fly across the country to meet with Real Madrid.
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HOWE ABOUT THAT
Eddie Howe is poised to become Celtic’s new manager.
SunSport understands the Hoops’ leading candidate to replace Neil Lennon has agreed in principle to take the role.
And barring a last-ditch change of heart, the former Bournemouth manager, 43, is expected to sign a contract worth up to £2million a year and be officially announced early next week.
The fine details of the deal were being ironed out on Friday night, but Celts’ chiefs are confident they will get their man.
Howe has been in a strong negotiating position since Celtic’s major shareholder Dermot Desmond made clear he was the one they wanted during a midweek London summit, as revealed by SunSport.
LION IN WAIT
Joe Cole is a surprise contender to become England Under-21 boss.
Current coach Aidy Boothroyd is set for the axe following the disastrous European Championship campaign.
England’s colts finished bottom of their group and Boothroyd then further damaged his chances of staying on by describing the role as an “utterly impossible job”.
Former Chelsea and England midfielder Cole, 39, obtained his Uefa A licence a year ago and is passionate about making a move into management.
He is also passionate about our national team.
Since retiring as a player, Cole has worked as a coach in the academy of his old club.
He has also been to England’s HQ at St George’s Park to study training sessions and give talks to youth players.
Cole’s old Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard and current QPR boss Mark Warburton have also been touted as possible successors to Boothroyd.
FER REAL
Manchester United fans are excited by Bruno Fernandes’ return to action this weekend.
KEEPER CONUNDRUM
Ole Gunnar Solskajer is agonising over who to make his number one goalkeeper in the final Premier League run-in.
Dean Henderson has enjoyed a run of six games while David De Gea was given time off for the birth of his first child.
Solskjaer said: “It’s difficult to leave one of them out. It’s easy to give the nod they’ll play, it’s difficult to leave one out. Where there can be potential tension and controversy, everyone wants to hear a comment from me.
“They are both top goalkeepers and both of them want to play as much as possible. But who we pick will be decided on merit and we have to think of who’s going give us a win on any given day.
“Both will be needed in these final nine league games and five in the Europa League because we want to go all the way in that.”
KLOPP ON
Jurgen Klopp has admitted that Liverpool cannot afford to waste any more points if they are to make top four.
He told Sky Sports: “Yes, it must be for us. There’s a lot to go for. We’re not in the best position to fight for the Champions League spots but it’s clear we’ll fight for it and if not then for the other European spots.
“It’s our job and that’s what we want. We want to be as successful as possible. At the beginning of the season, we had different targets which is normal but we’re now here in our reality and the position is not as bad as it could’ve been so we’re going to try everything to squeeze something out of this season.
“There are other teams in better positions, so we have to make sure that we can chase them but whether that’s possible or not will be decided in the specific games, like on Saturday against Arsenal. We don’t have many points to waste anymore and a tough programme coming up. When you’re in the situation we’re in, you’ve not got a lot to lose as well so let’s go for it.”
SOL MATES
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is refusing to be drawn into a public battle to land Erling Haaland.
He said: “Even though I worked with Erling it’s not right for me as Manchester United manager to talk about Erling, he will make his own mind up.
“I’m focusing on the next two months and whatever happens in the world of football there is only so many places anyone can go to and I just, focus on the ones who are here.”
ALL ON ROO
Wayne Rooney has suggested that Derby have an agreement with Manchester United to sign Teden Mengi next season.
WERNING LIGHT
An unusual show of support for Timo Werner from Tuchel Thomas today.
HEAD’S GONE
Oxford have called in cops after accusing an unknown Sunderland staff member of headbutting goalkeeper Jack Stevens.
The U’s lost a bad-tempered League One clash 3-1 today but two tunnel clashes at the break and full-time whistle left boss Karl Robinson raging.
He said: “Yes something happened but we’ll let the police deal with that.
“It’s funny because they usually have more TV cameras than any other clubs in world football for the last two-and-a-half years with the documentaries.
“But for some unknown reason there wasn’t one in the tunnel at half time for the first time in three years.
“Their players seen it, but what happened I will keep that quiet.
“Our goalkeeper will make a charge and at the end of the game it shows how severe it was because the fourth official asked the person who it was to leave early to get out the way.
“It shows you again the conduct of what they do when they score the winner right in front of our bench.
“I’m furious and there’s so many things I could say but we have to keep our dignity at times an plead the fifth.”
ROR POTENTIAL
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has hailed Liam Delap’s “incredible” progress and promised the 18-year-old striker a first-team spot next season.
Guardiola said: “Liam is doing incredibly well – we are in touch with Enzo Maresca to see how (EDS players) are developing.
“Next season he will be with us, training with us every day.”
HOW DID HE MISS?
Miss of the season from Reading’s Lucas Joao in their 1-1 draw with Barnsley.
ROLE TO PLAY
Teddy Sheringham has revealed how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer felt being a bench role during Manchester United’s iconic treble season.
He told the club’s website: “Ole and I definitely had a similar philosophy on being substitutes.
“I mean, you don’t want to be known as or called a ‘super sub’ or a ‘great sub’. I played a lot of games.
“In the latter part of my career, I came on and scored goals as a sub and people remember that.
“It’s fine. Not a problem, but there is the first part of my career people need to remember as well. But you do have to get your head around it.”
CLATT’S OFF
Mark Clattenburg hailed Rebecca Welch’s EFL refereeing appointment as a major leap forward for the men’s game.
He told Sky Sports: “Rebecca Welch is an amazing story because she didn’t start until 27 so this is very late.
“To achieve what she has done in 10 years, I want to wish her the best because this is her first step.
“I remember at 25 when I first refereed a football league game and that was unheard of.
“To break those barriers is so important, so everybody will be watching Rebecca.
“We all want to wish her well because this is the stepping stone that can enhance and make women more accepted in the men’s game.”
TOP MARCS
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hopeful both Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood will be fit to face Brighton this weekend.
He said: “As always when you send them away on an international break you keep your fingers crossed they’ll be available for you.
“I don’t know about Anthony (Martial), he didn’t join in training this morning but Marcus and Mason trained for the first time this morning and hopefully they can get through that with no reaction.
“And if they complete the selection tomorrow they might be available for selection.”
FLYING FOXES
Jonathan Morgan is out for revenge against London City Lionesses with Leicester on the verge of sealing their dream promotion.
An Easter Sunday win against the only team to have beaten the Foxes in the Women’s Championship would guarantee them a WSL spot.
He said: “I’ve said to the girls that I want to get a little bit of revenge for that loss to London City because it was such a, such a big loss for us and it was a bit unexpected.
“But it was also a sliding door moment in the season because it highlighted some of our weaknesses and vulnerabilities, which we were able to shore up as you can see in the 11 wins since,
“We need to treat this game the same as we have treated all the others.
“We want to play our best and win the game, but obviously this week is different because those three points would secure the title.
“And it would be a fitting turnaround given the last game we lost was against London City.”
ODE TO JOY
Arsenal look set to be without academy graduates Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe for their clash against Liverpool on Saturday.
Commenting on the 19-year-old, Mikel Arteta said: “He hasn’t trained with the team yet. He’s been doing some individual work.
“We had to pull him out of the squad. He’s feeling better but hasn’t trained with the team yet.”
Addressing Smith Rowe on Thursday, the ex-Everton midfielder added: “He has some discomfort in his hip.
“We will see today with the physios and if he’s okay for training tomorrow.”
BOO-HOO CAMP
Dani Olmo has revealed he was forced “against his will” before he joined Barcelona juniors to pose for a photo with Lionel Messi.
He told The Players Tribune: “Once, before even joining La Masia, I accompanied my father while he was directing a game in Castelldefels.
“I was eight. I was playing alone and happy, when someone – I think it was a friend of dad’s – approached me and said, ‘Hey, Dani, come here! You won’t believe it. You can take a picture with Lionel Messi!’
“Wow, Messi, right? In Castelldefels? What kid wouldn’t want a picture with him? Well, me!
“I said something like, “No thanks. I’m fine. I want to keep playing! It’s just a picture, right?’
“But against my will they put me next to Messi and took the photo.”
SMALL PRICE TO PAY
Manchester United have reportedly entered the race for Everton defender Thierry Small.
The Express claim the 16-year-old could leave Goodison Park on a free transfer following limited first-team opportunities.
And United are set to rival Arsenal, Brentford, Brighton and even Bayern Munich for the Everton academy graduate’s signature.
But the report adds that Small is ready to spurn the advances of any big clubs with playing time his current priority.
SUNDERLAND 3 OXFORD 1
The Black Cats continued their march to promotion as they came from behind to beat Oxford 3-1 ahead of the crunch trip to Peterborough.
Lee Johnson’s men stretched their unbeaten run in League One to 11 as Lynden Gooch, AIden McGeady and Max Power struck after James Henry’s opener.
Read SunSport’s match report HERE.
HA LA LAND
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is refusing to be drawn into a public battle to land Erling Haaland.
ROR POTENTIAL
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has hailed Liam Delap’s “incredible” progress and promised the 18-year-old striker a first-team spot next season.
Guardiola said: “Liam is doing incredibly well – we are in touch with Enzo Maresca to see how (EDS players) are developing.
“Next season he will be with us, training with us every day.”
GOAL HAAL
Erling Haaland is Manchester United’s best bet if they are to sign a striker in the summer, according to Paul Scholes.
He told the Webby & O’Neill show: “[United] need a No9.
“I think the forwards they have are very good, but are any of them really a No9, or are they wide players? You just can’t make sense out of it really.
“When Cavani’s played, he’s looked alright but he’s had a few injuries. He’s at that age. It was always going to happen, he was always going to be bit-part.
“They need someone who is more permanent who’s out there and available. I know Haaland is talked about a lot, he’s going to cost a lot of money.
“Harry Kane at Spurs, there’s rumours that he might want to leave there.
“I think any one of them, you take any one of them, but I think if I had to choose, then Haaland would definitely be the one.
“Purely for his age, great ability as well, the timing of his career, he’s played under Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] before…
“I think it would make sense for everyone to do it, but there’s going to be other clubs in for him which is going to be difficult.”
WIN THE LOTTI
Chelsea are reportedly lining up an £85million swoop for Torino’s Andrea Belotti.
The Blues are said to be interested in the 27-year-old striker who has bagged 11 goals and six assists in 25 Serie A appearances this season.
Corriere Granato reports Chelsea are one of four interested Premier League sides.
High flying West Ham, Jose Mourinho’s Spurs and Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton are the other teams mentioned.
Thomas Tuchel’s side could look to recruit the Torino skipper as a slightly cheaper alternative to Erling Haaland or former forward Romelu Lukaku.
ALL BEHIND ROO
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney finally hung up his boots this season with his Old Trafford legacy poised to remain for generations.
PUSH AND PAUL
Paulo Dybala is reportedly set to be sold by Juventus following a breach of lockdown rules.
Team-mates Arthur Melo and Weston McKennie attended an alleged gathering with the striker after Italy introduced strict coronavirus measures.
Media reports suggest police were called to the dinner, which included several people, and the club has reacted furiously.
The trio are set to be left out of Saturday’s local derby with Torino and have all reportedly been fined.
According to CalcioMercato, the episode has added further fuel to the fire of Dybala’s exit from the team.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
