LIONEL MESSI is willing to join Man City if they pay him a huge £500,000-a-week after tax, SunSport can exclusively reveal.
Meanwhile Real Madrid are in contact with Massimiliano Allegri, with Zinedine Zidane reportedly almost certain to leave the club at the end of the season.
And Cristiano Ronaldo’s future is still up in the air with the Portuguese ace reportedly looking at a Juventus exit.
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Follow ALL of the latest news and updates below…
GONE FOR A SONG
La Liga have brought Villarreal’s final league match against Real Madrid forward due to the Eurovision Song Contest – and that won’t be music to Ole Gunner Solskjaer’s ears.
The Spanish side were due to face Zinedine Zidane’s team on Sunday, May 23 but the match will now take place the day before.
All LaLiga fixtures have been moved to avoid clashing with the annual ‘song’ competition – which starts on Saturday at 8pm UK time.
Most games will now take place at 5pm and, as Atletico Madrid and local rivals Real can both still win the title, they will play at the same time.
Villarreal had asked for the game to be moved to Saturday to give them an extra day to prepare for the Europa League final against Manchester United on Wednesday, May 26.
Today’s news will please the Spanish club but will frustrate the Red Devils, who face Wolves in their final Premier League game on Sunday afternoon.
One United fan wrote on Twitter: “Nice of LaLiga to move Villarreal’s game back a day… no such consideration from the Premier League for United, though.”
OLI OUT
OLI McBURNIE has tonight confirmed he’s OUT of Scotland’s Euros squad.
The Sheffield United striker has failed to recover from a broken foot in time.
Heartbroken McBurnie revealed he will be missing when Steve Clarke names his 26-man squad on Wednesday.
He said: “Qualifying for the Euros with my country was the best moment of my career so far.
“Not to be able to go to that tournament with the boys is heartbreaking for me.
“I’m devastated that I suffered a fractured metatarsal against Arsenal.
“It has ruled me out for the rest of the season and has unfortunately ruled me out for the Euros.”
KAN GO
MANCHESTER CITY are the favourites to sign England captain Harry Kane this summer.
That’s according to Betfair, who are also offering good odds for the Tottenham striker to move to Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.
He’s reportedly told the club he wants to leave this summer in a bid to win silverware.
Should he be allowed to leave, there will be plenty of big clubs willing to snap him up.
Harry Kane next club odds before September 3
- Manchester City 7/4
- Manchester United 13/5
- Paris Saint-Germain 10/1
- Chelsea 14/1
- Real Madrid 20/1
- Juventus 25/1
- Barcelona 66/1
CHEL-SKYI
Chelsea are planning a summer raid for Atalanta midfield magician Ruslan Malinovskyi, according to reports.
The £20million-rated Ukraine international playmaker has had an outstanding season, scoring nine goals and make 12 assists in 41 games.
Malinovskyi is also understood to be a target for newly-crowned Serie A champions Inter Milan as well as Paris Saint-Germain.
However Chelsea’s Russian ownership would offer the 33-cap Ukraine ace extra temptation to move to Stamford Bridge.
But reports in Ukraine and Belgium now claim Chelsea will test Atalanta’s resolve to keep him with a substantial post-season bid.
HARRY OFF?
Harry Kane has reportedly told Tottenham again he wants to leave this summer.
Sky Sports claims Spurs are ‘now making enquiries about replacement centre-forwards’ to fill the huge void should their talisman depart.
And they state this is the ‘first indication that the club are willing to consider the feelings’ of Kane.
Manchester United and City have both been linked with bumper moves for the hotshot.
And Chelsea have also allegedly been in contact with Kane’s representatives CK66 to express their desire to sign the England star.
GIN & TONIC
Tottenham have reportedly made an offer for Monchengladbach’s Matthias Ginter, with Liverpool and Inter Milan also interested.
Gladbach are desperate to sort out his future and are keen to tie him down to a new deal, as he has just over a year remaining on his contract.
However, Ginter allegedly wants time to consider potential offers from interested parties, which would open the door to a switch to England.
Bild claims that there is currently a game of ‘contract poker’ going on between the player and the Bundesliga side.
They are demanding a fee of at least £30m for their prized asset should they decide to cash in over the summer.
SHARPE SHOOTER
Former Manchester United winger Lee Sharpe believes Bruno Fernandes is still ‘not at Kevin De Bruyne’s’ level.
The Portuguese star has been phenomenal since his arrival from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020 and is their top scorer this season.
Sharpe told GentingBet: “The jury is still out for me on Bruno Fernandes in terms of him being one of the very top players in the League.
“He does something magical; he’ll spray a pass somewhere or score a decent goal, or a free kick, and then he’ll spend 10-15 minutes of the game giving the ball away really cheaply.
“I’m not sure whether that’s just a form thing that he’s going through – or whether it’s actually him as a player.
“So, I’m reserving judgement at the moment whether he’s one of the best in the league – I think De Bruyne is right up there in the top three players in the league, I’m not sure Bruno gets into that top three.”
‘WORST DAY’
Thomas Tuchel insists Tammy Abraham’s FA Cup final axe was nothing ‘personal’ after the star’s girlfriend slammed the Chelsea boss.
The striker was not even named on the bench as the Blues lost the showpiece 1-0 to Leicester at Wembley on Saturday.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s game against Leicester on Tuesday, Tuchel said: “It’s just about the amount of people that I can nominate for a game.
“I decided to start Timo Werner in the number nine role and we had Kai Havertz and Olivier Giroud on the bench.
“So we decided not to have three number nines on the bench. This is it, it’s never personal.
“This is the worst day and worst decision for me in the whole week. Because since I arrived here everybody deserves to be in the squad.”
HIT BACK
RANGERS insist a ‘sectarian’ clip being widely shared on social media is not genuine – as they blast attempts to discredit their players with “trial by social media”.
Light Blues players are being probed by cops over a video apparently showing them using “sectarian language” during their league title win party.
The video, which is understood to have been filmed on Saturday, emerged on social media and has been shared hundreds of times.
Police confirmed an investigation has been launched into the clip which appears to show squad members chant “f**k the Pope” while singing Sweet Caroline.
However, the Light Blues say they look forward to working with Police Scotland over the matter, as they highlighted the “dangers” of social media narratives.
RON HIS WAY?
Cristian Ronaldo has fuelled speculation he is leaving Juventus by loading his £17 million car collection into a trailer.
Ronaldo, 36, has been linked with a return to first club Sporting Lisbon and is said to be getting cold shouldered by team mates who are fed up at how he is given preferential treatment by club directors.
Last week the entire squad were brought in for an extra day’s training while the Portugese international was treated to a day trip around the Ferrari HQ in Maranello near Bologna.
Now video has emerged of his car collection – which includes a Bugatti, a Mercedes jeep and a Maseratti – being loaded into a trailer overnight by a team of mechanics from a Lisbon-based company.
Footage of the night time operation was posted on an Italian football website called Per Sempre Calcio and it was filmed from a balcony overlooking the garage in Turin where the cars are stored.
Cristiano Ronaldo fuels Juventus transfer exit speculation after having £17m fleet of supercars loaded onto lorryRIO TRIPPS WALKER
RIO FERDINAND believes Gareth Southgate should pick Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold as England’s right-backs for this summer’s Euros.
Explaining his decision on BT Sport, Ferdinand said: “[Kyle] Walker I think would be the unlucky one in my squad – and he’d have really good grounds to ring me up and give me a piece of his mind.
“I like youth, I want to give youth a chance.
“I’m looking ahead as well, not just this tournament. This has been a bit of a weird lead-up – I’m looking at this as almost a free hit for someone like Gareth.
“You can introduce some young players, give them experience, really expose them to what a tournament is like.”
RON HIS WAY OUT
BARCELONA are ’99 per cent’ sure they will sack manager Ronald Koeman at the end of the season.
RAC1 report that the only way he will remain at the Nou Camp is if they cannot find a suitable replacement.
Koeman’s reign at Barca has been a disappointing one since he arrived at the beginning of the 2020-21 season.
Along with their LaLiga troubles, they were also thumped 5-2 by Paris Saint-Germain across the two legs of their Champions League last 16 tie.
OUT THE BLUE
CHELSEA are weighing up a move for non-league starlet Seb Drozd.
The Blues have been keeping close tabs on the 18-year-old, who is on the books of Isthmian League side Uxbridge, but is currently on trial with Brentford’s B team.
Drozd’s abilities were first spotted by the Blues when he featured in a showcase organised by the AG Football Academy.
The versatile left-footed teen can play as a full-back, wingback or in midfield.
And after shining in front of Chelsea’s scouts , Drozd also impressed in two games for QPR’s U18s last autumn.
A source close to Drozd said: “His style is perhaps a throwback and is similar to Damien Duff or Chris Waddle when in wide areas, but he has pace.”
GERS IN TROUBLE
Rangers have condemned the fan violence that erupted after the team was crowned champions on Saturday
An official statement read: “We are grateful to Scottish Government officials, Glasgow City Council and Police Scotland for the constructive engagement in the lead up to the weekend’s game
“A small minority of people behaved inappropriately and in a manner not reflective of our support. Some of the scenes were unacceptable and have besmirched the good name of Rangers Football Club.
“These so-called ‘fans’ should reflect upon the values and ethos of our club, and consider the damage this does to the reputation of the club.
“We will continue to engage with authorities as required.”
THE REAL DEAL
REAL MADRID are reportedly set to axe TEN players this summer in a huge transfer cull.
According to Spanish newspaper AS, top of the list is former Chelsea winger Eden Hazard.
Defender Raphael Varane, 28, could be following Hazard out the exit door.
Manchester United, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have all been linked with what would like be a £40m-plus transfer.
And the big names don’t end there. Gareth Bale, who also has another year left, will be flogged too.
EXTRA SECURITY
Exclusive by Paul Jiggins: Tottenham are to beef up security at Wednesday’s home clash with Aston Villa amid fears of more fans protests against chairman Daniel Levy and his board.
Around 500 supporters demonstrated outside their stadium on Saturday.
Another smaller protest also took place before their 2-0 home win over Wolves on Sunday – when two protestors tried to get inside the ground.
Although both protests passed without major incident, Spurs fear the mood could turn ugly when fans return for their final home match of the season against Villa.
A limited crowd of 10,000 will be at the game – the first time supporters will be allowed inside the stadium this season.
Supporters, unhappy with the way Levy and his executive board are running the club following another trophyless season and their involvement in the European Super League scandal, are planning to vent their anger again.
So the club will draft in extra stewards in a bid to ensure any protests do not get out of hand inside the stadium.
FAN THE FLAMES
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is excited to see fans back for the last two games of the season.
HOME HORROR
Neymar’s mansion was broken into BEFORE the Paris Saint-Germain star played and scored in a 4-0 thrashing of Reims.
That victory meant the Ligue 1 title will be settled on the final game – but it wouldn’t be surprising for Neymar’s focus to be temporarily elsewhere.
According to French newspaper L’Equipe, a man managed to scale a perimeter wall and came ‘within metres’ of the front door.
There are various reports that he was ‘clutching bibles’ and ‘spreading the word of God’.
AL OUT
Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to miss out on England’s Euro 2020 squad, it’s claimed.
The report comes despite his impressive performances during the season run-in.
And while Alexander-Arnold has made a strong case to be selected, The Athletic have reported that it remains ‘improbable’ he will land a place in the 26-man squad.
This is because Southgate is still unsure about his ability to balance his attacking qualities with the defensive solidity required.
The decision is not said to be a reflection of the Liverpool man’s talent or character, more a result of the way Southgate wants his England team to play.
NOT GUNNAR HELP
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says his players have been suffering due to fans protests.
Thousands laid siege to Old Trafford and the team hotel forcing their game with Liverpool to be postponed.
There were more protests against the club’s owners the Glazers before the game against Leicester last week too.
And Solskjaer said: “I think the mood in any club and the relationship between the team and the fans is vital to what happens on the pitch.”
Solskjaer believes the protests and subsequent fixture pile up was the reason for them losing their last two games at home to Leicester and Liverpool.
He said: “I just didn’t want to use it as an excuse because we lost two games but surely it’s a reason behind the performances.”
NOTHING RON
Cristiano Ronaldo was ‘happy to be subbed’ for the first time ever, according to Juventus boss Andrea Pirlo.
The Portuguese superstar was replaced by Alvaro Morata with 20 minutes left of Juve’s dramatic 3-2 win over Inter Milan on Saturday but apparently remained ‘happy and smiling’ in the dressing room.
Pirlo told Sky Italia: “I think it was the first time he was happy to be subbed off.
“We were one man down, and he’d have been chasing shadows. He was happy and smiling in the dressing room.”
TUCH UP NEEDED
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel faces some huge selection decisions ahead of his side’s crunch Premier League clash with Leicester on Tuesday night.
Mateo Kovacic is continuing his return to fitness after 10 games out and will hope to be back for this one in place of Jorginho.
Here’s how the Blues could line up…
CITY SLICKER
Riyad Mahrez has handed Manchester City a huge pre-Champions League final boost – by insisting he wants to see out his career at the Etihad.
The Algeria winger has won six trophies with Pep Guardiola’s side since arriving from Leicester in 2018.
And the former Foxes ace has no intention of moving on to pastures new, telling RMC: “I feel great at Manchester City, and I have no wish to look elsewhere.
“I don’t yet know what my situation will be, but I am happy at City – and they are the club where I want to be.
“People have spoken about me ending my career with Marseille, but that is not something I think about.
“I want to finish my career in England, with City. I don’t foresee myself at Marseille.”
A-MAD FOR IT
Alternatively, Amad Diallo could be given another chance to impress following his exploits in the defeat at Leicester.
As a result, Mason Greenwood would be pushed up-top with Cavani rested.
RED RESHUFFLE
Manchester United host Fulham at Old Trafford on Tuesday night and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is without four big names.
Harry Magure, Anthony Martial, Phil Jones and Dan James are all out with the Norwegian set to hand Axel Tuanzebe a start at centre-back.
The Cottagers are already relegated and with United focused on the Europa League final it is being billed as something of a dead rubber.
Here’s how they could line-up…
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
