LIONEL MESSI has reportedly been offered a stunning contract offer by French champions PSG.
Elsewhere, Erik Ten Hag has emerged as the favourite for the Tottenham manager after the departure of Jose Mourinho.
And John Stones is in line for a £39m new contract after reviving his Man City career, as exclusively revealed by SunSport.
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Follow ALL of the latest news and updates below…
‘BITTERSWEET’
Harry Kane has given a clear sign he is considering his Tottenham future by claiming individual awards count for little if he cannot win major trophies.
He said: “Individual awards are great, they are fantastic achievements.
“As much as this is great, I want to be winning the biggest prizes that there is to offer as a team and we are not quite doing that.
“When I look back at the end of my career, I will go over it and take in a little bit more. The goal right now as a player is to win team trophies.
“It is bittersweet. I would rather be winning team trophies and this award. It is what it is.
“For sure, if I finish my career as Premier League top goalscorer and, hopefully, England top goalscorer, that’d be incredible.
“But it wouldn’t feel as good if I didn’t have a lot of team trophies to go with that. If I didn’t have the Premier League or a European Championships to go with that.”
Harry Kane has hinted he could quit Tottenham in order to win ‘team trophies’ CALL A CEB
Arsenal loanee Dani Ceballos has dropped a major hint that he could be set to return to parent club Real Madrid in the summer.
The 24-year-old Spaniard joined the Gunners on a season-long loan deal at the beginning of the 2019-20 campaign and impressed in England with his creativity and range of passing.
His loan was then extended last summer and he has enjoyed another good campaign in North London.
But while it would seem Arsenal fans are intent on keeping him on a more permanent basis, comments from Ceballos now appear to suggest he will not stay.
Speaking to Onda Cero, he said: “I’m learning a lot in the Premier [League] but I think LaLiga is better for my game.”
Ceballos looks set to return to Real Madrid at the end of the season EXIT POLL
Real Madrid are fighting to have Marcelo available for next week’s clash with Chelsea after he was called up for election duty.
Voters will pick their candidates for the Assembly of Madrid on Tuesday May 4, the day before the Champions League semi-final second leg.
According to El Mundo, Marcelo, 32, has been randomly selected to monitor a polling station in the Spanish capital.
That would prevent him from joining his Real team-mates in flying to London on Tuesday.
Local authorities have reportedly argued that he can jet off on the day of the game after working at the ballot box, but that would encounter issues with Uefa’s coronavirus protocols.
Travelling separately from the rest of the squad would break Madrid’s Covid bubble.
Therefore Los Blancos have filed an appeal to have the left-back, who is a Spanish citizen, removed from the post.
It is said that Marcelo is deeply unhappy about the call-up and his entourage, as well as Real bosses, are working on overturning the decision.
Marcelo is hoping to be available for next week’s second legCredit: Reuters
SHAW THING
Manchester United star Luke Shaw has spoken of his ‘motivation’ to reach the Europa League final, after missing his side’s 2017 triumph through injury.
The England star said: “Personally, for me it’s a massive motivation.
“As you said then, I’ve been quite unfortunate to not be involved in semis and finals, so of course I’m really looking forward to tomorrow night to step out in one.
“But, of course, from a team point of view, it’s very important. In the past, we’ve missed out on a few finals and I think this season, the way we’ve been playing, the way the confidence is high, we’ve got real belief that we can reach it.
“Like I said, it’s a massive motivation for not just me, but for the whole team to reach the final. It’s a game we’re looking forward to tomorrow and one we’re very ready for.”
Luke Shaw has been in sensational formCredit: PA SKRIN BUSINESS
Tottenham are now unlikely to sign Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar this summer, according to reports.
Sacked former manager Jose Mourinho reportedly wanted his team to break the bank to sign the Slovakian ace.
But according to Fabrizio Romano, Spurs are now likely to look at other options, now that Mourinho is no longer in charge,
Milan Skriniar was on Tottenham’s radar last summerCredit: Getty ART DEALER
Former Arsenal boss Unai Emery has revealed that he chatted with his replacement Mikel Arteta shortly before his appointment in 2019.
Speaking ahead of his Villarreal side’s clash with the Gunners tomorrow, Emery said: “A common friend interceded and it was good for me because I had to leave my home in London.
“So apart from talking about football and my job at Arsenal, I suggested he take over my house, although in the end it was a player who took it.
“Of course I knew Arteta from before. He is from San Sebastian, just like me, so we were practically neighbours.
“So in the call we spoke a little bit about my time at Arsenal, in a positive way, and what I had lived through.
“I just wanted to tell him about my experience there, what I thought could be helpful for him and maybe one or two things that could be improved in a personal way.”
Unai Emery was sacked by Arsenal in November 2019Credit: Reuters WHEN IN ROMA
Manchester United host Roma in their Europa League semi-final first leg tomorrow night.
And here is how SunSport’s Dave Fraser thinks that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will line his men up at Old Trafford.
How Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could line his side up tomorrow night MORE FROM DANIEL EK
Here is some more of what prospective Arsenal buyer Daniel Ek had to say to CNBC this afternoon.
He added: “I’ve been an Arsenal fan since I was eight-years-old.
“Arsenal is my team. I love the history, I love the players and of course, I love the fans.
“So, as I look at that, I see a tremendous opportunity to set a real vision for the club, to bring it back to its glory.
“I want to establish trust with the fans, and I want to engage the fans again.”
Ek, 38, has been an Arsenal fan for 30 yearsCredit: Getty BLOOMIN’ EK!
Prospective Arsenal buyer Daniel Ek has been speaking to CNBC about his potential Gunners takeover.
The Swede, 38, said: “I’m very serious, I have secured the funds for it and I want to bring a very compelling offer to the owners and I hope they hear me out.
“I certainly didn’t expect this will happen overnight and I prepared for this to be a long journey.”
The Spotify chief wants to buy ArsenalCredit: AFP
EMERGENCY WARD
Carla Ward is urging Birmingham City’s owners to invest in their women’s team or make way for others who will, according to reports.
The Daily Mail claims Ward wants the club to ramp up their support for Blues’ WSL outfit which she believes will be vital for her side’s future.
Ward, 37 said: “It’s do or die, support and kick on or make way for others clubs who want to invest.”
And her impassioned plea comes ahead of her tenth-placed side’s derby with Aston Villa who are eleventh and second from bottom.
It also comes just weeks after her first team players wrote to their board slamming conditions and facilities provided for the women’s team.
The Birmingham chief revealed she is fully supported by her squad and that she is currently the only full-time coaching member of staff for her side.
WHAM-BAM
Patrick Bamford revealed Marcelo Bielsa is wearing wonky glasses because the Leeds striker smashed a ball at his face in training.
The England-hopeful, 27, said: “There was one time this season where we were doing a crossing drill. He always positions himself in an awkward place.
“The ball has come in and I’ve connected with it so sweetly on my left foot. It’s near the top corner and he’s stood right inside the goal.
“I’ve not seen him so I’ve just hit the ball and it has come flush right off the bridge of his nose. All I saw were his glasses fly about 10 metres!
“He’s walked off holding his nose and I’m saying ‘Sorry, sorry’, obviously s*****g myself. He’s gone a little bit angrily, ‘De nada, de nada, it’s nothing’.
“He’s walked past us five minutes later to go and see the physio and he has a big cut across his nose.
“He’s using the same glasses now and they’re not straight, they’re wonky. I feel bad – I should really get him a new pair but I’m scared to bring it up again!”
Marcelo Bielsa is still wearing the wonky glasses after Patrick Bamford broke them in a training drill gone wrong ALL CHANGE
Dele Alli has shown off a dramatic new look after turning up to Tottenham training with dreadlocks.
The Spurs star, 25, has been spotted with longer hair in recent weeks, including during his substitute appearance in the Carabao Cup final defeat at the hands of Manchester City on Sunday.
And now it seems Dele had a plan in mind after turning up to training with dreadlocks.
Tottenham team-mate Steven Bergwijn shared a short clip on his Instagram story.
In the video – captioned ‘rockstar’ by the Dutch winger – Dele can be seen sitting in the changing room shaking his new hair with Joe Hart watching on.
Dele Alli has shown off his new ‘rockstar’ hair do after getting dreadlocks EUR KIDDING ME
Arsenal and Manchester United have been told they will play in front of a 10,000 crowd if they reach next month’s Europa League Final.
But fans of the two Prem sides are unlikely to be allowed to travel to Poland – with local supporters set to be the only people allowed through the gates.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has announced a series of new measures as the country emerges from the Covid crisis.
That includes outdoor sports stadiums being able to open their turnstiles to up 25 per cent of capacities from May 15.
The Europa League Final is scheduled for the Stadion Miejski in Gdansk on May 26.
It is the home ground of Lechia Gdansk and has an all-seater capacity of 41,620. That will allow potentially 10,405 fans inside for the Final.
LEW BEGINNING
Robert Lewandowski is entertaining several offers from top European clubs, according to reports.
Bayern Munich are set to undergo a monster overhaul this summer.
Julian Nagelsmann is taking over from Hansi Flick as manager at the end of this season.
David Alaba is leaving after 13 years at the club, with Jerome Boateng also set to bring his glittering spell at the Allianz Arena to an end.
And now Lewandowski, 32, could be joining them with agent Pini Zahavi in contract with ‘several’ top clubs, according to Sky Sports.
Lewandowski – winner of Fifa’s The Best Men’s Player award for 2020 – has spent seven years at Bayern, scoring an astonishing 288 goals in 326 games.
CROWN JULES
Sevilla are interested in taking Chelsea playmaker Hakim Ziyech as part of the Blues’ bid for Jules Kounde, according to reports in Spain.
French defender Kounde is rumoured to be one of the hottest properties of the summer transfer market.
A strong second season with Sevilla has helped put the LaLiga club in position for an unlikely late title challenge.
And Manchester United are said to be monitoring the player, along with Chelsea.
Spanish outlet El Gol Digital have claimed that Ziyech could be key to unlocking the deal.
Selling the midfielder as part of Kounde’s move to West London could reportedly chop 50 per cent off the transfer fee.
WAGE RAGE
Liverpool have risen above Manchester United in the Premier League wage bill standings – but still sit miles adrift of Manchester City.
The official salary totals for the 2019-20 season have now been confirmed.
Across last season, the Reds paid out a whopping £325million in player wages.
Meanwhile, Manchester City still top the pile, shelling out an extraordinary £351m on wages last season.
Man Utd sit third on the list – miles adrift of their local rivals – on £284m, despite David De Gea signing a massive £375,000-a-week contract at the start of the season.
Last season, Chelsea spent just £1m less than United on wages at £283m.
Arsenal and Tottenham ran the tightest ship wage-wise, spending just £225m and £181m respectively last term.
GIGGS IN COURT
Ryan Giggs has arrived at court this morning charged with attacking his ex-girlfriend.
The Manchester United legend, 47, is accused of causing actual bodily harm to PR executive Kate Greville, 36, at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester.
The former United star and Wales national team manager faces an additional charge of engaging in coercive or controlling behaviour against her over a three-year period.
It’s claimed that throughout their three-year relationship – between December 2017 and November 2020 – Giggs used “harassment, humiliation, degradation and abuse” against Kate.
Giggs has also been charged with common assault against her younger sister Emma.
Police were called to Giggs’ £1.7million mansion at 10.05pm on November 1 last year after reports of a disturbance. He was arrested and later bailed pending further inquiries.
Ryan Giggs appeared at court this morning SCU-DEBT-O
Inter Milan players are reportedly ready to give up their Serie A title bonuses to help the club’s crippling debt problem.
A figure topping £548million has been reported with Serie A clubs owing a total of £2.4bn.
Inter owners Suning and club president Steven Zhang have sought emergency investment for some months now following financial difficulties in their home country of China.
And the coronavirus pandemic, alongside the team’s early exit from the Champions League, have exacerbated their problems.
Therefore, according to FCInter1908, the Nerazzurri squad has come to an amicable agreement with club bosses.
They will reportedly waive their title win bonuses if they see out their 11-point lead in the final weeks of the season.
The decision comes after the dressing room agreed to a wage deferral late last year.
TUCH OF CLASS
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has revealed his side were forced into a last-minute tactical change after seeing Real Madrid’s line-up on Tuesday night.
In his post-match press conference Tuchel confirmed he was not prepared for Real lining up in a 3-5-2 formation.
Speaking to reporters, he said: “So we prepared [for] a 4-3-3.
“When we saw the line-up we had a quick talk in the dressing room to slightly change who has to do what with the two strikers and the three in the middle.
“We had to adapt.”
Real lined up with three centre-backs, a packed midfield and Karim Benzema partnered by Vinicius Junior upfront.
VAR-CICAL
Bungling officials Chris Kavanagh and Peter Bankes have escaped any censure for sending off Fabian Balbuena for kicking a ball – despite the red card being overturned.
Ref Kavanagh and VAR Bankes were slated for dismissing West Ham star Balbuena during the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in the crucial top-four battle last Saturday.
The Paraguayan had launched a clearance upfield as the Hammers were desperately trying to get back on level terms, with his follow through catching Ben Chilwell.
Ref Kavanagh initially ignored the contact but was urged to reconsider by VAR Bankes who watched the incident in super-slow motion and freeze frame several times before even making his mind up.
Kavanagh then changed his mind and brandished the red, leading to universal criticism of how they reached their decision.
Balbuena won his appeal when an independent panel unanimously ruled no offence was committed, but the PGMOL are sticking behind the officials.
Refereeing bosses believe the pair made “subjective” decisions, so have no need for any censure even though they went against guidance to consider the incident in real time.
BEST OF THE BEST
PSG travel to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie.
Neither club has ever won Europe’s premier competition – and both owners have poured billions of pounds into their squads in a bid to fix that.
PSG reached last year’s final, losing to Bayern Munich – while City have never progressed beyond the semis.
A win or even a score-draw in the French capital would put Pep Guardiola and Co in good stead.
And with so many star players on show, it’s impossible to predict who will come out on top.
Take a look at how SunSport whittled down the two star-studded squads into one mouthwatering combined XI.
KANT BE STOPPED
N’Golo Kante put in a supreme shift on Tuesday night as Chelsea secured an impressive 1-1 draw at Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie.
Los Blancos managed just one shot on target all game – Karim Benzema’s equaliser following Christian Pulisic’s first-half opener.
And Kante played a huge role in keeping them at arm’s length.
The 2018 World Cup winner was involved in a team-high 21 duels, made seven recoveries, one interception, one block and one key tackle in frustrating Madrid.
Those stats are all the more impressive when you consider Kante was tasked with keeping star trio Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro at bay.
But he was just as busy in attack, completing a team-high six dribbles, completing 87.5 per cent of his 56 passes, touching the ball 80 times and even whipping in two crosses.
CREAM OF THE CROP
Bruno Fernandes has been the cream of the crop for Manchester United this season… and the secret to his udderly brilliant performances could be down to his relentless milk intake.
The Portuguese superstar has been spotted by eagle-eyed viewers sipping on the white stuff from the substitute bench during moments throughout the season.
During a Q&A with Red Devil supporters, one asked why he has stopped his ritual, with Fernandes was eager to reassure he is still downing milk.
As reported on United’s official site, he said: “I don’t stop drinking milk. It’s just that the coach is substituting me less than before.
“Before, he changed me a lot of times and I think in the last games I was not coming off a lot of times so you never see me with the milk.
“But, honestly, I don’t know if it is milk – sometimes it’s milk and sometimes it’s water with some stuff to help us [with the] recovery.
“But it’s okay, the milkman for me, I like milk so it’s okay, don’t worry about that. I still do it but sometimes in the dressing room, sometimes I take that drink to my home to drink.”
WORK OF ART
Mikel Arteta has revealed that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Kieran Tierney are all in contention to feature against Villarreal on Thursday.
Speaking in his pre-match conference, he said: “They are all in contention all of them including Aubameyang, including Laca, including Kieran.”
There were fears that Tierney could be out for the season after he picked up a knee injury in the 3-0 defeat against Liverpool.
But Arteta has stated that Tierney is close to full match fitness, as he remarked: “He didn’t need the surgery that we were afraid of.
“He’s been working like a beast every single day. I don’t know if he’s going to make it tomorrow but he certainly wants to be as close as possible.”
RED ALERT
Liverpool remain poised to sign RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate despite the revelation that his release clause is £40million.
The 21-year-old Frenchman has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield over the past few months.
But The Telegraph are reporting that the buyout clause in his contract means the Reds will have to stump up £40m if they are to complete the deal.
This could potentially prove difficult for Jurgen Klopp’s side following the announcement on Tuesday that Liverpool posted a pre-tax loss of £46million in the year up until May 2020.
Konate has been linked with a move to Liverpool for some time
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
