Messi ‘close’ to new Barcelona contract, Chelsea ‘confident of Donnarumma on free’ – Liverpool and Spurs transfer news

WAT A RESULT

Ollie Watkins’ debut will be celebrated far and wide but especially in Brentford and Exeter.

The Aston Villa striker netted as a substitute on his debut in the 5-0 win over San Marino.

Brentford and Exeter will reportedly share £1million after former striker Watkins won his first England cap.

Villa signed Watkins from the Bees last summer in a heavily-incentivised deal.

Brentford received £28m up front for the striker, with a further £5m in add-ons.

And, according to The Athletic one of those add-ons involves Villa paying Brentford £1m per cap, ‘up to a small number’.

Exeter also stand to pocket a huge chunk of cash after the striker’s debut.

KANE UNABLE

Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon claims Harry Kane would be “difficult” to sign this summer as the Spanish giants focus their spending on a huge Bernabeu revamp.

The Spanish giants have been heavily linked with a move for the England star but Calderon thinks this is unlikely this summer.

Calderon told talkSPORT: “We are not in the best form economically-speaking because we are refurbishing our stadium spending a lot of money.

“It will be difficult to spend money in the summer. We always try to sign good players, we’ve been doing that for years.”

WAT AN EASY WIN

England are off the mark after cruising to a 5-0 home win over San Marino in their first World Cup qualifier.

Ollie Watkins will claim the headlines after scoring on his debut as a substitute.

Gareth Southgate’s side had no problems cantering to victory against the minnows.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin netted twice while Raheem Sterling and James Ward-Prowse also scored.

It was a very easy night’s work for England and the side are back in action on Sunday in Albania.

WAT A DEBUT

Ollie Watkins has only been on the pitch a short while but he’s marked his debut with a first England goal.

The Aston Villa striker picked his spot with a low strike to make it 5-0 to England against San Marino.

WATKINS DEBUT

Ollie Watkins is on for his England debut with the striker given just under 30 minutes to make an impression.

The Aston Villa striker is on for Dominic Calvert-Lewin after two goals for the Everton star.

England lead 4-0 and will be hoping to add a few more goals during the closing stages at Wembley.

CRUISE CONTROL

England were expected to brush aside San Marino and the hosts are cruising with a 3-0 lead at half-time.

James Ward-Prowse, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Raheem Sterling have netted in a predictably one-sided first 45 minutes.

James Ward-Prowse celebrated scoring his first England goal by emulating his golf swing.

Gareth Southgate is likely to make use of his squad after the break with two games to come next week.

Elsewhere, Scotland are being held 0-0 at home to Austria while Northern Ireland trail 2-0 in Italy.

VAR VOW

Refs’ chief Mike Riley has promised Premier League clubs that VAR will be “changed and improved” for next season.

And Riley’s officials have agreed to undergo extra coaching and training in the summer to ensure VAR is more fit for purpose.

The vow by Riley came after Prem chiefs asked all clubs, including managers, and captains, for their feedback on how VAR has worked over the past two seasons.

Clubs were sent video clips of controversial incidents from this season in a bid to get an understanding of how the top flight wants VAR to work.

ENGLAND v SAN MARINO

The teams are out on the pitch at Wembley for England’s opening World Cup qualifier.

It should be a formality against the minnows and the hosts will expecting a big victory to start their campaign.

We will dip in and out of the action this evening but for extensive coverage of the England match don’t forget to check out the blog here.

ENGLAND TEAM

England have announced their team to face San Marino in their opening World Cup qualifier.

Gareth Southgate has decided to start Harry Kane on the bench with two more games ahead next week.

Mason Mount is the only player to remain from the team which defeated Iceland in the Nations League in November.

Marcus Rashford is not fit to feature due to the foot injury which has kept him out of training this week.

PUL OVER

Chelsea star Christian Pulisic could miss the start of next season after the American admitted he would be honoured to compete in the Olympics.

The Tokyo football tournament gets underway on July 21, with the final taking place on August 7.

If selected, playmaker Pulisic would miss a chunk of pre-season, with the new league season set to get underway on August 14.

The Olympic football tournament is primarily limited to players under 23. But at 22, Pulisic would still qualify.

Pulisic told NBC: “The Olympics is of course a massive honour to play in and to represent your country in an Olympics would be amazing.”

END OF AN ERA

Big news north of the border with Celtic captain Scott Brown announcing he is leaving this summer after 14 years at the club.

Brown is joining Aberdeen as player-coach as he calls time on his hugely successful career at Celtic.

Brown will assist Stephen Glass at Pittodrie for Celtic’s Scottish Premiership rivals. 

The midfielder said: “There is no doubt I had a lot to deliberate when deciding my next steps, particularly after enjoying 14 successful years at Celtic. 

“However, the opportunity to join Aberdeen, a club entering an exciting new period with my former team-mate Stephen now at the helm, was one I couldn’t pass up.

“Once this season concludes, I’m looking forward to joining Stephen, the playing and coaching staff and everyone at Aberdeen.”

His decision to move on will bring the curtain down on a hugely successful spell with the Hoops where he lifted a total of 22 trophies. 

ON GAARD

Real Madrid reportedly expect Martin Odegaard to return to Spain in the summer following his loan spell at Arsenal.

The Gunners signed the midfielder in January for a fee of £1.8million and he has impressed with a series of superb displays for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Arsenal are likely to make a bid to either extend his loan or sign the Norway star on a permanent deal.

Goals against Tottenham and Olympiacos, as well as key role in the comeback against West Ham, have made him a major part of Arteta’s plans.

But, according to Madrid publication Marca, Real are not contemplating a sale.

HUGE RIV-ELATION

Lionel Messi is close to signing a new Barcelona contract, according to Barca legend Rivaldo.

The Argentine superstar’s Nou Camp future has been in doubt since he handed in a transfer request last summer before performing a dramatic new turn.

He is set to become a free agent with Manchester City interested at the end of the year although the election of Joan Laporta as the new Barca president could tempt him to stay.

Rivaldo told Betfair: “Barcelona are massively improving in the last few weeks capitalising on Messi’s superb form and the election of a new president.

“Messi looks much more connected and happier since Laporta’s arrival – a president he knows well.

“For that reason, I’m starting to believe more and more that Messi might reach an agreement with the new board and sign a new contract to stay at the club for a few more years.

“Messi had a confidence boost with the new president election – someone he has a good connection with – raising the chances of him considering to stay for a bit longer.”

ARE YOU FER REAL?

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand bizarrely told Newcastle fans to stump up £300million to buy out owner Mike Ashley if they hate him so much.

Just one win from 18 league games leaves the Magpies facing a third relegation from the Premier League under the despised Sports Direct tycoon.

Ashley is desperate to sell and is currently suing the Premier League over the failed £300m Saudi Arabian-led bid.

And Ferdinand angered the Toon Army by claiming they can have few complaints unless they are willing to put their money where their mouth is.

The former England defender told his YouTube channel: “He doesn’t care what people think. It’s his club and he’s doing what he wants to do.

“Whether you like it or not, he’s the one that’s put the money up and he’s doing what he thinks is right for the club.

“Whether the Geordies don’t like it, a lot of them hate him and don’t like him but, round your money up and take over the club then.”

ADIOS ARO

Manchester City keeper Aro Muric has been sent home from international duty for breaching team discipline, according to reports.

The 22-year-old was part of Kosovo’s squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Sweden and Spain.

But national boss Bernard Challandes sent Muric packing earlier this week after the Swiss-born keeper broke team rules.

Muric is on a season-long loan to Dutch club Willem II.

He helped City win the 2019 League Cup, making five appearances, but has since been loaned out to Nottingham Forest and Spanish club Girona.

The keeper had rowed with national teammate Edon Zhegrova, according to Dutch outlet AD.

But coach Challandes labelled the claims ‘fake news’. The Swiss-born manager added: “It would be a lack of respect on my part towards Aro Muric if I give out any more information.”

DEAL WITH IT

Manchester United are set to hand Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a new £10million-a-year contract, according to reports.

The Norwegian, first appointed by the Red Devils on a temporary basis in December 2018, is currently contracted until 2022.

And while he is yet to win a trophy, club chiefs are convinced that he is the right man for the long-term.

According to The Mirror, Solskjaer will be handed a new three-year deal, even if they fail to win the Europa League this season.

The 48-year-old is also set for a significant £2.5m rise on his current £7.5m-a-year salary.

MOUNT A COMEBACK

Chelsea star Mason Mount has admitted that new boss Thomas Tuchel ‘lit a fire’ inside him after axing him for his first game in charge

Speaking ahead of England duty this week, he said: “I’ve had that experience before.

“I was on loan at Vitesse Arnhem when I was 18, 19. That first couple of months I didn’t play hardly at all.

“I had that motivation and that fire to want to get into the team. The first game with the manager coming in, he went for a more experienced team.

“I understood that and wanted to get back into the team, so that motivation and that fire that I have inside me came out.

“I really tried to push to get back into the team. It’s been brilliant. We are working very hard.

“We’ve had tough games in this last period but we have come through it. It’s exciting stuff, we continue to work hard. It’s been a great start.”

GO-MART

Real Madrid reportedly expect Martin Odegaard to return to Spain in the summer following his loan spell at Arsenal.

The Gunners signed the midfielder in January for a fee of £1.8million and he has produced some stellar performances for the club.

Goals against Tottenham and Olympiacos, as well as a starring role in the comeback draw with West Ham, have made him an integral part of Mikel Arteta’s plans.

It is said that the Premier League side are very open to the idea of keeping Odegaard past the summer.

But, according to Madrid publication Marca, Real are not contemplating a sale.

Zinedine Zidane gave the Norwegian his first run in the team at the start of the campaign but a knee issue and a lack of match action hindered his form.

Madrid reportedly want to provide Odegaard with a fresh crack at proving himself at the Bernabeu and no purchase option was agreed in his temporary transfer.

REAL DEAL

Liverpool will take the opportunity to scout Nacho when they meet Real Madrid in the Champions League, it has been claimed.

The Spaniard has been vital in Madrid’s recent eight game unbeaten run in the league, playing every match.

It comes while Sergio Ramos is sidelined with injury, and Nacho is expected to keep his place in the squad even upon the captain’s return to fitness.

That will see the centre-half play against Barcelona domestically and Liverpool in Europe.

And according to AS, the English champions, along with Roma, have both been interested in Nacho before.

So, with two legs to watch the 31-year-old in action, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp can take a better look at him.

MARC MY WORDS

Holland legend Marco van Basten wants to scrap the offside rule from football.

The iconic former midfielder wants to do away with the rule as it will make the sport ‘more interesting’.

Van Basten, 56, was Fifa’s technical director between 2016 and 2018 and rule improvements were part of his remit.

The Dutchman told Sky Sports: “I am still very curious about the offside rule because I am convinced that it is not a good rule.

“At least I would like to trial it to show that football is also possible without the offside rule. I am convinced that football would be better without it.

“Football is a fantastic game but I still think that we have to do much more to make it better, more spectacular, more interesting, more exciting. We have to work on that.”

NICK OF TIME

Nicky Butt reportedly left Manchester United after ‘friction’ with the club’s newly-appointed director of football John Murtough.

The official line from the former England midfielder, 46, who won six Premier League titles as a United player, was that he wanted ‘a new challenge’.

SunSport has exclusively revealed that Derby boss Wayne Rooney is interested in adding Butt to his management team at the Championship outfit.

But according to The Athletic, Butt and Murtough had ‘differing footballing views’.

Murtough was essentially Butt’s line manager in the new coaching set up. The Athletic describes the pair as ‘like chalk and cheese’.

It is also alleged that Butt felt ‘overlooked’ for the technical director role that his former team-mate Darren Fletcher bagged.

Butt helped bring current first-teamers like Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay, Axel Tuanzebe, Dean Henderson and Mason Greenwood through United’s famous academy.

MARI-NO CHANCE

San Marino are massive 250/1 outsiders to beat England, but there are plenty of other bizarre things apparently more likely to happen.

RASH DECISION

Marcus Rashford joined up with the England camp to catch-up with his team-mates and rehab in a social environment but will not play in the World Cup qualifier.

The 23-year-old Manchester United forward is struggling with an ankle injury but The Athletic reports he was desperate to be in and around Gareth Southgate’s side.

Rashford is said to have wanted to be in team meetings ahead of plans for the delayed Euro 2020 tournament this summer.

Rashford is still fully recovering from an ankle blow suffered in the Manchester derby and despite returning for 90 minutes against West Ham, he was hooked at half-time against AC Milan.

The report states he did not suffer ligament damage but bruising and bleeding on the bone initially ruled him out of the first leg in the Europa League.

DIE IS CAST

Diego Costa has reportedly agreed a two-year deal with Portuguese club Benfica.

The striker left Atletico Madrid in December and has fielded numerous offers to return to action.

Premier League club Wolves, Sao Paulo and even Manchester City were discussed as potential destinations for the 32-year-old.

But Benfica emerged as frontrunners earlier this month with a reported contract offer worth £50,000-a-week.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Costa has agreed in principle to sign for the Lisbon side.

The switch will go through in June and see the forward earn a £2.6million signing-on fee.

Costa’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has reportedly been hard at work finding a new club that can offer top-level football to the player.

YOUNG LIONS

England’s Under-21s get their delayed European Champs up and running at 2pm.

Here’s Aidy Boothroyd’s side for the opener against Switzerland with Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah skippering the team.

Gunners team-mate Emile Smith Rowe is handed his first cap.