NEWCASTLE are keen on a striker after reportedly making a shock £85m transfer bid for Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic.
The in-form Serb has refused to sign a new contract with the Italian side and has been a target for Tottenham, Arsenal and Man City among others.
The struggling Magpies are also said to be keen to bring Anthony Martial and Edin Dzeko to Tyneside as the club’s Saudi owners look to splash the cash.
Meanwhile Chelsea are said to be keen to rekindle Lautaro Martinez’s partnership with Romelu Lukaku.
The two fired Inter Milan to the Serie A title last season before Lukaku headed to Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are also reported to be ready to rekindle their interest in Jules Kounde, with Seville said to be ready to drop their £68m asking price for the defender.
Get all the latest transfer news, gossip and updates here…
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
Lofty heights
Jose Mourinho is ready to raid Chelsea for Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Il Romanista claims the midfielder could be set to join Tammy Abraham at Roma this winter.
Mourinho reckons Loftus-Cheek would be a great addition to his squad and help the capital club make a strong push for a top four finish.
Man on fire
Man City set new records as they retained their spot at the Premier League summit following a 4-0 win over Newcastle.
The rousing victory was City’s 19th of the campaign, and their 34th of 2021 – making it the most wins in a calendar year for any team in England’s top-flight.
Four goals against the Tyneside club also meant that the reigning Premier League champions surpassed their own record of the most top-flight goals in a calendar year – with the Blues now sat on 106 in 2021.
The previous record was 104 set way back in 1929.
Special summer
Gareth Southgate has scooped the coach of the year award at this year’s Sports Personality of the Year ceremony.
And his England team also scooped the SPOTY team of the year gong after reaching the Euro 2020 final.
The coach of the year award goes to the person who has made the biggest contribution to British sport over the last 12 months.
Jur not pleased
Jurgen Klopp accused Harry Kane of a potential leg-breaking tackle and was astonished that the Spurs superstar was not sent-off.
He said: “It was definitely a red card for Harry Kane.
“You can give Robbo a red card because it was not the smartest challenge but there is no doubt that it was a red for Kane.
“If Robbo’s foot was on the ground it’s a broken leg. It’s pure coincidence that it was in the air and Harry cannot judge that.
“We have VAR sitting there and he thinks to have a look at the Robertson challenge again, which is fine because that is what he is there for.
“But what did he do in the first situation? I thought he might not have been in his office because we all agree that Kane should have been given a red card but the ref saw it differently.”
Tuch and go
Thomas Tuchel accused Premier League chiefs of failing to protect his players and putting their safety at risk – as Chelsea’s covid cases continued to pile up.
Speaking after the 0-0 draw at Wolves, he said: “We talk a lot about safety and protecting the players. I’m not so sure if we did this today and on we go.
“It will hopefully stop but it’s more or less hoping. If we have the next tests tomorrow and the next positives I would like to speak to the people from the Premier League about what they expect.
“Let’s hope that it stops because there is nothing else to do. Shall we stop and not arrive in the next game if we are made to play?
“When they make us play against Brentford shall we not arrive? Shall we not train anymore? What shall we do?”
Race row
Former Manchester City captain and Anderlecht manager Vincent Kompany has accused Club Brugge fans of racially abusing him and his players.
He said: “I’m having a hard time with it, I will go home dismayed and disappointed.
“We are here with a lot of people who have given a lot from this country and who just come to play football.”
A Brugge statement added: “The club, its supporters, staff, players, employees and board strongly condemn any form of racism.
“These individuals are not representative of the values and norms of our club.”
Back line
Matthijs de Ligt is considering leaving Juventus, says super-agent Mino Raiola.
The Dutch defender is a target for Chelsea and has been linked with Man United too.
Raiola, who also represents Paul Pogba, said: “He is ready for a new step… he thinks that too.”
Tottenham 2 Liverpool 2
A thriller in north London saw the spoils shared between Spurs and Liverpool.
Both sides went ahead in what was a modern-day Premier League classic.
And the visitors ended up playing with 10 men after Andy Robertson saw red.
READ THE REPORT HERE
Braut of here?
Erling Haaland appeared to signal his Borussia Dortmund exit by WAVING goodbye to fans.
But sporting director Michael Zorc said: “I saw the pictures afterwards too. It looked a bit strange, but I don’t think it was a deliberate action.
“I spoke to him again briefly, and that’s not an issue in the team either.
“‘What is this?’ I asked him. ‘Nothing at all’, he said. That settles the matter.”
Forward planning
Arsenal are targeting a striker as a top priority in the January window after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s fall from grace at the Emirates.
Alexandre Lacazette is also expected to leave next summer when his deal expires.
Football London’s Chris Wheatley told Sky Sports News the Gunners are eyeing the likes of Lautaro Martinez to ease their striker problem.
Arsenal have also been linked with a big-money move for Fiorentina’s Dusan Vlahovic – but they face a battle with other Premier League giants for his signature.
Game on
It’s half time in London and Liverpool have come from behind to be drawing 1-1 at Tottenham.
Should the scoreline remain the same, Jurgen Klopp’s men will be three points behind leaders Man City.
Can Liverpool find a way to win against Spurs?
FOLLOW THE ACTION HERE
Juan-ted man
Barcelona want to sign Manchester United star Juan Mata in January, according to reports.
The Star claims United could let Mata leave on a free transfer next month.
And Barca are ready to swoop for the experienced playmaker.
Core blimey
A Premier League computer predicts Man City will win the title this season.
After Pep Guardiola’s men went four points clear at the top thanks to a 4-0 win at Newcastle, it may be hard to argue otherwise…
Premier League results
Manchester City thrashed Newcastle with a score of 4-0 at St James’ Park and remained top of the league.
Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo, Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling all scored for City, while the Magpies’ relegation scrap continues.
Chelsea and Wolves drew 0-0 at Molineux after the former’s request to postpone the match due to a COVID-19 outbreak within their camp was rejected by the Premier League.
Blues boss Thomas Tuchel didn’t have enough players to complete his substitutes list
Vlahovic record
Fiorentina star striker Dusan Vlahovic has made Serie A history.
Vlahovic netted in today’s 2-2 draw with Sassuolo and matched a record he now shares with Cristiano Ronaldo.
The centre-forward registered 33 Serie A goals in a single year and continues to stand out.
Arsenal and Manchester United are both keeping tabs on the Serbia international
Tuchel reaction
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel wasn’t happy with the Premier League’s decision not to postpone their match with Wolves.
The Blues requested that their game should be called off following a coronavirus outbreak within their ranks.
Tuchel said: “It will not stop, it’s my opinion, it’s the medical opinion but it’s not the opinion of the Premier League.”
More below:
Newcastle 0-2 Man City
Manchester City are 2-0 ahead against struggling Newcastle at St James’ Park.
Ruben Dias opened the scoring after just five minutes to give the hosts’ the lead.
Joao Cancelo doubled City’s lead on 27 minutes during a dominant first half for Pep Guardiola’s men
‘Palpable admiration’
Manchester United continue to be heavily linked with Sevilla star Jules Kounde, who is also linked with Chelsea.
That is according to AS, who report that Kounde has ‘palpable’ admiration at Old Trafford.
The same report suggests the Red Devils could move for the centre-back during the upcoming January transfer window.
That would work as a blow for the Blues, who consider the France international as a top target with four defenders’ contracts running out in June
Newcastle vs Man City
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is in the dugout following a dramatic coronavirus test.
Guardiola’s initial test came back inconclusive and the Catalan head coach had to self-isolate.
But the 50-year-old’s next test came back negative.
Here is how City and Newcastle will play today at St James’ Park
Wolves vs Chelsea XI
As expected, Chelsea can’t fill up their substitute bench.
The Blues are dealing with a coronavirus outbreak and wanted the match postponed.
But the Premier League ordered the fixture to go ahead.
Here’s how the two teams will play tonight:
Racism incident
A Leeds supporter has been arrested for allegedly racially abusing Arsenal players during last night’s clash at Elland Road.
According to The Athletic, a fan targeted the Gunners’ Nicolas Pepe and Nuno Tavares with racial slurs.
The incident is said to have happened while the north Londoners’ duo were warming up near the corner in the first-half
Chelsea COVID situation
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel announced on Thursday that Ben Chilwell, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku were all confirmed to have contracted coronavirus and are self-isolating.
According to football.london, there have been further positive test results within the Blues’ ranks in the past 24 hours.
As a result, it’s highly unlikely the west Londoners are able to fill their substitutes’ bench for tonight’s game with Wolves.
Reports suggest those within the first team are “frustrated and perplexed” with the Premier League’s decision not to postpone the fixture
Wolves VS Chelsea
Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Wolves at the Molineux is set to go ahead.
According to the Telegraph, the Premier League have rejected the Blues’ request to postpone the game.
The west Londoners are reportedly dealing with some new COVID-19 cases within their camp
More from the Premier League
“The Board assesses applications to postpone matches on a case-by-case basis, based on existing rules and COVID-19 postponement guidance issued to all clubs.
“It will assess a number of factors, including the ability of a club to field a team; the status, severity and potential impact of the COVID-19 outbreak at the club; and the ability of the players to safely prepare for and play the match. The Board must also consider the wider risks to the opposition and other people the club representatives may come into contact with.
“With the health and wellbeing of all players and staff the priority, and in light of the recent rise in COVID-19 cases across the country, the Premier League has reintroduced Emergency Measures.
“These include protocols such as more frequent testing, wearing face coverings while indoors, observing social distancing and limiting treatment time”
Premier League reaction
Arsenal’s clash with Leeds was the only Premier League match that wasn’t postponed as six out of 10 games have ben called off this weekend.
The Premier League shared the following statement: “Due to more positive cases in the Aston Villa squad today, the Premier League Board has regrettably had to postpone the club’s home fixture against Burnley, due to kick off at 15:00 GMT this afternoon.
“After reviewing all the new information provided by Villa this morning and receiving separate medical advice, the Board approved the request as a result of the club not having enough players to field a team.
“This decision was based on the number of COVID-19 cases, injuries and illness.
“The League understands the decision to postpone the match at such short notice will frustrate and disappoint supporters, and apologises for the inconvenience and disruption caused.
“The remaining four Premier League matches due to be played this weekend are currently scheduled to proceed as planned”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
