Newcastle want Ighalo, Phillips declares loyalty to Leeds, Chelsea eye Kimpembe, Ferran Torres £55m Barcelona transfer

Buffon keen on Mexico or MLS

Gianluigi Buffon is aiming to play in North America before he hangs up his gloves for good.

The Italian turns 44 next month but still has the desire to improve and play regularly.

He moved back to Parma last summer, the club he began his career at, but even bigger adventures could await.

Speaking to TUDN, Buffon said: ‘I’d like to play in Mexico or the United States, but I’d already have stopped if I had the Champions League.

“I would like to play in Mexico or the United States.

“These are experiences I would like to try, but we’ll see what happens.

“If you ask me what I’ll do in future, the truth is I don’t yet know if it’ll be as a manager or a coach. Knowing me, what I do want now is to keep improving.

“Not winning the Champions League keeps my competitive spirit alive.

“Perhaps if I had won the Champions League, I might’ve already retired, because I would have no more important objectives to reach.”

Buffon has won 28 trophies in his career including the World Cup but a Champions league medal has eluded him.

Buffon: Juve ‘lost their DNA’ with Ronaldo

Gianluigi Buffon blames Cristiano Ronaldo for Juventus ‘losing their DNA’ and team ethic.

Legendary keep Buffon claims the Italian champs were no longer a squad pulling tougher and fighting for their places during Ron’s 2018-21 stint.

Ronaldo is now back at Manchester United, still firing in the goals at 36 but sparking questions over his suitability to team tactics.

And the Azzurri’s 176-cap icon Buffon, 43, now with Parma, told TUDN : “Juventus had the chance to win the Champions League the first year he arrived, which was the year I was at Paris Saint-Germain, and I couldn’t figure out what happened.

“When I returned, I worked with Ronaldo for two years and we did well together, but I think Juventus lost that DNA of being a team.

“We reached the Champions League final in 2017 because we were a side full of experience.

“But above all we were a single unit and there was this competition for places within the group that was very strong. We lost that with Ronaldo.”

Jose in Nigeria boss talks

The Nigerian FA have spoken to Jose Mourinho about the prospect of becoming the new manager of the national team, their chief has revealed.

The Super Eagles are managerless after sacking Gernot Rohr earlier this month, with the African Cup of Nations just weeks away.

Amaju Pinnick, president of the Nigerian FA, wants to appoint a manager who can instil discipline into the squad as Nigeria look to win AFCON for the first time since 2013.

And Pinnick revealed they have targeted Roma boss Mourinho ahead of the tournament.

He told Nigerian outlet the Daily Trust: “The emphasis on the new coach is discipline.

“We will also look at how hungry he is to win trophies because if they are hungry it supersedes so many things and if he wants to win he will instil discipline.

“Of course Mourinho – I am not going to tell you we didn’t talk to Mourinho because we did and the (sports) minister also talked to Mourinho and there is nothing wrong with it.

“If the coach will give us the Nations Cup, he will be drafted in immediately.

Hammers eye up ”bodybuilder’

West Ham line up transfer for Austrian ‘bodybuilder’ Flavius Daniliuc in January as emergency centre-back reinforcement

WEST HAM are reportedly looking to sign Nice defender Flavius Daniliuc in the January transfer window to bolster David Moyes’ defensive options.

The Hammers want to sign a centre-back to cover Angelo Ogbonna, who picked up a serious ACL injury against Liverpool.

According to The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas, West Ham want to sign Daniliuc, 20, who has been described as a ‘bodybuilder’.

The former Bayern Munich man clearly enjoys his time in the gym and shouldn’t struggle to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League.

Moyes is also without summer signing Kurt Zouma, who joined from Chelsea for a near £30million.

Left-back Aaron Cresswell’s return from injury is also unknown.

Hammers Head of Recruitment Rob Newman is clearly hard at work trying to identify the right targets to bolster Moyes’ squad to sustain a push for European football.

But Moyes’ assistant Stuart Pearce has insisted only ‘the right people’ will be brought to the London Stadium.

Palace Boxing

Tottenham’s Boxing Day clash at home to Crystal Palace will now be show live on BT Sport.

The broadcaster has plugged a hole after losing the Leeds versus Liverpool game after the Yorkshire side were hit by coronavirus cases.

And good news for Spurs and Palace fans is that the game will stay as a 3pm kick-off.

It will be the only Premier League game shown by BT Sport on Boxing day.

Following the all-London clash is a non-league game between Bromley and Southend.

Toon linked to ex-Utd loanee Ighalo

Newcastle are interested in signing former Manchester United star Odio Ighalo, according to reports.

The striker, 32, currently plays for Saudi Arabian side Al Shabab and has top scored in the league this season with nine goals.

He moved to the Middle East after his loan spell at United came to an end – he scored five goals in 23 games for the Red Devils.

And he would be open to a move to St. James’ Park, report Sky Sports.

Al Shabab have reportedly spoken to Ighalo about a potential move with Eddie Howe’s 19th-placed side in desperate need of new signings.

The January transfer window is fast approaching and Newcastle continue to be linked with a host of names.

The latest is Tottenham defender Joe Rodon who could be allowed to leave on loan.

Lille centre-back Sven Botman is also rumoured to be a top target, with the Magpies also keen to sign a right-back, potentially Kieran Trippier.

United could rival Newcastle for Trippier however, with both clubs also targeting Barcelona ace Moussa Dembele.

And his team-mate Philippe Coutinho is another player the Toon have their eye on as they look to avoid the drop.

Karim ‘as good as Ronaldo and Haaland’

Karim Benzema is playing at the ‘same level as Manchester United hero Cristiano Ronaldo and Red Devils’ target Erling Haaland’, according to his Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.

France striker Benzema still appears in his prime at 34.

And amid a sensational season, boss Ancelotti reckons Benzema is currently the world’s top frontman.

Benzema netted twice as Wedensday’s 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao left Real eight points clear in LaLiga,

Asked after the game if he believed Benzema was the best, Ancelotti told AS: “I think so.

“He has added a massive, regular ability to put the ball in the back of the net to his game.

“He’s at the level of Cristiano Ronaldo or Haaland.

“Benzema is a player who makes a difference.

“We saw it once again in the game against Athletic, with two goals in quick succession. “He’s in amazing form.”

Benzema has scored a staggering 20 goals in just 23 games for Real Madrid this season.

Martial ‘agrees Sevilla switch’

Unsettled Manchester United striker Anthony Martial has agreed a January switch to Sevilla, reports say.

Barcelona and especially Juventus have been linked with the France striker in recent weeks.

But the 26-year-old is thought to prefer Sevilla as he wants regular football, rather than risking a fringe role as with United this season.

And the claim today is that the second-placed LaLiga side have all but sealed a deal for next month.

England’s blow-out

Kalvin Phillips has revealed he thought England would ‘blow Italy away’ in the Euro 2020 final after Luke Shaw’s early goal.

The Three Lions left-back smashed the home heroes in front after just two minutes at Wembley.

In that moment, Phillips genuinely believed England would be lifting their first-ever European Championship crown.

But Leonardo Bonucci equalised with a little over 20 minutes to play before Italy won on penalties.

Such is the confidence of the current crop of England stars, Phillips told Sportsmail: “I thought, ‘We’ll get three or four here, we’re gonna blow them away’.

“But then they started passing the ball and moving it from side to side…

“By half-time, I was like, ‘Jesus Christ, these are good’.”

Phillips remained on the Wembley turf to watch Italy celebrate their glory.

And the Leeds ace revealed Gareth Southgate urged the squad to watch the painful scenes unfold as inspiration for future tournaments.

Phillips continued: “The manager said that he was proud of us, we’ve come a long way.

“He said it would hurt now but if we work as hard as we did during the Euros there is no reason why we can’t win something.

“But he told us to look at Italy celebrating, that is what it’s all about. So I did.

“I watched Italy lift the trophy and it made me feel like I want to be in that position.”

Blue must be kidding

Ex-Chelsea chief Michael Emenalo claimed a former manager tried to CLOSE the club’s academy.

Frank Lampard put his trust in the youth during his debut season in 2019-20 after the club were put under a transfer embargo – and managed to guide the young Blues into the Champions League.

And Chelsea have continued to have impress ever since – now under the leadership of Thomas Tuchel – with academy graduates Mason Mount, Reece James, Andreas Christensen and Callum Hudson-Odoi, to name a few, all shining.

The Blues are challenging for the Premier League title in 2021-22 on the back of their Champions League glory last term.

But things could have turned out differently had a former boss succeeded in persuading Roman Abramovich to pull the plug on his youth funding.

Emenalo, who served as Chelsea’s technical director between 2011 and 2017 after spending the previous four years as chief scout and assistant first team coach, worked above the likes of Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and Roberto Di Matteo.

He claims Abramovich was urged to ditch his academy and focus instead on pouring money into the first team.

But the Russian did not listen to his manager, and Emenalo reckons the decision is proving to be one of his best ever.

Eden back to Lille?

Eden Hazard could be offered a shock return to Lille in January by Real Madrid as part of a transfer swap with Jonathan David.

Belgian attacker Hazard joined the Spanish giants in 2019 for a bumper £89million from Chelsea but has failed to make an impact at the Bernabeu.

Marca report that Los Blancos are chasing Lille’s 21-year-old’s star David.

The Canadian international has been linked with them for several months following his stunning form.

He has scored 13 goals in Ligue 1 this term – more than both Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi – and his agent has confirmed this will be his final campaign at the club.

Nick Mavromaras said: “For us, the goal is to finish the season with Lille, but it will be his last season there for various reasons. I think the Premier League is a great option for him.

“I think he also likes Spain a lot, because he likes the feeling of the ball. He’s a very technical player.”

And that could open the door to a stunning swap deal between Madrid and Lille involving Hazard.

Spurs vs Palace now on TV

Tottenham’s Boxing Day clash at home to Crystal Palace will now be show live on BT Sport.

The broadcaster has plugged a hole after losing the Leeds versus Liverpool game after the Yorkshire side were hit by coronavirus cases.

And good news for Spurs and Palace fans is that the game will stay as a 3pm kick-off.

It will be the only Premier League game shown by BT Sport on Boxing day.

Following the all-London clash is a non-league game between Bromley and Southend.

Rudiger ‘perfect’ for Red Devils

Ex-Manchester United defender Paul Parker believes Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger would be the ‘perfect signing’ for his old club.

The German centre-back, 28, is out of contract in June and is attracting plenty of interest from around Europe.

Despite numerous talks, the star is yet to reach an agreement with Chelsea.

Speculation has been mounting that Real Madrid are ‘pushing’ to seal a free transfer move for Rudiger with Paris Saint-Germain also interested.

But Parker, who spent five years at right-back for United, has urged his old employers to launch a move of their own for him.

And he explained that he believes a partnership between Rudiger and Raphael Varane at the back could help get the Red Devils back challenging for the title.

The ex-England ace told bettingexpert: “If he was to stay at Chelsea. He’s very influential and the fans idolise him.

“To come to Manchester United, I would say that is ambitious. I would understand why he would want to and I think he would make a difference.

“If you had him next to Varane, what a difference you’re talking about. Good pace and you’re talking about someone who’s won a World Cup, Champions League and then you’ve got a centre-half, who in the old-school way of talking is actually a leader.”

Parker added: “He actually shouts and screams, bosses people about, dictates the people.

“When people aren’t doing it, he tells them because he doesn’t make that many mistakes himself. He keeps things simple. He’d be absolutely perfect.

“It all depends on him being ambitious. Does he want to go to Manchester United and be the difference-maker at the back?

The Brits are thriving abroad

Gareth Southgate has quite a task keeping tabs on all the English talent outside of the Premier League.

That’s because there are a gang of Three Lions making an impression on foreign soil.

SunSport has selected a best XI made up of English players currently playing abroad.

And it includes former Man United star Chris Smalling, as well as rumoured target Jude Bellingham.

Barca want Ferran as a striker

Ferran Torres will reportedly be tasked with leading the line for Barcelona should his move from Manchester City go through next month.

The Spanish giants have agreed a £55million deal with the Citizens to bring the 21-year-old back to Spain – less than two years after arriving in England.

City prised the 22-cap Spain international away from Valencia in August 2020, with the forward scoring 16 goals in 43 games under Pep Guardiola.

But he is now poised to depart in January after Barca took out a bank loan in order to secure his services.

Predominantly a winger, Torres will be given a central role at the Nou Camp under boss Xavi.

That is according to Sport, who claim that the ex-Al Sadd gaffer wants his compatriot to be Barcelona’s new No9.

Toon targeting defender in January

Newcastle are looking to bolster their backline in January as they aim to beat the drop with Lille centre-back Sven Botman their top target.

The Magpies are planning to splash the cash in the New Year following their Saudi-backed £300million takeover in October.

Eddie Howe’s side currently sit 19th in the Premier League table – three points off safety having won just once out of their opening 18 matches.

No team has conceded more than Newcastle’s 41 top-flight goals this term, with the Toon now preparing to bolster their backline.

Lille star Botman, 21, is understood to be their No1 priority, though it is understood that the Dutch youth international could cost up to £40m.

And according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle have contacted Ligue 1 outfit Lille about bringing him to St James’ Park.

He tweeted: “Newcastle are planning to sign one or two centre backs in January.

“Dutch defender Sven Botman is still top of the list, waiting for an answer from Lille about final price tag.”

BT Sport select new game

Tottenham’s Boxing Day clash at home to Crystal Palace will now be show live on BT Sport.

The broadcaster has plugged a hole after losing the Leeds versus Liverpool game after the Yorkshire side were hit by coronavirus cases.

And good news for Spurs and Palace fans is that the game will stay as a 3pm kick-off.

It will be the only Premier League game shown by BT Sport on Boxing day.

Following the all-London clash is a non-league game between Bromley and Southend.

New contract for United starlet

Anthony Elanga has signed a new deal with Manchester United to keep him at the club until 2026.

The 19-year-old winger, who has made three appearances so far this season, also has the option of an extra year.

Elanga joined Man Utd in 2014 as a young teenager and went on to make his competitive debut for the senior side in May of this year.

He then went on to score his first goal for the Red Devils in their final Premier League game of last season against Wolves.

Interim boss Ralf Rangnick has been impressed by the 19-year-old since arriving at the club earlier this month.

Catalan clear-out in January

Barcelona are set to get rid of FIVE players in the January window as they prepare to raise funds to sign Manchester City forward Ferran Torres.

The LaLiga outfit have agreed a £50million deal to bring the Spaniard to the Nou Camp.

However, they need to recoup some money through transfer fees and make room on the wage bill in order to abide by LaLiga’s financial fair play regulations.

Philippe Coutinho, Luuk de Jong, Sergino Dest, Samuel Umtiti and Yusuf Demir could all be set to depart next month.

Improving just a Lille bit

Eden Hazard could be offered a shock return to Lille in January by Real Madrid as part of a transfer swap with Jonathan David.

Belgian attacker Hazard joined the Spanish giants in 2019 for a bumper £89million from Chelsea but has failed to make an impact at the Bernabeu.

Marca report that Los Blancos are chasing Lille’s 21-year-old’s star David.

The Canadian international has been linked with them for several months following his stunning form.

He has scored 13 goals in Ligue 1 this term – more than both Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi – and his agent has confirmed this will be his final campaign at the club.

Nick Mavromaras said: “For us, the goal is to finish the season with Lille, but it will be his last season there for various reasons. I think the Premier League is a great option for him.

“I think he also likes Spain a lot, because he likes the feeling of the ball. He’s a very technical player.”

And that could open the door to a stunning swap deal between Madrid and Lille involving Hazard.

City star set for new role

Ferran Torres will reportedly be tasked with leading the line for Barcelona should his move from Manchester City go through next month.

The Spanish giants have agreed a £55million deal with the Citizens to bring the 21-year-old back to Spain – less than two years after arriving in England.

City prised the 22-cap Spain international away from Valencia in August 2020, with the forward scoring 16 goals in 43 games under Pep Guardiola.

But he is now poised to depart in January after Barca took out a bank loan in order to secure his services.

Predominantly a winger, Torres will be given a central role at the Nou Camp under boss Xavi.

That is according to Sport, who claim that the ex-Al Sadd gaffer wants his compatriot to be Barcelona’s new No9.

Burnley vs Everton is OFF

Burnley’s Boxing Day clash with Everton has become the latest fixture to fall foul of the Covid wave sweeping the Premier League.

The match had been scheduled to kick-off at 3pm on Sunday at Turf Moor.

But a Premier League statement read: “Everton were due to travel to Turf Moor to play on Sunday, at 3pm. The Board reviewed the Club’s request today to postpone the match following further injuries to their squad.

“They concluded that the club will not be able to fulfil their fixture this weekend as a result of an insufficient number of players available to play due to COVID-19 cases and injuries.

“The Board this morning was able to make its decision in advance of Boxing Day to give clarity to clubs and their fans.

“We apologise for the inconvenience and disruption caused to those supporters’ festive plans.”

Willy or won’t he stay?

Southampton look set to extend the contract of former Argentina international Willy Caballero.

The ex-Manchester City and Chelsea stopper signed a short-term deal at St Mary’s until January 5 earlier this month after Saints experienced a goalkeeper crisis.

Caballero endured a debut to forget with a 3-0 defeat at Arsenal but impressed in the 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace last time out and could now remain at Southampton for the rest of the campaign.

Ralph Hasenhuttl revealed: “It would make sense, definitely and this is what we have in our mind to extend his contract also. I am sure he can help us for a longer term.

“He showed on the pitch he can help us. He played two games, against Palace you could see with every game he gets better, with every game he gets more self-confidence. This is what you need when you step in.”

Injuries to Alex McCarthy and Fraser Forster saw Southampton turn to Caballero but one-time England goalkeeper Forster has returned to training which will leave Hasenhuttl with a decision to make ahead of Sunday’s trip to West Ham.

CON-NED

Antonio Conte reckons yesterday’s meeting of Premier League managers was a ‘waste of time’.

Top-flight bosses met to discuss a range of pressing issues, including Covid, players’ welfare and fixture congestion.

But Conte was left less than impressed, suggesting the talks were like speaking into a brick wall.

The disgruntled Tottenham manager said: “Yesterday was a wall.

“A waste of time? I think so.

“When you have a wall in front of you, you can speak and ask what you want but the decisions had already been taken.”

Roy Keane on relegation scrap

Roy Keane believes that there are five teams battling it out this term for Premier League survival.

The former Manchester United captain, 50, is adamant both Newcastle and Norwich City will be relegated come the end of the season.

When asked for his relegation picks by Micah Richards during their latest Driving Home for Christmas episode, the Irishman said: “I’ll tell you, I’m going to go Norwich, and I’m going to say Newcastle.”

Keane then brought three other sides into the mix as he predicted the trio would be battling to avoid the final spot.

Discussing Southampton, he said: “They are a moody team, they can win two or three at home then lose six or seven.

“I’m going to say It’s between Southampton and Watford.

“But even Burnley. Burnley’s points total… But you know, Burnley could be one of them teams where because they have got out of it before, you automatically think ‘oh they will get out it’ and they don’t.”