REAL MADRID appear to have moved to the front of the queue for Dortmund’s Erling Haaland.
Agent Mino Raiola stated that the Spanish champions have the funds to sign the Norwegian this summer, despite the collapse of the European Super League.
Lionel Messi is close to signing a new ten-year deal with Barcelona, according to reports.
The contract would keep him affiliated to the club while allowing him to spend time in the MLS if he chooses to do so.
Messi would then reportedly take up an executive role on his return to Spain.
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PAUL-ING BACK
Paul Pogba reckons Manchester United are good enough to win the Premier League title again after closing the gap on rivals City.
The French midfielder told the BBC’s Football Focus: “We are getting closer and closer.
“We see that we were struggling a little bit, we know that, but we don’t have to look back. We have to look forward.
“What’s forward now is second [place], now we get closer to City, who were, before, to be honest way ahead of us.
“Now we show them that we can compete. We show that we are here and that we have a team to go and win the title.
“It’s just a few details. We can do it, for sure.
“Liverpool did it, City did it and now we’re there. We have to show that we can make it as well. That’s the next goal.”
TAM TO GO
Chelsea star Tammy Abraham is reportedly involved in a three-way tussle between Newcastle, Aston Villa and West Ham.
ESPN claims there is confidence among the Premier League sides that a deal could be done for less than the Blues’ £40million asking price.
The report adds that Abraham is desperate to get his career back on track having fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge.
The 23-year-old has started just four games since Thomas Tuchel took over from Frank Lampard at the end of January.
And the German’s reluctance to play Abraham has led to widespread speculation over his future at Chelsea.
West Ham are in the market for a new forward this summer following Sebastien Haller’s £20m switch to Ajax in January.
While a switch to Newcastle may spell the end for Joelinton who has managed just nine goals in 76 appearances on Tyneside.
Yet a return to Villa could appeal to Abraham after scored 26 goals in 40 games for Dean Smith’s side during his loan spell in the Championship.
SIGN EM UP
Mikel Arteta hinted Emile Smith Rowe has done enough to earn a bumper new contract at the Emirates.
The Croydon De Bruyne has broken into the first team this season and is currently contracted until 2023.
Arteta told Sky Sports: “We are going to have that discussion.
“I think Emile has earned the right to look at that situation because of the performances that he has produced.
“He’s very much engaged and wants to continue with us, that’s for sure.”
MART SLAMS ART
Arsenal icon Martin Keown has claimed that Mikel Arteta’s tactics during the 2-1 defeat to Villarreal could have got him sacked.
The Gunners were facing Europa League heartbreak after they went 2-0 down inside 30 minutes in the first leg of their semi-final this week.
And club legend Keown admitted that Arsenal’s comeback after their manager’s line-up gamble backfired may have saved the Spaniard’s job.
He wrote in his column for the Mail: “Mikel Arteta’s tactics and decision-making on Thursday should have sent Arsenal crashing out of Europe and possibly ended his managerial career at the club.
“However, remarkably and thanks to that late penalty won by Bukayo Saka, Arsenal find themselves still very much in this tie against Villarreal.
“Arteta is being afforded the rare commodity of time and now he’s the beneficiary of an even rarer occurrence: a second chance. And this is one he really has to take.
“Arteta experimented with a false nine on Thursday, lining up without a recognised centre forward.
“Playing with that new formation for the first time in the biggest game of the season was a big ask of the players and a huge gamble. It didn’t pay off.”
HAA HAA LAND
Mino Raiola has revealed the two things Erling Haaland is looking for in a potential transfer.
Manchester United are believed to have earmarked the Norwegian hotshot as their No1 summer transfer target.
And his agent told AS: “Haaland is interested in two things: scoring goals – because he is like a Cristiano or a Zlatan, he has that positive obsession – and winning titles.
“He will choose, surely, where those two things together happen more. It is very difficult to lie.
“When a club like Barcelona or Madrid arrives, with so much history and so great, it is difficult to say no. PSG is entering this group of greats, City is trying to get there, Juve has always been there.
“The championship they play also matters. PSG plays the worst league of the greats. Bayern are already in an attractive league, but we know that they always win it. In Spain there are three with options.”
Credit: Getty MAD WORLD
Lucas Torreira reportedly faces an uncertain future with Atletico Madrid unwilling to turn his loan spell into a permanent stay.
The Arsenal midfielder has failed to make an impression at the Wanda Metropolitano after joining the Spanish side on deadline day in October.
Despite making 19 LaLiga appearances for Diego Simeone’s men, the 25-year-old has started just three top-flight games.
And according to Mundo Deportivo, Atletico are not looking to keep the player at the club.
They state that the LaLiga leaders have no intention of signing Torreira on another loan deal or a permanent move.
It has been claimed that the Gunners are willing to accept a cut-price fee of £15million for the player – £11m less than what they paid for him from Sampdoria in 2018.
A stunning first season in North London saw Torreira appear in 50 matches, but his form tailed off last year where he had to settle for a bit-part role under Mikel Arteta.
Torreira has made no secret of his desire to return to South America to play for his boyhood club Boca Juniors.
AD ENOUGH
Chelsea are reportedly battling Barcelona for the signing of Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot in the summer.
The 26-year-old has played 41 times this season, but it is understood that boss Andrea Pirlo has deemed him surplus to requirements.
And with the France international having two years left to run on his contract in Turin, Juve are willing to cash in on the player.
According to Calciomercato, the Serie A giants would listen to offers in the region of £17million for Rabiot – who they signed on a free transfer in 2019.
They claim that both the Blues and the Blaugrana are eyeing up a swoop at the end of the season.
It has been stated that Barcelona are leading the race to secure Rabiot’s services with his agent and mother Veronique already making contact with the Spanish side.
Should Rabiot decide to make the move to Stamford Bridge, he would link up with former gaffer Thomas Tuchel who managed him at Paris Saint-Germain.
OUT OF LUC
Real Madrid have reportedly offered Lucas Vazquez a bumper new deal to ward off interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.
The winger, 29, is out of contract at the end of the season and negotiations have been slowed by the club’s financial trouble.
The coronavirus pandemic and expensive Bernabeu revamp initially led to talk of his existing £60,000-a-week contract being offered again, only with a ten per cent pay cut due to the circumstances.
However, Spanish outlet AS now report of a fresh proposal worth £84,000-a-week.
It is said Vazquez wants to stay in Madrid having come through the club’s famed La Fabrica academy to make his debut in 2015.
Since then, he has become a vital option on the right side of midfield and defence for Zinedine Zidane, playing 34 times this season.
Interest was reportedly strong from both United and Chelsea as they look to formulate a Premier League title bid next campaign.
Credit: PA LION’S PRIDE
Lionel Messi will accept reduced terms on his new contract to help Barcelona sign Erling Haaland, according to reports.
Negotiations on the Argentine’s £2.4million-a-week deal are set to begin soon after a financial review by new club president Joan Laporta.
Earlier this month, the player’s dad and agent Jorge Messi landed in Spain in preparation for the talks.
And it has been mooted that Barcelona’s ambition in the transfer market will be a big factor in securing his commitment.
According to Eurosport, Messi will even accept a hefty wage cut if the savings are funnelled into improving the squad.
Borussia Dortmund star Haaland is known to be a top target of the LaLiga giants but could cost £154m.
Credit: Getty
IN A MIN
Real Madrid CAN afford to splash £154million on Erling Haaland, according to his agent Mino Raiola.
Madrid president Florentino Perez had claimed no mega money signings would be possible without the cash injection from the shamed European Super League.
But Raiola told AS: “Real Madrid can afford Erling Haaland. They have money to sign him.”
Perez had previously told El Larguero: “When money does not flow from the rich clubs to the poor clubs, everyone suffers.
‘It’s impossible to make signings like Mbappe and Haaland, in general, not just for Real Madrid, without the Super League.”
Erling Haaland’s agent Mino RaiolaCredit: Getty – Contributor GARDEN OF EDEN
Paul Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola jokingly suggested a Real Madrid swap deal with Eden Hazard could come to fruition.
Manchester United’s French midfielder has regularly been linked with a move to Los Blancos.
And Raiola told AS: “For Pogba, Madrid always had a great attraction … Zidane is his idol. The important thing now is to know what United want, what project United are proposing to Pogba.
“Pogba is interested in one thing, winning the Champions League and winning titles, and we are going to see where this is possible, whether at United or at other clubs.
“At one time Pogba felt a lot of love and trust from United, and there were several other clubs… But then, it is very difficult for United and Madrid to come to an agreement over a big transfer, because strong clubs do not want to sell strong players to other strong clubs.
“And I’m not going to fool him, for Pogba playing for Madrid was always a very attractive thing for Zidane too. He is his young idol.
“I don’t know. I believe nothing is impossible, but football depends on the day. And you have to be flexible and consider all possibilities.
“Suppose tomorrow Madrid want to make a Hazard-Pogba exchange? It is just an example. And if all four parties liked it, why not?”
Credit: AFP or licensors HEND IS NIGH
Jordan Henderson looks destined to miss England’s bid for Euros glory.
Jurgen Klopp has revealed Henderson is nowhere near a return to Liverpool training — and could still be weeks away.
The Three Lions kick-off their summer campaign against Croatia in 44 days’ time.
Reds boss Klopp said: “There are a lot of steps to go after that before they can take part in football training.
“They are all quite a long way from that.”
Liverpool play their last game of the season on May 23 against Crystal Palace but Henderson appears to have little or no chance of being ready for the Eagles’ visit.
That is the day before England head coach Gareth Southgate is expected to name his squad for the finals.
Credit: EPA GOOD MORNING FOOTBALL FANS,
Cristiano Ronaldo has become ‘nervous and irritable’ at Juventus – and has ‘given up’, according to reports.
The 36-year-old has not enjoyed the best season of his career this time around, despite still managing 25 goals in 29 Serie A outings.
And according to Gazzetta dello Sport, his entire demeanour around the club has changed.
Ronaldo has failed to reach a single Champions League semi-final during his three years in Turin, the competition he was signed to win.
Meanwhile, Mateo Kovacic is a major doubt for the Real Madrid second leg after suffering a setback in his recovery from injury.
The Chelsea and Croatia star, 26, has missed the last five games with a hamstring problem.Tuchel said: “Unfortunately Kovacic is still injured.
“He trained with us, but he’s still not fully confident, he felt something at the end of training. So he’s not available, unfortunately.
“All the others are available except for Toni Rudiger, who got injured in the last minute of the Madrid game. Everybody else is available.
“Before training today we thought that Kova had a big chance to join us latest for Madrid, maybe even for today.
“So now we have a little setback, not a big one, with him.”I don’t want to be too negative, let’s see how he is tomorrow. For Toni, I’m quite positive for Wednesday.”
And finally, Ryan Mason staged a meeting with Tottenham’s players to tell them: Don’t call me gaffer.
The Tottenham caretaker manager, 29, stressed to the squad — with many having been former team-mates — that he wants to keep things informal.
He said: “One of the first things I said to them was that I do not expect to be called ‘gaffer’ or ‘boss’.
“Call me what you have been calling me for the last five or ten years — or however long I have known you.
“The most important thing for me is respect. You can call me what you want but if you don’t respect me then it is not good. The respect is there from everyone.
“Not just the players but the groundsman, the kitmen, everyone. I have a good relationship with everyone.”
MACE IS ACE
Ryan Mason staged a meeting with Tottenham’s players to tell them: Don’t call me gaffer.
The Tottenham caretaker manager, 29, stressed to the squad — with many having been former team-mates — that he wants to keep things informal.
He said: “One of the first things I said to them was that I do not expect to be called ‘gaffer’ or ‘boss’.
“Call me what you have been calling me for the last five or ten years — or however long I have known you.
“The most important thing for me is respect. You can call me what you want but if you don’t respect me then it is not good. The respect is there from everyone.
“Not just the players but the groundsman, the kitmen, everyone. I have a good relationship with everyone.”
KARREN BRADY
“The refereeing itself has been poor this season, possibly the worst I have seen in the Premier League.
“No doubt there will be statistics that prove me wrong but, subjectively, I can remember no time when the whistle was so out of tune with the game.
“VAR was sold to us as a way of perfecting decisions.”
Read more HERE.
CAN’T GO RON
Cristiano Ronaldo has become ‘nervous and irritable’ at Juventus – and has ‘given up’, according to reports.
The 36-year-old has not enjoyed the best season of his career this time around, despite still managing 25 goals in 29 Serie A outings.
And according to Gazzetta dello Sport, his entire demeanour around the club has changed.
Ronaldo has failed to reach a single Champions League semi-final during his three years in Turin, the competition he was signed to win.
HOT ROD
Arsenal are reportedly increasing their efforts to land Real Betis star Guido Rodriguez this summer.
El Desmarque claim that the LaLiga side might be forced to cash in on the central midfielder who has a £70million release clause in his contract.
And the report adds that Arsenal are set to make every effort to sign Rodriguez at the end of the season.
TRUTH OR DAR
Manchester City have completed the £5.2million signing of Argentine ‘mini Messi’ Dario Sarmiento from Estudiantes.
The Premier League leaders boast one of the best academy setups in the country, and are always keen to bolster their ranks with fresh talent from abroad.
And Sarmiento, 18, is to become the latest exciting young player to arrive this summer.
In addition to a £5.2m fee, Estudiantes will receive a 20 per cent sell on clause.
Sarmiento will officially become a City player on July 1, Estudiantes have confirmed.
GET ZAN IN
Manchester United are willing to offer Donny van de Beek to Roma in a swap transfer for Nicolo Zaniolo, according to reports.
The Dutchman, 24, arrived from Ajax last summer in a £39million deal but has struggled to make his mark at Old Trafford.
Van de Beek’s tally of one goal and two assists from 32 appearances in total mean United may look to cut their losses by shipping him back out this summer.
And La Repubblica via Sport Witness state they could try and do a trade with Roma for Zaniolo.
The report says the Red Devils were ‘pressing and testing the water’ and have now ‘proposed an exchange’ with the Serie A side.
CHEEK OF IT
Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been offered a route back at Chelsea after a glowing compliment from his manager.
Thomas Tuchel said: “I was quite a fan of him when he was younger.
“He reminded me of Michael Ballack. There were links with him moving to Germany. We are well aware of his talent.
“I don’t know why things have not worked out as he wished but now he is doing good.
“I cannot judge him from TV and hearsay. I love to work with players then to give my opinion.”
PAUL-ING BACK
Paul Pogba reckons Manchester United are good enough to win the Premier League title again after closing the gap on rivals City.
The French midfielder told the BBC’s Football Focus: “We are getting closer and closer.
“We see that we were struggling a little bit, we know that, but we don’t have to look back. We have to look forward.
“What’s forward now is second [place], now we get closer to City, who were, before, to be honest way ahead of us.
“Now we show them that we can compete. We show that we are here and that we have a team to go and win the title.
“It’s just a few details. We can do it, for sure.
“Liverpool did it, City did it and now we’re there. We have to show that we can make it as well. That’s the next goal.”
ALL WANT ALLAN
Steve Bruce is braced for interest in ‘special’ Allan Saint-Maximin this summer.
The Toon boss said: “I have no doubt he will attract interest because you only have to watch him once to realise he’s a really gifted, talented footballer.
“He’s one of them that will get you off your seat, and how many have got that these days?
“He scored a goal in training the other day which was just remarkable. He does that, where we all just have to stand and applaud.
“You can see when he’s playing and injury free then he’s a special, special talent which inevitably will draw interest.
“But the last thing we want to be doing is selling our best players.”
ED ON BLOCK
Ed Woodward was blasted at a fans’ forum after Manchester United’s attempts to break away into a European Super League.
In a lengthy speech read to him on behalf of nine of the eleven forum members, Ian Stirling of the Manchester United Supporters Trust did not hold back.
Stirling said: “We are disgusted, embarrassed and angry at the owner’s actions in relation to the planning, formation and announcement of the European Super League.
“Once again this clearly demonstrates that the club’s owners are only interested in maximising their own profits and do not care about or respect the views of Manchester United fans.
“The complete lack of engagement with fans, our players and manager is a gross mishandling of club affairs and one which we cannot forgive.
“It was an attack on fans and on clubs across the whole of football and we have simply had enough.
“Joel Glazer’s subsequent apology is not accepted.
“Actions speak louder than words and he and his family have shown time and again that their sole motivation is personal profit at the expense of our football club.
“We should not need to explain to anyone involved in the ownership or running of Manchester United Football Club why the European Cup is an integral part of our club’s history and how this proposal has betrayed it. Yet we clearly need to.”
JACK WILLS
Jack Grealish has delivered a timely boost to Aston Villa and England by returning to training.
However the 25-year-old Villa skipper will miss his 11th game on the spin against Everton this weekend as he continues his battle back from a painful shin injury.
Dean Smith revealed: “Jack showed a positive scan. He won’t be available for this weekend.
“We’re obviously a little bit tentative after the last time so he’s doing gradual loading.
“He’s working on his own at the moment. It’s a loading stress injury so we can’t rush him.”
EDIN FOR A NEW DEAL
Edinson Cavani has reportedly decided to STAY at Manchester United.
The Uruguayan was unplayable as he helped himself to two goals and THREE assists in United’s 6-2 thrashing of Roma in the Europa League semi on Thursday.
And according to ESPN, the 34-year-old has made a U-turn and ‘decided to stay at United’.
The decision will reportedly be ‘announced next week’.
Uruguayan journalist Rodrigo Romano is even reporting the forward will agree a contract extension TODAY.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
