BARCELONA have SACKED manager Ronald Koeman following his side’s loss to Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, Newcastle are interested in bringing in Marc Overmars to be their new Director of Football.
Overmars has been working with Edwin van der Sar in the Ajax boardroom to bring success and stability to the Amsterdam club and the Magpies are keen to recruit his extra knowledge.
Jude Bellingham is scouting out potential English clubs during his second full season at Borussia Dortmund.
Liverpool are current front-runners after the midfielder was heavily courted by Manchester United before he moved to the Bundesliga.
Meanwhile Chelsea are said to be ready to go back in for Jules Kounde this January, after missing out on the Sevilla man in summer.
Antonio Rudiger is closing in on a move away from the club after holding exploratory talks with Man City, according to reports.
But should Sevilla hold firm in their valuation of Kounde, the Blues may have the option of turning to Matthijs de Ligt.
Juventus are said to be keen to get the £280,000-a-week Dutch centre-back off their books.
Meanwhile Newcastle are still looking for a new permanent manager with Paulo Fonseca the favourite but Lucien Favre another man linked to the job.
Stay up to date with all the latest from around the clubs with our live blog…
DORTMUND CONFIRM LIVERPOOL WANT BELLINGHAM
Liverpool are among the Premier League giants eyeing Jude Bellingham — but have been warned he will cost mega money.
Borussia Dortmund confirmed England’s teenage sensation is on the Anfield radar.
England international Bellingham, 18, announced himself to the world at Euro 2020 with three solid displays for Gareth Southgate’s side.
He has starred for the Bundesliga giants after arriving from Birmingham last year in a £30million deal.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is a massive fan of the midfielder but faces competition from Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.
European heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are also keen — but Dortmund vowed not to sell any time soon.
He told Sport1: “There’s a lot of interest around Jude Bellingham, not only Liverpool.
“But there is no bottom line and no exit clause.”
Bellingham, a former target of Liverpool‘s bitter rivals Manchester United, joined Dortmund from Championship outfit Birmingham City last July for a fee of £25m.
CARABAO CUP ROUND-UP
West Ham KO’d holders Man City 4-0 on penalties after a goalless draw at the London Stadium – Phil Foden missing a shootout spot-kick.
Superb second-half finishes from Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi put much-changed Liverpool in the last eight with a 2-0 win at Preston, who had less of the possession but most of the decent chances.
Sub Lucas Moura headed the only goal midway through the second period as Tottenham triumphed 1-0 at Burnley.
Brentford won 2-1 away to Stoke, Ivan Toney teeing up Sergi Canos’ opener and doubling the lead himself shortly before the interval.
Romaine Sawyers fired Stoke’s fine consolation goal on 57 minutes.
And Leicester beat visitors Brighton 4-2 on penalties following a 2-2 draw.
NO ETHAN JUSTICE
Ethan Ampadu cursed his luck on Tuesday as he was sent off for a perfectly clean tackle.
The Chelsea defender, 21, is on loan at Italian side Venezia for the season.
And Ampadu made his fourth Serie A appearance in Tuesday’s 2-1 home defeat to Franck Ribery’s Salernitana, coming on as a sub in the 60th minute.
The score was tied at 1-1 heading into the final 25 minutes when Ribery pounced onto a loose ball outside Venezia’s penalty area.
Alert to the situation, Ampadu pounced forward with a textbook tackle to stamp out the danger.
However, the referee saw otherwise as Ribery rolled around on the floor.
He immediately stopped play and ran over towards Ampadu before brandishing a red card.
The Wales international and his team-mates looked aghast at the decision.
And it came back to haunt Ampadu as Salernitana scored a winner in the 95th minute.
The result means the bottom-place club are now just one point behind Venezia.
JOSE BLASTED FOR TREATMENT OF ROMA STAR
Jose Mourinho has been slammed for his treatment of a Roma player.
The Portuguese coach was furious after his side were thrashed 6-1 by Norwegian minnows Bodo/Glimt in the Europa Conference League.
That led to the ex-Manchester United and Chelsea manager dropping four players for the next two games.
One of the stars was Amadou Diawara – much to the annoyance of the midfielder’s agent Daniele Piraino.
He said: “If it is for these reasons, rather than just poor fitness, or he feels the player is unable to understand the tactical requirements of the coach, then I think Mourinho is creating an uncomfortable situation.
“I don’t understand the message he’s trying to get across.
“Is Diawara being made a scapegoat? “Is he being made to pay a heavy price for an error?
“Or is it an attempt to force the club into acting on the transfer market?”
CHELSEA CAN WIN ‘GREATEST PREM TITLE RACE EVER’
Former Liverpool and Chelsea right-back Glen Johnson tips the Blues to edge possibly “the greatest Premier League title race of all time”.
The former England defender believes Chelsea will strengthen in the January transfer window in a bid to fend off Liverpool and champions Manchester City.
Johnson, 37, told William Hill: “It’s normally a one or two-horse race for the title, but now you have three or maybe even four teams who could win it. It’s a great advert for the Premier League.
“There’s every chance this could be the greatest Premier League title race of all time.
“If you had to put me on the spot and force me to say one team who I think it would be, then I’d probably say Chelsea.”
And he hailed Stamford Bridge boss Thomas Tuchel for his “brilliant job” since succeeding the sacked Frank Lampard in January.
He said of the ex-PSG and Borussia Dortmund chief: “I didn’t know too much about the styles of play his teams had, and the move all happened very quickly at the time.
“He’s knuckled down and got on with it, and they eventually put on some great performances, and they dominate matches now.
“They’ve continued to do that, and it looks like he’s been there for years. He’s brought back players from the dead and I think they’ll be very hard to stop this season.”
SALAH ADDED TO THE CURRICULUM
Mo Salah has been added to Egyptian schools’ curriculum in a move designed to inspire the nation’s children.
The 29-year-old’s achievements on and off the pitch will be written in textbooks in education centres across the North African country, The Times reported.
The Liverpool superstar’s life will be taught to both primary and secondary school students from next year.
Younger kids will learn about Salah‘s contribution for both club and country on the football pitch.
While secondary school pupils will explore Salah’s exploits off the field, including his charitable donations and what it means to be a hero.
An excerpt from one textbook reads: “Salah’s desire to help others is because he wants to give young people a chance to succeed.
“He is a role model to millions of Egyptians who give him the nickname ‘the happiness maker’.”
It is illustrated with a picture of Salah, an observant Muslim, with his daughter Makka, named after the holy city in Saudi Arabia.
WRIGHTY URGES RICE TO STAY
Arsenal legend Ian Wright believes Declan Rice should spurn Manchester United and Chelsea and Co for a few more years.
Hammers’ boss David Moyes valued the versatile England midfielder at £100million-plus over the summer.
And Wrighty told the Ringer FC podcast: “People are constantly saying Declan should leave. “He shouldn’t leave yet.
“Declan is captain of a West Ham side in the top-four. Why should Declan move and go anywhere for the next few years when he can lead West Ham into the top-four?
“Who knows what’s going to happen with them in the Europa League, they could go far in that too. Why would you leave?”
Ex-England striker Wright added: “Of course you’re looking at Manchester United and Chelsea but why leave at the moment?
“Go as far as you can with West Ham, give them another four years. You’ll still be in your peak.’
“Rice has got no reason to leave. If I’m part of his team, I’m telling him to stay and keep progressing at West Ham. He’s killing it for England, he’s killing it for West Ham.”
TOP CLUBS PRESS FOR 5 SUBS
Premier League chiefs will come under further pressure from the Big Six to reintroduce the “five substitutes” rule after the game’s Lawmakers signalled it will become a permanent change.
Top flight minnows rebelled against the six last season and refused to allow the extra replacements, with anger among the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City directed at League bosses.
Now, though, a meeting of the International FA Board, which sets the Laws of football, has backed the temporary, Covid-related, change to be enshrined in the rulebook.
Ifab said: “It is recommended that competitions should be able to decide on increasing the number of substitutes according to the needs of their football environment.
“The current number of substitution opportunities (three plus half-time) should stay the same.”
That is expected to bring further calls for the Prem to fall into line with other European Leagues, and Uefa, in allowing five subs.
Other law changes set to be introduced for next season will allow goalkeepers to have one foot behind the line – meaning they can push off slightly earlier – when facing penalties.
TOP CLUBS PRESS FOR 5 SUBS
Premier League chiefs will come under further pressure from the Big Six to reintroduce the “five substitutes” rule after the game’s Lawmakers signalled it will become a permanent change.
Top flight minnows rebelled against the six last season and refused to allow the extra replacements, with anger among the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City directed at League bosses.
Now, though, a meeting of the International FA Board, which sets the Laws of football, has backed the temporary, Covid-related, change to be enshrined in the rulebook.
Ifab said: “It is recommended that competitions should be able to decide on increasing the number of substitutes according to the needs of their football environment.
“The current number of substitution opportunities (three plus half-time) should stay the same.”
That is expected to bring further calls for the Prem to fall into line with other European Leagues, and Uefa, in allowing five subs.
Other law changes set to be introduced for next season will allow goalkeepers to have one foot behind the line – meaning they can push off slightly earlier – when facing penalties.
ICARDI’S ANNIVERSARY WISH FOR WANDA
Mauro Icardi has wished partner Wanda Nara a happy anniversary following claims he cheated on her.
Footie wag and agent Wanda revealed she came close to divorcing the Paris Saint-Germain star after he allegedly exchanged intimate messages with an Argentine model.
But with the couple now back together, Icardi sent Wanda an anniversary message on social media hailing their ‘many dreams lived’ together.
Argentina international Icardi wrote alongside several snaps: “27.10. A very important day for us.
“Happy Anniversary Wanda Icardi. Another year together, many dreams lived, many more to live.”
Icardi’s declaration came after the pair had a public falling out over alleged cheat claims, sparked by the PSG’s striker’s relationship with Maria Eugenia Suarez.
Wanda told an Argentinian showbiz journalist in a private message the weekend before last: “I’m separated” after leaving the family home in Paris and flying to Milan.
Icardi missed training and a key Champions League match for the French giants last week due to his marriage woes.
But mum-of-five Wanda forgave him after the striker penned her a romantic letter.
Wanda said: “We had the liberty to put our eight-year story behind us.
“But with our souls tired of tears, we freely choose one another again. I love you @mauroicardi.”
SALIBA CAN BECOME PREM HIT
Arsenal legend Sami Nasri believes outcast William Saliba has ‘all the qualities’ to become a Premier League star.
French defender Saliba, 20, has yet to play senior football for the Gunners since arriving from Saint-Etienne two years ago.
And he is now on his third loan spell back in France – with Marseille.
Former Manchester City midfielder Nasri, 34, is quoted as hailing Saliba’s physical presence, mobility and passing.
CONTE’S GOT WHAT IT TAKES
Ex-Manchester United forward Dimitar Berbatov believes Antonio Conte could ‘handle’ replacing under fire boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Red Devils are winless in their last four Premier League games, putting Solskjaer at risk of losing his job.
And Serie A and Premier League-winning manager Conte is one of the favourites to take over at Old Trafford should the Norwegian get sacked.
On the possibility of Conte taking over the reigns at United, Berbatov told Betfair: “The latest reports are saying that Antonio Conte is open to taking the United job if it becomes available.
“He made Inter champions and he made Chelsea champions. Conte has the record and the reputation of working hard, I heard that a lot of times.
“He has been to England and done it, winning the Premier League.
“He is the name that everybody is talking about at the moment and maybe some people are saying that United need this disciplinarian approach, to tell them exactly what the manager expects of you, if they’re not doing it, bench. Maybe they need that from time to time?
“Louis Van Gaal was similar to Conte in this way, discipline is the number one priority, but he was also successful and won the FA Cup.
“Conte has all the results and reputation behind him to know how to handle things at a big club in England. He’s probably number one on their list.”
HAMMERS CAN NAIL IT FOR GROUND SIZE
West Ham are aiming to make the London Stadium the biggest club ground in the capital.
The high-flying Hammers have received planning permission to extend their current capacity by 2,500 seats, to 62,500.
That will be just 350 behind the maximum number allowed inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
But the Hammers ground renovation will see them leapfrog Arsenal’s stadium capacity, as The Emirates can hold a maximum of 62,062.
And club bosses are now targeting the club reaching the potential 67,000 seats which will be possible after the renovations and updates to the Bobby Moore and Sir Trevor Brooking Stands.
Boss David Moore said: “Everyone here is doing everything we can to grow and develop this football club, on and off the pitch, for the benefit of our supporters.
“We all feel that things are moving in the right direction.
“The supporters being back has been fantastic and the atmosphere they have created, with 60,000 in the stadium, has been right up there every game.
“Having more fans in here cheering the team on will make it even better for us all.”
ROBO-CUP
Robo-linesmen at the 2022 World Cup will come a step closer today as law-makers are told the technology is good to go, writes MARTIN LIPTON.
Fifa is keen to introduce “semi-automated offside” calls at next year’s tournament in Qatar.
And the latest update, to be given at a meeting of the International FA Board, will be that the system has passed all its non-live trials and is ready to be rolled out.
Today’s meeting, attended by the four Home Nations and Fifa, will also include the technical and football advisory committees, headed by Arsene Wenger.
It will formally set the agenda for next month’s meeting of Ifab, which will then confirm the Law changes to be voted through in March and come into force from June 1.
SunSport understands HawkEye will tell the meeting that the system, which uses skeletal modelling to determine the exact positions of players when the ball is played, has been perfected.
A total of 29 points of the body of each player are tracked by the algorithm to provide the feedback on positions.
It is accurate within 4cm, more precise than VAR cameras, which are dependent on the picture frame when the ball is played.
If a player is deemed offside, a signal will be sent electronically to officials, enabling calls within seconds.
But it also gives time for the VAR to quickly assess if an “offside” player is not interfering with play, preventing the whistle being blown incorrectly to stop a legitimate goal from being scored.
Trials at the four Premier League clubs in the Champions League have recorded accurate results and confidence that the system has ironed out any glitches.
A formal ‘live’ test will now be backed for the Club World Cup, which involves Chelsea, in the United Arab Emirates in February.
It would then be approved for the World Cup, which starts on November 21 next year, before being rolled out in the Premier League from the start of 2023-24.
LUKASZ EYES NEW HAMMERS DEAL
Lukasz Fabianski is in talks over a new West Ham deal — and says he could still be playing at 40.
The goalkeeper is in the final year of his contract at the London Stadium, but he expects to agree terms until 2023.
Fabianski, 36, said: “The Premier League is the top of a footballer’s dream. I feel good enough to play a little more here.
“I will judge that step by step, but looking at Artur Boruc or other keepers, you can successfully play up until 40.
“As far as I can tell, there have been some preliminary talks going on.
“I hope that we will calmly come to a good solution for both sides.
“It’s not only West Ham’s policy that players of a certain age extend from season to season.
“It’s a logical solution for many reasons. It is a kind of risk minimisation.
“Of course, the most important thing in all this is health and sports level.
“If I can manage these aspects, I’ve no problem extending the contract.”
RON ‘HOLDING UTD TOGETHER’
EXCLUSIVE: Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly holding Manchester United’s dressing room together, writes DANIEL CUTTS.
Manchester Evening News claims Ronnie is urging fellow stars not to down tools as pressure grows on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Norwegian will keep his job to lead United out against Tottenham this weekend.
But his decisions have reportedly been attacked by players in clear-the-air meetings after Sunday’s 5-0 defeat to Liverpool.
Disgruntled stars first made their feelings known after the 4-2 loss to Leicester.
But the Liverpool game has opened up a whole can of worms.
And Ronaldo is apparently trying to keep the peace so United can get back on track this weekend.
He believes the Red Devils can beat Nuno Espirito Santo’s side if they all pull in the right direction.
But that might be difficult after Solskjaer held a no-holds-barred meeting with his players.
The Times claims one questioned Harry Maguire’s appointment as captain just six months after his arrival from Leicester.
Another slammed teammates for a lack of effort on the training field.
And one unnamed ace reportedly turned on Solskjaer himself for failing to give fringe players deserved game time if they impressed in training.
VARANE SET FOR EARLY RETURN
EXCLUSIVE: Raphael Varane has boosted Manchester United just when they most need it with an early return from injury, writes DANIEL CUTTS.
The centre-back, 28, was set to be sidelined for a few more weeks after limping out of France’s 2-1 Nations League final win over Spain.
But SunSport understands medics have given him the green light to step up his recovery.
He has started ball-work again this week in training, and has been running with the conditioning team.
Varane has also been using the bike in the gym, along with strength work to keep up his fitness.
Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hinted he could even be back in the squad for this weekend’s clash against Tottenham.
But it is more likely he will return for the crunch Manchester derby against City the following week.
The former Real Madrid star is working at around 70 per cent and could be back with the main group later this week.
ARSENAL HAIL ‘BRAVE’ CAVALLO AFTER HE COMES OUT AS GAY
The Gunners have thanked Adelaide United’s ‘brave’ and ‘inspirational’ Josh Cavallo after he became the world’s only top-flight male footballer to come out as gay.
Cavallo, 21, said it had been ‘exhausting’ leading a ‘double life’ but he was ‘finally ‘comfortable’ to publicly reveal his sexuality.
He added in his social media message: “All I want to do is play football and be treated equally.”
Many fans praised Arsenal’s ‘classy’ response but it still attracted some trolls.
This tweet below, though, resonated with the majority – who hope Cavallo’s statement will encourage millions of people around the globe to feel more comfortable about their sexuality, whether or not they choose to reveal it publicly.
PEREIRA’S FLAMENGO FUTURE IN DOUBT
Manchester United flop Andreas Pereira’s future with Flamengo is in jeopardy with the Brazilian side refusing to confirm if they’ll make his loan switch permanent.
The 25-year-old joined Flamengo on loan until the end of the season in a deal that included a £14.5million option to buy.
But the Brazilian Serie A side aren’t sure if they plan to activate the buy option clause.
In fact, Flamengo haven’t even discussed whether signing Pereira, who’s played 14 games and scored three goals for them in all competitions, is a viable option yet, according to their vice-president of finance Rodrigo Tostes.
When asked about the Belgian-born Brazilian’s future, Tostes said, reported by Sports Witness: “I don’t know if Flamengo are going to buy him or not, it’s not even being discussed internally yet, there’s a huge deadline for us to look at this.
“What I can say is: Do Flamengo have the capacity to buy an athlete worth €20m today? Totally. There’s certainly the potential for that.
“There is no lack of people wanting to lend money to Flamengo, they can generate this revenue.
“But a series of other factors need to be considered, which you will have to give up in order to eventually be able to make this investment.
“Now, buying potential, we bought Pedro now for €14m. Are Flamengo able to buy another €20m athlete?
“Totally. Now, what has to be studied is whether this makes sense within the logic I explained to you, this positive spiral of having a super winning team and this team continuing, creating related revenues.
“Being able to continue making investments, and not putting all the investment inside a basket, for example.”
HAALAND AND MBAPPE ‘WILL BOTH JOIN REAL’
Ex-Real Madrid striker Alfonso Perez claims they will sign Erling Haaland AND Kylian Mbappe next summer.
It was reported earlier in the week how Los Blancos were planning a swoop for the pair in 2022 to create a new era at the Bernabeu.
Madrid are ready to splash the cash, with Manchester United ‘target’ Haaland and Mbappe just two players being targeted by the LaLIga giants.
The Spanish side failed to secure Mbappe’s services in August, but are free to speak to him in January with the Paris Saint-Germain forward in the final year of his contract.
Meanwhile Borussia Dortmund marksman Erling Haaland is available for just £64million due to a release clause in his contract.
And ex-Real ace Perez, who won the top-flight title and Copa del Rey with Madrid, is adamant Haaland and Mbappe will be signed next year.
In an interview with Le Journal du Real, the former Barcelona man explained how Real president Florentino Perez will work his magic to get both deals done.
He said: “Which one do I choose to build a new project? I take both without a doubt.
“At Real Madrid, there are always the best players in the world.
“Florentino will bring them both back.”
TOON READY TO HAG-GLE FOR ‘MAN UTD TARGET’ ERIK
Newcastle are willing to make Manchester United ‘target’ Erik ten Hag the Premier League’s third-best paid boss.
That’s the claim from the Mail despite Paulo Fonseca and Lucien Favre remaining the bookies’ favourites to succeed sacked Steve Bruce.
The Toon‘s new Saudi owners are reportedly ready to offer Ajax manager Ten Hag more than £11million a year gross – about £6m AFTER tax.
But the 51-year-old is reluctant to quit the Dutch champs.
Only Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola (£20m a year) and Liverpool chief Jurgen Klopp (£15m) earn more than the package it’s claimed Newcastle have put together for Ten Hag.
But so far it appears the former Bayern Munich reserves and Twente boss is content to continue developing a dynasty at Ajax, after turning down Tottenham over the summer.
In four years with his home country giants, Ten Hag has won two titles and maintained Ajax‘s production line of brilliant youngsters.
And even if the Magpies pursue their interest, they could face powerful opposition from the Red Devils.
Old Trafford manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is tipped to be the next Premier League chief axed, following Sunday’s 5-0 home loss against Liverpool.
And for now ex-Roma boss Fonseca remains the favourite for the Toon job, havign been interviewed last Wednesday.
TOON OVER THE MOON ABOUT OVERMARS
Arsenal icon Marc Overmars will reportedly accept Newcastle’s offer to become their new director of football.
De Telegraaf claims the Ajax chief is ready to agree terms on a lucrative contract with mega-rich Toon following their £300million Saudi takeover.
Overmars is currently tied down to Ajax until 2024 in the same role.
But Newcastle have no qualms about paying hefty compensation to bring the Dutchman back to England.
Journalist Valentijn Driessen told Voetbalpraat: “Overmars will go, I think. If he gets the chance, he goes.
“Overmars has to start in January or February, because he has to put together the squad for the new season.
“And his successor must do that for Ajax.”
It was revealed last week that Newcastle were targeting Overmars to take charge of their transfer business.
The former Barcelona star had also been linked with a return to Arsenal.
But Overmars is instead looking set to link up with a new boss at St James’ Park.
Graeme Jones is interim gaffer at Newcastle following Steve Bruce’s exit.
CASH NO LONGER ACCEPTED
Matty Cash has reportedly been given a brand new name following his successful application for Polish citizenship.
The Aston Villa star, whose mother hails from Poland, has now become Mateusz Gotówka.
The Villa Park ace has committed his international future to Poland with the team set to face World Cup qualifying matches against Andorra or Hungary in November.
OVERMARS IN TOON
Marc Overmars is reportedly due to hold talks with Newcastle over the plans to create a director of football role at the club.
It is thought the former Arsenal star is high on their list of targets for the job.
Dutch football expert Valentijn Driessen told the sports show Voetbalpraat: “That is a great new challenge.
“He has now been at Ajax for ten years, he has shown all the tricks there.
“And he also knows that with Ajax he will never become the new Bayern Munich, or the new Paris Saint-Germain and therein ultimately lies his challenge, to possibly do the trick again with a step to another club, but then to get even higher.”
Overmars is rumoured to be keen to leave Ajax next year.
TWO BLUES
Chelsea are thought to be gearing up for a double swoop for Sevilla ace Jules Kounde and Juventus ace Matthijs de Ligt.
Reports claim the Premier League leaders are making contingency plans with the contracts of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christiensen set to expire in 2022.
Eurosport claims Kounde and De Ligt are being eyed as potential replacements for the pair should they opt to leave Stamford Bridge next summer.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
