LIVERPOOL have lost 3-1 at Leicester after a latest howler from goalkeeper Alisson.
On the transfer front, Bayern Sporting Director Hasan Salihamidzic has confirmed Dayot Upamecano will be joining the Bundesliga champions.
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Read our live blog below to get the latest from around the clubs…
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Here’s the moment Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson collided with debutant Ozan Kabak to let Jamie Vardy in to score Leicester’s winner.
MR PERFECT
Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson believes Erling Haaland would be ‘perfect’ for his old club.
The Borussia Dortmund striker, 20, has been linked with a move to the Premier League this summer, although a £68m release clause in his contract does not activate until 2022.
Johnson told bettingexpert.com: “Haaland is a perfect asset for any top team at the moment. He’s big, strong and a proper goalscorer.
“If City go for him, Liverpool will think ‘we can’t let City have him’. And it could become a race to the line. I think there will be numerous clubs that will want him if they can afford him.
“Liverpool don’t buy people for the sake of it, they don’t spend over the top on just any player.
“They only do it when they feel like they’re getting it right and they’ve proven before that it works.
“Someone like Haaland, I think they will spend big money on him.”
SHOUT THE ODS
Thomas Partey is relishing the chance to play alongside former La Liga rival Martin Odegaard at Arsenal.
Former Atletico Madrid star Partey has admitted it is a massive coup for the north Londoners to have signed the playmaker having come up against him in Spain while he was on loan at Real Sociedad.
Partey told Stadium Astro: “It’s difficult when you play against him.
“I remember playing against him, he’s so intelligent, he is always quick on the ball, he doesn’t give you a chance to win the ball.
“It’s amazing to have him here.
“I hope he has a great season and he’s able to help us achieve what we want to achieve.”
Odegaard is in line to make his first Arsenal start against Leeds on Sunday and could line up alongside Partey for the first time.
PL DUO EYE EX-LEIPZIG DEFENDER
Leeds and West Ham target Matthew Bondswell is in talks with a Premier League club, according to Football Insider.
The 18-year-old left-back is a free agent after terminating his RB Leipzig contract and reportedly held talks with the Hammers in January.
However, a deal could not be struck which has allowed Leeds, as well as aChelsea and sporting Lisbon to enter the fray.
The Nottingham Forest academy product spent the first half of the season on loan at FC Dordrecht, making six appearances in the Dutch second tier.
SHAW THING
Manchester United defender Luke Shaw is set for an England recall- after more than two years out of the squad.
The 25-year-old has won just two caps under Gareth Southgate, with his last outing having come against Spain in September 2018.
Shaw’s impressive form at club level could put him in contention for the World cup qualifiers against San Marino, Albania and Poland.
Ben Chilwell was England’s only recognised left-back during the last round of internationals, while Bukayo Saka, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Keiran Tripper have also filled in on the left.
ALISSON BLUNDERLAND
Alisson was at fault once again as Liverpool crashed to a third successive defeat in the Premier League at Leicester.
The Reds goalkeeper was involved in a mix-up with debutant Ozan Kabak at 1-1 which allowed Jamie Vardy to knock the ball into an empty net for Leicester’s winner.
It was the third high-profile mistake by the Brazilian in a week following his bloopers against Manchester City.
Harvey Barnes added a third goal moments later to add insult to injury for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
RICHARDS CHOOSES BAYERN
Reading left-back Omar Richards has agreed to join Bayern Munich this summer, according to Football Insider.
The 22-year-old is in the final six months of his Royals contract and has been free to discuss terms with other clubs since January.
And Richards has reportedly opted to sign a three-year deal with European champions Bayern – in a blow to Premier League suitors West Ham, Everton and Wolves.
Bayern are keen to add competition for first-choice lef-cback Alphonso Davies, while versatile defender David Alaba looks to be headed for the exit door.
SWAP SHOP
Juventus are preparing to offer defender Merit Demiral to Real Madrid in exchange for Raphael Varane, according to Calciomercato.
The French World Cup winner has so far refused to a new deal at the Bernabeu, with his current contract expiring in 2022.
Real were reportedly willing to offer Eder Militao as part of a swap deal for Demiral but Juve would prefer to sign Varane.
Los Blancos are in the market market for a new centre-back with both Varane and captain Sergio Ramos angling towards the exit door as they approach the end of their respective contracts.
RAZZLE DIAZ-ZLE
AC Milan are keen to hold on to on-loan Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz, according to Goal.
The 21-year-old joined Milan on loan from Los Blancos last summer and has impressed for Stefano Pioli’s side.
With no option to buy included in the deal, Milan are reportedly willing to offer up to £27m for the former Manchester City youngster.
Diaz has scored four goals and registered three assists in 25 appearances for Milan this season.
JUVE GOT TO COME
Cristiano Ronaldo wants to reunite with former Real Madrid teammate Marcelo at Juventus, according to TuttoJuve.
The report claims Real will look to offload the Brazilian left-back this summer rather than risk losing him for free in 18 months’ time – and Juventus are favourites for his signature.
The 32-year-old lost his place in Real’s starting lineup to Ferland Mendy last season and has featured in just 10 games for Zinedine Zidane’s side this term.
Ronaldo and Marcelo won four Champions League titles as teammates in Madrid.
TOFFEE TARGET
Everton are interested in Freiburg centre-back Keven Schlotterbeck, according to BILD.
The 23-year-old has made 13 appearances for Freiburg this season, helping the German outfit to eighth place in the Bundesliga.
Journalist Christian Falk said: “True, although a bit surprising.
“They have become aware of him in England because of his solid performances in the Bundesliga, while his not so expensive transfer cost makes him attractive too.
“Maybe they looked a little bit at Leeds United, they got [Robin] Koch from Freiburg, and he proved to be a superb defender, so the Germans are in focus now.”
STONES BLOW
Harry Redknapp claims he told Frank Lampard to sign John Stones while his nephew was in charge of Chelsea.
Stones has enjoyed a resurgence at Manchester City this season, forming a formidable centre-back partnership with newboy Ruben Dias, having seemed close to leaving the club at the start of the campaign.
Redknapp told Sky Sports: “They’re fantastic aren’t they and John Stones… what a comeback.
“I text Frank at the start of the year but they’d already made a signing at Chelsea.
“I said, ‘What about him, John Stones?’
“I think he’s a real talent. Someone just had to get hold of him again and get him playing and believing in himself.
“And he’s come back now and he looks the best centre-half around. He’s in fantastic form.”
Reports suggest Stones is set to be offered a new long-term contract at the Etihad, with his current deal set to expire in 18 months’ time.
GREAT DANE
Leeds have made initial contact with Sampdoria over Danish winger Mikkel Damsgaard, according to La Repubblica.
Tottenham, West Ham and Southampton have also been credited with an interest in the 20-year-old attacker.
The report claims a fee of £17.5m will be needed to tempt Sampdoria into selling.
Samp paid £5.7m to sign Damsgaard from Nordsjaelland last summer.
FEL GUY
West Ham have slapped a £17m price tag on Felipe Anderson as they bid to sell the Brazilian this summer.
The 27-year-old has spent this season on loan at Porto, but has made just nine appearancesin all competitions for the Portuguese giants.
The Hammers are prepared to take a significant hit on Anderson, who they signed for £37m in 2018.
The former Lazio man earns around £4.4m per year at the London Stadium and the West Ham hierarchy are keen to offload the midfielder’s hefty wages.
DORTMUND LOOKING ROSE-Y
Borussia Monchengladbach sporting director Max Eberl has confirmed there is a release clause in coach Marco Rose’s contract – amid links with Borussia Dortmund.
Rose has been tipped to take over at Dortmund this summer, with Edin Turzic only appointed as interim coach until the end of the season following Lucien Favre’s sacking.
Eberl explained to the Rheinische Post he would not stand in Rose’s way if he opted to leave the Foals.
The former Red Bull Salzburg boss has led Gladbach to the champions League knouckout stages this season, where they will face Manchester City.
NEW DEAL FOR DE VRIJ
Stefan de Vrij is close to signing a new deal at Inter Milan, according to Calciomercato.
The report claims the Netherlands international has verbally agreed to a new five-year deal at the San Siro.
De Vrij is not the only player to have entered talks over a renewal with Inter.
The Nerazzurri have been busy trying to tie down the likes of Lautaro Martinez, Nicolo Barella and Alessandro Bastoni to new deals as well.
GETTING REAL
Real Madrid have a four-man shortlist to replace Sergio Ramos if he leaves the club this summer.
The 34-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and has yet to agree terms with real over a renewal.
Bayern Munich defender David Alaba, who is himself out of contract this summer, is believed to be Real’s primary target.
AS reports Napoli stalwart Kalidou Koulibaly, Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde and Villarreal’s Pau Torres round out the shortlist.
MINGS TO UNITED?
Manchester United have identified Tyrone Mings as a possible solution to their defensive issues, according to ESPN.
The report claims the Aston Villa defender, 27, is one of a number of targets at the back for the Red Devils.
United are one of only two teams in the top half of the table to have conceded 30 or more goals.
Real Madrid duo Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, Villarreal’s Pau Torres and Braga’s David Carmo have also been linked with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.
EMI FOR ENGLAND?
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been linked with a shock England call-up.
The 28-year-old has received call-ups from his native Argentina in the past, but has yet to make an appearance for the senior team.
Martinez spent 10 years at Arsenal before his move to Villa last summer, prompting TalkSport trio Alan Brazil, Ray Parlour, and Trevor Sinclair to pose the question.
Brazil said: “If he’s been at Arsenal for ten years, then I suppose he is eligible – I am not saying he will – to play for England?”
Parlour responded: “I think he would get in the England team.”
DONNARUMMA LATEST
AC Milan have offered goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma a new deal worth £6.5m-a-year in a bid to ward off interest from Paris Saint-Germain.
The 21-year-old’s current deal at the San Siro expires at the end of the season, meaning he is free to talk to other clubs regarding a free transfer.
Despite Milan’s offer, Donnarumma’s agent, Mino Raoila, is hoping to negotiate around £9m per year from the Rossoneri.
That figure would see the Italy international become the second-best paid goalkeeper in world football, after Manchester United’s David De Gea.
Gazzetta dello Sport reports PSG are monitoring the situation closely.
WEST HAM MOVE ‘MY DREAM’
Said Benrahma has described his move to West Ham as a ‘dream’.
Benrahama’s £25m permanent transfer to the Hammers was finalised last month, having initially joined on loan from Brentford at the start of the season.
Benrahma told West Ham’s official website: “When West Ham came knocking, I didn’t hang about. I was really excited.
“That was my aim, that was my dream and my family’s dream, you know.
“I made a promise to my father, God rest his soul, and for the moment, I’m happy because I think that he’d be proud.
“As long as I know that I’m making my family proud, I’m happy.”
The Algeria international has notched four assists in 18 appearances this term.
BRADY TO CELTIC?
Burnley midfielder Robbie Brady has emerged as a summer target for Celtic.
Celtic are keen to strenghten their squad on the back of a disappointing campaign and have identified the 29-year-old as a possible target.
Brady is out of contract at the end of the season and has yet to agree new terms at Turf Moor.
The Republic of Ireland international joined the Clarets in 2017 and has made 83 appearances for Sean Dyche’s side in all competitions.
GO GET EM
AC Milan are interested in Barcelona right-back Emerson Royal, according to Calciomercato.
The Brazilian defender has spent the last two-and-half years on loan at Real Betis, and has made 17 appearances in La Liga this season.
Milan had been in talks over a move for Emerson, 22, last summer but the loan deal with Betis was already in place.
The move could rest on the future of Diogo Dalot, who has impressed for Milan this season on loan from Manchester United, but the deal does not contain an option to buy the Portuguese full-back.
RYAN ‘THRIVING’ AT ARSENAL
Arsenal newboy Mat Ryan feels he is ‘thriving’ under Mikel Arteta at the Emirates.
The Aussie goalkeeper joined the Gunners on loan from Brighton in January having fallen out of favour at the Amex.
Bernd Leno’s red card against Wolves meant Ryan was thrown into action against Aston Villa, but he is already loving life in north London.
Ryan told The World Game: “Although we lost the game against Villa, I think I can take a lot of positives from that match.
“Hopefully I’m able to provide a bit of a headache for the manager in his team selection going forward, and create competition for spots.
“[Arteta]’s really impressed me since coming in.
“He makes it clear what’s expected of each player in every aspect of the game.
“It’s all about instilling a winning mentality and everyone is buying into that.
“I really feel like I’m thriving in this environment.”
BALOGUN LATEST
Mikel Arteta remains hopeful Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun will sign a new deal at the club.
The 19-year-old’s deal at the Emirates expires this summer and a host of clubs around Europe have expressed an interest in signing him on a free transfer.
Speaking ahead of his side’s clash with Leeds, Arteta said: “I’m still very positive that Flo [Folarin Balogun] is going to stay with us and it’s what we’re trying to do as a club, and it’s what I’m trying to do as a manager.
“As far as I know from last week, the player wants to be here, so I’m positive. I think he’s made some big progress in a few months.”
Bayer Leverkusen, Stuttgart and Rennes are believed to be frontrunners for the youngster’s signature.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
