England games to be played at WOLVES, Chelsea targeting Jules Kounde, Real Madrid ‘confident of Haaland transfer’

PSG prepare huge Mbappe offer

Kylian Mbappe could be about to bring an end to months of transfer speculation by staying put at Paris Saint-Germain.

The France boy wonder has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid when his PSG contract expires this summer.

The Independent reports PSG are prepared to make the striker the highest-paid player in the world in order to convince him to stay.

The report claims the Ligue 1 leaders are ready to pay him a basic wage of close to £1million A WEEK in any new deal.

Conte not scared of challenge

Antonio Conte has admitted that managing Tottenham is ‘different’ because the club lacks ‘confidence’.

While praising January arrivals Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur as ‘ideal’ signings for Tottenham, Conte also insisted that there will be no quick fix to his ‘weakened’ side’s problems.

Asked about how his start to life at Spurs compares to when he joined Inter in 2019, he said: “It is always difficult to make comparisons, but surely when you take the job in a team that hasn’t won for a long time it is inevitable that you will lack confidence.

“The confidence is down and many times, at the first obstacle, you throw yourself down and many times the negativity increases even more. Sometimes you grant goals that you struggle to accept.

“This has been happening to us in the last period. This is part of a process of a team that has to grow a lot to try to be competitive.

“Right now we are one of the many teams that are in the middle. They need to work a lot and this does not scare me at all.”

Hasenhuttl not interested in United

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has rubbished suggestions that he’s in line for a move to Manchester United.

The Austrian has been linked with the United hot seat by various voices in the media after his side’s impressive showing at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The 54-year-old also previously worked with Ralf Rangnick at RB Leipzig, leading many to suggest that he’d be the ideal choice to help replicate their success together at the Theatre of Dreams.

However, the Saints boss gave the idea short shrift in his press conference ahead of the weekend’s match with Everton.

“This is not on my mind and is not something that is interesting me. I don’t want to speak about my future.“

Last week, Hasenhuttl responded to an interview he’d given with German media, laughing off suggestions that he’d retire from the game when his Southampton contract comes to an end in 2024.

Frank sings Borja’s praises

Everton manager Frank Lampard has spoken highly of Southampton’s Armando Broja in his press conference ahead of their meeting at St Mary’s on Saturday.

Lampard was Broja’s manager at Chelsea, and handed the striker his senior debut as a substitute in a 4-0 home win against, ironically enough, Everton.

The Albanian has caught the eye on loan at St Mary’s this season, and his performances have come as no surprise to the new Toffees boss.

“I gave him his debut at Chelsea. He’s a very talented young boy.

“He came into us at the start of Covid and started training with us and showed the attributes you’re seeing now at Southampton. He’s fast, he’s strong, he’s got a real eye for goal. I’m very aware of his talents.”

Blues preparing for Mount negotiations

Chelsea are preparing to open discussions with midfielder Mason Mount over a bumper new contract, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

The England international still has 18 months to run on his current deal, but the Blues don’t want to waste any time in tying Mount down long-term.

Officials at Stamford Bridge hope to begin negotiations with the 23-year-old in the coming months in order to avoid any issues, although the player is considered happy and keen to extend his stay beyond 2024.

Toon to do the Botman

Another hour, another story of Newcastle being willing to spend big in order to see off the opposition in the transfer market.

This time the player in question is Sven Botman with Tottenham and AC Milan the clubs unlikely to be able to compete if the Toon decide to splash the cash.

The Dutchman, who plays on the left side of central defence, was a Ligue 1 champion with Lille last season, and has continued to impress this term despite his club’s faltering defence of their title.

Newcastle did enquire about the 22-year-old during the January transfer window as Eddie Howe sought defensive reinforcements, but are now expected to go back in for the player in the summer.

Molineux to host Three Lions

England will play two matches at Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Molineux Stadium in June when Gareth Southgate’s men take on Italy and then Hungary in the Nations League.

The match against the Azzurri will be played behind closed doors as punishment for fan behaviour at the final of Euro 2020.

The games will be first England men’s international to be played at Wolves’ famous old stadium since a World Cup qualifier against Denmark in December 1956.

Mark McGhee back in the game

But not necessarily in the dugout.

Scottish Premiership side Dundee have this morning announced Mark McGhee as their new manager, replacing James McPake, who was sacked on Wednesday.

Second from bottom in the table, Dee have 13 league games left to save their season, but McGhee won’t be able to appear pitchside for the first six as he still has a touchline ban to serve from his time at Motherwell in 2017.

If you want to see how well the fans at Dens Park are taking the news, head on over to Twitter.

Arsenal battle Spurs for Sosa

Arsenal are ready to slog it out with Tottenham once again, but this time in the boardroom as the two north London clubs prepare to battle for Croatian left-back Borna Sosa.

That’s the understanding of Bild’s Christian Falk, who has taken time out from his Twitter beef with Marcus Rashford to reveal the transfer story.

The Stuttgart defender has attracted plenty of attention this season, and was the subject of an enquiry from Chelsea in January as they sought replacements for the stricken Ben Chilwell.

An asking price of £25million put the Blues off in the first instance, but is unlikely to deter their rivals in the capital with both the Gunners and Spurs in need of reinforcements.

Mbappe considering Liverpool u-turn

Kylian Mbappe may yet line up in the red of Liverpool next season, according to reports coming out of Spain.

The French sensation had been poised to sign a deal with Real Madrid following the conclusion of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain in June.

However, the 23-year-old is supposedly now having second thoughts after being disillusioned by the standard of Madrid’s performance when they visited PSG in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Los Blancos produced an incredibly defensive display at the Parc des Princes, eventually going down 1-0 to Mbappe’s stoppage time goal.

The lack of quality in Real’s ranks is now forcing the forward to reconsider long-time suitors Liverpool as an option.

Royals scandal as fans protest

Furious Reading supporters surrounded the team bus last night as it attempted to leave Peterborough’s London Road following last night’s drab 0-0 draw, and demanded the club take action.

Fans have grown increasingly disgruntled with the direction of the Championship outfit, and refused to move until manager Veljko Paunovic had been sacked.

The Serbian coach has overseen Reading’s 12-game winless run, although did end an eight-game losing streak with a point against Posh.

The result ensured the Royals remained above Peterborough, and two points clear of the relegation zone.

The angry mob were eventually dispersed, and the bus was able to leave the stadium.

Leeds ace Raphinha rejects deal

Leeds United’s Brazilian star Raphinha has stalled on the prospect of negotiating a new contract at Elland Road.

The 25-year-old still has two years to run on his current deal, but the Yorkshire club are keen to tie the attacking midfielder down with some of Europe’s biggest clubs taking interest.

Liverpool are reportedly interested in taking the player to Anfield, and the news of the player’s unwillingness to commit his future to Leeds could tempt the Reds into a summer bid.

Reportedly wanting to compete regularly for silverware, Raphinha joined Leeds from Rennes for £17million in 2020, and has since scored 14 goals in 51 Premier League games.

Sources close to Leeds state the club are not worried, and maintain that talks are ongoing with the player’s representatives.

Saka stay dependent on success

Bukayo Saka will only commit his long-term future to Arsenal providing the club can prove they are ready to compete for silverware.

That’s the view of of former Premier League goalkeeper (and one-time striker) David James, who believes the north London club are stocked with exciting young talent.

James told GGRecon that “[Saka] is in an Arsenal team full of potential, but if that potential isn’t to be fulfilled in the next year or so, then I’m sure someone of his talent will desire success.

“If [Mikel] Arteta begins to show that Arsenal can be successful then Saka will have no reason to leave.”

The 20-year-old’s current deal at the Emirates runs out in 2024, and he has recently been linked with a move to Liverpool.

Pogba open to Premier stay

Paul Pogba’s departure from Old Trafford this summer looks all but certain with the Red Devils set to see the Frenchman leave on a free transfer for the second time in ten years.

The midfielder does not appear interested in signing a new contract with United, and had been readily expected to move to one of European football’s giants given his wage demands..

Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and former club Juventus have all been linked, but now it has been suggested in the Telegraph that the player would not be against remaining in the Premier League.

Few English clubs would have the finances to table a deal for the 28-year-old with Newcastle, Arsenal and Chelsea appearing the most likely to be able to make a move should the player want to stay in the country.

Eze money? Newcastle eye Ebe

Mega-rich Newcastle United are continuing their pursuit of Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, and are now preparing a £45million summer swoop for the exciting forward.

As we reported yesterday, the Toon Army have been tracking the 23-year-old since his return from a long-term achilles injury, and made enquiries about taking the player on loan in the January transfer window.

The Eagles are not keen to do business, but United’s new owners are confident that they can tempt the south London club into doing business with a whopping bid of around £45million.

The former QPR man hit four goals in 34 appearances during his debut Premier League season following a £17million move to Selhurst Park, before succumbing to the foot problem that kept him sidelined for six months.

Overnight round-up

Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe again lead the transfer talk.

Real Madrid reportedly believe they have agreed a deal with Borussia Dortmund to beat Manchester United and City to goal machine Haaland.

And it’s claimed PSG’s French World Cup winner Mbappe is ‘open’ to joining Liverpool.

So far Real have been favourites to land Mbappe, even if they also swoop for Haaland.

Meanwhile, Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea are all said to be chasing Stuttgart defender Borna Sosa.

It’s been suggested Blues’ boss Thomas Tuchel failed with a January bid for the Croatia left-back.

The Gunners and Spurs are also being linked with RB Leipzig’s attacking midfielder Christopher Nkunku.

But some reports say Old Trafford chief Ralf Rangnick might meet resistance from the Old Trafford board if he pursues the exciting Frenchman.

Newcastle are lining up an improved £45million offer for Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze in the summer.

Finally, Liverpool struck twice late on to clinch a flattering 2-0 Champions League last-16 first-leg win at Inter Milan.

Roberto Firmino’s header and Mo Salah’s deflected shot seemingly left the Reds in command for the Anfield return on March 8.   

This is the moment City’s jet is rocked by winds

This is the worrying moment Manchester City’s private jet is ROCKED mid-air by turbulence as it struggles to land.

The terrifying footage was shot as City’s plane attempted to touch down in Manchester following Tuesday’s 5-0 win against Sporting Lisbon.

Video shows shows the jet struggling to battle the strong winds caused by Storm Dudley.

City’s plane had to circle THREE times before it was deemed too dangerous to land.

And it was forced to change course mid-air to land in Liverpool instead.

High winds meant the plane could not touch down at Manchester Airport, leading to the late change 31 miles away.

The club released a short statement on Twitter that reads: “We can confirm the plane transporting the first team home from Lisbon has landed safely in Liverpool, after high winds forced a diversion from Manchester.”

Storm Dudley has brought severe weather conditions to Manchester with the Met Office issuing a ‘danger to life’ warning across the area.

Conte: We weakened Spurs squad

Antonio Conte has revealed he ‘now realises Tottenham’s vision’ in a frank assessment of their January transfer window.

Spurs brought in Juventus duo Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur but also missed out on a number of targets.

These included Adam Traore, who ended up re-joining Barcelona, and Luis Diaz who was pinched by Liverpool.

And Conte has now spoken out about how challenging the window was for the club.

Speaking to Sky Sports Italia, he said: “It’s always difficult to make comparisons, but if I had to find something similar, it would be the lack of confidence that is inevitable when you start work at a club that hasn’t won in a long time.

“I saw some situations from the outside that could be developed, but when you get into it, you realise that something… What happened in January was not easy. We lost four players in January. Four important players for Tottenham, and we brought in only two.

“So even just in terms of numbers, rather than reinforce the squad, we on paper weakened it.

“Bentancur and Kulusevski are ideal prospects for Tottenham, because Tottenham are seeking young players they can develop and grow, not players who are ready. That is the issue.”

No Chelsea bonus for world glory

Chelsea players will not receive any bonuses despite the club receiving £7million for their Club World Cup and Uefa Super Cup triumphs, according to reports.

Members of the Blues’ squad are entitled to bonuses if they win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup or League Cup.

But according to the Daily Mail, no negotiations were made before the season started about bonuses being dished out for claiming the Super Cup or Club World Cup.

Chelsea agree a bonus schedule with their players prior to the start of each campaign.

And the West London outfit have one of the most stringent bonus structures as they generally only pay out when trophies have been won – although they are also expected to receive one if they reach the Champions League final.

When they are received, some players often pass them on to lower-paid team-mates or young prospects.

But Chelsea’s squad are not set to receive any for their two European wins this season, despite the club earning as much as £7m for the triumphs – £3.7m for the Super Cup and £3.6m for the Club World Cup.

They secured the Super Cup back in August with a penalty shootout victory over Villarreal.

Newcastle in for Palace ace

Newcastle are lining up a fresh £45million summer swoop for Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze.

The newly-rich Toon offered the Eagles £5m in the January window to take their playmaker on loan for the rest of the season with a view to a £35m permanent switch at the end of the season.

That was flatly rejected by Palace because they did not want to sell one of their players mid-campaign, especially to a top flight rival.

But Newcastle, with cash to splash on new signings following their megabucks Saudi takeover, are confident they can get a deal done for one of the Premier League’s hottest properties once this season is over.

And Palace could be tempted to more than double their money on a player they signed from QPR 18 months ago for £17m.

Greenwich-born Eze, 23, scored four goals in 34 Premier League appearances last season before suffering an Achilles injury in May.

That has restricted him to just one Premier League start so far this term.

Eze was an unused substitute in Palace’s 0-0 draw with Prem newcomers Brentford.

Hasenthuttl tipped to boss top club

Jan Bednarek has tipped Ralph Hasenhuttl to manage one of football’s big beasts one day, writes TOM BARCLAY.

Hasenhuttl, 54, has had an outstanding campaign at Southampton, guiding them to tenth in the Premier League and the fifth round of the FA Cup.

He has masterminded an excellent run of just one defeat in Saints last ten games in all competitions, including draws against both Manchester clubs and a win at Tottenham.

The Austrian is contracted until 2024, after which he has hinted he could even quit life as a manager. 

Yet defender Bednarek is hoping Hasenhuttl’s talents will one day land him a top role.

The Pole said: “You can see with our performances against the biggest teams, he has got the idea and the philosophy of playing football that could suit a big team.

“If we keep going like this and keep performing like this, the big teams will look at him, and analyse the way he plays, the way he is managing the team. 

“If they like him – I don’t see many things against that. Hopefully, I keep my fingers crossed, one day he will  become the manager of some bigger team.”

Big Sam hails Arteta over Auba exit

Sam Allardyce reckons Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta handled Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s ban and resulting sale to Barcelona ‘magnificently’.

Arteta dumped club record-earner Aubameyang as skipper and out of the first-team for disciplinary reasons before the striker departed on transfer deadline for free.

And ex-Newcastle, West Ham and Everton manager Allardyce praised the Spaniard’s treatment of the Gabon superstar, 32.

He said: “He dealt with that magnificently well, because it shows the rest of the team that there’s a certain level of expectation when it comes to discipline, and if you’re not going to adhere to that, you’re gone.”