Erling Haaland to Man City CONFIRMED, Rudiger to Madrid COMPLETED, Suarez ‘wants’ Barcelona return

Carragher praises Haaland transfer

Jamie Carragher praised Erling Haaland’s transfer to Man City.

He also claimed Haaland and Kylian Mbappe have eclipsed Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the world’s best.

Carragher said: “He’s a brilliant signing, not just for Man City but for the Premier League.

“Him and Mbappe feel like the next two superstars who have already eclipsed Ronaldo and Messi and you’re just delighted he’s in the Premier League.”

Liverpool’s FA Cup final worry

Liverpool star Fabinho is a huge doubt for this weekend’s FA Cup final after being forced off injured at Vila Park.

The Brazilian midfielder limped off just 28 minutes into the Reds’ trip to Aston Villa on Tuesday evening.

While the nature of the injury is not yet clear, hobbling off the field just four days before the FA Cup final against Chelsea is a worrying sight for Liverpool fans.

The 28-year-old appeared to be struggling with a hamstring injury.

Reds fans will be hoping the decision to substitute Fabinho was merely precautionary ahead of Saturday’s trip to Wembley.

But Jurgen Klopp and Co now face a nervous wait to discover the extent of his injury.

Chelsea offered Rudiger more

Chelsea were willing to pay Rudiger MORE in wages than Real Madrid, according to reports.

But Real managed to woo Rudiger by offering him a larger signing-on fee than the Blues did, Nizaar Kinsella reported.

Real’s enticing proposal has resulted in Rudiger agreeing terms with the Spanish giants.

Suarez wants Barcelona return

Luis Suarez would slash his wages for a shock Barcelona return.

That’s the claim in Spain as the Atletico Madrid striker, 35, eyes a free transfer at the end of his contract this summer.

El Chiringuito reporter Jose Alvarez Haya says Suarez ‘would be willing to lower his salary and adapt it to the needs of Barcelona’.

It’s understood Atletico are unlikely to try to renew his deal at the end of the season.

End of Liverpool era

Liverpool are reportedly set to break up their iconic front three of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

The Anfield trio are all out of contract in 2023.

And Goal claims Liverpool are unlikely to hand new deals to all three stars as they would have to break their strict wage structure.

Mane wants Ballon d’Or prize

Sadio Mane has his eyes on the Ballon d’Or award.

And his desire to win the coveted prize has led to the Liverpool striker eyeing a move to Barcelona, according to Mundo Deportivo, via Eurosport.

The Reds attacker believes he has more of a chance scooping the prestigious accolade if he joined Barca, the report stated.

Rudiger to Real Madrid COMPLETED

Rudiger has completed his free transfer to Real Madrid, according to reports.

The Chelsea defender will join the La Liga Champions when his deal expires with the Blues upon the season’s conclusion, according to The Athletic.

The departing Blues ace penned a four-year contract with Los Blancos worth between £7-8m per year AFTER TAX, the report added.

And the German international’s deal will also include a £342m release clause, it was also claimed in the report.

Haaland compared to Shearer

Incoming Man City star Erling Haaland has been tipped to make a big impact in the Premier League like Alan Shearer.

The bold prediction was made by Shearer’s ex-Toon team-mate Steve Howey.

He told Football Daily: “I mean Alan [Shearer] wasn’t slow, by any means but obviously the lad’s [Haaland] very quick.

“The similarities when you do look at the goals that he scores, Al scored a big range of goals and all the goals. He was aggressive, he was strong, he did like the physicality of it as well.

“But not only that, he was a very good player. I think, the way that City play football with the intricate passing, I think that suits his game as well because he pretty much is the all around package. When you watch him, he has got everything.”

‘Big fish’ role for Lingard

Jesse Lingard will be a ‘big fish’ at Newcastle if he decides to join the Magpies.

That’s the opinion of Jonathan Woodgate who reckons Lingard will flourish on Tyneside as he will have a point to prove following a dismal spell with Man United.

Woodgate told BritishGambler.co.uk: “I think if he comes to Newcastle he will be the big fish, and he’s not the big fish at [Manchester] United.

“If he goes [to Newcastle] he will be one of the main men, and that might help him.

“I like him and think he has great qualities, and great attitude. He will want to prove a few people wrong.”

City release Haaland statement

Man City have confirmed they have an “agreement in principle” to sign Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.

If City and Haaland agree on terms, he will be unveiled by the club on July 1, 2022.

A club statement read: “Manchester City can confirm we have reached an agreement in principle with Borussia Dortmund for the transfer of striker Erling Haaland to the Club on 1st July 2022.

“The transfer remains subject to the Club finalising terms with the player.”

Real Madrid CONFIRM Rudiger transfer

Real Madrid have COMPLETED a deal to sign Chelsea centre-back Antonio Rudiger, according to reports.

Spanish giants Real Madrid have now finally secured his services after snapping up the free transfer on a four-year deal.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano tweeted: “Everything is now done between Real Madrid and Toni Rüdiger. The deal has been completed, club sources confirm: he will play for Real.

“Contract until 2026, there’s no option for further season.

“Official announcement: end of the season. Here we go confirmed.”

Haaland signs long-term deal

Man City have tied Haaland down to a long-term deal, reports claim.

The 21-year-old’s transfer to City was confirmed this afternoon.

And City fans will have the pleasure of watching Haaland work his magic for the next five years, according to The National.

Haaland’s wages revealed

Haaland’s wage packet will reportedly put him amongst the highest earners at Man City.

The attacker will pocket £400,000 weekly during his Etihad stay, according to The Times.

And the eye-watering sum is similar to the amount City star Kevin De Bruyne earns on a weekly basis, the report added.

Haaland transfer CONFIRMED

Erling Haaland’s transfer to Man City has been CONFIRMED, according to reports.

Borussia Dortmund and City are completing the final pieces of the transfer said to be worth £51million which will be announced this afternoon.

It was previously thought that Haaland’s release clause was £64.1m, but The Times claim his exit fee is just over £51m.

And the fee will rise to £85.6m when agents’ fees and bonuses are added into the mix, the report added.

Chelsea bidder supports Spurs

Chelsea bidder Jonathan Goldstein will not take up a place on the club’s board because he is a Tottenham fan, according to reports.

The businessman, who has a close relationship with Chelsea’s incoming owner Todd Boehly, was being talked about as a potential successor to Blues chairman Bruce Buck.

But it has since been revealed that Buck is set to remain in his role when Boehly buys the club from Roman Abramovich.

It was then thought that Goldstein could assume a position on the board at Stamford Bridge.

But according to The Times, he will not take up the role because he is a Spurs supporter.

The report states that he is a Tottenham season ticket holder.

Pep silenced over Haaland transfer

PEP GUARDIOLA said he has been banned from talking about Erling Haaland until the deal to bring him to the Etihad is complete, writes MARTIN BLACKBURN.

Manchester City are poised to activate the release clause – reported in Germany to be £64 million – to sign the Borussia Dortmund striker.

But both clubs urged Guardiola not to speak about what he might bring to the champions until everything is agreed.

Pep was speaking ahead of the trip to Wolves on Wednesday night and said: “Everybody knows the situation but I should not talk because I do not like to talk about the future, next season.

“At the same time I should say something, but Borussia Dortmund and Man City told me I’m not allowed to say anything until the deal is completely done.

“So I cannot talk, I’m sorry. We’ll have time to talk.

“I would love to talk, honestly, but I can’t! They tell me don’t say anything for the legal actions or the legal situation, it’s far away from my perspective.

“We’ll have time to talk about that. It’s not because I don’t want – but because I can’t.”

Clarke-Salter wanted

Chelsea’s Jake Clarke-Salter is wanted by top clubs across Europe including Leeds and PSV Eindhoven on a free transfer, writes PHIL CADDEN.

The 24-year-old centre-back has had an impressive season on loan at Championship outfit Coventry.

Clarke-Salter is out of contract at Stamford Bridge this summer but Thomas Tuchel’s side do have the option to extend his deal for another 12 months.

Chelsea’s ownership issues means the Blues cannot currently activate new deals under the sanctions imposed by the UK government.

But American billionaire Todd Boehly still needs his deal to be rubber-stamped with Government approval with the completion of the sale expected in late May.

That means Clarke-Salter can speak to other clubs with Leeds and Sheffield United already enquiring for his services.

If the former England Under-21 captain is on a free, Coventry boss Mark Robins has also stated the Sky Blues will be in the market.

Clarke-Salter made 31 appearances last season, 29 of those in the Championship.