MANCHESTER UNITED and Chelsea remain hot on the tail of Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland, but they’re going to have to pay one pretty penny to land him.
Elsewhere Liverpool have exciting targets of their own, while we’ve got you covered on all the transfer news from the rest of the Premier League’s top clubs.
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Follow our LIVE blog below to get the latest from around the clubs…
BREAKING
Thierry Henry has left his position as head coach of MLS side CF Montreal.
The Arsenal legend joined them in November 2019 following his infamous spell with French giants Monaco.
But Henry announced in a statement he has resigned due to personal and family reasons amid the coronavirus pandemic.
RAM IT HOME
Manchester United star Eric Bailly has weighed in on the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo GOAT debate… by picking neither of them.
The Ivorian has instead cited Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos as the ‘perfect reference point’.
Eric Bailly had a strange take on the GOAT debate
Bailly, 26, was asked by Guillem Balague on the Spaniard’s YouTube channel for his take on football’s most debated topic.
He said: “My greatest inspiration has always been Ramos.
“I’ve admired him for a long time, because of what he does in football and how he keeps going at a high level.
“For me, he’s one of the best players in the history of football. Everyone has an opinion, but he is one of the best, the perfect reference point for me.
“If you ask me, Messi or Ronaldo, I’d say Ramos.”
YOUNG LIONS
This is how England could line up at the Under-21 Euros which start in March before finishing in May and June.
DIM VIEW
Manchester United favourite Dimitar Berbatov believes his former club need to guard against complacency in the top four race.
With neighbours Man City running away with the title, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are turning their focus to Champions League qualification.
The Bulgarian Betfair ambassador said: “United need to be careful and focused when they go to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, because if they lose the Blues will be within three points of them in the table.
“A six point gap is nothing in the Premier League so a top four finish is by no means guaranteed for Manchester United, especially as they have dropped points recently.
“Hopefully they will become more consistent again and secure qualification for next season’s Champions League.
“The Red Devils need to prepare well and either win or draw the game, otherwise the gap is getting smaller.
“It is a big game for both teams and it is different when you play a team like Chelsea.”
JUR KIDDING
Liverpool could sack ‘unbelievable’ boss Jurgen Klopp, according to former Red Glen Johnson.
The German has overseen four consecutive defeats in the Premier League, as his side’s title defence has fallen apart in recent weeks.
And while Johnson, 36, thinks that Klopp’s job is safe for now, he believes the 53-year-old could be in trouble next season if their slump continues.
The ex-England international told cheltenhamguides.com: “I think Klopp’s job will be safe, but next year will be different.
“This season you can’t talk about sacking him because he’s been unbelievable, but unfortunately at this level of football, things change quickly.
“I think his job will be absolutely fine for now but next season will be a different conversation.”
AS-TON OF MONEY
Aston Villa are among Europe’s biggest net-spenders in recent years with almost £300million splashed on transfers.
In a study conducted by CIES Football Observatory, the Midlands club were found to have loaded more money into the market than Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid.
The past ten transfer windows have seen Villa pay £356m for players and only earn £59m back in sales, creating a net deficit of £297m that is the seventh-highest in Europe.
MONEY TALKS
Pep Guardiola has conceded Manchester City’s success is down to their staggering wealth.
Since being taken over by Shiekh Mansour’s Abu Dhabi United Group Investment in September 2008, the club have forked out close to an eye-boggling £2billion on new players.
And when asked how his side manages to maintain their winning form, Guardila said: “We have a lot of money to buy a lot of incredible players.
“It is true. Without good quality players, we cannot do it. The humanity of this group… the players are fantastic and have an incredible relationship.”
FLASH THE CASH
Here’s how Chelsea could line up after Roman Abramovich hands Thomas Tuchel a £260million transfer warchest.
ROMAN EMPEROR
Thomas Tuchel is set to be handed a £260million transfer warchest by Roman Abramovich this summer, according to reports.
And that could see the Chelsea boss go all out to land Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland.
According to Tutto Mercato, the huge fund will be available to Tuchel regardless of whether he secures Champions League football at Stamford Bridge next season.
Abramovich bankrolled a whopping £230m spending splurge last summer as the Blues signed Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Edouard Mendy to revamp the squad.
But the Russian billionaire – who has recently splashed out £430m on another new yacht – appears prepared to stump up yet more cash to help his club challenge among Europe’s elite once again.
The No1 priority will be Haaland who has a £65m release clause which takes effect in 2022.
RAPH-LE TICKET
Leeds star Raphinha could become the subject of a transfer battle between Manchester United and Liverpool, according to reports.
After leaving Rennes for Yorkshire in October, the Brazilian winger has been a key man at Elland Road.
His form has alerted the likes of United and Liverpool, among others ahead of the summer transfer market.
SportItalia report on the interest, with Leeds ready to fight to keep hold of the 24-year-old.
The Whites forked out £17million for Raphinha last year following a single season in France.
HAA MUCH?
Manchester United have reportedly been told that they can sign Erling Haaland this summer, but only for £150million.
The Norwegian striker is among the hottest property in European football, having scored 43 goals in 43 games since joining Borussia Dortmund 13 months ago.
Goal machine Erling Haaland will set Manchester United back £150mCredit: EPA
Haaland, 20, possesses a £65million release clause in his contract, which will become active in 2022.
A number of clubs, including United, Manchester City and Chelsea are interested in getting a deal done sooner – but it’ll cost them dearly.
According to the Star, Dortmund are braced for interest but will hold out for £150m this summer – more than double his future release clause.
Asked yesterday about Haaland, who he managed at Molde, Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer refused to rule out a move for his compatriot.
MAKING A MARC
Marcus Rashford made his Manchester United debut five years ago today.
The 18-year-old was handed his debut by Louis van Gaal in the Europa League after Anthony Martial broke down in the warm-up.
Rashford bagged two goals to announce himself on the big stage but some of the other Red Devils on the day have had very different journeys since.
Left-back Joe Riley now plays for Carlisle in League Two while right-back Guillermo Varela is on loan at Dinamo Moscow from Copenhagen and Daley Blind is at Ajax.
Michael Carrick is now on the coaching staff while Sergio Romero, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard are still on United’s books.
Memphis Depay is at Lyon, Ander Herrera at PSG and Morgan Schniederlin at Nice.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
