Liverpool eye Mbappe swoop, Arsenal target Milan’s Andre Silva, Haaland LATEST – Chelsea, Tottenham transfer news

CLUBS FIRST

Chelsea and Tottenham will reportedly follow in Liverpool’s suit by preventing their players from leaving for international duty if they have to quarantine upon their return.

Under current government coronavirus guidelines, travellers arriving from red list countries have to undergo a mandatory 10-day quarantine period.

Earlier this week, Reds chief Jurgen Klopp revealed he won’t release players if they later have to observe a period of isolation – insisting the club must come first.

And London duo Chelsea and Tottenham have opted to take the same stance as they could end up being without the services of several players.

According to The Telegraph, the Blues will prevent Thiago Silva, Edouard Mendy and Hakim Ziyech from joining the Brazil, Senegal and Morocco squads if there is a risk they’ll have to quarantine.

APPE DAYS

Liverpool are reportedly edging closer to signing Kylian Mbappe as the tension between Mo Salah and Jurgen Klopp rises.

The Reds are thought to be Real Madrid’s main challenger in the bid to sign the PSG superstar.

And AS reports that after Anfield boss Klopp hooked Salah in the 1-0 defeat against Chelsea in midweek, a move could be accelerated.

The report states that with Liverpool on the slide after suffering five back to back defeats at home for the first time in their history, things have escalated between the German boss and his Egyptian star.

Klopp subbed Salah in the 61st minute – the earliest he has been replaced since September 2017 – which was clearly to the 28-year-old ace’s distaste.

The manager was overheard telling his attacking star to track back before hauling him off.

TRIPLE THREAT

Man City could land Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi and Jack Grealish this summer, according to sensational reports.

Pep Guardiola’s side are running away with the Premier League title – the Citizens lead second-placed Manchester United by 14 points ahead of Sunday’s derby.

And the club’s star-studded squad is only set to get better with a phenomenal triple swoop on the cards.

The Mail reports suggestions Norwegian hot-shot Haaland, 20, is destined for City have come from ‘some credible sources’.

And with Messi, 33, out of contract this summer, the club appear poised to land the Argentine at the second time of asking with the report stating the ‘conversation is not yet closed’.

Reports this week linked Aston Villa skipper Grealish, 25, with a move to the Etihad and again that appears to have come from ‘good sources’.

KARI ME HOME

Flop goalkeeper Loris Karius has hinted at ending his Liverpool nightmare with a permanent exit.

The shot stopper is on loan at Union Berlin and is ready to remain in Germany as he looks to put his Anfield woes behind him.

Karius told BILD: “I still have a contract with Liverpool FC until 2022.

“But of course, I can imagine staying in Berlin if everything fits. I’m not just passing through here.

“The mentality of the people and the spirit of the team are good for me. I’m basically a down-to-earth guy. Even though I drive an expensive car.”

The German keeper has only made four Bundesliga appearances this season for Union Berlin with most of his time spent on the bench.

TEAM NEWS

Here is how Sheffield United and Southampton start at Bramall Lane.

FULL-TIME

And it’s over at Turf Moor!

it’s ended 1-1 and Mikel Arteta will be fuming!

Not only that his side missed a number of chances, but they were denied a stonewall penalty for a handball on Erik Pieters.

Terrible result for Arsenal.

BAILEY’S ON ICE

Man Utd have reportedly already held transfer talks with Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey.

The Red Devils are said to have made contact with the 23-year-old’s representatives in January, according to journalist Jonathan Shrager.

The report states Tottenham and AC Milan were two other clubs who also sounded out the Jamaican star’s availability at the start of the year.

But the Bundesliga ace is believed to be solely focused on performing for Leverkusen for now.

United have sent scouts to watch Bailey play over the last 18 months and he could be a cheaper alternative signing to Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho.

The player’s deal at Leverkusen runs until 2023 and the German club are keen to extend his stay but they face a tough ask to get him to re-sign.

BARC-ING MAD

Barcelona ave the highest wage bill in world football – with THREE players earning £345,000 or more per week.

Lionel Messi, unsurprisingly, leads the way raking in £584,000 per week.

But he’s just one of three players to earn over £300,000 on weekly basis.

Midfield wonderkid Frenkie De Jong sits second, commanding £354,000 per week.

Antoine Griezmann takes home £345,000 a week following his move from Atletico Madrid in 2019.

Incredibly, a further FIVE players all earn £200,000 a week or more – with a total of 14 players raking in at least £100,000 per week.

Lionel Messi is far and away Barcelona’s top earner at close to £600,000 per week

GUEN TO LEAVE

Arsenal have told Matteo Guendouzi he has played his last game for the club and will be sold in the summer, reports say.

The Frenchman was shipped on loan to Hertha Berlin in Germany at the start of the season.

He has impressed in the Bundesliga, sparking hope he could return to Arsenal once his spell away expires.

But according to Football Insider, Arteta has no plans in bringing Guendouzi back into his squad.

And Arsenal are even said to be dropping his price tag from £30million to £25m in an attempt to attract buyers.

But with the 21-year-old entering the final year of his contract at the end of this season, the Gunners could struggle to move him on.

FEEL THE BURN

Burnley are level and it’s a howler from Granit Xhaka!

In trying to play the ball out the box, Xhaka’s pass deflected off Chris Wood and into the open net.

Arsenal should be 4-0 up, but now find themselves on level terms.

Shambolic.

LAND AHOY

Chelsea are confident of signing Borussia Dortmund hitman Erling Haaland this summer, according to reports.

The Norwegian burst on the scene with Red Bull Salzburg and has continued to flourish since his £19.5million move to Dortmund in December 2019.

Haaland has scored a whopping 43 goals in 45 appearances for the Bundesliga big boys, a run of form which has caught the eye of Premier League giants Chelsea.

And according to ESPN, the Blues reckon they can entice the 20-year-old to swap the Westfalenstadion for Stamford Bridge.

They claim the Chelsea brass believe they can tempt the youngster to up sticks with a lucrative financial package and the opportunity to spearhead an expensive starting XI.

The Blues, however, could face an uphill battle to acquire Haaland services as he’s reportedly not receptive to the idea of joining them.

AUBA THE TOP

Well that didn’t take long!

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has fired Arsenal into the lead in the sixth minute.

The Gunners ace was picked out by Willian, and he then slotted the ball into the bottom left corner after cutting inside.

Big goal for the visitors.

KICK-OFF

The game is underway at Turf Moor between Burnley and Arsenal.

Keep up to date with all the action on the SunSport LIVE blog of the match.

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TITLE PARTY

Thousands of Rangers fans have broken lockdown rules by gathering outside of Ibrox ahead of today’s clash with St Mirren.

The Gers supporters have turned up in their numbers to welcome the team ahead of the impending title party, setting off various sets of pyro.

Steven Gerrard’s side are just one win away from securing the historic achievement.

Should they beat the Buddies this afternoon, and Celtic drop points away to Dundee United tomorrow, the Premiership crown will be theirs.

If the Hoops do manage to win at Tannadice, then it would set up a potential Celtic Park title showdown.

And with the Light Blues tantalisingly close, fans have gathered in their thousands to kick start the celebrations.

Rangers fans outside of Ibrox

The fans get into party mood

Supporters waving Gers flags and setting off smoke

EUR IN LUCK

FA chiefs would welcome any offer from Uefa to stage more games at Euro 2020.

Dublin, Glasgow and Bilbao are all struggling to be able to give Uefa the guarantees it is seeking over fans in the ground, with the deadline for compliance April 7.

And while Wembley chief executive Mark Bullingham insisted the FA was “100 per cent not lobbying” Uefa to dole out more matches, he admitted an approach from Nyon would be met with open arms.

Bullingham said: “Our understanding is that Uefa is still keen on the tournament being hosted in 12 countries.

“If for any reason, Uefa or the country in question decided they don’t want to host and came to us, we would want to help Uefa, knowing we have the stadia and the Government support to do it.

“We know a number of other countries would be in the same position. I’m not assuming that there will be extra games and we’re 100 per cent not lobbying Uefa for anything.

“But we would be one of the countries Uefa would consider for those extra games. That’s where we are.”

BURNLEY TEAM NEWS

And this is how Burnley will start against the Gunners at Turf Moor.

ARSENAL TEAM NEWS

This is how Arsenal line-up away at Burnley.

Mikel Arteta has opted to start both Willian and Calum Chambers.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leads the line.

RIP MICKEY LEWIS

Former West Brom and Oxford hero Mickey Lewis has died aged just 56.

Tributes have been paid to the ex-O’s boss after losing a short battle with lung cancer yesterday.

He was only diagnosed with the rare form of the disease two-weeks ago, and leaves behind wife Suzanne and son Zach.

A family statement said: “It is with deep sadness that we have to tell you our beloved Micky has lost his short battle with cancer.

“Micky fought with typical bravery and tenacity having been diagnosed only two weeks ago with a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer.

“As we all know Micky loved football, loved people and loved life and we will miss him so very much.

“We would appreciate some privacy right now but will announce any details in due course because we know how loved Micky was.”

Mickey Lewis has died aged just 56 after a short battle with cancer

PAUL THE OTHER ONE

Paul Merson believes Man Utd are ‘on the verge of a meltdown’ due to their poor form in the Premier League.

The Red Devils – who have won just two out of their last eight top-flight matches – face rivals Man City on Sunday.

Writing in the Daily Star, Merson said: “Manchester United are on the verge of a meltdown – because that’s what it would be if they don’t finish in the top four.

“They were top of the league not so long ago and if you’re in with a chance of winning the title and then you don’t finish in the top four, that’s a major collapse.

“United have stopped scoring goals and teams below them have winnable games.

“They have opened the door. And they could be caught.”

GUNNED DOWN

Arsenal will reportedly allow four of their Under-23 stars to leave the club in the summer.

According to Football London, Ben Sheaf, Arthur Okonkwo, Joseph Olowu and Kido Taylor-Hart’s respective stints with the north London club will come to an end at the end of the season.

Sheaf’s time with the Gunners will draw to a close as his loan club Coventry City have an obligation to permanently acquire his services.

Okonkwo and Olowu, meanwhile, are both set to become free agents at the end of the campaign.

And it’s claimed the Arsenal brass will not offer the duo, 19 and 21 respectively, new deals following the expiration of their current contracts.

Taylor-Hart is also said to be on course to leave the club as he’s yet to have been offered a professional deal.

Recent reports, however, have claimed the Gunners have indeed offered the 18-year-old winger a contract.

AD ENOUGH

Wolves will listen to transfer offers for out-of-form Adama Traore at the end of the season, reports say.

The winger had interest from Barcelona and Manchester City last campaign, but his £70million price tag was deemed as too steep.

According to the Daily Mail, Wolves are still open to moving on Traore, as they look to bring in funds for a summer reshape for Nuno Espirito Santo.

But, with the Spaniard off the pace currently, his value is set to be drastically slashed.

Traore is without a goal and has just one assist in his 26 Premier League games so for this term.

That is compared to the four goals and nine assists he managed last season.

SAINTS OR SINNERS

EXCLUSIVE – Southampton need only look back to the 2004-05 season to see how you can slip out of the league if you get sloppy.

Harry Redknapp’s side were out of the bottom three in mid-March thanks to a Peter Crouch-inspired win at Middlesbrough.

They missed out on safety by only two points in one of the most tightly-contested relegation scraps in Premier League history.

Kevin Phillips one of only nine players to score 30 league goals in a season, told SunSport: “We had some good players then and shouldn’t have gone down.

“But just because you’ve got good players, you can still get sucked in and get relegated. You can’t take anything for granted. If Southampton want to learn anything from that season, it’s that, yeah, they’ve got good players, but that doesn’t mean anything.

“People can quickly come up from behind you and overtake you, if you don’t perform. Hasenhuttl will know that.”

JUR JOKING

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has insisted that only Manchester City, with their magic Abu Dhabi money tree, are capable of winning the title year in, year out.

He said: “If your problems are not getting bigger than solutions, you can have it.

“But it’s the most difficult league to stay on top for a long, long period, in England.

“It could happen. There is one club that maybe has everything for it — the quality of players, the manager, the money and everything — and that is Man City.

“All the rest have to fight with all you have to get close.

“When you are close enough you can maybe do what we showed last year.”

DISLODGE HODGE

EXCLUSIVE – If Crystal Palace want to move on, then they need to do it without Roy Hodgson, says club legend Andy Gray.

He said: “It’s not a case of sticking with him or letting him go. Roy Hodgson is 73 and he came into the club to stabilise it. But that’s all he’s going do — stabilise the club.

“The club haven’t given him plenty of money to spend, so it’s not just the manager but it’s everyone connected with the club to recruit and buy players.

“Roy has got the squad that he’s got and it’s a squad which will stay in the Premier League. But it’s not going do anything other than that.

“This squad has got more chances of staying up than going down anyway because he hasn’t got the worst squad.”

Crystal Palace legend Andy Gray, who played more than 200 games for the Eagles in two spells at Selhurst Park, has called on the club to make a change

NOISY NEIGHBOURS

Shaun Wright-Phillips says Manchester United should be used to chasing City by now having spent most of the last decade trying to keep up with the ‘noisy neighbours’.

Like many in the blue corner, he points to the FA Cup semi-final between the two clubs at Wembley in April  2011 as being a seismic day.

The former England ace recalled: “That game was clarification things were starting to turn in Manchester.

“That day was significant. It was a huge occasion — Wembley, a derby, a cup semi-final.

“For so long United had been the dominant force but the feeling was that our time was coming — when we’d start winning some trophies.

“That’s what they’ve been doing since — with City at No 1 and United at No 2 in Manchester. And that is how it is going into this derby.”