WEST HAM manager David Moyes has sent a warning to Chelsea that Declan Rice will cost them OVER £100million this summer.
Meanwhile we’ve the very latest on Raphinha as the Leeds star is being eyed by Man Utd, plus Kylian Mbappe to Liverpool.
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Follow our LIVE blog below to get the latest from around the clubs…
LAP IT UP
Hector Bellerin’s return to Barcelona has moved a step closer following Joan Laporta’s presidential win, according to reports.
Laporta was elected at the helm of the Catalan giants after taking the majority vote during Sunday’s election.
The 58-year-old is back for his second spell as president following his seven-year reign from 2003.
Barcelona have been frequently linked with a move to bring Bellerin back to the Nou Camp over recent years.
And last week it was reported how Laporta had an agreement with the Gunners defender’s representatives to try to negotiate a fee with Arsenal to bring him back if he was handed the presidency.
Spaniard Bellerin, 25, is a graduate of Barca’s famous La Masia academy before switching to north London in 2011.
He remains under contract until 2023 but reports claim ‘he is open to rejoining his old club and returning to his home city’ in the summer.
FOSTER THE PEOPLE
Diego Costa was slammed as a ‘filthy rat’ by former Manchester United keeper Ben Foster.
The Watford No1 blasted the ex-Chelsea man’s dirty tactics on his YouTube channel The Cycling GK.
When asked who he disliked playing against most, Foster said: “It’s a good question and it’s Diego Costa because he was just a filthy little rat.
“He would just snarl and scratch and he wouldn’t leave you alone and he wouldn’t give you a second’s breath.
“And do you know what, Luis Suarez was a bit like that as well. He was horrible to play against, he would kick you, he would scratch, he would do anything.”
MODEL CITIZENS
Here’s how Prem champs elect Manchester City could line up next season after a summer splurge on players.
COM-AN GET ME
Manchester United are on red alert after transfer target Kingsley Coman reportedly rejected Bayern Munich’s first offer of a contract extension.
The 24-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford last summer and the Red Devils are still believed to be keen.
Kingsley Coman could quit Bayern Munich after reportedly rejecting their first offerCredit: AFP
The French winger’s current deal at the Allianz Arena runs until 2023 but he apparently is looking for a big increase on his current £140,000-a-week terms.
However, Kicker claims the star has snubbed their first proposal to get him to stay.
That comes after reports stated United had put together a package to tempt him away from the Bundesliga and were looking to make him one of their big buys this summer.
HEAD HEN-CHO
Thierry Henry admits he dreams of becoming Arsenal manager one day.
Gunners legend Henry has made a less-than impressive start to his career in the dugout having struggled at Monaco and leaving his job in Montreal to be closer to his family.
But the Frenchman still has eyes of one taking taking charge of the club where he is the all-time leading scorer and has a statue of him as a player outside their stadium.
Speaking to FourFourTwo, 43-year-old Henry said: “Listen, if you ask an Arsenal fan if they’d like to coach Arsenal one day, they’ll say yes.
“If you ask an Arsenal fan if they’d like to score a goal for Arsenal, they’ll say yes. When I speak about it, it’s a utopia.
“People get carried away whenever I say that it’s my club, but I have it in my blood – I’m an Arsenal fan.
“Arsenal is part of me and always will be – half of my heart belongs to Arsenal, and the other half to my family.
“The understanding I have with Arsenal fans is something I cannot describe – it’s something I’m always going to miss.”
POOL OF TALENT
Liverpool’s four-man transfer shortlist to replace their misfiring front three includes Erling Haaland and Jack Grealish, according to Stan Collymore.
The former Reds striker, 50, also believes Barcelona sensation Ansu Fati and AZ Alkmaar forward Myron Boadu are being monitored by the Anfield club.
There is growing speculation Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane will leave the club this summer with Robbie Fowler urging his former side to ‘cash in’.
Collymore took to Twitter following Sunday’s shock defeat to Fulham – the reigning champions’ SIXTH home loss on the spin.
He wrote: “Have wondered for a while whether RF/MS/SM have come to a natural end at Liverpool and whether the club are well down the line at not only realising that but actively looking for a younger, hungrier versions.
“Something doesn’t look right though. LFC front 3 have won the lot and may fancy Madrid, Bayern or Juve for a new challenge.
“So don’t discount an overhaul being at least being whispered at LFC. Haaland, Grealish, Fati (Barca completely skint) Boadu (couple of Dutch coaches I know love this kid) all on a list.”
PASSING THE TEST
Prem Covid testers recorded just two positive over the past seven days – for the FOURTH week running.
The two positives came in the batch of 1,599 tests between Monday and Thursday last week, with the 1,276 tests between Friday and Sunday all clear.
It is further proof of the success of the League’s enhanced protocols, brought in at the start of January.
The last completely clear testing run was in the final week of last season in July.
The pleasing numbers continue the recent trend since football clubs tightened up their coronavirus protocols.
Over Christmas there were numerous embarassing episodes of players breaking rules, with outbreaks occuring at multiple teams.
Clubs were reminded of their responsibility to improve and follow the rules and there has been a marked decline in positive results since.
NO AIN NO GAIN
Ainsley Maitland-Niles has revealed that he joined West Bromwich Albion in January to avoid ‘rotting away’ on Arsenal’s bench.
The versatile star featured prominently in the Gunners’ run to FA Cup success last season, while also earning his first England caps in the autumn but subsequently struggled for game time.
The 23-year-old told talkSPORT: “It’s another loan deal, you are going to end up going back to the club eventually.
“It was just more of a chance for me to show what I’m capable of other than sitting on the bench for the rest of the season and rotting away.
“The main reason was being able to play as there’s nothing better than playing. I felt it would be great to experience the work of people trying to save their careers and stay in the Premier League.
“I think it was the perfect fit for me to be here and show them the qualities I can produce.”
EUR IN
Here’s how England could line up at the delayed Euro 2020 tournament.
With talk Matt Targett is set for a call-up, how might the side look if Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate plumps for the Aston Villa man at left-back.
NOT SO SUPER
Uefa and Europe’s biggest clubs are set to kill off the proposed Super League – and adopt the planned revamp of the Champions League.
In the clearest sign of the new mood in European football, Uefa General Secretary Giorgio Marchetti opened the general assembly of the European Club Association with a withering blast at the Super League plans pushed by Real Madrid and backed by Manchester United and Liverpool.
And that was followed up as ECA head and Juventus President Andrea Agnelli urged the clubs to commit to the Uefa-led proposal for a 36-team elite competition from 2024.
In what was a blatant attack on the Super League plotters, Marchetti said: “We realise that unity can easily be dissolved when insidious ideas are pursued under the pretense of survival, growth or business needs.
“Unfortunately, the rest of football, about 99 per cent of it, would not be invited to enjoy this new Super Union.
“Surviving this affliction is not just about quick fixes or effective remedies that fit the wealthiest and the privileged few but taking care of everybody, the whole of football, the big and the small, the weak and the strong.”
WALK AND TALK
Bruno Fernandes ignored a yelp from the touchline as Kyle Walker tried to put the Manchester United star off his penalty on Sunday.
The defender’s claim that Ederson would get the better of Fernandes was picked up by pitchside microphones.
With no fans inside the Etihad Stadium, a Sky Sports clip revealed the shout as Fernandes ran up.
A voice can be heard calling out: “He’s saved it!”
It’s not clear from the video who was behind the shout but reporters from the Mirror and Standard pinpointed Walker.
CROWN & OUT
Defeat to Fulham left Liverpool with a six-game Anfield losing streak and the worst decline of any Premier League champion in history.
The Reds romped to the title last season, their first in 30 years, with a hugely impressive 99 points to their name.
Few expected Jurgen Klopp’s side to match that tally again yet even the most pessimistic fan would have dismissed the sort of collapse that was to follow.
Mario Lemina made hay on an uncharacteristic Mohamed Salah mistake at Anfield to fire 18th-placed Fulham to a huge 1-0 win.
It followed victories on Merseyside for Manchester City, Everton, Burnley, Chelsea and Brighton in recent weeks, as well as a defeat away to Leicester.
THIA-NO GO
Here’s how Chelsea could line up against Everton tonight – with Thiago Silva still expected to be sidelined.
CASH IS KING
David Moyes has warned Chelsea they’ll have to fork out ‘way more’ than £100million to land star man Declan Rice.
The Blues have been long-term admirers of the defensive midfielder and looked into the possibility of landing him last summer.
Declan Rice could cost over £100mCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Speaking ahead of West Ham’s clash with Leeds on Monday night, he said: “I don’t agree with the owners that Declan Rice is a £100m footballer… far, far more than £100m.
“I look at the players who have joined some clubs from overseas and come in and had nowhere near the impact that Declan Rice would have.
“Also he is English, [we have] just had Brexit, so I wouldn’t agree with the owners if Declan Rice was only £100m. No, I wouldn’t.”
The defensive midfielder still has a contract with West Ham until 2024 with the option of an extra year.
RAPH AND READY
Leeds winger Raphina insisted he is happy at the club despite links with Manchester United and Liverpool.
The Brazilian has bagged five goals and five assists in 20 Prem games, catching the eye of the league’s big boys.
He told Sky Sports: “The club, all the people who work here, the staff and the players have really helped me develop. I’m really grateful for this and always look to do my best for them all. This creates a bond with everybody here.
“I’m really happy here and feel I’ve adapted well. Everything’s in place for us to achieve good results working together.
“We know that Leeds are a club who belong in the Premier League. We’ll be always looking to keep the club here.
“We’re also aware that we’re a promoted side that needs to adapt to the league like we’re doing now. Our initial objective is to stay in the top division.”
REF MIC?
The FA says it welcomes talk over broadcasting refereeing decisions to clarify the process in a similar fashion to rugby.
The laws of the game currently stop the audio between officials being broadcast live.
FA chief exec Mark Bullingham told Sky Sports News: “I think it’s absolutely worth exploring.
“Our starting point has to be that anything which adds value to the fan, and demystifies any part of the decision making by referees, has got to be something that we’d consider, of course.
“We then need to look at that counter arguments that might exist from any referees feeling that’s intrusive.”
LAMP FADE
Brighton will be without wing-back Tariq Lamptey for the rest of the season.
The former Chelsea ace was instrumental for Graham Potter’s side in the early weeks of the season, grabbing assists in his first three games.
But he has been unavailable for selection since mid-December, after sustaining a hamstring injury against Fulham.
According to The Athletic, the 20-year-old underwent surgery in London on Saturday to repair a tear in the tendon.
The operation is believed to have been a success.
But while Lamptey will likely return to training before the end of the season, he isn’t expected to be fully fit in time to play another game this term.
ODE TO MIK
Martin Odegaard insists Arsenal will return to great heights under ’top coach’ Mikel Arteta.
The 22-year-old has only worked with the Spaniard for around five weeks since his arrival at the Emirates on-loan from Real Madrid.
And the Norwegian midfield has already seen enough to be convinced Arteta will guide the Gunners back to glory ‘very soon’.
Odegaard told BT Sport: “He’s a top coach, he’s really intelligent. He’s really smart.
“There are so many things to learn from him, so I’m just happy to be here.
“I think the club is in the process now where things have changed a little bit but, from what I’m seeing here and what I’ve experienced at the club, I’m sure that the club will be back at the top very soon.”
NOBLE CAUSE
West Ham legend and captain Mark Noble has signed a one-year extension at the club.
The 33-year-old has been rewarded for his reaction to a lack of playing time this season and will begin his 18th campaign in East London next year.
David Moyes has used Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek in the middle of the park to great effect with no room for the reliable Noble.
The Hammers have had a remarkable season and are now challenging for a Champions League spot.
TON LASHING
Jose Mourinho hailed his Centurions and then told the doubters: Not bad for a defensive, negative side.
Clinical Tottenham thrashed Crystal Palace 4-1 with two goals from Harry Kane and Gareth Bale.
Mourinho, 58, is often irked by the reputation that he is not an attack-minded coach.
Yet he possesses one of the best striking units in world football as they became the second team after Bayern Munich in Europe’s top-five leagues to notch 100 goals this campaign.
Spurs boss Mourinho said: “I was happy with the attitude, the feeling and naughty smile of scoring 100 goals in the season – and we’re a defensive team.
“The stat I was given is not bad for a very defensive team, for a very negative team.
Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
ELBOW REECE
Reece James is relishing his friendly rivalry with Callum Hudson-Odoi for a spot in the Chelsea team.
But James knows he must win the battle for Thomas Tuchel’s right wing-back place to remain in the frame for Gareth Southgate’s England Euros squad.
Chelsea will look to continue their unbeaten run under new boss Tuchel against Everton tonight, with James, 21, starting four of those ten matches.
Hudson-Odoi, 20, has been preferred in other games, though James got the nod for Thursday’s 1-0 win at Liverpool.
He said: “I’ve known Callum for years and there is no problem between me and him. We get on well together and it is part of the game.”
CITY OF GLOVE
Chelsea are being led by Paris Saint-Germain in the race to sign AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, according to reports.
The Blues are believed to be interested in the giant stopper, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season.
Italian website Libero last week claimed that Chelsea are readying a a £175,000-a-week offer for the 22-year-old.
But according to Tutto Mercato, Thomas Tuchel’s side face stiff competition.
They reckon that the German’s old club PSG are interested in Italy’s No1, as they chase a replacement for current first choice Keylor Navas.
IF THE SHIRT FITS
Manchester United are closing in on a new £70million-per-year shirt sponsorship deal.
A mystery American software company is understood to be the front-runner to replace Chevrolet, whose £64m-a-year agreement expires in December.
Sources say talks with the potential new partner are ongoing but the news fits in with the bullish attitude executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward took last week.
And it means Man Utd could end up wearing — and selling — shirts with two different names on the front next season.
Manchester United are close to agreeing a huge new shirt sponsorshipCredit: Getty Images – Getty
STURGEON ANGER
Nicola Sturgeon ordered Rangers to tell their “disgraceful” fans to head home after breaking lockdown rules this afternoon.
Thousands of Gers fans descended on Glasgow’s George Square to celebrate their club’s title win.
The Ibrox side were crowned champions today after Celtic’s goalless draw with Dundee United at Tannadice.
Footage shows jubilant fans waving flags and letting off smoke bombs as they celebrate clinching the league trophy.
Fans also gathered at Ibrox for title celebrations – defying current lockdown restrictions – after the Hoops’ latest slip up sealed their fate.
3 LIONS KO
Jadon Sancho faces a month on the sidelines which would rule him out of England’s World Cup qualifying triple-header.
The winger, 20, missed Borussia Dortmund’s 4-2 Bundesliga loss to Bayern Munich on Saturday and his muscle injury is worse than expected.
Gareth Southgate names his Three Lions squad on March 18 for qualifiers against San Marino, Albania and Poland at the end of the month.
Sancho picked up the injury in the German Cup last week and may not be back until April.
He has been in excellent form for Dortmund since the turn of the year, scoring eight goals and providing seven assists in just 13 appearances.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
