JURGEN KLOPP has been told he is safe from a sacking following Liverpool’s atrocious run of form that has seen them slump to EIGHTH in the Premier League table.
The news comes as Joachim Low announces he will resign as Germany manager following the Euros.
Meanwhile Real Madrid are among the favourites to sign Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez and Manchester United are reportedly chasing Leeds ace Raphinha.
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Follow our LIVE blog below to get the latest from around the clubs…
LIGT EM UP
Manchester United are reportedly set to make a summer move for Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt.
The Red Devils were keen on signing the centre-back before his £67.5million move from Ajax in July 2019.
And according to reports, they’re set to renew their interest in the 21-year-old in the summer.
Spanish outlet Todofichajes claim the Old Trafford club have made signing the centre-half their ‘top priority’.
It’s said the United brass have opted to pursue De Ligt’s signature after deciding against moves for Real Madrid duo Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane.
MAVI-NG OUT
Arsenal are reportedly considering a swoop for ex-Aston Villa flop Jordan Amavi to provide back-up for Kieran Tierney.
The 26-year-old left-back is set to become a free agent when his contract ends at Marseille in June.
The Ligue 1 side are hopeful they can convince the Frenchman to stay with a new three-year deal.
However, Le10Sport claims the Gunners and AC Milan are battling it out to sign him on a free transfer.
TUCHING DISTANCE
Thomas Tuchel is wasting no time in proving his credentials as he closes in on a Premier League record.
The German gaffer has inspired his side to six wins and three draws including victories away at Liverpool and Tottenham.
But his league run could be unrivalled should his side avoid defeat in their next four matches.
Only ex-Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri and former Nottingham Forest gaffer Frank Clark began their Prem managerial careers with longer unbeaten runs.
Another ex-Chelsea boss Felipe Scolari went eight games unbeaten in 2009 as he won six and drew two.
JU OFF THEN?
Juventus could be forced into transfer listing Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala as the coronavirus crisis cripples the club, according to reports.
But the Italian champions will refuse to sell Matthijs de Ligt this summer.
According to calciomercato.com via Football Italia, the Old Lady need to salvage some funds when the transfer market reopens.
The club reportedly posted losses of £97.5million earlier this season.
And they are therefore bracing themselves to lose some of their biggest names.
That could see Ronaldo, under contract at the Allianz Stadium until 2022, allowed to leave a year early from his £540,000-a-week deal.
FREE AND EASY
Barcelona are targeting Sergio Aguero, David Alaba and Eric Garcia, according to reports.
New club president Joan Laporta has already held discussions with Ronald Koeman, with Mundo reporting that they are plotting a trio of high-profile free transfers in the summer.
Aguero, Alaba and Garcia all appeal to the club as top calibre players coming to the end of their contracts.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Garcia has already penned a five-year deal ahead of a summer switch.
But Barcelona will face a battle to acquire Alaba and Aguero, with both set to require high salaries – and PSG reportedly willing to hand the former an eye-watering £400,000-a-week.
Credit: Reuters
AND ANOTHER ONE
Juventus will give Andrea Pirlo at least another season in the dugout, even if Porto knock the Italian giants out of the Champions League tonight.
The former midfielder faces a huge fight to qualify for the quarter-finals, facing a 2-1 deficit after the first leg in Portugal.
But La Repubblica report on Pirlo being given time to turn things around, with the job his first in senior management.
JURG ON
Jurgen Klopp has ruled out replacing Joachim Low as Germany boss – insisting he will remain at Liverpool for years to come.
Low announced he will quit Germany this summer, ending his 15-year reign, which included a 2014 World Cup win.
Klopp said: “Am I available for the coach of the German national team in the summer? No.
“Joachim Low did an incredible job. I’m sure the German FA will find a good solution.
“I have three years left at LFC don’t I? It’s simple. You sign a contract and you stick to that contract. I stuck to contracts at Mainz and Dortmund.”
Credit: PA:Press Association
TAKING IT TO THE MASSES
Sian Massey-Ellis has brushed off suggestions that women are ‘out of their depth in the world of football’.
And the Premier League assistant ref opened up on fears of her career on the pitch ending early after giving birth to her first child.
Her reflections come months after a Women in Football survey found that 66 per cent of women working in the sport experienced sexism, but only 12 per cent of incidents were reported.
Massey-Ellis, 35, said: “The challenge of the perception that we don’t know what we’re doing – it’s always been there.
“It’s always been, ‘Women don’t know the offside rule. Women don’t know what football’s about so they shouldn’t be involved’.
“That’s the stereotype I would want to challenge -that we are good enough to be there and if we’re there, we’re not there as a tick-box.”
WSL DEAL
Sky Sports are set to become the Women’s Super League’s primary broadcaster, according to reports.
The Mail report on a deal for the network to take over BT Sport’s deal with the league and become the first to pay a fee for the rights.
The BBC are also said to be part of the deal, taking second picks of weekend games and regularly showing them on terrestrial TV for the first time.
SCREAM ON
Footballers can now be booked for screaming, lawmakers IFAB have revealed.
Arsenal star Alexandre Lacazette was roundly mocked at the weekend during his side’s clash with Burnley, after yelling following a Clarets challenge.
Fuming Sean Dyche remarked that the Gunners scored high on the ‘scream-o-meter’ during the 1-1 draw.
And the Frenchman was even ridiculed on Match of the Day, as Gary Lineker, Ian Wright and Dion Dublin finished the show by falling off their chairs.
In a bid to curb this embarrassing behaviour, IFAB have given referees more power.
Not only will officials be able to book players for diving, but it will also be in their power to award yellow cards for theatrical screams – if they feel footballers are being disingenuous.
GETTING SHIRTY
Arsenal’s pre-match training shirts for next season have been leaked online and fans are less than impressed.
The controversial adidas design features pink, black and grey camouflage patterns.
Arsenal players will reportedly wear the shirt while warming up before Premier League matches.
The design is a similar look to the current shirt which features a mix of red and black patterns.
Footy Headlines leaked the images and shared them online for supporters to marvel at.
One supporter quipped: “The camo is so good that even the ball can’t find Willian.”
Credit: Footy Headlines
NOBLE EXIT
Mark Noble has signed a new one year deal with West Ham but has also announced next season will be his last at the club.
The Hammers’ long-serving skipper confirmed SunSport’s exclusive story that he is staying on for the next 12 months to help shepherd in a new era at the club.
Noble has written a 1200-word open letter to the supporters in which he insists he still has ‘a lot to offer on the pitch’ and off it by helping the ‘new signings and young players understand the ethos of West Ham United.’
Read the full statement here.
LEND US A SAND
Dion Sanderson has impressed on loan at Sunderland this season and could be about to leave parent club Wolves.
According to the Mail, Brighton and Crystal Palace like the young defender, although Wolves also highly rate him.
After scoring his first senior goal on the weekend, Sanderson said: “For the time being I’m just enjoying my football really – taking it game by game, winning and enjoying it.”
ZLAT’LL DO
La Gazzetta dello Sport claim AC Milan are within reach of a new contract for Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The main sticking point is wages, with the Serie A side hoping to cut the veteran’s £115,000 weekly salary.
Ibrahimovic has smashed 16 goals in 21 games for Milan, who sit second in the Italian top-flight.
NINTCHDBPICT000640246184Credit: Reuters
JOR THE ONE
New Barcelona club president Joan Laporta is set to hire Jordi Cruyff has his sporting director.
Marca report on the incoming approach, which will be made when the Blaugrana chief takes office in the next few days.
Cruyff is the son of club legend Johan Cruyff and currently coach of Chinese side Shenzhen FC.
‘SHUT HIS MOUTH’
Kevin Phillips has hit out at the agent of Illan Meslier, who talked openly about the prospect of the Leeds goalkeeper leaving Elland Road.
The young goalkeeper has been linked to Real Madrid and Xavier Fleury said on LUFC Fan Zone podcast: “Perhaps in one, two seasons, if you have a club like Real Madrid that knock on the door – who knows?”
But ex-striker Phillips told Football Insider: “It is funny how his agent is saying things and not the player himself.
“I wouldn’t take a blind bit of notice. His agent is trying to stir things up. If I am Bielsa I would be fuming. I would be telling Meslier to tell his agent to shut his mouth.
“The kid looks very happy at Leeds and it looks like Leeds are moving in the right direction. They are getting linked with top players. It is exciting times, so why would you want to leave? I’d be fuming if I was Bielsa.”
Credit: AFP
EXCLUSIVE
Mitchell Curry is swapping Sunderland for America to join David Beckham’s Inter Miami, writes Gary Stonehouse.
The 21-year-old striker is out of contract at the Stadium of Light in June but has sealed an early exit to head to the MLS.
Curry, who only moved to Sunderland from local rivals Middlesbrough in September, has appeared just once for Black Cats in League One this term.
Now he is heading for an exciting new life and to continue his progress under the tutelage of Beckham and new Inter boss Phil Neville.
Reports emerged last night through The Roker Report that the young forward had held talks via Zoom and had agreed to join Beckham’s team.
Now SunSport can exclusively reveal that Curry will initially link-up with Inter’s B team Fort Lauderdale CF.
KA-PAU
Pau Torres has emerged as a target for Manchester United.
The Spanish defender, currently starring for Villarreal, is reportedly catching the eye of the Red Devils and Manchester City.
MEN detail United’s interest in Torres as a left-footed centre-back partner for Harry Maguire.
That position is thought to be key to the club’s summer transfer strategy, with Raphael Varane also linked.
Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are named as two other potential destinations for the player.
EXCLUSIVE
Sunderland fans have raised over £115,000 for local charities by purchasing virtual tickets ahead of the club’s date with Wembley, writes Richard Forrester.
With supporters unable to attend their EFL Trophy final against Tranmere on Sunday, thousands have united to raise vital cash to help the vulnerable hit hardest by the coronavirus.
Lifelong fan Peter Richardson kick-started the fundraiser on the club’s messageboard before teaming up with Sunderland’s official charity partner, The Foundation of Light.
An initiative was then put into place to divide the money raised between the Foundation of Light, Salvation Army, Sunderland Foodbank and Washington Mind.
Sophie Ashcroft, who is Head of Marketing & Communications at the Foundation of Light, told SunSport: “It’s a brilliant idea, it’s making the best out of a bad situation and is injecting really critical cash for ourselves and other charities.
“The money is vital. It will help us support hundreds and hundreds of people across the region and really provide crucial services to support some of the most vulnerable people in the community.”
Credit: Getty Images – Getty
BOCA BULK
Edinson Cavani is increasingly unlikely to move to Boca Juniors in the summer, according to reports.
It had been claimed that the striker was eyeing a three-year deal with the Argentine giants.
But TyCSports state that living in the country is not high on Cavani’s agenda.
SunSport revealed last night that the veteran attacker is hoping to remain at Manchester United but is growing impatient in waiting for a new contract offer.
JUR THE ONE?
Ladbrokes have made Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp the second favourite to replace Joachim Low in the summer.
A disastrous title defence has led to questions of the German’s position, although he has remained adamant that he wants to stay at Anfield.
Germany Under-21 boss Stefan Kuntz is the bookie’s frontrunner.
Next Germany Manager Odds:
Stefan Kuntz – 11/4
Jurgen Klopp – 3/1
Arsene Wenger – 8/1
Julian Nagelsmann – 12/1
Jurgen Klinsmann – 12/1
Jupp Heynckes – 12/1
YOU’RE JOACH-ING
As we told you earlier, Joachim Low will quit as Germany boss after the Euros.
DFB president Fritz Keller has paid tribute to the World Cup winner’s time in the role and stated that no plans have been made for his successor.
He said: “I have great respect for Joachim Löw’s decision.
“The DFB knows what he has in Jogi, he is one of the greatest coaches in world football. Jogi Löw has had German football like no other for years.
“Not only because of his sporting achievements, but also because of his empathy and humanity. The fact that he informed us about his decision at an early stage is very decent.
“He gives us the necessary time, calmly and a sense of proportion to name his successor.”
COSTA FORTUNE
Benfica have made their move to land free agent Diego Costa by offering him a £2.6million bonus, according to reports.
The hot-headed striker has been without a club since having his deal with Atletico Madrid terminated in December.
Costa, 32, had been heavily linked with a move back to Brazil with both Palmeiras and Sao Paulo.
He was also touted for a lucrative deal to play in Saudi Arabia while being rumoured for a switch back to the Premier League with Wolves and West Ham.
Now Goal write how Costa’s future could be resolved with the Portuguese giants. They add how Benfica will entice him with a two-year, £50,000-a-week contract starting at the beginning of next season.
A £2.6m transfer bonus is also on the table and it appears Costa is looking increasingly likely to put pen-to-paper.
Credit: PA:Press Association
SERG OF INTEREST
Barcelona are the favoured destination for Sergio Aguero next season, according to reports.
The Manchester City forward has endured a quiet season in England and his contract expires in the summer.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the player is keen to discuss a switch to the Camp Nou.
Aguero’s agent is already said to have made contact with new club president Joan Laporta to gauge a deal.
NEY WAY
Neymar has been ruled out of Paris Saint-Germain’s game with Barcelona.
The Brazilian was always on a tight schedule to make the last-16 second leg on Wednesday having suffered a groin injury a month ago.
According to Goal, he will focus on his recovery for the coming days rather than be risked.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
