CHELSEA are considering a summer move for Sergio Aguero, who is available on a free transfer from Man City.
Meanwhile City have moved into pole position in the race to sign Jack Grealish, according to reports.
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IN KON-TACT
Man Utd and Chelsea are reportedly locked in a huge transfer battle to sign RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate.
According to AS, Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barca have joined the race to land the highly-rated defender.
The 21-year-old French talent has attracted significant interest after his form for Leipzig.
But with Dayot Upamecano joining Bayern Munich this summer, Leipzig may not be prepared to sell another key defender unless they receive a major offer.
Ibrahima Konate is wanted by some of Europe’s biggest clubs PIERRE WE GO
Arsenal could welcome back captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for this evening’s crunch Europa League last-16 clash with Olympiacos.
The Gunners lead 3-1 from the first leg in Greece, with goals coming from Martin Odegaard, Gabriel and Mo Elneny.
And Arteta could decide to recall star man Aubameyang after dropping him from Sunday’s 2-1 win over Tottenham.
But with a place in the quarter finals at stake, Arteta could decide to stick with the rest of the team that triumphed over rivals Spurs in the derby.
Arsenal could put this team out to face Olympiacos DIAL UP
Amad Diallo could be set for his first Man United start against AC Milan in the Europa League last-16 second leg tonight.
The Ivorian could be included in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s starting XI after Edinson Cavani was ruled out.
Anthony Martial is also unavailable for the crunch clash, with the score currently tied at 1-1.
Diallo could join Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood in attack, with Dan James also an option.
How Man Utd could line up against AC Milan tonight
GOING RETRO
Manchester United’s 2021-22 rumoured away kit has been leaked.
And the Red Devils could be returning to a 90s classic.
Featuring a retro Adidas logo, the blue and white kit would evoke fond memories of messrs Cantona, Giggs and Robson.
Manchester United could be going back to the future with their potential new retro away kit The classic 1991-93 away shirt evokes happy memories for Man United fansCredit: Getty SHOWING SOME STONES
John Stones’ brilliant form for Premier League leaders Manchester City has unsurprisingly earned him an England recall.
The 26-year-old was a mainstay for the Three Lions during the 2018 World Cup campaign.
But some rocky form at club level saw him lose his place in the national setup.
Stones was last capped in November 2019, but appears certain to add to his tally of 39 international outings this month.
John Stones won his 39th international cap against MontenegroCredit: Getty SHAW THING
Luke Shaw’s excellent form for Manchester United has earned him an England recall.
Having earned his Three Lions debut all the way back in 2014 as a teenager, the left-back has surprisingly only managed to earn another seven caps since.
But having won the battle with Alex Telles for United’s starting spot, the 25-year-old has earned the faith of England boss Gareth Southgate.
Shaw was last capped by England against Spain in September 2018, and has played only twice under Southgate.
Luke Shaw earned his eighth and most recent England cap against Spain in 2018Credit: Getty HEN DO
In Jordan Pickford’s absence, Dean Henderson may get an opportunity to stake a claim for England’s No1 shirt.
The Manchester United stopper recently had a run in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s starting XI, following David de Gea’s absence.
And in upcoming matches against San Marino, Albania and Poland, Henderson is likely to get an opportunity to prove himself to Gareth Southgate.
He will be vying with Burnley’s Nick Pope for the starting spot, while West Brom star and fellow Man United academy graduate Sam Johnstone has received his first call-up.
Dean Henderson should add to his one England capCredit: Getty BACK LIN BUSINESS
Jesse Lingard has been called up by England after nearly two years in the international wilderness.
Having become a forgotten man at Manchester United in the first half of this season, JLingz appeared to have no chance of going to the Euros.
But his fantastic loan spell at West Ham, during which he has scored four goals and assisted a further two in six games, has brought him back into Gareth Southgate’s plans for upcoming matches against San Marino, Albania and Poland.
Jesse Lingard has won 24 England caps to dateCredit: Getty – Contributor ENGLAND SQUAD ANNOUNCED
Gareth Southgate has revealed his latest England squad ahead of matches against San Marino, Albania and Poland.
There are first call-ups for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins and West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, while Luke Shaw and Jesse Lingard have earned re-calls.
IN THE MOOD FOR DAHOUD
Chelsea and Manchester City are reportedly leading the race to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud.
Thomas Tuchel helped sign Dahoud back in 2017 and will hope to bring the Dortmund star at Stamford Bridge.
The 25-year-old Germany international is being tracked by several Premier League giants.
Dahoud’s contract at Dortmund expires at the end of next season and this has increased interest in him.
Mahmoud Dahoud has been linked with a move to the Premier League YOU’VE BEEN WARN-ED
Neil Warnock has been charged by the FA for his explosive post-match blast at officials.
The Middlesbrough manager slammed referee Gavin Ward for a number of decisions in the 2-1 Championship loss to Swansea earlier this month.
SunSport revealed last week the FA had launched an investigation into Warnock’s comments and he now has until March 22 to respond to the charge.
An FA statement read: “Neil Warnock has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to Middlesbrough FC’s match against Swansea City FC in the EFL Championship on Saturday 6 March 2021.
“It is alleged that comments made by the manager during a post-match interview constitute improper conduct as they questioned the integrity of the match official and/or implied bias and/or were personally offensive and/or bring the game into disrepute contrary to FA Rule E3.1.
“Neil Warnock has until 22 March 2021 to provide a response to this charge.”
Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock has been charged by the FA for his post-match rant about officials after Boro lost to Swansea HAZARD WARNING
Eden Hazard may never play football again’ if the Real Madrid star has a third ankle operation.
That is the view of a leading doctor in Spain – which suggests the former Chelsea playmaker’s career could be in doubt.
Hazard reportedly wants another ankle operation as he bids to end his injury nightmare at Real.
But Dr Jose Gonzalez, who works for Atletico Madrid, has warned this could result in the end of the Belgian’s career.
Gonzalez told Ondacero: “Hazard has to train with the team for up to 10 training sessions. In my experience it is difficult for him to return to playing at his level with Real Madrid this season.
“If a player returns after a long injury without having hardly trained, the most normal thing is that he is injured again.
“He has anxiety, he wants to show that he is worth and wants to give 100% and he is not there for that.”
Real want Hazard to postpone surgery but Belgium reportedly want him to have it immediately in the hope of the forward being back for this summer’s rescheduled Euro 2020.
Hazard has travelled to London for a second opinion on his ankle injury as he decides whether to have another operation.
Eden Hazard’s time at Real Madrid has been dogged by injury setbacks BLUES THE DADDY
Sergio Aguero could complete a shock move to Chelsea this summer with his contract at Manchester City close to expiring.
And should he do so, the Argentine would likely take over Olivier Giroud’s mantle as the squad’s senior statesman upfront.
But how do the two forward’s careers compare?
Sergio Aguero and Olivier Giroud have both led storied careers BLUES BANISH BONUS
Barcelona have missed out on a £1.7million bonus for Luis Suarez after Atletico Madrid were knocked out of the Champions League.
The Catalan giants sold the Uruguayan striker to their La Liga rivals for just £5.5million in the summer.
But they were due to receive an extra £1.7m if Suarez helped Diego Simeone’s side into the last eight in Europe.
However, Chelsea knocked Atletico out of the Champions League on Wednesday night, winning 3-0 on aggregate.
As a result, Barcelona – who are currently financially strapped for cash – will no longer receive the additional fee.
Luis Suarez failed to make an impact against ChelseaCredit: AP KAI’S THE LIMIT
Rio Ferdinand revealed Chelsea’s ‘silky’ Kai Havertz reminds him of his old Manchester United team-mate Dimitar Berbatov – but urged the German to get stuck in.
On BT Sport, he said: “Not all players come here and hit the ground running. Buy you can see the quality is there.
“We saw when he was at Bayer Leverkusen in previous years that he is a hugely talented footballer and it is going to take him time.
“But in the end, he will get there because he is somebody who has a good feel for the game.
“He reminds me a little of [Dimitar] Berbatov in how cool, calm and collected he is.
“He is very silky, he plays on the edge of the game a little bit at times, and drifts about.
“Once he gets that part of his game, I think everything will fall into place.”
Havertz helped Chelsea to victory over Atletico Madrid last nightCredit: AP
HAR HAA LAND
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand wants his old side to sign a new striker in the summer.
And he’d be perfectly happy with Harry Kane or Erling Haaland.
AD-ICKS
Charlton have appointed Nigel Adkins as manager to replace Lee Bowyer.
The former Southampton and Scunthorpe boss has been out of work since leaving Hull in 2019 – but hopes to replicate his St Mary’s success at The Valley and get Charlton from League One into the Premier League.
But Addicks owner Thomas Sandgaaard has given him a two-and-a-half-year contract as he looks for a League One play-off push from his sixth-placed side following Bowyer’s departure to Birmingham.
Adkins said: “It’s a really exciting opportunity for me – something that has happened very quickly.
“I’m really pleased to be here and am looking forward to meeting the players and getting started.
“I had a conversation with Thomas and he highlighted where he wants this club to go. It’s an exciting and long-term vision.
“Getting to the Premier League is something that we all want and something that I have done before. I want to achieve that again.
“The team got a great result on Tuesday night (a 3-2 win over Bristol Rovers) and now we need to keep driving on together, because we have got a chance of winning promotion this season.”
FROM THE HEART
Joan Laporta told Lionel Messi ‘I love you and Barcelona also loves you’ in a passionate plea to convince him to stay.
The Catalan club’s new president held his inauguration ceremony at the Nou Camp which Messi and his team-mates attended.
Laporta, 58, elected as Barca’s new president for a second spell last week, used his speech to try and convince Messi, 33, to sign a new deal.
He said: “We will, for example, try to convince Leo to stay at the club.
“Sorry Leo. I will do my best and he knows it! We’re going to try, of course, to convince him to stay here because he’s the best player in history.
“Sorry, but I love you and Barcelona also loves you. If this stadium were full, you wouldn’t want to go.”
Joan Laporta made a passionate public bid to keep hold of Lionel Messi S-MART MOVE
Manchester United are plotting a shock move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to replace David de Gea and Sergio Romero, according to reports.
The Red Devils are set to undertake a major overhaul of their goalkeeping department this summer.
Romero, 34, has long been linked with a move away after a public fall-out with the club following his failed loan move to Everton last summer.
The Argentine is out of contract this summer and is almost certain to leave on a free.
But Man Utd have also finally decided to call time on De Gea’s long spell at the club, according to Football Insider.
The Spanish stopper, 30, signed a bumper new contract in September 2019 worth a staggering £375,000 per week until the end of the 2022-23 season.
However, his form since has been rocky with United considering replacing him with Dean Henderson.
United, though, are not pinning all their hopes on Henderson being their No1 for the future.
The club are reportedly eyeing up moves for TWO goalkeepers to replace De Gea and Romero.
And top of that list is Aston Villa’s former Arsenal stopper Martinez – who has kept 14 clean sheets in 27 Premier League games this term.
Emi Martinez has been in excellent form for VillaCredit: Rex PROMISED LAND
Chelsea have ‘promised’ to break the bank for £130million man Erling Haaland if Thomas Tuchel qualifies for the Champions League, reports say.
The Borussia Dortmund forward has emerged as one of the hottest prospects in the world, with 31 goals in 30 games so far this season.
It is said that Blues bosses have given their word to manager Tuchel that they will fund a move for Haaland, but only if they qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Dortmund are open to selling the lethal finisher, because he has a release clause in 2022, allowing him to leave for just £65m.
Erling Haaland could be up for grabs this summerCredit: Getty GUNNAR BE BACK
Diogo Dalot will return to Manchester United at the end of his loan spell at AC Milan.
The full-back has been on loan at the Milan club this season after falling out of favour at United.
Speaking ahead of United’s Europa League second-leg last-16 clash with Milan at the San Siro on Thursday night, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “The plan was always for Diogo this season, or the main thing for Diogo, was to be fit.
“He never managed to be fit for a long spell when he was here [and was] unfortunate with injuries.
“Now he’s kept fit all season; he’s been available for them. He’s playing at a big club, big expectations, [with the] great history of the club, so it’s been a good year for him.
“So, of course, I’ve been very pleased with his development this season, and he’s our player and we’re looking forward to having him back.”
Dalot has made 11 appearances in Serie A this seasonCredit: PA
JAMAICA DECISION
West Ham star Michail Antonio has reportedly chosen to play for Jamaica instead of England for ‘more regular international football’.
But he has not been picked for the Reggae Boyz’s upcoming friendly against USA in Austria on March 25.
However, this does not rule him out for good as Jamaica have World Cup qualifiers to play in June which they hope to select the Hammers striker for.
Antonio previously snubbed the Caribbean island, where his parents were born, in order to try and play for the Three Lions – having been born in London himself.
But Jamaica asked the question again and Antonio has had a change of heart, according to Sky Sports News.
Antonio has been called up by England managers Gareth Southgate and Sam Allardyce but failed to earn Three Lions a cap.
Michail Antonio has been picked in England squads in the pastCredit: Getty FRED IN THE FACE
Man United fan Usain Bolt has torn into midfielder Fred.
He told CNN: “I think Fred should not be in the midfield.
“I think he is lacking so much.
“He works hard, but he’s lacking passing and he gives away a lot of cheap fouls in bad areas.”
Fred is a regular in the Man United midfieldCredit: Reuters BE NICE
Fastest man in the world and Manchester United fan Usain Bolt believes that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is ‘too nice’ to deliver success at Old Trafford.
Asked by CNN if he believes the Norwegian is the man for the job, he replied: “If he changes… He’s too nice.
“That’s the only thing I can say, he’s too nice. He never really says anything bad about any player, even if they don’t play good and that’s the only thing.
“But if he changes and really pressures the players, you know what I mean, calls them out sometimes when they really didn’t put their all into it, then I feel like he should stay because he is cool and the fans love him.”
Man Utd fan Bolt has had his say on OleCredit: Getty – Contributor PSYCHO SUAREZ
Luis Suarez gave a sinister smile after being substituted during Atletico Madrid’s Champions League defeat to Chelsea on Tuesday night.
The Uruguayan was taken off by boss Diego Simeone shortly before the hour mark as his shocking run away in Europe continued.
Suarez has not scored an away goal in the Champions League since September 2015.
And while he has netted 18 goals in 24 La Liga games so far this season, he has failed to find the back of the net in any of his six games in Europe.
But despite his volatile response to being subbed, Simeone stood by his striker in the post-match press conference.
He said: “It’s normal that he got angry when he was taken off, players want to stay on.
“We wanted a new way to attack them so we made changes.”
Luis Suarez was unhappy to be taken off
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
