ARSENAL and Leeds are reportedly eyeing up a swoop for Feyenoord midfielder Orkun Kokcu.
Meanwhile Roberto Martinez fears Eden Hazard may miss Euro 2020.
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HE MIGHT ED NOWHERE
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed that Manchester United are talking to Edinson Cavani about a new deal.
And that the Uruguayan star is listening.
As Sun Sport revealed Cavani has grown unhappy over the sound of silence from within Old Trafford regarding a new deal.
He had been preparing to quit at the end of the season when his year’s contract runs out to realise a boyhood dream of playing for Boca Juniors.
The 34-year-old striker’s father declared he would be leaving while there are reports that he already has a verbal agreement with the Argentine club.
But Solskjaer and United hope the seven–goal frontman, expected to lead the line in today’s FA Cup clash with Leicester City, will still be around next season.
The Old Trafford boss insists: “We want a competitive squad and we need someone up there to score the goals for us.
“So we’re looking at it. We’re speaking to Eddy. Edinson is a top striker and whatever he decides to do, let’s see. But we’re in good dialogue with him.”
RASH DASH FOR TRIPLE HEADER
EXCLUSIVE: Gareth Southgate may have to go into England’s World Cup triple header without Marcus Rashford.
The Manchester United striker is doubtful for Sunday’s FA Cup meeting with Leicester.
If he does not make the sixth-round tie then boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer fears he will have to withdraw him from World Cup qualifiers against San Marino, Albania and Poland.
Rashford was replaced by goal-hero Paul Pogba in Thursday’s Europa League 1-0 win over AC Milan.
The 23-year-old has had a series of injuries and was frequently troubled by a back ailment.
Solskjaer is unsure how serious Rashford’s current problems are.
He said: “I don’t know to be honest. He struggled a little bit in Milan so he’s doubtful for Sunday but we hope he will be OK.
“Of course if he can’t play for us then it is more difficult to go and travel with England because then it is more serious than just a day or two.”
NETO CAN BE CUT-PRICE SANCHO ALTERNATIVE
EXCLUSIVE: Manchester United are eyeing a £50million-plus summer move for Wolves star Pedro Neto.
United have made signing a right winger one of their top priorities and Neto’s impressive season, despite Wolves’ struggles, has moved him up the shortlist of Old Trafford chiefs.
Man Utd could have signed Neto, 21, for next to nothing back in 2016 when the he came to Carrington on trial from Portuguese side Braga – but he did not do enough to convince them to buy him then.
But now United are understood to regard the Portugal international – Wolves’ £16m signing from Italian club Lazio – as a genuine alternative to long-term targets like Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish.
Rivals Manchester City have also been linked with Neto, but sources insist they are now ahead of United in the queue for Villa captain Grealish instead.
Sancho’s future at Borussia Dortmund is tied up with what the German club decide to do if mega-money bids come in for striker Erling Braut Haaland.
WILDER WANTS QUICK RETURN
Chris Wilder wants to get back quickly into management – but it will cut his Sheffield United pay-off when he does.
Wilder is out of work for the first time in years and already looking around for potential vacancies.
Chris Wilder is already looking at new managerial opportunities – but his Sheffield United pay-off will be cut However, as part of his settlement after departing the Blades a week ago, he will continue to be paid by Bramall Lane chiefs for six months.
If Wilder takes another job in that time, it means United will pay him less although he would try hard to find a way around that.
Wilder’s exit was bizarre. He was even close to taking charge at Leicester last Sunday as his settlement package was not finalised.
Club bosses only let him leave late on the Saturday night after he agreed to a farewell statement they could release.
Caretaker manager Paul Heckingbottom did not even travel with the squad until it was settled.
RESULT: BRIGHTON 3 NEWCASTLE 0
BRIGHTON piled relegation fears on Steve Bruce and Newcastle with a priceless 3-0 win at the Amex.
Leandro Trossard notched a goal and a assist over the struggling Magpies Leandro Trossard put in another stunning showing with an assist for Danny Welbeck’s strike after he had opened the scoring with a spectacular solo effort.
Neal Maupay rounded off the victory with four minutes left as Brighton went six points clear of the drop zone and four above Newcastle.
Danny Welbeck doubled Brighton’s lead following good work from Trossard ALABA-BYE
David Alaba is set to join Real Madrid after the Spanish giants offered him £165,000 per week and a huge £17million bonus.
The Austria defender has also been linked with Manchester United, City and Chelsea as he seems sure to leave Bayern Munich when his contract expires in the summer.
And according to ABC Deportes, Alaba has ‘verbally agreed’ to join Real Madrid following the huge financial offer tabled by the 13-time European champions.
Speculation has surrounded the future of Madrid’s current centre-backs Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, so Alaba could well be seen as a replacement for one of them.
And the wages and bonus being talked about are affordable for Real due to Alaba arriving on a free transfer.
Alaba has spent more than a decade with Bayern in what has been a hugely successful spell at the club.
The Austrian has won nine Bundesliga titles – including eight in a row – and will be looking to make it ten this season with Bayern currently four points clear of RB Leipzig at the top of the table.
INTER JOIN AGUERO ADMIRERS
Inter Milan have joined the clubs keeping tabs on striker Sergio Aguero’s Manchester City future.
The Argentina star is out of contract in the summer and has yet to be approached over a new deal.
Inter are the latest club to be tracking Etihad frontman Sergio Aguero Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have an interest although Aguero is also open to staying in England with another top club.
The 32-year-old wants to make up for lost time after spending months sidelined with injury and then coronavirus.
Inter are monitoring his situation and are also interested in Manchester United’s South American forward Edinson Cavani.
The Uruguayan, 34, has had a frustrating spell due to injuries and has yet to reveal what he plans to do beyond the summer.
There is an option of a 12-month extension at Old Trafford, although no discussions have yet taken place. But SunSport previously reported that Cavani has already held ‘transfer talks’ with Boca Juniors over a summer move.
ISAAC AGONY
Isaac Hayden was left in agony after suffering a freak injury during Newcastle’s game at Brighton.
Towards the end of the first-half on Saturday, Yves Bissouma fell into the midfielder and was evidently distraught by the outcome of the accidental collision.
Isaac Hayden suffered a painful knee injury on Saturday night The Brighton star quickly called for medics to treat the stricken Toon player.
Hayden, 25, was clearly in some pain with his left leg planted as it took the impact.
Treated on the pitch for six minutes, he was taken off on a stretcher and replaced by Jeff Hendrick.
The first-half played on deep into stoppage time, which saw Brighton take the lead through Leandro Trossard.
H/T: BRIGHTON 1 NEWCASTLE 0
Leandro Trossard’s brilliant goal edged Brighton ahead deep in stoppage time as both sides battle to stay out of the drop zone.
Winger Leandro Trossard celebrates breaking Newcastle’s resistance just before the breakCredit: EPA
UTD WON’T RASH THEM BACK
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits Manchester United are showing caution over the fitness of Marcus Rashford, Edinson Cavani and Paul Pogba.
Man Utd are treading cautiously over Marcus Rashford and Paul PogbaCredit: Reuters Strikers Rashford, Cavani and Anthony Martial are doubts for Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final at Leicester City.
Old Trafford boss Solskjaer told the Manchester Evening News: “With Marcus, I don’t really know… but most unlikely that he’ll be fit.
“With Edinson, he has worked really hard, he’s joined in training sessions and towards the end he needs to top it up to feel 100 per cent ready for the game and hasn’t really got there yet.
Pogba is tipped to play after his match-winning return as a sub in Thursday’s Europa League triumph at AC Milan.
But Solskjaer said: “We have to see how much Paul can play.
“Solskjaer said. “I don’t think he can last 90 minutes, I’m not sure he can start, but you can see the impact he can make if he comes on as a sub.
“If he feels okay maybe we can start him as well.”
PREM CLUBS EYE REAL’S VASQUEZ
Real Madrid winger Lucas Vazquez is reportedly open to offers from other clubs as speculation continues about his future.
The 29-year-old has played a key role for Zinedine Zidane’s side this season but struggled to find the back of the net, scoring just twice in 31 appearances.
And according to Marca, a meeting with Real Madrid has ended with Vazquez agreeing to leave the Bernabeu, so he is now ‘listening to offers’ from other teams.
Those clubs are said to include Premier League sides Leeds and Everton.
Spurs and AC Milan are also rumoured to be in for the highly-rated Spanish right-side player.
When asked about his future back in December, he said: “It’s a difficult situation, we’ll see what happens.”
For now, I’ll keep working hard. Vazquez is a product of the Real Madrid academy, first signing with the club way back in 2007.
BUKAYO OK
Arsenal have gleefully confirmed Bukayo Saka’s return to full fitness.
Gunners’ boss Mikel Arteta has said he is uncertain whether the left-sided wideman would be fit for England duty at the end of this month.
But an Arsenal tweet says the 19-year-old is not only back in training but “available for selection” ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League derby at top-four hopefuls West Ham.
THE QUAD IS ON
Manchester City are now 5/6 to win the FA Cup and a slimmer 7-1 to land the Quadruple.
After Pep Guardiola’s runaway Premier League leaders reached the FA Cup semi-finals, Coral’s cut their odds further on winning all four competitions – after the started the season at 100-1.
Coral’s John Hill said: “They top the betting for all four competitions they remain in, including the FA Cup after an excellent victory at Goodison Park.
“At the start of the season, City were 100/1 to win all four major trophies. This is now the shortest price they have been to make history.”
FA CUP ODDS: 5-6 Man City, 10-3 Chelsea, 5-1 Manchester United, 9-1 Southampton, 11-1 Leicester, 50-1 Sheffield United.
EVERTON 0 MAN CITY 2
Ilkay Gundogan and sub Kevin de Bruyne sunk dogged Everton in the last six minutes as Manchester City reached the FA Cup semi-finals to keep their Quadruple dream alive.
llkay Gundogan put Man City on the way to a 2-0 win with this 84th-minute header City dominated possession as expected but toiled against the Toffees’ resolute defending until sending on Riyad Mahrez and De Bruyne.
Gundogan then nodded home after Aymeric Laporte’s shot was tipped onto the bar.
And De Bruyne drilled home in the final minute to earn City’s 25th win in their final 26 games.
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YOU’RE GARNER GO FAR
Mason Greenwood hailed James Garner on social media after the Manchester United starlet’s latest impressive loan show for Nottingham Forest.
England Under-20 midfielder Garner shone with both his tackling and passing in a 1-1 Championship draw at promotion-chasing Brentford.
And after the 20-year-old’s match stats were tweeted, England striker and United regular Greenwood responded by pointing out Garner’s star man rating.
LIVER-PUL?
Christian Pulisic would be ‘ideal’ for Liverpool if he ends his time at Chelsea according to Brad Friedel.
The attacker has struggled for game time under new boss Thomas Tuchel and former Liverpool goalkeeper Friedel thinks he would excel at Anfield.
Christian Pulisic would be an asset to Jurgen Klopp according to Brad Friedel Friedel told CardsChat: “I think Liverpool’s system is a good one for Christian, without a doubt.
“He’s very quick, his first steps are quick and even when he gets going, he’s very quick.
“The pressing style that Jurgen Klopp likes to play under, then the quick counter-attack and the runs through the lines, I think he would be able to perform very well in that system.
“I have no idea if that’s a player that they (Liverpool) are looking at, but that type of system would be ideal for someone like Christian.”
TUCHEL URGES SCOTLAND TO PICK GILMOUR
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has called for Scotland boss Steve Clarke to include Billy Gilmour in future national team squads despite a lack of first team football at Stamford Bridge.
The 19-year-old has featured just ten times for the Blues this season, only one of which has come since Tuchel took over at the end of January.
And while some felt Gilmour needed to move elsewhere on loan to secure regular game time, Tuchel does not believe that would have been the best thing for him.
Speaking about the decision to keep Gilmour instead of loaning him out, he said: “It’s absolutely no mistake. It was unfortunately not his choice. It was my choice.
“The choice was made for Chelsea and not for the personal goals of Billy. He accepted it in a five-minute talk. I hope he knows how much I appreciate him.
“He has three big problems: N’Golo Kanté, Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho. I can only strongly recommend the Scottish national team to nominate him because this guy trains on the highest level.
“They should not be worried about his ability to compete.”
HAAD TO TAKE
Erling Haaland showed his fury as Borussia Dortmund lost ground in the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Today’s 2-2 draw at Koln saw the Norwegian – linked to Manchester United and Real Madrid -score twice but his team are now four points off fourth place with eight games to go.
Erling Haaland marched straight down the tunnel after today’s 2-2 draw It all started so well at RheinEnergieStadion as Haaland picked up a long ball over the top to open the scoring inside the first three minutes.
The 20-year-old showed great strength to round his marker and slot home at the near-post. But 14th-placed Koln bounced back with a penalty from Ondrej Duda and Ismail Jakobs’ powerful strike.
Once again, Haaland showed his marksman talents to rescue a late point for Borussia. An Ansgar Knauff cross was finished off by the striker to avoid a second defeat in three Bundesliga games.
Yet Haaland’s frustration was evident as, with the full-time whistle still blowing, he took off his shirt and threw it away.
He casually tossed it into the arms of opposition defender Jorge Mere and marched straight down the tunnel.
Jude Bellingham was one team-mate seen flat out on the turf as the understandably gutted squad lost control of their top-four fate.
After the game, Haaland’s official Twitter account posted: “Not a great result. We will use this as motivation to be back stronger! Thanks to all the BVB fans for your continued support. We’ll be back soon!”
JORGINHO: CHELSEA ARE A TUCH BETTER
Chelsea midfielder Jorginho has appeared to fire a shot at previous manager Frank Lampard’s ‘long ball’ tactics.
The Italy international is enjoying life under Thomas Tuchel, with the new boss STILL unbeaten since replacing Lampard at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues haven’t lost in ten Premier League games with Tuchel employing a possession-based game.
Chelsea are also into the quarter-finals of the Champions League where they will take on Porto.
Speaking to Chelsea’s official website, Jorginho says he is ‘enjoying’ the style of football. He is usually paired in the middle of the park with Mateo Kovacic or N’Golo Kante.
The 29-year-old said: “The coach wants us having control of the game, playing from behind, even when the pressure comes.
“So, for me, it’s a good way to play football that I like and enjoy, and I think it’s better for my characteristics than playing long balls, and second balls.
“When it’s Kova [Mateo Kovacic], his style is to play short, to come, so I know if he wants to play one-two or when he wants some space to move forward and to dribble.
“So, I just try to help him, either give him the space, or come over to help him and give him an option – whatever he needs to get out of the situation.”
PREM CLUBS QUEUE UP FOR KOKCU
Arsenal target Orkun Kokcu has caught the eye of Leicester and Leeds after having his transfer fee cut to £10million.
The Gunners had been linked with a £23m move for the Feyenoord midfielder this summer.
Leicester and Leeds have reportedly joined Arsenal in watching Feyenoord’s Orkun Kokcu But according to La Razon, Kokcu has now had his price cut by more than half and in doing so drawn the eyes of two more Premier League clubs.
Both Leicester and Leeds are said to be in for the 20-year-old international, who received his first cap for Turkey in September.
Sevilla are also looking at the youngster, whose contract does not expire with Feyenoord until 2025.
However, the Dutch side are open to letting him go for the right price as they look to address their financial problems.
Speaking recently about his future, Kokcu said: “I have a contract until 2025 but the situation has changed.
“The club has been very clear about the financial situation and it is clear that it is not good.
“So if a club comes with a good proposal for me and the entity can enter a good amount, I imagine that it will be listened to.”
BRUM FANS’ AIR RAGE AT CHIEF EXEC
Birmingham City fans flew a plane over Vicarage Road during their game against Watford on Saturday with a message insisting chief executive Xuandong Ren ‘must go’.
Ren has come under heavy criticism from Blues fans since the appointment of Aitor Karanka last summer.
The message on the plane could be seen clearly from within view of the pitch The Spanish coach, who was sacked last week, has left Birmingham loitering in 21st place in the Championship, just three points above the relegation zone.
And Ren is now taking the brunt of the abuse from Birmingham fans as they bid to have their voice heard while grounds remain empty.
The banner flown over the stadium read: “By order of Blues fans Dong must go.” It was the manner of Karanka’s dismissal which has seen Ren receive negative press.
Charlton announced manager Lee Bowyer was departing for Birmingham before Karanka’s sacking had even been publicly announced.
The mess off the pitch resembles what is happening on the field, with Birmingham winning just one of their last five matches.
Bowyer’s first game in charge did see him have something of an impact as they beat Reading 2-1 at St Andrews. But on Saturday the Blues were again struggling as they were comfortably beaten 3-0 by Watford.
MILAN EYE £26m VLASIC
AC MILAN are reportedly chasing Nikola Vlasic for a £26million summer transfer.
Manchester United knocked the Serie A side out of the Europa League on Thursday, cutting off one route to next year’s Champions League.
If Stefano Pioli can guide Milan back to the premier club competition after seven years away, a spending spree could be green-lit.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Croatian forward Vlasic and Fiorentina’s Dusan Vlahovic are being eyed by the Rossoneri if they qualify.
Vlasic has excelled at CSKA Moscow following a short spell with Everton.
The 23-year-old cost £10m when signed from Hajduk Split in 2017 but didn’t score a league goal in a quiet year on Merseyside.
Sent out on loan to CSKA, Everton actually turned a profit on the winger when he left permanently for £14m in 2019.
This season has seen Vlasic hit 11 goals for the Russian club and he will likely line up versus England in the Euro 2020 group stage.
SLAVIA FLAG UP RACIST PHOTO
Slavia Prague have condemned a photo posted last night in which a small group of the club’s supporters racially abused Rangers star Glen Kamara.
The picture was posted on Instagram last night and read: “Kamara – just a n*****.’
This was the racist banner aimed at Glen Kamara The Czech club say they have filed a criminal complaint against the ‘alleged fans’ while saying they ‘have been fighting against racism for a long time’.
It comes after Thursday’s flashpoint between the two sides when Ondrej Kudela is alleged to have racially abused Kamara at Ibrox.
The Gers midfielder released a statement through his lawyer last night in which he revealed the Czech defender called him “a f****** monkey.”
Slavia and the player refute the allegations and say he called the Finnish international “a f****** guy.”
The Czechs have moved to distance themselves from the picture and label it “an unprecedented backstabbing of the club and its ideals.”
ALABA-BYE
David Alaba is set to join Real Madrid after the Spanish giants offered him £165,000 per week and a huge £17million bonus.
The Austria defender has also been linked with Manchester United, City and Chelsea as he seems sure to leave Bayern Munich when his contract expires in the summer.
And according to ABC Deportes, Alaba has ‘verbally agreed’ to join Real Madrid following the huge financial offer tabled by the 13-time European champions.
Speculation has surrounded the future of Madrid’s current centre-backs Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, so Alaba could well be seen as a replacement for one of them.
And the wages and bonus being talked about are affordable for Real due to Alaba arriving on a free transfer.
Alaba has spent more than a decade with Bayern in what has been a hugely successful spell at the club.
The Austrian has won nine Bundesliga titles – including eight in a row – and will be looking to make it ten this season with Bayern currently four points clear of RB Leipzig at the top of the table.
BAND OF BROTHERS
Forget about Alex Ferguson’s hairdryer – Ruud van Nistelrooy has revealed he faced the HAIRBAND treatment from Roy Keane!
The Dutchman says fellow Manchester United legend Keane was an “animal” on the pitch just as fierce off it… with his expectations of team-mates.
Ruud van Nistelrooy also says Roy Keane was amazingly laidback before games before transforming once the whistle wentCredit: Reuters And that extended into the fashion world.
Van Nistelrooy told Vibe with Five with Rio Ferdinand: “He was direct, everybody knows that.
I had this hairband and for three months every day, he was talking about it.
‘Get that thing from your head, what are you doing with that thing, you’re in the Premier League now’, but that was changing room banter.
“He kept you on your toes. He would hammer himself after a training session if he hadn’t played well.
“He set the standard for himself and everyone, which I appreciated. I had to get used to it though because, man, it was intense.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
