Haaland transfer EXCLUSIVE, Elneny’s new Arsenal contract, Inter Milan new badge uproar – Chelsea, Spurs, Liverpool news

NEV’S MIAMI ROCKED BY COVID-19

Phil Neville’s hopes of hitting the ground running in Miami have been hampered by COVID-19.

The Manchester United legend and former England Lionesses boss is in Sarasota gearing up for his MLS kick-off on April 18 but three pre-season training matches against Charleston, New York Red Bulls and Nashville were all canned tonight after a number of positive tests.

SunSport understands a mix of players from the teams involved have been infected but Neville is confident the setback won’t derail the hopes of getting his side ready for the season opener against LA Galaxy. 

Inter Miami, who have suffered from COVID problems in the past after star striker Gonzalo Higuain missed last term’s play-off match with Nashville, have also cancelled a press conference with Neville which was scheduled for Wednesday.

Inter’s first training-ground ‘scrimmage’ of the pre-season against Paul Dalglish’s Miami FC was postponed last Saturday also because of health concerns.

Neville will at least be boosted by having the whole squad at his disposal next week at their South Florida base. 

HAYES OF GLORY

Vic Akers says seeing Emma Hayes’ “look of pressure” brought back memories of  his rollercoaster Champions League triumph at Arsenal.

And the former Gunners Ladies chief believes  Hayes’ Chelsea can conquer Europe, just as his side did 14 years ago.

Akers, who founded Arsenal Ladies in 1987, is widely regarded as a trailblazer for women’s football.

His North London outfit — who notched up five domestic and league cup doubles — are still the only English side to have won the top contest for Europe’s elite clubs.

But Akers, who had Hayes with him in the dugout during that 2007 Champions League win against Sweden’s Umea, believes this could be Chelsea’s year.

TOP DEC

Listen Declan Rice and you could easily come away convinced England will win the Euros.

West Ham man Rice is adamant England’s current crop — many of whom reached the last four of the 2018 World Cup — are not concerned with the failings of the ‘Golden Generation’, which never made a semi-final in the noughties.

Southgate’s men prepare to face Poland in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley on Wednesday night, their final competitive match before the Euros kick off in June.

Rice, 22, said: “When you are training with them, you take a step back and look at the attacking players we’ve got and you are gobsmacked by the talent they have.

“But now, it’s about going out on to the international stage and putting it into a trophy. There has always been talk of the Golden Generation failing — but we don’t look too much into that.

“We know we have enough quality to beat any team in the world. It is just about doing it on the day. There is a lot of pressure in tournaments. Can we stick to the game plan and put on a performance?

“But some of the players here… I’m always watching games and people like Phil Foden. He’s amazing to watch.”

BEEK BOOST

Donny van de Beek banished his Manchester United blues on Tuesday night as he netted in Holland’s 7-0 win against Gibraltar.

The midfielder, 23, has struggled to impress at Old Trafford following a £40million move from Ajax last summer.

Van de Beek has featured just 13 times in the Premier League for United, making just two starts.

But he took full advantage after coming off the Holland bench in Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier against Gibraltar.

Van de Beek scored the second-last goal in a 7-0 thrashing for Frank de Boer’s men.

And Holland have now won two on the bounce having suffered a dismal 4-2 defeat to Turkey in the first match of their qualifying campaign last week.

WILDER MOOR

Chris Wilder will be Burnley’s No 1 choice as manager should Sean Dyche move to Crystal Palace this year.

Dyche is the Premier League’s longest-serving boss, having joined the Clarets in October 2012.

But there is a growing belief that despite new owners at Turf Moor, he would consider moving on.

Wilder, 53, took Sheffield United from League One to the Prem in three seasons and is the main man for chairman Alan Pace.

And Dyche, 49, is very much on the radar of Palace chief Steve Parish.

Current Selhurst Park boss Roy Hodgson, 73, is only under contract until the end of the season.

Wilder was axed by Sheffield United earlier this month following a breakdown in his relationship with the Blades’ ownership.

HUGE HAUL-AND

Manchester City will have to fork out a mind-blowing £600,000-a-week to land Erling Haaland in a package costing over £300MILLION.

The Norwegian hotshot, 20, whose transfer fee this summer will be more than £150m, wants to be the highest-paid player in Premier League history.

It would work out at an incredible £156m in wages over a five-year contract — bringing the overall deal for Haaland above £300m.

Paris Saint-Germain are the only other club who could get close to this sort of offer.

City are desperate to land a new forward after confirmation that Sergio Aguero will leave this summer.

City boss Pep Guardiola is a huge fan of Tottenham striker Harry Kane — but the Etihad club were given short shrift by Spurs last summer.

They believe Tottenham would make it impossible for the England captain, even if he wants to leave.

GREALISH AGENT PREDICTS ‘BIG DEALS’

Jack Grealish’s agent Jonathan Barnett sent speculation over the Manchester United target spiralling by predicting “very big deals” of his own.

England and Aston Villa playmaker Grealish, 25, has performed far better than the player United signed last summer instead, Donny van de Beek.

Barnett told The Athletic: “I am expecting three or four very big deals of my own that will break a lot of records.

“Hopefully, they will come about. For the smaller clubs, I think there won’t be as many transfers. We have some very good players.

“We have probably the best young player in the world in Camavinga. We have got Grealish. We have got Konate at Leipzig. But then I have got over 100 players.”

WALES 1 CZECH REPUBLIC 0

DAN JAMES nodded in the late winner to leave the 10-man Czechs as Schick as a parrot.

The visitors were completely in charge of the game until the red card for their striker Patrik Schick early in the second half.

Connor Roberts had also seen red for the Dragons by the time James popped up to seal a huge win.

Gareth Bale atoned for a disappointing first-half miss by swinging over a delicious cross from the left wing.

And Manchester United’s James climbed highest to power a header into the ground and past the dive of Tomas Vaclik.

It was the perfect tonic for the Dragons to take into this summer’s Euros after a nightmare few months for the FA Wales.

And whatever happens in the summer, they will resume the qualifiers in September with genuine hope of reaching next year’s World Cup.

‘MILAN FIGHT ARSENAL FOR DUSAN’

Arsenal would face rivalry from AC Milan and Atletico Madrid for Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic.

That’s according to Italian outlet Calciomercato as the Serbia star shines in Serie A.

Vlahovic, 21, hit a hat-trick against Benevento earlier this month, reportedly spiking interest from elite clubs In Italy, Spain and Germany.

Milan, Roma, Madrid and RB Leipzig are said to be amongst those interested.

WOLE TRAFFORD

Manchester United are reportedly set to raid noisy neighbours City for top youth scout Stephen Ajewole.

And that has sparked fears at the Etihad of their transfer secrets being leaked to their rivals.

According to the Daily Mail, United want to bring Ajewole in as the new lead scout for the Under 15-18s.

The swoop is being headed up by United’s head of youth recruitment David Harrison.

Harrison left his role as head of European youth scouting at City to join United in 2017.

Ajewole has been described as an ’emerging recruitment specialist’.

He joined City as a UK southern football scout in August 2014 and has predominantly been based in London.

JAMES DENIES SUPPORTING LIVERPOOL

Daniel James has come clean to deny he was a Liverpool fan as a child… but admits he supported Chelsea.

The Manchester United winger idolised Blues’ legends Eden Hazard and Didier Drogba, plus Juan Mata, who has since swapped Chelsea for the Red Devils.

James, 23, told United’s website: “When I signed for United, I can’t remember who it was, one of the Sky Sports (pundits) said: ‘he supports Liverpool’.

“I was thinking I don’t support Liverpool, but I never wanted to come out and say I supported Chelsea as a youngster.

“When I started playing for Swansea it [Chelsea] was the team I followed, but you don’t end up supporting them really.

I used to look at their players when I was younger – Hazard, Mata and Drogba – and they were players that I loved. You kind of grow out of that.”

NEW LEEDS’ DATES FOR LIVERPOOL AND UTD

Leeds have new dates for their home Premier League clashes with Liverpool and Manchester United.

Fading champs Liverpool will now play at Elland Road at 8pm on Monday, April 19, two days later than originally scheduled.

And United’s match has been put back a day to 2pm, Sunday, April 25.

THE BOOTH HURTS

Aidy Boothroyd has described the England Under-21 manager position as ‘the utterly impossible job’.

The under-fire Young Lions chief feels that way because of how he sees the pressure to produce players for the seniors conflicting with an expectation to win.

Boothroyd can point to a number of stars in Gareth Southgate’s squad that he has helped develop including Mason Mount, Phil Foden and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

But he has copped serious flak for England’s woeful performance so far at this month’s Under-21 Euros.

His side are on the brink of a group-stage exit for a second tournament running – barring a minor miracle in Wednesday evening’s do-or-die clash with Croatia.

The debacle in Slovenia means the ex-Watford boss is unlikely to have his contract renewed when his current terms expire this summer.

Boothroyd said: “The England senior job has been called the impossible job. Well, the Under-21s job I think is the utterly impossible job.

“The reason I say that is because of the amount of players that have to be produced for the senior team and the expectation to win. 

“There’s a reason why we haven’t won (the Under-21 Euros) for 37 years and there’s a reason we have not progressed as much as we thought we would. That’s because our primary aim is to get players through to Gareth and that’s what we have done.”

‘FIVE OFFERS’ FOR AGUERO

Outgoing Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero already has around five contract offers for next season, including neighbours United, but Barcelona remain favourites to sign him.

United are keen to add a specialist No9 next season, with Uruguay’s Edinson Cavani tipped to return to South America next summer.  

SABITZER OPEN TO A MOVE

Manchester United and Tottenham target Marcel Sabitzer insists he is in no rush to sort out his RB Leipzig future but is open to a move at some stage.

The Austria midfielder has been linked with several European giants as second-placed Leipzig aim to dethrone Bundesliga champs Bayern Munich.

Sabitzer told Bild: “I have a contract until 2022 – and not just until the summer.

“It has become popular to ask players about his future as soon as he enters the final 18 months of his contract, but that doesn’t mean that everything has to be decided at that moment.

“Those in my inner circle know what I’m thinking, but I’m not stressed about it. I feel good in Leipzig and at the club, plus we’re successful.

“We have a realistic chance of winning titles here – and there are people at the club who really want to win something.

“That’s why I see Leipzig as a great club, but RB don’t have to be the only great club on my CV. After all, I’m only 27.”

WALES CROCK RAMSEY TRAINING WITH JUVE

Aaron Ramsey was back in training with Juventus – hours before Wales’ crunch 2022 World Cup qualifier with the Czech Republic.

The Juve midfielder, 30, pulled out of the Dragons squad for this month’s three internationals with a thigh injury.

But the Serie A giants revealed Ramsey made a return to training with Andrea Pirlo’s side on Tuesday and took full part as they prepared for the Turin derby against Torino on Saturday.

A training update on the Juventus website read: “Today’s training session which, like last week, saw the Juventus players not involved in their respective national teams undergo possession and technical exercises [Paulo] Dybala and Ramsey took part in the whole group session.”

Ex-Arsenal star Ramsey has played in just one of Wales’ last ten internationals since the Dragons qualified for Euro 2020.

That has led to a section of Welsh support questioning Ramsey’s commitment in playing for his country.

Caretaker boss Robert Page said when he named his squad for the fixtures against Belgium, Mexico and Tuesday’s clash with the Czechs: “I understand where the fans are coming from but if you’re injured, you’re injured.

“No-one will be more frustrated than Aaron right now. But I wouldn’t question his commitment, and whenever he plays he adds value to the team.”

HOW CITY COULD LOOK WITH MESSI AND HAALAND

Manchester City are set to take a fresh turn next season, following the news that Sergio Aguero will leave the club at the end of the current campaign.

The Argentine has scored a stunning 257 goals in 384 appearances during a glittering ten-year spell with the club.

But, alas, all good things must come to an end.

And City fans can at least console themselves with the star-studded shopping list that their team are rumoured to possess.

Pep Guardiola’s side, given their enormous wealth, are always linked with the world’s biggest names.

But should they secure this summer’s targets, including Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi, City will surely step into a different stratosphere altogether.

SKIPP’S BIG LEAP DURING LOCKDOWN

Norwich loanee Oliver Skipp says living on his own during lockdown has helped him develop as a person – and therefore as a player.

The Tottenham midfielder, 20, is spending a season with the Championship-leading Canaries.

And he told the official Spurs website: “I’ve had to live on my own due to lockdown restrictions.

“It’s helped me to develop outside of football and you can’t underestimate how important it is to get that right to make sure you are performing on the pitch.

“I’ve had to live on my own due to lockdown restrictions.

“It’s helped me to develop outside of football and you can’t underestimate how important it is to get that right to make sure you are performing on the pitch.” 

LIVERPOOL LEAD CHASE FOR UTD TARGET KALIDOU

Liverpool are leading the race for £42million Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly, according to reports.

The Reds are aiming to strengthen their defence this summer, following a torrid season of injuries this term.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are believed to be ‘finalising’ their £34m move for RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate, 21.

And according to Gazzetta dello Sport, they have also made contact with Napoli over signing their star defender this summer.

Koulibaly, 29 has been a rock at the back for the Partenopei since 2014. But with his contract set to enter its final year, Napoli may finally be about to cash in on the Senegalese superstar. Manchester United, Everton and PSG are all believed to be interested.

But the report claims that a union with compatriot Sadio Mane at Anfield is ‘most tempting’ to the player himself, and that Liverpool are ‘clearly ahead’ of the competition.

Napoli are believed to be making plans to replace their key man, with signing Feyenoord’s Marco Senesi on their agenda.

As for Konate, RB Leipzig sporting director Markus Krosche has launched a desperate plea to keep the 21-year-old.

He said: “I think that this is not an option for Ibu. He has a long contract with us and he knows what we mean to him and what he means to us.”

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE REVAMP ROW

A decision on a new format for the Champions League has been delayed by a disagreement over the competition’s commercial rights.

An expanded 36-team competition to begin in 2024 had been set for approval by UEFA’s executive committee on Wednesday, but will now not be rubber-stamped until at least the next ExCo meeting on April 19.

It is understood the board of the European Club Association (ECA), which represents the views of the continent’s most powerful clubs, was split and could not give its formal support to the UEFA proposal when it met on Monday.

This was because some clubs remain convinced they should control the commercial aspects of the competition, such as television and sponsorship rights.

ECA members dominate the UEFA club competitions committee which then met on Tuesday morning, and it is understood that because the reform package did not have their approval it could not go forward to the executive committee.

UEFA said on Wednesday: “UEFA can confirm that a meeting of the executive committee will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, March 31, and that the future of club competitions post-2024 will be one of the topics discussed.

“However, any official decision in this respect will only be made at the next UEFA executive committee meeting on April 19, in order to finalise ongoing discussions.”

HAVERTZ ON THE UP NOW

Chelsea midfielder Kai Havertz said: “It’s been a tough season, I know things haven’t been going smoothly.

“But that’s normal when you first go abroad, it takes half a year or longer to adjust.

“Things are going well right now so I don’t want to overthink those negative impressions from the past.

“I am positive and hope the next weeks will be every bit as good.”

NOT O-KAI

Kai Havertz has opened up on his ‘tough’ first season at Chelsea.

And the £71million man admits ‘things have not gone smoothly’ following his move from Bayer Leverkusen last summer.

Havertz, 21, has struggled to adapt to life in England, bagging seven assists and five goals in 32 Chelsea games.

He’s netted just once in the Premier League and is yet to open his Champions League account.

Havertz’s failure to settle has seen him deployed in numerous positions, from central midfielder to right winger and most recently as a striker.

A strong bout of coronavirus also set him back earlier this term.

However, time is very much firmly on Havertz’s side.

New boss Thomas Tuchel appears to be getting the best out of him, playing Havertz as close to goal as possible.

And although things haven’t gone to plan in London so far, Havertz is refusing to ‘overthink’ the situation, adding he is confident he can end his debut English campaign on a high.

LEW OUT FOR 4 WEEKS

Crocked Robert Lewandowski will not just miss Poland’s World Cup qualifier against England at Wembley on Wednesday night but also four more weeks.

Bayern Munich striker Lewandowski sprained right-knee ligaments in Poland’s 3-0 qualifying win over Andorra on Sunday, having scored twice.

UTD LOSE £105m IN 5 SEASONS THROUGH INJURIES

Manchester United have paid out an eyewatering £105million to injured, unavailable players over the last five seasons.

While boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s predecessor Jose Mourinho liked to whinge about transfers, the Red Devils actually pay enormous sums to their star players.

One problem, however, has been getting them all fit and healthy.

A study conducted by Bonusfinder found that United players have spent a combined 6378 days injured, missing a total of 1105 games in the process since 2016.

In this time, Paul Pogba, Marcos Rojo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were costly absentees – while defenders Luke Shaw, Phil Jones and Eric Bailly have also spent their fair share of time on the treatment table.

Arsenal are second on the list, despite their players having missed more games than United’s. Gunners’ players have missed 1122 games during a total of 6577 days on the treatment table – costing nearly £80m.

CHELSEA TO FACE PORTO TWICE AT SEVILLA

Chelsea will play both their Champions League quarter-final second legs against Porto at Sevilla.

The Blues will visit Spain rather than the Portuguese giants’ own country on April 7 before playing their ‘home’ leg six days later at the same Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium in Seville.

Covid-19 travel restrictions continue, with Portugal previously on the UK ‘red list’.