ERLING HAALAND’S future continues to be the question on the minds of football fans everywhere.
Meanwhile, Arsenal fans are bruised after seeing their side lose 3-0 to Liverpool and are worried about the future of Martin Odegaard, whose loan deal expires at the end of the season.
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SUAR THING
Borussia Dortmund ace Erling Haaland and Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe have been linked with a move in the summer with a raft of Europe’s highest bidders keeping tabs on them.
Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool are among the teams that have shown interest.
However, Atletico Madrid striker Luis Suarez believes Haaland is a better prospect than Mbappe.
Suarez told Gerard Romero on Twitch: “Haaland is a great player, he’s at a spectacular level, he has an admirable physical strength.
“He’s one of the best number nines in the world and will define an era.
“I’m a bit more in favour of Haaland, but Mbappe is at a great level”
GREALISH SITUATION
Aston Villa are not looking to cash in on Jack Grealish ahead of the summer transfer window,
Grealish has been in superb form these past two seasons and has attracted interest from some of the Premier League’s highest bidders.
According to Caught Offside, however, Villa don’t want to lose their best player and are also not in need of any extra funds.
In fact, the Claret & Blue will increase their funding to match theirs as well as the attacking midfielder’s ambitions and are even confident he won’t seek a way out of Villa Park in the summer
GETTY IMAGES HAALAND ALTERNATIVES
Barcelona have drawn up a list of potential alternatives to Erling Haaland in case the Blaugrana miss out on the Borussia Dortmund superstar in the summer.
Barca are among the clubs interested in signing Haaland at the end of the season along with Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.
According to Mundo Deportivo, however, the Blaugrana are drawing up a contingency plan in case the striker decides to join another club, such as rivals Real Madrid.
The list includes the likes of Inter Milan duo Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez as well as Tottenham star Harry Kane, Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak, departing Manchester City great Sergio Aguero and more
LINEKER MESSAGE
Gary Lineker has taken to Twitter after Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Arsenal to support Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Alexander-Arnold was strangely omitted from the England squad by Gareth Southgate in the recent international break.
But the star right-back responded with an impressive performance at the Emirates as he set up one of Diogo Jota’s goals with a fantastic cross.
Lineker claimed that was the “perfect responce” from the 22-year-old and urged Southgate not to cut him from the Euro 2020 squad
HAZARD UPDATE
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is hopeful that Eden Hazard will return to action in time for the Champions League clashes with Liverpool.
Hazard has struggled to stand out at Real ever since his £88million move from Chelsea in 2019 mostly because of injury.
But Zidane is hoping that the forward will be available for the Champions League quarter-finals against the Reds.
The Real boss said: “Hopefully we can get [Federico] Valverde and Hazard back. We will see tomorrow and the day after.
“Today it was not possible but I hope that on Tuesday they can be with us”
CAVANI REPLACEMENT
Manchester United ace Edinson Cavani doesn’t seem set to extend his season-long loan deal at Old Trafford.
Therefore, United might have to go looking for a replacement to fill in for Cavani up front next term.
According to Gazzetta Dello Sport, the Manchester giants have identified Mauro Icardi as a potential successor to the Uruguay international.
Icardi has been struggling for a place in the starting line-up this season and could be available for a fee of the region of €30- €40million (£26-£34m) in the summer
GETTY IMAGES REL-EISS CLAUSE
Arsenal ace Reiss Nelson has been linked with a loan move to Olympiacos in the summer.
Nelson has been struggling for minutes this season with only two Premier League appearances to show.
Reports from Greece suggest the Gunners’ former Europa League opponents Olympiacos are interested in the young winger and have also been keeping tabs on him since the January transfer window.
The reigning Greek champions are still looking for someone to replace Daniel Podence in the wing ever since he joined Wolves last year in January
NEW HOPE?
Borussia Dortmund’s position in the Bundesliga table may have boosted all interested parties’ chances of signing Erling Haaland in the summer.
Dortmund lost 2-1 to Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday at the Signal Iduna Park and have fallen down to fifth place.
Edin Terzic’s men are now seven points away from fourth place and that raises quite some doubts on their chances of advancing for next season’s Champions League.
Reports have stated that Haaland wants to be regular in the Champions League and if Dortmund fail to finish in the top four then that could work in Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea’s favour.
City and United are first and second in the Premier League table respectively and seem to be on their way back to Europe’s elite competition next season.
The Blues are fourth so far and the Reds will have to make a last-ditch effort to climb back up to the top four from seventh place.
HAAS THAT?
Erling Haaland is perhaps the most sought-after player today and some of the world’s biggest hitters may be set for a vicious bidding war over the Borussia Dortmund superstar.
Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea are reportedly eyeing Haaland ahead of the next transfer window.
However, Sports Illustrated recently reported that Dortmund are going to demand at least €150million (£128m) in the summer.
Very few clubs can match such a release clause following the coronavirus’ financial impact on the market.
However, Haaland has a clause in his contract that states he can leave the Bundesliga giants next year for only €75m (£64m).
Therefore, it might be sensible for all interested parties to either wait until 2022 or try to work out a discount and a swap with Dortmund, who won’t want to miss out on all that money next year
GOING FOR THE KYL
Manchester United are reportedly keeping tabs on the situation surrounding Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe is one of the hottest transfer targets ahead of the summer market and many believe he is a future Ballon d’Or winner.
According to Manchester Evening News, the French talisman is among a number of players whose contracts run out next year that United are keeping tabs on.
However, signing the striker is going to be extremely tough as PSG are exhausting all possible ways they can keep him in Paris and Real Madrid are determined to sign him in the near future.
Plus, a player like the France international is going to cost an insane amount of cash that many clubs can’t afford today due to the financial impact of the coronavirus
HAALAND SITUATION
Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea are among Europe’s big hitters, who are targeting Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland.
However, it doesn’t look too promising for any of those clubs as Haaland reportedly wants to win titles and get regular Champions League football.
That is why the star striker seems to prefer to join either Barcelona or Real Madrid in the summer.
Reminding you that a report from Esports claimed recently that the Norway international’s agent Mino Raiola told both Barca and Real owners that his client wants to sign with one of them
GETTY IMAGES NEY WAY
Neymar saw red on a miserable return to Paris Saint-Germain in their 1-0 loss to title rivals Lille.
The Brazilian was making his first start since February but received his marching orders after picking up two yellow cards.
Neymar picked up his second suspension of the season after he was red-carded for punching Marseille’s Alvaro Gonzalez in September.
The 29-year-old has now been dismissed again after he was awarded a second yellow card for shoving Tiago Djalo in the closing minutes.
Lille ace Djalo was in turn shown red for reacting with a foul-mouthed rant.
FULL TIME: LEICESTER 0 MAN CITY 2
The Foxes huffed and puffed, but nobody can stop Pep Guardiola’s side at the moment!
Benjamin Mendy and Gabriel Jesus grabbed the goals as the league leaders once again romped to victory.
This latest win takes City a mammoth 17 points clear at the top of the table, although neighbours United have two games in hand – starting with tomorrow’s clash with Brighton at Old Trafford.
RAM BUSTER
Real Madrid’s hopes of keeping Man United target Sergio Ramos next season have been talked up – by the player’s parents.
The centre-back is out of contract in the summer with little headway made in talks over a new deal.
Jose Maria Ramos, Sergio’s father, and mother Paqui Garcia spoke to Spanish TV show El Chiringuito in the week.
Both were effusive on the 35-year-old’s chances of staying in Madrid, stating that he ‘absolutely’ is excited to sign a new deal.
Jose said: “He is not worried at all, he is calm as always.
“He is totally sure that he will continue.
“The family decides little, but there is time for everything.”
Paqui added that Ramos is looking ‘great’ before stating: “Let him stay at Real Madrid.”
Sergio Ramos is yet to agree a new contract with Real Madrid GUARD UP
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has claimed that he will never discuss a move for Erling Haaland out of respect for his players.
The transfer circus surrounding the striker is in full flow with his agent Mino Raiola and father Alf-Inge pictured in Barcelona this week.
The pair also held discussions with Real Madrid and are expected in England to meet with several Premier League clubs.
City are among the clubs interested but Guardiola insisted that it would be disrespectful to publically entertain speculation surrounding Haaland.
When asked about the Norwegian, he said: “You understand I’m not going to talk about any names, about other players at other clubs.
“It would not be polite for Borussia Dortmund and for Haaland. Absolutely, it’s not my business.
“I have two months with these players that we have here, they deserve as much respect from their manager to [not] talk about another player when we have two months ahead, important ones with what we have done so far.
“So, if I’m a player and the manager speaks of other players I’d say: ‘What the f*** are you doing?’.
“We are here to do what we have to do right now. I never comment, never in five years I speak about another player from another club. Never, never.”
Pep Guardiola will not publicly speak about Erling Haaland
ERLI MOVE
Mino Raiola reckons he may have been ‘too careful’ with his decision to move Erling Haaland on to Borussia Dortmund.
The Norwegian striker joined the German giants in January 2020 from Austrian outfit Red Bull Salzburg.
A number of Europe’s elite clubs were interested in signing the 20-year-old, including Premier League big boys Manchester United.
But Raiola opted against moving the hitman on to one of Europe’s big boys in order to further his progression, a decision he somewhat regrets given how prolific he’s been since joining Dortmund.
He told The Athletic: “With Haaland, everybody was wrong. He did things much quicker than everybody imagined.
“‘Haaland is in front of his own development. He is ahead of his own schedule.
“Maybe I was too careful when I said, ‘Oh no, let’s move to Dortmund instead of I-don’t-know-where.'”
Erling Haaland joined Borussia Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg CRYSTAL CLEAR
Manchester United are close to appointing Crystal Palace recruitment specialist Jamahl Jarrett to their scouting team.
The 32-year-old is poised to become the lead scout for the South of England as the Red Devils continue their coaching and recruitment shake-up.
Jarrett has been with Palace for ten years, and is also the co-founder and director of football for Lambeth Tigers.
He set up that football club to encourage children into football and not into a life of crime and gang culture.
Kids from the Tigers have gone on to join the youth-set ups of the likes of Palace, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, West Ham, Fulham, Millwall and Leicester City.
Crystal Palace recruitment specialist Jamahl Jarrett is poised to join Man Utd SEND ADE
Chelsea have entered the race for Juventus star Adrien Rabiot, according to reports.
The Frenchman has been a regular for Andrea Pirlo this season.
But with the Old Lady targeting a rebuild, Rabiot could be sacrificed for some fresh blood.
According to Tutto Mercato, Chelsea could set up an unlikely reunion between the 25-year-old and former Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel.
Adrien Rabiot could be on his way to Stamford Bridge this summer ACT VAZ
Lucas Vazquez is set to be offered a deal by both Manchester United and Chelsea, according to reports.
The Real Madrid star is out of contract at the end of the season and is rumoured to have told his current club he will not be penning an extension.
According to Spanish newspaper ABC, United, Chelsea, AC Milan and Bayern Munich are all willing to offer the 29-year-old a four-year deal worth more than he currently earns.
Madrid, meanwhile, are believed to have offered Vazquez a new three-year contract worth 10 per cent less than his existing deal.
The player, who can play anywhere down the right, is said to have rejected their advances.
Vazquez, 29, is set to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season, according to reports FULL-TIME
Leeds have emerged victorious in the Yorkshire derby after beating Sheffield United 2-1 at Elland Road.
Phil Jagielka’s own goal in the 49th minute proved to be the difference in the second half and the Blades couldn’t recover.
The result lifts Leeds up into 11th spot, while United have slumped to a third consecutive defeat.
GOODBAI
Eric Bailly is reportedly wanted by Inter Milan – if the centre-back snubs an Old Trafford contract extension.
The disgruntled Ivorian’s current deal expires at the end of next season but SunSport revealed he was panning to reject new terms.
Bailly was fuming when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer overlooked him for the second leg of the Europa League tie against AC Milan and told pals he would not put pen to paper on a 12-month extension he was due to agree last month.
And The Daily Record reports Inter are looking to take advantage of Bailly’s situation at United.
The Serie A leaders are poised to end Juventus’ decade of dominance in the Italian league as they sit five points clear of city rivals AC Milan at the top.
The report states United value Bailly at around £17million but Inter will try to negotiate the price down.
TEAM NEWS
Here is how Leicester and Manchester City line-up at the King Power Stadium for their clash in an hour.
GOING GREEK
Arsenal star Reiss Nelson is wanted on loan by Olympiacos, according to reports.
The homegrown talent was handed his Gunners debut as a teenager by Arsene Wenger, before impressing at Hoffenheim during the 2018-19 season.
But he has desperately struggled for game time under Mikel Arteta this term.
Nelson, 21, was wanted on loan by Hertha Berlin earlier this season, but believed that he should stay and fight for his place instead.
But, with further action having not been found, Football London claim that Greek giants Olympiacos want to borrow the talented winger for next season.
Nelson has made only two Premier League appearances this season, but hasn’t even made the matchday squad since November.
His last taste of first-team action in any competition came against Newcastle in the FA Cup back in January.
Reiss Nelson has featured in only two Premier League games this season LEYT BLOOMER
Eddie Hearn admitted he wrote off England captain Harry Kane’s chances of making it to the top of the game when he was a youngster at Leyton Orient.
The boxing promoter’s dad Barry was chairman of the League Two side for just shy of 20 years between 1995 to 2014.
And a 17-year-old Kane was sent on loan to the O’s in January 2011 by then-Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp after showing promise in Spurs’ Under-18s.
Hearn told The Harry Redknapp Show: “We were watching Harry [Kane] thinking – and shows what we know about football – we were going ‘He’s decent but let’s be honest he ain’t ever going to make it at the top level.”
Harry Kane was sent on loan to Leyton Orient as a youngster HALF-TIME
Sheffield United have scored a dramatic equaliser to go into the break drawing 1-1 against Leeds.
Jack Harrison put the Whites in front in the 12th minute as he capped off a beautiful, free-flowing move from the hosts.
And after dominating the opening 45 minutes, they couldn’t keep their lead in the closing stages after Ben Osborn’s shot was judged to be just over the line.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
