CHELSEA are reportedly lining up a swoop for Mohamed Salah, after reaching the Champions League final.
Meanwhile Sergio Aguero is reportedly eyeing up a transfer to Barcelona, where he could be joined by Neymar if the Brazilian quits Paris Saint-Germain and we have the latest on Manchester City being interested in Declan Rice.
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Follow ALL of the latest news and updates below…
FULL-TIME: SHEFF UTD 0 C PALACE 2
Roy Hodgson’s side beat hapless Blades 2-0 at Bramall Lane courtesy of goals by Christian Benteke and Ebere Eze.
The three points see the Eagles leapfrog Newcastle United into 13th, while Paul Heckingbottom’s United remain marooned to the bottom of the table.
You can read more about the game by clicking here to read David Facey’s match report.
ON THE UP
Full-time in League Two, and Cheltenham Town are deserved champions!
Mike Duff’s side had already clinched promotion to League One, but they stayed professional today to grab the title, doing so in style by coming from behind to beat Harrogate 4-1, courtesy of goals by Liam Sercombe, Sam Smith, Alfie May and Callum Wright.
They’ll be joined in the third tier by Cambridge United, who defeated relegated Grimsby Town 3-0 at The Abbey, and Bolton Wanderers – after the Trotters routed Crawley Town 4-1.
Fourth-placed Morecambe will now have to navigate the play-offs, despite beating Bradford City 2-0 this afternoon.
CHRIS & MAKE UP
Christian Eriksen has revealed he is desperate to STAY at Inter Milan just six months after begging the club to sell him.
Spurs, Manchester United, Wolves and Leicester were all rumoured to be in for the Danish star earlier this season.
But now after finding his feet under the Italian and helping the club win their first Serie A crown in 11 years, Eriksen is desperate to help ‘build something beautiful’ at the San Siro.
On his rocky start to life at Inter, Eriksen told Gazzetta dello Sport: “I was willing to learn new things when I arrived. I hadn’t understood I had to follow’s Conte system all the time.
“Before, I was free to make decisions based on what I saw. It had a lot to do with intuition. Now, there is a general plan we have to follow… we must be ready, know where our team-mates are and where they can move. I had to learn all this and adapt to a different pace.
“We spoke in January, and I’ve proved what I am able to do. I have no revenge to take, I just play football. Sometimes it goes well, sometimes it doesn’t. This is a sport that evolves quickly, almost every week. Six months ago I was living in a different situation, now we have a trophy and I can say I am really happy here at Inter.
“It was hard to win this title, but we did it with four games remaining. It’s a good starting point, now we can begin a new cycle… it will be hard to win nine titles in a row, but we’ll try to build something beautiful. Conte is so important for each one of us, also for the way we play. We follow him and you see that on the pitch.
“Everyone is so happy to have won with him.. but his stay is not up to me – it depends on the club and him.”
Christian Eriksen looks set to stay at Inter Milan having been desperate to quit six months ago
DWIGHT FIGHT
Aston Villa are ready to launch a £15million bid for Burnley ace Dwight McNeil, according to reports.
The talented winger has been admired by Manchester United and Arsenal in the past.
But Dean Smith wants to take him to the West Midlands.
According to Football Insider, McNeil is one of Villa’s ‘top targets’ for the summer.
And they think that £15m could be enough to convince Burnley to sell.
The Clarets, however, agreed a contract extension with McNeil last October, currently tying him to Sean Dyche’s side until June 2024.
And Burnley are believed to have an option to trigger an extra year.
Dwight McNeil has impressed for the ClaretsCredit: AP GUARD OF HONOUR
Pep Guardiola would not want Manchester City to sign Lionel Messi because he has ‘never wanted to hurt Barcelona’.
The Argentine superstar’s contract comes to an end at the Nou Camp in the summer and he has been heavily linked with a move to both Man City and Paris Saint-Germain.
But Valenti Guardiola, dad of the Man City boss, does not believe his son would want Messi to leave the Catalan giants.
Speaking to journalist Emiliano Nunia, he said: “There’s no club in the world that wouldn’t want to have Messi.
“I saw him play at 12 or 13 years old and I was amazed.
“He was extraordinary at that level. There are very few players like Messi, and I’m sure that Pep wouldn’t dislike having him at City.
“Pep has always seen Messi as the best, but he’s at Barcelona. Josep has never wanted to hurt the club by taking the player.”
EXCLAMATION MARK
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may think Manchester United’s fixture schedule is ‘impossible’.
But the demands of the Red Devils playing four games in eight days is not a patch on Mark Hughes’ heroic efforts of playing two games on the same day!
Remarkably, Hughes played in two different countries on November 11, 1987.
The Welshman completed 90 minutes for his nation in a crucial Euro qualifier against Czechoslovakia in Prague and then came off the bench in Bayern Munich’s German Cup second-round replay 3-2 extra-time win over Borussia Monchengladbach that night.
Click here to read more.
X FACTOR
Barcelona are on red alert as Xavi is poised to leave his role as coach at Al Sadd.
The Barca legend is reportedly not having his contract renewed with the Qatari club.
The former Barca captain has long been on their radar to become their next manager.
With the Spaniard poised to leave Qatar, it opens the door for an emotional return to the Nou Camp.
Xavi has been in regular touch with new Barcelona president Joan Laporta in recent months.
The 41-year-old established a strong bond with Laporta during the latter’s first spell as Barca president between 2003 and 2010.
LEEDS 3 TOTTENHAM 1
Weren’t Leeds the ones with nothing to play for?
For a season-defining game to keep them in the top-four mix, Tottenham did a fine impression of their north London rivals Arsenal.
Just as meek, passive and rudderless as the Gunners were in the Europa League do-or-die against Villarreal on Thursday, Spurs’ Champions League hopes are now up in smoke.
Click here to read Oscar Paul’s match report.
ED HUNTED
Leicester City have beaten off Liverpool and West Ham to win the transfer race to sign Odsonne Edouard, according to reports.
There are plenty of clubs desperately chasing the Celtic striker ahead of the summer window opening.
But according to Teamtalk, it is the Foxes who will wrap up a deal for the Frenchman.
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers worked with Edouard at Celtic and is keen to be reunited.
A new striker is high on the King Power wishlist as a back-up and eventual successor to Jamie Vardy, who turns 35 next season.
Kelechi Iheanacho is in red-hot form but with a European campaign on the cards, Rodgers wants another extra attacking option.
GREAL BOOST
Dean Smith has handed Aston Villa and England fans the news they have been patiently waiting for – Jack Grealish returns to training tomorrow.
Although Villa’s inspirational skipper won’t be fit to face Manchester United on Sunday, Smith says his golden boy is on the mend and ready to push for a place in Gareth Southgate’s European Championship squad.
Grealish has been sidelined by a shin injury since his last game against Brighton on February 13 but Smith revealed: “Jack will start training with the players again tomorrow.
“He’s been loading on his own but he won’t be ready for the game against Manchester United.
“He’s been out there already with the rehab staff but he gets to train with the players tomorrow for the first time.”
MAGIC TUCH
Manchester United transfer target Ousmane Dembele has revealed that Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is the best manager he has played under.
The 23-year-old Frenchman was coached by Tuchel during his time as a teenager at Borussia Dortmund.
And it is another player during his time at Dortmund – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – that he describes as his best teammate.
Speaking to BeIN Sports, he said: “Things went super at Dortmund, a super squad, Aubameyang who welcomed me amazingly, even if it was quite tough with the German.
“Aubameyang really welcomed me well, he is the person that I have liked the most in football.
“And like I said Thomas Tuchel really convinced me, he is my favourite manager.”
BREAKING NEWS – NEYMAR SIGNS NEW PSG DEAL
Neymar has signed a new £500,000-a-week contract at Paris Saint-Germain.
The new deal ties the Brazilian superstar down at the Parc des Princes until 2025.
His four-year contract is worth £104million – or £26m per season.
And it puts an end to speculation surrounding a possible transfer this summer.
BODY ON LINE
Martyn Waghorn handed Derby an early scare in their relegation six-pointer after a horror collision with the post.
Less than 15 minutes into their D-Day contest with Sheffield Wednesday, Waghorn bravely launched himself at a cross in an attempt to score the opener.
It’s currently 1-1 – with Waghorn scoring Derby’s equaliser – but, as it stands, Rotherham will survive thanks to their 1-0 lead at Cardiff.
ARM WRESTLE
Chelsea are reportedly poised to open contract talks with Armando Broja.
The rising star has impressed during his loan spell at Vitesse and Chelsea want to secure his long-term future.
Broja has been a revelation this season for Vitesse, scoring ten goals in the Eredivisie.
The 19-year-old talent’s form has made a big impression and Champions League finalists Chelsea want to tie him down to a new long-term deal.
His prolific form for the Blues’ academy helped earn his loan move and the teenager will be in demand after his exploits in the Netherlands.
Broja is contracted at Chelsea until the end of next season but the Blues want to offer him an extended deal after his impressive contribution for Vitesse.
GEOR DROPPING
Georginio Wijnaldum is keen to begin talks with Bayern Munich at the end of the season, according to the player’s advisor.
The Dutchman’s contract at Anfield comes to an end in the summer and he will be a highly sought-after free transfer.
Wijnaldum has been linked with the likes of Chelsea, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
But it is German champions Bayern who his representative Humphry Nijman has publicly stated as his preferred destination.
Speaking on SPORT1 podcast Meine Bayern-Woche, he said: “Wijnaldum is a free transfer and keeps all options open.
“FC Bayern is a great club. If you are interested in him, please feel free to speak to us.”
GUNNER SORT
Incoming Arsenal chief Richard Garlick will work on resolving the futures of Emile Smith Rowe and Alexandre Lacazette when he joins the club.
Garlick will take over as director of football operations on May 17 having been working for the Premier League in the same role.
And according to ESPN, two of his first jobs will be to sort out contract issues.
The first will be getting Smith Rowe to put pen to paper on a fresh deal.
His current one runs until 2023 but after a breakthrough season this term, the 20-year-old is due to earn a pay rise.
For Lacazette, Garlick must decide whether or not to offer a new deal.
The Frenchman, 29, is out of contract at the end of the 2021-22 season.
CHAMPIONSHIP PERMUTATIONS
The final round of Championship fixtures have just kicked-off.
Norwich and Watford have already secured promotion to the Premier League and Brentford, Swansea, Barnsley and Bournemouth will compete in the play-offs.
But who is going down?
For Derby County, a win against Sheffield Wednesday will be enough to keep them up.
They can also survive with a draw – if Rotherham fail to beat Cardiff.
The Millers need to beat the Welsh side and better Derby’s result to stay up.
Wednesday need to beat Derby and hope Rotherham drop points to survive.
And Wycombe need to beat Middlesbrough by at least THIRTEEN goals – and they need Wednesday to win and Rotherham to drop points – to remain a Championship club.
AY CARR-AMBA
Everton are reportedly plotting a summer swoop to sign the son of Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher.
The 18-year-old James has followed in his dad’s footsteps by becoming an impressive centre-half.
After a spell at Liverpool’s academy, he left Anfield to join Wigan Athletic back in 2017.
James has gone on to make great progress with the Latics and has now caught the eye of Premier League scouts.
And The Mail claims Everton are preparing a move for him at the end of the season.
Carragher shone for Wigan’s youth team against the Blues earlier this term and the Goodison Park outfit have been watching him ever since.
The teen is only on a scholarship at Wigan and will be a free agent in June.
DO YOU WANT TU COME?
Mohamed Salah is on Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea wish list, according to BILD journalist Christian Falk.
The Blues boss is also said to be interested in Erling Haaland and Romelu Lukaku.
Salah played for the Stamford Bridge side between 2014 and 2016, making just 13 Premier League appearances.
Will he follow in the footsteps of Fernando Torres and make the move from Liverpool to Chelsea?
It seems unlikely considering Salah’s previous spell at the club – but stranger things have happened in football.
ON THIS DAY
May 8 is a special day in north London.
On this day 50 years ago, Arsenal defeated Liverpool 2-1 in the FA Cup final to secure their first ever league and cup double.
And 19 years ago, the Gunners defeated Manchester United at Old Trafford to win the Premier League.
It’s also a famous day in Tottenham’s history as it’s two years since they defeated Ajax to qualify for the Champions League final.
Here’s the highlights from that memorable match…
BARC-ING MAD
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus have vowed to go to war with Uefa over threats to throw them out of European competition for sticking to the Super League plans.
The three clubs have been warned by the governing body they face a two-year ban from their competitions unless they finally give up their intention to play in the rebel tournament.
But in a joint statement released this morning, the football superpowers doubled down on their refusal to give up on the project and made it clear they think the law is on their side.
Real, Barca and Juve are all now prepared to fight it through the courts to challenge any Uefa ban as they desperately try to cling on to the ESL dream which will save them from the financial turmoil they have left themselves in.
Click here to read the statement.
MIKE SUMMERBEE EXCLUSIVE – DAVE KIDD
It’s easy to imagine Manchester City as two entirely different football clubs.
The old one labouring away at the earthy old Maine Road, in the shadows of their mighty neighbours Manchester United, with barely a pot to piddle in.
And the new one, enriched by Abu Dhabi wealth, hoping to secure a fifth Premier League title in ten years by beating Chelsea at the Etihad today, then heading to Istanbul to face the same opponents in their first Champions League Final on May 29.
Which is where Mike Summerbee comes in.
Click here to read Dave Kidd’s interview with Mike Summerbee.
DOUGH ME A FAVOUR
Mido has deep panned Roy Keane after revealing all about the meal that persuaded him never to play for the Manchester United legend.
No amount of dough would have persuaded the Egypt striker to sign after the then-Sunderland manager invited him to Pizza Express in 2006 for what he thought would be a friendly “come and join us” chat.
Mido, who was with Spurs at the time, said Keane “didn’t talk much” – and he would “end up fighting” with the former Republic of Ireland legend if he played under him.
Ex-Ajax and Marseille star Mido told talkSPORT how he couldn’t wait to dessert his less-than-topping dining experience with Keane.
So instead he left Tottenham for a three-year spell with Sunderland’s North East rivals Middlesbrough.
Click here to read more.
BEEK IN BUSINESS
Jose Mourinho could be set to turn to his former club Manchester United in order to sign outcast Donny van de Beek, according to reports.
The Red Devils midfielder, 24, has struggled throughout his first season at Old Trafford.
According to Calcio Mercato, the Portuguese coach already has his eye on acquiring Van de Beek in the summer.
The Dutchman has played just 16 times in the Premier League this season, scoring one and assisting another.
But Mourinho, who was announced as Roma boss earlier this week, is looking to bolster his squad as the Italian side have suffered a dreadfully poor campaign.
Outgoing manager Paulo Fonseca has overseen a disappointing season in Serie A which currently sees them sitting in seventh.
Credit: PA WHO’D HAVE THAU-T IT
Ex-Newcastle flop Florian Thauvin has agreed to join Mexican side Tigres in a shock move.
The 28-year-old, who had been linked with a return to the Premier League, has decided to quit European football.
The World Cup winner has signed a five-year deal in Mexico.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
