NEWCASTLE are keen on a striker after reportedly making a shock £85m transfer bid for Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic.
The in-form Serb has refused to sign a new contract with the Italian side and has been a target for Tottenham, Arsenal and Man City among others.
The struggling Magpies are also said to be keen to bring Anthony Martial and Edin Dzeko to Tyneside as the club’s Saudi owners look to splash the cash.
Meanwhile Chelsea are said to be keen to rekindle Lautaro Martinez’s partnership with Romelu Lukaku.
The two fired Inter Milan to the Serie A title last season before Lukaku headed to Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are also reported to be ready to rekindle their interest in Jules Kounde, with Seville said to be ready to drop their £68m asking price for the defender.
Get all the latest transfer news, gossip and updates here…
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
Premier League results
Manchester City thrashed Newcastle with a score of 4-0 at St James’ Park and remained top of the league.
Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo, Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling all scored for City, while the Magpies’ relegation scrap continues.
Chelsea and Wolves drew 0-0 at Molineux after the former’s request to postpone the match due to a COVID-19 outbreak within their camp was rejected by the Premier League.
Blues boss Thomas Tuchel didn’t have enough players to complete his substitutes list
Vlahovic record
Fiorentina star striker Dusan Vlahovic has made Serie A history.
Vlahovic netted in today’s 2-2 draw with Sassuolo and matched a record he now shares with Cristiano Ronaldo.
The centre-forward registered 33 Serie A goals in a single year and continues to stand out.
Arsenal and Manchester United are both keeping tabs on the Serbia international
Tuchel reaction
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel wasn’t happy with the Premier League’s decision not to postpone their match with Wolves.
The Blues requested that their game should be called off following a coronavirus outbreak within their ranks.
Tuchel said: “It will not stop, it’s my opinion, it’s the medical opinion but it’s not the opinion of the Premier League.”
More below:
Newcastle 0-2 Man City
Manchester City are 2-0 ahead against struggling Newcastle at St James’ Park.
Ruben Dias opened the scoring after just five minutes to give the hosts’ the lead.
Joao Cancelo doubled City’s lead on 27 minutes during a dominant first half for Pep Guardiola’s men
‘Palpable admiration’
Manchester United continue to be heavily linked with Sevilla star Jules Kounde, who is also linked with Chelsea.
That is according to AS, who report that Kounde has ‘palpable’ admiration at Old Trafford.
The same report suggests the Red Devils could move for the centre-back during the upcoming January transfer window.
That would work as a blow for the Blues, who consider the France international as a top target with four defenders’ contracts running out in June
Newcastle vs Man City
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is in the dugout following a dramatic coronavirus test.
Guardiola’s initial test came back inconclusive and the Catalan head coach had to self-isolate.
But the 50-year-old’s next test came back negative.
Here is how City and Newcastle will play today at St James’ Park
Wolves vs Chelsea XI
As expected, Chelsea can’t fill up their substitute bench.
The Blues are dealing with a coronavirus outbreak and wanted the match postponed.
But the Premier League ordered the fixture to go ahead.
Here’s how the two teams will play tonight:
Racism incident
A Leeds supporter has been arrested for allegedly racially abusing Arsenal players during last night’s clash at Elland Road.
According to The Athletic, a fan targeted the Gunners’ Nicolas Pepe and Nuno Tavares with racial slurs.
The incident is said to have happened while the north Londoners’ duo were warming up near the corner in the first-half
Chelsea COVID situation
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel announced on Thursday that Ben Chilwell, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku were all confirmed to have contracted coronavirus and are self-isolating.
According to football.london, there have been further positive test results within the Blues’ ranks in the past 24 hours.
As a result, it’s highly unlikely the west Londoners are able to fill their substitutes’ bench for tonight’s game with Wolves.
Reports suggest those within the first team are “frustrated and perplexed” with the Premier League’s decision not to postpone the fixture
Wolves VS Chelsea
Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Wolves at the Molineux is set to go ahead.
According to the Telegraph, the Premier League have rejected the Blues’ request to postpone the game.
The west Londoners are reportedly dealing with some new COVID-19 cases within their camp
More from the Premier League
“The Board assesses applications to postpone matches on a case-by-case basis, based on existing rules and COVID-19 postponement guidance issued to all clubs.
“It will assess a number of factors, including the ability of a club to field a team; the status, severity and potential impact of the COVID-19 outbreak at the club; and the ability of the players to safely prepare for and play the match. The Board must also consider the wider risks to the opposition and other people the club representatives may come into contact with.
“With the health and wellbeing of all players and staff the priority, and in light of the recent rise in COVID-19 cases across the country, the Premier League has reintroduced Emergency Measures.
“These include protocols such as more frequent testing, wearing face coverings while indoors, observing social distancing and limiting treatment time”
Premier League reaction
Arsenal’s clash with Leeds was the only Premier League match that wasn’t postponed as six out of 10 games have ben called off this weekend.
The Premier League shared the following statement: “Due to more positive cases in the Aston Villa squad today, the Premier League Board has regrettably had to postpone the club’s home fixture against Burnley, due to kick off at 15:00 GMT this afternoon.
“After reviewing all the new information provided by Villa this morning and receiving separate medical advice, the Board approved the request as a result of the club not having enough players to field a team.
“This decision was based on the number of COVID-19 cases, injuries and illness.
“The League understands the decision to postpone the match at such short notice will frustrate and disappoint supporters, and apologises for the inconvenience and disruption caused.
“The remaining four Premier League matches due to be played this weekend are currently scheduled to proceed as planned”
Toon eye Tony
Newcastle are keeping tabs on both Anthony Martial and Edin Dzeko ahead of the January transfer window, reports SunSport’s Phil Thomas and Duncan Wright.
The Magpies are willing to pay a hefty loan fee of around £6million to tempt Manchester United’s Martial to St James’ Park.
The Toon are also eyeing Inter Milan star Dzeko.
The ex-Manchester City striker scored 50 goals and recorded 24 assists in the Premier League
Racial abuse reports at Leeds
Arsenal players were warned against celebrating in front of the Leeds fans after reports of racist abuse from the Elland Road crowd.
Bukayo Saka scored to put the Gunners 3-0 up but instead of being allowed to celebrate freely in the corner flag, referee Andre Marriner blew his whistle and told the players to do it away from the home supporters.
Mariner was trying to prevent further unsavoury scenes as the goal came not long after an incident between home fans and the visitors’ bench.
Arsenal sub Rob Holding ran across to the fourth official claiming a Leeds fan had racially abused their bench
COVID HIT
So far only one Premier League match has been postponed due to COVID-19 today.
That is Everton’s clash with Leicester as the latter are dealing with an outbreak within their camp.
The game was scheduled to take place at Goodison Park but was ultimately called off
Cavani bid
Barcelona continue their pursuit of Manchester United ace Edinson Cavani.
According to Sport, Cavani is among Barca’s top targets ahead of the coming January transfer window.
In fact, the Blaugrana are even considering turning the forward into a player-coach.
However, the Catalan giants will wait for the Uruguay international to overcome an Achilles issue
‘Positive character’
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has admitted he ‘feels sorry’ for Arsenal ace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after he was stripped of the captaincy and announced he will contact him.
When asked if he will talk to Aubameyang, Tuchel said: “I will at some point.
“I feel sorry that he is in trouble.
“I believe in his positive character but I am not involved in this situation or his club. It is just about my picture and relationship”
GETTY IMAGES Greenwood interest
Manchester United ace Mason Greenwood has emerged as a surprise transfer target for Arsenal.
That is according to Elnacional, who claim that the Gunners, Juventus and Barcelona are keeping tabs on Greenwood.
The north Londoners may need to add a striker to their ranks next summer with both Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette out of contract, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has fallen out of favour.
Arsenal, Juve and Barca won’t ‘hesitate’ to make an offer for the England international should he become available in the summer
Newcastle’s Vlahovic interest
Newcastle have joined the bidding war for Fiorentina star Dusan Vlahovic.
That is according to CalcioMercato, who report that the Toon have launched a staggering €100million (£85m) bid for Vlahovic.
That would make the centre-forward the fourth-most expensive signing in Premier League history.
Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham are also keeping tabs on the Serbia international
Kounde price
Sevilla are willing to sell Jules Kounde for a price in the region of £42.5million-£51m.
Manchester United and Chelsea have been linked with Kounde ahead of the January transfer window.
The Blues failed in their attempts to land the centre-back after they didn’t meet his valuation last summer.
According to ESPN, the Andalusians are willing to agree to bring the France international’s price down in the coming months
Lautaro Martinez interest
Chelsea are still keen on landing Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez.
That is according to Fichajes, who report that the Blues may be set to reignite their interest in Lautaro in the summer transfer window.
When the Argentina international was available for the right price this year, and in 2020, none of the interested clubs met Inter’s asking price.
However, the west Londoners may have to make some room in their squad first before contemplating a potential deal involving the 24-year-old ace
GETTY IMAGES
MORNING FOOTBALL FANS
A Leeds fan has been arrested after allegedly aiming racist abuse at Arsenal’s bench.
Gunners substitute Rob Holding alerted the fourth official John Brooks just after the half-hour mark of Arsenal’s 4-1 victory at Elland Road.
The Premier League confirmed the incident was reported by the North London club.
And West Yorkshire Police were seen speaking to Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe, who was on the bench at the time of the alleged abuse, after the final whistle.
The Athletic report the players targeted were Nicolas Pepe and Nuno Tavares.
Meanwhile, Burnley owner Alan Pace has told Prem stars who refuse Covid jabs to find a new job.
He said: “It worries me for a number of different reasons but these are personal choices for people.“It can’t be, though, that you put everybody else at risk. If they choose not to get vaccinated, then they may have to choose a different career.
“Freedom to choose something different doesn’t mean you get the same rights and opportunities given to you if you choose to do something that’s not in the best interests of everyone else.”
Arteta on top four challenge
“I am very, very happy with the performance and the result, the week that we had and the direction that this team is moving forwards in.
“We are there now [in the top four], but it’s still a long, long season to go ahead with a lot of unpredictable things probably that are going to happen, but we are there.
“We want to continue that and we want to continue improving and playing better and better and then let’s see where we get.”
Newcastle eye Man Utd’s Martial
Newcastle want to make Anthony Martial their first big-name arrival next month.
And they are willing to pay a hefty loan fee of around £6million to tempt the Manchester United striker to St James’ Park.
Martial knows he must leave Old Trafford to get regular action, and Juventus had shown an interest in taking him for the rest of the season.
But the Toon hope to blow Juve out of the water by paying over £1m a month to get him for the remaining five months of the campaign.
Newcastle have money to burn after the takeover but know they will struggle to tempt any player into a permanent move while their Prem future hangs in the balance.
That leaves loan signings as their only serious chance of bringing in the sort of top-level talent they want when the window opens.
Odegaard similar to David Silva
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has commented on the similarities between Martin Odegaard and Manchester City legend David Silva.
He said: “That’s a big name. My opinion is David is the best I’ve seen playing between the lines for the last 20 years.
“Martin has got a tremendous quality and the capacity to unlock situations and put players through to generate open spaces in tight areas.
“I’m really happy and now he’s improving in his goal threat as well so we have a big player there that is very willing to become one of the best, but it’s still very early.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
