Chelsea eyeing Lucas Digne, Newcastle want Samuel Umtiti EXCLUSIVE, Ferran Torres completes Barcelona transfer

Prem return for Wijnaldum

Georginio Wijnaldum is reportedly ‘destined for a Premier League return’ just five months after moving to Paris Saint-Germain.

The midfielder headed to France on a free transfer in the summer after his Liverpool contract expired.

Tutto Mercato claim that he is ‘destined’ to come back to England once the transfer window re-opens.

And relegation strugglers Newcastle want Wijnaldum back at St James’ Park for a second stint, according to L’Equipe.

Reds suffer blip

Liverpool have lost to Leicester at the King Power Stadium.

Ademola Lookman’s second half goal was enough to defeat the Reds, who will rue a missed a penalty from Mo Salah.

But Leicester were really solid at the back, after shipping six in against Manchester City on Boxing day.

Huge blow in the title race for the Reds though.

Leicester 1-0 Liverpool

The Reds have suffered a blow in their pursuit of Man City at the top/

Ademola Lookman, a former Everton man, has given Leicester the lead in the 59th minute.

Liverpool, who have scored in 34 consecutive matches, need to find an equaliser.

Spurs’ ground TV ready

Tottenham were able to screen their Boxing Day clash with Crystal Palace live on BT Sport at incredibly short notice.

And that was all down to the forward planning of chairman Daniel Levy.

Ahead of building Spurs’ stunning new £850million home, it was decided it must be the most technologically-advanced sports arena in the world.

So matches can be beamed live from the stadium effectively at the flick of the switch, when these games normally need days of planning by TV companies.

This is because all the cables and infrastructure needed were built into the stadium so when Liverpool’s Boxing Day lunchtime match with Leeds was postponed, BT — who were set to show the Anfield clash — were able to effortlessly switch to covering the 3pm game at White Hart Lane without the need to send loads of trucks with cables to North London.

Breaking: Everton v Newcastle postponed

Eddie Howe has got his wish.

The Premier League has announced that Everton vs Newcastle will not go ahead tomorrow.

Newcastle were already down to the bare bones for last night’s match with Manchester United, only to lose Callum Wilson and Alain Saint-Maximin during the game through injury.

Salah misses pen

Mo Salah has missed from the penalty spot against Leicester City in tonight’s evening game.

Kasper Schmeichel with the save, before the Liverpool ace heads the rebound against the bar.

Leicester let off.

It’s still 0-0.

Mbappe denies Real move

Kylian Mbappe has quashed reports he’s ready to join Real Madrid when the January transfer window opens.

The France World Cup winner has been continually linked with a move to the LaLiga giants, and with his contract set to expire in the summer could be available for nothing.

However, Mbappé told CNN: “No, I’m not joining Real Madrid in January. In January it’s not happening.

“I’m in Paris Saint-Germain, I’m really happy and I will 100% finish the season as PSG player. I’ll give everything to win with Paris all titles this year”.

Barkley’s Everton return

Ross Barkley could be on his way back to boyhood club Everton in January.

That’s if reports of a loan deal for the Chelsea outcast are to be believed.

The Telegraph suggests Barkley is set for a return to Goodison Park in the shape of a temporary move for the second half of the season.

The 28-year-old left Merseyside for Stamford Bridge in a £15million deal back in January 2018.

Conte disappointed after Spurs draw

Antonio Conte couldn’t hide his disappointment as Spurs could only draw against 10-men Southampton.

James Ward-Prowse gave the Saints the lead, but the hosts had to play with a man less from the 39th minute when Mohammed Salisu committed a professional foul, which led to Harry Kane’s equaliser from the spot.

But despite battering Southampton in the latter stages, Tottenham couldn’t find a winner.

“My demands are high because I am used to being competitive and to win,” Conte told Amazon Prime after the game.

“For me there is a big disappointment when we don’t win. We need to work a lot because it won’t be easy to fight for something this season.”

Newcastle want game called off

Decimated Newcastle are waiting on a Premier League decision over whether Thursday’s clash at Everton will be postponed. 

Callum Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximin and Ryan Fraser were all added to Toon’s lengthy absentee list after Monday’s draw against Manchester United.

With a host of other players out with Covid, injury or suspension, the Magpies do not believe they can field the 13 outfield players and a goalkeeper needed to fulfil the fixture.

Eddie Howe’s side were down to the bare bones before Monday and could only name eight subs – two of whom were goalkeepers.

Ciaran Clark, Matt Ritchie, Joe Willock and Karl Darlow were all missing, joining Paul Dummett, Jamal Lewis and Federico Fernandez on the sidelines. 

Billy Gilmour’s struggles at Norwich

Norwich fans made their ill feelings known towards Chelsea loanee Billy Gilmour and his team-mates as Crystal Palace put them to the sword today.

The Canaries were soundly beaten 3-0 by the Eagles, with Gilmour disappointing.

His stats so far make for interesting reading too.

Kante’s setbacks

N’Golo Kante credits ‘a lot of setbacks’ and early career struggles for helping him become the player he is today.

Kante, 30, told Chelsea’s website: “To get here, to join Chelsea, to join the French team, was a long journey with a lot of setbacks.

“From a young age, training centres didn’t accept me, and I failed numerous times at my attempts to join professional teams.

The French World Cup winner has blossomed into one of the world’s best players.

Digne deal

Chelsea have reportedly cast their eyes at Lucas Digne as one option to replace the crocked Ben Chilwell.

The Blues lost their star left-back to a serious knee injury that will likely keep him out for the rest of the season.

Manager Thomas Tuchel now seems likely to dip into the January transfer market to bring in cover for his remaining option on the left, Marcos Alonso.

Reports suggest one possible target is Everton defender Digne, who has fallen out of favour at Goodison Park.

The 28-year-old moved to Merseyside from Barcelona back in August 2018 and quickly became an established regular.

Newcastle United have also been credited with an interest in the Frenchman.

FINAL FAREWELL

Marcelo could hang up his boots at the end of the season when his contract at Real Madrid comes to an end.

The left-back, 33, is Real’s captain but he has found himself surplus to requirements this season.

In fact, he has played just 140 minutes of football this term and made just one start under Carlo Ancelotti.

That has sparked talk of the Brazilian leaving the Bernabeu at the end of the season.

It was rumoured that Marcelo could move to Fluminense in his native Brazil.

But his loyalty to Real, having joined Los Blancos in 2007, means Marcelo may decide to retire instead, according to Marca.

SEAN IT ALL

Sean Dyche insists he will not be jumping on Jurgen Klopp’s bandwagon – claiming top players have never had it so good.

Klopp fears that the combination of Covid and festive fixture congestion is a danger to the health and well-being of Prem stars.

The Liverpool boss also name-checked Burnley twice as he called for an increase from three to five subs – as was the case during the Coronavirus lockdown of last season.

Anfield skipper Jordan Henderson has said that football powers aren’t serious about caring for players.

But Clarets manager Dyche bit back declaring: “The thing that I find interesting is that I keep hearing this term player welfare.

“And I’ve got to be honest, my players here are fantastically looked after.

“There are lots of demands on the superpowers.

“But we’ve got strength and conditioning, psychologist support, health and wellbeing, dietitians, a lot of players have home chefs.

“Players are really well looked after.

“They’ve got the best medical support. It makes me question this idea of player welfare.

“The welfare is off the scale for me.”

GOAL MACHINE

Erling Haaland has been backed to break Alan Shearer’s Premier League goal record should he move to England.

Alan Shearer scored an incredible 260 goals in the top flight during his playing days at Blackburn and Newcastle United.

But former West Ham, Chelsea and Liverpool ace Joe Cole believes that figure will be smashed by Haaland should he switch to the Prem.

Speaking as part of a promotion for bookmakers Coral, he said: “I think if he comes over, at the age he is at now, he will go and break Shearer’s record.

“If he stays for 10 years, I think he will break all records.”

Chelsea in defensive injury blow

The Blues have been dealt a massive injury blow with Ben Chilwell set to miss the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery.

The England international sustained a partial ACL tear after colliding with Adrien Rabiot in the 4-0 Champions League group win over Juventus.

And the Daily Telegraph’s Matt Law has confirmed Chilwell is set to undergo surgery this week.

Chelsea could look to sign a new left wing-back in January – with Lucas Digne linked.

Arsenal ace ‘signing of season’

Aaron Ramsdale has been picked as the signing of the season by Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher.

The 23-year-old’s £30million transfer from Sheffield United was branded a ‘mess’ by fans and ex-pros.

But speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher said: “I went for Ramsdale because it was almost the biggest surprise to me.

“When they brought him in I thought they were bringing him in as back up and because he was an English player for the quota.

“He hadn’t impressed me in his Premier League time at Sheffield United and Bournemouth.

“But it’s not just the saves he’s made. He’s a personality, he’s a character.

“Already, to go into that dressing room – yes, there’s young players in there but it’s still a huge club, going into Arsenal as a young lad, a young goalkeeper.

“He’s got a presence about him that I didn’t see that he had and he’s had a big impact on the team.”

BREAKING: City star seals Barca move

Ferran Torres has sealed a return to Spain by joining Barcelona from Manchester City for £55million.

A deal – which includes an amazing ONE BILLION EURO (£842m) buyout clause – was agreed between the two clubs last week.

And former Valencia wide man Torres, 21, posted footage of himself training back in his homeland on Sunday evening.

He underwent medical at the Nou Camp and signed a five-year deal soon afterwards.

The Spanish international told Pep Guardiola earlier this month that he wants to return home after finding first team opportunities limited at the Etihad.

And the cash-strapped Catalan giants have agreed to pay around £46.7 million up front.

In addition there are around £8.5 million of add-ons relating to how he performs – with City almost guaranteed £6 million out of that.

The Premier League champions will also be entitled to a sizeable windfall of upto £8.5 million if Torres leaves the Nou Camp for big money in the future.

Man United reject Martial bid

Manchester United have reportedly rejected a loan bid for Anthony Martial from Sevilla.

The Spanish club are said to have made a straight loan proposal with no option or obligation to buy clauses.

According to Sky Sports News, the Spanish club wanted the French forward until the end of the season.

However, ESPN later reported that the deal had been batted away by United over wages.

United are said to want ALL of Martial’s wages covered in the deal, with a loan fee on top.

Sevilla are claimed to have only offered to pay half of Martial’s reported weekly wage of £250,000.

Alexandre Lacazette to leave Gunners

French striker Alexandre Lacazette is set to leave Arsenal at the end of the season, according to reports.

Lacazette, 30, has six months remaining on his current deal.

With the forward having worn the captain’s armband in recent matches, there has been optimism that an agreement can be reached over an extension.

But according to L’Equipe, he has decided to see out the final six months of his deal before pursuing other opportunities.

Neville and Carragher pick XIs

Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane have not made Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher’s Premier League teams of the season so far.

The dynamic duo agree Liverpool’s Diogo Jota is the man to lead the line ahead of fellow compatriot Ronaldo and the misfiring Tottenham ace.

But Carragher and Neville disagreed on three key positions and even opted for different formations.

Freebie transfer bargains for 2022

Some of football’s biggest names will be able to agree to join which ever club they want next month – and there is not a thing their current sides can do to stop them.

Kylian Mbappe, Paul Pogba and Gareth Bale head the superstar list of players entering the last six months of their contracts on January 1, leaving them free to sign pre-contract agreements elsewhere.

They would NOT move to their new club until the summer, but there would be no transfer fee.

An astonishing 539 players from Europe’s top five leagues are entering the last six months of their current contracts, meaning they can agree free transfers abroad on the first day of the New Year.

Players moving for nothing is not something new, but few years have seen such a stellar cast of talent who are counting down the days until they become free agents at the end of the season.

Which leaves some of the biggest clubs desperately trying to wrap up contract talks or spending the next month hawking the players around in the hope of at least getting a small fee for assets they will lose without a fee in the summer.

Newcastle ‘in the mix’ for Gunners star

Relegation-threatened Toon are interested in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to reports.

The Gabonese striker is currently in Arsenal exile following a disciplinary breach earlier this month.

Aubameyang could leave North London during the January transfer window.

According to the Star, Newcastle are in the mix to prise Aubameyang away from Emirates Stadium.

But the 32-year-old is claimed to prefer other destinations.

LaLiga side in Martial bid

Sevilla have submitted a loan bid for Man United ace Anthony Martial, according to reports.

The Frenchman wants to leave Old Trafford in January because of a lack of game time.

According to Sky Sports, Sevilla are his preferred destination.

The loan bid does not include an option or obligation to buy at the end of the season.

Barcelona and Juventus are also reportedly keen.