Lukaku wants to RETURN to Inter, Chelsea target Theo Hernandez, Real Madrid target BOTH Mbappe and Haaland – updates

TAKE SHAQ

Lyon are reportedly willing to let go of Xherdan Shaqiri just months after signing him.

The former Liverpool man has only made 13 appearances for the French side so far but, according to L’Equipe, they are willing to let him leave already.

His £75k-a-week salary is proving to be too much for Lyon, who are currently experiencing financial issues.

Keeping the 30-year-old could be a risk with little reward.

Lyon currently sit 13th in the Ligue 1 table with 24 points from 18 games.

Shaqiri joined the club for £9.5million in August following a three-year spell at Liverpool which saw him win both the Premier League and the Champions League.

He was Lyon’s only summer signing that came with a fee and arrived to much fanfare from supporters.

COMEBACK TRAIL

Christian Eriksen is reportedly training with Swiss third tier outfit FC Chiasso as he continues to look for a new club.

The ex-Tottenham star, 29, is yet to play since his cardiac arrest on the pitch for Denmark at Euro 2020.

His contract at Inter Milan was terminated this month as footballers with an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) are banned from playing in Italy.

The device monitors his heart rhythm and sends shocks to the heart if necessary.

Eriksen’s agent Martin Schoots has already confirmed there are some teams willing to sign the playmaker.

The Great Dane returned to training this month with former club Odense Boldklub.

Now Chiasso are allowing him to train with them in order to keep fit, according to Swiss outlet Le Matin.

He is using the facilities at the Swiss Promotion League side to ‘keep in shape before bouncing back’ with a club at a higher level.

PREM RACE FOR RON

Newcastle are monitoring Aaron Ramsey’s situation at Juventus – with the Italian giants desperate to bin the Welsh midfielder.

Ramsey has played just 112 minutes all season and Juve want to offload his £400,000-per-week wages.

Toon’s new mega-rich Saudi owners are eyeing up a move – along with West Ham and Everton – with the Serie A club open to a loan or cut-price deal.

Ramsey, 31, is believed to be keen on a Prem return having left Arsenal for Italy on a free transfer in 2019.

However, the Welshman would need to accept a pay cut with Toon unwilling to match his current earnings.

A new midfielder is high on Magpies manager Eddie Howe’s wishlist as they prepare to splash the cash when the transfer window opens on Saturday.

France international Jordan Veretout has also been linked but, as a regular for Roma this season, boss Jose Mourinho looks unlikely to sanction a move.

Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard has long been tipped as a target.

Newcastle want to strike early in January and continue to work on deals for Atletico Madrid full-back Kieran Trippier and Lille centre-back Sven Botman.

GAME OFF

Leicester vs Norwich on New Year’s Day has been postponed.

The Canaries asked the Premier League to call-off Saturday’s trip to the King Power.

The Premier League’s rock-bottom side have once again been hit with Covid-19 cases, injuries and illness.

Norwich had 10 first team players missing in their 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Tuesday.

But they were able to call off their visit to West Ham on December 18 due to having so few players available.

And now, with Dean Smith’s decimated and few players even training, Norwich have had their request accepted.

CON-FUSED

Harry Winks looks to have saved his Tottenham career.

The midfielder, who seemed to be heading out of the club under previous boss Nuno Espirito Santo, has been hailed as Mr Reliable by new gaffer Antonio Conte, who insisted the rejuvenated star would now be staying in N17.

But the Spurs chief was not so gushing about Tanguy Ndombele.

When asked at his Press conference what role he sees the Frenchman having in his squad, Conte answered bluntly: “He is a midfielder. I think… he is a midfielder.”

Ouch! It was another blow for record £65million buy Ndombele, who has hardly had a look-in since Conte arrived nearly two months ago.

He could do with taking a leaf out of Winks’ book.

The homegrown academy product has come in from the cold to become one of Tottenham’s key men in recent matches.

Conte said: “Winksy is playing well. And Winks has shown to be a reliable player. And for this reason, Winksy will stay here.

“I find players that are reliable, and then I can count on them and Winksy showed me that I can count on him.”

AYM HIGH

Aymeric Laporte is the latest Manchester City player wanted by Barcelona.

The Etihad defender, 27, was unhappy at losing his regular place last season to John Stones.

But the Spain international has reclaimed a starting berth during the first half of this campaign.

However, Barca hope to get another cash injection next summer and make a move for him after signing Ferran Torres.

The Nou Camp giants announced the £55m capture of the 21-year-old Man City star earlier this week.

The cash-strapped side had to take out a loan to afford the attacker.

And they expect to get more money next summer to be able to afford new signings.

Barca want to link up Laporte with his former defensive colleague Eric Garcia again in Spain.

RIQ ROLL

Arsenal have reportedly reignited their interest in Tariq Lamptey with the Brighton right-back available for the right price.

The 21-year-old has been starring for the Seagulls since recovering from his hamstring injury, with the youngster chipping in with one assist from 11 Premier League outings.

And he once again impressed on Wednesday night as he helped the south coast side earn a point away at former employers Chelsea.

Following his dazzling displays last term, the England youth international was linked with a switch to the Emirates in the winter transfer window as a possible replacement for Hector Bellerin.

But the Spanish defender, who was rumoured to be a target for Barcelona, failed to secure a transfer back to Catalonia, which ended a potential move for Lamptey.

A summer swoop for the ex-Blues academy ace was then speculated, but Mikel Arteta opted instead to bring in versatile Japanese star Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna.

However it has been claimed that Lamptey is now back on Arsenal’s radar with Bellerin out on loan and Ainsley Maitland-Niles poised to join Roma.

And according to transfer guru Duncan Castles, Brighton are happy to sell the player should their asking price be met.

MITCH PICKINGS

Monaco director of football Paul Mitchell who discovered Arsenal hero Emile Smith Rowe – has ‘offered himself’ to Newcastle.

That’s the claim from reports on Thursday night as the lowly Magpies hunt a top talent-spotter and prepare to spend big in January.

Englishmen Mitchell moved to French giants Monaco from Tottenham in 2017 after three years at the Red Bull set-up – with Leipzig, New York and RB Bragantino.

He was previously MK Dons Chief Scout and Southampton’s Head of Recruitment, before assisting Spurs from 2009-2017.

Now the former Wigan and MK player, 40, is said to be keen to join Newcastle’s Saudi-led transformation.

MORE BAD LUK

Romelu Lukaku has sensationally opened the door to an Inter Milan return – only six months after leaving them to join Chelsea.

Lukaku told Sky Sport Italy: “I think everything that happened last summer was not supposed to happen like this… how I left Inter, the way I left the club, how I communicated with Inter fans – this bothers me because it was not the right time.

“Now it’s the right time to share my feelings. I have always said that I have Inter in my heart: I know I will RETURN to Inter, I really hope so.

“I am in love with Italy, this is the right moment to talk and let people know what really happened.

“I really hope from bottom of my heart to return to Inter not at the end of my career, but when I’m still at top level to win more together”.

STRIKING A DEAL

Real Madrid are confident that they are on the verge of signing Kylian Mbappe, according to reports.

The Frenchman’s Paris Saint-Germain contract is set to expire in June.

PSG are desperate to keep the talismanic forward, and rejected several big-money bids from Madrid last summer.

But the Spaniards now have ‘total belief’ that they will get their man for free in the summer.

According to AS, however, they will wait until after the Champions League round of 16 to announce the transfer.

Mbappe is free to talk to other clubs and even sign a pre-contract from January 1.

But PSG drawing Madrid in Europe has complicated matters.

Both Madrid and Mbappe want to avoid suggestions of a conflict of interests.

BLUE BOMBSHELL

Romelu Lukaku says his move to Chelsea has been a mistake and that he wants to return to Inter Milan while still in his prime.

The Belgian striker, 28, left the Italian side after helping them to Serie A glory last season for the Blues.

But despite an explosive start to life back at Stamford Bridge, the striker has now admitted that he is ‘not happy with the situation at Chelsea’ as he blasted Thomas Tuchel’s tactics in an explosive interview.

Lukaku has scored five goals in eight Premier League starts for the Blues this term.

That includes a strike against Brighton last night as his team were held to a 1-1 draw to lose ground in the title race to Man City.

But Lukaku’s impact has been limited by injuries and coronavirus over recent months.

And Chelsea boss Tuchel has frequently left him out of the starting XI even when he has been fit on several occasions.

Speaking to Sky Sport Italy, Lukaku said: “Physically I am fine. But I’m NOT happy with the situation at Chelsea.

“Tuchel has chosen to play with another system – I won’t give up, I’ll be professional. I am not happy with the situation but I am professional – and I can’t give up now.”

NEW DAY

Nikos Dabizas has advised his former club to target Premier League players with limited game time during the January transfer window.

Dabizas told SunSport: “All 20 teams have [talented] players that don’t get enough minutes and that might be something Newcastle can take advantage of.

“[The January transfer window] is always tough for every team. That is when you can only make additional moves, not a general restructure for years to come. They will have to make careful moves to achieve the main goal, which is to avoid relegation.

“But under no circumstances will they be able to build a foundation in January because no one sells their best player mid-season and even if they do it won’t come cheap.

“The hierarchy and club need to find the suitable candidates so that they can gradually set the foundation that will allow them to become more competitive and climb through the ranks.

“What’s important for me is [the players’] motive. Surely the financial motive will come into play but if that’s the sole reason he chose Newcastle then he won’t be the right choice.

“For me, the appropriate mentality [is important] because Newcastle are a club with an intense, as well as loyal, crowd and the players they accept historically are the ones that identify and dedicate their soul for the team.

“If a player arrives just for an extra few zeroes on his contract then that won’t be healthy and [he] won’t elevate the squad. It needs to be an important combination of talent, personality, motive and character.”

Chelsea financial woe

Chelsea have felt the crippling impact of the pandemic by recording a post-tax loss of £145.6million for the financial year ending in June.

The bleak figure is largely put down to a near-complete loss of matchday revenue due to fans being shut out, as well as a decrease in profit from selling players.

t is in stark contrast to the previous financial year before Covid-19 struck when Roman Abramovich’s Blues made a profit of £39.5m.

Turnover actually went up by £29m to £416.8m – largely due to a broadcast income boost.

But matchday revenue was just £7.2m – constituting a whopping annual fall of £68.4m.

BLUES BLOW

Chelsea’s desperate attempt to recall Emerson Palmieri from his loan spell with Lyon has reportedly been blocked by the French club.

The Blues are in dire need of defensive cover following full-back Ben Chilwell’s ACL injury that’s ruled him out for the rest of the season.

To make matter worse for Thomas Tuchel’s side, Chilwell’s fellow wing-back Reece James went off injured during the Blues’ 1-1 draw with Brighton.

The England star was seen hobbling down the tunnel on crutches with the Blues not certain how long he’ll need to recover.

Tuchel touched on his side’s defensive plight after the Brighton match by saying: “We have no more wingbacks. Everyone is injured.”

With his main full-back’s sidelined for the foreseeable future, Tuchel was hoping to cut Emerson’s season-long loan spell with Lyon short to plug the gaps in his defence.

However, the Ligue 1 side aren’t willing to let Emerson, who’s played 19 games for them this season, leave before his loan transfer ends according to Get France Football News.

Although the Italian is still a Chelsea player, the West Londoners do not have a formal recall clause inserted into the loan deal with Lyon, GFFN claim.

Lloris transfer

Hugo Lloris is considering rejoining Nice next year, according to reports.

The Tottenham goalkeeper and captain’s contract at White Hart Lane expires at the end of this season.

And if he decides against extending his stay in North London or is not offered an extension, he could return to his boyhood club.

According to Foot Mercato, Nice are lining up an approach to land the experienced stopper.

James injury

Chelsea are sweating over scan results for Reece James.

The England star, 22, had to be helped off in the first half of Wednesday night’s 1-1 draw with Brighton after damaging his hamstring.

t looked a potentially serious injury as he hobbled very slowly down the tunnel on crutches assisted by two of the Blues’ physios.

Thomas Tuchel will be praying it is not as bad as first feared, particularly in the week when it was confirmed fellow flying wing-back Ben Chilwell requires surgery on a knee problem and will be out for the rest of the season.

Ben Chilwell on the mend

Chelsea star Ben Chilwell tweeted fans he’s ready to get back to full fitness after a successful surgery for a serious knee injury.

The left back tore his ACL in a Champions League match against Juventus.

It means the England defender is ruled out for the season.

Hammer blow

West Ham’s board are getting restless that manager David Moyes hasn’t presented a list of targets for the January transfer window.

David Sullivan, David Gold and new co-owner Daniel Kretinsky are said to be dismayed by Moyes’ lack of preparation going into the next month, according to Claret and Hugh.

The Hammers are suffering with injuries defensively, and moves in the transfer market could ease their issues.

While they are still in the hunt for a top 4 spot, so reinforcements could be crucial to their chances.

Dabizas advice

Newcastle legend Nikos Dabizas has advised his former club to target Premier League players with limited game time during the January transfer window.

The Magpies have found themselves in an intense relegation battle despite their recent £300million Saudi-led takeover as they have lost 10 and won just one out of 19 league matches.

Dabizas told SunSport: “All 20 teams have [talented] players that don’t get enough minutes and that might be something Newcastle can take advantage of.

“High-level players that don’t get enough opportunities could receive more playing time on a temporary basis or commit with a long-term deal at a club like Newcastle. If the club makes careful moves then it is possible to make good transfers in January.”

January signings best XI

On January 1 the transfer window opens, and the top Premier League clubs will hoping to do big business.

Here’s the best eleven of players we could see on the move, with Vlahovic upfront, Dele Alli swapping Spurs for West Ham and Ousmane Dembele coming to the Prem.

Scary Man City

Should Manchester City be successful in their pursuit of Harry Kane, here’s how they could line-up.

One word. Frightening.

Puskas contender

EX-RANGERS striker Greg Stewart made himself a sure contender for the illustrious Puskas Award with a stunning strike in the Indian Super League.

The 31-year-old gave current side Jamshedpur the lead against rivals Kerala Blasters with a sublime free-kick in the 14th minute of the riveting Boxing Day clash.

Check out the strike below.

Brighton kid set to leave

Brighton youngster Zak Sturge has turned down a contract extension from the club.

Sources have told SunSport that Sturge, who is considered as a highly-rated talent, decided against putting pen to paper on a new deal with the Seagulls.

The left-back has shown immense ability within the team’s youth ranks and has attracted interest from the Bundesliga.

Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg are among a few clubs keeping tabs on the 17-year-old ahead of the January transfer window.

Important Mount

Chelsea may be stuttering at the moment, but at least they can turn to their talisman, Mason Mount.

The playmaker has been directly involved in 12 Premier League goals this campaign.

That’s only bettered by Mo Salah and Emmanuel Dennis.

GUESS WHO

This Newcastle legend was a centre back at the club who scored a famous 30-yard lob against Manchester United.

The flamboyant defender sported a moustache during his heyday, and turned out for Belgium. But can you guess who it is? Scroll down for the reveal…

It’s Philippe Albert, of course, who is now a TV pundit in his homeland.