KYLIAN MBAPPE confirms he was in talks with English giants Liverpool before ultimately signing a new contract in Paris.
The Frenchman was heavily linked with Real Madrid, but Mbappe surprisingly revealed that it was Anfield he was considering moving to.
But PSG’s success in keeping Mbappe in the club means they are ready to cut costs elsewhere, reportedly starting with the departure of Neymar from the club.
Yet if the Brazilian wants to remain on his current salary, only Newcastle will be able to afford him.
Meanwhile, Spurs are making an early move in the transfer market with goalkeeper Fraser Forster undergoing a medical.
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Salah and Mane tip
Former Liverpool ace David James wouldn’t be surprised if Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane left Anfield.
James told Genting Casino: “With Salah, I’d like to think Salah stays at Liverpool. He’s won the Golden Boot again and I’d want him to stay because he’s a massive contributor to Liverpool’s success.
“There comes a point in every player’s career, and with Salah and Mane, who have travelled all over the world, it’s in their DNA to move on at some point.
“When is the right time? I’d like to think he’d get a new contract at Liverpool, he’s a legend at Liverpool and a legend in football – and what better place to finish your career?
“Both Salah and Mane have been required at different stages of the season. It’s a great team, it’s not about just one individual. Everyone is chipping in.
“Again, the two of them are travellers in a footballing sense, therefore it wouldn’t be surprising to see them leave, but I’d like to think they’d want to stay and see their careers out at Liverpool”
Credit: GETTY IMAGES Mane contract on hold
Sadio Mane has refused to be drawn on his future.
The Senegal international has one year left on his contract at Anfield and talks over a new deal has yet to bear fruit.
Mane has refused to pledge his long-term future to the club, telling Sky Sports: “I will answer this question after the Champions League.”
The former Southampton ace will hold talks with the Liverpool brass before deciding his next move.
The 30-year-old said: “There will be new discussions at the end of the season. I’ll answer after [the] Champions League final.”
Longstaff signs new Toon contract
Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff has signed a new three-year deal.
Lingard of honour
Marcus Rashford was spotted leaving a swanky restaurant in Los Angeles with Jesse Lingard on Wednesday.
The pair may have been tucking into a farewell meal for Lingard who is set to leave United on a free transfer this summer.
Lingard’s contract at Old Trafford is set to expire in the summer and the winger has no intention of penning a new deal with the Red Devils.
The winger could remain in the Premier League with West Ham keen on giving him a new home following his successful loan spell in East London during the second half of the 2020/21 season.
Salah to STAY
Mohamed Salah has confirmed he won’t leave Liverpool in the summer, wires Chisanga Malata.
Kop favourite Salah has eased the club’s fears of a summer departure by insisting: “I’m staying next season for sure.”
Although right now, exacting revenge on Carlo Ancelotti’s troops – whom they lost to in the 2018 final – is Salah’s sole focus.
He added: “I don’t focus on the contract at the moment. It’s about the team.
“It’s a really important week for us. I want to win the CL again.
“I want to see Hendo [Jordan Henderson] with that trophy in his hands again.”
Frenkie moving Jong
Barcelona have confirmed they have received multiple bids for Frenkie de Jong, with Manchester United believed to be among them.
Barca president Joan Laporta told L’Esportiu: “Frenkie de Jong? Yes, we have received proposals.
“But he has great quality, we think he should continue at Barca.
“Selling players? Right now, everything is open. In this case will depend a lot on the issue of [financial] fair play.”
Paris Saint-Germain are also supposedly in for De Jong after Manchester City distanced themselves
Youri Tielemans boost
Arsenal received a transfer boost in their bid to sign Leicester star Youri Tielemans.
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Tielemans is “keen” on a move to the Gunners.
The talented midfielder has stood out at the King Power Stadium this season and has been linked with a move away.
Manchester United and Real Madrid are also said to be keeping tabs on the Belgium international
Erling Haaland effect
Liverpool legend John Barnes believes Erling Haaland may affect Manchester City’s game.
Barnes told William Hill: “With Haaland coming to City, will they have to play differently? If Haaland scores goals, other players will score less goals. At Liverpool you’ve got [Sadio] Mane scoring goals, [Mohamed] Salah scoring goals, but if you’ve got the midfield scoring goals they score 500 goals – it doesn’t work that way. If the midfield players at Liverpool scored goals, Mane and Salah would score less goals.
“When Haaland plays, he may score a lot of goals, but the others won’t score goals. It doesn’t mean that all of a sudden that because he plays, City are going to add on the goals they score and he’s going to score another 50. It doesn’t work that way.
“Secondly, the way they play may be different and the way they play now is such a comprehensive way of playing against teams. With Haaland they’ll play differently. I love Haaland, he’s a great player, he’ll give them that strength in the box, but in terms of their build-up play, their hold-up play and everything else, maybe they’ll lose something”
Go for it
Former Chelsea ace Glen Johnson advised his former club to try and beat Barcelona for Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski.
Johnson told Betting Odds: “In terms of the player himself, then yes. But business-wise, what that might do to [Romelu] Lukaku, if he’s not playing where’s he going to go, how much is he going to be worth.
“They bought him for an awful lot of money. But at the same time, if they give him another six months and he doesn’t perform, then they might miss out on the top four. It’s a tough one.
“While Lewandowski is available on the free, I think you have to try and sign him.”
Credit: GETTY IMAGES
What’s next for Chelsea?
The Premier League and UK government have agreed to Chelsea’s £4.25billion takeover by Todd Boehly’s consortium.
However, since outgoing owner Roman Abramovich also has a Portuguese passport the Portuguese government needs assurances and the same goes for the European Union.
The aforementioned need to be convinced that Abramovich will not benefit in any way out of the sale of the club following Russia’s unjust invasion of Ukraine and his alleged ties with president Vladimir Putin.
Therefore, the takeover is not yet completed and the Blues are thus still not allowed to sell tickets, buy players or issue new contracts.
But they’re very close to completing the procedure
Man to Man
Ex-Manchester City ace David James has advised West Ham star Declan Rice to choose a move to the Etihad instead of Manchester United.
James told Genting Casino: “The West Ham fan in me wants Declan Rice to stay there forever, we want to see scenes like Mark Noble leaving West Ham at the London Stadium.
“There’s talk about Manchester United, but the way Declan Rice plays, he could play Fernandinho’s role at Man City. If he had a choice of Man City or Man United, it’s a no-brainer, you go to Man City.
“He’s a fantastic player, he’s young, it looks like he wants to learn, he’s a regular England international, he ticks all the boxes for a team challenging for titles as opposed to one challenging for Europa League spots”
Why would he?
Former Manchester City ace David James questioned why Gabriel Jesus would choose Arsenal over the Citizens.
James told Genting Casino: “If you look at Man City players’ appearances this season, Bernardo Silva and Rodri have played 30-plus Premier League games, but all the players in that attacking line-up have played around 25 games, so they’re not playing every week.
“Pep [Guardiola’s] rotation has worked perfectly in the sense that they won the Premier League again. I’d imagine [Erling] Haaland would fit into that mold, he’s not going to play every game. Also, with his injuries, there are question marks over whether he is physically capable of playing all the games.
“That being said, Jesus will have a shared role if he stays at Manchester City. This isn’t a buy-a-player-and-use-him-all-the-time situation, so there is still room for Jesus and why would he want to leave?
“You’ve got the best team in England over the past five years, so would he risk it by moving somewhere else to Arsenal, who aren’t even in the Champions League, or would he rather stay at Man City and try to get the Holy Grail, which is the Champions League?”
Touch of class
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been praised for his “classy” moment with legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson at the League Managers Association awards.
Klopp was named the LMA Manager of the Year by his peers and awarded the Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy.
Fergie was in attendance to deliver the trophy and tried to quickly exit the stage after handing it to the German head coach.
But Klopp immediately pulled him back so they could have their photo taken together
Klopp goes viral for touching moment with Man Utd legend Sir Alex Ferguson after he receives LMA awardLiverpool’s Bowen link
Former Liverpool and West Ham ace David James questions the Reds’ link with Hammers’ ace Jarrod Bowen.
James told Genting Casino: “This season he’s been fantastic. With regards to the recruitment, Liverpool would be looking at more than just a one-season hit.
“If Bowen is a legitimate target for this summer’s transfer window then that would be questionable, but if he was to continue this kind of form, then I’m sure Liverpool will keep tabs on him.
“Like the signing of Diaz, he wasn’t the first name on people’s radar. He’s come in, proved he’s a Liverpool player and then they go and get the signing.
“With Liverpool, loads of players are going to be linked and I’d imagine most of the time it’s agents linking them rather than a club pursuing them, but Bowen will definitely be on Liverpool’s radar”
Salah and Mane tip
Former Liverpool ace David James wouldn’t be surprised if Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane left Anfield.
James told Genting Casino: “With Salah, I’d like to think Salah stays at Liverpool [and ignores Real Madrid’s interest]. He’s won the Golden Boot again and I’d want him to stay because he’s a massive contributor to Liverpool’s success.
“There comes a point in every player’s career, and with Salah and Mane, who have travelled all over the world, it’s in their DNA to move on at some point. When is the right time? I’d like to think he’d get a new contract at Liverpool, he’s a legend at Liverpool and a legend in football – and what better place to finish your career?
“Both Salah and Mane have been required at different stages of the season. It’s a great team, it’s not about just one individual. Where Liverpool were failing was when the onus was on one individual to get the team out of trouble, whereas now, you can talk about Alisson, [Virgil] Van Dijk, [Jordan] Henderson, Thiago [Alcantara], Salah and Mane – everyone is chipping in.
“Again, the two of them are travellers in a footballing sense, therefore it wouldn’t be surprising to see them leave, but I’d like to think they’d want to stay and see their careers out at Liverpool”
Credit: GETTY IMAGES
Haa-s to improve
Former Manchester City ace David James insists Erling Haaland needs to improve his game ahead of his Etihad arrival.
James told Genting Casino: “You could argue Haaland will improve Man City’s situation when it comes to the Champions League.
“There are bits around Haaland’s performance that need to considerably improve. He’s a fantastic goalscorer, without question, but it’s the way he scores goals that needs to be improved. It’s where he scores goals that need to be improved, he scores most of his goals at home.
“When you think about the Champions League and the crunch matches that aren’t at home, there will be areas for improvement. He’s 21 and under Pep, you could argue he’ll become better. If he becomes better then, of course, Man City will be in a better place to win the Champions League”
Adrien Rabiot race
Chelsea and Newcastle are set to offer £17million for Juventus star Adrien Rabiot ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Blues and the Magpies are eyeing a cut-price fee for Rabiot, according to Tuttosport.
N’Golo Kante and Jorginho only have one-year left on their contracts themselves, meaning midfield reinforcements may be necessary for the West Londoners.
And the Toon money-bags are looking to rival Premier League’s elite next season
Bastoni transfer war
Chelsea and Tottenham are keeping tabs on Inter Milan ace Alessandro Bastoni ahead of the summer transfer window.
That is according to La Repubblica, who claim the London rivals are interested in Bastoni, who played under Spurs manager Antonio Conte at Inter.
It is believed the Nerazurri’s financial issues are still at large and the club are hoping to sacrifice only one player this time around.
The centre-back is valued at £60m by the Italian giants
Mount’s new contract
Chelsea star Mason Mount is set to receive a new deal after Todd Boehly’s takeover.
According to i, Mount will be the first player to benefit from the Blues’ new owners.
The forward, who is reportedly on around £80,000-per-week, is expected to have his wages at least doubled under a new agreement that will be permitted once the takeover is officially completed.
This comes after the Premier League and UK government approved Boehly’s £4.25billion takeover
Credit: GETTY IMAGES It’s still Ron
New Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that club legend Cristiano Ronaldo is part of his plans for next season.
Ronaldo’s future has been uncertain for quite a few months and there were questions as to whether Ten Hag was planning to hold onto him in his squad.
But the Dutch tactician has put all the speculation to rest after being asked if he wants the five-time Ballon d’Or winner to stay around: “Of course!”
Ten Hag was then asked what Ronaldo brings, to which he responded “goals”.
Boehly’s war chest
New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is set to hand manager Thomas Tuchel a £200million transfer war chest this summer.
According to the Telegraph, some of the budget is expected to come from player sales, meaning Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic, Marcos Alonso and Timo Werner could all be flogged.
It’s claimed the Blues have drawn up an eight-man centre-back shortlist following the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen to Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively.
Sevilla star Jules Kounde is top of that list, while there is also interest in RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol, Atletico Madrid’s Jose Gimenez, Villarreal’s Pau Torres, Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Leicester’s James Justin.
In attack Manchester City star Raheem Sterling could be targeted if Werner, Ziyech or Pulisic are sold.
Midfield reinforcements are also possible, with West Ham’s Declan Rice and Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni both targeted
Jules Kounde situation
Chelsea’s approved takeover is a major transfer boost in their longtime bid to sign Sevilla star Jules Kounde.
The Blues are in dire need of defensive reinforcement after losing Antonio Rudiger to Real Madrid.
Marcos Alonso, Andreas Christensen and skipper Cesar Azpilicueta are on their way to Barcelona, while Thiago Silva is at the advanced age of 37.
Transfer expert Andreas Korssund tweeted: “Jules Kounde is closing in on a move to Chelsea.
“The Blues will conclude talks with Sevilla as soon as Boehly’s takeover is complete and they are ready to pay the required fee.
“Personal terms have already been agreed and the Frenchman is only waiting for Chelsea”
Sadio Mane breakthrough
Liverpool star Sadio Mane has “reached a breakthrough” in talks with Bayern Munich over a stunning transfer move.
According to Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg, progress has been made in negotiations between Mane and Bayern over a potential deal.
The Bavarians’ sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic and manager Julian Nagelsmann are preparing to lose Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona.
That is why they want a “statement” signing to replace Lewandowski in the summer.
Plettenberg claims that the next month is now set to be a crucial period for Bayern and their attempt to land the forward
Credit: GETTY IMAGES Tchouameni to Real?
Monaco star Aurelien Tchouameni has been linked with a move to Real Madrid.
That is according to RMCSport, who report that Tchouameni will join Real on a five-year contract for around £60million.
Arsenal and Manchester United appeared to be frontrunners but the midfielder, who has been compared to Paul Pogba, seems to have opted for Los Blancos.
The talented France international has gained attention thanks to a raft of impressive performances in Ligue 1
Nadine Dorries statement
Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Nadine Dorries stated that the Government is satisfied the proceeds from Chelsea’s sale won’t go to outgoing owner Roman Abramovich.
Dorries tweeted: “Last night the Government issued a licence that permits the sale of [Chelsea].
“Given the sanctions we placed on those linked to [Vladimir] Putin and the bloody invasion of Ukraine, the long-term future of the club can only be secured under a new owner.
“We are satisfied the proceeds of the sale will not benefit Roman Abramovich or other sanctioned individuals.
“I want to thank everyone, especially officials who’ve worked tirelessly to keep the club playing and enable this sale, protecting fans and the wider football community”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
