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      Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel refuses to rule out Erling Haaland swoop as Mino Raiola holds transfer talks

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      THOMAS TUCHEL refused to rule out a swoop for Erling Haaland as transfer talks continue for the Borussia Dortmund striker. Chelsea are desperate to land a new No9 this summer to bolster their attack – with the Norwegian, 20, their primary target.
      Erling Haaland is top of Chelsea’s transfer wish list for the upcoming summer transfer windowCredit: Getty
      Haaland’s dad Alf-Inge and agent Mino Raiola – who could bag up to £25million from any deal – have held discussions with Real Madrid and Barcelona in Spain before heading to England to meet with Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool.
      But Tuchel did not give anything away when quizzed on any potential meeting between Haaland’s representatives and the Blues.
      The German said: “I will not answer that, out of respect for the player and for Borussia Dortmund.
      “He’s a Borussia Dortmund player, and of course there’s big news around him and his agent. And it seems like they are creating a race for the player.
      “But still everybody needs to accept, and I will fully accept, that he is a Borussia Dortmund player, a very promising player of course.
      “But with respect to the situation, he’s not in our squad, he’s not in our club so there’s no comment on anything else regarding him.”
      Tuchel needs more goals in his team, especially with Timo Werner misfiring since his £48million arrival from RB Leipzig last summer.
      Haaland guarantees that with 33 goals in 32 appearances for Dortmund this season.
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      But Tuchel remained positive in his assessment of Werner – despite his horror miss for Germany last week and return of two goals in his last 32 appearances for club and country.
      The Chelsea boss added: “It is an easy solution at the moment to point the finger at Timo which I cannot understand. I am happy that he is here at the moment because he is protected here.
      “We demand a lot from him and get a lot from him. The best thing is to look at the situation honestly, not focus on the bad things, but look at it honestly.
      “The ball simply does not work out like it usually works out, but he works hard for us. If this is the most critical point of his career so far, look at the data, look at the statistics.
      “He scores still for us, he is doing assists for us, he is winning decisive penalties for us.
      “So if this is the most critical point in your career you can still accept it and say, ‘OK it’s pretty impressive so far.’
      “He can trust that his brain and his body remembers to do that because it is absolutely usual for him to score. So it will come back, it is just a matter of time.”

      Another player linked with a stunning transfer is Sergio Aguero, who will be released by Manchester City when his contract expires this summer.
      Plenty of clubs will be in the race to land the 32-year-old on a free transfer.
      And Tuchel heaped praise on Argentine hero Aguero – but again would not reveal any transfer interest in the Etihad record goalscorer.
      He added: “We have full respect for Manchester City and for Sergio Aguero, who is a big player for them.
      “There are no words needed from me about the achievements of this guy, he is a world-class player.
      “But don’t forget, we compete in three competitions against Manchester City so I will never speak about their players and talk about a player’s future.
      “It’s their player and I expect they do the same with our players. We are rivals. His career is outstanding and speaks for itself. And it’s not finished yet.
      “He is still a player for City and will still help them to achieve their goals.”

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      Man City boss Pep Guardiola aims dig at Champions League rivals Borussia Dortmund over their payments to agents

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      PEP GUARDIOLA has taken a swipe at Champions League rivals Dortmund over the amount they pay agents.The Bundesliga giants visit Manchester City in the quarter-finals on Tuesday, with striker Erling Haaland set to start.
      Pep Guardiola has spoken out on Borussia Dortmund’s agent paymentsCredit: Getty
      The Germans paid RB Salzburg £18.5million when they signed Haaland in December 2019 — but also shelled out £13m to agent Mino Raiola.
      Former Bayern Munich boss Pep said: “If one person knows in this city about Borussia Dortmund, it is me.
      “I will not find one single player at Borussia Dortmund without quality.
      “They spent a lot of money on young, young players and also pay a lot of money to the agents to bring these players there because they have an incredible quality.”
      City are interested in signing Haaland in the summer but Raiola insists he will have to be offered £600,000-A-WEEK wages plus a £153m transfer fee.
      Dortmund beat Sevilla in the last 16 but lost 2-1 to Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.

      The defeat left them seven points off fourth in the Bundesliga and a Champions League spot.
      Guardiola, 50, added: “Maybe they have not found the consistency this season in the Bundesliga.
      “But in one game or two games they are able to do anything. We saw that against Sevilla.
      “Sevilla won three Europa Leagues in a row and last season again.
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      In-demand Erling Haaland is set to face Guardiola’s side on TuesdayCredit: AFP

      “You have to have respect for Dortmund and what they have done.
      “I was in Germany for three years and they are big opponents.
      “I saw the game against Frankfurt. We will try and be aggressive, win and travel to Dortmund to win the second game.
      “This is the target and what we will try to do.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Jadon Sancho could miss BOTH legs of huge Man City clash with Borussia Dortmund star out injured

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND are sweating over the fitness of Jadon Sancho ahead of the Champions League quarter-final with Manchester City.The winger, 21, has missed the last four Bundesliga games as well as England’s World Cup qualifiers due to a muscle injury.
      Jadon Sancho is a big doubt for this month’s tie with Manchester CityCredit: Getty
      Time is running out for a return to action with the first leg at the Etihad kicking off on Tuesday night.
      Sancho is yet to face his old club having left for Germany in 2017.
      And his chances of making the reunion are in major doubt after he was unable to train on Sunday.
      According to Dortmund daily Ruhr Nachrichten, the player is also likely to miss the return game on April 14.
      Borussia interim boss Edin Terzic had raised fans’ hopes that Sancho would be available when discussing his recovery last week.
      He said: “With Jadon, we hope that the situation with him will change in the next seven to ten days.”
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      But the forward’s recovery does not appear to be going to plan despite returning from a rehabilitation stint in Dubai on Thursday.
      Sancho had hit four goals and two assists in his four games before picking up the injury.
      Without the England star, Dortmund have won just one in four and lost a vital top-four showdown against Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.
      The club is struggling to qualify for next season’s Champions League while sat fifth in the Bundesliga table ahead of the first leg with City.
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      Manuel Neuer tries to fix hole in net with his TOWEL as referee delays start of Bayern Munich’s game at RB Leipzig

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      BAYERN MUNICH’S game with RB Leipzig was delayed as Manuel Neuer attempted to patch a hole in his net with a TOWEL.The Bundesliga title rivals faced off at Red Bull Arena on Saturday but the start had to be held back by a few minutes.
      Bayern skipper Manuel Neuer decided to take matters into his own hands on SaturdayCredit: DIGI SPORT
      Daniel Siebert did not judge the goalkeeper’s towel knot to be a permanent fixCredit: Getty
      As Neuer settled in between the posts, he noticed a torn piece of net on one side had left a hole.
      The wily German began tying up his towel to fix the gap.
      Despite his knot appearing to be a rather sturdy addition, referee Daniel Siebert was not satisfied and called out a member of the ground staff to apply a more professional repair job.
      A handful of cable ties were soon applied and, four minutes late, the game was able to get underway.
      Fans were left chuckling at Neuer’s dab hand at DIY and the goalkeeper was allowed an otherwise quiet start to his day’s work.
      Bayern extended their lead atop the table to seven points by downing second-placed Leipzig.
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      The Bundesliga title clash was delayed by four minutes due to the broken netCredit: Reuters

      Leon Goretzka hit the only goal of the game after being teed up by Thomas Muller.
      Leipzig failed to fire off a shot on target for the best part of an hour before Yussuf Poulsen and Alexander Sorloth were thrown on for a late push.
      Without Robert Lewandowski, Munich prepared for Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain in fine fashion.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Scholes tells Man Utd to go all out for Haaland transfer over Kane for four reasons including ‘timing of career’

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      ERLING HAALAND is Manchester United’s best bet if they are to sign a striker in the summer, according to Paul Scholes.The midfield legend weighed up the Norwegian against Tottenham star Harry Kane and insisted he is better in a number of areas.
      Paul Scholes has given his take on Manchester United’s striker situationCredit: EPA
      He told the Webby & O’Neill show: “[United] need a No9.
      “I think the forwards they have are very good, but are any of them really a No9, or are they wide players? You just can’t make sense out of it really.
      “When Cavani’s played, he’s looked alright but he’s had a few injuries. He’s at that age. It was always going to happen, he was always going to be bit-part.
      “They need someone who is more permanent who’s out there and available. I know Haaland is talked about a lot, he’s going to cost a lot of money.
      “Harry Kane at Spurs, there’s rumours that he might want to leave there.
      “I think any one of them, you take any one of them, but I think if I had to choose, then Haaland would definitely be the one.
      “Purely for his age, great ability as well, the timing of his career, he’s played under Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] before…
      “I think it would make sense for everyone to do it, but there’s going to be other clubs in for him which is going to be difficult.”
      Erling Haaland will be a wanted man in the summer marketCredit: Getty
      Harry Kane is another top star who will cost a big feeCredit: Getty
      SunSport revealed this week that Tottenham will refuse to sell Kane, 27, to any Premier League rivals.
      Meanwhile, Haaland is currently being touted around major European clubs by father Alf-Inge and agent Mino Raiola.
      The duo were seen in Barcelona on Thursday for a two-hour transfer meeting before reportedly heading to Real Madrid.
      And they are set to sit down with Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool – but not United – according to the Mail.
      Haaland, 20, boasts 33 goals and eight assists for Dortmund this campaign with Kane on 27 and 16.
      Scholes added that the England striker is still a very good option for the Red Devils but may not have the longevity of the youngster.
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      The 46-year-old noted: “I love Kane, I think he’s brilliant.
      “When he first came onto the scene, I likened him to Ruud van Nistelrooy.
      “He’s a ruthless finisher, he’s desperate to score goals. I just think at the stages of each one’s career, then you get more out of Haaland.”
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      Ibrahima Konate ‘dissatisfied’ at RB Leipzig as Liverpool plot to trigger centre-back’s £34m release clause this summer

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      LIVERPOOL target Ibrahima Konate is reportedly growing increasingly frustrated with life at RB Leipzig.The centre-back is tipped to make the move to Anfield this summer, via a £34million release clause in his contract.
      Ibrahima Konate is nearing a move away from RB LeipzigCredit: Getty
      A number of teams are said to still be in the running for his signature with no transfer announced yet.
      But Leipzig’s chances of keeping Konate appear to be dwindling amid the latest reports from the Bundesliga club.
      According to Sky Germany, he is growing increasingly dissatisfied with being stuck on the bench.
      Not since December has the Frenchman started a game for Leipzig and he watched both defeats to Liverpool in their recent Champions League encounter as a substitute.
      Ankle and muscle injuries have hampered Konate’s availability this season but he returned to fitness in February, only to see 40 minutes of action since.
      Last month, The Athletic reported on Liverpool nearing a deal to sign the 21-year-old.

      Medical checks are said to be already underway but RMC Sport indicate that Konate’s camp remains cautious over the switch.
      Manchester United and Chelsea have also been linked with the centre-back as they look to bolster their defence for next season.
      Although is Liverpool, currently without Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip, who have struggled most at the back.
      Konate has asserted that he is remaining focused on his football amid the reports, recently stating: “I woke up, I saw my phone ringing all over the place.
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      “I just wanted to tell them, ‘Hey, I played yesterday, I’m tired, leave me alone’.
      “Frankly, I don’t even watch this. We can’t focus on that, there are the Euros and then my return to the club.
      “You have to focus on that and not on the external things.”
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      Erling Haaland’s dad and agent land in Barcelona and whisked off to transfer meeting with president Joan Laporta

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      BARCELONA could be set to steal a march in the race for Erling Haaland after the player’s representatives began talks with the club.On Thursday morning, the striker’s dad and advisor Alf-Inge Haaland and agent Mino Raiola were spotted at Barcelona El-Prat Airport.
      Alf-Inge Haaland was spotted arriving into Barcelona Airport on Thursday
      Mino Raiola also touched down ahead of the crunch talks
      According to Spanish outlet Sport, the pair were whisked away in a car driven by club president Joan Laporta’s personal assistant.
      The newly-elected Barcelona chief hinted at a move for the Borussia Dortmund striker before winning the post last month.
      The club is dealing with a difficult financial situation while also attempting to renew Lionel Messi’s contract, which expires in June.
      But reports suggest Raiola and Laporta hold a strong working relationship, potentially standing them in good stead to win the race for Haaland.
      According to Fabrizio Romano, the player’s camp held talks with Borussia in recent days to determine his future.
      And Onda Cero report on Barcelona viewing signing Haaland as ‘possible’ after the two-hour meeting, which was their first contact over the deal.
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      SunSport revealed this week that a deal to sign the 20-year-old could cost as much as £300million.
      That includes a £150m transfer fee, which Barcelona reportedly want to knock down to £125m, and a five-year contract featuring £600,000-a-week wages.
      Manchester City, where dad Alf-Inge used to play, are another club thought to be targeting the striker.
      Sergio Aguero’s imminent exit will open up a big hole in Pep Guardiola’s attack with Haaland joining Harry Kane, but not Messi, on their shortlist.
      Alf-Inge and Raiola were driven to transfer talks by Joan Laporta’s assistant
      Haaland is a wanted man ahead of the summer transfer marketCredit: Getty

      Bayern Munich have ruled out a bid for the Dortmund star but Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United remain linked.
      Haaland completed his international duties with Norway last night having been subbed off in the win over Montenegro.
      There are no doubts over his club form with a whopping 33 goals hit in 31 games.
      Dortmund currently sit fifth in the Bundesliga table ahead of a meeting with fourth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Bayern Munich looking to hand Robert Lewandowski new deal as club pull OUT of Erling Haaland transfer race

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      BAYERN MUNICH are not interested in a bid for Erling Haaland while they boast the ‘world’s best’ in Robert Lewandowski.Winner of Fifa’s The Best award for 2020, the Polish forward led Bayern to treble glory last year and has continued his stunning form this season.
      Robert Lewandowski could soon be offered a new Bayern Munich contractCredit: PA
      Bayern chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has ruled out a move for Erling HaalandCredit: AP
      Therefore a potential bid for Borussia Dortmund forward Haaland is of little interest to Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
      The Bayern chairman told Sport Bild: “I don’t know where the rumours have come from.
      “I can only say one thing – we have the best footballer in the world in this position.”
      There will nevertheless be no shortage of suitors for Haaland in the summer with Real Madrid, Manchester City and Manchester United all thought to be keen.
      A number of top talents have swapped Signal Iduna Park for Allianz Arena over the years, including Mats Hummels, Mario Gotze and Lewandowski.
      Although Haaland, 20, has hit an impressive 33 goals this season, he has been comfortably outscored by his Bundesliga rival.
      Lewandowski, 32, has tallied 42 goals with Munich top of the table and on course for consecutive Champions League titles.
      Under contract for another two seasons once this campaign comes to an end, the forward could soon be offered a new deal by Bayern.
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      Rummenigge added: “Robert Lewandowski has a contract until 2023.
      “And I am convinced, with his professionalism – if you just see how he trains and takes care of his body – the end is not yet announced.”
      Lewandowski’s hopes of reaching what may be his final World Cup in 2022 could take a decisive turn when Poland face England on Wednesday, a game he will miss through injury.
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