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      Arsenal lining up transfer move for Serie A striker ‘who can do more than Erling Haaland’ to join Jesus in attack

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      ARSENAL are considering a move for a Serie A striker who can “do more than Erling Haaland”.Manchester City’s Norwegian forward has racked up the goals in phenomenal fashion in his first season in England and has an incredible 42 in all competitions.
      Rasmus Højlund’s reputation is growing in Italy after a strong run of formCredit: Getty
      But a new contender for his throne could emerge as pundits back Atalanta star Rasmus Højlund to be the next big thing.
      The Denmark international has become a regular for his club since the World Cup break and has hit a purple patch of form.
      The 20-year-old is reportedly being eyed by Arsenal to help boost their attack even further next season.
      Tutto Atalanta report that the Gunners are in the lead for the frontman – and are willing to cough up around £45m to land him.
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      Any deal would represent an amazing profit for Atalanta, who signed Højlund for just £15m last summer from Austrian side Sturm Graz.
      He has seven goals and one assist in Serie A so far in this campaign.
      His physical stature and Scandinavian background has seen the star compared to Haaland.
      But former Leeds winger and football pundit Mike Grella believes Højlund might have even more potential than City’s main man.
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      He said: “I will take the comparison with Haaland very lightly, because he is one of the best.
      “There is also a slight difference between them, which speaks in Højlund’s favour.
      “He can do more than Haaland. Haaland is more the type who duels with the centre-backs and just scores lots of goals.
      “Højlund can dribble past an opponent. He can keep the ball better. Højlund can better help the team on the edge (of the penalty area) or deeper in the pitch.”
      Højlund’s former manager at Sturm Graz Christian Ilzer agrees that the pair have similarities.
      He said: “In some characteristics, they are similar.
      “Both are very fast, they also share determination and the desire to always score. Both Hojlund and Haaland are two very positive youngsters and have great confidence in their abilities.” More

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      Adrien Rabiot puts Liverpool on red alert with Juventus star available on free transfer in summer

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      JUVENTUS midfielder Adrien Rabiot has hinted about a move to Liverpool in the summer.The French star, 27, is set to become a free agent at the end of the season as his contract with the Serie A giants expires.
      Adrien Rabiot is out of contract in the summerCredit: Getty
      Rabiot had been heavily linked with joining Manchester United last summer.
      But now he has spoken about their bitter rivals Liverpool, hailing one of their greatest ever players, Steven Gerrard.
      Speaking to Tuttosport, he said: “I loved Liverpool a lot because I was a bit fan of Steven Gerrard, who made me dream… and so therefore I followed the Reds.”
      He then went on to add: “My other idol was Zinedine Zidane.”
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      Liverpool are keen to bolster their midfield in the summer after a difficult campaign.
      The likes of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita have struggled to dominate the middle of the park.
      And while the likes of Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Stefan Bajcetic are developing positively, Jurgen Klopp still needs fresh legs.
      They have been heavily linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund and England teenager Jude Bellingham.
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      But with Real Madrid and Manchester City among those competing for his signature, the Reds have to prepare for the possibility of missing out.
      Rabiot showed his class at the World Cup as he played an integral role in France reaching a second successive final.
      He has also played more than 150 games for Juventus – joining them from Paris Saint-Germain where he made over 200 appearances. More

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      Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon reveals he lost £9MILLION in ‘biggest mistake of his life’

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      JUVENTUS legend Gianluigi Buffon has revealed he gave up almost £9million in the “biggest mistake” of his life when he left PSG. The 45-year-old, widely seen as one of the greatest goalkeepers ever, ended his 17 year long association with Juve to head to Paris in 2018.
      Iconic keeper Buffon made his first senior appearance back in 1995Credit: Rex
      But he would be back with the Old Lady within a season after taking issue with the French club’s selection policy.
      The keeper, winding down his career with Parma in Italy’s second division, has revealed he now totally regrets the decision.
      Speaking on a Twitch stream, he told former Italy team-mate Christian Vieri: “Leaving was the biggest mistake of my life, I gave up €10million (£8.8m).
      “They told me that [Alphonse] Areola would play in the Champions League and I didn’t accept it. For me, the one who deserves it plays. That’s why I returned to Juve. 
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      “Then I regretted it , because Areola was injured and they signed Keylor Navas in his place!
      “[Paris] was the most beautiful experience of my life. I felt like a free man. I quickly learned French, talked to people on the street, visited museums… I had the feeling of playing in a great team.”
      Buffon was also convinced that the team he was a part of – which included the likes of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Angel Di Maria and Dani Alves – were “superior” and reveals his disappointment at their Champions League knockout to Man United.
      PSG won 2-0 at Old Trafford in the first leg before Marcus Rashford’s stoppage time penalty at the Parc des Prince made it 3-1 to the Red Devils and gave them an away goals win in 2019.
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      Buffon added: “I was convinced, we were superior. We went to Manchester to play the first leg of the round of 16 with United and we dominated, but they eliminated us in the second leg. 
      “That was the biggest disappointment of my career.”
      Now back at his former club Parma, Buffon revealed he will retire at the end of next season when his contract retires.
      He said: “I would like to retire after next season, no more. I am competitive and I don’t want to be considered a back-up keeper.” More

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      Hooligan chaos fears as ultras from West Ham and Lazio join forces to ambush Napoli fans ahead of England’s Italy clash

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      FEARS of football yob mayhem led by “twinned” hooligan firms spiralled today ahead of tomorrow’s European Championship qualifier between Italy and England in Naples.Sources in Rome reported English West Ham hooligans had arrived in the Italian capital and had joined “ultra” comrades from the city’s Lazio club.
      Ultras linked to Serie A team SS Lazio are said to be backing English supporters ahead of Thursday’s big game in NaplesCredit: Getty
      The hooligans from Lazio have a notorious reputationCredit: AP:Associated Press
      It’s feared Hammers hoolies and Lazio ultras are planning to ambush fans of Lazio’s hated rivals NapoliCredit: Corbis – Getty
      Police and security forces were said to be on “maximum alert” amid reports the teamed-up troublemakers were heading 140 miles south east to Naples.
      Hammers hoolies and Lazio ultras were planning to ambush fans of Lazio’s hated rivals Napoli ahead of the England game, it was claimed.
      Corriere dello Sport, Italy’s leading sport paper, reported sweaters bearing West Ham logos were seen on Sunday when violence erupted at Lazio’s derby game against Roma.
      It could not be verified that the wearer of the Hammers shirts were English – but the paper reported authorities were taking the threat of further coordinated violence in Naples seriously.
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      Corriere dello Sport reported: “Some West Ham sweatshirts were glimpsed in the scuffles near the Ponte della Musica … the threat could still materialise in Naples between Italy and England.”
      The two football heavyweights have enjoyed a strong alliance that stems back almost two decades.
      Carlton Leach, a former member of England’s feared ICF hooligan firm, told The Sun Online both clubs had deep respect for each other.
      He said: “We [West Ham fans] started to go out to Lazio about 15 years ago.
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      “It all stems back from the Paolo Di Canio days.
      “We would go to their club house and drink with their top boys – they looked after us.
      “It is a relationship built on strong mutual respect and you had to earn it, but we call them our ‘Italian brothers’.
      “La Familia.”
      Leach said he was not aware of Hammers’ fans heading to Naples for a scrap.
      He said: “I am 64 and am out of that scene but I cannot see English supporters going over there to cause disrespect to them.
      “You know, 30 years ago, in the ICF days I could definitely see something erupting at a European qualifier but today I doubt it – it has changed a lot.”
      However, if the Italian media’s claims are true, the coalition of supporters could walk into a cauldron of violence.
      Only last week, 470 Eintracht Frankfurt ultra fans – who had been banned from Naples’ Diego Armando Maradona Stadium for a Champion League match against Napoli – ran riot.
      Cars were set on fire and cops pelted with missiles as they struggled to separate the Germans from 300 Napoli Ultras, who also turned on security forces.
      In September 2019, two Liverpool fans were hurt by flying bottles hurled by Napoli yobs – who are famed for cowardly “calling card” knife attacks to their victims’ buttocks.
      But Italy’s football federation decided to stage the Three Lions’ crucial Euro qualifier in Naples – their first match since the Qatar World Cup – despite security concerns.

      Are you a fan in Naples? Have you seen any fan violence or are you aware of any hooligan threats? Email james.liveris@the-sun.co.uk and worldnews@the-sun.co.uk or WhatsApp 07741005808 for free if you have any information.

      It has been reported that West Ham hoolies have landed in RomeCredit: AP
      A picture from a fans’ forum showed the two clubs sharing a ‘coalition’ flag at a match in 2013Credit: Social Media
      The flag incorporates the West Ham ‘hammers’ and the Lazio badgeCredit: Social Media
      Carlton Leach, pictured in the centre, alongside Lazio ultras at a previous matchCredit: Carlton Leach
      Around 2,500 England fans are due to begin arriving in Naples today ahead of the big game.
      The Corriere dello Sport report added: “The gaze of the Ministry of the Interior is directed already at Thursday’s match when over two thousand English fans will be in Italy.
      “It is feared that someone might give life to a new urban warfare as happened in Naples with the Eintracht Frankfurt fans.”
      Naples’ Il Napolista newspaper added: “West Ham ultras are already in Rome, preparing for guerrilla warfare in Naples.
      “The alert for the match between Italy and England at Maradona is maximum.
      “What is especially worrying are the ultras of West Ham, twinned with those of Lazio, who attempted to attack the Roma fans.
      “They remained in the city because they intend to provoke clashes in Naples too, on the occasion of Italy-England.”
      Describing West Ham yobs’ alleged involvement in trouble before the Lazio v Roma game on Sunday, Il Napolista said: “The fuse off the pitch was lit before the initial whistle. 
      “During the influx of fans at Ponte della Musica, Lazio supporters together with some West Ham fans – who have always been twinned with the Biancocelesti (Lazio fans) – risked coming into contact with the Roma fans. 
      “Danger was thwarted by the timely intervention of the police.”
      Lazio’s feared ultras were also reported to have been joined by other “twinned” yobs from across Europe who connect using social media and the dark web.
      Levski Sofia in Bulgaria and Real Madrid have ties with Lazio while Roma were said to be backed by foreign legions from Dinamo Zagreb and Atletico Madrid.
      Security concerns rose after a “friendly” football match between England and Italy supporters was axed on Monday after notorious Naples hooligans warned they would launch an attack.
      The game was due to be played before tomorrow night’s Euro qualifier clash with Italy in the crime-plagued the Italian city.
      But Italian “ultra” yobs emailed the England fans’ team boss warning 60 soccer savages would “get them” – forcing the game to be called off.
      Garford Beck, the boss of England men’s supporters’ team, said the threatening email he received read: “You advertise this game for us to see where you’ll be – we will be there. 
      “60 ultra to get you. Be warned.”
      Mr Beck said he asked his Italian counterpart to show the email to Italian authorities and the game was called off after security chiefs responded: “We are very concerned.”
      The Italian Football Federation has now informed Mr Beck the game has been cancelled after pleas from the English FA.
      Mr Beck said: “They are treating it very seriously and have judged it to be a viable threat.
      “Safety has to be our priority and we would have been an easy target for these people.
      “They normally come tooled up to the hilt so it could have been a very nasty situation had I not opened that email.”
      Mr Beck said England fans had played their Italian counterparts in Milan in September last year – to coincide with a Nations League game – without any issues.
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      He said: “There’s been no hint of anything until I opened that email.
      “We’re just out there to get together with whoever it is we’re playing, have a game of football, have a few beers and go off to the match, it’s nothing more than that really.”
      The hooligans linked to Napoli are known for their extreme violenceCredit: AFP
      Last week in Naples, German fans were rolled by Napoli ultras after a Champions League matchCredit: Getty
      The carnage spilled onto the streets of Naples following a clashCredit: Rex
      Cars were torched and shop fronts were vandalised near the Diego Armando Maradona StadiumCredit: Rex More

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      Man Utd target Victor Osimhen at centre of investigation into Napoli after joining in bizarre swap transfer

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      NAPLES hosts its first senior Italy international for ten years when England visit for a Euro 2024 qualifier on Thursday.But Estadio Diego Armando Maradona’s atmosphere will be nothing compared to a few weeks’ time if Napoli win a first Serie A title since 1990.
      Victor Osimhen has been Napoli’s main man this seasonCredit: REX
      But their acquisition of the Nigeria international is set to be investigatedCredit: REX
      Napoli are 19 points clear but there are nerves off the pitch over star Victor Osimhen .
      It is no surprise that both Chelsea and Manchester United want to sign the Nigerian, 24, who has 25 goals this term.
      There is concern the move which brought Osimhen from Lille in a £70.1million deal in 2020 could give the club a major problem.
      Juventus suffered a 15-point penalty for false accounting to inflate player transfer values and falsify FFP.
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      It looks as though Napoli may have done something similar. The Naples Public Prosecutor’s Office has asked for a six-month extension to an investigation into the transfer and will make a decision in the summer.
      And it is because £17.5m of that Osimhen transfer was made up of four players who went the other way to Lille.
      These were keeper Orestis Karnezis and three youth-team players, Luigi Liguori, Claudio Manzi and Ciro Palmieri.
      None of those four players, including Karnezis, who was 35 at the time, ever played for Lille. 
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      Some of them have never been to the French city as their deals were soon cancelled and the younger players are in non-league.
      It seems obvious that the actual deal was about Osimhen and a way of spending money on young players which are not included in FFP rules.
      Napoli could be in trouble. But by the time they are dealt with, Osimhen may be in the Premier League.
      The Nigerian recently aid of his future at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium: “When you are doing so well, top clubs around the world are watching, mostly in the top five leagues.
      “And to be able to be attract interest from these top clubs shows that I am doing great and it gives me the motivation to do even more for myself and my team.
      “But I am focused on Napoli right now and they have the final say. I just want to help my team to win matches and win trophies.
      “At the end of the season, we will see what is going to happen, but that is not up to me. It is for the club to decide.”

      CELTIC are known for their incredible support when playing in friendlies south of the border.
      But even by their own high standards, Celtic’s away following at Anfield on Saturday is ridiculous.
      The Hoops sold out their 3,000 allocation and another 2,000 are expected for a charity legends match between Liverpool and Celtic in aid of the LFC Foundation. It’s £27 a ticket, which gets you an executive box at some Scottish grounds…

      TOTTENHAM’S superb training-ground complex is now the official London home of the England senior team.
      While the squad met up at St George’s Park for tomorrow’s game against Italy, they will return to London to train — and also sleep — at Spurs’ practice facilities in Enfield.
      England first used Spurs’ complex in 2017 as Arsenal, the previous hosts, were revamping their pitches at London Colney.
      Gareth Southgate and his players still stayed at the Grove Hotel, near Watford, and commuted to Hotspur Way.
      But these days the FA are hiring both the training pitches and the hotel accommodation.

      COMO against Parma in Serie B at the weekend was a golden one for us oldies.
      Skippering Como to a 2-0 win was 35-year-old Cesc Fabregas — while his opposing captain was Gianluigi Buffon, 45.
      The keeper made his first Parma debut 28 years ago.
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      ROY HODGSON has returned to Crystal Palace aged 75 — although there was a 68-year-old who wanted the job.
      Sam Allardyce loved his spell at Selhurst Park in the 2016-17 season but his reappointment would have really given Palace’s supporters something to moan about. More

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      Lazio star Romagnoli ‘brawls with Roma’s NAKED Mancini’ after celebrating feisty derby win outside rivals’ dressing room

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      ROMA star Gianluca Mancini reportedly brawled NAKED with Lazio rival Alessio Romagnoli.The Rome derby was typically feisty on and off the pitch as Lazio ran out 1-0 winners at their shared Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.
      Lazio star Alessio Romagnoli took great delight in beating RomaCredit: Getty
      Gianluca Mancini lost his cool after the Rome derby defeatCredit: AP
      That result gave Lazio a major boost in their chase for Champions League qualification – and simultaneously dealt their arch-enemies a mighty blow.
      Roma were reduced to nine men while Adam Marusic was sent off for the winners in an ill-tempered clash.
      But the drama continued behind the scenes.
      Corriere dello Sport report Romagnoli, 28, deliberately took a different route to the Lazio dressing room.
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      It is alleged he instead went out of his way to celebrate right outside the Roma changing room.
      And then opposition defender Mancini, 26, emerged to confront him… completely in the nude.
      It is suggested the pair tussled and exchanged expletive insults as emotions continued to run high.
      However, that was not the end of the tension between the two clubs.
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      Roma manager Jose Mourinho apparently got involved in a furious X-rated row in the tunnel with Lazio’s owner Claudio Lotiti.
      Mourinho allegedly asked Lotito: “What the f*** are you looking at?”
      And the Lazio chief replied: “I am the president of Lazio and you are a guest.
      “This is my home and I go wherever I like. And you can’t be here.” More

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      Man Utd target Victor Osimhen bizarrely compared to Spider-Man as shocking stats come to light

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      NAPOLI striker Victor Osimhen has been compared to Spider-Man as a result of his improvement since wearing a mask.The Nigerian forward, 24, has established himself as one of the most prolific goalscorers in European football as the Italian side fly high at the top of Serie A.
      Victor Osimhen had strong numbers before being forced to wear a mask due to injuryCredit: Getty
      His goals and assists have increased significantly since he put on the maskCredit: Rex
      Osimhen has been compared to Spider-ManCredit: Handout
      His sensational form has seen him linked with a blockbuster summer move to Manchester United.
      And Italian outlet Pazzi Di Fanta have now likened him to superhero Spider-Man following his stellar run.
      Osimhen broke his cheekbone in November 2021 following a head clash with Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar.
      Up to that point, he had registered 19 goals and five assists in 46 games for Napoli following his arrival in the summer of 2020.
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      How Osimhen compares with and without a mask
      He was ruled out for 12 matches, but returned an improved striker.
      Wearing a mask to protect his face, he has racked up 34 goals and nine assists in 45 appearances.
      It means his goal contributions per game have increased from 0.52 to 0.96 since he put on the mask.
      And he has been compared to Spider-Man when he gained superhero status following what turned out to be a fortuitous spider bite.
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      Osimhen has racked up a total of 53 goals and 14 assists in 91 games for Napoli.
      And his sensational 2022/23 campaign has seen Luciano Spaletti’s side run away with the league as they extended their lead to 19 points over the weekend.
      They are also into the quarter-finals of the Champions League where they will face Italian rivals AC Milan.
      But it could still be Osimhen’s final season in Serie A as Man Utd and Chelsea line up big bids. More

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      Ex-Juventus star sent off for PEEING on pitch moments before he’s subbed on – but coach says ‘he didn’t offend anyone’

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      A FORMER Juventus star was sent off for PEEING on the pitch… moments before he was subbed on.But his coach insists the player “did NOT offend anyone” in the process and should not have seen red.
      Cristian Bunino saw red for peeing on the pitch before coming on as a subCredit: Getty
      Cristian Bunino, 26, spent three years with Juventus after initially being tipped as a potential star.
      He now plies his trade in Italy’s third tier with Lecco after joining the Serie C side in January.
      However, Bunino did not make the impact he hoped for in yesterday’s 0-0 draw at Piancenza.
      The striker was summoned from the bench with around 20 minutes left to break the deadlock.
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      But nature called as Bunino prepared to make his entrance.
      And he decided to save time by urinating straight on the side of the pitch.
      Buninio attempted to hide his antics from officials, but was thwarted by the assistant referee.
      It resulted in a straight red card just moments after he made it onto the field of play.
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      And the decision infuriated boss Luciano Foschi, who believed it should have merited just a yellow as Bunino “didn’t offend anyone.”
      Foschi raged: “It’s the rules and they must be applied, but I hope the officials would use common sense because he didn’t offend anyone, no-one saw it.
      “I was hoping for a yellow card but the ref didn’t make a mistake. And Bunino? In my opinion, he didn’t even know what was going to happen.”
      It’s not the first time urine has taken centre stage in a match.
      Salford City’s goalie was sent off in 2017 for having a pee during a game against Bradford.
      And in September another stopper decided to let loose in a hedge during an FA Cup tie.
      Elsewhere, a non-league star was sent off for squirting pee from a water bottle at a supporter.
      And ex-Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri claimed he had bags of urine thrown at him by Feyenoord fans during Lazio’s Europa League clash. More