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CHELSEA are back in Premier League action today as they welcome Burnley to the Bridge.Thomas Tuchel’s side are top of the table after four-straight wins and reports suggest they are chasing Fenerbahce defender Attila Szalai in January.
Meanwhile, Eddie Howe has agreed to join Newcastle but the announcement has reportedly been delayed due to talks over his backroom staff.
And Xavi is back at the Nou Camp – but this time in the manager’s dugout.
The former Barcelona superstar has returned to Catalonia and will replace Ronald Koeman as boss.
We’ve also an update on Raheem Sterling, who looks set to leave the Etihad in search of more first-team football.
Get all the latest football news, updates and transfer gossip below…
KICK-OFF PUSHED BACK
‘Technical issues’ at St Andrew’s delayed Birmingham’s Championship clash against Reading by 30 minutes.
The club advised supporters travelling to the ground for Saturday’s 3pm scheduled kick-off to ‘halt their journeys’.
Birmingham then confirmed with less than an hour to go that kick-off had been moved to half an hour later.
A system failure at around 1pm caused an issue with the ticket scanners and fans were kept outside the stadium.
The technical issue also affected the ground’s CCTV.
On-site engineers were on hand to help fix the issues and supporters began entering the stadium at around 2.20pm.
Both teams are floating middle of the pack in the second tier.
TROUBLE DUTCH
Wesley Sneijder’s family have been ‘threatened by gangsters’ as he and Dirk Kuyt were allegedly questioned by police as part of a criminal investigation.
The pair are reportedly embroiled in a major probe into illegal activity in the Netherlands.
According to Algemeen Dagblad via Voetbal Primeur in their homeland, Sneijder and Kuyt are witnesses as cops look into ‘The Hague Godfather’ known as Piet S.
Kuyt, 41, has already admitted to betting on an illegal gambling website while Sneijder denies any involvement.
Discontinued site Edobet is thought to have been set up by Piet S’s son.
Ex-Liverpool forward Kuyt was accused of waging up to £21,000 per day.
Meanwhile, it was quoted thugs said Sneijder and his family would be ‘kicked into hospital’ if he did not pay debts owed – even though the ex-Inter Milan man insists he has not bet on the website
KLOPP PRAISE
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has praised Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for his contribution against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
Although the Reds head coach does want more from the ex-Arsenal midfielder.
He said: “He played a really good game against Atletico (in midweek), very mature.
“He had his ‘Oxlade-Chamberlain’ moments – good with the ball and all that kind of stuff – but we need ‘Mr Oxlade-Chamberlain’ as well, the mature one, the calm one, the closing one.
“We had a proper talk before the game about what we expect and he fulfilled the role really well and I was happy with him.
“The problem is, when you haven’t played for a long time and you consider the situation, you think you have to convince people.”
FLEETING VISIT
Barcelona scouts have made a startling trip to Fleetwood Town to watch young English centre-back James Hill.
The Catalan giants watched the 19-year-old’s performance with a keen eye during his side’s 1-0 defeat to Burton Albion last month.
Hill is out of contract at Fleetwood in the summer despite being offered a new deal at the end of last season.
Along with Barca, The Mail also believe he has attracted a lot of interest from Premier League clubs.
The revelation of Barca’s visit comes just days after he was selected in Lee Carsley’s England Under-21s squad for the first time.
REAL RUD
Real Madrid are prepared to offer Antonio Rudiger a deal worth £200,000 per week, according to reports.
The Spanish giants have identified the Chelsea centre-back as a key transfer target ahead of next season.
Rudiger is out of contract at Stamford Bridge next summer and discussions over a new deal with his current employers have stalled.
Bayern Munich, Tottenham and Manchester City have all been linked with the former Roma stopper.
TALK OF THE TON
Toni Kroos is expected to ‘end his career at Real Madrid,’ according to his agent – with the midfielder himself taking to social media to have his say on the matter.
It comes as a blow for Newcastle and Liverpool who have both been linked with a move for the 31-year-old World Cup winner.
Kroos’ agent, Volker Struth, told SPORT1 journalist Florian Plettenberg: “I think that Toni will end his career at Real Madrid.
“He hasn’t told me in any phone call that he would like to leave. He and his family are very happy in Madrid.”
And Kroos himself retweeted Plettenberg, captioning his post: “NEWS,” in quotation marks alongside a sleeping emoji.
BAILLY NIGHTMARE 
Eric Bailly created an unfortunate piece of history at the start of the Manchester derby as he comically turned the ball into his own net to give Man City the lead.
A cross from the left-hand side was inadvertently tucked away by the outstretched Bailly as the visitors took a seventh minute lead at Old Trafford.
It is the first own goal a United player has ever scored in the Manchester derby.
Reacting to the moment of madness, a depleted Gary Neville simply said: “Poor defending and poor goal.”
RIGHT AT THE TOP
Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of the three best right-backs in the world, according to Brazil legend Cafu.
The 51-year-old played in three World Cup finals in a row on the right of a back four between 1994 and 2002, so is well qualified to judge today’s very best.
Asked about his favourite right-backs by Marca, he said: “I really like Achraf (Hakimi), from PSG, and (Dani) Carvajal. Dani seems very good to me.
Further quizzed on why he likes Carvajal, Cafu added: “Because he has personality.
“He is always at the forefront of attack, he defends very well, he attacks very well and, then, he is a boy who, taking away from this last period of injuries, has always maintained a regularity.
“Oh, and I’m not forgetting Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool, who is also very good.”
WAITING GAME
Antonio Conte waited for the Manchester United job to become available until the very last minute before joining Tottenham, according to reports.
The 52-year-old Italian was confirmed as Nuno Espirito Santo’s successor at Spurs earlier this week.
Journalist Roberto Gotta told Tuttomercatoweb: “I understand that there was a wait until the last moment; Manchester United have a better squad and more decisive players.
“However, Manchester United have never publicly lacked confidence in Solskjaer. Perhaps even to reassure him.
“Conte in Manchester should have won immediately, while in Tottenham, he should have prepared the team for next season.
“I think he did the right thing, or else he risked not doing half of it.”
EDIN OUT
Edinson Cavani has been DROPPED from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad ahead of the Manchester derby today.
The Uruguayan scored in Man Utd’s 3-0 victory over Tottenham last weekend as he partnered Cristiano Ronaldo up top.
But he is nowhere to be seen ahead of the highly-anticipated clash with Premier League champions Man City this afternoon as Mason Greenwood looks set to play alongside Ronaldo.
Reports in Uruguay have claimed Cavani is injured, but Solskjaer did not reference any form of problem in the pre-match press conference.
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola has dropped Jack Grealish to the bench for the trip to Old Trafford.
City take on their local rivals in United’s first home game since they were trounced 5-0 by Liverpool 13 days ago.
ON THE SERG
Sergio Ramos will FINALLY start training for Paris Saint-Germain next week following a long-term calf injury.
The Spaniard joined the Parisians in the summer, ending his 16-year stay at Real Madrid.
But before Ramos could make a competitive appearance for his new club he picked up a calf injury leading to doubts over his future at the club.
The latest news comes as a boost for both the 35-year-old and the club.
Le Parisien reported this week that PSG were considering terminating Ramos’ contract as a result of his injury struggles.
Despite his return to training, fans won’t catch a glimpse of their summer signing in action until late November.
The centre-back has not played a competitive game in six months, so the home game against Nantes on November 20 is being targeted.
If Ramos gets through the Nantes game without a scratch, he could be in line to face Champions League group rivals Manchester City four days later.
BACK TO BASICS 
Rio Ferdinand missed BT Sport’s Champions League coverage recently, after having to rush to his local NHS hospital.
The Manchester United legend made the dash to his nearest clinic after pain from an old back injury became unbearable.
Ferdinand, 42, was forced to spend five days in hospital as doctors sought to ease his pain.
Further tests are required to fully diagnose his current issue.
During his stay, The Athletic reveal that starstruck fellow patients asked the former England stalwart for selfies.
Ferdinand joined BT Sport’s coverage of Man United’s 3-2 win over Atalanta from home, before rejoining their studio coverage for the latest round of games.
He is still dogged by pain as he walks, however, as he waits for a more long-term solution.
NOU CAV?
New Barcelona boss Xavi has drawn up a five-man shortlist as he prepares to bolster his squad over the next 12 months.
The legendary Spanish midfielder was confirmed as Ronald Koeman’s replacement in the early hours of Saturday morning.
According to Sport, Xavi has identified five players he is interested in bringing in to enhance the 4-3-3 formation he will vehemently stick to.
With Sergio Aguero out for three months, a proven No9 will be right at the top of Barca’s wishlist in the January window.
Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani and Arsenal man Alexandre Lacazette are both turning the head of Xavi as he looks for a player to lead the line.
FIOR GOODNESS SAKE
Arsenal are willing to match Fiorentina’s £68million asking price for Dusan Vlahovic in January, according to reports.
But the Serbian wants to wait for a better offer.
Arsenal are one of a number of clubs monitoring the 21-year-old’s situation.
Despite Vlahovic being about to enter the final 18 months of his contract, Fiorentina will demand £68m for their star man in January.
According to DiMarzio, this asking price hasn’t deterred the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta’s side are willing to make a bid for the 6ft 3in ace.
MARC-ED MAN
Antonio Conte is ready to raid old club Inter Milan to bring Marcelo Brozovic to Tottenham, according to reports.
The midfielder is yet to sign a new contract in Milan and will be available on a free transfer in the summer.
Tuttomercatoweb now claim Spurs and Paris Saint-Germain are weighing up an offer.
Inter are unable to pay Brozovic, 28, the £125,000-a-week wages he is claimed to be demanding.
Conte is reportedly keeping an eye on the situation and could make a swoop for his former player.
The pair won Serie A together last season after the Italian transformed Brozovic into a playmaker just in front of the back four.
T-AKE A CHANCE
John Terry has revealed he told Chelsea boss Antonio Conte to leave him out of the squad for the entirety of his final season – in order to give Nathan Ake a chance.
JT was itching to see the Dutch youngster, 21 at the start of the 2016-17 campaign, given a chance at Stamford Bridge, even if it meant sacrificing his own minutes.
Speaking with snooker legend Stephen Hendry on an Instagram Live Q&A, Terry revealed he told Conte to give Ake the senior match-day experience, even if it was watching from the bench.
But Ake only played four times all season and was sold to Bournemouth in the summer after Terry’s retirement, having spent the first half of the season on loan on the South Coast.
Terry said: “I went to see [Conte] around Christmas time.
“I was like ‘gaffer, listen you’re putting me on the bench and we’ve got Nathan Ake’, who for me was an unbelievably talented young player.
“I said ‘put him on the bench because the chances of him coming on are really slim, it’s going to be great experience for him’.
“‘He was on the bench for about seven, eight or ten games, and he ended up playing against Spurs in the [FA Cup] semi-final that year.
“And it was just little stuff like that. I’m not sure players would have done what I did.”
LO BLOW 
Wanda Nara has strangely posted a throwback photo with her ex Maxi Lopez, days after splitting from hubby Mauro Icardi.
The pair were involved in a public spat where she accused Icardi of allegedly cheating with an Argentine model.
Wanda’s friend Yanina Latorre confirmed the couple had split, telling Los Angeles de la Manana: “Wanda Nara is separated, I spoke to her [on Wednesday] morning.
And now, Wanda has posted a pic with her ex Lopez on Instagram with a love heart and praying emoji.
GOOD MORNING FOOTBALL FANS
Rivals Manchester United and Manchester City lock horns today at Old Trafford.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been dealt with an injury blow as Raphael Varane limped out of the midweek Champions League draw at Atalanta.
Varane faces four to five weeks out with a hamstring injury, while Victor Lindelof is set for a late fitness test due to a recent knock.
Paul Pogba is also sidelined as he serves the second game of a three-match ban following his red card against Liverpool two weeks ago.
City boss Pep Guardiola, on the other hand, will be without Aymeric Laporte as he is suspended.
Laporte was sent off during last week’s 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace at the Etihad.
Guardiola will also make a late decision on Kyle Walker, who suffered a foot injury against Club Brugge on Wednesday in the Champions League.Ferran Torres is also dealing with a foot problem of his own and will be absent against United.
Meanwhile, Barcelona legend Xavi is set to replace Ronald Koeman in the Barca dugout after the Blaugrana agreed a deal for his release with current club Al-Sadd.
The Qatari outfit released the following statement: “The #AlSadd administration has agreed on Xavi’s move to Barcelona after the payment of the release clause stipulated in the contract.
“We’ve agreed on cooperation with Barcelona in the future. Xavi is an important part of Al-Sadd’s history and we wish him success.
“Xavi informed us a few days ago of his desire to go to Barcelona at this particular time, because of the critical stage his hometown club is going through, and we understand this and decided not to stand in his way.”
Finally, Newcastle have reached a verbal agreement with Eddie Howe, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Magpies are still putting together some final details regarding Howe’s technical staff.
The ex-Bournemouth manager looks set to put pen to paper on a contract until 2024.
Romano tweeted: “Eddie Howe not announced yet as new Newcastle manager as there’s still something to be fixed to reach an agreement with his technical staff members. Newcastle board on it since today morning.
“Verbal agreement already reached with Eddie Howe deal until June 2024”
ANOTHER AGUERO REPLACEMENT
Barcelona are also keeping tabs on Arsenal superstar Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
That is according to Fichajes, who claim Barca also see Aubameyang as a potential replacement for Sergio Aguero.
Manchester City record scorer Aguero is temporarily sidelined following a health scare.
The Argentina international faces at least three months out after being diagnosed with a heart problem
LACA FIREPOWER
Arsenal ace Alexandre Lacazette would be a perfect January solution to Manchester City’s striker shortage, Shaun Wright-Phillips told Etienne Fermie.
Wright-Phillips told SunSport: “Someone was talking to me about it the other day and I said ‘for me I would sign Ollie Watkins’.
“Or even Lacazette, he knows where the goal is. He knows how to bring people into play and I always believe that when he plays for Arsenal, their front three behind him seem to play better, there seems to be more of a link-up between them.
“I think he’s like someone that helps Liverpool tick, Roberto Firmino. “When Firmino plays with Sadio Mane and Mo Salah, there’s more space for them to run in behind because he’ll come short.He’ll turn and he’ll drag centre-backs with him and it creates space in-behind.
“The way Phil Foden plays, always running in-behind, Ilkay Gundogan, if Raheem Sterling plays, Riyad Mahrez, it’d just open the game up a little bit more [for them] and give the centre-backs something real to think about, instead of coming short or coming deep with that striker, they have to think about going in-behind as well”
SOUTHAMPTON 1 ASTON VILLA 0
Aston Villa suffered their fifth straight defeat as they lost 1-0 to Southampton at St Mary’s.
Adam Armstrong scored the winner after just three minutes when he fired a stunning left-footed shot from the edge of the area.
Armstrong’s goal works as quite an irony as the striker was signed from Blackburn as a replacement for Danny Ings, who joined Villa in the summer.
Pressure keeps piling up on Dean Smith, who has come under fire following a series of poor results for the Villans
WILL CAV HIM
Barcelona have been linked with a bid for Manchester United ace Edinson Cavani ahead of the January transfer window.
That is according to El Nacional, who report that Barca may try to sign Cavani, whose contract expires in June.
The Blaugrana consider the centre-forward as a replacement to Sergio Aguero, who is temporarily sidelined following a health scare.
Aguero faces at least three months out after being diagnosed with a heart problem
GETTY IMAGES
MO ONE BETTER
Liverpool legend Fernando Torres has no doubt that Mohamed Salah is the best footballer on the planet.
Torres told LFC TV when asked if Salah is the best in the world: “100 per cent. I think not only this year, the last two or three seasons have been amazing.
“You’re always talking about individual trophies for players when they win trophies at the same time, but I think he has been one of the best two or three players in the world in the past five or six years. It’s amazing, the consistency.
“You can see he breaks all the records and keeps scoring goals. We chat sometimes and I’m really happy for him because I saw him when he came to England – it was difficult at the beginning but he is a great guy and a great player and he is showing the world”
SHINER LIGHT
Liverpool star Kostas Tsimikas has revealed that the black eye he sported against Atletico Madrid was from an accidental training clash with Thiago Alcantara.
Tsimikas was given a somewhat surprise start by Reds manager Jurgen Klopp for Wednesday’s Champions League victory at Anfield.
The left-back was pictured training with a bruised eye the night before and many wondered how that occurred in the build-up to the big game against Atletico.
The Greece international broke his silence after his impressive performance against Atleti helped the Merseysiders win 2-0, thanks to goals by Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane.
The 25-year-old said he accidentally ‘crashed’ with team-mate Thiago during practice four days ago and showed there is absolutely no hard feelings.
Tsimikas laughed as he told LFC TV Go: “I think three days ago I crashed with Thiago in one exercise inside the pitch.”
TOP MAN
Arsenal great David Seaman believes Crystal Palace manager and former team-mate Patrick Vieira could one day take over the top job at Manchester City and the Emirates.
Seaman said on the latest installment of the Seaman Says Podcast: “Yeah, I think that could be a plan [Vieira replacing Pep Guardiola if he leaves City].
“Would Arsenal be looking at that situation as well? Patrick is proving that he knows what he is doing. He does not get too irate.
“He is disappointed with those last-minute equalisers, but you have definitely seen an improvement in Palace and it is not like a load of players who have gone in there, he has made the players that are already there so much better and that is a good sign”
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XAVI is set to take over as manager of Barcelona after leaving Qatari club Al Saad.The Nou Camp icon, 41, won every single honour in the sport and is rightly considered one of the greatest midfielders ever.
And after getting a public backing from Pep Guardiola, he will land back in Catalunya as boss of Barca.
Tottenham have won their first game under Antonio Conte, a wild 3-2 win over Vitesse Arnhem in the Europa Conference League.
And West Ham played out a 2-2 draw at Genk as one fan lost his FINGER celebrating a Hammers strike.
Meanwhile, Leicester drew 1-1 against Spartak Moscow with former Chelsea star Victor Moses grabbing the equaliser for the visitors.
Gareth Southgate has announced his England squad for the upcoming internationals against Albania and San Marino.
But there is no place in the 25-man list for Man Utd trio Jadon Sancho, Mason Greenwood and Jesse Lingard.
Meanwhile Erling Haaland could be out until Christmas as the Dortmund forward continues to struggle with a hip problem.
And we’ve the very latest from St James Park as talks progress between Newcastle and Eddie Howe, with reports suggesting a two-year deal has been struck.
Get all the latest football news, updates and transfer gossip below…
XAVI RECAP
Barcelona legend Xavi is set to replace Ronald Koeman in the Barca dugout after the Blaugrana agreed a deal for his release with current club Al Sadd.
The Qatari club released the following statement: “The #AlSadd administration has agreed on Xavi’s move to Barcelona after the payment of the release clause stipulated in the contract.
“We’ve agreed on cooperation with Barcelona in the future. Xavi is an important part of Al-Sadd’s history and we wish him success.
“Xavi informed us a few days ago of his desire to go to Barcelona at this particular time, because of the critical stage his hometown club is going through, and we understand this and decided not to stand in his way”
WARM WELCOME
Thomas Tuchel says Antonio Conte’s Prem return is good for the League.
Conte was one of Tuchel’s predecessors in the Chelsea hotseat, lifting the title and FA Cup in his two seasons at Stamford Bridge before a spectacular fall-out with the Board ended the Italian’s reign.
Antonio Conte has taken over at TottenhamCredit: Reuters
Now Conte is back, at Spurs, and Tuchel said: “It’s good news for the Premier League.
“Antonio is one of the best managers in the world – you only have to look at his record and titles to see that.
“He will make it super-tough to play against Tottenham, I’m absolutely sure.
“But I’m in a happy place here and not concerned about what other people and other clubs do.
“I’m enjoying where I am very much.”
Conte has become the fourth ex-Chelsea boss of the Premier League era to go on to Spurs, after Glenn Hoddle, Andre Villas-Boas and Jose Mourinho.
Tuchel laughed off the thought of one day becoming the fifth in that line, smiling: “I have enough sitting here, I have to say. I’m happy where I am.”
But the table-topping German has been hit with another injury blow, losing Marcos Alonso for tomorrow’s clash with Burnley.
Tuchel, already without Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner and Mateo Kovacic, explained: “Marcos injured himself in the very last minute against Malmo.
“He tried to come out for training today but the stress on his ankle was too much, too painful, so he will not be in the squad.”
STEADY EDDIE
Graeme Jones will take charge of Newcastle’s game against Brighton tomorrow but has already taken the time to praise incoming manager Eddie Howe.
The Magpies are set to wait until the international break to confirm Howe as their new appointment, meaning Jones will oversee a third game as boss on Saturday.
Eddie Howe will take over at NewcastleCredit: Getty
He has already watched his Newcastle side draw to Crystal Palace and then lose 3-0 to Chelsea last weekend.
When asked about the game at Brighton on the weekend, Jones said: “Yeah, I’m taking it. I’ve prepared the team all week.”
He was then asked his thoughts about ex-Bournemouth coach Howe and the possibility of him becoming the next permanent manager.
To which he added: “If that is the route [the owners take] I’m sure he’s more than capable.
“He lives for the game. It is his whole life.”
BOBBY OUT
Liverpool are set to be without forward Roberto Firmino for up to a month after he sustained a serious hamstring injury in Wednesday’s victory over Atletico Madrid.
The Brazilian was taken off in the second half of the 2-0 win and replaced with Divock Origi.
Roberto Firmino could be out for up to a month
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp confirmed Firmino’s latest injury setback ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash against high flyers West Ham.
He said: “Bobby is not good news with a serious hamstring injury, really unfortunate.
“We don’t know exactly how long he will be out but it will be not now after the international break directly. We have to work on that.”
Firmino could miss six games for Liverpool with big games against West Ham, Arsenal and Everton all coming up.
BEST BAR NONE 
With news Xavi’s return to the Nou Camp as manager is almost done and dusted, SunSport has taken a look at the Spanish giants’ greatest academy graduates.
Xavi is famously a product of the prolific La Masia youth set-up in Catalonia.
Lionel Messi (in the mask), Cesc Fabregas (back row, second right) and Gerard Pique (back row, third left) are Barcelona youth products
Other big names to have come through the system include the likes of Leo Messi and Andres Iniesta.
But there are other players still active today whose early days at La Masia may come as a surprise.
Take a look at the 25 best Barca youth players in our round-up here.
EVERYTHING TO LOSE
Daniel Levy needs Antonio Conte to transform Tottenham into winners.
But the Spurs chairman risks turning the new Spurs boss into a loser for the first time.

That’s the view of SunSport’s Martin Lipton, who’s written this ahead of Conte’s first Premier League match in charge.
He says that, despite grossing £6m from each home game, Spurs desperately need Conte to drag their under-performing side into the top four and a share of the Champions League bounty.
Yet even more crucially, it’s important for Levy to be seen as the chairman who ensured it could be done right ON as well as off the field.
‘PART OF OUR HISTORY’
Xavi is set to take over at his former home of Barcelona after the Spanish giants agreed a deal for his release with current club Al Sadd.
The Qatari outfit have released a statement via chief exec Turki Al-Ali after news of the agreement broke.

They tweeted: “The #AlSadd administration has agreed on Xavi’s move to Barcelona after the payment of the release clause stipulated in the contract. 
“We’ve agreed on cooperation with Barcelona in the future. Xavi is an important part of Al-Sadd’s history and we wish him success.
“Xavi informed us a few days ago of his desire to go to Barcelona at this particular time, because of the critical stage his hometown club is going through, and we understand this and decided not to stand in his way.
BARCA BOSS
Barcelona are set to announce Ronald Koeman’s replacement seven days after sacking the Dutch legend.
Xavi is due to take over after the Spanish giants agreed a compensation deal with his current employers Al Sadd.

ANTONI-GO?
Real Madrid are preparing to offload four star players as they look to bring in Chelsea centre-back Antonio Rudiger at the end of the season.
Carlo Ancelotti has relied on David Alaba and Eder Militao as his first choice central defensive pairing for much of the 2021-22 campaign so far.
Antonio Rudiger is out of contract at Chelsea next seasonCredit: Getty
But he is still keen to strengthen in that area of his squad and has identified Chelsea’s German stalwart as a potential target.
Rudiger’s contract comes to an end at Stamford Bridge in the summer.
This means he is free to sign a pre-contract agreement with another club as early as January.
And, according to AS, Real could be in a position to offer him a £200,000 a week deal because of the absence of a transfer fee.
LOOKING AHEAD
With all the talk over yesterday’s England squad, here’s a story about a player ruling himself out of contention.
Ademola Lookman wants to switch international allegiance from England to Nigeria.
Ademola Lookman is on loan at Leicester from RB LeipzigCredit: Reuters
But the on-loan Leicester winger will need to win over the head coach Gernot Rohr to avoid being frozen out.
The 24-year-old came through the youth ranks with England from Under-19s through to U21s.
The wideman previously turned down three official approaches from the Nigeria Football Federation to represent the African nation instead.
But as reported by BBC Sport, Lookman has now decided to make the transition as he appears unlikely to force his way into the England set-up.
NO JANUARY SALES FOR SPURS
TOTTENHAM have been dealt a major transfer blow as Inter Milan insisted no players will leave to be reunited with Antonio Conte in January.
Conte led the Italians to the Serie A crown last season in their first title since 2009-10 – but then upped sticks and left as soon as the trophy was secured.
Antonio Conte took the Spurs job this weekCredit: AP
After returning to management by taking the Spurs job this week, plenty expected Conte to try and raid his old club to refresh the squad with his proven winners
But Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio – who sold Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea – had ruled out any January sales.
He told Sky Italy: “I’m not worried about Antonio Conte and our players. In January we won’t consider any possible exit.”
Conte has already admitted the squad needs an update – because it is trailing behind the standards of the state-of-the-art stadium and training ground.
And he is unlikely to have been convinced otherwise after Thursday’s performance, when Spurs very nearly squandered a three-goal lead at home to Europa Conference League minnows Vitesse Arnhem.
JOSE BEING JOSE
How about this for some vintage Jose Mourinho antics?
The Roma boss has been caught in the act trying to goad a reporter into criticising the referee after his side’s Europa Conference League draw with minnows Bodo/Glimt.
Jose Mourinho was up to his old tricks on Thursday
Mou was furious with ref Anastasios Papapetrou for failing to award a penalty as Roma were held 2-2 at the Stadio Olimpico.
But the wily Special One made sure he was not the man to slam the officials directly. Instead, he attempted to lure interviewer Jan Age Fjortoft into doing the dirty work for him.
Here’s a snippet:
Interviewer: “How do you explain the game today here at the Stadio Olimpico?
Mourinho: “Look, the referee has to explain but they don’t speak.
Interviewer: “What did the referee do wrong?”
Mourinho: “Did you watch the game?”
Interviewer: “Yes, of course, but I want it from you. What did you see from your point of view?”
Mourinho: “You tell…”
What followed was a vintage game of cat and mouse between Mourinho and the reporter as the Portuguese tactician laid his trap.
ARSENAL EYE-SAK
Transfer target Alexander Isak has revealed it ‘would be nice’ to play in the Premier League one day.
The Gunners have been eyeing the Real Sociedad and Sweden striker as a possible replacement for Alexandre Lacazette, whose contract is up at the end of the season.
And Isak has now boosted the Gunners’ hopes of signing him by suggesting he would be open to a move to England.
Speaking to The Independent, he said: “I am in a good place at the moment, I am very happy, but one day it would be nice to play in England as well.
“They have six or seven of the biggest clubs in the world, it is a very high level, and of course one day it would be an alternative.
“Every player wants to be the best version of themselves and reach the highest possible level.
“People will always count the goals, I want to score, but I want to be a modern striker. I love playing football and that means being involved as much as possible. I think that is why Spain has suited me very well.”
MORE CONTE
The Italian added: “I know that I have to be patient. Because is a situation that we don’t have too much time to work.
“For sure, this club has great potential. I was enthusiastic about the stadium, about the training ground, maybe in the world I don’t know if another club has this.
“I think it was one of the reasons I accepted them to come here. Because I know that here, I can work in the way that I like.
“And the club is a top club. And I want to repay the club. About the trust that they showed me. And for sure now in this moment, we have to focus on the pitch, on the football aspect.
“To try to bring at the same level is very difficult. I think the club with the stadium, with the training ground is for me the best in the world maybe.
“I have never seen this type of situation. The players and I, we should work, we should work a lot, we want to improve the football aspect.”
CONTE-NT
Antonio Conte has called for patience as he tries to take Tottenham back to the top table of English football, following their 3-2 win over Vitesse.
He said: “We need time. We need time to work. We need time to work.
“This is the only aspect that, not I’m afraid, but I’d like to have time to work.
“This time and I, we need to work together to bring them my idea of football and to work tactical aspects, physical aspects, to know them, much better than now.
“This is the only aspect that I am a bit scared, a bit afraid.
“But I know that there is this type of situation, and for this reason, we need a bit of patience.”
THUMBS DOWN
A West Ham fan lost his FINGER in a gruesome accident in Genk.
Footage emerged showing the supporter’s digit on the floor during the Hammers’ 2-2 Europa League draw in Belgium.
The video shows the end of the finger on the other side of a railing in the away end, with the apparent victim nowhere to be seen.
Fellow fans were heard urging stewards to put it on ice – with some claiming it took up to ten minutes for them to act.
It is understood the unhappy Hammer is now receiving medical attention.
West Ham fans had been enjoying their club’s second away game in Europe since midday and there are sure to be plenty of sore heads in the morning.
But that will be nothing compared to one man, with witnesses in the away end believing the horror incident happened after Said Benrahma had scored the second goal on 82 minutes.
GRAPHIC WARNING: See the image of the gruesome severed finger in our article.
GOOD MORNING FOOTY FANS
Newcastle are expected to confirm the appointment of Eddie Howe as their new manager today.
The former Bournemouth chief is due to put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year contract after agreeing the deal in principle yesterday.
The Toon have been looking for a new boss since sacking Steve Bruce last month.
Club director Amanda Staveley has been working overtime to get Howe in place after the club’s attempts to recruit Villarreal boss Unai Emery fell through.
Interim boss Graeme Jones is expected to speak at today’s press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to Brighton and will be part of Howe’s backroom staff.
News about Howe agreeing the deal broke while three Prem sides were getting underway in European action last night.
It was all the fun of the fair as Antonio Conte’s reign at Spurs started with a Europa Conference League win over Vitesse – but only just.
Strikes from Heung-min Son and Lucas Moura and an own-goal from Jacob Rasmussen had Spurs 3-0 up but the Dutch side reduced arrears to 3-2.
As if that was exciting enough Tottenham finished the match with ten men following Cristian Romero’s dismissal, and the Dutch side with nine men after skipper Danilho Doekhi and keeper Markus Schubert walked.
Said Benrahma’s second-half double had West Ham on course for a Europa League win but a late own goal from Tomas Soucek meant they had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Genk.
Leicester talisman Jamie Vardy saw a second-half penalty saved as they were held 1-1 in a Europa League clash with Spartak Moscow.
And all that European action came on the back of Gareth Southgate announcing his latest England squad for this month’s World Cup qualifiers against Albania and San Marino.
All the Three Lions talk was more about who was left out rather than who was called up with out-of-form Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho among those to miss the cut.
TOP MARC
It sounds like in-coming Newcastle manager Eddie Howe might have a new top-draw keeper available to him in January.
That is because the Toon have reportedly made Barcelona star Marc-Andre ter Stegen their number one transfer target.
The Magpies could have a war chest of up to £150million available to spend in the January transfer window.
EDDIE, SET, GO…
Confirmation of Eddie Howe’s appointment as the new Newcastle manager is expected tomorrow.
Toon director Amanda Staveley has moved swiftly to reach an agreement with 43-year-old and he could be in charge of the team for Saturday’s Prem trip to Brighton.
Howe could be in charge of Newcastle at Brighton on Saturday
CELTIC WIN AND LEICESTER DRAW
In the Europa League, Celtic held off a late rally from Ferencvaros to hang on for 3-2 win, while Jamie Vardy’s saved penalty means Leicester had to settle for a 1-1 at home to Spartak Moscow.
CONTE STARTS AT SPURS WITH A WIN
It was far from straight forward by the new Spurs era under Antonio Conte has started with a 3-2 win over Vitesse in the Europa Conference League.
NERVY ENDING FOR CELTIC
Ferencvaros have pulled one back through Myrto Uzuni to reduce Celtic’s lead to 3-2 in the closing stages of their Europa League match.
VITESSE KEEPER SENT OFF
Now the Dutch side are down to NINE men after their keeper Markus Schubert is sent off.
It means ten-man Spurs lead the Europa Conference League match 3-2 with a couple of minutes of the 90 left to play.
TEN VS TEN IN SPURS GAME
Vitesse’s Danilho Doekhi has been sent off after picking up a second yellow card for a foul on Harry Kane.
The means it is ten men on either side after Tottenham’s Cristian Romero got a second booking after an hour of the Europa Conference League clash.
VARDY PENALTY SAVED
Jamie Vardy has seen his penalty saved against Spartak Moscow as Leicester missed the chance to go in front in their Europa League clash.
The kick was awarded after Victor Moses fouled Ademola Lookman but sub Vardy was denied. It is still 1-1 as the match moves into the final stages.
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GARETH SOUTHGATE has announced his England squad for the upcoming internationals against Albania and San Marino.But there is no place in the 25-man list for Man Utd trio Jadon Sancho, Mason Greenwood and Jesse Lingard.
Meanwhile Erling Haaland could be out until Christmas as the Dortmund forward continues to struggle with a hip problem.
And we’ve the very latest from St James Park as talks progress between Newcastle and Eddie Howe, with reports suggesting a two-year deal has been struck.
Get all the latest football news, updates and transfer gossip below…
TOP MARC
It sounds like in-coming Newcastle manager Eddie Howe might have a new top-draw keeper available to him in January.
That is because the Toon have reportedly made Barcelona star Marc-Andre ter Stegen their number one transfer target.
The Magpies could have a war chest of up to £150million available to spend in the January transfer window.
EDDIE, SET, GO…
Confirmation of Eddie Howe’s appointment as the new Newcastle manager is expected tomorrow.
Toon director Amanda Staveley has moved swiftly to reach an agreement with 43-year-old and he could be in charge of the team for Saturday’s Prem trip to Brighton.
Howe could be in charge of Newcastle at Brighton on Saturday
CELTIC WIN AND LEICESTER DRAW
In the Europa League, Celtic held off a late rally from Ferencvaros to hang on for 3-2 win, while Jamie Vardy’s saved penalty means Leicester had to settle for a 1-1 at home to Spartak Moscow.
CONTE STARTS AT SPURS WITH A WIN
It was far from straight forward by the new Spurs era under Antonio Conte has started with a 3-2 win over Vitesse in the Europa Conference League.
NERVY ENDING FOR CELTIC
Ferencvaros have pulled one back through Myrto Uzuni to reduce Celtic’s lead to 3-2 in the closing stages of their Europa League match.
VITESSE KEEPER SENT OFF
Now the Dutch side are down to NINE men after their keeper Markus Schubert is sent off.
It means ten-man Spurs lead the Europa Conference League match 3-2 with a couple of minutes of the 90 left to play.
TEN VS TEN IN SPURS GAME
Vitesse’s Danilho Doekhi has been sent off after picking up a second yellow card for a foul on Harry Kane.
The means it is ten men on either side after Tottenham’s Cristian Romero got a second booking after an hour of the Europa Conference League clash.
VARDY PENALTY SAVED
Jamie Vardy has seen his penalty saved against Spartak Moscow as Leicester missed the chance to go in front in their Europa League clash.
The kick was awarded after Victor Moses fouled Ademola Lookman but sub Vardy was denied. It is still 1-1 as the match moves into the final stages.
CELTIC LEAD 3-1
Celtic look in control of their Europa League clash with Ferencvaros after Liel Abada extended their lead to 3-1 on the hour mark.
LEICESTER LEVEL
Daniel Amartey has headed in from close range to draw Leicester level at 1-1 with Spartak Moscow the Europa League.
Former Chelsea star Victor Moses had given the Russians the lead.
FOXES TRAIL
Former Chelsea star Victor Moses has given Spartak Moscow the lead in their Europa League clash with Leicester.
The Nigerian striker headed in six minutes after the restart.
HALF-TIME ROUND-UP IN EUROPE
No British sides currently in European action this evening are losing at half-time.
That said, Spurs have let a commanding 3-0 lead slip and Vitesse have rallied to pull it back to 3-2 at the interval in their Europa Conference League clash.
Celtic were pegged by to 1-1 Europa League clash with Ferencvaros but have retaken the lead to lead 2-1, and Leicester are goalless at home to Spartak Moscow in the same competition.
SPURS DREAM START FADING FAST…
Vitesse have scored another to make it 3-2 at Spurs in their Europa Conference League clash.
This time Matus Bero was on target for the Dutch side, who had trailed 3-0 inside half-an-hour.
VITESSE PULL ONE BACK AGAINST SPURS
Vitesse’s Jacob Rasmussen has headed home from a corner against Spurs to reduce the deficit to 3-1.
The goal came minutes after Rasmussen’s own goal had put the hosts 3-0 up at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
OWN GOAL PUTS SPURS 3-0 UP
A Jacob Rasmussen own goal has put Spurs 3-0 up before the half-hour mark of their Europa Conference League clash with Vitesse.
Goals from Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura had already put Antonio Conte’s firmly in control at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
CELTIC RETAKE LEAD
The goals keep coming in Celtic’s Europa League clash with Ferencvaros as Jota puts them 2-1 up.
Oleksandr Zubkov had cancelled out Kyogo Furuhashi’s early opener for the Hoops.
SPURS GO 2-0 UP
Lucas Moura has doubled Spurs’ lead in their Europa Conference League clash with Vitesse.
It is a dream start for new Tottenham boss Antonio Conte who saw Son Heung-min give his side an early lead.
CELTIC PEGGED BACK
It is now 1-1 in Celtic’s Europa League clash with Ferencvaros.
An 11th-minute equaliser by Oleksandr Zubkov has cancelled out Kyogo Furuhashi’s third-minute opener for the Hoops.
GO ON SON!
Son Heung-min has scored the first goal of Antonio Conte’s reign at Spurs.
The South Korean star put Tottenham 1-0 up against Vitesse after 14 minutes of their Europa Conference League clash this evening.
HOOPS LEAD
Celtic have taken the lead in their Europa League clash with Ferencvaros.
Japanese forward Kyogo Furuhashi put the Scottish giants in front after three minutes of the Group G game.
HOWE NOW
Eddie Howe has agreed a two-and-a-half-year deal in principal to become the new manager at Newcastle.
The Toon have been looking for a new boss since sacking Steve Bruce in September.
Howe looks set to become the new manager at Newcastle
Villarreal boss Unai Emery had been heavily linked with the position but instead the Magpies’ wealthy new owners look set to get former Bournemouth gaffer Howe in to lead them away from relegation trouble in the Premier League.
BALE’S BACK
Gareth Bale returned to training for Real Madrid and may be available for selection on the weekend for the first time since August.
Bale may be back from injury for Real Madrid’s clash with Rayo Vallecano on Saturday
The Wales forward, 32, injured his knee in training in the summer after his return to Spain following a loan spell at Spurs last season and has been out of action since.
Now AS are reporting the star took part in training on Thursday and could be in the squad for Saturday’s clash with Rayo Vallecano.
RYAN FLAIR
New Tottenham boss Antonio Conte has added club favourite Ryan Mason to his coaching staff.
Former Spurs midfielder Mason, 30, who was their caretaker boss at the end of last season following Jose Mourinho’s sacking, will be part of the Italian’s six-man backroom team.
Conte’s brother Gianluca has also been brought in as their technical and analytics coach.
HAZ LEGS
It is looking increasingly likely one of Chelsea’s favourite sons could be heading back to Stamford Bridge.
The odds of Eden Hazard making a shock return to the Blues from Real Madrid have been slashed by Sky Bet from 5/1 to 2/1.
Chelsea are one of the clubs in the running to sign their former star Hazard from Real Madrid
The mercurial Belgian, 30, was sensational during his seven years with Chelsea and at times regarded as the best player in the Prem before a 2019 move to Real for a fee in the region of £130million.
Chelsea want him back for about £35m but are likely to face competition for his services, with Arsenal and Juventus joint second favourites at 16/1.
FLAT’S A MESSI
It looks like any plans to lure the great Lionel Messi over to America for a career swansong have been kicked into the long grass.
The legendary Argie has just put his luxury Miami apartment up for sale for a cool £5millon.
As many great footballers have done before, the 34-year-old was rumored to be considering a spell in the MLS after he has done his time at Paris Saint-Germain.
But it seems he and his family are now firmly settled in the French capital following his summer arrival from Barcelona.
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