PRESSURE is ramping up on Roman Abramovich who is reportedly listening to bids this week.The Chelsea owner sensationally gave up control of the club amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
And Swiss Billionaire Hansjorg Wyss confirmed that he alongside others have received an offer to take over the reigns of the West London outfit.
There has also been reports that Abramovich flew over to Belarus to participate in peace talks on Monday.
Meanwhile ex-Blues talisman Eden Hazard has been told to leave in the summer or sit on the bench next season.
Manchester United and PSG have been offered the chance to compete in a star-studded pre-season Australian tournament which could see the rivalry of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi reignited.
Follow all the latest news on Abramovich’s announcement below..
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Super Mario fears no one
Mario Balotelli has claimed that he was just as good as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in his prime.
The 31-year-old has had a glittering career, winning the Champions League and three Serie A titles with Inter Milan.
In an interview with The Athletic, he said: “I missed some chances to be at that level, but I am 100 per cent sure that my quality is the same level as these people, but I… I missed some chances, you know? It happens.
“And nowadays, I cannot say I’m as good as Ronaldo, because Ronaldo won how many golden balls (Ballons d’Or)? Five?
“You cannot compare yourself to Messi and Ronaldo, nobody can.
“But if we’re talking about only quality, football quality, I have nothing to be jealous of them, to be honest.”
Hornets ace psyches out Ronaldo
Watford star Samir revealed he psyched Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo out by bringing up the past.
The Hornets’ January signing marked Ronaldo on Saturday at Old Trafford and kept him quiet as he led Roy Hodgson’s strugglers to a goalless draw.
Samir told Globo: “I had already faced Cristiano Ronaldo four or five times in Italy, so I already knew him more or less.
“Yesterday [Saturday] I had the opportunity to see him on the field again, and I had a chat with him: “I’ll have to tag you again, right? I’d tag you in Italy, I’ll have to tag you here.
“And I was assigned to mark him in the area, in the corners. So I had this little dialogue with him.”
Marcelo Bielsa’s dream formation
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa dreamed of playing a formation that had the goalkeeper OUTFIELD.
The Premier League strugglers took the agonising decision to part company with the 66-year-old Argentine last week.
Bielsa was known for his tactical genius – but there was one dream he never got to realise at Elland Road – dispensing of the traditional goalkeeper role.
Chelsea’s former goalkeeper coach Christophe Lollichon explained to RMC Sport: “He [Bielsa] said ‘Christophe, you know my dream’?
“I replied ‘no, win a title maybe’?
“He replied ‘it would be to play a three at the back formation with the goalkeeper at the base. But for that I would need two to three years of work and I’ll never have the time at Leeds’.”
Seagulls to don away kit
Brighton will wear their away kit when they take on Newcastle this weekend as a show of solidarity with Ukraine.
The Seagulls will sport the blue and yellow strip at St James’ Park as a sign of support for those who have been affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In a statement on the official Brighton & Hove FC website, deputy chairman and chief executive Paul Barber said: “Like so many across the world, everyone at our club is horrified by the invasion of Ukraine, and we add our voice to the many calls for peace.
“We also want to show our full support for the people of Ukraine, and to all those who are suffering innocently from this terrible conflict, not least the many children.
“As a club, and on behalf of our players, staff and supporters, we would also like to recognise and show our respect for the many humanitarian efforts to alleviate the suffering in the region.”
EFL slam Derby County administrators
The EFL have warned Derby County’s future hangs in the balance after administrators Quantama failed to provide an update on the takeover situation.
Quantama were given a deadline on Tuesday to provide information to the EFL but they have failed to provide proof of funds to see out the season or identify a possible buyer.
The EFL are growing increasingly concerned by Derby’s position with there seemingly being no progress made since the club was placed into administration in September.
A statement reads: ” The EFL notes the statement issued today by Quantama (administrators) but remains deeply concerned at the lack of any form of substantial progress in respect of the outstanding matters affecting the club.
“Despite requesting an update almost 48 hours ago there has been no communication from the administrators with correspondence and calls from the EFL going unanswered.
“As a result, the EFL still has no further information don’t the preferred bidder status or evidence of funding until the end of the season and has advised the administrators that the lack of progress on these two critical issues, amongst others, is threatening the very future of Derby County.
“The EFL has once again written to the administrators requesting an immediate response to its questions so that the necessary and outstanding clarification is provided, not only for the League, but also for the benefit of the club’s other stakeholders, including its supporters and the local community.”
Madrid offer Eden Hazard verdict
Eden Hazard could be forced to make a move away from Madrid this summer, according to reports
According to the Spanish outlet AS, the former Chelsea star may have to leave Real Madrid in the upcoming transfer window if he wants to stand a chance of making Belgium’s squad for the 2022 World Cup.
Hazard joined the Spanish giants in July 2019 but has since failed to reach the high expectations of fans.
He has only registered one goal and two assists this season and has barely made an impact to the squad.
The 31-year-old has struggled to make the starting line-up ever since Vinicius Jr’s breakthrough and is out-of-favour with Carlo Ancelotti.
With the expected arrival of Kylian Mbappe in the summer, Hazard is expected to fall further down the pecking order if he does not act soon.
Man Utd in pre-season talks
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi could renew their rivalry with talks reportedly underway for a pre-season meeting.
Manchester United and PSG have both been offered the chance to compete in a star-studded tournament in AUSTRALIA this summer.
Barcelona have also been invited alongside Ronaldo and Messi’s new sides.
Spanish outlet SPORT have reported that Barca are looking at the competition Down Under as a chance to ‘strengthen the club’s current economic situation’.
The report adds that Manchester United and PSG are waiting to see how their seasons pans out before making any decisions on their pre-season plans.
Guendouzi in parting Gunners swipe
Matteo Guendouzi has made a dig at Arsenal after completing a permanent move to Marseille.
The midfielder, 22, joined the Ligue 1 outfit on loan last summer and has impressed, making the 38 appearances required to activate the clause that triggers a permanent stay.
Arsenal will receive £9million from the deal with Guendouzi penning a three-year contract, according to Fabrizio Romano.
And the Frenchman could not help but throw shade at The Gunners when his move was announced, claiming the decision to join Marseille was the best he ever made.
He told RMC: “It was a carefully considered choice. There were very good discussions with the president, with the coach and people in my family.
“We really made the best decision altogether. For me, it’s the best choice I’ve made in many years.
“President Longoria and coach Sampaoli are the people who introduced me to the project and made me want to come. We talked about Marseille’s project, what I could bring to the team, how I was going to grow.
“I found myself in this speech, I knew that when I came here, I was going to cross levels and continue to grow, whether it was humanly or football-wise.”
Cristiano Ronaldo summer transfer odds
Sporting Lisbon are favourites to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.
That’s according to Sky Bet, who’ve made the Portuguese outfit 7/2 favourites to capture the Manchester United star this summer.
The Mirror claimed Ronaldo, 37, will quit United in the summer if they are unable to secure a top-four finish and Champions League qualification.
It’s thought that the club’s officials wouldn’t stand in his way and believe his return was an ‘error of judgement’ based on commercial factors.
Aubameyang justification for Mikel Arteta
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will have been justified in his decision to ditch Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang… if his side make the top four.
That is the view of former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand.
He told his Vibe with Five show: “Nobody has doubted the rate at which he’s always scored goals in his career.
“There’s obviously something that’s gone on behind the scenes where Mikel Arteta has said, ‘I’m not having that, you’re going to have to go’.
“It’s worked out for each other. If Arsenal finish fourth Arteta is totally justified in what he’s done.”
Yarmolenko calls for more action
Andriy Yarmolenko has publicly called on Russian footballers to ‘show their balls’ and stand-up to Vladiir Putin.
The Ukraine ace has only just returned to training with West Ham after being granted time off by the club following Russia’s invasion of his homeland.
Boss David Moyes revealed Yarmolenko is barely sleeping as he worries about his family in Ukraine.
The forward, 32, spends ‘nearly 24 hours a day’ on the phone to his relatives. Now the ex-Dynamo Kyiv and Borussia Dortmund ace has taken to Instagram to post a video to publicly address Russian footballers.
Yarmolenko said: “I was born in St. Petersburg, but I grew up in Ukraine and I consider myself 100 per cent Ukrainian. I have questions for the players of the Russian national football team: ‘Guys, why are you sitting like robbed and not saying anything?’
“In our country people are being killed, our wives are being killed, mothers, children, and you don’t say anything, don’t comment on anything?
“I know many of you, with many acquaintances, and you all told me that this should not be what your president is doing wrong.
“Guys, you are influencing people, show it, I beg you, please. I know some of you love to show your balls on camera, but now it’s time to show your balls in real life.”
Aubameyang smiling again at Barca
Pundit Rio Ferdinand believes that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looks ‘happy again’ since moving to Barcelona.
He told his Vibe with Five show: “I just feel he [Aubameyang] looks happy again.
“I saw him at Arsenal for a number of months where he just didn’t look happy.
“People undervalue and underestimate how important your happiness is when you’re a footballer, or any job.
“You’ve got to have that element of happiness and fulfilment and he just wasn’t having that at Arsenal.”
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying City
Former Oasis star Noel Gallagher was spotted in the away end watching Manchester City beat Peterborough 2-0 at London Road.
The Rock ‘N’ Roll Star had to wait patiently for a goal but he looked delighted after Riyad Mahrez put the visitors in front.
Phil Foden and Jack Grealish then combined to score a stunning goal to put City through and send the former Oasis legend home happy.
Gallagher and friend Scully were in amongst it with their fellow City brethren and Gallagher was happy to pose for photos with wide-eyed supporters.
Messi fuming with PSG criticism
Lionel Messi is angry with the criticism he has been receiving in his debut season at Paris Saint-Germain, reports suggest.
According to Le Parisien, Messi has confided with senior PSG team-mates in the dressing room regarding what he considers to be unfair scrutiny from the French press.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has been experiencing a turbulent campaign ever since he ended his glittering 17-year stint at Barcelona and moved to Paris last summer.
The star forward amassed a staggering total of 672 goals and 303 assists in 778 matches for Barca.
But the Argentina international has only managed a mere two goals in 16 Ligue 1 matches for PSG so far.
Matteo Guendouzi departs North London
Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi has officially left the Gunners.
The Frenchman penned a one-year loan deal with Marseille last summer, having spent the 2020-21 season at Hertha Berlin.
After making his 38th appearance for L’OM Guendouzi has now triggered a clause making the move permanent.
He has signed a three-year contract at Stade Velodrome.
Potential Chelsea buyer speaks out
Billionaire Hansjorg Wyss told Blick in Switzerland: “Abramovich is trying to sell all his villas in England, he also wants to get rid of Chelsea quickly.
“I and three other people received an offer on Tuesday to buy Chelsea from Abramovich.
“I have to wait four to five days now. Abramovich is currently asking far too much.
“You know, Chelsea owe him £2bn. But Chelsea has no money.
“As of today, we don’t know the exact selling price.”
More on possible Abramovich Chelsea exit
Potential suitors believe the oligarch might be looking to cash in his Blues chips as the Russia-Ukraine fall-out continues to drag him in.
Chelsea and sources close to Abramovich have always previously denied he had any intention of selling the club he bought in 2003.
But the intense scrutiny aimed at the billionaire in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine has forced Abramovich to hand over the day-to-day control of the Blues.
And that has now emboldened possible buyers to tempt him into a cut-price deal to get some of his money back.
Abramovich has loaned the club £1.5billion through holding company Fordstam, although he has shown no signs of ever demanding repayment.
Previous soundings-out of bids up to £2.2bn have been rejected out of hand.
BREAKING: Abramovich set to sell Chelsea
Roman Abramovich is understood to be looking to sell Chelsea for £4BILLION.
The Russian billionaire is said to be ‘inviting potential buyers to bid for the club this week’.
The Telegraph has now reported that prospective new owners ‘have been contacted by an American-based merchant bank, claiming to be in charge of the sale of Chelsea’.
Abramovic is said to want around £4BILLION for the London club – but he is likely to be offered more around the £2bn mark.
SunSport reported how Abramovich’s resolve is set to be tested by up to three bidders this week.
And Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss revealed he is interested in buying the club as part of a consortium but claimed: “Abramovich is currently asking too much.”
Man United icon questions skipper
Manchester United should consider selling Harry Maguire this summer, according to Paul Parker.
The former Red Devils defender says they already have the foundations of a centre-back pairing in Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane.
And he thinks they should cash in this summer and move on from the 28-year-old England star.
Parker spoke to the Express and claimed: “If United, in my opinion, were to get somewhere near to their money back on Harry Maguire, I think they’ll have to think about it.
“I think Lindelof and Varane, you know, they could build something on there maybe, in a mode of what they’re looking for and where the club wants to be.
“You’re talking about players who are definitely more agile, a little bit quicker, better defenders in one against one situations and I think you have to look at it that way.
“Me, personally, for United to go forward, that’s the starting area.”
Former Gunner in transfer limbo
Aaron Ramsey will return to Juventus in the summer with Rangers not prepared to sign him on a permanent basis, reports claim.
The Welshman has played only 94 minutes for the Scottish champions since arriving on a loan on transfer deadline day, and his fitness problems don’t seem to be going away.
It’s believed the Serie A club are covering most of Ramsey’s pay packet while he’s in Glasgow.
Come the end of the season Rangers would have had to make a call on whether to keep Ramsey around, with his career in Turin all but over.
However, according to Tuttosport, Ibrox chiefs have already informed Juventus of their decision to NOT make the move permanent and Ramsey will return to Italy in the summer.
United chief in Amad Diallo update
Darren Fletcher insists Amad Diallo is ‘doing really well’ at Rangers.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst landed the big money Manchester United signing on loan in January as he boosted his ranks for the title run-in with Celtic.
Quoted by The Athletic, Fletcher said: “We currently have 13 young players and academy products on loan and playing regularly in other divisions or leagues.
“Hopefully we’ll see players like Brandon Williams, Teden Mengi, Jimmy Garner, Ethan Laird, Tahiti Chong and Amad Diallo reap the benefits of that.
“All of them are doing really well on loan and we’re excited to bring them back in pre-season to see how they fare with out first-team players.”
Roman Abramovich in exit talks
A Swiss billionaire claimed he is in talks to buy Chelsea as Roman Abramovich eyes a ‘quick sale’ amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
But Hansjorg Wyss added he would only purchase the world champions alongside a group of other ‘six or seven’ other investors and if the oligarch drops the alleged £2billion asking price.
Wyss told Blick in Switzerland: “Abramovich is trying to sell all his villas in England, he also wants to get rid of Chelsea quickly.
“I and three other people received an offer on Tuesday to buy Chelsea from Abramovich.
“I have to wait four to five days now. Abramovich is currently asking far too much.
“You know, Chelsea owe him £2bn. But Chelsea has no money.
“As of today, we don’t know the exact selling price.”
Gunners chase shock Lewandowski transfer
Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Robert Lewandowski as the star’s future remains up in the air.
The 33-year-old Polish striker has less than 18 months left on his deal at Bayern Munich.
He could leave for nothing in June 2023 or, if the Bundesliga giants decide to cash in, possibly go this summer.
That has led to a number of clubs beginning to circle – and now Arsenal have apparently joined the chase.
That is according to FourFourTwo, who state the Gunners are interested in bringing him to the Emirates.
Barca chasing double Chelsea swoop
Barcelona are confident they can strike a deal with Chelsea aces Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta, reports suggest.
Christensen and Azpilicueta are both out of contract in June and have yet to agree new terms with the Blues, who are also facing the prospect of losing Antonio Rudiger as a free agent.
According to Italian reporter Fabrizio Romano, Barca are still eyeing the defensive duo and are lining up a double swoop in their bid to strengthen after a hapless campaign.
The Blaugrana have contacted Azpilicueta, who was told they will wait for him to decide between them and the west Londoners.
The Catalan giants have offered the Chelsea captain a two-year contract with an option to extend for one more.
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