ARSENAL could decide to sanction the £100m sale of Bukayo Saka in order to raise transfer funds, according to reports.
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi could be offered a Barcelona contract that would see him continue to be paid by the club for the rest of his life.
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Stay up to date with all the latest football news in our rolling blog…
- Etienne Fermie
IRON FIST
West Ham David Moyes believes that it would take huge bids to prise the likes of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek away from the London Stadium.
He said: "I hope we can make the Champions League but if we don't, I don't see that has to be the reason that we can keep them. The biggest thing any footballer wants to see is the club makes progress and individually they are making progress.
"Yes any club can make offers for players but we've not had any big offers. I hope we don't get any but if we do, like any other club, we would consider them.
"I don't know where the Bank of England is for Tomas Soucek but I've said with Declan, it would take the Bank of England and the Royal Bank of Scotland to get him. It will have to be the Bank of Czech as well for Tomas!"
David Moyes' Hammers are flying high this seasonCredit: PA - Etienne Fermie
CAL ON ME
SunSport EXCLUSIVE by Alan Nixon
Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers looks set to try his luck with a bid for his Celtic old-boy Callum McGregor.
Rodgers is a huge fan of the all-action midfielder.
The Foxes will spend in the next window but only want a couple of major captures.
And both potential transfers could be from Rodgers' former club.
McGregor, 27, is under a long contract in Scotland, but that will not stop the Northern Irishman from trying to secure his services.
He wanted McGregor when he first left, but Celtic's bid for ten titles in a row made that too difficult.
Now Celtic are starting again and Rodgers will look to try his luck.
Celtic midfielder Callum McGregor is being eyed up by Leicester ahead of a potential summer move - Etienne Fermie
NEY STAY
Neymar has agreed a pre-contract agreement with Paris Saint-Germain to extend his stay until 2026, according to reports.
The Brazilian forward, 29, was repeatedly linked with a sensational return to Barcelona in the summer.
A reunion with Lionel Messi was thought to be on the cards.
But Telefoot1 state a deal is in place between Neymar and his current employers to continue his career at the Parc des Princes.
He signed a five-year deal in the French capital when he made the £198million switch from the Nou Camp in 2017.
But with his original contract expiring next year, PSG are desperate to tie him down for another four seasons until he turns 34.
Neymar is set to sign a new contract at PSG to extend his deal until 2026
- Joshua Jones
GOOD MORNING FOOTY FANS
Romelu Lukaku has joined Erling Haaland and Harry Kane on a list of possible replacements for Manchester City record scorer Sergio Aguero this summer.
With neighbours United reportedly interested in Aguero, City are said to be monitoring ex-Old Trafford hitman Lukaku, who is shining for Inter Milan.
Meanwhile, it's claimed Liverpool are waiting anxiously to see if their main goal-getter Mo Salah presses for a move.
And only half-a-dozen Arsenal players are rated safe from an end-of-season purge by Mikel Arteta.
The safe six have been named as Bukayo Saka, Kieran Tierney, Real Madrid loanee Martin Odegaard and Brazilian striker Gabriel Martinelli, plus 2020 summer recruits Gabriel Magalhaes and Thomas Partey.
Juventus have told Paul Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola they can’t afford to re-sign the United midfielder, reports say.
And the Spanish media are suggesting Neymar has put talks over a new PSG contract on hold as he fancies a reunion with Lionel Messi – IF the legend stays at Barcelona.
Finally, Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted United struggled or "rhythm" after the international break as Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood sealed a 2-1 comeback win over Brighton.
Rashford also sparked injury fears late on as he was taken off, with Solskjaer saying: "You just hope he can recover from it. He had to come off, but he's a tough one."
- Joshua Jones
FOOTBALL NEWS
Romelu Lukaku has joined Erling Haaland and Harry Kane on a list of possible replacements for Manchester City record scorer Sergio Aguero this summer.
With neighbours United reportedly interested in Aguero, City are said to be monitoring ex-Old Trafford hitman Lukaku, who is shining for Inter Milan.
Meanwhile, it's claimed Liverpool are waiting anxiously to see if their main goal-getter Mo Salah presses for a move.
And only half-a-dozen Arsenal players are rated safe from an end-of-season purge by boss Mikel Arteta.
The safe six have been named as Bukayo Saka, Kieran Tierney, Real Madrid loanee Martin Odegaard and Brazilian striker Gabriel Martinelli, plus 2020 summer recruits Gabriel Magalhaes and Thomas Partey.
Juventus have told Paul Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola they can’t afford to re-sign the United midfielder, reports say.
And the Spanish media are suggesting Neymar has put talks over a new PSG contract on hold as he fancies a reunion with Lionel Messi – IF the legend stays at Barcelona.
Finally, Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted United struggled for "rhythm" after the international break as Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood sealed a 2-1 comeback win over Brighton.
Rashford also sparked injury fears late on as he was taken off, with Solskjaer saying: "You just hope he can recover from it. He had to come off, but he's a tough one."
- Ian Tuckey
PEP IN DORTMUND DIG
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.
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.”
- Ian Tuckey
JADON'S CITY REUNION IN DOUBT
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 City Time is running out for a return to action with the first leg at the Etihad on Tuesday.
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."
- Ian Tuckey
GUNNERS 'MIGHT NEED TO SELL SAKA'
Bukayo Saka might have to be sold to fund an Arsenal spree this summer.
That's the claim from some reports tonight, with the England wideman valued at around £100 million.
Versatile Saka, 19, has been a standout performer this season and is rated one of the players that boss Mikel Arteta most wants to keep.
But football.london suggest Arteta might face some harsh decisions if he really hopes to spend a huge shark-up in the next transfer window.
- Ian Tuckey
BAILLY OUT WITH COVID-19
Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tonight revealed Manchester United centre-back Eric Bailly will be out “a little while” after testing positive for Covid-19.
The Ivory Coast star, 26, is said to be still out of the country due to contracting the coronavirus.
Bailly was already struggling to break up Harry Maguire’s defensive partnership with Victor Lindelof, having been troubled with injuries this season.
Credit: Getty
- Ian Tuckey
OLE: FIREWORKS HAVE TO BE LIT IN 2ND HALF
Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted United struggled for “rhythm” after the international break in their 2-1 comeback win over Brighton and claimed: “Maybe the fireworks have to be lit at half-time.”
Solskjaer is also sweating on a possible injury for his England forward Rashford, who went off late on and headed straight down the tunnel.
The Norwegian told the BBC: “I thought we started well but when they scored, after that we couldn’t find our rhythm again.
“Second half we played some good stuff. More runs in behind, more movement, better movement.
“Sometimes after international breaks it takes time – and then maybe the fireworks have to be lit at half-time.
“Mason Greenwood needs to add those goals to his tally because we know how wonderful a talent he is.”
And of Rashford, Solskjaer added: “You just hope he can recover from it. He had to come off, but he’s a tough one.”
- Ian Tuckey
RASHFORD STRAIGHT DOWN TUNNEL
Marcus Rashford appeared to limp down the tunnel after he was subbed off against Brighton.
The striker had not played since March 18 and was left out of the England squad having missed the previous three games for Manchester United.
He was deemed fit enough to play against Brighton and even bagged an equaliser – providing a neat finish into the far corner after being put through by Bruno Fernandes.
But less than ten minutes after that goal Rashford was heading down the tunnel.
He appeared to be grimacing, although it is not yet clear if he has picked up another injury or was just taken off as a precaution.
United had fallen a goal behind after former academy graduate Danny Welbeck opened the scoring for Brighon.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side struggled to get in the first half but were better after the break.
It was substitute Mason Greenwood who finally set United on their way to three points.
- Ian Tuckey
FT: MAN UTD 2 BRIGHTON 1
United moved four points clear in second place after Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood overturned Danny Welbeck’s early opener.
For all the reaction click on our match blog HERE.
- Ian Tuckey
CATS CAN GET THE CREAM
Black Cats owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus is itching to spend if they go up, REPORTS ALAN NIXON.
Contacts close to Louis-Dreyfus in France reveal that he has earmarked £60million for new faces for Sunderland.
But that cash will NOT be spent all at once.
The 23-year-old vowed to rebuild Sunderland earlier this year after slamming his predecessors for “asset-stripping” the League One club.
Heir to an estimated £4billion fortune, the new Black Cats owner acquired a majority stake from Stewart Donald back in February.
- Ian Tuckey
THE BUK STOPS WITH SIX GUNNERS
Only six Arsenal players will be safe from Mikel Arteta's summer purge, reports say.
Arteta's desire for a huge shake-up was underlined by Saturday's 3-0 home loss to Liverpool
The Daily Star claims the safe six are: England wideman Bukayo Saka, 19, left-back Kieran Tierney, Real Madrid loanee Martin Odegaard, Brazilian striker Gabriel Martinelli, plus 2020 summer recruits Gabriel Magalhaes and Thomas Partey.
Among those most strongly tipped to exit are full-back Hector Bellerin, a Barcelona and PSG target who could fetch up to £30million.
- Ian Tuckey
SANCHEZ SUFFERS RACE ABUSE ON INSTAGRAM
Davinson Sanchez became the latest footballer to suffer vile racist abuse on social media.
The defender, 24, was targeted after Tottenham drew 2-2 at Newcastle.
The Colombian shared a screenshot on his Instagram story that showed a number of monkey emojis.
He captioned the post "nothing changes" along with a sleepy-face emoji.
The incident followed full-time in the North East in a game where Sanchez lost possession in the build-up to Newcastle's opening goal.
The news follows two such incidents already over Easter weekend.
West Brom striker Callum Robinson revealed he was racially abused after the Baggies beat Chelsea.
The Premier League club have contacted West Midlands Police over the matter, which also featured monkey emojis sent to his Instagram account.
- Ian Tuckey
CITY 'INTERESTED IN LUKAKU'
Romelu Lukaku is on Manchester City's radar for a summer transfer, according to reports in Italy.
Pep Guardiola may turn to the market after bidding farewell to Sergio Aguero, whose contract expires in June.
Romelu Lukaku has starred for Inter Milan since signing in 2019 A host of talent from Erling Haaland to Harry Kane have been linked, a list that now includes Lukaku.
The former Manchester United attacker, 27, has excelled since joining Inter and looks set to lead his team to the Serie A title.
According to Corriere dello Sport, via Sport Witness, his performances have attracted the interest of City and LaLiga giants Barcelona.
The Premier League leaders are described as making tentative contact with Inter to gauge a deal.
A reported fee of around £110million could be enough as the Italian club faces up to a financial crisis.
But the likelihood of Lukaku being used to solve the situation is said to be low, particularly if Antonio Conte remains as coach.
- Ian Tuckey
H/T: MAN UTD 0 BRIGHTON 1
The Seagulls look largely in control of the early lead given them by United old boy Danny Welbeck.
Our match blog has live coverage plus reaction from tonight’s Premier League clash at Old Trafford. Click HERE.
- Ian Tuckey
JIMENEZ FACES OLYMPIC BAN
Wolves striker Raul Jimenez could be blocked from representing Mexico at the Olympic Games later this year if he fails to return from his skull fracture before the end of the season.
Jimenez was involved in a nasty clash of heads with Arsenal's David Luiz back in November, a collision which left him with the serious injury.
The 29-year-old returned to training for Wolves in February, but remains unable to engage in any sessions which involve physical contact and is having to wear a protective headband throughout.
But while there is no clear return date for his club, Mexico boss Gerardo Martino revealed last week he was hopeful Jimenez would be eligible for selection for the Tokyo Games.
However, Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo does not see it the same way.
"The moment it is clear he can play for Wolves then anything can happen but, first, he must play for us," he said.
"With all the respect to his national team coach it’s our decision.
"I understand he is positive and wants to count on Raul for the Olympics but we have to be patient here.
"We have to make the right decisions, not make any kind of mistake and respect the doctors."
- Ian Tuckey
IT’S UNDER WAY: MAN UTD 0 BRIGHTON 0
Our match blog has live coverage plus reaction from tonight’s Premier League clash at Old Trafford. Click HERE.
Victory would put United four points clear of third-placed Leicester.
- Ian Tuckey
RACE ABUSE CLAIM HALTS VALENCIA GAME
Angry Valencia walked off during tonight's LaLiga clash with Cadiz over racism claims – halting play for several minutes.
Valencia's French defender Mouctar Diakhaby was incensed at comments allegedly made by Juan Cala during the first-half at Estadio Ramon de Carranza.
Mouctar Diakhaby was angry after believing he had been racially abused The referee booked both playersas Gabriel Paulista attempted to calm team-mate Diakhaby down.
But the seriousness of the claims became clear as Diakhaby, 24, strode off the pitch in disgust.
Los Che players followed their colleague off before Cadiz players also returned to the dressing rooms and the game was temporarily halted.
Valencia delegate David Rangel was seen talking to central defender Cala, 31, as the game was halted for several minutes.
The Cadiz team began to return to the pitch as the visitors agreed to resume the match, which the club confirmed was at Diakhaby's behest.
The centre-back did not play on however, and was substituted for defender Hugo Guillamon.
French defender Mouctar Diakhaby walked off the pitch as Cadiz's game with Valencia was temporarily suspended - Ian Tuckey
ASTON VILLA 3 FULHAM 1
Sub Trezeguet's late double clinched Villa's comeback win to rock Fulham's survival bid.
Aleksandar Mitrovic punished Tyrone Mings' error with the Cottagers early.
Match-turning midfielder Trezeguet struck on 78 and 81 minutes as Villa snatched victoryCredit: AP But Mings, skipper as Jack Grealish is still injured, crossed for Trezeguet's leveller.
Trezeguet soon put Villa in front before England new boy Ollie Watkins added Villa's third from close in.
- Ian Tuckey
REDS FEAR MO WILL GO
Liverpool face an uncertain wait over Mohamed Salah's future amid reports the talismanic winger wants a new challenge.
According to ESPN, the Anfield dressing room is becoming increasingly concerned that the Egyptian wants to leave.
Mohamed Salah is reportedly pondering a move away from Liverpool While intermediaries familiar with the club are said to believe that a big-money exit may no longer be out of the question.
Salah, 28, has excelled in each of his four years with Liverpool, even netting 18 league goals during this season's failed title defence.
And he is under contract until 2023 amid reports that the Reds are not concerned over his immediate future.
Failure to qualify for next season's Champions League could hasten a shake-up but Jurgen Klopp's side pulled within two points of the top-four by beating Arsenal on Saturday.
Salah scored in between Diogo Jota's brace in the 3-0 win, securing back-to-back wins for Liverpool.
- Ian Tuckey
PATRICK BYE-VERT
Holland and Barcelona legend Patrick Kluivert will step down as Los Blancos' academy director at the end of the season, according to reports.
It comes as the Spanish giants' new president Joan Laporta continues his re-shuffle at the club.
Earlier this week he also let go head of legal services Roman Gomez Ponti and head of professional sports Albert Soler.
Kluivert, who only began working with Barcelona in 2019, will depart his role at the famous La Masia academy in June, according to Sport.
He is set to be replaced by Jose Ramon Alexanko.
- Ian Tuckey
BASH ARRI
Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger was sent home from training following an Easter Sunday bust-up with goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, according to The Telegraph.
Antonio Rudiger is said to have apologised to Chelsea team-mate Kepa ArrizabalagaCredit: Getty The argument was reportedly sparked in a small-sided game after Rudiger was said to have made a late tackle on Kepa.
Chelsea's record signing reportedly reacted badly and the heated argument quickly escalated into pushes being exchanged.
Tuchel allegedly decided that Rudiger should not take part in the final five minutes of training, while goalkeeper Kepa completed the session.
Defender Rudiger is said to have apologised to the Spaniard later on and Chelsea are understood to be happy that the incident is now closed.
- Ian Tuckey
TOBY LINKED TO BRUGGE
Club Brugge have made a bid for Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld, reports say.
The Belgium star, 32, signed a contract extension to keep him at Spurs until 2023.
But according to Voetbal 24, Alderweireld is wanted by Belgian champions Brugge.
The speculation comes as he was left out of Spurs' squad for a second successive game on Sunday.
Alderweireld has played 27 times for the Lilywhites so far this season, 18 of which have come in the Premier League.
However, he is fighting with a number of players for a first team place.
Eric Dier, Joe Rodon, Davinson Sanchez and Ben Davies are among those who have played as a centre-back for Tottenham this season.
And there have also been some talks that Spurs could be in the market for another defender in the summer.
RB Leipzig captain Marcel Sabitzer and Southampton's Jannick Vestergaard have both been touted as potential options for Jose Mourinho's side.
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