CHELSEA have been handed a boost in their pursuit of AC Milan star Rafael Leao, according to reports.
It was expected that the Portugal winger would sign an extension at the San Siro and put an end to the speculation surrounding his future.
However, with his current contract expiring in 2024, his increasing wage demands have put the contract talks on the rocks – handing a boost to Chelsea.
Elsewhere, Cristiano Ronaldo could be set for a sensational return to Sporting in the coming months, with the Liga NOS side targeting a deal for the Manchester United star.
How to get free bets on football – the 17 best bookies to claim rewards and bonuses
Stay tuned with all the latest from around the grounds…
- James Colasanti
Arsenal ‘don’t need January signings’
Arsenal do not need any new recruits to prop up their Prem title bid, according to ex-Gunner Lauren.
The retired right-back, 45, who played 159 games for the club, is among the many who have been impressed by Mikel Arteta’s league-leaders’ start to the season.
He told 888sport: “Arsenal have to keep believing in what they’re doing, because so far they’ve been brilliant.
“And they have to keep believing in their squad because rather than bringing in other players.
“I would prefer the club kept their confidence in the team – not thinking about who to sign in January.”
- James Colasanti
Keane visits Solskjaer in Norway
Roy Keane popped over to see fellow Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in Norway.
Solskjaer was sacked as United manager 12 months ago and is enjoying football again as gaffer of his son’s Under-14s team back in his hometown of Kristiansund.
Sky Sports pundit Keane went to watch one of their recent training sessions, according to Nettavisen Sport.
Apparently the Irishman was even happy to pose for photos and sign autographs for fans.
- James Colasanti
Pique behind the curtain
There was an update on the soap opera that is the end of Gerard Pique’s relationship with Shakira this week.
Apparently the beautiful Colombian pop star is set to move to Miami next year with their two sons as part of an agreement thrashed out between her and the ex-Manchester Unit star’s lawyers.
Pique, who has just retired from football with Barcelona, is said to have ceded to Shakira’s wishes to avoid an ugly court divorce battle.
- James Colasanti
Solskjaer managing youths in Norway
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is back in his native Norway and managing a youth football team.
The Manchester United legend was sacked as their manager 12 months ago.
Apparently he has turned down offers of a return to management in the pro game and does not want to rush back, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Instead he is enjoying football again as gaffer of his son’s Under-14s team back home in Kristiansund.
- James Colasanti
Chelsea get Leao chase boost
Chelsea's hopes of signing AC Milan star Rafael Leao have had a shot in the arm after he reportedly demanded club-record wages to stay with the Italian giants.
The striker, whose deal runs out in 2024, is being tracked by most of Europe's top clubs, including Graham Potter's Blues.
Milan are said to want to tie him down on a new long-term contract but Sky Italia report he wants a wage increase from about £7.8million to £8.7m a year – which they have never paid a player before.
That could pave the way for an exit, which will put his many suitors on alert.
- James Colasanti
Sporting chance for Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo has made it clear to Manchester United chiefs he wants to leave in the summer, according to The Athletic.
And they understand the Portugal superstar’s agent Jorge Mendes has already help talks with Sporting Lisbon, the club where the 37-year-old started his glorious career two decades ago.
- James Colasanti
United and Liverpool after Bellingham
Manchester United and Liverpool are two of the European giants who will scrap it out for the signature of Jude Bellingham in the summer, according to Sky Sports Germany.
Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain are also said to be keen on the £130million-rated Borussia Dortmund midfielder, 19.
Reporter Florian Plettenberg tweeted: “He’s the transfer target No 1 for #MUFC confirmed! They expect him to cost around €150m [£130m], they have scouted him a lot.”
He added: “On the other hand #LFC is very optimistic to get him in 2023!
“He’s is also the main target, Klopp is pushing for him & Liverpool wants to invest in summer.”
- James Colasanti
Ndicka ‘keen on Gunners move’
Arsenal target Evan Ndicka is interested in a move to the Emirates, according to GiveMeSport.
The 6ft 4in Eintracht Frankfurt centre-half is in the final ten months of his contract.
And journalist Robin Bairner revealed: “I think the position that Arsenal are in at the moment, everybody would be interested in going there because Mikel Arteta has them flying at the moment, and it looks like they’re going to be title contenders.
“So, if you’re moving from the Bundesliga, and you’re not at one of the very top Bundesliga clubs like Bayern or Borussia Dortmund, then the likes of Arsenal has to be an interesting prospect.”
- James Colasanti
United eye up Choupo-Moting
Manchester United are tracking prolific Bayern Munich striker Eric Choupo-Moting as a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, according to Sky Sports.
The Cameroon star, 33, has started the season in red-hot form with ten goals in 14 games.
Reporter Florian Plettenberg tweeted: “News Choupo-Moting: #MUFC is seriously interested in a transfer in winter, they have inquired about him.
“He’s a candidate to replace #Ronaldo. Manchester bosses expect him to leave in winter.”
- James Colasanti
City's Phillips fit for England
Gareth Southgate has been handed a boost with news all-action Manchester City midfielder is fit and raring to go at the World Cup.
The Three Lions boss has put the former Leeds star at the heart of his national team and was sweating on his availability for Qatar.
Phillips, 26, has been sidelined for nearly two months after having surgery for a shoulder injury but he has given a positive update.
The 23-cap ace said: “The shoulder’s perfectly fine now.
“I have gone through a seven-week process of recovering as fast as I possibly can for the World Cup. Everything is going great."
- Kealan Hughes
Good morning footy news fans
Premier League sides discovered their fate in the Champions League after yesterday’s draw for the last 16.
Liverpool were handed a stunning clash against Real Madrid in a repeat of last season’s final.
Chelsea will get a closer look at target Jude Bellingham after drawing Borussia Dortmund.
Antonio Conte returns to Italy with Spurs facing AC Milan.
And Man City will be smiling after landing RB Leipzig.
But it was a different story for rivals Man Utd in their Europa League knockout draw.
The Red Devils will taken on Barcelona after missing out on top spot in their group by one goal.
Meanwhile, Southampton have sacked manager Ralph Hasenhuttl after their 4-1 defeat to Newcastle.
And Saints are expected to appoint Luton’s Nathan Jones as his successor.
Finally, Liverpool are up for sale.
Their American owners, Fenway Sports Group, are on the hunt for investors after 12 years in charge.
And experts reckon Liverpool could sell for an incredible £4.4billion.
- Anthony Chapman
Chelsea fear early Mount exit
Chelsea face losing Mason Mount on a free transfer in 18 months.
That's because contract talks have stalled.
And Blues chiefs fear a similar situation to the one that saw Antonio Rudiger depart last summer.
READ MORE ON MOUNT'S DEAL HERE
- Anthony Chapman
Exclusive by SunSport’s Andy Dillon
Reece James has been told he could be fit in three weeks – leaving England boss Gareth Southgate with a massive selection dilemma.
Chelsea defender James is recovering from a knee injury and Southgate names a 26-man squad for the World Cup in just 48 hours.
James is refusing to give up on his dream of joining them in Qatar and has spoken to specialists who believe he could be ready to play by the end of the month.
The England head coach must now decide whether to take a huge gamble and include James in the tour party heading to the desert.
- Anthony Chapman
Eden headin' back to Prem?
Eden Hazard could be on his way back to England.
That's because Newcastle and Aston Villa are reportedly chasing the ex-Chelsea star.
Hazard cost Real Madrid £89m in 2019 but has looked a shadow of his former self.
The Spaniards are now ready to sell and want just £17m, with Toon and Villa keen.
- Anthony Chapman
Ron set to stay put
Man Utd have hinted that Cristiano Ronaldo WON’T be sold this winter.
A January departure has been mooted, although the latest mural adorning the Theatre of Dreams suggests he won't be sold.
The Portugal international was included in the club's iconic No.7 poster – which included players of yesteryear who had worn the legendary shirt.
The poster also included images of David Beckham, Eric Cantona and Ella Toone.
- Anthony Chapman
Trent not right for Gareth
Gary Neville has warned Gareth Southgate he can't rely on Trent Alexander-Arnold at the World Cup.
Neville said: "It’s a really tough one because his brilliance going forward is out of this world.
"How are England going to win or lose in the World Cup? It is going to come down to one moment, and at this moment in time, I can’t see how Gareth can go into a knockout game at the World Cup with Trent.
"I want this player to be the greatest right back of all time, but at times today, he looked like he could have cost Liverpool.
"I think at the World Cup, he is giving away a penalty. I don’t think Gareth will trust him in a knockout game and that may influence his decision as to whether he goes or not."
- Anthony Chapman
Toon tipped for fourth spot
Emmanuel Petit has warned Man Utd and Chelsea they will miss out on the top four thanks to Newcastle.
He told Lord Ping: “Chelsea need a reaction, they have to get points if they want to finish in the top four.
“The competition will be fierce and Chelsea are far away. It doesn't matter how they win points, they just need to win.
“For me, Man City will win the Premier League title, Arsenal will finish second, Liverpool will finish third and I think Newcastle will beat Tottenham, Chelsea and Man United to the fourth spot.”
- Anthony Chapman
Varane's World Cup dream alive
Raphael Varane could be set for a shock World Cup call-up for France.
The Man Utd star is out injured with a thigh injury picked up last month.
And he was expected to miss France's defence of their title in Qatar.
But Varane has recovered faster than expected and could now be selected by Didier Deschamps after beginning a running programme.
- Anthony Chapman
Icardi moves on from Wanda?
Mauro Icardi appears to have moved on from ex-wife Wanda Nara… by reportedly dating a famous actress.
An image has surfaced online of the Argentina international alongside teammate Lucas Torreira.
And he appears to be holding hands with Turkish actress Devrim Ozkan.
She has been present at recent Galatasaray games and their linked fingers have sparked rumours they are now an item.
- Anthony Chapman
Brazil announce World Cup squad
Brazil have AXED Liverpool star Roberto Firmino from their World Cup squad.
The veteran has been cruelly chopped on the eve of Qatar 2022.
And he is joined the sidelines by Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes.
But Gunners teammates Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus are included, along with Man Utd trio Casemiro, Fred and Antony.
Other Prem stars include Chelsea’s Thiago Silva, Liverpool’s Fabinho and Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes.
SEE BRAZIL’S WORLD CUP SQUAD HERE
- Anthony Chapman
Liverpool hopes fade after draw
Liverpool's chances of winning the Champions League are just 9-1 after drawing Real Madrid in the last 16.
But Man City are now favourites for the title after landing RB Leipzig.
William Hill spokesperson, Lee Phelps, said: “Finishing second in your Champions League group is fraught with danger and so that has proved again with Liverpool being forced to take on Real Madrid in the last 16.
“The tricky draw has seen them drift to 9/1 from 8/1, while Manchester City’s spot at the head of affairs has improved with the Citizens now 6/4 after learning they’ll take on RB Leipzig.”
- Anthony Chapman
Xavi reveals United Europa fears
Xavi says Barcelona have the toughest Europa League task possible after drawing Manchester United.
He said: “We've been dealt the most difficult rival we could have played – again.
“United are the worst rivals that we could have faced.
“But that will give us great motivation because we will have to compete.
“They are historical rivals and it is a very attractive match for us.”
- Anthony Chapman
Exclusive by SunSport's Alan Nixon
Man Utd are ready to let Aaron Wan-Bissaka rejoin Crystal Palace on loan.
The right-back has played just four minutes under Erik ten Hag.
Man Utd paid £45million for Wan-Bissaka in 2019.
And Palace would have to cover his £80,000-a-week wages.
- Tony Robertson
Ratcliffe to buy Liverpool?
There are more than a few whispers on Twitter speculating that INEOS owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe could make a sensational bid to buy Liverpool.
Ratcliffe, a Man Utd fan, was confirmed to be interested in buying United from the Glazers over the summer before the American family told him in no uncertain terms that the club was not for sale.
But following the story of Liverpool owner's FSG putting the club up for sale earlier today, there are now rumours online suggesting he may submit a bid for Liverpool.
However, take this with a massive pinch of salt as any suggestion of this is yet to mature into more reputable reports and is just as likely to simply be fan imaginations running wild.
Prior to his United interest, Ratcliffe also failed in an attempt to buy Chelsea.
- Tony Robertson
Southampton line up replacement
Nathan Jones is being lined up as the next Southampom boss following the sacking of Ralph Hasenhuttl.
Luton Town confirmed they had granted permission for Jones to speak with Southampton.
In a club statement they said: "Luton Town Football Club can confirm that permission has been granted to Southampton to speak to Nathan Jones about their managerial vacancy following the Hatters’ match at Stoke City.
"We would like to place on record that the Premier League club have approached the board in the correct manner, for which we are grateful, and that the whole situation is extremely amicable with Southampton and with Nathan.
"We would also like to urge all supporters travelling to Stoke to show him and the team your support on what we hope will be yet another memorable away day.
"As a club we will not be making any further comment until the process is complete."
Jones took charge of the club in 2020 and has overseen 132 games, including guiding them a play-off spot last season.
Source: Read Full Article
