ROMAN ABRAMOVICH has reportedly ordered Chelsea's transfer team to sign Erling Haaland 'at any cost' as the Blues plot another big-spending summer.
Meanwhile Arsenal's Hector Bellerin is reportedly edging closer to a summer move to PSG, with Tariq Lamptey and Max Aarons lined up as potential replacements.
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Read our live blog below to get the latest from around the clubs…
- Josh Graham
GOOD NEWS
Everton's plans to redevelop Goodison Park have been approved by Liverpool City Council.
- Josh Graham
DAVE DON'T SAVE
David De Gea has let in FIVE of the last eight Premier League shots he's faced from inside the box.
And Paul Scholes reckons the Manchester United goalkeeper is now a 'real problem' for the club.
De Gea's miserable record between the sticks in recent weeks continued on Sunday – hours after SunSport revealed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is plotting to sell either the Spaniard or Dean Henderson this summer.
Newcastle managed two shots on target from inside the penalty area – both from Allan Saint-Maximin.
The first of those ended up in the back of the net, while De Gea did manage to save the other in the 3-1 win which saw the Red Devils leapfrog Leicester back into second.
- Josh Graham
S-KAI HIGH
Here are the Chelsea stars' wages with Kai Havertz's return of one goal costing the Blues £7.4million.
- Josh Graham
FOOTBALL PUBERTY
Arsenal's on-loan midfielder Matteo Guendouzi is going through 'puberty' at Hertha Berlin, according to the German side's boss.
Pal Dardai insists the Gunners ace, 21, has plenty to learn if he is going to maximise his career.
Matteo Guendouzi is on loan at Hertha Berlin from ArsenalCredit: AFP or licensors The Frenchman was shipped out on loan after being frozen out by Mikel Arteta.
Dardai told Bild: "It's like puberty for him, he's kind of a rebel. He has to work and learn like an animal."
- Josh Graham
KOV UP
Liverpool and Manchester United look braced to rival it out for Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic, according to reports.
Both Premier League giants are prioritising signing a central defender at the end of the season.
Fiorentinaâs Nikola Milenkovic could be heading to Liverpool or Manchester UnitedCredit: AP:Associated Press According to Sky Sports' Max Bielefeld, both clubs have made initial contact with Milenkovic's agent.
The 23-year-old Serbian international has been a stalwart in Fiorentina's defence this season with his side struggling in 14th.
Milenkovic is looking increasingly likely to move on at the end of the season with just 17-months left on his current contract.
- Josh Graham
ON YOUR MARCS
Chelsea left-back Marcos Alonso was the subject of bizarre chants from fans in Romania when he arrived for the Champions League last 16 game against Atletico Madrid tonight.
Footage of the Chelsea squad getting off the team bus was accompanied by the chant: "Alonso be fast, don't be slow."
The exact origins of the chant, or the reasoning behind it, remain unclear.
Watch Chelsea fans tease Marcos Alonso with new ‘don’t be slow’ chant as team arrive in Bucharest for Atletico clash
- Josh Graham
FAN-TASTIC
England's mouthwatering Euro 2020 clash with Scotland could be played in front of 24,000 fans despite the Government roadmap's 10,000 capacity limit.
The bitter rivals meet at Wembley on June 18 and FA chiefs are said to be pushing for the increased supporter allowance.
Boris Johnson announced the roadmap out of lockdown on Monday which caps attendance at large stadiums to 10k fans or 25 per cent of its overall capacity – whichever figure is lower – from May 17.
The Prime Minister confirmed to the House Of Commons that all social distancing will end on June 21 and permitted attendances are expected to rise again from that date.
But with England's game against the Auld enemy taking place three days before, technically only 10k should be allowed in.
But senior FA figures have identified 24k as a reasonable ambition – for what will be the Three Lions' second group game – and will push Government to allow it, according to The Telegraph.
- Josh Graham
SPAIN PAIN
Former Barcelona defender Jeremy Mathieu revealed he was given no support by Lionel Messi and Co in his last year at the Nou Cam.
Mathieu starred under Luis Enrique between 2014-17 but the boss 'did not talk to' the player during his struggles.
Jeremy Mathieu slammed his treatment at BarcaCredit: AFP or licensors Mathieu told Catalan radio station RAC1: "I had a very bad time in my last year with Barcelona.
"I had the feeling I was blamed for the 3-0 defeat in Turin, but football is played with 11 players, not just one.
"I felt alone in the dressing room.
"No one offered support. For me, that's not football."
- Josh Graham
OH HEC
With Hector Bellerin linked with a move to PSG, SunSport looks at five right-backs who could fill the void at Arsenal.
- Max Aarons
- Tariq Lamptey
- Achraf Hakimi
- James Justin
- Kyle Walker
- Josh Graham
ROMAN EMPEROR
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is reportedly set to hand Thomas Tuchel a £260million transfer warchest – with Erling Haaland No1 priority.
TuttoMercatoWeb reports the Russian chief is ready to invest another eye-watering sum after signing off on over £230m worth of transfers last summer.
Abramovich is believed to want his Blues to land the Norwegian striker 'at all costs'.
- Josh Graham
CAREFUL KON-SIDERATION
Real Madrid have joined Manchester United and Chelsea in the race to sign RB Leipzig centre-back Ibrahima Konate, according to reports.
Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane took a liking to the 21-year-old while keeping tabs on his defensive partner Dayot Upamecano who has signed for Bayern Munich.
Zidane suggested to Real they move to sign Frenchman Konate but his £38.8million release clause and his injury record are putting Madrid off, according to DefensaCentral.
Upamecano, 22, had a £37m release clause which Bayern met earlier this month.
And he is considered the better player by Real so they are reluctant to fork out more for Konate.
The fact Konate has managed just eight Bundesliga games this season because of muscle and ankle injuries has also made Los Blancos wary about making a move in the short term.
But Zidane may not be afforded the luxury of waiting with United and Chelsea reportedly weighing up bids.
- Josh Graham
EUROPEAN DREAM
A big night for Chelsea as Thomas Tuchel oversees his side in the Champions League for the first time.
They face LaLiga leaders Atletico Madrid in Romania amid Covid travel restrictions.
- Josh Graham
HIGH FIVE
Manchester United's summer transfer shortlist includes Erling Haaland at No1 but team-mate Jadon Sancho only fourth.
United are looking for a centre-back with Raphael Varane and Jules Kounde in the frame - Josh Graham
SANTI CLAUS
Arsenal legend Santi Cazorla scored a brilliant late winner for Al-Sadd to spark wild scenes in Qatar.
Watch Arsenal legend Santi Cazorla’s brilliant goal spark wild scenes in Qatar thanks to last-minute Al Sadd winner
- Josh Graham
BARGAIN BAY
Erling Haaland has been told that Bayern Munich are the 'only step' for him if he wants to stay in the Bundesliga.
But German legend Lothar Matthaus also warned a deal is unlikely to happen unless Robert Lewandowski moves on.
Erling Haaland is Europe's hottest propertyCredit: AP:Associated Press Bayern hero Matthaus told Sport 1: "Haaland is already on the list of top clubs, right at the top as a striker.
"At Real Madrid, because with Karim Benzema they have a player of a certain age.
"His father has already played in the Premier League. That could be interesting too.
“He will not serve Borussia Dortmund for life. He'll look for bigger clubs, he'll get a higher income.
"If he stays in the Bundesliga, there is only one step for him: FC Bayern.”
- Josh Graham
SLICK VIC
Victor Adeboyejo has had his contract extended by 12 months at Barnsley.
- Josh Graham
FANTASY FRAUDBALL
Gary Lineker revealed he found news of Jack Grealish's injury being leaked through players dropping him from their fantasy football teams 'hilarious'.
Dean Smith is now said to have banned stars and staff in taking part to avoid future situations after Brendan Rodgers had the heads-up on the Villa skipper's absence.
- Josh Graham
ALL HANDS ON DEC
Manchester United were urged to use Jesse Lingard as a bargaining chip to bring Declan Rice to Old Trafford.
Peter Crouch suggested the on-loan midfielder could help bring England ace Rice to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.
Jesse Lingard could help parent club Manchester United poach Declan RiceCredit: Getty – Pool Crouch told The Mail: "I love Declan Rice.
"I have got a few friends who are West Ham fans and they want the club to break the bank, make him club captain and do all that it takes to keep him there for the next 15 years.
"He’s a brilliant player and could play for any of the top sides.
"The suggestion makes sense for United. Lingard needs to get away as his time at Old Trafford is up, while Rice is the kind of player United need to add.
"Would West Ham do that deal? I’m not so sure. We’ll see what happens."
- Josh Graham
YOUNG GUNNAR
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is not afraid to blood the youngsters at Manchester United.
The Norwegian has handed debuts to 13 academy aces, the latest being 17-year-old Shola Shoretire who came off the bench against Newcastle on Sunday.
- Josh Graham
YOU'RE THE MAN
Tottenham are reportedly in the transfer race for Lille defender Sven Botman.
But the North Londoners face competition for his signature from Liverpool and Inter Milan.
Spurs are chasing Lille defender Sven BotmanCredit: EPA According to France Football, Spurs want to convince the Dutch centre-back, 21, to head to the Premier League.
There were suggestions Tottenham had already secured a deal.
But the report insists nothing is agreed just yet with either the club or the player's representatives.
However, Spurs will be hopeful of landing a deal – expected to be around £40m.
- Josh Graham
NOT BAD
Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile has confirmed he received an offer from Manchester United in the summer.
The teenager was subject of a reported £22million bid from the Red Devils last September.
But having enjoyed a fruitful campaign on the Cote d'Azur, Badiashile has insisted that he has no regrets over not moving to Old Trafford.
He told RMC Sport: "It was the right choice, first off is I have not enjoyed good seasons since I have been at Monaco.
"We played to stay up and so now I am really experiencing the top of the table and I think that continuing with the club that formed me was the right decision and this is being proved by the season that we are having."
Pressed further about whether he specifically has any United regrets, he replied unequivocally: "No, not at all."
- Josh Graham
ON THE PUL
Bayern Munich are lining up a move for Chelsea star Christian Pulisic to replace Kingsley Coman, according to reports.
Coman, 24, is being heavily linked with a switch to Manchester United with the Red Devils prepared to offer him a £120,000-a-week pay rise.
Champions League holders Bayern Munich are eyeing up Christian Pulisic The winger remains contracted to Bayern until 2023 but club chiefs fear his head has been turned by the prospect of earning £260,000-a-week in the Premier League.
And now the German giants are already eyeing his long-term replacement.
Reports in TodoFichajes claim Bayern have already contacted Chelsea – who face Atletico Madrid tonight in the Champions League – about the availability of American international Pulisic.
- Josh Graham
LENG DRIVE HOME
Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet drove away in tears after giving away a last-minute penalty against Cadiz.
The Frenchman was at fault for allowing the minnows to equalise late on at the Nou Camp.
Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet appeared to wipe away tears In footage posted on TikTok, via Marca, Lenglet appeared to be tentatively hiding his face as he met fans by the stadium exit.
One youngster posed for a selfie through the upset defender's car window.
- Josh Graham
STONES THROW AWAY
John Stones snubbed a transfer to Manchester United to join rivals City, Louis van Gaal has revealed.
The Citizens signed the Everton defender for £47.5million in the summer of 2016.
But Dutchman Van Gaal – who left Old Trafford at the end of the previous season – had failed with a swoop to land Stones a year earlier as a replacement for Jonny Evans.
It was Pep Guardiola who got Stones, though, in his first summer at the Etihad as he arrived alongside Ilkay Gundogan, Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus, Claudio Bravo and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Van Gaal said: "John Stones is back to his very best.
"I remember seeing him as a young defender – I thought he was fantastic and blessed with a great personality.
"This was the reason I wanted to sign him when at Manchester United. I would’ve loved it if he came, but he chose Manchester City.
- Josh Graham
NAG-GING FEELING
Tottenham will make RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann their top target to replace Jose Mourinho should the Portuguese fail to improve results, reports claim.
Having started the season well Spurs are on the slide, having lost five of their last six games in the Premier League.
Julian Nagelsmann is reportedly in line to replace Jose Mourinho at Spurs In that period the Lilywhites have also crashed out of the FA Cup 5-4 at Everton – with pressure now growing on Mourinho.
The 58-year-old is believed to have '12 days' to save his job – in which time Spurs play Wolfsberger, Burnley, Fulham and Crystal Palace.
According to the Telegraph, the club will use this period to assess whether to retain Mourinho for next season – or if it is necessary to approach RB Leipzig for their highly-rated manager Julian Nagelsmann.
The German, 33, is not willing to leave his current job mid-season, but is thought to be interested in a summer move to the Premier League.
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