Chelsea 'back in for Kounde after being offered De Ligt transfer', Newcastle next manager latest updates
CHELSEA are reportedly set to go back in for Jules Kounde this January, after missing out on the Sevilla man in summer.
Antonio Rudiger is closing in on a move away from the club after holding exploratory talks with Man City, according to reports.
But should Sevilla hold firm in their valuation of Kounde, the Blues may have the option of turning to Matthijs de Ligt.
Juventus are said to be keen to get the £280,000-a-week Dutch centre-back off their books.
Meanwhile Newcastle are still looking for a new permanent manager with Paulo Fonseca the favourite but Lucien Favre another man linked to the job.
And finally Rangers fans are in mourning after legendary boss Walter Smith passed away at the age of 73.
Stay up to date with all the latest from around the clubs with our live blog…
- Sandra Brobbey
NUNO PRAISE
Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been named on this year’s Football Black List alongside Brentford ace Ivan Toney and Arsenal star Nikita Parris.
Established in 1988, the list aims to celebrate black role models in football both on and off the pitch.
The list drawn up by experts from across the sport was announced at the National Football Museum in Manchester.
Other names on the list include Fulham and Republic of Ireland defender Cyrus Christie and QPR assistant Paul Hall.
- Sandra Brobbey
PALACE LET OFF
Crystal Palace could be set to escape FA sanctions for a banner unfurled by Eagles fans criticising the Toons’ new Saudi Arabian owners.
The banner, which also takes a swipe at the Premier League, includes a drawing of a man dressed in traditional Arabic clothing with an illustration of Prem chief executive Richard Masters.
The Metropolitan Police commenced an investigation into the matter.
However, police officials have confirmed that no charges will be filed.
A Croydon Met Police said: “On Saturday, a member of the public contacted us to raise concerns about a banner displayed at the Crystal Palace vs Newcastle match at Selhurst Park.
“On Saturday, a member of the public contacted us to raise concerns about a banner displayed at the Crystal Palace vs Newcastle match at Selhurst Park.”
- Sandra Brobbey
RELAXED ON VACS
Bayern Munich reportedly backs Covid-19 vaccinations for its players.
But according to Reuters the club reportedly says injections for its players are not mandatory.
This comes amid controversy surrounding Joshua Kimmich after the Germany star revealed he is not vaccinated.
The midfielder was heavily criticised for stating he had not had a Covid injection due to fears over long-term side effects.
On Monday Bayern chief Oliver Kahn said: “It is important to say that we can only advise everyone to get vaccinated.
“We have highlighted that through a number of actions.
“At the end of the day, one has to respect that others can have a different opinion.”
- Sandra Brobbey
McCoist ‘devastated’
Ally McCoist described Walter Smith as a second father after revealing the former Rangers’ boss’s passing had left him devastated.
The retired forward played for Rangers during Smith’s first stint as their manager and enjoyed success as Smith’s assistant manager between 2007 and 2011 before becoming club boss himself.
McCoist, 59, told talkSPORT: “He means everything to a lot of folk, myself included.
“He was my boss, my coach, my second father and then turned into one of my best friends. I can’t tell you how devastated I am.
“I could sit here and tell you about Walter Smith until the cows come home, about how good a manager, how good a coach and a football man he was.
“But what I will say he was the best husband, father, friend, everything you would expect from a man.”
- Sandra Brobbey
CELTIC’S SMITH TRIBUTE
Celtic put their fierce rivalry with Rangers aside to pay a warm-hearted tribute to Ibrox icon Walter Smith.
Earlier today Rangers announced their 73-year-old former club boss had passed away.
In a post shared on their official Twitter account Celtic said: “Walter was a tremendous servant to Scottish football and everyone at Celtics FC sends their heartfelt condolences.”
- Sandra Brobbey
VIEWERS REACH THE SKY
Sky Sports claims it notched up its highest-ever viewing figures on Sunday.
And it is thought their numbers peaked at 4.5million with audiences tuning in to watch Liverpool trounce Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The dramatic encounter was part of the channel’s Super Sunday double with West Ham’s home match against Tottenham also broadcast.
- Sandra Brobbey
BLUES JULES
Chelsea are rumoured to be set to make a fresh bid to sign Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde.
Football.london claims the move is coming amid uncertainty over the future of Antonio Rudiger.
The outlet claims Blues director Marina Granovskaia is preparing for the worst case scenario with Rudiger’s contract set to expire in June 2022.
- Sandra Brobbey
CAMPBELL’S SMITH TRIBUTE
Kevin Campbell is among the stars who have paid tribute to Glasgow Rangers legend Walter Smith following his death.
The Scot managed Everton from 1998 to 2002 and had the former Arsenal striker in his squad during that period.
In a post shared via his Twitter account, Campbell wrote: “R.I.P. Walter Smith you were such a great man and I can’t thank you enough for bringing me to Everton a true football great.”
- Sandra Brobbey
RIP WALTER
Glasgow Rangers have announced the passing of their former chairman and manager Walter Smith.
The Lanark-born Ibrox legend has passed away at the age of 73.
Smith led the side to 10 top-flight titles as manager, five Scottish Cups and six League Cups and the Uefa Cup final in 2008.
Rangers chairman, Douglas Park said “On behalf of the Rangers board of directors, staff and players, I convey my deep condolences to the Smith family.
“Walter leaves behind a wife, children and grandchildren, all of whom are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
“It is almost impossible to encapsulate what Walter meant to every one of us at Rangers. He embodied everything that a Ranger should be.
“His character and leadership was second to none, and will live long in the memory of everyone he worked with during his two terms as first team manager.”
- Sandra Brobbey
MO’ DOUGH
Mo Salah’s rumoured wage wishes could see him earn more than Lionel Messi according to reports.
The Daily Star says the on fire Liverpool forward could rake in more money if his contract demands are met.
And Football Insider claims the Egypt international is expecting to seal a deal valued at around £500,000-a-week to extend his stay at Anfield past 2023.
It is thought this would see the 2021 Ballon d’Or nominee become the highest-paid player in Premier League history earning more than Man United’s Cristiano Ronaldo.
- Sandra Brobbey
MATTHEW’S DE MAN
Chelsea could be in with a shot of landing Juventus ace Matthijs De Ligt.
The Serie A defender has reportedly been offered to the Blues, according to Goal.
It is thought the Turin giants, who signed the player in 2019, are keen to get his salary off their books.
The Dutchman is thought to earn around £280,000-a-week.
- Sandra Brobbey
BALE IN TOON
Steve McManaman reckons Gareth Bale would be a good transfer target for newly-minted Newcastle.
And the former Liverpool ace reckons the Toons will need to very careful in the transfer market and avoid spending big bucks on older players.
In his Horseracing.net column, McManaman said: “Newcastle just have to be very careful. Everybody in the world knows that.
“Every agent will be trying to push their players into Newcastle. Gareth Bale would be very interesting, of course, he would, as he’s got a year left on his contract and he’s a super player.
“You’ve got to be careful that you don’t pay older players lots of money and then they don’t turn up.”
- Sandra Brobbey
GET GERRARD
Ryan Taylor is eager to see Newcastle appoint an English manager to replace Steve Bruce.
And the former Toons full-back thinks Rangers gaffer and Anfield icon Steven Gerrard would fit the bill.
Taylor, 37, told Sky Sports: “I would love to see someone like Steven Gerrard in charge of Newcastle.
“It’s so passionate up there and with coming from this city (Liverpool) we know what passion is all about.
“So for me, someone like Steven Gerrard because he plays football the right way, he knows who good players and I think he has done an unbelievable job at Rangers.”
- William Pugh
GOOD MORNING FOOTY FANS
Chelsea’s contract talks with Andreas Christensen have reportedly stalled.
Goal claims the two parties have had ZERO contact for the last TWO months.
It leaves Christensen facing an uncertain future, with the Dane’s current deal up next summer.
Fellow defenders Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta can also sign pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs from January.
But Trevoh Chalobah is set to be handed a new deal after his impressive breakthrough this season.
Meanwhile, Man City boss Pep Guardiola reportedly wants to sign Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos.
According to El Nacional Guardiola is keen on a reunion with 31-year-old midfielder Kroos – who he managed for one season in 2013/14 at Bayern Munich.
And with Fernandinho out of contract at the end of the season, City could look to bring in an experienced midfielder.
The German is out of contract at the Bernabeu in 2024, meaning Los Blancos could be forced into a sale next summer to avoid losing him on a free 12 months later.
Finally, Super-rich Newcastle are reportedly in talks with Ousmane Dembele’s agent regarding a move for the 24-year-old.
According to outlet Sport, the Frenchman’s agent has contacted the Magpies and Juventus.
Demebele is out of contract with Barcelona in the summer, and has been linked with a move away from Camp Nou.
Chiefs at the club are eager to tie him down to a new deal, but the player is turning a ‘deaf ear’ to their offers.
He is free to begin negotiations with clubs outside of Spain from January 1 for a pre-contract agreement that would see him leave the Catalan giants upon the expiry of his contract.
- Anthony Chapman
EXCLUSIVE BY MARTIN BLACKBURN
Shaun Wright-Phillips urged Raheem Sterling to commit his future to Manchester City — and get back to doing what he does best.
He told SunSport: “This season he has not played anywhere near as much as previous years.
“I am sure his time will come again. He just needs a goal to go in — however it comes — to get him firing again.
“You just need to look at what he’s done in six years and more for the club to see what he’s capable of.
“He’s made a massive contribution and I still feel like he’s got a huge part to play for City in the future.
“Maybe the contract thing is hanging over him. I would like to see him extend his contract and end the questions over his future.
“I know he’s said he’d like to play abroad at some point but I don’t think there’s anywhere better to play football than the Premier League.
“And City are a club which is going to be looking to win silverware for many years to come.”
- Anthony Chapman
MAN ON A MISSON
Donny van de Beek has changed his agent to increase his chances of leaving Manchester United, according to reports.
According to Dutch outlet Voetball International, van de Beek has appointed Ali Dursun as his new agent, replacing Guido Albers.
Dursun looks after Van de Beek’s team-mate Victor Lindelof, as well as Barcelona stars Frenkie De Jong and Martin Braithwaite.
And Van de Beek will hope his new agent can succeed in finding him a new club before the January transfer window opens.
- Anthony Chapman
EXCLUSIVE BY NEIL CUSTIS
Zinedine Zidane and Antonio Conte are being sounded out as successors to under-fire Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Worried Old Trafford chiefs want to know whether former Real Madrid boss Zidane and ex-Chelsea coach Conte – both out of work – would be interested in the job.
A leading agent has been instructed to contact some of the biggest names in the game, with Ajax boss Erik Ten Hag and Leicester’s Brendan Rodgers – a former Liverpool boss – also on the shortlist.
The agent has been told to discover each of the candidates’ plans for the club and their own contract demands.
While United chiefs are desperate not to sack Solskjaer, they can no longer ignore the shocking downturn in form and results.
A sudden upturn in results could yet save Solskjaer but faith in him at the top level has now waned following Sunday’s humiliation.
- Anthony Chapman
EXCLUSIVE BY ALAN NIXON
American businessman Chris Kirchner has made a £50million bid for Wayne Rooney’s Derby County.
Super rich Kirchner wants the club and will try to take it out of administration after making a flying visit to the Midlands in his private jet to check them out.
Kirchner is also keen to deal with the EFL and appeal for the overall points penalties they face are at a sensible level.
But despite the major good news for Rooney, it can also be revealed that Derby County have been hit with a multi-million compensation claim from Wycombe for ‘relegating’ them.
The difference between TV money in the Championship and League One is around £6 million and insiders reveal the claim is in that range.
- Anthony Chapman
FEELING BLUE
Chelsea’s contract talks with Andreas Christensen have reportedly stalled.
Goal claims the two parties have had ZERO contact for the last TWO months.
It leaves Christensen facing an uncertain future, with the Dane’s current deal up next summer.
Fellow defenders Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta can also sign pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs from January.
- Anthony Chapman
TAKING FIVE
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could take over as Norway manager if he gets sacked by Manchester United after a short break, reports suggest.
Jan Aage Fjortoft says Solskjaer could be the next Norway boss when current head coach Stale Solbakken calls it a day.
But Fjortoft added that his compatriot will first take some time off between jobs.
The former Middlesbrough ace tweeted: “Ole G [Solskjaer] will, as any manager, eventually get the sack.
“Then he will take some time off. After that he will succeed Solbakken (when he says enough is enough) as Norwegian National Coach.”
- Anthony Chapman
LACA INTEREST
Newcastle are reportedly eyeing a move for Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette.
The Frenchman is out of contract next summer.
And the Star claims mega-rich Toon could launch a massive bid to get him as early as January.
However, there is also interest from West Ham, with David Moyes keen to land another hitman.
- Anthony Chapman
YOUR LLOS, OUR GAIN
Jose Mourinho is reportedly planning to swoop for ex-Arsenal flop Dani Ceballos.
The midfielder spent two seasons on loan at the Emirates from Real Madrid but failed to impress.
El Confidencial now claims Roma boss Mourinho wants Ceballos to turn things around in the Italian capital.
Roma are without a win in three games and the Special One believes his squad depth is insufficient.
- Anthony Chapman
MARQ MY WORDS
PSG star Marquinhos has shot down talk he was close to joining Chelsea over the summer.
He told Le Parisien: “No! It wasn’t even an offer. In fact, the club blocked talks straight away. It shows the faith they have in me.
“It is an honour for a club like PSG to put such faith in me. The fact that others are interested in me means I am doing well.
“It gives me the motivation to go on, boost my training sessions and play even better. Paris and PSG are the only things on my mind.”
- Anthony Chapman
SOUTT YOU SIR
Tottenham are planning a January swoop for Stoke defender Harry Souttar.
Football Insider claims Nuno Espirito Santo wanted to sign the giant 6ft 6in centre-back when he was Wolves boss.
And Spurs are ready to make their move in a bid to bolster their backline.
SunSport also understands Everton are keen after assistant Duncan Ferguson scouted Souttar this month.
Brighton are also interested.
- Anthony Chapman
WHAT’S HE DON?
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s selection decisions are even starting to leave some of his own players scratching their heads.
Reports suggest Manchester United stars are struggling to understand why certain players are being left out of the squad.
A report by the Manchester Evening News alleges players are questioning whether Solskjaer is making the right selection calls.
Donny van de Beek’s situation is one of those reported to be causing internal ructions.
Jesse Lingard is another midfielder struggling for appearance time at Old Trafford who is backed to shine if given the chance by Solskjaer.
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