Man Utd's Hannibal fury, Liverpool vs Leicester build-up, Chelsea FA Cup win – Arsenal, Man City, Tottenham updates
LIVERPOOL face Leicester in a mouthwatering start to this weekend's Premier League football.
Meanwhile Arsenal have finally learned the venue for their Europa League tie against Benficaand Manchester United are fuming about the treatment of their brightest young star.
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Read our live blog below to get the latest from around the clubs…
- Marc Mayo
EXCLUSIVE
Arsenal are close to finalising a summer deal for Sporting Lisbon striker Tiago Tomas, writes Jordan Davies.
SunSport understands that Gunners technical director Edu has been in direct contact with Sporting Lisbon director of football Hugo Viana over the deal.
The 18-year-old signed a new five-year contract with the Portuguese giants in June 2020 with a release clause of £52m.
However, due to the current economic climate and Sporting’s spending in recent years, it is understood the club may accept a deal as low as £20m.
- Marc Mayo
BREAKING
West Brom have tied left-back Conor Townsend down to a deal until 2024.
Sporting and technical director Luke Dowling said: “We’re delighted to have secured Conor’s services for another three years.
“It’s clear to see the improvements Conor has made during his time here and he has become an integral part of this squad.
Townsend, 27, moved from Scunthorpe in 2018 and has played 12 times this season.
- Marc Mayo
TAKE IT OR LEVITT
Manchester United are preparing to send Dylan Levitt out on loan again.
According to MEN, Croatian side NK Istra are in talks over a deal until the summer.
The 20-year-old spent the first half of the campaign in a quiet spell at Charlton.
Credit: Getty Images – Getty
- Marc Mayo
BREAKING
Facebook has responded to the racist abuse sent via its platform to Swansea player Yan Dhanda this week.
Sky Sports report on the statement as saying: "We do not want racism and hate on our platforms.
"The person who sent this message has been restricted from sending messages for a set period of time, and we will remove new accounts created to get around this restriction.
"We think it's important people have the opportunity to learn from their mistakes but, per the new measures introduced this week, if they continue to break our rules the account will be removed."
- Marc Mayo
SPURRED ON
Ryan Sessegnon is a British youngster abroad in a state of lockdown in the old fashioned German village of Hoffenheim.
But the 20-year-old is already picturing his name up in lights back in North London with a view to proving Jose Mourinho wrong.
Sessegnon said: “Of course, my aim is to go back to Spurs and try and break into that team and play, make myself a figure in the team.
“But if that isn’t possible next season or in the future then I want to come back to a league or a club to regain that experience.
“English clubs need to be prepared that if they don’t play their young players that there will be clubs like Hoffenheim who will take them on loan.
“And then if they come back to their clubs and England and they think they are still not ready then be prepared for an offer for other clubs to come get them. When the time is right to go back we will see.”
- Marc Mayo
BREAKING
The cold weather has forced a postponement in the Championship.
Sheffield Wednesday were due to host Swansea on Saturday but a frozen pitch at Hillsborough means that game is called off.
- Marc Mayo
GUNNING FOR IT
Ilkay Gundogan has revealed his intention to see out his career with Manchester City.
The Germany international, 30, has enjoyed a superb campaign to help Pep Guardiola's side vie for a Quadruple trophy success.
With his contract expiring in 2023, Gundogan German TV: "I can honestly say that I can imagine myself ending my career with Manchester City.
"I have never before experienced the way things are done here. Not just from a sporting perspective, but in all other areas as well.
"I feel that the club is about more than just football. It is a wonderful feeling to be part of this family.
"If we can continue playing the way we are doing right now, I see us as outright favourites for the league title. But it'll require lots of work from every player, both individually and as a team."
Credit: AP:Associated Press - Marc Mayo
BEES PREPARE TO STING
Brentford could be about to poach even more top Scandi talents, if they can seal their promotion to the Premier League.
The Championship leaders are owned by Matthew Benham, who also controls FC Midtjylland.
And the Bees’ director of football Rasmus Ankersen has discussed how players could move between the clubs next season, including Midtjylland star Fred Onyeka.
He told BT: “There’s no prior agreement. It is, after all, a new situation for the Benham empire if we move up the Premier League.
“And that would create a different position between Brentford and FC Midtjylland in our ecosystem.
“The two clubs will go from being cousins to being a big brother and younger brother. It offers some other options in terms of the infrastructure around the playing squads.”
- Marc Mayo
IN-SAN-ITY
Manchester United may throw a lowball offer dropping down to £50MILLION for Jadon Sancho in the summer.
According to Eurosport, the plot comes amid Borussia Dortmund’s financial woe, coupled with the winger’s drop-off in form and the club’s poor attempt at reaching next season’s Champions League.
Last summer, the clubs failed to agree on a deal with Borussia wanting around £110m.
- Marc Mayo
RELENTLESS
Life in lockdown has left us all feeling low – but no one needs a hug more than Jurgen Klopp right now, writes Mark Irwin.
The grieving Liverpool boss was unable to attend his mother's funeral this week because of travel restrictions between Germany and the UK.
Read Mark's full column on the tough situation at Anfield here.
Credit: PA - Marc Mayo
BREAK THE BANK
AC Milan are willing to push past their self-enforced salary cap to renew Gianluigi Donnarumma and Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s contracts.
La Gazzetta dello Sport report on the Rossoneri keeping player wages under £70,000-a-week, post-tax.
However their star goalkeeper and striker are set to be offered bigger deals ahead of their contracts expiring in June.
The pair's agent Mino Raiola said yesterday: "You must leave Gigio alone, because he is trying to achieve something very important for Milan and for his career.
"The rest will be done secretly, without letting you know anything, it’s like this and it will always be like this."
- Marc Mayo
HANNS OFF
Speaking of Manchester United youngsters, U23s boss Neil Wood has called on referees to protect young star Hannibal Mejbri.
The tricky teen, who signed from Monaco in 2019, is receiving the sort of rough treatment typically handed out to technically talented stars.
Wood said: "I think Hannibal has lots of quality and the frustrating point for him is that there must be about 15 fouls on him per game.
"And at some point if it’s not stopped, or if the referee is not protecting him, he’s going to get his leg broken. That’s what I fear for him."
- Marc Mayo
DIAL DOWN THE HYPE
Manchester United were urged to be patient with wonderkid Amad Diallo by the club's Under-23s coach Neil Wood.
Diallo, 18, arrived at Old Trafford in January for £37million from Serie A side Atalanta.
Wood said: "You see he has ability and he’s linking up well.
"He doesn’t really have a relationship with any of these boys here but he came to Liverpool on Saturday and did well and the same against Blackburn.
"He’s training with the first team and doing well and he’s still new to England and the style of football so it’s going to take time.
"Like all young players you have to be patient with them. He’s gaining more confidence as the days go on."
Credit: AP:Associated Press - Marc Mayo
ANGEL FINDS HIS WINGS
Angelino's permanent exit from Manchester City is likely to be rubber-stamped tonight, writes Martin Blackburn.
RB Leipzig negotiated another loan deal for the Spanish full-back in the summer after he impressed there last season.
But the agreement included a clause which said a £15.8 million fee would be triggered if he makes 12 appearances – with five in the second part of the season.
And he will hit that mark if – as expected – he plays for Red Bull in their German league game against Augsburg this evening.
That means his loan will continue for the remainder of the season but the permanent deal will automatically kick in at the end of the campaign.
- Marc Mayo
YOUTH REVOLUTION
On Chelsea’s potential for more academy stars to progress into the first-team, Tuchel was clear that he is looking to youth.
He said: “The door is always open in my office for the coaches, officials from the academy.
“I love to watch their training, in-house games on the other pitches, which is unfortunately not allowed at the moment because we are in the bubble so it is a bit more difficult than usual.
“My belief is that is the backbone of any club, the more guys you have in the first team, the better it is for the club.”
On academy product Callum Hudson-Odoi, he added: “If you have players like Callum and the opportunity to ask different questions to the opponents, why not use it.
“He started on the right side and finished on the left so it gives us the possibility to be flexible, to help the team structure wise.”
Credit: Getty Images – Getty
- Marc Mayo
TUCH-ING BASE
Thomas Tuchel is currently facing questions from the media ahead of Chelsea’s game with Newcastle.
He confirms Andreas Christensen is fine after a minor head knock versus Barnsley, with Timo Werner fit again.
Thiago Silva and Kai Havertz will likely miss Monday’s match, however.
- Marc Mayo
BREAKING
The Premier League Player of the Month for January is…
Ilkay Gundogan!
Hard to argue with a return of five goals from six games, all of which Manchester City won.
- Marc Mayo
TURIN TROUBLE
The Italian FA (FIGC) have opened an investigation into the scenes during Juventus’ Coppa Italia clash with Inter Milan.
The 0-0 semi-final second-leg draw saw Antonio Conte flash a middle finger to the Juve directors’ box, with the Bianconeri president Andrea Agnelli reportedly shouting ‘f*** off, a**hole’ late on.
La Gazzetta dello Sport detail plans to gather witness statements before handing out a judgement.
- Marc Mayo
PARTY OF THE PROBLEM
Neymar’s party lifestyle contributes to his injury problems, according to one media report in France.
The 29-year-old Paris Saint-Germain winger will miss the Champions League last 16 first leg against his former club Barcelona.
French newspaper L'Equipe believes that his hectic lifestyle OFF the pitch contributes to his time on the treatment table.
Neymar is well-known for throwing lavish birthday celebrations, often inviting team-mates to help him celebrate.
In an interview with French radio station TF1 recently the Brazilian blasted accusations that this makes him 'immature'. He said: "So, who doesn't like to party? Everyone likes to have fun.”
But L'Equipe go so far as to compare Neymar to the 'big two' – Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – and how they condition themselves away from the training ground.
- Marc Mayo
ED’S UP
Manchester United are yet to activate clauses renewing Edinson Cavani and Juan Mata's contracts.
Both players' current deals expire in June.
The Red Devils have the option to trigger one-year extensions in both, if they so wish.
United have exercised similar options in recent deals that have extended the stays of the likes of Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard.
But the MEN claim that no decisions have yet been made on either veteran.
Credit: Getty Images – Getty - Marc Mayo
GREAL DEAL
Emi Martinez has been blown away by Jack Grealish – even comparing the Aston Villa star to Lionel Messi.
The Argentine goalkeeper moved to Villa Park last summer after helping Arsenal to FA Cup success.
Martinez told talkSPORT 2: “He [Grealish] is the most talented player I’ve ever seen.
“He never gives the ball away. When I see Grealish running, it’s always a shot on target or a corner for us. He will drive past two or three players.
“I just see Messi with a right foot when he has the ball. You can’t get the ball off him.
“He’s the most talented English player and I’m surprised he hasn’t played more games for England.”
- Marc Mayo
BREAKING
Uefa have confirmed the venues for Arsenal's Europa League knockout tie with Benfica.
Coronavirus travel restrictions between the UK and Portugal mean neither side can welcome the other for the two-legged affair.
Benfica's home leg on February 18 will take place at Rome's Stadio Olimpico.
And the Gunners will 'host' their opponents in Athens, at Olympiacos' Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis (below) a week later.
Credit: Getty Images – Getty - Marc Mayo
PEP’T LIKE A BABY
Nicolas Pepe is not a man you want to share a room with.
That is according to Wifried Zaha, who has recalled a nightmare evening alongside his Ivory Coast team-mate.
The Crystal Palace winger told On The Judy Podcast: "Oh my days. Nicolas Pepe. I asked to leave the room.
"I went and asked to leave the room because he sounded like a motorbike.
"It was mad, it was crazy. I was like, 'No'. These are the first times as well when I went [with Ivory Coast].
"They let me move and share rooms with Salomon Kalou. And he was like 'Bro, I know’."
- Marc Mayo
BREAKING
Chelsea have secured a new contract for Sophie Ingle in their women's team.
The Wales international joined the WSL side in 2018 and is now committed to 2023.
- Marc Mayo
NEY WAY
Neymar has been ruled out of Paris Saint-Germain’s trip to Barcelona in the Champions League.
A thigh injury suffered versus Caen on Wednesday will rule out the Brazilian for a number of weeks.
But Les Parisiens hope to have the winger back for the last-16 second leg in France on March 10.
Neymar wrote on Instagram: “The sadness is great, the pain is immense and the crying is constant.
"Once again, for a while, I will stop doing what I love most in life, which is playing football.
"Sometimes I feel uncomfortable because of my style of play, because I dribble and constantly get fouled, I don't know if the problem is me or what I do on the pitch."
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