ERLING HAALAND'S representatives have held a positive meeting with Barcelona today regarding a potential transfer to the club.
Agent Mino Raiola and dad Alf-Inge Haaland flew to Spain and met with Barca president Joan Laporta as Europe's top clubs vie for the Norwegian's signature.
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- Joe Brophy
REAL DEAL
Erling Haaland's representative are now reportedly holding talks with Real Madrid after a meeting with rivals Real Madrid this afternoon.
- Joe Brophy
DOR OPEN
Erling Haaland's representative reportedly held positive talks with Barcelona this afternoon.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claimed that the striker's agent Mino Raiola has already discussed a price with Borussia Dortmund while Bayern Munich are not in the race!
- Joe Brophy
MODEL PRO
Chelsea flop Danny Drinkwater's ex-girlfriend claims she ended their whirlwind 18-month fling to focus on her modelling career.
Carol Tozaki has spoken out about their relationship for the first time – labelling the romance 'intense'.
Opening up about her romance with the England international, she told Jam Press: “It was such an intense relationship of one-and-a-half years.
“I was together in many important moments of his career.
“I would always have a huge affection for him.
“It was a great time in my life but it was not what I liked to do, so I decided to go out and pursue my modelling profession.”
- Joe Brophy
REAL PAIN
Sergio Ramos is set to miss the crunch clashes against rivals Liverpool and Barcelona through injury.
The Real Madrid captain, 35, returned from two months out in mid-March but sustained another problem representing Spain on Wednesday night.
Los Blancos said: "After the tests carried out today on our captain Sergio Ramos by the Real Madrid medical services, he was diagnosed with a muscle injury in the internal twin of his left leg."
Ramos will undergo further examination and although no timescale has been given on his absence, he is expected to be out for a month, according to Marca.
- Joe Brophy
NOT WANDA FUL
Mauro Icardi left wife Wanda Nara unimpressed with an Instagram post dubbing her his 'female dog'.
In a shot of the couple and their pet mutt, the Paris Saint-Germain forward, 28, left an eyebrow-raising caption.
He wrote 'mi Perro y mi Perra' with dog emojis, which roughly translates into 'my dog and my female dog'.
Wanda, 34, left a side-eye emoji on her reply, which read: "How funny."
- Joe Brophy
NOU ADVENTURE
Barcelona are reportedly stepping up their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland.
- Joe Brophy
COVIDIOTS
Juventus stars Weston McKennie, Paulo Dybala and Arthur are reportedly in hot water for breaking Covid rules and attending a party.
The trio are all set to be fined by the club after American McKennie, 22, defied restrictions to hold the bash at his home last night.
That is according to La Stampa, who report that the former Schalke midfielder partied with his team-mates and around 17 other pals.
- William Pugh
NO TIM FOR JOKES
Timo Werner has been made an 'honourary North Macedonian citizen' with his own hilarious fake ID card.
The Germany striker, 25, fluffed his lines in embarrassing fashion to produce a horror miss on Wednesday.
His almighty blunder proved costly as Joachim Low's side lost 2-1 at home to North Macedonia – their first defeat in a World Cup qualifier since the 5-1 loss to England in 2001.
And it did not take long for one North Macedonian newspaper to rub in the mockery after a famous victory.
The photoshopped ID includes his name, a headshot picture of the striker, his Macedonian nationality and a child-like 'TW' scrawled in the signature box.
The date of issue was March 31, 2021 – the day of the match – and expires in ten years.
- William Pugh
RIP LEE
Yeovil Town have announced the sad news that their captain Lee Collins had died aged 32.
A statement read on the club's website: "All at Yeovil Town Football Club are mourning the loss of club captain Lee Collins.
"Lee sadly passed away yesterday and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. We ask everyone to respect the family's privacy at this time.
"The club will make no further comment at this time. Our game with Altrincham tomorrow has been postponed."
Collins started his career with Wolves, coming through their youth system before making his debut in 2007.
- William Pugh
ED HEADHUNTS
Arsenal technical chief Edu will aid the search for a new manager to replace Joe Montemurro as boss of the Gunners’ WSL side.
Montemurro, 51, revealed he will be leaving the club at the end of the season after joining in 2017.
Although Arsenal say they are “disappointed” with his decision to depart, officials have begun the hunt for his successor immediately.
And club chief, Vinai Venkatesham said he will be involved in the process, alongside Edu and Clare Wheatley, Gunners head of women’s football and their people director Karen Ann Joesphides.
Venkatesham, 40, said: “In terms of process, there will be a few of us involved to find Joe’s replacement.
“We will have the management of Arsenal Women, our people director, our technical director, Edu, and of course I’ll be involved in the process.”
Credit: Getty – Contributor - William Pugh
FER REAL
Rio Ferdinand revealed he can’t hate Sergio Aguero despite the departing Manchester City star crushing Manchester United’s title dreams in 2012 with that legendary goal.
City announced Aguero will leave the club after a decade when his contract expires at the end of the season and Ferdinand took to Instagram to share his thoughts.
The BT Sport pundit revealed he is still haunted by the goal that gave noisy neighbours City their first ever Prem title – with United thinking they had done enough after winning their last game.
Ferdinand wrote: “Agueroooooooooooo. This name, this goal, this moment still hits me at times when I least expect it like a bolt out the blue! Our closest rivals just across the city, snatching the PL title from out of our hands – bearing in mind our game had just finished and we had won our game…
“What was the score in City’s game…they need a goal with seconds to go….surely we have won…I think we have done it…..then….Agueroooooooooo. Absolutely floored, distraught, devastated….a whole season demolished in the final seconds of the last game.
“What I will say is that as much as I hated the outcome I never hated (or disliked) Sergio for his moment – like I thought I would.”
Credit: Getty - William Pugh
PS-FLEE
Kylian Mbappe has dropped a transfer bombshell by hinting he could quit Paris Saint-Germain over increasing criticism in France.
The superstar winger, 22, took the flak after his national side edged out Bosnia 1-0 in a drab display. It came on the back of a 1-1 draw with Ukraine and a far-from-convincing 2-0 win over minnows Kazakhstan in which he missed a penalty.
Mbappe’s future had already been called into question with his contract with the French giants expiring next summer. And he admitted he is growing increasingly infuriated over negative headlines in the French press.
As reported by Mundo Deportivo, he said: “After a while, of course criticism tires, especially when you play for a team from your country and you give everything for your team as well.
“In the end all this tires. Playing for France is different for those who come from abroad. I am here all the time, playing for PSG and with the French national team.
“It’s a different context and I knew it when I signed for PSG. We’ll see later. Could this influence my decision to stay at PSG in the summer? Of course. But it’s not just that. The most important thing is to feel good where you are and have fun every day.”
Credit: AFP - William Pugh
RED HOT FORM
Bruno Fernandes has felt the wrath of David De Gea as the Manchester United goalkeeper gained Twitter revenge on his team-mate.
The Portuguese midfielder took to social media this morning to share a snap of him wearing a blue and white striped shirt and jeans while enjoying a coffee.
Pictured with a huge smile on his face, Fernandes captioned it with: “Ok, morning coffee is over… Q&A time… Who’s got a question? #AskBruno.”
That led to a cheeky response from United goalkeeper De Gea, who could not resist asking: “Are you a model?”
His good-natured shot comes in response to Fernandes taking aim at the stopper over the international break.
Credit: Instagram @brunofernandes.10 - William Pugh
UP FOR THE CUP
Leicester's clash with Southampton has been selected as the FA Cup semi-final that will have 4,000 spectators.
But the crowd at Wembley on April 18 will be restricted to local residents living in the borough of Brent.
And the decision means the tie between Chelsea and Manchester City the previous evening will be played behind closed doors.
The FA asked the Government to be allowed to use one of the semi-finals as part of the 'pilot' programme ahead of the May 17 date for the return of crowds of up to 10,000.
That was signed off by the DCMS but Brent Council asked for its residents to be the ones given access on safety grounds as a condition of green-lighting the trial.
It is likely that health service and local authority employees will be invited to walk through the turnstiles, rather than fans of either side who happen to live in the borough.
Credit: Getty Images – Getty - William Pugh
FAMILY FEARS
Cristiano Ronaldo's mum revealed her ten-year-old grandson Cristiano Jr begged her: “Grandma don’t die.”
Dolores Aveiro also confessed she was so unsure she would pull through after her stroke the first thing she did when she woke up was tell her eldest daughter Elma the code for the safe where she kept her valuables.
The 66-year-old, who was rushed to hospital in her native island of Madeira last spring, said in an emotional TV interview in which she broke down in tears: “I saw all my children cry, although they didn’t want to worry me.
“I’ve been operated on both breasts and that was never as hard as this has been.
“When Cristianinho saw me cry so much, he told me, ‘Grandma don’t die.’
“It moved me. When he phones he always asks me if I’m better. I live for my family, especially my grandchildren.”
Credit: Dois às 10
- William Pugh
GOONER BE GREAT
Arsenal fans may be able to dream of the club landing Duvan Zapata after the striker opened the door to a Premier League move.
The Atalanta star, 30, has been a Serie A mainstay since signing for Napoli in 2013.
But a move to England could be on the cards after he revealed his love for watching Prem matches while growing up in Colombia.
And Arsenal‘s interest may well be piqued by his past Gooner tendencies.
When asked by La Gazzetta dello Sport about a switch to England, Zapata replied: “In football, never say never. As a boy in Colombia, the Premier League was shown the most. I supported Arsenal and woke up early on the weekend to watch their games on TV.”
Zapata has hit 14 goals for Atalanta this season as the Bergamo club continue their impressive assault on the Champions League.
Credit: Getty - William Pugh
SOME MIGHT SAY
Noel Gallagher has called out Sir Alex Ferguson after the Scot claimed the signing of Phil Jones was better than City’s capture of Sergio Aguero.
The Oasis founder chuckled as he recalled what Fergie had said when the players signed for the two Manchester clubs.
City fan Noel, 53, said: “I remember we signed Aguero at the same time United signed Phil Jones and Sir Alex claimed that Jones would prove to be the best centre half in the world within a year or two.
“He also pointed to the Aguero signing and said ‘City have been reckless again in the transfer market’.
“One has gone on to be a club legend, scoring goal after goal and winning trophy after trophy and there is even talk of a statue outside the ground. I don’t think we’ll be seeing a statue of Phil Jones at Old Trafford anytime soon.”
Both players arrived in Manchester in 2011. Aguero, aged 32, cost £35million from Atletico Madrid, while Utd paid Blackburn £16.5m for Jones, 29.
Credit: Reuters Credit: PA - William Pugh
KOP THAT
Liverpool's owners have confirmed a £543million investment from RedBird Capital and have welcomed NBA legend LeBron James to their ownership group.
The basketball superstar, 36, has owned a two per cent stake in the Premier League champions since 2011. Now James has upped his stake in Liverpool after becoming a partner in their American ownership group Fenway.
The company also own legendary baseball team Boston Red Sox. John Henry remains in charge at Fenway Sports with Tom Werner the second largest shareholder.
The pair approved a new £543m investment from RedBird Capital, who became the third largest shareholders in Fenway Sports Group.
The champions are now hopeful the deal will help bring some financial stability after an estimated £120m loss in revenues since the coronavirus outbrreak.
It is also expected to help secure the redevelopment of the Anfield Road Stand, which is currently in the process of gaining planning permission, to increase capacity at the Reds’ iconic home to 61,000.
Credit: AFP - William Pugh
ERLI FLIGHT
Barcelona could be set to steal a march in the race for Erling Haaland after the player’s representatives began talks with the club.
On Thursday morning, the striker’s dad and advisor Alf-Inge Haaland and agent Mino Raiola were spotted at Barcelona airport.
According to Spanish outlet Sport, the pair were then whisked away in a car driven by club president Joan Laporta’s right-hand man.
The newly-elected Barcelona chief hinted at a move for the Borussia Dortmund striker before winning the post last month. The club is dealing with a difficult financial situation while also attempting to renew Lionel Messi’s contract, which expires in June.
But reports suggest Raiola and Laporta hold a strong working relationship, potentially standing them in good stead to win the race for Haaland.
SunSport revealed this week that a deal to sign the 20-year-old could cost as much as £300million. That includes a £150m transfer fee and a five-year contract featuring £600,000-a-week wages.
Credit: Getty - William Pugh
LUKE-ING GOOD FOR UNITED
Alex Telles says competition for the left-back spot at Manchester United can only be a good thing.
He said: "When you've got a situation like that, then the team can only benefit from it.
“And it's Man Utd that wins from that [situation].
“In terms of the two of us, we both motivate each other and push each other further forward and we help each other.
"That's really, really important throughout the team, independent of the positions we play.”
- William Pugh
FOR BUK'S SAKE
Bukayo Saka is yet to return to training, according to Mikel Arteta.
The Arsenal winger was pulled out of England duty with an injury and Arteta said he still has a way to go.
He said: "He hasn't trained with the team yet.
"He's been doing some individual work. We had to pull him out of the England squad, unfortunately.
"He's feeling better, but he hasn't trained with the team yet."
- William Pugh
LOTTA LOVE FOR LACA
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta heaped praise on in form striker Alexandre Lacazette but refused to say whether he would be offered a new contract before the end of the season.
He said: "He's been in really good form for months now. I think he's sustaining that level. He's scoring goals and he's providing the team with something different as well. His work rate has been phenomenal and it's what we want."
Lacazette has been linked with a summer departure and Arteta did not rule that out.
He added: "The situation with Laca will get addressed in the summer. I will speak to him and just propose a future that we want and that's it.
"Everything is related. At the end of the day, everything is related to where we are, how much we win and where we are playing next season.
"There are no exceptions and we all need to be clear with that and the context that we have around our industry."
- William Pugh
SER IT AIN'T SO
Barcelona may opt against signing Sergio Aguero amid reports of the striker's high wage demands.
An extensive squad renewal plan is being set out by Ronald Koeman but the Catalans' significant financial problems will impact how the summer unfolds.
According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Barcelona bosses are keen on the striker.
Aguero, 32, will bid a fond farewell to Manchester City when his contract expires at the end of June.
But, despite being a 'free' transfer, his reported wage demands of £250,000-a-week is a stumbling block for the Blaugrana.
Koeman hopes to bring in a striker but Lyon's Memphis Depay, a long-term target who is also out of contract in the summer, is another option.
- William Pugh
ONE IN DON OUT
Manchester United are reportedly willing to swap Donny van de Beek for Juventus' Adrien Rabiot.
The Dutch midfielder has struggled playing second fiddle to Bruno Fernandes after arriving at Old Trafford for an initial £35million last summer.
And Italian paper Tuttosport claims United are prepared to cut their losses on the former Ajax man in an attempt to lure Rabiot to the club.
The report states United are determined to land French ace Rabiot at the end of the season. It is claimed that boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen on working with the former PSG man.
Solskjaer has repeatedly defended his sparing use of Van de Beek but the 23-year-old appears to be way down his pecking order in the middle of the park.
Van de Beek has made just two Premier League starts all season with most of his game time coming in the cup competitions.
- William Pugh
HE'S GOOD I TELL YOU!
Manchester United star Alex Telles says Luke Shaw's sparkling form has pushed the whole team to succeed.
Telles was backed to replace the Englishman in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team but the former Southampton man has produced the best football of his career to keep the ex-Porto star out the side.
But Telles is pleased for his team-mate and said: "I've always said that, when you've got players of the highest quality in the team, then the thing that ends up benefiting is Manchester United; the team.
“Since I've arrived here, I've worked as hard as I can and I've done everything I can to show that I deserve to be here, and I think I've done that.
“At the same time, I'm really happy for Luke Shaw, who has made great progress and has been playing really well.
"He trains really well and he's done excellently in the matches as well.”
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