Cristiano Ronaldo Juventus future LATEST, Chelsea close in on Gimenez – Liverpool, Spurs, Arsenal transfer news
CRISTIANO RONALDO could have played his last European game for Juventus.
Juve were dumped out of the Champions League by 10-man Porto last night.
Meanwhile Real Madrid are among the favourites to sign Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez and Manchester United are reportedly chasing Leeds ace Raphinha.
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Follow our LIVE blog below to get the latest from around the clubs…
- William Pugh
GUNNER BE GOOD
Mikel Arteta is ready for blast- off as he predicts Arsenal will exit lockdown with a bang.
A year ago today Arteta contracted the coronavirus which forced football to shutdown in the UK. Strict regulations were imposed, games were played behind closed doors and he was forced to impose a deeply unpopular pay cut on his players.
Ahead of Thursday's Europa League clash with Greek side Olympiakos, he said: “I could never imagine the consequences that this virus was going to have on all of us when I got tested and had the symptoms.
“OK, I knew I could be ill, but I only had three months working in normal conditions before I had to operate in a completely different context. That has been really challenging but at the same time it has made us much stronger as a club.
“We have created a really united group of players and a really close bond with our fans and staff. I think that is going to pay big rewards in the future when everything returns to normality.
“That is when I think this project is going to go ‘bang’. I know that might be difficult to see at the moment but I’m sure that is where we are going. The only way we are going to convince our fans we are doing a great job is by winning.”
Credit: Getty - William Pugh
BACK TO BLACK – EXCLUSIVE
The planned full reopening of Prem turnstiles next season will see a return of the Saturday afternoon TV “blackout”.
Government pressure saw clubs agree to all top-flight games being screened from June’s resumption. That came with the FA’s blessing for 3pm matches to be broadcast live for the first time since the mid-1960s.
Sky and BT reluctantly agreed and that carried over into this term with gates shut. This was apart from a brief spell before Christmas when 17 matches were played in front of small crowds.
But the two main broadcasters are keen for the original terms of their £1.665billion annual deal — covering 20 of the 380 total games — to be restored once fans are back.
It means a return of the traditional block of Saturday afternoon kick-offs for games that are not available to watch live in the UK. A Prem source said: “Broadcasters agreed to cover more games as a huge service to fans.
“But the value of their deals was based on exclusivity and a certain number of matches. There will have to be talks with clubs on what the threshold of fans will be for us to revert to the original deals.”
Credit: Getty - William Pugh
COT EM ALL – EXCLUSIVE
Fulham are confident of convincing all their loan stars to stay — if they beat the drop.
The Cottagers, who are in the relegation zone on goal difference, have SEVEN borrowed players playing regularly for boss Scott Parker.
SunSport understands there is a growing belief all of them can re-sign next season IF they stay in the Premier League. They have options to buy four loanees at the end of the season.
These include Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, Torino defender Ola Aina, Bordeaux striker Josh Maja and Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina.
All four have contributed significantly this term with Areola and Aina helping Fulham to a 1-0 win at Liverpool, where Lemina got the winner. And striker Maja, who scored both goals in last month’s win at Everton, could stay regardless of whether Fulham retain their top-flight status.
The other three loan players who do not have options in their deals are Lyon defender Joachim Andersen, RB Leipzig winger Ademola Lookman and Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
- William Pugh
MAV MARVEL
Stuttgart are eager to extend Konstantinos Mavropanos’ loan from Arsenal for another season.
And they believe the Greek star is the new Dayot Upamecano – who has just sealed a £40million move to Bayern Munich.
Mavropanos, 23, has been in excellent form for the Bundesliga outfit this term, playing 14 games in all competitions.
He joined Arsenal from PAS Giannina in January 2018 but struggled to impress in just eight appearances.
Mavropanos had a mixed spell with second-tier German side Nurnberg last season.
But he looks like a new man in the top flight with Stuttgart, who are ninth in the table and just two points off a Europa League spot.
Credit: Getty Images – Getty - William Pugh
SALA LEGAL ACTION
The family of footballer Emiliano Sala have launched legal action against Cardiff City and his former club Nantes over his death in a plane crash.
The 28-year-old striker was travelling to join the Welsh side after signing from FC Nantes when the aircraft hit the sea near Guernsey.
A pre-inquest review into the Argentine's death took place in Bournemouth on Wednesday, but a full inquest won’t be held until next year. Sala’s family today launched civil proceedings against 13 defendants.
Lawyers for the family said the high court action had been started to 'protect their legal rights'. It includes Cardiff City – the club he had signed for just three days before his death.
They are also taking legal action against his former French club, FC Nantes, which sold him for £15million.
Daniel Machover, of Hickman & Rose Solicitors, said: “In order to protect their legal rights and remedies arising from Emiliano’s untimely death, the family have commenced civil proceedings in the high court, but will seek agreement to stay those proceedings pending the outcome of the inquest.”
Credit: AFP - William Pugh
FULL-TIME!
PSG 1 – 1 Barcelona (5-2 agg)
A fine match – and a brilliant tie – ends with PSG advancing into the Champions League quarter-finals.
The Catalans performed extremely well at the Parc des Princes but couldn't add to Lionel Messi's sensational first half equaliser after Kylian Mbappe's penalty opened the scoring.
Messi had a penalty saved by Keylor Navas at 1-1.
But PSG defended admirably, and have their reward for a superb first leg display at the Nou Camp.
- William Pugh
FULL-TIME!
Liverpool 2 – 0 RB Leipzig (4-0 agg)
Finally, Liverpool were able to win at home. Even though it was just over 1000 miles from Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s battered and bruised team, whose confidence has been shattered into tiny little pieces over the pitch at their famous home, headed to Hungary and returned victorious. And into the Champions League quarter-finals.
After wasting a string of first half chances, it looked as though Liverpool were once again trying to shoot themselves in the foot in this second leg in Budapest.
Instead, a couple of goals inside the space of four second half minutes from Mo Salah and Sadio Mane ensured a stress-free end to a game for Klopp. And it has been a long time since we have seen that broad grin which was on display during the 15 minutes minutes.
It was a thoroughly deserved win over Leipzig who were a major disappointment.
- William Pugh
STAY FOR-KEV-ER
Manchester City have offered Kevin De Bruyne an improved contract after the Belgian star rejected their initial terms in January, according to reports.
The Belgian superstar, 29, is currently under contract until the end of the 2022-23 season.
But the club are keen to tie him down until the end of his career. De Bruyne rejected City‘s opening gambit in January and began to feel frustrated by the lack of progress.
But the club have now offered ‘agreeable’ terms, according to The Times.
The report states De Bruyne will be handed a sharp increase on his current £320,000-a-week wages, as well as an extension. Both parties hope to have concluded negotiations by the end of the current season.
De Bruyne – City’s vice-captain – is happy at the Etihad Stadium despite rumblings he could quit last year.
Credit: AFP - William Pugh
GOOOOAAAAL – MANE!
Liverpool 2 – 0 RB Leipzig (4-0 agg)
73. Two goals in four minutes for Liverpool, from the two-goal scorers from the first leg.
Substitutes Keita and Origi combine well on the right as the forward whips the ball into the centre of the box for Mane to run on to.
Mane calmly sends the ball home and sends Liverpool to the quarter finals.
- William Pugh
GOOOOOAAAAL – SALAH!
Liverpool 1 – 0 RB Leipzig (3-0 agg)
70. The front three combine well to finally get Liverpool's first goal of the evening.
Mane slips the ball through to Jota in the central channel as he makes a decent run towards the box.
As Jota draws the defenders to him, he slips the ball to Salah on his right.
Salah pushes the ball back on his left to the centre of the box before firing the ball low and hard into the bottom right-hand corner.
- William Pugh
PARD TO UNDERSTAND
Chelsea's players must 'look at themselves' after shining for Thomas Tuchel but not Frank Lampard, says former Blues defender Glen Johnson.
Tuchel is unbeaten in 11 games since succeeding axed Lampard on January 26, taking Chelsea from ninth to fourth.
But Lampard’s ex-club and country team-mate Johnson, 36, questioned why such a star-studded squad spluttered so badly towards the end of his 18-month reign.
Johnson told CheltenhamGuides.com: “When Tuchel first came in, Chelsea were beating teams that they should have been beating. But now they’ve shown they can beat Tottenham, Everton and got a good result against Manchester United.
“I think that Lampard could have done a similar job, it’s just a shame and a problem for the players. How can they perform like this for the new manager but they couldn’t for Lampard?
“So the players have to look at themselves. But that said, right now the appointment looks good because they’re absolutely flying.”
Credit: AP:Associated Press Credit: Reuters - William Pugh
SHAW OF IT
Dimitar Berbatov claims Luke Shaw is undoubtedly England’s best left-back.
And the Manchester United star’s transformation under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer proves he’s finally grown as a player.
Berbatov told Betfair: “I thought Luke was man of the match (against City). He was great in that game. He was going into tackles, working hard, passing well and playing in a no-nonsense manner. His transformation under Ole shows that he has grown into the position.
“I saw a meme saying that since United signed Alex Telles, Shaw has turned into the best defender in Europe. If we put the joke aside, this is what competition can do for you sometimes. You feel comfortable, then the team buy someone in your position and you realise that you need to prove how good you are.
“This then brings the best out of you. Competition is certainly one of the factors that has helped him develop and improve. It also comes down to personal motivation, you don’t know about his private life and whether he feels comfortable. He was great on Sunday, as was the whole team.
“There are lots of good players in both the left and right-back positions for England. Gareth Southgate has decisions to make and he is now the best left-back in my opinion. He now just needs to back it up. He just needs to stick to his trends, keep it simple and he’ll be an even better player.”
Credit: Getty Images – Getty - William Pugh
HORRIBLE PHIL-ING
Phil Foden admitted it was horrible to lose to Manchester United in the derby last week after his side beat Southampton 5-2 tonight.
- William Pugh
HALF-TIME!
Liverpool 0 – 0 RB Leipzig (2-0 agg)
Reds have had a whole host of chances and seem to have picked out every inch around the goal instead of inside it.
Even if it's not Anfield, they're still struggling to score at home.
Fabinho has certainly added an air of calm and confidence in midfield, while Thiago looks a different player.
- William Pugh
HALF-TIME!
PSG 1 – 1 Barcelona (5-2 agg)
All action first-half.
Two dire penalties awarded, one scored by Mbappe, one missed by Messi either side of the Argentine's super-strike that made it 1-1 on the night.
Ousmane Dembele can't hit a barn door but there is every chance Barca could level this if they start converting their chances.
- William Pugh
MESSI MISSES PENALTY!
45+3. Anthony Taylor gives another absolutely pathetic penalty after Kurzawa and Griezmann both put their feet up for a ball, both make contact with it but the Barca man screams and goes down.
But the football gods make sure justice is done as Messi smashes it down the middle, it cannons of Navas' legs onto the crossbar and out.
Crazy game so far but that was about the 7,000,000th clear cut chance the Catalans have missed.
- William Pugh
GOOOOOOAAAAL – MESSI!
PSG 1 – 1 Barcelona (5-2 agg)
Lionel Messi shows his wasteful mate Ousmane Dembele how it's done.
Picks the ball up in a central position, shifts it onto his left from about 30 yards out and BOOOOM smashes a left foot effort into the top left corner.
Stunning.
- William Pugh
GOOOOALLL – MBAPPE!
PSG 1 – 0 Barcelona (5-1 agg)
30. Icardi goes down in the box after his ankle was clipped by Lenglet.
Anthony Taylor checks the monitor and despite the ball being nowhere near the trip, he points to the spot. Football is a shadow of the game it used to be if that is a penalty.
But Mbappe makes no mistake and smashes the penalty into the top left corner.
- William Pugh
THIRD TIME'S A CHARM
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has scored a hat-trick of player of the month awards after collecting the gong for February.
The 19-year-old claimed almost half the votes after another impressive month saw him beat out Granit Xhaka and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Saka, who has proved a rare shining light for Arsenal this season, also picked up the award in December and January.
His starring displays last month proved crucial to Mikel Arteta’s side sealing their spot in the Europa League Round of 16.
Saka scored Arsenal’s only goal in their first-leg clash with Benfica while he then provided two assists in the return leg.
- William Pugh
KICK-OFF!
Liverpool 0 – 0 RB Leipzig (2-0 agg)
The teams are underway in Hungary with the Reds looking to cement their place in the quarter-finals.
Follow our LIVE match blog for kick-by-kick action HERE.
- William Pugh
KICK-OFF!
PSG 0 – 0 Barcelona (4-1 agg)
The teams are underway in Paris and the Catalans have a mountain to climb.
Follow our LIVE match blog for kick-by-kick action HERE.
- William Pugh
FULL-TIME!
Man City 5 – 2 Southampton
Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez scored two goals each and Ilkay Gundogan got the other as City went 14 points clear of Manchester United at the top of the Premier League.
James Ward-Prowse and Che Adams scored for the visitors who stay 14th.
City won at a canter and will surely not be caught now.
- William Pugh
ORDUZ ORDEAL – CONTAINS SCENES SOME VIEWERS MAY FIND DISTRESSING
A sports anchor cheated death after a giant screen fell on top of him during a live broadcast.
ESPN FC Radio Colombia host Carlos Orduz suffered a minor injury to one of his teeth and a small nosebleed in the horrific-looking accident.
Footage of the dramatic moment left viewers fearing for Carlos’ safety.
But he took to Twitter to assure people he was OK later in the evening, writing: “Good night and greetings. I’m Carlos Orduz.
“With regards to the incident that happened at the beginning of our programme on ESPN Radio, I’d like to assure to that I’m fine.
“I’ve been checked and nothing has happened apart from the shock I suffered. I appreciate your messages of support.”
- William Pugh
SCAR RUNS DEEP
Tottenham have shared an incredible throwback snap of Gareth Bale and Dane Scarlett together from a DECADE ago.
The Welsh winger, 31, first played for Spurs between 2007 and 2013 before his then-world record £86million move to Real Madrid.
And during that time, Bale took the time to pose with a young Scarlett for a sweet snap.
Fast forward roughly ten years and the pair have recreated their grinning pose – this time as team-mates.
Scarlett burst onto the scene under Jose Mourinho earlier this season.
The young forward, 16, has played three times for Tottenham – most-notably in the 4-0 Europa League win over Wolfsberger.
Credit: Twitter @SpursOfficial Credit: Getty Images – Getty - William Pugh
'WAIT AND SEE'
Patrick van Aanholt says 'all options are open' regarding his future.
The Dutchman, 30, is currently on course to be a free agent when his Crystal Palace contract expires in the summer.
He has been linked to Arsenal, while it has not been ruled out that the ex-Chelsea left-back could sign a new deal at Selhurst Park.
Van Aanholt revealed he has had talks with Eredivisie giants PSV when quizzed on where his career will take him next. He said: “I spoke with PSV in the winter last year, that was an option.
“I have not spoken with Ajax yet. I’m transfer-free in the summer, so I’ll keep all options open. We’ll see what will happen.”
Van Aanholt was reportedly on the Gunners’ radar in the last transfer window. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta wants cover for Scotland left-back Kieran Tierney.
Credit: Getty Images – Getty
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