Transfer news LIVE: Spurs line up £70m Osimhen bid, Chelsea handed Rice BOOST, Mbappe 'AGREES huge Real Madrid deal'
THE January transfer window is now SLAMMED shut as we look ahead to the summer in a World Cup year.
And Chelsea will be looking to lead the way after failing to add any players to their squad in January.
The Blues have been given a major BOOST for this summer with Declan Rice saying he sees his future in London.
While Liverpool are eyeing Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka after the Reds added Porto's Luis Diaz in the January window.
Follow ALL the latest transfer gossip and news with our live blog below…
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- Dylan Terry
Tottenham line up Osimhen bid
Tottenham are planning a £70million summer transfer bid for Napoli star and Arsenal target Victor Osimhen, reports suggest.
That is according to Football Insider, who report that Spurs tried to sign Osimhen during the January transfer window.
But the Partenopei rejected the approach made by the north Londoners, who are still looking to add a striker to the team.
However, the Premier League giants are planning to return for the Nigeria international once the season is completed.
And Tottenham appear to have decided to meet the Serie A side's asking price for the 23-year-old.
- Dylan Terry
Mejbri promoted to Man Utd first team
Ralf Rangnick has promoted Hannibal Mejbri to Manchester United's first-team squad after the teenager dazzled senior stars in training.
Interim boss Rangnick says the 'promising talent' will 'regularly' be in the squad, starting with Friday's FA Cup home tie with Middlesbrough.
Attacking midfielder Mejbri, who was 19 on January 21, starred in Tunisia's run to the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.
And he will be in the United party alongside fit-again Paul Pogba for the fourth-round visit of Championship side Boro.
- Justin Lawrence
Rangnick sets Pogba challenge
Paul Pogba has been told to light up the Cup as he prepares for his first football in three months tonight.
Rangnick said: “I’ll be excited myself to see how Paul is doing and like all the other players for me he is now a new player and he can show me and the team and the fans and everyone in England how good he is and what high level he can play.
“Let’s just wait and see what he can show and what he can deliver.“
- Justin Lawrence
Salah vs Mane
Egypt will face Senegal in Sunday's AFCON final after beating Cameroon on penalties in their semi-final.
A lively goalless draw saw Pharaohs boss Carlos Queiroz SENT OFF for clashing with officials, before Cameroon missed THREE spot-kicks in the shoot-out for Egypt to prevail.
For Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, it means his star duo won't be back on Merseyside until next week.
- Justin Lawrence
Ramos may be forced to quit
Sergio Ramos could be forced to retire due to his constant injury problems, according to a leading doctor.
According to Le Parisien, there are now fears that the PSG star may have to hang up his boots due to his constant injury woes.
They claim the problem he has now is similar to the one he had at the end of last season with old club Real Madrid.
However, this time it is his right leg rather than left, which means both calf muscles have been severely damaged over the past year.
- Justin Lawrence
Chelsea pals reunite at Everton
Former England team-mates Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole have reunited at Everton.
It's been reported that new Toffees boss Lampard has recruited Cole to be a coach in his new backroom staff at the club.
Speaking on his new role, Cole said: "I was thrilled when Frank asked me to join him at Everton.
"This is a brilliant opportunity with a fantastic club and I am coming here to work hard and try to help bring success to Everton."
- Justin Lawrence
Lampard’s faith in new signings
Everton boss Frank Lampard is putting his faith in new signings Donny van de Beek and Deli Alli to produce the goods on Merseyside.
Lampard said: “In their own separate way I trust in their talent.
“I trust in them as people and my job now is to set the environment and work with them and support them to show the talents they have, harness the natural ability and join that with the squad because we have some talent already here so it’s my job to put it altogether.”
- Justin Lawrence
Ronaldo's fitness regime revealed
Cristiano Ronaldo's ex-trainer heralded the legend's upcoming 37th birthday by tipping the 'genius' to play until his mid-40s.
Manchester United's power development coach Mick Clegg believes only Ryan Giggs came close to matching Ron's fitness regime.
He told the Mirror: “Cristiano is a genius, an absolute genius.
“He learned a lot in the early days about how to manage his body.
“Not just physically, but mentally, emotionally and spiritually, too.
“He knows how to balance his food and he's consistent in everything he does.
“The only person I've found as consistent was Ryan Giggs, which was why he played on until he was 40.
“Cristiano will want to go beyond the 40 mark. He'll be hoping he can play until his mid-40s."
- Justin Lawrence
Boro boss Wilder's Ronaldo ban
Chris Wilder has banned his Middlesbrough players from swapping shirts with Cristiano Ronaldo or any other Manchester United stars.
The Boro boss and his side head to Old Trafford on Friday in the FA Cup and will be backed by over 9,000 away supporters.
He said: “Their team sheet will come in the dressing room and it’ll be De Gea, Varane, Harry Maguire… let’s not crumble in that process!
“They have some fabulous individuals that can hurt you, and hurt teams around Europe and the Premier League. A huge array of talent to choose from.
“But it is not sight-seeing for our players. It is not a shirt-swapping situation. I don’t want people going to Old Trafford to enjoy the visit.
“If they want a shirt, do it in the changing rooms after. We don’t want to be looking at them all fuzzy-eyed. They are up against a competitor.
“I want them to play well. To give a good account of themselves and make it a competitive dangerous night for Manchester United.
“If we play well we can do. If not it will be a comfortable night for Manchester United. No one wants that, me included.”
- Justin Lawrence
Guardiola eats with Araujo's agent
Man City boss Pep Guardiola has been spotted out eating with Barcelona ace Ronald Araujo's agent, reports claim.
Guardiola and Araujo's representative Edmundo Kabchi were captured having dinner, Football Espana reported.
City have been linked with a move for the centre-back for some time, but it's unclear as to whether the Uruguayan national was the topic of discussion or not.
- Justin Lawrence
Bruce named West Brom boss
Steve Bruce has been appointed West Brom’s new manager.
The 61-year-old was sacked by Newcastle just three months ago but is returning to the dug-out with the Championship side.
He has penned an 18-month contract with the Baggies and replaces the axed Valerien Ismael.
Bruce said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to manage a club that has such great history and tradition.
“It is a club I obviously know well from my time in the Midlands, and I am already relishing the challenge of taking it forward.
“I did not envisage I would return to management this quickly, but once I got the phone call from Ron [Gourlay], I knew I could not resist the challenge of getting this club back to where they want to be.
“I am coming in with one aim and that is to get Albion to the Premier League.”
- Justin Lawrence
Ronaldo may quit United
Cristiano Ronaldo could QUIT Manchester United this summer as he waits to see who will be the club’s next manager.
ESPN claims Ronaldo could jump ship just one year after returning to Old Trafford.
Ronaldo, who turns 37 on Saturday, is now going to consider his options ahead of the next transfer window.
But he will hold off from making a definitive decision until United confirm their next permanent manager.
Ronaldo will have just one year left on his contract this summer.
And it’s reckoned he would have offers from numerous MLS and Middle Eastern sides.
- Justin Lawrence
Martial’s welcome to Sevilla
Sevilla midfielder Oliver Torres has spoken on how ex-man United star Anthony Martial is fitting in at the La Liga club.
Torres told Mucho Deporte: “Considering players of his calibre choose Sevilla says a lot about Sevilla.
“He’s shy. Little by little we’ll have to get him into the banter here. He [has shown signs] of the great player he is.
“He’s only been here for a few days. We train here at a very high pace, and he’s realised it. He said ‘there’s a lot of running here’.
“In front of goal, if he has the chance, he buries it and that makes the difference.”
- Justin Lawrence
Gullit on Haaland
Ruud Gullit reckons Borussia Dortmund ace Erling Haaland should shun Man United and join their Prem rivals Man City or Liverpool.
Gullit thinks the Norwegian will grow at City under the club’s boss Pep Guardiola.
And he also believes Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will be good for Haaland’s career development.
Gullit told Bild: “I see him in England but I don’t think he goes to Manchester United.
“City would be good for him because of Pep Guardiola. But Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool would also be great.”
- Justin Lawrence
Botman will QUIT Lille in summer
Sven Botman agent claims the Lille centre-back will choose between Newcastle and AC Milan this summer.
But Holland Under-21 star Botman admitted it would have been 'fun' to join Newcastle's 'great project'.
And his representative Nikkie Bruinenberg has suggested the 22-year-old has already narrowed his options for the end of the season.
Bruinenberg told Voetbal International: “One of Sven’s greatest strengths is that he is always very certain in the decisions he makes.
"So he doesn’t let himself get conditioned and above all has real courage.
“Sven isn’t afraid to take a risk. I am sure that he will make the right decision over the summer.
"Milan and Newcastle are both big clubs.”
- Justin Lawrence
Clash of the titans
Man United are reportedly set to take on arch-rivals Liverpool in a pre-season friendly in the Far East.
The Times claims Thailand’s capital Bangkok could be the venue for July’s match.
United and Liverpool were hoping to face each other in last year’s pre-season.
But they scrapped plans following fan protests at Old Trafford which led to the postponement of their Premier League game.
However, club chiefs on both sides are keen for the two sides to face each other in front of a bumper audience on the other side of the world.
- Justin Lawrence
Willan's Arsenal regret
Willan has revealed he was unhappy at Arsenal and had to leave last summer for his own well-being.
The winger, 33, expressed his lack of satisfaction at the club after last season's campaign did not go according to plan.
In an interview with FourFourTwo Willian said: "I wasn’t happy there, and when you’re not happy in a place, it doesn’t matter how much you try – you’re not going to be able to deliver what people expect of you.
"We had a great project and believed that it would work out, but it didn’t, and so I chose to leave and do what was best for me.
"I wasn’t happy, and that’s an important factor in a footballer’s life. When you’re feeling like that, there’s really no way you’re going to perform well, unfortunately.
"There are moments in life when the money isn’t so important and you need to focus on what makes you happy; to look for a place where you have some pleasure working."
- Justin Lawrence
Lacazette and Aubameyang to reunite?
Alexandre Lacazette appears to have hinted at a future move to Barcelona after sending an emotional farewell to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
After the ex-Borussia Dortmund man was officially presented today in Catalonia, his former team-mate at Arsenal decided to still pay tribute with a goodbye message on Twitter.
Sharing a snap of them together celebrating for the Gunners, the Frenchman wrote: “My bro !! Thanks for the last 4 years , my experience in arsenal would have been different without you.. Wish you good luck in your next chapter !”
And in a cryptic ending, Lacazette added with a smirking and laughing emoji: “See you soon.”
- Justin Lawrence
Not Keane on Vieira
West Ham star Declan Rice has revealed that he prefers Roy Keane over Patrick Vieira as a football player.
Ex-Man United ace Keane and former Arsenal midfielder Vieira were sworn enemies on the pitch.
But Rice admitted that Keane was the one that he watched more out of the pair when he was growing up.
When asked by Gary Neville who his favourite was on the Overlap show, Rice said: “I just feel like I’ve probably watched him more as a player.
“Even though I was a kid when he was playing or coming towards the end of his career in terms of clips, how he played and what he was like as a captain.”
- Justin Lawrence
Liverpool's Thiago boost
Liverpool have received a big boost in the form of Thiago's return to training.
The midfielder, 30, has spent the last seven weeks on the sidelines recovering from a sprain of his hip capsule, report The Athletic.
But he could be available for the FA Cup fourth-round clash with Cardiff this weekend after taking part in training this week.
- Justin Lawrence
Chelsea receive Rice boost
Chelsea's pursuit of West Ham ace Declan Rice has been given a huge boost after the midfielder revealed that he wants to remain in London.
A host of Prem clubs including the Blues' rivals Man United have been linked with a move for Rice this summer.
But the in-demand centre-mid would prefer to stay close to his London roots if he does decide to leave West Ham.
And Chelsea could be Rice's first pick as he also revealed that he grew up supporting the Blues in a chat with Gary Neville in Kingston-upon-Thames, situated in South-West London.
Neville asked the England star: “Do you still have a house round here?
And Rice responded: “Yeah, I’m here all the time, I’ve always wanted to stay close to this place, I feel like I don’t want to lose my roots.”
- Justin Lawrence
Gunning for the Ron spot
Dusan Vlahovic has been handed Cristiano Ronaldo’s old No7 shirt at Juventus.
That’s after moving into the Manchester United star’s stunning former Turin mansion.
Vlahovic rejected interest from Arsenal to seal a £62million transfer to Juventus from Fiorentina last week.
Serbia international Vlahovic has already been given the keys to Ronnie’s old pad, which is a luxury hilltop mansion complete with an indoor swimming and Spiderman wallpaper.
But Juventus have gone a step further to indicate their trust in Vlahovic by giving him the iconic No7 jersey vacated by Ronaldo.
- Justin Lawrence
Terry's nephew given Chelsea trial
Chelsea have reportedly taken John Terry's nephew Frankie on trial from Colchester with a view to a permanent move in the summer.
The 18-year-old, who has appeared in three FA Youth Cup games this term, is out of contract at the end of the season.
And according to Twitter account Rising Ballers, he could follow in the footsteps of uncle John and sign for the Blues.
They state that the defender is currently on trial at Chelsea's Cobham training base.
It has been said that the West Londoners have been keen on the player since December.
Chelsea are even claimed to have already agreed a fee with the League Two outfit should he impress on his trial.
- Justin Lawrence
Arsenal chase Cody Gakpo transfer
Arsenal have been given a boost in their pursuit of Cody Gakpo after PSV director of football John de Jong admitted he is unsure how long they can keep him.
Just a week after the four-cap Holland international extended his stay at the club, De Jong has revealed the player could still soon depart the Dutch giants.
He has admitted that PSV are resigned to top teams being interested in Gakpo which could see him be sold in the near future.
- Justin Lawrence
Looking Wanda-ful
Wanda Nara wowed her Instagram followers with a snap showing off her gym gear.
The model, 35, frequently poses for the camera on social media and she took a minute out of her workout routine to show off her outfit.
The Argentine – who is married to Paris Saint-Germain star Mauro Icardi – wore skin-tight yoga pants and a low-cut sports bra to match.
In the background there were weights, resistance bands and yoga mats scattered across Wanda's makeshift gym.
She captioned the Instagram post: "Good day to you."
And her followers were buzzing over the latest snap with Wanda's comment section filled with glowing compliments.
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