ARSENAL'S quest in making Martin Odegaard's transfer permanent has taken a blow, with reports in Spain naming him as one of Real Madrid's four 'untouchables'.
And we've got the very latest on Sergio Aguero and Erling Haaland's futures as the transfer speculation intensifies for what will be a thrilling summer.
Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
- Jack Figg
FOOTBALL ROUND-UP
Pep Guardiola is shrugging off Manchester City's Quadruple bid on FA Cup semi-final weekend.
City face Chelsea at 5.30pm today before Leicester meet Southampton at 6.30 tomorrow night
Etihad chief Guardiola said: “People talk about the past, they talk about the quadruple. I couldn’t care less.
“I care about the next training session and about how you behave, your understanding and your body language, mood.
“And then Saturday against Chelsea. That’s where they have to talk. There is the place."
Meanwhile, Tottenham are sweating on Harry Kane's fitness for next Sunday's EFL Cup final against City after the two-goal striker limped off late in last night's 2-2 Premier League draw at Everton.
Boss Jose Mourinho said: "He felt something. But let me be optimistic and believe he has time to recover.”
Meanwhile, it's claimed Manchester United have met Erling Haaland's agent Mini Raiola and are also keen on Leicester centre-back Wesley Fofana.
Finally, reports in say Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele will be a big-money target for Liverpool this summer.
- Ian Tuckey
JOSE SHRUGS OFF POGBA CRITICISM
Jose Mourinho insists he "couldn’t care less" about Paul Pogba’s criticism of his management style.
The French midfielder hit out at his former manager and suggested he 'goes against his players' unlike current Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
He also revealed details of the 'strange relationship' he had with the Portuguese during his time in charge of the Red Devils between 2016 and 2018.
Pogba and Mourinho had a famous training ground clash in 2018 after the United boss thought Pogba had been laughing at the club's defeat to Derby.
And Pogba has revealed it is tough to explain his relationship with the Tottenham boss even now.
However, when asked after Tottenham’s 2-2 draw at Everton about the ex-Juventus star’s remarks, the Spurs chief said: “I would like to say that I couldn’t care less what he said.
“I couldn’t care less – not interested at all.”
- Ian Tuckey
ARTETA WARNS PEPE
Nicolas Pepe has been warned he will be out of the team if he lets his standards slip again.
The £72million Ivorian star proved to be a slow burner at Arsenal since his record move from Lille nearly two years ago.
But now boss Mikel Arteta is hoping the penny has finally dropped for the inconsistent winger who frustrates and excites in equal measure.
Pepe, 25, scored his tenth goal of the season on Thursday night to set the Gunners on their way to a 4-0 Europa League win at Slavia Prague.
Nicolas Pepe has been told to not let his form slip And Arteta said: “We all know Nico has the incredible ability to succeed and we can give him all the help he wants to achieve that.
“But now it all depends on him because he needs to have the right mindset to consistently do what he can.
“What he has produced in the last few games is the level of performance that I am going to ask from him all the time.
“And if it is something below that level then he is not going to be playing.
“The biggest thing for Nico is understanding what he needed to do when he was not in the team and then producing that when he did play.
“He needed a period of adaptation after coming from the French league but that is over. We can’t talk about adaptation any more. Now it is all about performance.
- Ian Tuckey
PEP'S LACK OF FOUR-SIGHT
Pep Guardiola insists he could not care less about the quadruple as he heads for Wembley on Saturday.
The Manchester City boss knows his team could take a huge step towards an unprecedented clean sweep by beating Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola says he couldn't care less about a quadruple In the next six weeks they will also have the chance to win the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup.
But Pep says he will not be distracted by what lies ahead and all his focus is on beating Thomas Tuchel's men.
Guardiola said: “This is what I say every day, people talk about the past, they talk about the quadruple. I couldn’t care less.
“I care about the next training session and about how you behave, your understanding and your body language, mood.
“And then Saturday against Chelsea in the semi final. That’s where they have to talk. There is the place.
“That’s all I’m concerned about. The rest I don’t care about, I couldn’t care less about it.”
- Ian Tuckey
KANE INJURY SCARE
Tottenham have suffered a huge scare ahead of next week's Carabao Cup Final after Harry Kane limped off after netting twice in the 2-2 draw at Everton.
The 27-year-old hobbled off deep in stoppage time as concerned boss Jose Mourinho watched on – with the Wembley showpiece against Manchester City looming on Sunday, April 25.
England skipper Harry Kane was substituted in the dying seconds Mourinho said: “I think it’s too early to say something.
“For him to leave the pitch at 2-2, with a couple of minutes to go, is obviously because he felt something.
“But let me be optimistic and believe he has time to recover.”
- Ian Tuckey
EAR TO STAY
The first woman to ref an EFL match says she was delighted that players ‘chewed her ear off’ in the historic match.
Rebecca Welch oversaw Port Vale's 2-0 League Two win at Harrogate on Aprl 5.
Rebecca Welch was happy that the two teams had a bawl as she made history And despite the constant clicking of cameras to capture the momentous day, the 37-year-old was just relieved the teams behaved as normal.
Welch said: “The players didn’t treat me any differently – they were still chewing my ear off as they went past.
“That was nice because I was a bit afraid of them not being like that.
“You want players to go, ‘You got that one wrong, ref,’ or ‘It’s gone so well in the last 10 minutes’.
“You need that and when I got it I felt normal and that I could just referee the game.
“I was sick of hearing the camera clicking, but it’s the nature of the beast. People say it went really well but, for me, it was just a normal game.”
- Ian Tuckey
IN OUS JOB?
Ousmane Dembele is Liverpool's transfer priority as they consider spending big to replace Sadio Mane.
That's the claim from Spain, with Fichajes.net suggesting the Reds might cash in on Mane this summer due to his erratic season up front.
Barca's ex-Dortmund flier Ousmane Dembele is reportedly Liverpool's top targetCredit: Getty Barcelona have reportedly offered France winger Dembele, 23, a contract extension beyond next year.
And they might well be happy to sell a player who has generally been in the shadows of attackers like Lionel Messi in his four years since arriving from Borussia Dortmund.
Fichajes.net say Liverpool are willing to pay a huge sum for a pacy star like Dembele who could slot in well to their fluid front-three system.
- Ian Tuckey
PULISIC AND MOUNT ARE KEY VS MAN CITY
DANNY HIGGINBOTHAM EXCLUSIVE: Mamchester City will go into this semi-final full of confidence, but Chelsea will fancy their chances.
Both sides have had success this season by deploying a false nine but in reality they have moulded it to each of their strengths.
Pulisic and Mount will be vital to Chelsea's hopes of toppling Man City As a centre-back you always want someone to mark and without a striker you always have doubt in your mind.
The interchanging of City’s front three – whether it be Raheem Sterling, Bernando Silva, Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden or Kevin De Bruyne – makes defenders go looking for their man out wide.
At Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel will always have a man through the middle who drops deep to drag defenders with him to open up space for the midfield runners.
And we all know Tuchel is capable of setting his side’s up to contain opposition attackers and be successful on the counter.
The last four goals Pep Guardiola’s side have conceded have all been from deep runs from the midfield. It means both Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic will be key at Wembley today.
But it will come down to how both defences deal with the midfield runners.
- Ian Tuckey
SLEEVE IT OUT
Paul Pogba has explained why he wore a long black sleeve on only his left arm against Granada.
The Manchester United midfielder’s armwear beneath his short-sleeve top sparked mystery as Thursday’s 2-0 away win completed a 4-0 aggregate route to the Europa League semi-finals
French World Cup winner Paul Pogba created a mystery over his armwearCredit: Getty But the 28-year-old says he’s been doing it most of the season following injury.
Pogba told United’s website: “It started with the pain, I had the pain [left elbow].
“It actually started with my right elbow, so I put it on my right, and I had the same problem with my left.
:So I started playing with this to get it warm instead of the strapping. It’s tight on my elbow. I’ve been playing with this and it’s just natural now, just for security.”
- Ian Tuckey
LIVERPOOL SUIT HAALAND
Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool is the ideal setting for Erling Haaland.
The Norwegian is wanted by a host of clubs, including Manchester United, this summer but the ex-defender hopes to see him at Anfield.
He told CBS Sports: “I think Haaland should come to Liverpool, because it’s his type of football.
“Basically heavy metal football, he relies on his pace and his power. That’s the type of football that Liverpool play.
“Who would not want to play in front of the Kop? Liverpool, energy, Champions League football nights.”
- Ian Tuckey
TORREIRA PLEADS TO JOIN BOCA
Lucas Torreira has again pleaded with Arsenal to let him join Boca Juniors and suggested the Gunners could sanction a one-year loan deal.
The Uruguayan midfielder is desperate to return to South America after the death of his 53-year-old mother from Covid-19.
Lucas Torreira wants to quit loan side Atletico Madrid and parent club Arsenal for Boca Juniors Torreira's mother sadly passed away after contracting Covid-19 The 25-year-old is on loan at Atletico Madrid but is pushing for a move to the Argentine side after what he describes as two unhappy years in his career.
In his latest bid to quit Europe, Torreira told YouTube channel Perfil Bulos: "I want to go to Boca Juniors now.
"I am 25 years old and I know it’s a club that plays for great targets.
"I’d like to make the fans happy… but I know it's not easy.
"Boca should reach an agreement with Arsenal for a one-year loan."
- Ian Tuckey
COLIN THE CATER-VILLA
Aston Villa love Colin the Caterpillar cakes so much they celebrate players’ birthdays with a 2ft version.
Villa's chef combines two Marks & Spencer £7 chocolate sponges for a “Double Colin”.
We imagined Aston Villa's Jack Grealish as a Colin the Caterpillar cake It is then wheeled out for stars such as Jack Grealish, 25.
A club source said: “The Double Colin has become legend.
“Not a birthday passes by when a player isn’t handed one.
“They need more cake to go round the whole team, and the training staff of course.”
- Ian Tuckey
WENGER'S CLASSY CALL TO VIEIRA
Patrick Vieira revealed his old Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger comforted him with a phone call after Nice sacked him.
The former Gunners midfielder was sent packing by the French side in December after five losses on the spin in all competitions helped dump them out of the Europa League at the group stage.
But as he approaches a return to management, Vieira has lifted the lid on what Wenger said to console him.
Speaking to L'Equipe, Vieira said: "Of course, I had Arsene on the phone.
"And one of the first sentences he said was, 'You're never a real coach until you get fired'.
"We discussed how he saw me from the outside. It was very constructive discussions, as always with Arsene.
"When you get into this profession, you have to accept the idea that you will get fired at one point or another.
"I would have preferred it to have been a little later but it happened, and what is important for me, and I am sure of it today, is that this is experience to me."
- Ian Tuckey
UTD ARE FRIENDS OF FO
Manchester United have reportedly made contact with Leicester City about signing Wesley Fofana.
The French defender, 20, has been a revelation for the Foxes this season after signing from Saint Etienne for £36.5million last September.
French centre-back Wesley Fofana is reportedly a target for Man UtdCredit: Reuters And his partnership with Jonny Evans has helped Brendan Rodgers side remain in contention for a Champions League spot.
According to Foot Mercato, his form hasn’t gone unnoticed by Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who would like to partner record-signing Harry Maguire with the France U21 international.
The report says that Solskjaer isn’t convinced that Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly have the qualities to compliment Maguire at the back.
United are said to have made initial contact with the Leicester ace, but the next step could be complicated.
Leicester are believed to want a similar fee to the £80million United paid for Maguire in 2019.
- Ian Tuckey
YAYA 'WANTS PEACE' WITH CITY AND PEP
Manchester City legend Yaya Toure has revealed he is trying to repair his relationship with old boss Pep Guardiola.
The midfielder's exit at the Etihad in 2018 was tarnished with comments accusing Guardiola of having a problem with African players in an explosive interview with France Football.
Yaya Toure revealed he has written a letter of apology to Pep Guardiola Toure, 37, is regarded as one of the club's greatest ever players, having won three Prem titles, the FA Cup and two League Cups in his eight years.
But now he reveals he doesn't feel welcome back at the club with Guardiola or owner Khaldoon Al Mubarak not replying to his letters of apology.
Reported by the Daily Mail, Toure said: "That interview was my big, huge mistake. This one was wrong. I want to apologise for what happened, I want to apologise for doing something wrong.
"We decided we would try to communicate with some important people at the club to apologise and say I’ve been indecent to the club.
"Since then, it has been a very, very long while waiting for an answer, but we don’t get it. And, of course, if he feels like that, I cannot do anything.
"I want peace. We don't want this (acrimony) all the time. For the love of the fans, for the love of the club, sometimes things have to be settled the right way."
- Ian Tuckey
GERRO HAILS 'SENSATIONAL' ARSENAL
Steven Gerrard revealed he loved Arsenal's fierce staring down of Slavia Prague as they took the knee before thumping their Europa League opponents 4-0.
Thursday night's skipper Alexandre Lacazette positioned himself right in front of the Czech side, who did not kneel just days after Ondrej Kudela was slapped with a ten-game ban for racist behaviour against Rangers in the previous round.
Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette knelt right in front of the Czech side before the Europa League quarter-final second leg Rangers' former Gunners midfielder Glen Kamara claimed Kudela had called him a 'f***ing monkey' in the previous round.
Liverpool legend Gerro said: "I loved everything about the game.
"I loved Arsenal's performance, I loved the way they went about it. I admired how they approached before the game, during the game and after the game.
"I'm sure Glen did as well but I was really proud watching Arsenal's performance last night. Everything about it. It was a sensational performance."
- Ian Tuckey
‘UTD MEET HAALAND AGENT’
Manchester United have reportedly met Erling Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola over the Borussia Dortmund striker
Gazzetta dello Sport previously suggested Haaland’s father Alf-Inge and Raiola went to Spain to speak to both Barcelona and Real Madrid.
And Manchester City have also been linked with the Norway superstar, 20.
But any formal move for the £150million-rated goal machine still seems some distance away.
Erling Haaland have been linked with a whole host of European giantsCredit: EPA - Ian Tuckey
CHELSEA 'TOP OF QUEUE FOR JUDE'
Chelsea are reportedly eyeing a huge summer transfer raid for Dortmund’s England starlet Jude Bellingham.
The midfielder, 17, further strengthened his burgeoning reputation with another fine performance against Manchester City in the Champions League.
Former Birmingham City ace Bellingham was chased by City’s neighbours Man United last summer but the Red Devils lost out to the Bundesliga side.
But Dortmund are bracing themselves for another tricky summer as they aim to hold on to their young talent, including previous Manchester United target Jadon Sancho.
Now Eurosport claims Chelsea are the Premier League club currently displaying the most interest in their latest starlet – with links to Declan Rice having seemingly cooled since Thomas Tuchel's arrival as boss
Now it is claimed they feel Bellingham would be more suited to the style that the German is trying to implement at Stamford Bridge.
Dortmund are said to believe they will recoup a fee of around £100m when they do eventually decide to sell.
- Ian Tuckey
CHELSEA will face Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final without Mateo Kovacic and Andreas Christensen as Thomas Tuchel contemplates his forward conundrum.
Boss Tuchel has some key selection decisions to make through the spine of his side.
The 47-year-old confirmed Croatian midfielder Kovacic and Danish centre-back Christensen are still out injured.
Defender Thiago Silva is only just back from injury but could be rotated out for Frenchman Kurt Zouma after his goalscoring exploits against Crystal Palace last weekend.
In his press conference, Tuchel was asked if N'Golo Kante could play 90 minutes and if fellow midfielder Billy Gilmour would come into his thinking and replied: "Both yes.
"We have the green light for N'Golo because we've had three days between games that make a huge difference.
"Mateo is unfortunately still out. He is feeling better but can't be in the squad. And Andreas Christensen is out and can't be in the squad. That is the situation."
- Ian Tuckey
COLE RETURNS TO PLAYING … BUT FORGETS BOOTS
Joe Cole rolled back the years by turning up for non-league side Belstone FC at the weekend.
The former England, Chelsea and West Ham midfielder, 39, called it a day three years ago following a final swansong with the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
The playmaker gave both sides a treat in the cup contest Player turned pundit Joe Cole had to borrow boots So he can be excused for forgetting his boots after staying humble and rocking up to play at the Radlett-based side.
Cole, who earned 56 caps, left his opponents quaking in their boots when he was asked by his friend and manager Aaron Lincoln to play in a cup clash.
According to the Watford Observer, Cole played the first half and helped inspire the side to a 2-1 win.
Cole took to Instagram afterwards to say: "I’ve always loved playing and a big thank you to Aaron and @belstonefc for letting me play again on Saturday.
"Good to dust the cobwebs off and my Sunday league team stood me in good fashion for this one. Can’t wait to play again, if you’ll have me and I’ll even remember my own boots next time."
- Ian Tuckey
FOXES' COVIDIOTS WANT TO 'WRITE THEIR OWN HEADLINES'
Brendan Rodgers wants his Covidiots to start making headlines for the right reasons – starting against Southampton at Wembley in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final.
The furious Foxes boss axed star midfielder James Maddison, Ayoze Perez and Hamza Choudhury ahead of last weekend's defeat by West Ham after The Sun revealed they had breached Covid lockdown protocols by attending a house-party at Perez's home.
Hamza Choudhury and James Maddison have accepted their party-going was no laughing matter and are keen to put it right Meanwhile fellow bad-boy Harvey Barnes remains sidelined by injury.
But after accepting their apologies, Rodgers says it's time for his Foxes to make amends on the pitch should he decide to play them at Wembley – by leading Leicester to their first FA Cup final for more than half a century.
"We had a meeting at the beginning of the week and we accept their apology. The guys were sincere," Rodgers revealed.
"Not only did they know they had made a mistake, they also understood the team is based on our pride and also on behavioural expectation and they fell below that.
"So we accepted their apology and today there was a real good energy back in the squad again. I think this will galvanise us.
"They are determined to write their own headlines now."
- Ian Tuckey
ROSI'S CREAM OF THE CROP
Premier League referee Martin Atkinson says Tomas Rosicky was his favourite player to deal with – after the ex=Arsenal winger invited him to ref his testimonial in the Czech Republic.
And Atkinson said Alan Stubbs was the toughest player he has officiated, with the Everton centre-back “scaring me to death”.
Czech legend Tomas Rosicky was 'always really respectful' to ref Martin Atkinson Speaking at a Q&A in aid of North East mental health charity If U Care Share, the 50-year-old Prem whistler said: “I’ve been lucky that I’ve got on with the vast majority of players but one that stands out is Tomas Rosicky.
“I always got on really well with him. We just pleasantly got on, not best mates or owt like that but he was always really respectful.
“And when he left Arsenal, when he retired eventually, an unknown email came through and it was from Sparta Prague asking if I will go out and referee his retirement game.
“You just never expect that and it was just a nice thing.”
- Ian Tuckey
CAVANI D-DAY LOOMING
Manchester United are tipped to decide Edinson Cavani’s future at a meeting over the next few weeks
Journalist Fabrizio Romano says the Uruguay legend, 34, will also make up his own mind in the same timescale – with Argentine giants Boca Juniors keen to lure him away with a two-year contract.
Ex-PSG striker Edinson Cavaniâs Man Utd future could be sorted out within weeksCredit: Getty - Ian Tuckey
BENDTNER'S PORSCHE COULD BE AT STAKE
Former Arsenal star Nicklas Bendtner is facing having his £234,000 Porsche seized after being charged with seven driving offences.
The Denmark international striker has been ordered to appear before Copenhagen district court on April 27.
Nicklas Bendtner has a date in court for alleged riving offences The Danish superstar's £234k Porsche could be seized, if prosecutors get their way He faces five counts of driving without a valid licence and a further two speeding charges.
Bendtner, 33, is charged over incidents from June 2020 and this February.
Prosecutors have called for the footballer's Porsche Taycan Turbo S to be seized and for him to receive a hefty fine.
The supercar has a 162mph top speed, and Danish media claim it is worth two million kroner – £234k.
Bendtner's lawyer Anja Velbaek Mouridsen said he would plead guilty to the speeding charges.
However she maintained the striker holds a UK driving licence, which entitles him to drive in Denmark.
Mouridsen said: “He should be acquitted. We will appeal to the High Court if the district court comes to a different decision.”
- Ian Tuckey
ANDRE WOULD COST UTD £35m
Man Utd will have to fork out £35million if they want to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Andre Silva in the summer.
According to Bild, the Red Devils are interested in the Portugal international who has banged in 23 Bundesliga goals this term.
It has been claimed that United are battling Atletico Madrid and Barcelona for his signature.
Silva is seen as a cheaper alternative to Borussia Dortmund marksman Erling Haaland.
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