Hazard dismisses reports of Real Madrid agreement
The Belgium and Chelsea star insists media speculation saying he has reached an agreement with the Liga giants is wide of the mark.
Chelsea star Eden Hazard dismissed reports that he has already agreed a move to Real Madrid, insisting “there is still nothing” with the La Liga giants.
Hazard has been strongly linked with Madrid for months, and although he has often spoken positively about playing for Chelsea and Maurizio Sarri, he has continued to flirt with Los Blancos.
He went as far as claiming playing for Madrid was a “dream” of his last year, though he was unable to follow Belgium team-mate Thibaut Courtois to the capital club last summer summer.
Rumours have continued to link the 28-year-old with a move to Madrid throughout the season, with Hazard leaving himself open for a possible departure.
Zinedine Zidane’s return to Madrid only further fuelled rumours, which seemed to come to a head on Saturday when reports suggested the 28-year-old has already reached an agreement with Madrid for a five-year contract.
The star man’s contract with Chelsea expires following the end of next season, and if he does not ink fresh terms the Blues risk losing Hazard for nothing in the summer of 2020.
Barcelona consider €80m Coutinho sale amid Man Utd links
The Brazil international’s situation at Camp Nou is looking increasingly bleak, although PSG remains the most realistic destination if he is to leave.
Barcelona are ready to listen to offers for Philippe Coutinho but a move to Manchester United does not seem likely, Goal understands.
The Red Devils have been strongly linked with the Brazilian, while a return to Liverpool has also been reported in some quarters, but a switch to the Premier League is not currently an option for Coutinho.
Goal understands that the midfielder is put off the idea of heading back after his family struggled to fully adapt to life in England, with Paris Saint-Germain appearing the most plausible option.
The Barca board would be willing to discuss offers of in excess of €80m (£68.8m/$90.8m), a significant loss on the initial €120m (£103m/$136m) that they paid in 2018 to sign him from Liverpool.
Coutinho was expected to be a key cog in the Barca attack alongside Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi, although it has not quite gone according to plan in Spain, with his stock having fallen dramatically in the 2018-19 season.
‘Depay wants Premier League return’
Memphis Depay wants to return to the Premier League, believes former Arsenalstar Robert Pires.
The Dutchman endured a tough two-year spell with Manchester United, going on to join Lyon in 2017.
He has scored 35 goals and contributed 39 assists in 106 appearances for the French giants but Pires says he has unfinished business in England.
“Depay wants to come back to the Premier League and he feels he has unfinished business in England,” he told Bwin.
“He perhaps feels he wasn’t given a chance to perform and earn the right to stay longer considering he was so young and showed glimpses of undoubted potential.
“Depay might want to return to Manchester United or he might be motivated to prove them wrong by performing for one of their rivals in the Premier League.”
Fulham aim for Clarke
Steve Clarke remains an option to become the new permanent Fulham boss in the summer, according to The Scottish Sun.
The Kilmarnock boss is among the shortlist which includes David Wagner and Bristol City’s Lee Johnson.
Scott Parker has been placed in interim charge since Claudio Ranieri’s sacking but relegation from the Premier League remains inevitable.
Liverpool loan Ryan Kent is meanwhile a transfer target, as Rangers look to bring him back to Ibrox for a second season on loan.
Hudson-Odoi does not need to leave Chelsea – Southgate
Callum Hudson-Odoi does not need to leave Chelsea despite his failure to make a Premier League start, says Englandboss Gareth Southgate.
The 18-year-old became the Three Lions’ youngster ever player to feature in a competitive game after coming off the bench in the Euro 2020 qualifying win over Czech Republic.
Blues boss Maurizio Sarri has held the winger back but after making his international bow without beginning a top-flight match, Southgate does not necessarily feel Hudson-Odoi needs to leave.
“If you look at number of appearances, he has actually been on the field quite a lot,” he said of the teenager, who has been linked with Bayern Munich.
…Grealish needs Premier League move
England boss Gareth Southgate has suggested Jack Grealish must move into the Premier League if he is to earn a senior call-up.
The 23-year-old has switched his allegiance from the Republic of Ireland but is yet to force his way into the picture, despite impressing at Aston Villain the Championship.
Callum Hudson-Odoi, who is yet to start a top-flight game for Chelsea, made his debut in England’s 5-0 Euro 2020 qualifying win over Czech Republic on Friday, with Declan Rice also called up to the latest squad.
Morrow to be among Arsenal recruitment team
Steve Morrow will be among the senior Arsenal recruitment team but the club are still seeking to outsource for a sporting director, according to The Mirror.
The 48-year-old will link up with Francis Cagigao as part of a three-man team to lead the search for new signings.
Having been turned down by Monchi, who re-joined former club Sevilla after leaving Roma, the club are still seeking for a sporting director.
Casemiro congratulates Madrid for Militao capture
The La Liga giant’s move to sign the Porto and Brazil defender was lauded by his international team-mate.
Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro praised the La Liga giants for signing Brazil defender Eder Militao after “half of Europe wanted him”.
Militao, 21, will make the move from Porto in July after Madrid paid a reported €50 million (£43m/$57m) for his services.
Casemiro played alongside the defender in Brazil’s friendly draw with Panama on Saturday, with the South American side held to a 1-1 draw by the Concacaf nation.
Lucas Paqueta scored to put the Brazilians in front, but Adolfo Machado’s strike saw Panama earn a shock draw as Brazil struggled without the likes of Neymar and Vinícius Junior in the team to spark the attack.
But Casemiro was still full of praise for Militao and claims the 21-year-old will be a welcome addition for the Spanish giants.
Militao is in just his first campaign at Porto after making a switch from Sao Paulo in August last year.
He has already made 34 appearances in all competitions for the Portuguese giants, who will face Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Militao is the first addition made during Zinedine Zidane’s second reign in the Spanish capital, with the Frenchman having moved quickly to land a top target upon returning to Real.
