Manchester City
I learned an important lesson last night – never report stats while Erling Haaland is playing football! The Man City striker was in unbelievable form to put FIVE past RB Leipzig in a 7-0 win in the Champions League. That’s now 39 goals in 36 games in all competitions this season.
Erling Haaland: “I’ve told Pep Guardiola when I went off: ‘I would love to score a double hat-trick!’. But what can I do? I really love this competition, I love the Champions League.”
Pep Guardiola: “Haaland has unbelievable mentality. We’re so happy with this boy. We didn’t know him [before the signing] but Erling is always happy, always funny, he’s nice with his teammates. No one can compete with Erling, if we speak using the numbers.”
Nottingham Forest forward Brennan Johnson is doing very well but, despite reports, at this stage I’m told Manchester City have different priorities, including Josko Gvardiol or Jude Bellingham who are both in the list but with lot of competition.
Josko Gvardiol remains among Manchester City’s top summer targets. He’s really appreciated by Pep Guardiola and by the board too. Chelsea and Liverpool are also in the race, but nothing is decided yet and there’s no release clause for this summer.
Joao Cancelo is focused on his loan with Bayern Munich, no decision has been made yet. There is a clause to make the move permanent, but it will be made at the end of the season. Real Madrid and Barcelona also discussed Cancelo in January but it was not possible for them to proceed, with Barca having issues with Financial Fair Play.
Manchester United
Manchester United really like the player, but they know Tottenham don’t want to negotiate, so the only way for this to proceed is for Kane to push for a move to Old Trafford and for Tottenham to decide they’re ready to enter into negotiations. At the moment there is nothing concrete, United just appreciate the player, that’s all. We’ll see what happens in the summer.
Victor Osimhen and Mohammed Kudus are also on United’s list, and a few other forwards too, says Ben Jacobs – click here for more details!
Understand Manchester United are now considering offering a new contract to Facundo Pellistri before loaning him out next season. There’s no decision made yet on both sides, but concrete talks will take place in April to plan Facundo’s future.
Napoli
Stanislav Lobotka on his contract: “We are in concrete talks, we’re at good point of negotiations with Napoli — I want to stay.” New deal will be valid until June 2027 with an option to extend until June 2028.
Newcastle United
Newcastle have a genuine interest in this potential £40m signing from Arsenal – click here to find out more!
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest forward Brennan Johnson is doing very well but, despite reports, at this stage I’m told Manchester City have different priorities, including Josko Gvardiol or Jude Bellingham who are both in the list but with lot of competition.
Real Madrid
Eden Hazard: “I would like to stay at Real Madrid. I’ve always said it. I hope to play to show that I can still do it. People have doubts, but for me, I’m still here next year. I hope I can play for Real Madrid again.”
Carlo Ancelotti: “Hazard statement? He has been honest, we don’t talk much but the most important is to respect each other. I can guarantee that he can still help us at Real Madrid, for sure. I thank Eden as he’s always been respectful.”
Ancelotti: “Eduardo Camavinga is untouchable for us — also in the future I’m sure he will stay that way. He makes some mistakes but he plays such good games that everyone forgets about it — he’s untouchable.”
Tottenham
Manchester United really like the player, but they know Tottenham don’t want to negotiate, so the only way for this to proceed is for Kane to push for a move to Old Trafford and for Tottenham to decide they’re ready to enter into negotiations. At the moment there is nothing concrete, United just appreciate the player, that’s all. We’ll see what happens in the summer.
Luis Enrique would be interested in becoming Tottenham manager if Antonio Conte leaves the club (Times)