Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd breakthrough, Chelsea readying £95m bid, Arsenal demand
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE - All the latest gossip from the Premier League and abroad.
Posted Friday, February 22, 2019 by Express.co.uk
Mesut Ozil mindset
Mesut Ozil is showing no signs of being ready to quit Arsenal, according to what Gunners legend Martin Keown has heard.
"He’s definitely got the quality, it’s whether or not he’s in the mood,” Keown said.
"They tell me he has trained exceptionally well all week. I think what we have to do is look at the positives he can offer and start to rebuild again.
"He started four of the first five games of the season and he’s only started once since Christmas. He was given the keys at the start.”
Transfer news LIVE: Mesut Ozil has been tipped to quit Arsenal in the summer (Image: GETTY)
Man Utd plotted huge January deal
Manchester United were prepared to spend big to add Kalidou Koulibaly to their squad during the January transfer window, reports claim.
United were heavily tipped to bolster their defence when the opportunity arose midway through the Premier League season.
And the London Evening Standard indicate Napoli ace Koulibaly was the man Ed Woodward was ready to splash some serious cash on.
However, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis was resistant to a deal and that meant United were forced to shelve their transfer plans.
Transfer news LIVE: Manchester United were happy to spend big on Kalidou Koulibaly last month (Image: GETTY)
Chelsea to copy Man Utd?
Chelsea have been tipped by Sky Sports pundit Steve McMahon to follow Manchester United’s lead by appointing a club legend to replace Maurizio Sarri.
“What might have changed their mindset is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer,” McMahon said. “Now they’re thinking ‘Frank [Lampard] could have the same impact’.
"Why can’t he do the same thing? Come in, liven the place up, get his own people in.”
Sarri is under the cosh at Stamford Bridge following recent defeats to Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United.
Transfer news LIVE: Maurizio Sarri is coming under serious pressure at Chelsea (Image: GETTY)
Sarri to be sacked on Sunday?
Chelsea will sack manager Maurizio Sarri after Sunday’s Carabao Cup final to City if the result is similar to the Premier League defeat at the Etihad, Steve McMahon claims.
"He’s trying to make a statement and there’s only one winner when you do that, when you are stubborn and you stick to your guns and your beliefs,” McMahon said.
"You’d look at it and think you’ve been drubbed 6-0 against City, it could have been eight or nine quite easily.
"If you play that same way, it could be the same outcome. And you will be sacked, you’d be sacked straight after the game if that’s the case.
"You have to change your ideas and you have to sometimes look at the opposition, especially when you’re playing Manchester City. You’ve got to look at the opposition, I don’t care who you are.”
Transfer news LIVE: Gareth Bale (Image: GETTY)
Balague on Banega to Arsenal
Guillem Balague says Arsenal will not sign Sevilla midfielder Ever Banega.
He told Sport Review: “Those are reports that keep coming into the media every now and again – I think the last time was about a month ago.
"They are stories which originated in Sevilla around three months ago.
"It’s very old news and I’m pretty sure that Arsenal are not looking for that kind of player.”
Bale to return to Premier League?
Gareth Bale could be set for a return to the Premier League, with Real Madrid interested in stars from England.
With Real Madrid still searching for new signings, Marca report that Bale could be used as a bargaining chip.
It’s claimed that Madrid want Eden Hazard from Chelsea or Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen.
It’s believed Bale wants to stay at Real Madrid but the club may be willing to let him go if they can get one of their targets.
Transfer news LIVE: Steven Gerrard says Rangers laughed off a couple of bids for Alfredo Morelos (Image: GETTY)
Sarri on future
Maurizio Sarri has discussed his plans to turn Chelsea’s fortunes around amid claims he will be sacked.
"We need to win three, four matches in a row. It's the only solution," Sarri said.
"I can understand very well the frustration of our fans. Because they are used to winning.
"Now we are in trouble, so I can understand very well. There isn't another way. We can only have good performances and results."
Gerrard on Rangers bid
Steven Gerrard says Rangers laughed off a couple of bids for Alfredo Morelos in January.
Gerrard said: "It would be very expensive and that is why we have laughed at a couple of unacceptable bids or rumours that have come his way.
"We are grateful for all the good players we have got and we are excited by what we are trying to do."
The 22-year-old was wanted by Nice and Bordeaux in the last transfer window.
Transfer news LIVE: Ronaldo (Image: GETTY)
Rashford revolt
Man Utd know a number of fans would ‘revolt’ if Marcus Rashford was allowed to run down his contract.
The Mirror claim Ed Woodward is well aware of how popular the England international is among supporters.
Woodward said: “It’s pretty well known the end dates of the players’ contracts.
"We are a long way through the ones we had planned to do this season but obviously we want to finish off the final few as rapidly as we can.
"Possibly, by the time we get to the summer we will be in a much stronger position with regard to the average tenure of each contract with our key players.”
Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd know a number of fans would ‘revolt’ if Marcus Rashford left (Image: GETTY)
Hudson-Odoi furious
Callum Hudson-Odoi is furious with Maurizio Sarri.
The Sun say the Chelsea youngster, who wanted to join Bayern Munich in January, is fuming with his treatment since deciding to stay.
Hudson-Odoi has played just 13 minutes in the Premier League since deciding to remain with the Blues.
Bayern and PSG will battle to lan the winger, 18, this summer.
Transfer news LIVE: Unai Emery has fired a warning to Mesut Ozil (Image: GETTY)
Herrera hailed
Man Utd midfielder Ander Herrera is the main man under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer despite nearly leaving the club last summer, Paul Dickov claims.
"I think he is an integral part of what Solskjaer has tried to do since he's been in there," Dickov said. "He's the main man in there and an unsung hero.
"You look at the job Fernandinho does for Man City and Herrera does that as well. He has turned into a real leader.
"I think he has gone under the radar in the last 11 or 12 games since Ole's been in there."
UPDATE: Van Dijk claim
Virgil van Dijk has revealed he was approached by Liverpool fans in May 2017, who called on him to join the club.
Van Dijk said: “When it was December and I got a call to say they got a deal done and I could talk to Liverpool, I was very happy.
"I went to the Juventus v Real Madrid Champions League final in Cardiff in 2017 and a lot of Liverpool fans came to me and said I had to sign for them.
"It was a great gesture; they were nice and respectful.”
Ronaldo behind Man Utd exit
Cristiano Ronaldo was the main reason Sir Alex Ferguson sold Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, Louis Saha claims.
Speaking on Stadium Astro, Saha said: “Ruud fit really well with Man Utd, scored a lot of goals.
"But he had a selfish mentality sometimes. And there was a tension with Cristiano because he was young.
"Cristiano sometimes has this selfishness too, wanting to improve as a bigger player. Sometimes Ruud was not happy with that.
"It was a personal issue between the manager and Ruud van Nistelrooy that forced Sir Alex to take the decision.
"I think there was a moment where Sir Alex found the partnership between Wayne Rooney and me was working better for Cristiano and the players.”
Transfer news LIVE: Virgil van Dijk was approached by Liverpool fans in May 2017 (Image: GETTY)
PDATE: Messi over Ronaldo?
Lionel Messi is the most important player to ever play in La Liga, the league’s president Javier Tebas claims.
"Messi is part of Barcelona and will stay there," Tebas said, snubbing Real Madrid icon Cristiano Ronaldo.
"We consider him part of La Liga Santander and he transcends normal players.
"He's an icon, the most important player that has passed through our league. He is a level above."
Man Utd want Dolberg
Man Utd are interested in signing Ajax talent Kasper Dolberg, Italian outlet Calciomercato claim.
They say the Red Devils will challenge Arsenal and Napoli for his signature.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli are preparing a ‘huge bid’ to bring the Dutch international to the San Paolo Stadium, but the Serie A challengers will have to fend off interest from their Premier League rivals.
Dolberg, 25, has bagged 10 goals and provided four assists in 27 appearances for Ajax this season.
Transfer news LIVE: Lionel Messi (Image: GETTY)
Transfer news LIVE: Kasper Dolberg is a wanted man (Image: GETTY)
Sarri replacement
Laurent Blanc could replace Maurizio Sarri if Chelsea sack the Italian.
The Evening Standard claim former PSG boss Blanc will be on a list of contenders to take over at Stamford Bridge.
Sarri has been granted more time to turn Chelsea’s fortunes around.
The Italian has the next three games to save his job before Roman Abramovich takes action.
Transfer news LIVE: Chelsea will move for Mauro Icardi (Image: GETTY)
Man Utd breakthrough
Manchester United have made a breakthrough in talks over a new deal for Marcus Rashford.
The Mirror claim the England international could sign a deal that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2025.
United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is said to be confident he can announce the contract in the coming weeks.
Rashford, 21, has been instrumental since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford.
Transfer news LIVE: Laurent Blanc could replace Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea (Image: GETTY)
Icardi to Chelsea on?
Chelsea will only move for Mauro Icardi this summer if Maurizio Sarri is sacked.
Sport Media Set claim Chelsea, Real Madrid and Juventus are all chasing the Inter Milan striker.
However, the Blues will only look to pay Icardi’s £95m (€110m) release clause if Roman Abramovich axes Sarri.
Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal boss Unai Emery wants Mesut Ozil to prove his worth (Image: GETTY)
Emery makes Ozil demand
Arsenal boss Unai Emery has demanded Mesut Ozil prove he can be available for selection without being injured or sick amid claims the German will be sold this summer.
"He needs to be consistent in training and for matches, without injury or being sick," Emery said.
"Like that, we can see the best Mesut with us."
Ozil has struggled to impress under Emery this season, with the Gunners boss dropping the playmaker for not being up to the physicality of the Premier League.
Should Chelsea sign Icardi, Gonzalo Higuain will likely leave Stamford Bridge.
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