Sporting Kit

WHO IS MOUSSA MAREGA? MEET THE €40M PORTO STRIKER ATTRACTING INTEREST FROM MAN UTD AND CHELSEA The Mali international has caught the eye of the two clubs, with a January switch to the Premier League being suggested. Despite forking out £75 million for Romelu Lukaku in the summer, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly on the hunt for an additional striker in the January transfer window.  Lukaku has been heavily relied upon since his switch to Old Trafford, with only David De Gea (1980) and Nemanja Matic (1944) playing more Premier League minutes than the Belgium international (1814) under Mourinho this season.  "The boy is tired. He is physically a monster but not a machine and he is feeling it,"  Mourinho said of Lukaku before Manchester United's Premier League fixture against Southampton ."The other day, I said [he had played] 19 matches in the Premier League; now I say 20 matches in the Premier League, 90 minutes. I think for a striker,

DE BRUYNE IN NO RUSH TO EXTEND MAN CITY CONTRACT The Belgium international is already tied to a deal through to 2021, but the Premier League leaders are prepared to offer lucrative fresh terms Kevin De Bruyne is “not in a hurry” to extend his contract with Premier League leaders Manchester City. Goal  revealed back in December that the Belgium international has been offered lucrative fresh terms  at the Etihad Stadium – with a proposed new deal including a €10 million signing-on fee The paperwork is yet to be signed, though, with De Bruyne still working on a deal through to 2021. HAZARD BEATS DE BRUYNE TO BELGIUM'S 'DEVIL OF THE YEAR' AWARD He admits that  talks are ongoing , with a delay in committing his long-term future to City down to his agent having been on a winter break. The 26-year-old midfielder told reporters when asked for an update on his contract situation: “We are still in negotiations. “I am waiting for an offer from the club bu

Antoine Griezmann demanding £400k-a-week to complete Manchester United transfer Atletico Madrid superstar Antoine Griezmann has reportedly rejected Manchester United‘s £300,000-a-week offer to complete a move to Old Trafford.          Griezmann was interested in joining the Red Devils last summer but Atleti’s transfer ban meant the 26-year-old forward felt obliged to stay on with the La Liga club. It’s understood Jose Mourinho is determined to bring Griezmann to United ahead of the 2018/19 campaign and United have made a stunning contract offer to the France attacker.          However, according to The Sun, Griezmann has turned down the £300k-a-week offer and is demanding wages of £400k-a-week before he agrees to a move. Barcelona are also expressing a keen interest in the £89million-rated Frenchman. Manchester United are battling Barca for the France international (Picture: Getty) Jose Mourinho is determined to land Antoine Griezmann (Picture: Getty) A United source tol

Manchester United and Chelsea launch enquiries over Moussa Marega transfer Manchester United and Chelsea have both made contact over a move for Porto star Moussa Marega, according to reports.        Porto completed a move for Marega back in 2016 and the 26-year-old forward was sent a loan to Vitoria Sport Clube ahead of the 2016/17 campaign where he scored 14 goals in 31 appearances. His impressive form earned him a recall to Porto and the Mali attacker has had a barnstorming start this season, scoring 12 goals for the Portuguese giants. Foot Mercato suggests Premier League giants United and Chelsea have both been alerted to Marega’s goalscoring exploits. It’s claimed both clubs have launched enquiries over the potential availability of the striker in the January transfer window. Moussa Marega has been on fire for Porto this season (Picture: Getty) Both Chelsea and United are keen on the Mali forward (Picture: Getty)      Antonio Conte is on the hunt for attacking reinfo

Pep Guardiola instructed Manchester City to prioritse Alexis Sanchez transfer over deal for Virgil van Dijk Pep Guardiola instructed Manchester City to prioritise a deal for Alexis Sanchez over any possible move for new Liverpool signing Virgil van Dijk, according to reports.          Van Dijk completed a stunning £75million move to Anfield at the start of the month as Jurgen Klopp finally signed the Dutch defender in a deal that eclipsed the £53m City paid for Kyle Walker.          The Reds were desperate to sign Van Dijk last summer but had to pull out of negotiations after being accused of ‘tapping-up’. Man City expressed interest in the 26-year-old at the time and were expected to revive their interest in January. But Guardiola chose pursuing a deal for Arsenal forward Sanchez over strengthening his defensive options at the Etihad, according to The Sun. Sanchez is expected to leave Arsenal either this month or next summer (Picture: Getty)          The Gunners want £35m

FA Cup fourth round draw in full: Manchester United to face Yeovil, Newport County get Tottenham and Liverpool set for West Brom   Manchester United will play Yeovil Town away in the pick of the draws in the fourth round of the FA Cup.         12-time winners United were drawn against the lowest-ranked team left in the competition and will travel to Huish Park at the end of the month. Holders Arsenal were knocked out in the third round after Nottingham Forest beat the Gunners 4-2 on their own patch on Sunday and they’ve been rewarded with a tie against Hull City. Tottenham will face Newport County after their giant-killing against Leeds City, while Chelsea could face Newcastle if they beat Norwich in a replay. Forest have been rewarded with a tie against ….after they beat Arsenal (Picture: Getty) FA Cup fourth round draw in full Liverpool vs West Brom Peterborough United vs Fleetwood Town or Leicester Huddersfield vs Birmingham Notts County vs Wolves or Swansea Yeovil Town

Manchester United cleared to complete £60m Alex Sandro transfer as Chelsea cool on Juventus star Chelsea are unwilling to meet Juventus‘ £60million valuation of Brazil star Alex Sandro, clearing the way for Manchester United to sign the defender.        Antonio Conte was furious that the club failed to sign Sandro last summer and he’s heavily advised moving for the Brazilian again this month. Juventus are happy to let Sandro leave should a buyer meet their £60m valuation but the heirachy at Chelsea see little value in the deal given Marcos Alonso’s form at left wing-back and have therefore cooled their interest. Chelsea will now look into alternative, cheaper targets and their decision to shy away from a deal for Sandro has cleared the path for Manchester United, according to the Telegraph.   Alex Sandro is keen on a move to the Premier League (Picture: Getty) Jose Mourinho is keen on signing two full-backs and a creative midfielder in the next two transfer windows and wan

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte admits he has a ‘problem’ with Jose Mourinho Chelsea boss Antonio Conte admits he has a ‘problem’ with Jose Mourinho.       Manchester United‘s manager sparked an angry reaction from Conte after claiming that he does not have to behave like a ‘clown‘ on the touchline to prove he still has passion for the job. Conte also called Mourinho a ‘little man’ and ‘senile’ after the Portuguese made a passing reference to his previous suspension for match-fixing.           The Italian was suspended for four months after failing to report match-fixing during his time at Siena, but was later cleared of any wrongdoing in 2016. Asked whether he regrets his recent comments about Mourinho, Conte replied: ‘I have the look of a person that regrets? I don’t think so.’ Antonio Conte does not regret calling Jose Mourinho a ‘little man’ (Picture: Getty)      The ex-Juventus manager admits he ‘won’t forget’ Mourinho’s harsh words. He added: ‘We’ve both said things. We w

Arsenal set to pay £27m buyout clause to sign Cristian Pavon as Alexis Sanchez’s replacement Arsenal are ready to sign Boca Juniors forward Cristian Pavon, according to reports in Argentina .        The Gunners are in the market to replace Alexis Sanchez, who has already reportedly agreed personal terms with Manchester City. Arsenal and City have yet to agree a fee for the Chilean and although the Gunners are holding out for a £40 million transfer fee, it’s expected that a deal will be completed before the January deadline. According to TyC Sports, Arsenal have identified Pavon as Sanchez’s replacement and are ready to pay the 21-year-old’s $37 million (£27m) release clause. Pavon has a £27m release clause. (AFP/Getty Images)         It’s also reported that Arsenal are ready to conclude this deal quickly as the sale of Sanchez to City is close. Pavon, who has also been monitored by City, Liverpool and Juventus, would offer a versatile option to Arsenal’s attack as he is ca

Lemar will cost at least £90m Liverpool and Arsenal will need to spend at £90 million to land Thomas Lemar from Monaco, according to  The Mirror.  Lemar turned down a £90m move to Arsenal on deadline day in August, and Monaco are set to begin the bidding for the 22-year-old's services at that figure. Monaco are open to selling Lemar in January, as the French side side are out of the Champions League and far off Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1. 

City keeping tabs on Maguire Manchester City are interested in Leicester City centre-back Harry Maguire but do not consider him a January target, according to  Sky Sports News  . Maguire joined Leicester from Hull in the summer for £17 million, but City may have to shell out £50m in the summer to land the 24-year-old.  The Premier League leaders are targeting West Brom's Jonny Evans or Real Sociedad's Inigo Martinez to reinforce their defensive options in January.

No Moura offer from Man Utd yet Manchester United are interested in Paris Saint-Germain winger Lucas Moura but have not made a bid yet, according to  Sky Sports News. PSG are willing to cash in on the 25-year-old Brazilian, who has yet to make a start in the league this season

Mertens open to new Napoli deal Napoli are hoping to renegotiate Dries Mertens' contract in order to avoid losing the Belgium international to Manchester United or Liverpool, according to  Sky Sport Italia  .  Mertens signed a new deal in May 2017 that included a relatively small €28m release clause. Napoli are willing to increase Mertens' salary in a new contract in exchange for a big increase in that release clause. 

Christensen signs new Chelsea contract Andreas Christensen signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract with Chelsea, the club announced Tuesday. The 21-year-old defender has been a solid player for Antonio Conte’s side this season, making 22 appearances so far. The new deal will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2022, after he initially signed with the Blues in 2012 and spent the last two seasons on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach

Conte: Chelsea wanted Van Dijk Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has admitted that the Blues were interested in Virgil van Dijk before the centre-back made his £75 million move to Liverpool from Southampton earlier this month.  "For sure he was our target but as you know this is football. We can have a lot of targets but you must be able to reach those targets," Conte said. 

Arsenal join Liverpool & City in Pavon chase Arsenal have joined Liverpool and Man City in the chase for Boca Juniors forward Cristian Pavon, reports the  Daily Mail. The 21-year-old striker has turned heads with his performances for the Argentine giants, and has been compared to Alexis Sanchez.  Pavon is said to have a £27 million release clause, and is likely to be named in Jorge Sampaoli's Argentina squad for the World Cup in Russia.

Alexis to start vs Chelsea Despite intense speculation surrounding a potential move to Manchester City, Alexis Sanchez will start Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Chelsea, reports  The Guardian. City have submitted a £20m offer to Arsenal for Sanchez, whose contract with the Gunners expires at the end of this season.  Pep Guardiola's side are confident of landing Sanchez for free in the summer but with Gabriel Jesus out for two months with an injury, City are hoping to acquire Alexis in January.