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Real Madrid join Man City in battle for Lyon’s Tanguy Ndombele

Tanguy Ndombele

Madrid eyeing Ndombele

Since Zinedine Zidane took over at the Bernabeu for a second time, a host of players have been linked with a Real Madrid move.

Some of the more notable names include Man United’s Paul Pogba, Liverpool’s Sadio Mane and Tottenham midfielder, Christian Eriksen.

Real have also already completed the signing of FC Porto defender, Eder Militao.

The latest name to be linked with a switch to the Spanish capital is Lyon Midfielder, Tanguy Ndombele.

According to Spanish outlet AS, Zidane is very keen to bring the Frenchman to Los Blancos.

MADRID, SPAIN – JANUARY 24: Zinedine Zidane, Manager of Real Madrid looks on during the Copa del Rey, Quarter Final, Second Leg match between Real Madrid and Leganes at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on January 24, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Man City also keen on Lyon star

Real Madrid may, however, face some stiff competition for the Ligue 1 midfielder.

While Madrid’s links to Ndombele are relatively fresh, Premier League outfit Manchester City have been linked with him for some time.

Ndombele is just 22 years of age but he is already a mainstay in the Lyon midfield.

He has made 86 appearances for Lyon across all competitions, scoring eight and assisting 15.

Ndombele would also be the perfect replacement for Man City’s current main holding midfielder, Fernandinho.

The Brazilian is 33 years of age and will likely leave Man City in the coming seasons.

As well as Ndombele, City have also recently been linked with Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey as they continue their search for a Fernandinho replacement.

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Harry Kane reveals shock desire to play in the NFL

Change of career for Harry Kane in the future?

Tottenham striker Harry Kane has admitted that he wants to play in the NFL when he decides to call time on his football career.

Kane has quickly grown into one of, if not the best striker in the Premier League in recent years.

Despite once being dubbed a one-season wonder, Kane has gone on to continuously prove people wrong.

Even this season, Kane has scored 17 goals in 26 Premier League appearances while also assisting four.

Those goals have helped keep Tottenham in the race for the title.

While it’s expected that Kane will go on to score many more goals, the Englishman could actually finish his sporting career by scoring field goals.

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 02: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur scores his team’s first goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC at Wembley Stadium on March 02, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

From Premier League goalscorer to Super Bowl legend?

That is because in an interview with ESPN this week, Kane has revealed he wants to play in the NFL.

The Spurs striker even put a timescale on it, claiming he wants to try it in 10 or 12 years time.

Should it be the former, that would make him 35 and could potentially lead him to quit football to chase his desire if his career spans that long.

“That’s real,” Kane explained when asked about a desire to play in the NFL.

“Something that in 10 or 12 years I definitely want to try.

“It goes back to that drive to be the best.

“Even if I download a game on my phone, can I be the best in the world?

“If you play in the Premier League and the World Cup and you then play in the NFL, would you then be considered one of the greatest sportsmen ever?”

Bad for Tottenham: Zinedine Zidane makes Christian Eriksen demand to Real Madrid

Arguably Tottenham’s second most important player, Christian Eriksen, is being liked with Real Madrid again.

Zinedine Zidane has reportedly made a demand to Real Madrid in relation to the Denmark star.

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Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino & Man City’s Gabriel Jesus lift Brazil to victory

Czech Republic 1 – Brazil 3

Later this year Brazil will host the 2019 Copa America.

In their final warm up match before the competition, Brazil came from behind to beat Czech Republic on Tuesday.

David Pavelka fired the Europeans in the 37th minute lead. However the South Americans turned the match in the second half.

Liverpool and Man City forwards Roberto Firmino and Gabriel Jesus did the damage for Brazil.

Roberto Firmino & Gabriel Jesus score

Firmino levelled minutes after the restart.

The Liverpool forward was rewarded for putting pressure on the Czech defence as he slot home the equaliser.

Man City’s Gabriel Jesus won the match for Brazil with two goals in the final seven minutes.

After a neat attack, Jesus put Brazil ahead with a clinical back post finish into the roof of the Czech net.

The Sky Blues forward killed the match after another superb attacking move from Brazil which carved the Czech defence wide open.

Watch official highlights

Liverpool vs Man City

While Firmino and Jesus were on the same side this week, come Saturday they’ll again be rivals in the Premier League.

Liverpool are two points clear of Man City in the table, although the Reds have played a game more than the Sky Blues.

If Man City win all their remaining league matches, they’ll beat Liverpool to the title.

On Saturday, Man City head to Fulham.

Liverpool are in action on Sunday when Tottenham visit Anfield.

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Newcastle’s Miguel Almiron sent off after seven minutes vs Mexico

Miguel Almiron

Paraguay 2 – Mexico 4

Mexico beat Paraguay 4-2 in an international friendly on Tuesday night.

West Ham striker Javier Hernandez was amongst the goals fo El Tri in the away win.

Jonathan dos Santos opened for the Mexicans before a Gustavo Gomez own goal doubled the visitors lead.

Chicharito made it 0-3 after 25 minutes.

After the break Paraguay hit back with goals from Hernan Perez and Derlis Gonzalez. A late Luis Montes goal sealed Mexico’s win.

Newcastle’s Miguel Almiron sent off

One of the big talking points was the impact of Newcastle United’s record signing Miguel Almiron.

Almiron was introduced off the bench in the second half.

However the Paraguayan forward lasted only seven minutes before he was sent off.

Could the Newcastle star have any complaints about his dismissal?

Not really, as Almiron took out Mexico’s Jose Juan Vazquez with a nasty tackle from behind.

The Newcastle star wiped out Vazquez after colliding with the back of his knee.

Arsenal vs Newcastle

Almiron’s dismissal may be good news for Newcastle before their trip to Arsenal on Sunday in the Premier League.

At least their playmaker didn’t play too much football before the trip to north London.

Arsenal will be looking for maximum points against the Magpies to boost their top four hopes.

The Gunners, who recently beat Man United in the league, occupy fourth spot in the table.

As for Newcastle, they are close to securing their top flight status for another year.

Newcastle are 13th in the table with 35 points from 31 games.

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Liverpool outcast Alberto Moreno set for Barcelona

Liverpool’s Alberto Moreno & Barcelona

Spanish daily Sport have Liverpool left-back Alberto Moreno on their front page on Tuesday.

In a surprise transfer rumour, it’s believed the Liverpool outcast could be on his way to join Barcelona this summer.

Now 26, Alberto Moreno has only played in two Premier League matches this season.

Moreover the left-back has only made one appearance apiece in the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup.

Scottish international Andrew Robertson is now Liverpool’s first choice left-back.

Moreno’s contract at Anfield expires in the summer.

The Spanish defender will be able to leave the Reds as a free agent.

Alberto Moreno’s two year deal at Barcelona

According to Sport, Alberto Moreno may be offered a two year deal to play for Barcelona.

Like his current position at Anfield, Moreno would have to be content with being a back up player at the Camp Nou.

Jordi Alba is the first choice full-back, while Marc Cucurella (currently on loan at Eibar) is coming through the ranks.

It’s worth noting that Roma and Sevilla have also been linked with Moreno in recent times.

Matthijs de Ligt & Luka Jovic

Sport’s splash also links Barcelona with two more summer signings.

At the back, Ajax and Holland centre-half Matthijs de Ligt is reportedly a Catalan target.

Up top, Eintracht Frankfurt striker Luka Jovic is also said to be on the Camp Nou shopping list.

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Transfer Talk: Sergio Ramos to quit Real Madrid if Jose Mourinho returns


ESPN FC’s Shaka Hislop can’t understand why Real Madrid would even entertain the thought of bringing back Jose Mourinho to manage the club.

Paul Mariner and Ross Dyer dissect the latest transfer rumours, including Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho making surprise returns to former clubs.

Mark Donaldson and Shaka Hislop weigh up which players at Real Madrid should be kept and offloaded to improve the squad in the summer. The transfer window for Europe’s biggest clubs is closed, but click here for all the deals, and keep track of who has joined the big boys. Transfer Talk will continue to scour the world’s media and set correspondents loose to see what’s on the agenda for the summer.
Ramos ready to quit Real
Jose Mourinho’s possible return to Real Madrid threatens to spark a dressing room revolt, according to the Daily Mail.
Sergio Ramos is expected to head up a mass exodus at the Bernabeu should the former Manchester…

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Jose Mourinho on returning to management & Klopp/Pochettino dig

Mourinho takes aim at Klopp & Pochettino

Jose Mourinho was sacked as Manchester United boss in December of last year.

Mourinho’s spell at Old Trafford was arguably the poorest in his managerial career.

Despite this, Mourinho still guided United to a Europe League win, League Cup win and Community Shield win.

Even though he lifted three trophies at United, Mourinho was often criticised.

However, the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino are often praised for the job they do at Liverpool and Tottenham despite not winning any silverware.

As a result, Mourinho appears to have taken a dig at the duo:

 “I won titles everywhere I have been and I cannot run away from my mentality.

“Some coaches like to sell the idea of a philosophy, but you have to sell the philosophy after you win. If you win nothing what is the point?

“If your team plays very well, your team wins, so I don’t like these contradictions we have in football nowadays.”As quoted by the Evening Standard.

BRISTOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 20: Jose Mourinho, Manager of Manchester United enjoys the pre match atmosphere prior to the Carabao Cup Quarter-Final match between Bristol City and Manchester United at Ashton Gate on December 20, 2017 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Mourinho eyeing managerial return

In the same interview, Mourinho spoke at length about when he wants to return to management.

The former United coach was linked with the Real Madrid job recently but Zinedine Zidane has since taken that.

Mourinho claims he has had ‘three or four’ different offers already, which he has rejected and he wants to be back in management by June of this year:

“What I have in mind is that I would like to be back in June for a new club and a new pre-season.

“I know what I don’t want and that is the reason why I have had to say no to three or four different offers.” As quoted by the Evening Standard.

One of those offers is believed to be from Benfica.

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Arsenal’s Twitter admin trolled Manchester United after win

The administrator of Arsenal’s official Twitter account aimed a cheeky dig at Manchester United and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this evening, on the back of the Gunners’ victory over the Red Devils.

Arsenal come out on top

Unai Emery’s Arsenal welcomed United to North London earlier today, in a crucial outing for both sides.

Ahead of kick-off at the Emirates, the clubs were separated by just a solitary point in the Premier League table, with the visitors having occupied the final of the English top-flight’s top-4 spots.

As such, with Tottenham having fallen to a shock defeat at Southampton yesterday afternoon, and Chelsea having dropped points at home to Wolves earlier today, both Arsenal and United no doubt headed into proceedings in the English capital aware that a 3-point haul would provide a huge boost to their respective hopes of sealing a Champions League berth for next season.

And, when the 90 minutes at the Emirates were done and dusted, it was Arsenal who emerged with an integral win.

Granit Xhaka notched the game’s opening goal with 12 minutes on the clock, smashing home past the wrong-footed David De Gea with a swerving strike from 20 yards.

David De Gea

David De Gea looks dejected during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United. Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images.

And Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made sure of the 3 points for hosts Arsenal in the 70th-minute.

After Fred felled Alexandre Lacazette in the United box, Aubameyang stepped up to slot home the ensuing spot-kick in confident fashion.

And a stout defensive performance on the part of the Gunners over the game’s closing 20 minutes eventually saw Arsenal emerge with a deserved clean sheet and 3 points.

‘Unai’s at the wheel’

In the aftermath of Arsenal’s crucial win this evening, the activity of the club’s official Twitter account has since been garnering plenty of attention online.

In a less-than-subtle dig at Manchester United, the Gunners’ admin posted a photo of manager Unai Emery, along with the caption ‘Unai’s at the wheel’, a play on Red Devils’ chant ‘Ole’s at the wheel’:

Why Mauricio Pochettino is happy he’s only in a top 4 battle with Man United, Arsenal & Chelsea

Why Mkhitaryan missed Arsenal vs Manchester United

Fabian Schar targeted by Arsenal & Tottenham-Mirror

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Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold injured before Bayern Munich

Liverpool 4- Burnley 2

Liverpool hosted Burnley in Sunday’s early kick-off.

After Man City beat Watford on Saturday, Liverpool needed to pick up a win to reclose the gap at the top of the table to just one point.

Liverpool have not been in the best form of late and had drawn four of their last six league games before Burnley.

Burnley, on the other hand, started the day just two points above the relegation zone.

Sadio Mane

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MARCH 10: Sadio Mane of Liverpool celebrates scoring his sides fourth goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Burnley FC at Anfield on March 10, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Trent Alexander-Arnold injured

Liverpool’s day got off to the worst possible start as Ashley Westwood put the Clarets 1-0 up inside six minutes.

The Reds would be quick to respond though. Roberto Firmino equalised in the 19th minute with Sadio Mane putting Jurgen Klopp’s side in the lead 10 minutes later

Roberto Firmino then added his second and Liverpool’s 3rd in the 67th minute.

Burnley had some hope of rescuing a draw with Gudmundsson pulling one back in the 91st minute.

However, Mane ensured Liverpool came away with all three points, scoring his second in the 93rd minute.

Despite the win, Liverpool did suffer one big blow on Sunday.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has only recently returned from injury but the full-back looked to suffer yet another injury late in the Burnley clash.

Liverpool take on Bayern Munich in the coming days in a must-win tie and they could now be without their main right-back.

Related: Adam Lallana shuts up his Liverpool haters vs Burnley

Man United success may leave Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk homeless

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Five big problems with Newcastle’s winner vs Everton

Newcastle 3 – Everton 2

Newcastle United came from 2-down to beat Everton at St James’ Park on Saturday.

How did Everton manage to throw this game away?

Marco Silva’s side were cruising at the break after goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison.

But Newcastle staged a remarkable second half turnaround.

Salomon Rondon started the fightback, while Ayoze Perez was the Newcastle hero with a late brace.

Ayoze Perez’s winner vs Everton shouldn’t have counted

There was just one big problem with Newcastle’s winner against Everton.

The goal should have been chalked off as several Newcastle players were caught offside in the build-up.

Newcastle’s third goal came followed a corner.

After Everton repelled the initial delivery, DeAndre Yedlin skewed a forward pass back into the Everton danger area.

Yet, when Yedlin connected with the ball, there were five Newcastle players in an offside position.

Incredibly the linesman kept his flag down.

Seconds later, Perez had the ball in Jordan Pickford’s net.

Five Newcastle players offside vs Everton

Five Newcastle players offside vs Everton (1)

Five Newcastle players offside vs Everton (2)

Marco Silva’s reaction

After the game, Everton manager Marco Silva raged about Newcastle’s winner:

When they scored the third goal it was a big mistake by the assistant, nothing more to say.

It was a clear offside. If you see the image it’s not just one player or two players in offside positions, there were five Newcastle players in the same line in offside positions. It was a clear offside, five players in offside positions.

If 2-2 for us at that moment was a big frustration, imagine when they scored the third goal in a clear offside position?

Also see: Fabian Schar banned vs Arsenal & Crystal Palace while Jamaal Lascelles is injured.

Arsenal vs Manchester United betting tips: Premier League match preview & predictions.