Chelsea keen on £97.5m Martinez transfer, Covid postponements LATEST, Barcelona ‘meet Raiola to discuss Haaland’

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JUVE GOT MAIL

Juventus are keeping tabs on Manchester United ace Anthony Martial.

According to Gazetta dello Sport, Juve are keen on a loan deal for Martial in January.

The Bianconeri are looking for a centre-forward to partner up with Paulo Dybala up front, with fellow United star Edinson Cavani also monitored.

It is suggested the Italian giants want Martial on a temporary deal, with the possibility of making the move permanent in the summer transfer window

ED-ING OUT

Real Madrid ace Eden Hazard could make a shock return to Lille in the January transfer window.

Hazard joined Real Madrid from Chelsea in 2019 for a huge fee of £89million but has failed to live up to expectations.

Now, Lille president Olivier Letang addressed talks regarding the possibility of the winger returning to the club.

Letang told L'Equipe: "A return of Hazard to Lille? It is not impossible to see it here.

"I go to Spain if necessary. It may seem impossible.

"Obviously, Hazard is an incredible player with a lot of quality.

"Right now, he is a Real Madrid player and is under contract with Real Madrid every day"

KLOPP ON PREM BREAK

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp claims he is "not against" a Premier League break but doesn't understand how the fixtures can be rescheduled.

Klopp said: "I am not against stopping the league, I just don't see the 100per cent benefit from stopping it compared to carrying on.

"Stopping means we stop now for 1-2 weeks. That means 5-6 games? When do you want to play them?

"We have smaller squads because it looks in the moment players will get infected. It's not unlikely.

"We have games on Sunday, Wednesday and the FA Cup where the opponent vaccination rate is really low or they don't have testing regime"

FESTIVE FIREBREAK

Premier League clubs are 'pushing for a festive firebreak' to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak in the top flight.

That's according to Manchester Evening News, who report that the teams are trying to get the Prem postponed until the FA Cup third round - which begins on January 7.

This means the season won't get back underway until the following weekend

NO PEP TALK

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has cancelled his press conference following an inconclusive COVID-19 coronavirus test result.

Guardiola is now waiting on results of a follow-up test, but the pre-match presser has been called off.

This comes after five Premier League matches, scheduled for the weekend, got postponed.

That's due to a COVID-19 outbreak that has taken over several clubs

PO0R TUCH

Glenn Hoddle claims Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel was at his "lowest" after the Everton draw.

Hoddle told BT Sport: "Those games have been very difficult for them in recent weeks and Wolves [on Sunday] will be difficult.

"That is the lowest I have seen Tuchel post-game, he is seething inside.

"He's had to go out and say what he's had to say, but you can tell he hadn't picked himself up for that interview and they have got to pick themselves up very quickly. He knows that there is a concern there"

EFL POSTPONEMENTS

Here are all the EFL matches that have been postponed:

Championship

• Cardiff P-P Derby
• Coventry P-P Stoke
• Millwall P-P Preston
• QPR P-P Swansea
• Reading P-P Luton

League One

• Bolton P-P Wycombe
• Burton P-P MK Dons
• Gillingham P-P Crewe
• Lincoln P-P Doncaster
• Sheff Wed P-P Accrington

League Two

• Crawley P-P Oldham
• Northampton P-P Barrow
• Port Vale P-P Exeter
• Swindon P-P Walsall

MAN COMES AROUND

Kostas Manolas rejected offers from the Bundesliga and LaLiga for a return to his beloved Olympiacos, reports SunSport's Kostas Lianos.

Manolas completed a sensational comeback to the Greek champions seven years after leaving for the Serie A where he stood out for Roma and then Napoli.

SunSport understand the centre-back turned down a potential move to Germany and Spain just two years after being targeted by some of the Premier League's biggest clubs.

The Greece international's performances in Italy attracted the interest of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea in 2018 and 2019.

Reports at the time suggested the Premier League trio was willing to splash over £30million before the now 30-year-old defender joined Napoli two years ago

AUBA OUT AGAIN

Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will again be frozen out by Mikel Arteta as punishment for the late return that cost him the captain’s armband.

Aubameyang has missed the last two games as manager Arteta lost patience with his striker for the latest lack of discipline.

And the Spanish head coach has revealed the 31-year-old will have no part to play in Saturday’s match at Leeds as his exile continues.

Arteta said: “No, he is not available for this game.”

Asked if Aubameyang has a future at the club, Arteta added: “He is not available for this game”

COVID HIT

So far a total of FIVE Premier League games, scheduled for the weekend, have been postponed:

Saturday

Man Utd P-P Brighton
Southampton P-P Brentford
Watford P-P Crystal Palace
West Ham P-P Norwich

Sunday

Everton P-P Leicester

VLAHOVIC BLOW

Newcastle have joined the bidding war for Fiorentina star Dusan Vlahovic.

That is according to CalcioMercato, who report that the Magpies have launched a whopping €100million (£85m) bid for Vlahovic.

That would make the striker the fourth-most expensive ace in Premier League history.

Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham are also reportedly keen on the Serbia international

‘ONLY SERIOUS BIDDER’

Manchester United are the ‘only’ serious bidder for Borussia Dortmund star strikr Erling Haaland.

That is according to SportBild, who report that United are strong candidates for Haaland’s signature compared to other suitors, but will first have to make it to the Champions League.

Chelsea have already landed Romelu Lukaku, while Real Madrid’s priority is to buy Kylian Mbappe.

Haaland could replace Mbappe at Paris Saint-Germain but a tansfer to Paris ‘would only be an alternative’ for him.

Manchester City, meanwhile, were keen on signing Harry Kane in the summer and the Tottenham star remains a ‘dream’ target for Pep Guardiola.

Bayern Munich won’t be considered as long as Robert Lewandowski is still leading the attack while Barcelona are still struggling financially

WOOD HE?

Manchester United ace Mason Greenwood has emerged as a transfer target for Arsenal, Juventus and Barcelona.

That is according to Elnacional, who hinted that the Greenwood could be on the move soon.

The Gunners may need to add a centre-forward to their ranks next summer with both Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette out of contract, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has fallen out of favour.

The north Londoners, Juve and Barca won’t ‘hesitate’ to make an offer for the England international should he become available

KING ARTHUR

Arsenal are eyeing Juventus ace Arthur ahead of the January transfer window.

That is according to Calciomercato, who claim that the Gunners would be interested in getting the midfielder next month.

The Brazil international is hoping to leave Juve next month for better opportunities.

The 25-year-old’s deal with the Banconeri runs out in 2025

HAA-VING A MEETING

Barcelona ‘have met with Mino Raiola’ and discussed the signing of Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland, who’s also linked with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.

That is according to the Daily Mail, who report that Barca president Joan Laporta held a meeting with Raiola in order to discuss transfer targets, including that of Haaland.

Despite the Blaugrana’s financial issues, there is still an interest in the Norway international as well as United star Paul Pogba.

It is also claimed that the meeting with the Italian agent was ‘not casual’

MAN UTD VS BRIGHTON POSTPONED

Manchester United’s Premier League clash with Brighton at home on Saturday has been postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak in the Red Devils’ camp.

United released the following statement: “Manchester United can confirm that our Premier League fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion, scheduled for Saturday 18 December at 12:30 GMT, has been postponed and will be rescheduled in due course.

“The health of players and staff is our priority. Given the number of players and support staff having to isolate due to COVID-19, the club had no option other than to request the match be rearranged. The Premier League Board took the decision to postpone based on guidance from medical advisors.

“We will also suspend football training operations at the Carrington Training Complex for a short period to help reduce risk of further transmission.

“We regret any disappointment and inconvenience caused to fans by the postponement”

LAUT OF INTEREST

Chelsea are still keen on signing Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez.

That is according to Fichajes, who report that the Blues may be prepared to reignite their interest in Lautaro this summer.

When the centre-forward was available for the right price this year, and in 2020, none of the interested clubs met Inter's valuation.

However, the west Londoners may have to make some room in their squad first before contemplating a potential deal involving the Argentina international

LIVERPOOL CLOSE GAP AS COVID HITS

Amid fears for Christmas football, Liverpool, definitely, and Chelsea, maybe, took the chance to warn Manchester City it's a three-horse title race.

Jurgen Klopp's Reds went a point behind City with a controversial 3-1 comeback win over Newcastle.

Liverpool dominated after Jonjo Shelvey's shock early opener for the lowly Toon.

But Diogo Jota's equaliser sparked heated debate as it came while Newcastle's Isaac Hayden was down with a head injury.

Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s late stunner then sealed the Toon's fate.

Liverpool and Chelsea had both been rocked by several positive Covid tests earlier yesterday as a coronavirus outbreak hits football hard.

And the Blues sorely missed the finishing of Covid-hit frontmen Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner in a 1-1 home draw with depleted Everton.

Mason Mount finally rewarded the Blues' domination on 70 minutes but 19-year-old defender Jarrad Branthwaite stole the Toffees a point in his first Prem game this season.

Leicester's clash with Tottenham last night joined the list of coronavirus casualties.

And only two of the six planned Prem matches for this Saturday remain -  Aston Villa vs Burnley and Leeds vs Arsenal.

On the transfer front, it's thought Newcastle could offer £85million for a major Manchester United and Arsenal target - Fiorentina's Serbia forward Dusan Vlahovic.

And it's claimed the Gunners might bid for Red Devils' frontman Mason Greenwood.

Lastly,  Liverpool are standing firm on a £15million valuation for West Ham target Nat Phillips.

ENGLAND FACE HUNGARY HEADACHE

England bosses have been given a huge headache after being drawn against Hungary in the Nations League.

Gareth Southgate must take his team back to Budapest, where players were subjected to racist abuse during a World Cup qualifier in September.

The Three Lions were yesterday handed a tough set of fixtures in their League A group, with Italy and Germany also featuring.

Matches will be played in June and September of next year, with the finals, which England reached two years ago, in 2023.

Hungary were hit with a fine of nearly £160,000 and a two-match ban, one of which was suspended, after the problems in September.

Fifa’s disciplinary committee acted after Jude Bellingham and Raheem Sterling were targeted with monkey chants, while objects were thrown at players during the Three Lions’ 4-0 win.

Hungary were subsequently forced to play their World Cup qualifier at home to Albania behind closed doors.

Equally, the FA faces security issues for the return home game.

Hungary fans, aided by Polish supporters, caused problems in the away end at the start of the World Cup qualifier at Wembley in October, which finished 1-1.

The Metropolitan Police said there was 'minor disorder' from fans after officers entered the stand to make an arrest for a racially-aggravated public order offence.

The dates of the fixtures will be announced TODAY.

ALEXANDER THE LATE

Here's Trent Alexander-Arnold's match-sealing masterpiece in Liverpool's 3-1 defeat of Newcastle.

The Reds went a point off leaders Man City, rounded off by TAA's late long-range laser.

MOUNTING A GOAL THREAT

Covid-hit Chelsea will be frustrated by their misses in tonight's 1-1 draw with Everton.

But England midfielder Mason Mount at least helped make up for the absence of coronavirus suffers Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner up front by netting for the fourth straight Prem game.

Here's how he did it - and in some style!

TOON IN ‘£85M BID FOR UTD TARGET VLAHOVIC’

Newcastle could bid £85million for Manchester United and Arsenal target Dusan Vlahovic.

Journalist Filippo Grassia told Passione Inter that the Toon will try to steal a march for Fiorentina’s Serbia striker.

Vlahovic, 21, has hit 15 goals in 17 Serie A matches this season.

RESULT: LIVERPOOL 3 NEWCASTLE 1

Liverpool cut Man City's Prem lead to a point with a victory overwhelming in all but margin.

Jonjo Shelvey's early Toon opener was overturned by Diogo Jota, Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s late stunner.

GOAL! LIVERPOOL 3 NEWCASTLE 1

Trent Alexander-Arnold's 25-yard thunderbolt into the top corner surely made victory safe for Liverpool.