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CHELSEA READY TO SELL NGOLO KANTE FOR KAI HAVERTZ AND BEN CHILWELL ACQUISITIONS.

Chelsea are reportedly considering letting their central midfielder N’Golo Kante leave this summer in order to raise the fees necessary to sign Kai Havertz and Ben Chilwell.

Kante, 29, has been a crucial part of the Blues first-team since moving to the club in 2016, helping them win the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Europa League in that time.

However, with Chelsea having already splashed out close to £100m on the signings of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner, manager Frank Lampard has been told he will need to sell if he wants to bring in further players.

And according to reports, Kante is one of those who could be on his way out of Stamford Bridge, along with fringe players such as Tiemoue Bakayoko, Michy Batshuayi and Baba Rashman.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Havertz, who has had a hugely impressive season in the Bundesliga, is valued at around £75m by his club, and Chelsea are thought to be desperate to try to lure the winger to west London, although he himself is said to prefer a move to Real Madrid.

Meanwhile Lampard is also a huge fan of Leicester full-back Chilwell, and the club are confident that a bid in excess of £50m will tempt the Foxes into letting the England international go.

The squad is certainly shaping up nicely for next season, but owner Roman Abramovich will no doubt be desperate for the team to qualify for the Champions League, especially given the financial incentives being in the competition offers.

The Blues currently sit in fourth place in the Premier League, just three points clear of Manchester United, and they will be desperate for three points when their campaign gets back underway against Aston Villa on Sunday ahead of two tricky-looking games against Manchester City and Leicester.

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WERNER SIGNS FOR CHELSEA

The forward, 24, has agreed personal terms with the Blues and, subject to passing a medical, will join in July after the German league season ends.

Werner, who joined Leipzig from Stuttgart in 2016, has scored 32 goals in all competitions so far this season.

“I am delighted to be signing for Chelsea, it is a proud moment for me to be joining this great club,” said the German international.

Werner, who is known for his pace and can also play as a winger, thanked the club and fans at Leipzig and said they would “would always be in my heart”.

His July move also confirms Werner will not play for Leipzig in the Champions League quarter-finals in August.

He added: “I look forward to next season with my new team-mates, my new manager and of course the Chelsea fans.

“Together we have a successful future ahead of us.”

Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia says the club is “excited” to have one of Europe’s “most coveted players” heading to Stamford Bridge.

“He has that rare mix of being young and exciting and yet established and proven,” she added.

Werner is Chelsea’s second signing for next season after they completed a £37m deal for Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech in February

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Uefa to set new transfer market rules

Uefa wants all European leagues to end their summer transfer windows on 5 October.

Windows are currently open on different dates in different countries.

European football’s governing body has asked its member associations to adopt the “harmonised” date, with a player registration deadline on 6 October.

Uefa’s executive committee also announced emergency measures to provide clubs with financial flexibility because of the coronavirus pandemic.

It wants to help clubs “neutralise the adverse impact of the pandemic”.

In a statement, Uefa said the measures aim to:

  • Give clubs more time to quantify and account for unanticipated loss of revenues
  • Allow clubs to adjust the break-even calculation for revenue shortfalls reported in 2020 and 2021
  • Ensure equal treatment of clubs where the impact of coronavirus may be realised in different reporting periods
  • Address revenue shortfall
  • Retain the spirit and intent of financial fair play for football’s long-term viability

Uefa also announced the appointment of new members to its disciplinary bodies “with a view to allow for more diversity in the composition of these bodies”.

Former West Ham, Northampton and Peterborough footballer Bobby Barnes has been appointed to the control, ethics and disciplinary body.

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Jose Mourinho says Tottenham wont spend much in transfer window

Jose Mourinho says Tottenham are not going to be “in the same league” as other Premier League clubs in this summer’s transfer market.

Spurs spent over £100m last year but Mourinho does not expect to get the same budget this summer.

Tottenham currently sit eighth in the Premier League table.

“I think we are going always to be very balanced, which is what Tottenham normally is,” said Mourinho.

Tottenham resume their season, after football’s suspension because of the coronavirus pandemic, with a home match against Mourinho’s old club Manchester United on Friday.

On Thursday, Chelsea confirmed the signing of RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner on a five-year deal.

He is Chelsea’s second signing for next season after they completed a £37m deal for Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech in February.

Elsewhere, Manchester United signed Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes for £47m in January.

“You have now examples already of clubs investing and making important movements in the market and we are still nine matches away from the end of the season,” said Mourinho.

“We know that we are not going to be in the same league, in the same world, as clubs that are going to do completely different to us.

“But would I expect us not to do anything and to stay exactly with the same squad that we have in this moment? My answer is no.

“I expect us to do some little important things and if we do our little important things and we improve in two, three positions that we need to improve in the squad, I am completely open to the challenge

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OLE WANTS LEADERSHIP FROM POGBA

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to see some leadership on the pitch from Paul Pogba.

The club record signing, 27, has made just two appearances since September because of a fractured foot.

But despite speculation about his future, Pogba’s chances of staying at United have increased – with the transfer market expected to collapse because of Covid-19’s financial impact.

“Paul is one of the best midfielders in the world,” said Solskjaer.

“He is a World Cup winner and we want to have that leadership on the pitch.”

Pogba last played for United on 26 December as he attempted a comeback from his injury, but suffered a setback and required surgery on his foot in January.

With United set to resume their Premier League campaign at Tottenham on Friday – more than three months after the campaign was halted by the coronavirus pandemic – Solskjaer wants to see the France midfielder make a bigger impact.

“Now that he is fit and training and available, I can see from his mentality and focus, that he is ready to play again,” Solskjaer said.

“Whether that is for 45 minutes this time, or 60 I don’t know but gradually, over these next few months, we hope to work him back up to his best.”

BBC Sport understands United’s coaching staff were encouraged by the pairing of Pogba and January signing Bruno Fernandes in the same team during last week’s friendly defeat by West Brom at Old Trafford.

With Scotland international Scott McTominay one of United’s best performers of the season and both Fred and Nemanja Matic improving as the campaign went along, the midfield area – once a weakness – has become a strength.

“Any of them would be capable of playing a full season as a regular at Manchester United so it’s given me a nice challenge to pick the right ones against the right opponents,” said Solskjaer.

By the time they take to the field at Tottenham, 103 days will have elapsed since United beat Manchester City at Old Trafford in their last Premier League match.

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REAL MADRID PUT THE PRESSURE ON BARCELONA

Karim Benzema became Real Madrid’s fifth all-time leading goalscorer with a double in a victory over Valencia, which closed the gap on league leaders Barcelona to two points.

Benzema, 32, has now netted 243 goals in all competitions for Real, overtaking Ferenc Puskas’ tally.

Ex-Chelsea forward Eden Hazard set up his first goal on the hour before Benzema scored a stunning late volley.

Substitute Marco Asensio scored Real’s second with his first touch.

Benzema’s second goal, which came deep into the second half, was a superb piece of skill, involving a flick and volley which caused manager Zinedine Zidane to put his head in his hands in disbelief.

The Frenchman’s goal, assisted by substitute Asensio, capped off a brilliant second-half performance from Real.

Spaniard Asensio, who suffered a knee injury last summer and has missed almost the entirety of this season, came on in the 73rd minute and guided a volley from Ferland Mendy’s cross into the net 30 seconds later to make it 2-0.

Real Madrid’s all-time top scorers in all competitions
1) Cristiano Ronaldo – 4504) Santillana – 290
2) Raul – 3235) Karim Benzema – 243
3) Alfredo Di Stefano – 3086) Ferenc Puskas – 242

But Benzema’s volley was a contender for goal of the season and confirmed his place among some of the greatest strikers in Real’s history.

There was plenty of positives for Hazard too – his partnership with Benzema is blossoming and his assist for the Frenchman’s first set Real on their way.

Hazard, who joined from Chelsea for £150m in June 2019, had several shots on target in the first half but could not get the better of Valencia keeper Jasper Cillessen, who was in good form all evening.

And it was Valencia who thought they had struck first at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium – Real’s training ground – when Rodrigo had a goal ruled out for offside by VAR.

That decision, which saw referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez go over to the VAR screen at the side of the pitch, came moments after Rodrigo struck the outside of the right post.

But Real dominated after the break and it went from bad to worse for Valencia when substitute Lee Kang-In was shown a straight red card for several kicks at Sergio Ramos.

The result means Real Madrid sit two points behind Barcelona in second place ahead of their next game on Sunday away to Real Sociedad, while Barcelona travel to Sevilla on Friday

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AHEAD MERSEYSIDE DERBY: RICHARLISON CLAIMS THERE ARE BETTER DEFENDERS THAN VAN DIJK.

Everton striker Richarlison has kickstarted the war of words between the Toffees and Liverpool ahead of Sunday’s Merseyside derby.

The Brazilian striker believes there are three defenders in world football who are currently superior to the Reds’ Virgil van Dijk.

It’s a bold statement, especially given the fact that the Dutchman was named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year last season and finished second in the 2019 Ballon d’Or rankings.

However, Richarlison still isn’t convinced and says he believes there are three defenders still active in the game who are better than Van Dijk.

We get the feeling there’s a little bit – sorry, enormous amount – of bias here from Everton’s talisman.

“People talk a lot about him [Van Dijk], yes he is a great defender but I’ve already dribbled past him,” Richarlison said in an interview with an English media outfit.

“He was chosen as one of the top three in the world as he had an excellent season. But yes, for me there are better defenders.”

When asked to name the three defenders he believed to be superior to Van Dijk, Richarlison replied: “Thiago Silva, Marquinhos and Sergio Ramos.”

Two international teammates and a defender who is seen as public enemy number one in the eyes of Liverpool fans? We see what you’re doing, Richarlison.

The debate between Ramos and Van Dijk has been prominent for some time now and to be fair to the Everton man, siding with the Spaniard is fair game.

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LILLE BOSS CONFIRMS OSHIMEN WILL LEAVE THIS SUMMER

Lille's Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Lille Olympique Sporting Club (LOSC) and Saint-Etienne (ASSE) on August 28, 2019 at the "Pierre Mauroy" Stadium in Villeneuve d'Ascq, near Lille, northern France. (Photo by PHILIPPE HUGUEN / AFP) (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP via Getty Images)

Lille boss Christophe Galtier has revealed that Victor Osimhen will be sold during the next transfer window.

Having scored 18 goals during his first campaign at Stade Pierre Mauroy, the 21-year-old has been linked with the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool.

While he did not name clubs who held an interest in the Nigerian, Galtier acknowledged that the striker, as well as Gabriel Magalhaes, would move on in the coming months.

Speaking at a press conference, Galtier said: “Regarding Victor and Gabriel, yes, I’ve known for a long time that they’re leaving.

“They’re working hard with us in the meantime. We’re working on the players who are currently here and those likely to replace them. Of course, the club is working to replace [Osimhen].’

Napoli, who have also been credited as admirers of Osimhen, are said to have agreed a deal for Gabriel.

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ARSENAL BOSS MIKEL ARTETA SAYS MESUT OZIL WILL PLAY WHEN HE’S READY TO GIVE HIS BEST.

Mikel Arteta says he will restore Mesut Ozil to the Arsenal team when he thinks the playmaker “can give his best”.

The Gunners boss left Ozil out of his squad for Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat at Manchester City due to “tactical” reasons, casting further speculation over the German’s future at the Emirates.

“I’ve been very open with Mesut from day one,” said Arteta.

“I thought he was fit and willing and wanted to perform at the level he can do. I think he has played every game with me.

“The moment I see he is ready to do that again I will treat him like everyone else. I have been more than fair with him and he has responded in many games, the way I want. That’s it.

A lot has happened to him in the last few weeks and I have to respect the timing of every player. Sometimes they need a little bit of time.

“It has been difficult preparation in the last two months to get players ready.

“Again, I am the first one who wants Mesut at his best. I will put him on the pitch when I think he can give his best.”

When asked how Ozil reacted to being omitted, Arteta replied: “He was very well with me. There were no issues at all.

“My conversation with Mesut is going to remain with him and me. It was a clear and honest conversation.”

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EX UNITED STRIKER BELIEVES LUIZ MAY HAVE PLAYED HIS LAST GAME OWING TO HIS SHOWING AGAINST CITY.

Dimitar Berbatov believes David Luiz may have sealed his fate at Arsenal after a woeful display against Manchester City.

Luiz replaced the injured Pablo Mari, but lasted just 25 minutes on the pitch before being sent off. The centre-back was guilty of a slew of costly mistakes in his short cameo and Manchester United legend Berbatov gave his reaction to the defensive horror show. ‘In the other match – Man City v Arsenal – it was a bad day for David Luiz,’ Berbatov told pressmen.

‘You can easily judge and criticise, and he probably deserves it in a way. You could argue and say he came off the bench and wasn’t ready, but that first mistake for the goal comes from underestimating the danger and he was too confident in thinking it would be easy to control.

When you make a mistake it plays on your mind and that can lead to other problems, which is exactly what happened to Luiz in giving away a penalty later in the game and getting a red card. ‘It’s sad to see because he has been a good defender but obviously something isn’t going right for him at the moment.

‘Everybody has a bad game and makes mistakes, but maybe in his case it is now one too many.’ City cruised to a 3-0 victory over Arsenal and the Gunners must now decide whether to extend Luiz’s contract or not.