Roman Abramovich ‘offers’ Chelsea to Swiss billionaire Wyss, Madrid CONFIRM Hazard fate, Australian tournament – updates
PRESSURE is ramping up on Roman Abramovich who is reportedly listening to bids this week.
The Chelsea owner sensationally gave up control of the club amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
And Swiss Billionaire Hansjorg Wyss confirmed that he alongside others have received an offer to take over the reigns of the West London outfit.
There has also been reports that Abramovich flew over to Belarus to participate in peace talks on Monday.
Meanwhile ex-Blues talisman Eden Hazard has been told to leave in the summer or sit on the bench next season.
Manchester United and PSG have been offered the chance to compete in a star-studded pre-season Australian tournament which could see the rivalry of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi reignited.
Follow all the latest news on Abramovich's announcement below..
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Clarke on the move
Jack Clarke is expected to complete a loan move from Tottenham to Sunderland today, reports SunSport's Paul Jiggins.
The winger, 21, is believed to be having a medical at the Black Cats before finalising his switch.
He has made just four substitute appearances for Spurs since joining from Leeds for £8.5m in July 2019.
He has also had loan spells back at Leeds and QPR and Stoke
Guimaraes transfer denied
Lyon have “categorically denied” that Newcastle have reached a deal for Bruno Guimaraes.
But the Toon are still pushing for a £30million agreement for Guimaraes with the Ligue 1 club having taken the exact same stance in the past before selling a host of players, like Alexandre Lacazette, Ferland Mendy and Tanguy Ndombele.
It read: “Olympique Lyonnais categorically denies the false information disseminated by many media reporting an agreement between Newcastle and OL for the transfer of Brazilian international midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
“In this transfer window period where the slightest rumour is often presented as reality, Olympique Lyonnais reminds that only information officially released by the club is to be taken into consideration”
GETTY IMAGES Case for change
Premier League clubs have agreed new COVID-19 rules to clarify when matches can be postponed.
Today’s meeting of the 20 top flight clubs backed Prem proposals to demand at least four positive coronavirus cases for a postponement request to be accepted.
The change comes in the wake of League bosses agreeing to call off the North London derby when Martin Odegaard was the only Arsenal player unavailable due to the virus.
That was among the 22 matches that have so far been postponed because of virus-related absentees, although four of those have since been played on a different date.
SunSport understands no clubs spoke out against the change at today’s meeting
Liverpool linked with Dybala
Liverpool are reportedly planning to launch a bid for Juventus star Paulo Dybala in the summer.
Dybala will be a free agent when the season ends and the Reds are said to be keen on pouncing on the forward, according to Sport Italia and Tuttomercato.
However, Inter Milan have also got eyes on the Argentina international and are reportedly favourites to sign him.
The 28-year-old has amassed a total of 111 goals and 46 assists in 277 appearances in Turin
Man for the job
Italy boss Roberto Mancini is the latest name that has been linked with the Manchester United manager role.
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, former Manchester City gaffer Mancini could be tempted with a return to the Premier League if United come calling after the World Cup qualifiers in March.
Speaking to Rio Ferdinand on his FIVE podcast, Romano said: "Let’s see what happens with Roberto Mancini.
“Mancini will be busy with Italy to see what happens with the World Cup with qualifying in March, but that could be an option.
“He is tempted by the Premier League, he wants to come back to the Premier League one day. I will add his name to the list”
Aubameyang left out
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been left out of Arsenal's squad flying to Dubai.
The Gunners are set to jet off in the Middle East for a warm-weather training camp.
Aubameyang has been exiled and stripped of the captain's armband by manager Mikel Arteta after another disciplinary breach.
The Gabon international has attracted interest from Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille and AC Milan
GETTY IMAGES Pereira track record
Vitor Pereira is currently out of work after being fired by Fenerbahce in December.
This is the second time Pereira has been axed by the Turkish outfit after his dismissal in 2016.
The Portuguese coach has also been given the boot by Olympiacos and 1860 Munich in recent years.
However, the 53-year-old did experience success as Andre Villas-Boas' replacement at Porto between 2011 and 2013.
Pereira also won the Chinese Super League and domestic cup during three years with Shanghai Port FC
Reds eye Schalke star
Liverpool are reportedly interested in Schalke ace Malick Thiaw.
According to Milan News, AC Milan are in talks with the German team to sign Thiaw, who will cost between £6.6-£8.3million.
However, the Reds are also keen on the centre-back and may try to hijack Milan's pursuit.
The Merseysiders have done business with Shalke before when they signed Ozak Kabak on loan last year
Aubameyang latest transfer rumour
Arsenal outcast Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has offered himself to Barcelona.
But Barca may reject the chance to bring Aubameyang to the Nou Camp as manager Xavi prefers Juventus loanee Alvaro Morata.
According to , the Gabon international is very keen to link up with the Blaugrana.
The same report states that the striker has offered himself to the Catalans as he looks to leave north London.
But Aubameyang could be denied a move to Barcelona with Xavi keen on bringing Morata back to LaLiga, where he is part of Atletico Madrid's books
As per usual
Everton are close to appointing Vitor Pereira as their new manager
Pereira is expected to replace controversial former boss Rafa Benitez, who was sacked last week.
According to the , the Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri wants to push on and appoint Pereira on a deal until the end of the season as he ignores advice from his peers like he did with Benitez.
It’s said that Moshiri and fellow stakeholder Alisher Usmanov will once again listen to the advice of agent Kia Joorabchian rather than colleagues within Goodison Park.
The Merseysiders have interviewed Frank Lampard over the post while club legend Wayne Rooney has also been in consideration.
Key figures within Goodison Park expected the process to be a carefully considered one, with no immediate decision imminent.
But it appears that Moshiri is once again set on rushing into another unpopular appointment
GETTY IMAGES Gakpo talks held
Liverpool have held talks to land PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo, who is likely to leave in the summer.
Gakpo has recorded six goals and 10 assists in 14 league starts for Eindhoven this season and is considered to be among the brightest emerging talents in the Eredivisie.
According to Voetbal International, PSV are aware of the mounting interest in the forward and are accepting the possibility of losing the Netherlands international in the summer.
The 22-year-old is therefore expected to extend his current deal by a year until 2026 so the Dutch giants are able to demand a higher fee from potential suitors in six months time
Arsenal’s forward thinking
Arsenal remain desperate to bring in a striker in January with Dusan Vlahovic, Alexander Isak and Dominic Calvert-Lewin all serious options.
The Gunners made bringing Fiorentina star Vlahohic their No1 priority this month.
But the north Londoners look set to miss out with the Serbia international understood to have reached a deal with Juventus.
According to , the Premier League giants have yet to give up on luring the 21-year-old to the Emirates.
However, should they fail to nab him, Arsenal will redouble their efforts in signing either Everton’s Calvert-Lewin or Real Sociedad’s Isak.
But Mikel Arteta’s team know landing either player midway through the season will prove difficult as they are both critical to their respective teams
Palace keen on Van de Beek
Crystal Palace are pushing to sign Donny van de Beek on loan from Manchester United.
Palace have made a loan offer to take Van de Beek for the rest of the campaign, but with no option to turn the move permanent.
Manager Patrick Vieira wants more experience in his squad and is understood to be a driving force behind the switch.
The Eagles, however, face competition from other interested clubs, including Valencia
Newcastle agree Guimaraes fee
Newcastle are closing in on midfielder Bruno Guimaraes after Lyon accepted a bid of around £30million, reports SunSport's Oscar Paul.
The Brazilian international is set to undergo a medical in his home country today.
Arsenal and Juventus are also keen but are yet to submit an offer, leaving Toon in pole position to secure his signature.
Guimaraes is a deep-lying playmaker and would become Newcastle’s second most expensive signing ever behind £40million countryman Joelinton.
Guimaraes, 24, joined Lyon from Brazilian club Athletico Paranaense in January 2020 and has picked three caps with the Samba stars.
One of Lyon’s most consistent performers over the past two season, he was part of the Brazil squad that won Gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Magpies boss Eddie Howe has been desperate to add a midfielder all January and is now hopeful of making his third signing this month following the arrivals of Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood
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