XAVI SIGNS NEW DEAL AT AL-SADD
Barcelona fans may have to wait another year for Xavi Hernandez to take over at the Nou Camp after he put pen to paper on a new contract at Al-Sadd.
The former Spain international took charge at Al-Sadd in 2019 in what is his first managerial role.
The 40-year-old, who won the Qatari Super Cup and the Qatar Cup, has signed a new deal with the Qatari side for the 2020/21 campaign.
‘PSG KEEPING TABS ON BELLERIN’
PSG are keeping tabs on Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin who could be forced out of the Emirates Stadium this summer, according to the Daily Express.
The 25-year-old has spent nine years at Arsenal, but has suffered big injury problems over the last 18 months.
Juventus and Bayern Munich are also reportedly interested.
‘VALENCIA WANT MINA’
Everton’s Colombian centre-half Yerry Mina is a shock target for Spanish side Valencia, according to The Sun.
A bid of £15m could secure the 25-year-old, with Everton linked with former defender John Stones of Man City yesterday, also in The Sun.
Everton signed Mina from Barcelona in 2018.
VAN DIJK: I CHOSE LIVERPOOL OVER CITY AND CHELSEA
Virgil van Dijk has revealed how Jurgen Klopp convinced him to snub Manchester City and Chelsea to join Liverpool.
“I had the chance to go to Chelsea and Man City. When you compare the clubs, you look at the history, the town, the current squad, their plans for the near future.
“But the most important thing you look at is the manager – and Jurgen Klopp is an important reason why I chose for Liverpool.”
EVERTON TO BATTLE SPURS FOR HOJBJERG?
Everton are ready to firm up interest in Southampton midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, according to the Mail on Sunday.
The Toffees have competition from Tottenham for the Saints man, who is valued at £35m. 08:42
THREE OUT, PARTEY IN AT ARSENAL?
Arsenal are likely to sell Matteo Guendouzi, Alexandre Lacazette or Lucas Torreira to raise the funds required to sign Atletico Madrid’s defensive midfielder Thomas Partey, according to the Mail on Sunday.
The Mail say the 27-year-old Ghanaian is keen to join Arsenal, but the Gunners may take a financial hit in the summer in order to secure him.
The club desperately want to keep Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, however, and are in talks to extend his deal beyond 2021.
PSG, PL CLUBS IN FOR SAINT-MAXIMIN?
Paris Saint-Germain have joined the growing list of clubs to show an interest in Newcastle star Allan Saint-Maximin, according to the Daily Mail.
The 23-year-old has been on fine form for Steve Bruce’s side, elevating them to 13th in the Premier League, following a £16.5m move from Nice last summer.
The Mail report all of England’s current top six sides are interested in the Frenchman.
UNITED AGREE SANCHO WAGE TERMS?
The Sun is reporting Jadon Sancho has agreed a £140,000-a-week deal with Manchester United as he edges closer to a move from Borussia Dortmund.
Sky Sports News was told earlier this week that United don’t want to pay Dortmund’s valuation – thought to be £120m – but are trying to structure a deal that would satisfy all parties.
JONES SIGNS NEW LONG-TERM DEAL AT LIVERPOOL
Liverpool youngster Curtis Jones has signed a new “long-term contract,” the Premier League champions have announced.
The 19-year-old midfielder, regarded as one of the club’s best academy prospects, has made eight first-team appearances this season, scoring two goals.
“It’s my boyhood club and it’s the whole of my family’s club as well, so for me it’s huge,” Jones told the club’s website.
“I think the environment and stuff is all positive and keeps me as positive as I can. Of course, we’re working with a great manager and around the best team in the world, so for me it was easy and [I’m] extremely proud.”
ANCELOTTI WARNS OFF DIGNE SUITORS
Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti says there is “no way” left-back Lucas Digne will be allowed to leave the club this summer amid claims of interest from Premier League rivals.
The Frenchman is one of the Premier League’s outstanding performers, involved in the creation of both Everton’s goals in the 2-1 win over Leicester last Wednesday.
“At this moment, there are a lot of rumours. Lucas Digne is an important player for us, so there is no way that he can leave,” said Ancelotti.
Everton have also been linked with Southampton midfielder Pierre Emile Hojbjerg but the Italian was non-committal.
“I know Hojbjerg, he’s a good player. He is playing for Southampton, so I don’t want to talk about another Premier League player that we are playing against soon,” added Ancelotti.
“I can give an opinion about him at the end of the season.”
SPURS REJECT NDOMBELE-RAMSEY SWAP DEAL
Tottenham have rejected a move by Juventus for midfielder Tanguy Ndombele in a swap deal that would have seen Aaron Ramsey go the other way, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Ramsey joined on a free transfer in a deal worth around £400,000 a week, but Juventus are open to selling the Welshman, having already signed Arthur Melo from Barcelona.
Ndombele arrived at Spurs in the summer from Lyon for a club-record £53.8m but has failed to make an impact and was criticised by Jose Mourinho earlier in the season for his display against Burnley.
ARTETA WANTS ARSENAL SIGNINGS
Mikel Arteta has told Sky Sports that Arsenal must strengthen their squad in the upcoming transfer window if they are to close the gap on the sides above them in the Premier League.
“In January, the situation was that we had to fill some gaps and give some stability to the squad,” he said. “Now is the moment to make another step forward and improve the squad and the players that we have.
“The gap between the two top teams and the rest is really, really big and everybody is trying to catch up. We have to be very smart and we have to be very decisive when we make our decisions.”
SETIEN REJECTS MESSI ‘SPECULATION’
Barcelona boss Quique Setien has shrugged off suggestions that Lionel Messi could quit the club.
Media reports emerged in Spain suggesting that Messi is considering not renewing his contract after 2021.
“I am not going to speculate about this subject. I have not listened to him saying anything at all (about leaving the club). This is news that I am not aware that came from him, so I am not going to speculate about it because it is not part of my job.
“I see he is training well and we are talking about what we need to talk, nothing else.”
JOEBLINKS UPDATE 
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