Barcelona sign Arsenal teenager

Marcus McGuane

BARCELONA have signed promising Arsenal teenager Marcus McGuane on a three-year contract and immediately slapped on a £22.5 million (AU$39m, €25m) release clause.

McGuane caught the eye of Barcelona with his performances for Arsenal’s Under-23 team and signed for an undisclosed fee where he will initially join up with the Barcelona B squad.

Barcelona B compete in Spain’s second-tier Segunda division, with Barca also attaching an option to extend the 18-year-old’s contract by a further two years.

London-born McGuane graduated from Arsenal’s youth academy after joining the Premier League club at under-six level.

“We would like to thank Marcus for his contribution and wish him well at Barcelona,” an Arsenal statement read.

England Under-19 midfielder McGuane played twice for Arsenal’s first team this season in Europa League ties against Red Star Belgrade and BATE Borisov.

Eden Hazard to Man City: Chelsea prepared to REJECT world record bid

Eden Hazard

CHELSEA will not sell Eden Hazard to Manchester City - even if they table a world record bid.

The Belgian has reportedly stalled on a new contract offer at Stamford Bridge amid interest from La Liga giants Real Madrid.

Hazard is believed to be desperate to play under his hero Zinedine Zidane, although the Frenchman is under pressure following a miserable first half to the season.

But reports this week suggest that City boss Pep Guardiola is preparing a £150m offer for the 27-year-old and will make a move in the summer if Hazard’s Chelsea future is still uncertain.

City are willing to pay Hazard £300,000-a-week, which is what international team-mate Kevin De Bruyne is pocketing after signing a new deal last week.

But according to the Telegraph, Chelsea will reject any advances from English clubs for their talisman, even if they’re in excess of £200m.

Hazard has been in stunning form for Antonio Conte’s side this season, scoring 12 times and providing nine assists.

And the Italian is not prepared to let him go as he seeks fresh faces before Wednesday’s transfer deadline in an effort to hunt down runaway leaders City at the top of the Premier League.

Chelsea are currently third in the table, 15 points behind Guardiola's men.

They’re back in action on Wednesday as they welcome Bournemouth to Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal REJECT £20m bid from Chelsea for Olivier Giroud

Olivier Giroud

CHELSEA have had a £20m bid for Olivier Giroud rejected by Arsenal as negotiations continue. 
That's according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.

Blues boss Antonio Conte has been chasing a target man as understudy to Alvaro Morata throughout the January window. Arsenal are on the verge of signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund for £60m. That would leave Giroud third in Arsene Wenger's pecking order behind the Gabon star and Alexandre Lacazette. The France international wants to stay in London and has recently rejected moves to Everton and Dortmund. 

With the World Cup at the end of the season, Giroud knows he needs to play regularly or risk not being selected by manager Didier Deschamps.

But contacts could be renewed."

Giroud, 31, signed a contract extension a few weeks ago that was set to keep him at the Gunners until 2019 instead of 2018 which was when his current deal was set to expire.

A report from Sportune in France claimed the striker took a £10,000-per-week pay cut when he signed the new deal.

Eden Hazard: Chelsea star reacts to whirlwind win over Norwich in FA Cup replay

HAZARD

EDEN HAZARD praised his Chelsea team-mates for not giving up and winning on penalties against Norwich despite going down to nine men.

Michy Batshuayi gave Chelsea a 1-0 lead midway through the second half only for Jamal Lewis to force extra time with the final kick of the game.

But it was in extra time where there was plenty of controversy which started when Willian was booked for diving in the box, although pundits commentating on the game thought it should have been a penalty.

Then Pedro picked up two yellow cards, the first for a clear dive in the penalty area.

And then Alvaro Morata picked up a quick-fire double yellow again for an adjudged dive in the box and then overzealously protesting his innocence to the referee.

There was little time for Norwich to make the most of the advantage of having two extra men on the park with the game decided by a penalty shoot-out.

Willy Caballero proved the hero of the night by saving the Canaries' first penalty from Nelson Oliveira, and Chelsea failed to miss with Hazard scoring the decisive spot-kick.

And the Belgium international was happy that his side were able to get the job done in the end. 

"Now we can focus on the league and get ready for the next game against Newcastle," Hazard told BBC.

"It is the FA Cup it is not easy to win the game. 

"We gave everything, at the end of the game we played nine vs 11 so we showed great character. 

"We are happy but also sad that we lost two players."

Alexis Sanchez agrees Manchester United deal to make him best-paid Premier League star

MANCHESTER UNITED are edging ever closer to the signing of Alexis Sanchez after the Arsenal forward agreed a deal that will make him the Premier League’s best-paid player on an astonishing £500,000-a-week.

All that is left for United to do now to complete the long-running saga is to agree the transfer with Arsenal.

United manager Jose Mourinho is keen to press through with his dramatic bid for Alexis Sanchez after tempting him out of what looked like a certain move to rivals City.

He is even clinging to the hope that he might get the deal done in time for Sanchez to be involved in Saturday’s trip to Burnley.

With that in mind, United were last night exploring the option of doing a straight cash deal for Sanchez, rather than a package offer that included Henrikh Mkhitaryan heading in the opposite direction.

Whatever the case, it now appears that terms are sealed between Sanchez and United – although Arsenal may refuse to sanction the transfer if they cannot line up Mkhitaryan or another replacement.

He has reportedly asked for a four-and-a-half year deal which works out at £269,000 after tax.

It is believed those figures include the signing on fee that is standard in transfers of this scale.

United also have to stump up a transfer fee of £35 million – possibly including Mkhitaryan as part of that package – and there will also be agent’s fees totalling a further £10m.

Mourinho has maintained that still represents good value for the player, even though he would be available for free when his Arsenal contract runs out this summer.

It promises to be a busy few days for Woodward and Manchester United who will turn their attention to securing the manager to a longer-term deal but only once Sanchez is secured.

It is understood that Mourinho and his club remain relaxed about the contract extension, with 18 months remaining on his current deal. 

But the formalities are all but agreed and the deal will only be completed when the Sanchez business is done and dusted.

Chelsea 1-1 (5-3 pens) Norwich: Blues labour to victory to secure spot in FA Cup fourth round in controversial tie

Chaotic Chelsea ended a five-hour scoring drought before advancing in the FA Cup with a 5-3 penalty shootout win over Norwich.

The Premier League champions thought they had won for the first time in 2018 as Michy Batshuayi was on target in Wednesday night's FA Cup third-round replay at Stamford Bridge.

But Jamal Lewis headed in Timm Klose's cross in the fourth minute of stoppage time for 1-1 and force extra time, when Pedro and Alvaro Morata were sent off.

The early stages of extra time saw Willian booked for diving in the penalty box, however, replays suggest he was unlucky to be penalised. Controversially, referee Graham Scott did not consult VAR to the outrage of the home crowd. 

Pedro, earlier booked for diving, was also sent off for a second bookable offence after being booked for diving in normal time. 

And Morata also saw red, receiving a yellow card for diving and an immediate second yellow for his vociferous complaints, which was followed by a pitch invader furious at the referee's handling of the game.

But the Blues escaped to advance to a fourth-round tie with Newcastle as Willy Caballero saved from Nelson Oliveira and Eden Hazard ensured Chelsea scored all five of their spot-kicks.

Phil Jones warns rivals Manchester City that United can still catch them in the Premier League title race despite hefty 12-point gap Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5277307/Man-United-star-Phil-Jones-warns-City-PL-title-race-on.html#ixzz54OfpKGNI Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

JONES

Phil Jones has warned Manchester City they can still be overhauled in the Premier League title race, just as Manchester United were six years ago.

City's advantage at the Premier League summit is a sizeable 12 points, though their first top-flight loss of the season to Liverpool on Sunday has at least given the chasing pack a modicum of hope.

United are at

the head of that group of challengers having beaten Stoke 3-0 and Jones still remembers when they were in a position as comfortable as City's current one only to eventually miss out on the crown by virtue of their goal difference.

In ex-Blackburn defender Jones' first season at Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson's men were eight points ahead of City in April with six games to go only to see the title end up across town when Sergio Aguero scored late on against QPR.

Having gone through that experience, Jones knows nothing is yet set in stone as far as this year's title race goes.

'Football's football, never say never,' he said.

'I remember in my first season we were eight points clear, absolutely cruising, (everyone thought there was) no way we'd let the lead slip, and we lost it on the final day.

'Football's football. People can say what they want but we'll continue to be positive and push forward. You never know. It happened in 2012 to us so why not?'

United's title bid would receive a boost should they lure Alexis Sanchez to Old Trafford from Arsenal this month.

Manager Jose Mourinho has said there is 'a chance' for United to land Sanchez this month, with Manchester City understood to have walked away from a deal due to the cost and Antonio Conte having downplayed any possible interest from Chelsea.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan, omitted from the United squad against Stoke, could hold the key to that deal after the Armenian's agent Mino Raiola claimed to The Times a Sanchez switch to United was dependant on his client heading in the opposite direction.

Jones, who called Sanchez 'a good player', insists United's current squad are paying no heed to a transfer rumour mill they cannot affect.

'We just go about what we do best,' he added.

'Keep playing, it's not up to us, it's not down to us. We know just as much as you guys.

'If someone new comes in the door then obviously it's a positive move for United but it's not up to us, we just do the business on the pitch.

'He (Sanchez) is a good player. But it doesn't meant to say he's going to come to United. We'll have to see.'

Antonio Conte makes honest admission about Alvaro Morata at Chelsea

Alvaro Morata

Antonio Conte has insisted that Chelsea FC’s lack of goals in recent games is not just down to Alvaro Morata’s finishing.

The west London side stuttered to their third goalless draw in a row on Saturday afternoon when they were held to a stalemate by Leicester City at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.

That result followed goalless draws against both Arsenal and Norwich in the cup competitions and left the Blues even further off the pace in the race for the Premier League title.

Chelsea will now aim to try and get back to winning ways when they host Norwich City at Stamford Bridge in the replay of their FA Cup third round clash.

And Conte has opted to try and deflect some of Chelsea’s struggles off Morata and onto his team as a whole. 

Speaking at his post-match news conference on Saturday, Conte said: “I think the problem is for the team, not only for Morata.

“Compared to last season we are conceding less and showing more solidity, but we haven’t had great quality in our finishing.

“A lot of time defenders have had chances to score but didn’t take them. We have to try to improve in this aspect, but the problem is not just for Morata, or Batshuayi when he plays. We have to improve our quality in the last step.”

Chelsea won the Premier League title in style in Conte’s first campaign at the club but the Blues did not have the distraction of any European football that season.

The west London side have already made their first signing of the January transfer window after completing a deal to bring Ross Barkley to the club from Everton at the start of the month.

Barcelona emerge from summer of gloom to shine again

Back in August, after a humiliating 5-1 defeat by Real Madrid over two legs in the Spanish Super Cup, that situation was unthinkable.

The Catalans had lost Brazilian forward Neymar to Paris St Germain and failed to sign their top summer target Philippe Coutinho.

The former Liverpool playmaker is now a Barcelona player, however, and on the field things have improved massively.

Ernesto Valverde's Barcelona are unbeaten in 29 games, although at two goals down against Sociedad at Anoeta, a ground where they had not won in La Liga since 2007, it seemed their streak would end.

"It's been years since we won here in the league and it looked familiar when we fell behind but we were able to react," midfielder Sergio Busquets said.

"We have been at an excellent level and some of our rivals have slipped up, some more than others. We're unbeaten and we've won at some tough grounds. After the Super Cup and what was said afterwards, we've been able to kick on and move forward."

Barcelona have become a side who can win in different ways, with the stunning football produced in the 5-0 win over Celta Vigo in the King's Cup on Thursday replaced by something more pragmatic at Sociedad.

Paulinho's presence in the team facilitates that, with his energy and power helping Barcelona become more of a force in midfield and he has added goals too.

The Brazilian scored the first of the team's four strikes in San Sebastian, taking him to eight league goals for the campaign. Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo has four.

Barcelona's arch-rivals are fourth, 19 points behind, and now they are more concerned about second-placed Atletico and Valencia in third.

"It doesn't interest me how Madrid are doing," full back Jordi Alba said. "We can't rule out those that are ahead of them."

Although both Atletico and Valencia have strengthened in the current transfer window, Barcelona have too with Coutinho's arrival and Ousmane Dembele's return to fitness.

It would be no surprise if Valverde's side grew stronger in the weeks to come and their sights are firmly set on wresting back the title.

Coutinho celebrating in Barcelona after Liverppol win - Klopp

Jurgen Klopp felt Liverpool made an "important statement'' as they beat Premier League leaders ,in their first match since selling Philippe Coutinho.

Phil Coutinho and Jurgen Klopp

The Reds prevailed 4-3 in a compelling Anfield encounter, inflicting a first league defeat of the season on City, days after Coutinho left the club to join Barcelona in a deal worth a reported £142 million.

Liverpool manager Klopp said: "It's not that I said in a meeting, 'Boys, it would help a lot if you could win tonight so nobody speaks about Phil Coutinho anymore.'

"We like speaking about him. He'll still be jumping in his new living room in Barcelona, happy about the win tonight.

"But it was important to show we can play without him and we did that. That's a very important statement.''

Drummond’s double-double leads Pistons past Nets 114-80

Andre Drummond

NEW YORK — Andre Drummond scored 22 points and grabbed 20 rebounds, Tobias Harris had 22 points, and the Detroit Pistons blew past the Brooklyn Nets 114-80 on Wednesday night.

Dwight Buycks added 17 points for the Pistons.

Allen Crabbe scored 20 points and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 15 points for the Nets, who have lost three in a row.

Detroit took a 90-61 lead heading into the fourth quarter and led by as many as 40 points, 104-64, with 8:20 remaining.

Drummond led Detroit with 18 points and 13 rebounds at the half as the Pistons took a 63-41 lead into the locker room. Crabbe led Brooklyn with 14 points at the half.

Harris led Detroit with 14 points in the first quarter as the Pistons took a 34-26 lead.

Pistons: Coach Stan Van Gundy praised Buycks’ play in the past five games after being inactive for the first 32 games of the season. “I think he’s played well. He’s attacked, he’s played aggressively and he can score the ball.” . Jon Leuer (sprained left ankle) and Reggie Jackson (sprained right ankle) were out.

Nets: Coach Kenny Atkinson was asked about Brooklyn earning the respect from officials after several controversial calls recently. “I think you earn respect with your play,” he said. “It’s like when you were a seventh grader and you go to the playground, and the big kids are pushing you around or maybe making all the calls. As you get better, as you improve your game somehow that turns the other way. We’ve got to earn our respect through our play. That’s the way we feel.” . DeMarre Carroll (right knee sprain), D’Angelo Russell (left knee surgery), Isaiah Whitehead (G-League assignment) and Jeremy Lin (ruptured patella tendon, right knee) were out.

Blow For Chelsea As Eden Hazard Agree Terms To Complete Real Madrid Transfer

 Eden Hazard

Chelsea’s Belgian playmaker Eden Hazard is set to leave Chelsea in the next summer transfer window on one condition. The playmaker has revealed to newsmen that he will only join the Spanish giants if coach Zinedine Zidane still remains as the Los Blancos coach, report the Daily Star.

Zinedine Zidane is under fire, and could be sacked before the end of the season due to Real Madrid’s poor run of results that has almost ruled them out of the the La Liga title race.

The manager who is an admirer of the Belgian international has been monitoring the player for quite a time, but he might not secure the player’s services as he is under pressure to lose his job.

Eden Hazard told reporters last month that he would love to work with Zinedine Zidane as a result of his affection for the French manager. However, the forward revealed to reporters last night that he might move to Santiago Bernabeu in the summer if they still retain the services of his longtime football idol Zinedine Zidane.

World Cup winner Zidane has admitted that his Real Madrid job is not secure, and he is ready for any action that would be taken by Madrid’s president over his coaching career at the club.

“I know that one day it [the coach’s job] will come to an end at Real Madrid, so I make the most of it and I do everything I can to be successful.

“I say to myself, ‘If I’ve got 10 days left here, then I’m going to live those 10 days to the max; if it’s six months, I’ll live those six months to the max’. I don’t think beyond that. I know I won’t stay [in the job] for 10 years.” He said.

Fiorentino Perez and the other board members are definitely going to be influenced by Eden Hazard’s condition when they are ready to decide Zidane’s future. Real Madrid are currently in one of their worst seasons in recent years.

According to transfermarkt, Hazard is valued at 100,00 Mill. €.

Federer, Nadal, Dimitrov, Rublev: Who Will Impress The Most In 2018?

Rafael Nadal

The crystal ball of player improvement can sometimes be uncertain, but an Infosys ATP Beyond The Numbers analysis highlights the group of players you should keep your eye on in the 2018 season, based on their promise and performance in 2017. For different reasons and at different rankings, these players look poised to make serious headlines in 2018. Let’s just say you heard it here first…

1. Next to be No. 1 = Grigor Dimitrov

The jigsaw puzzle has finally come together for the talented 26-year-old Bulgarian. He started 2017 ranked No. 17 in the ATP Rankings, but surged all the way to No. 3 at the end of the season courtesy of winning the Nitto ATP Finals in London. In 2016, Dimitrov saved only 60 per cent (238/397) of break points when serving, good enough for 36th best on tour in this specific category. Fast forward to 2017 and that number sky-rocketed to 70 per cent (252/360), and he leaped to fifth best saving break points. He is now mentally tougher, physically stronger, and has the confidence to stand alone at the summit.

2. Top 10 Breakthrough = Nick Kyrgios

The 22-year-old Australian reached No. 13 in October 2016, but moved backwards to No. 21 to finish the 2017 season. He is better than that, as we saw on Sunday when he beat Ryan Harrison to capture the Brisbane International presented by Suncorp title and improve his ATP Ranking to No. 17. Kyrgios is young and brash, and has already established himself as one of the premier servers in the history of our sport.

3. Top 20 Breakthrough = Hyeon Chung

Chung is currently ranked No. 62, but finished 2017 in a flourish, winning the inaugural Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan in November. Impressively, Chung was the eighth best returner on tour in 2017, winning 27.9 per cent of his return games, which put him higher than Top 10 players Roger Federer (26.7 per cent), David Goffin (26.7 per cent), and Dominic Thiem (25.2 per cent). Chung started 2017 outside the Top 100, but look for him to be firmly entrenched in the Top 20 by the end of 2018.

4. Big Upsets Coming = Andrey Rublev

When you see elite level players being upset on the big stage in 2018, there is a good chance that this 20-year-old Russian will be the reason. Rublev started 2018 ranked No. 39 and climbed to No. 32 with his Qatar ExxonMobil Open final run last week. But Rublev has the potential to reach the Top 20, and then halve that number by season’s end. Rublev has already excelled on the big stage, reaching the quarter-finals of the 2017 US Open with wins against Top 10 players Dimitrov and Goffin. Rublev was an impressive 14th best on tour returning serve in 2017. His highest strategic ranking was 10th best with points won returning second serves, at 53.4 per cent. He was just 71st best on the ATP Stats Serve LEADERBOARD. Rublev actually has an outstanding service motion, so as that continues to mature, it’s all upside in 2018 for the Moscow native.

5. The Excitement Machine = Denis Shapovalov

The 18-year-old Canadian had an outstanding 2017, leaping all the way from No. 250 at the start of the year to No. 51 by season's end after reaching a career-high No. 49 in October. What does he do so well? The list is a mile long, but you must start with the serve. He was ranked 21st on the ATP Stats Serve LEADERBOARD in 2017, and was 13th best winning points behind his second serve at 53.9 per cent. His left-handed delivery is defined by accuracy, slice and power – and it’s 

going to only improve.

6. The Stalwarts of the ATP World Tour

Despite all the fresh and exciting players who made noise in 2017, let's not forget that no one had a better year than year-end No. 1 Rafael Nadal, and close behind him was longtime rival Roger Federer, who finished at No. 2. Stan Wawrinka, Novak Djokovic and 2016 year-end No. 1 Andy Murray all had to end their seasons early because of injuries, but expect the trio of greats, along with Milos Raonic and Kei Nishikori, to be back in fine form at some point in 2018 to make this year one of the most exciting seasons in recent memory.

Dimitrov, Kyrgios, Chung, Rublev, Shapovalov, along with the traditional powers of men's tennis, will all make waves in 2018. Keep an eye on them and follow their progress all season at ATPWorldTour.com. It’s going to be a fun ride.

Juventus set to rival Man Utd for Mesut Ozil signing

Ozil 

Manchester United face competition from Juventus for the signing of Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil, according to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport.

The Serie A champions are reportedly keen to sign the Germany international on a free transfer when his contract with the Gunners expires at the end of the season.

Juve have the advantage that they can tie Ozil down to a pre-contract agreement immediately, whereas Arsenal’s domestic rivals United cannot officially approach the World Cup winner until the summer.

The article floats the idea of the Red Devils launching a €40m bid this month to ensure they got their man. The Italians would not be able to compete in those circumstances.

The Turin side are said to be monitoring the situation and have been doing so for the past three seasons.

Ozil, aged 29, joined Arsenal from Real Madrid for £42.5m in 2013. He has won three FA Cups with Arsene Wenger’s side.