Football news LIVE: Real Madrid target Harry Kane, Tottenham poised to appoint Ange Postecoglou, Chelsea step up Moises Caicedo pursuit, Alexis Mac Allister nears Liverpool switch
talkSPORT.com brings you all the latest football news, views and transfer gossip from the Premier League and beyond.
Top stories:
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic says goodbye to football aged 41
- Ange Postecoglou set to leave Celtic and join Tottenham
- Real Madrid eye Harry Kane as Karim Benzema replacement
- Everton interested in signing Wout Weghorst as Man United opt against adding striker permanently
- Roma striker suffers horror knee injury that could keep him out for rest of 2023
- Liverpool confident of signing Alexis Mac Allister with midfielder keen to work with Jurgen Klopp
- Chelsea step up Moises Caicedo pursuit as they learn the price of Brighton star
Former world champion boxer and Manchester City fan Ricky Hatton has sent a rallying cry to Pep Guardiola’s men ahead of the Champions League final against Inter Milan this weekend.
City are one game away from completing the treble after sealing the Premier League and FA Cup.
However, they have never won UEFA’s biggest prize and lost their last Champions League final against Chelsea in 2021.
But Hatton believes this time will be different.
Speaking to Gambling Zone, he said: “We’ve been here for the last few years.
“We’ve been the favourites to win the Champions League and we haven’t done it for whatever reason, but this is the best team in all the years we’ve been challenging for the Champions League trophy, this is the best team we’ve had.
“We’re in the best form we’ve ever been in, we’re coming off a Premier League win and an FA Cup win, so confidence couldn’t be any higher. This is our year… let’s go and finally get that Champions League trophy.”
talkSPORT understands Tottenham are set to confirm Ange Postecoglou as their new first-team manager.
The Australian has agreed personal terms with the north London giants.
Spurs and Celtic are now in talks over compensation for the remainder of Postecoglou’s contract.
Chelsea have just confirmed the signing of Kendry Paez from Independiente del Valle for an undisclosed fee.
The Blues also haven’t revealed any details of the 16-year-old’s contract apart from the fact he won’t join them until he is 18 in May 2025.
Paez has made just six appearances in the Ecuadorian top flight but starred at the Under-17s World Cup.
He captained his country, scored twice and set up six goals before then playing in this year’s Under-20 World Cup, starting all four group games and being directly involved in four goals.
Dwight Yorke believes Manchester United will close the gap on rivals City if they sign England stars Harry Kane and Mason Mount.
talkSPORT understands Chelsea midfielder Mount has agreed personal terms with the Red Devils, while Tottenham striker Kane is on their radar.
Speaking on the Sports Breakfast, United legend Yorke was asked for his thoughts on the pair, where he said: “Harry Kane, there’s no introduction there, that’s the deal.
“If you want to get closer to City, with his goals and experience, what he brings – a guaranteed 25 goals a season.
“They will definitely get closer to City, that would be the smart move to bring him in, and that’s a deal that they really shouldn’t hesitate, they should make it happen.
“Mason Mount, I like him, I think he might need a change at that club [Chelsea], I think Manchester United can probably bring the best out of him.
“We have a lot of those type of players who are there, but I like the fact that he is English, he’s got a nice combination of how he plays and is intelligent.
“I think he could be an interesting buy for us going forward. If we got them, I think we will be one step closer to City.”
Former Porto star Hulk is still doing incredible things having banged in an outrageous goal for Atletico Mineiro.
The 36-year-old Brazilian scored a stunning free-kick from 45-yards to give his side the lead over Cruzeiro in the 27th minute of their clash this weekend.
Hulk placed the ball down close to the centre-circle, with nobody expecting him to have a go at goal from the set-piece.
The forward produced a powerful drive leaving ex-Napoli and Reading goalkeeper Rafael Cabral with no chance.
He then celebrated by jumping over the advertising hoardings – kissing his teams badge.
Hulk joined Atletico Mineiro after leaving Shanghai in 2021, where he scored 84 goals in 144 appearances.
He had emerged onto the scene become an instant hit during his days with Porto and Zenit Saint Petersburg.
Erik ten Hag has been told David de Gea must leave Manchester United this summer in order for the club to progress.
The 32-year-old has been the Red Devils’ No1 choice goalkeeper since joining from Atletico Madrid in 2011.
But he has been plagued by inconsistent performances this season, and with his contract set to expire, United have been urged now is the time to part ways with the Spaniard.
talkSPORT pundit and ex-Chelsea star Tony Cascarino said: “Applaud him, give him the right send off, he’s been a terrific goalkeeper for Manchester United.
“But it has to change at the football club, if you’re going in a different direction with different ideas, I think that’s the starting place.
“It was the same starting place that Pep Guardiola had by the way at Manchester City [in 2016].
“Where did he start? Straight with the goalkeeper [Claudio Bravo in for Joe Hart], it was the first choice he made.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic still had time to dish out a classic Zlatan response during his retirement speech at AC Milan.
The football icon finally called time on his incredible career at the age of 41, taking to the field at the San Siro to announce his decision to the crowd.
It was an emotional moment for everyone in red and black inside the stadium, with the Swede, his teammates and supporters breaking down in tears as he pulled the curtain down on a glittering 24-year career.
But it wouldn’t be a true Zlatan moment without him making some kind of audacious statement and sure enough, the former Manchester United striker provided the crowd with one final iconic moment to remember.
Whilst the AC Milan star was speaking into the mic on the pitch after the game, Verona fans in the away end booed him.
But that only left the floor open for Zlatan to launch a savage response.
“Keep booing,” he said to them in Italian. “This is the biggest moment in your year seeing me!”
His reply earned huge cheers from the home crowd and he soaked in the reception.
Bury Football Club will return to Gigg Lane next season following approval from the FA.
And in a boost for fans, the FA have confirmed that the name Bury Football Club can be used in competitions, instead of Bury AFC.
The decision has come after fans voted to merge Bury FC and Bury AFC with the aim of getting the Shakers back to playing in their iconic stadium.
Bury were thrown out of the Football League in 2019 due to financial difficulties, with supporters creating Bury AFC.
Bury AFC chairman Phil Young said: “I’m so relieved, but we were fairly confident that it wasn’t going to be a problem.
“We have so much content to get out to people, season tickets to sell all this sort of stuff that has been pent up waiting for official confirmation that the name had been changed.
“It just puts all the wheels in motion and gets rid of any uncertainty, there’s just tonnes of stuff that we’re that we need to get out to people now.”
Bury ply their trade in the Premier Division of the North West Counties League – the ninth-tier of the English football pyramid.
IIkay Gundogan has finally picked up his FA Cup winners medal after missing out at Wembley.
The 31-year-old scored twice as Manchester City defeated bitter rivals Manchester United in the final on Saturday.
In doing so, he secured the Citizens’ second trophy of the campaign, and kept their treble dreams alive.
After climbing the famous Wembley steps, Gundogan was told there was no winners’ medal left for him.
According to The Sun, Prince William told the Germany international they had ran out, meaning he hoisted the trophy without one.
Kevin De Bruyne is another star who was also reportedly unable to collect his medal, before being passed one by goalkeeper Ederson.
It has since been revealed that Gundogan, who is out of contract next month and continues to be linked with a move away, has been awarded with his personal prize.
On cup final day, teams are typically given 20 medals for their starting XI, substitutes and manager.
They are then given an extra 19 for all players and staff who had not received one, meaning Gundogan picked up a spare.
talkSPORT understands that Ange Postecoglou is poised to leave Celtic and join Tottenham in the coming days, and he has already identified SEVEN first-team players that he wants to leave.
The Daily Telegraph report that captain Hugo Lloris and Eric Dier will lead a mass summer exodus.
Ivan Perisic only joined Spurs from Inter Milan last summer, but after just one disappointing campaign, he is set to depart.
Arnaut Danjuma has already returned to Villarreal after Tottenham opted not to activate the option-to-buy clause inserted into the loan agreement.
Long-term servants Ryan Sessegnon, Davinson Sanchez and Ben Davies are also available for transfer.
Clement Lenglet might return to Barcelona, with the club unsure whether to permanently sign the Frenchman or arrange a new loan deal.
Spurs will also attempt to sell Giovani Lo Celso, Harry Winks and Sergio Reguilon, but Tanguy Ndombele could be given a chance.
Martin Keown believes ‘sore loser’ Jose Mourinho has lost respect from the football world following his antics towards referee Anthony Taylor.
The Special One angrily confronted the match official in the car park after Roma’s defeat to Sevilla in the Europa League final, resulting in him being charged by UEFA.
Taylor and his family were then harassed by Roma fans at Budapest airport as supporters threw a chair and lobbed bottles towards them in disgraceful scenes.
Speaking on the White and Jordan show of the former Chelsea manager, Keown said: “What was this, his fifth or sixth final he’s been in and he’s won every one? He’s a sore loser. A really sore loser.
“And he’s out of hand, he’s completely out of hand, and Anthony Taylor has tried to walk the gauntlet in getting home hasn’t he? It’s ridiculous.
“And this is where you start to become disrespectful towards Mourinho because of the way that he has behaved.
“It would be lovely now if he had stepped out and said, ‘do you know what? I got that wrong, I’m really sorry to see what happened to Antony Taylor, I took it too far’, but of course he doesn’t believe that.”
Russell Martin’s move to Southampton is being delayed because of a disagreement over when they officially become a Championship club.
The amount of compensation due to Swansea reduces once Saints are no longer in the Premier League.
Martin has already agreed a three-year contract with the south coast side.
The two clubs are working on a compromise deal.
Southampton finished 20th in the Premier League this season, while the Swans came 10th in the Championship.
Lionel Messi’s dad Jorge has been spotted meeting with Barcelona president Joan Laporta to discuss his son’s return to the Nou Camp.
The Argentine forward will leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer when his contract expires.
And despite links to joins clubs in Saudi Arabia and the MLS, an emotional return to Barca has also been mooted.
In a video shared by Spanish reporter Toni Juanmarti, Jorge Messi and Laporta were seen together.
It is claimed that the conversation was in regard to Lionel’s future, with LaLiga already approving Barca;s possible deal to re-sign the World Cup winner.
Chelsea legend Eden Hazard could retire from football aged 32 after having his contract mutually terminated at Real Madrid.
That is according to Phil Kitromilides, host of the Spanish Football Podcast, as he stated the Belgian winger could hang up his boots after becoming a free agent.
Speaking on the White and Jordan show, Kitromilides was asked what the Spanish reporters believe Hazard’s next move is.
To which he said: “They’re saying he might retire, they’re saying that might be it for Eden Hazard, who joined Real as one of the best players in the world and his career has just fallen off a cliff.
“There’s a real suggestion that Eden Hazard is going to retire, he’s not going to go anywhere else.
“There was notions that a team in the MLS – from Vancouver I think it was – were potentially interested in him.
“But really, I’m not sure what Eden Hazard would want.”
Tottenham’s imminent appointment of Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou should not scare Arsenal fans.
That is the view of Martin Keown, who said on the White and Jordan show: “I want to have respect for all managers, but I thought [Antonio] Conte was an outstanding manager.
“That was my biggest fear actually [that Spurs would win trophies], because he was capable of doing special things.
“Daniel Levy in 2021 was talking about a brand of football that he was looking for, whether or not this appointment is about that, whether or not he wants to see attractive football.
“Of course he wants to see a trophy being won, but it doesn’t really strike any fear into me no, not as Conte did.
“He was a proven winner, of course he arrived here seven years ago [at Chelsea] when Pep [Guardiola] did [at Manchester City] in that first season, when he was without a trophy.
“He was very pragmatic, laid down the law very quickly and they wasn’t able to follow.”
Keown added: “I don’t know if the Spurs fans have ever been as frustrated in their history, so it’s a difficult one for him [Postecoglou] to come into.
“Has he got the pedigree? He’s going to walk into something he has never experienced ever before.”
James Milner has agreed to join Brighton after leaving Liverpool as a free agent, talkSPORT understands.
The Seagulls are also set to announce the signing of Borussia Dortmund’s Mahmoud Dahoud.
Brighton have been quick to do their summer business early as they prepare for life in Europe for the first time next season.
They have already announced the signing of Brazilian forward Joao Pedro from Watford on a club-record deal.
And the south coast outfit remain keen on turning Levi Colwill’s temporary stay from Chelsea into a permanent switch.
Arsenal legend Martin Keown has hailed Alexis Mac Allister as he nears a switch to join Liverpool from Brighton.
Speaking on the White and Jordan show, the talkSPORT pundit said: “I think he’s an outstanding player, we saw that during the World Cup.
“I think Brighton were clever, they got him tied up just before the World Cup knowing the quality that was there, he is a very intelligent and smart player.
“He operates around his colleagues very intelligently, great technique, an eye for goal, he’s a real competitor, I think that’s a top signing, I really do.
“It’s good business again [for Liverpool].”
He added of the Argentine star: “I think he will go on and do really well there, he gives them a little bit more backbone and intelligence and a bit more quality.
“They were quite young in those areas alongside [Jordan] Henderson and Fabinho in midfield, so it will be interesting to see what that midfield make-up is next season.”
Incoming Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglout could end the club’s trophy drought – despite not being the big-name manager fans want.
That is the opinion of ex-Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan, who has backed the 57-year-old to impress in north London.
Speaking on the White and Jordan show, the talkSPORT host said: “It doesn’t have a stellar feel about it because it’s a manager people will suggest they’ve never heard of.
“Tell me the achievements of Arne Slot about two months ago and most of them [Spurs fans] will have gone, ‘I don’t know’.”
He added: “I do not think that Postecoglou is in any way shape or form beneath Tottenham Hotspur.
“And I would not be surprised if he gets them competitive. Does he win something with them? Maybe he might nick a cup like [Antonio] Conte should have done.”
Liverpool believe they are progressing with a deal to sign Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, talkSPORT understands.
Mac Allister’s representatives have told Liverpool chiefs the Argentina World Cup winner is keen to play for Jurgen Klopp.
Discussions over personal terms are already at an advanced stage.
Mac Allister has become Klopp’s main midfield target after missing out on Jude Bellingham.
The 24-year-old only signed a new contract in October, but it included a facility to allow him to leave.
He may not be the only Brighton midfielder to leave this summer, with Moises Caicedo an £80million target for Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Karim Benzema is reportedly edging closer to joining Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad.
The Real Madrid striker is set to depart the Bernabeu this summer after 14 trophy-laden years.
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the 35-year-old has signed his main contracts to join the Saudi giants.
It has been claimed that the Frenchman will pen a contract in the Gulf nation until 2025.
The deal will include the possibility of a further 12 months.
Chelsea are set to step up their pursuit of Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo, talkSPORT understands.
The Blues are ramping up their efforts to sign the Seagulls star after pulling out of the race to sign Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain.
The west Londoners refused to match the wages offered by Les Parisiens, and are now looking to bring in alternatives.
One of those is Ecuador international Caicedo, with Brighton to demand at least £80million.
Along with Chelsea, both Arsenal and Liverpool are also keen on the 21-year-old.
Caicedo was the subject of failed bids from Chelsea and Arsenal in the January transfer window.
Graeme Souness recreated his infamous Galatasary flag moment as he got involved in their title celebrations.
Souness famously nearly sparked a riot when he planted a giant Galatasaray flag in the centre of Fenerbahce’s pitch – who are their biggest rivals.
The was in 1996 when goals from talkSPORT’s very own Dean Saunders helped them win the Turkish Cup.
Souness relieved that moment when Galatasaray beat Fenerbahce 3-0 at home that confirmed they had won the title with one game to go.
A clip was later posted on social media by the Turkish club showing the Liverpool legend waving a flag around the pitch.
He received a brilliant reception from the Galatasaray fans, who is fondly remembered for that stunt.
Dwight Yorke has insisted his legendary Manchester United side would wipe the floor with the current Man City team.
Asked by talkSPORT host Dean Saunders who would win in a fantasy match, Yorke Said: “Our team for sure, 100 per cent.
“When you look at it, come on, Jaap Stam at the back would have handled Haaland any day of the week, you think of Keano [Roy Keane] handling Kevin De Bruyne and [Ilkay] Gundogan.
“Paul Scholes matching up against [them], Giggsy [Ryan Giggs] flying, and Becks [David Beckham] delivering the crosses.
“Myself and Coley [Andy Cole] with the movement, dropping in the pockets, they wouldn’t have enjoyed playing against us, honestly.
“We were a lot more physical and aggressive.”
Charlton have announced that SE7 Partners have agreed a deal to buy the League One outfit.
The Addicks and the SE7 Partners will now be in contact with the EFL to meet their requirements before the takeover is officially granted.
Peter Storrie, the club’s CEO, said: “A deal has been agreed and a share purchase agreement has been signed by Thomas Sandgaard and SE7 Partners.
“We’ll now work with SE7 Partners and the EFL to meet the league requirements, which is a process that can take some time.
“In the meantime, the day-to-day running of the club will not be impacted. Our preparation and recruitment for the 2023/24 season is well under way.
“We have our targets for our men’s team and our women’s team. Led by Dean Holden and Karen Hills, those plans continue to progress and will not be halted while we await the approval.
“The aim is to put the club in the best position to achieve our targets for next season – a top-six finish for the men’s team and further progression for the women’s team.”
Charlton finished tenth in League One this season – missing out on the playoffs by 15 points.
Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke has insisted he has no problem if Man City match the club’s historic feat by winning the treble.
Yorke, who was a key player of the 1998/99 squad that won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League, has stated he doesn’t understand the uproar from fans wanting the Citizens to miss out.
Speaking on the Sports Breakfast, Yorke was asked by talkSPORT host Laura Woods what are his honest thoughts about City potentially winning all three trophies this season.
To which he said: “I feel good about it. I don’t understand why there is a big uproar in it.
“The fact that they are trying to emulate, the fact that they are trying to equal what we did, they’re not surpassing anything, they’re joining an elite group of players, a club’s historical moment.
“And if they go on to do it, you just have to take your hat off to them, that’s something that only comes around every 25 years from the look of it.”
