ANTONIO RUDIGER has REJECTED Chelsea's new offer of a £200K per week contract, according to reports.
The Blues star defender is out of contract in the summer, with Spanish giants Real Madrid interested.
Though Chelsea have been given a major BOOST for this summer with Declan Rice saying he sees his future in London.
While Liverpool are eyeing Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka after the Reds added Porto's Luis Diaz in the January window.
Though the Reds may MISS out on Fabio Carvalho this summer, who came agonisingly close to joining from Fulham on deadline day.
Follow ALL the latest transfer gossip and news with our live blog below…
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- Joshua Mbu
Arsenal join Dybala transfer race
Arsenal have joined the race to sign Juventus star Paulo Dybala, according to reports.
The Gunners are the latest club to show interest in the Argentine – who is out of contract in the summer.
Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea are also thought to be among the Premier League clubs keen to sign the 28-year-old.
But, according to The Mirror, they will have to fight off Arsenal as Mikel Arteta looks to land the attacking midfielder.
Dybala and Juventus had initially agreed on a five-year deal worth £6.7million per year before Christmas.
However, talks collapsed after the Vecchia Signora changed those terms at the eleventh hour.
- Joshua Mbu
Net spend
Manchester United have the worst net spend over the last ten transfer windows.
- Joshua Mbu
Good morning footy fans
Hugo Ekitikie turned Newcastle down because he was not ‘convinced’ by the Saudi project, writes SunSport’s Oscar Paul.
Toon had a £33m offer agreed with the Ligue 1 club on Deadline Day for the French wonderkid before the move fell through.
And his agent, Karl Buchmann, said: “We were not convinced about the sports project (at Newcastle) and we saw no short or medium-term plan with their approach
“Hugo has achieved great things in just six months but as he is attached to the club, we agreed with the leaders to end the season with Reims.”
Elsewhere, Manchester United are planning a “big investment” for Barcelona ace Ronald Araujo, reports suggest.
That is according to Marca, who report that United are leading the transfer race for Araujo who has attracted interest from other Premier League sides as well.
The Red Devils are seriously considering a deal for the centre-back, who is aware of their interest in him.
Meanwhile, Antonio Conte revealed he was surprised by Tottenham’s departures in the transfer window.
Conte said: “For sure, it was strange. It was strange to send on loan, and sell one player, in the January transfer window.
“It was strange because it means something went wrong in the past.
And finally, Tammy Abraham is reportedly eyeing a Premier League return despite being a revelation in Serie A this season.
Abraham left Chelsea for Roma in a £30m deal in the summer, with the Blues cleverly including a buyback clause into the deal.
That is claimed to be around £68million, double his transfer fee, which becomes active in 2023.
And Corriere dello Sport claim Abraham wants to ‘go home one day’ in a bid to conquer the Premier League.
- Justin Lawrence
Man United out of FA Cup!
Man United have sensationally been dumped out of the FA Cup by Middlesbrough!
The Prem giants crashed out to the Championship side after a 1-1 draw in normal time.
Either side failed to score a winning goal in extra time, forcing the game to penalties.
And Chris Wilder’s troops won the tense shoot-out in sudden death following a shock miss by United’s Anthony Elanga.
- Justin Lawrence
Keane on Lingard
Roy Keane reckons Lingard should've left Man United last summer.
Keane said: "He should have gone last summer, end of story.
"He had his chance. He played some games, proved what he is about, went to West Ham and got a run, having not played much football.
"People get bogged down by contract talk. He wants to leave, he wants to leave on a free but you have to play the games.
"He can complain all he wants, it is not ideal between Jesse and the club at the moment.
"Last summer was his opportunity, he should have taken it."
- Justin Lawrence
FA Cup controversy
Man United were left fuming after Middlebrough equalised at Old Trafford – despite a blatant handball.
The ball clearly bounced up off sub Duncan Watmore's hand as he collected it in the penalty box.
Anthony Taylor did not blow his whistle, though.
And knowing if he scored with his next touch the goal would be ruled out, the Middlesbrough striker lifted the ball over Dean Henderson but off target.
Matt Crooks arrived at the back post to slam in to make it 1-1 in their FA Cup fourth-round clash.
However, United players, staff and fans could not believe the goal was allowed to stand – especially after a VAR review.
Even Boro's bench look bemused it was not ruled out.
- Justin Lawrence
Rooney's on a leash
Wayne Rooney has been banned from going out alone after wife Coleen grew “sick and tired” of his wild antics.
She decided to have Wayne, 36, “chaperoned at all times” to save their 13-year marriage, friends have revealed.
The mum of four told pals she does not trust his friends and wants a “responsible adult” — either her brother Joe or someone else she trusts — to keep an on him.
- Justin Lawrence
United fans blast Glazers
Man United fans chanted ‘we want Glazers out’ after booing an Old Trafford tannoy announcement revealing there was no food or drink available at half-time.
A message came over the PA just moments before the break during tonight’s FA Cup clash with Middlesbrough.
And any supporters hoping for some grub, a warm cuppa or a cheeky pint in the 15-minute interval were left bitterly disappointed by the ‘technical difficulties’ – especially the 9,443 in the away end who made the trip from Teesside.
The announcement was met with a chorus of boos from all four sides of Old Trafford which was clearly picked up by the pitchside TV microphones.
And then the Red Devils faithful broke into a familiar chant hitting out at the unpopular owners.
- Justin Lawrence
Fans rip into Ronaldo
Fans laid into Ronaldo on Twitter after his shocking penalty miss against Middlesbrough.
On fan wrote: “Nobody should miss the target from 12 yards. Should dock wages if a professional does it.”
While another ripped into Ron saying: “Can’t do the only thing making him relevant. Let’s all laugh at Ronaldo.”
And a third chimed in with: “Penaldo is truly finished.”
- Justin Lawrence
Lampard fined player for tying laces
Everton manager Frank Lampard fined a player for stopping to tie his laces on his first day of training.
Lamps, 43, has imposed a slew of rules to show Toffees stars he’s no softie.
And his no-nonsense approach has impressed his megabucks aces.
One player arrived to a post-lunch meeting seconds late after tending to his trainers.
He was told to have the cash on the boss’s desk the next morning.
The edict is part of a list stuck on the changing room wall at the team’s Finch Farm HQ in Liverpool.
- Justin Lawrence
Keane makes management admission
Roy Keane has revealed he would like to ‘go back’ into management as reports continue to link him to the vacant Sunderland job – but only is the contract is right.
Keane made the admission while on punditry duty for the FA Cup clash between Manchester United and Middlesbrough.
Keane said on ITV, with a slight grin: “I made it clear I would like to go back into football as manager one day but the club has to want you and you have to want the club and the contract has be right.
“Let’s see what takes shape over the next few days.”
- Justin Lawrence
Vieira wishes Keane good luck
Ex-Man United ace Roy Keane’s old Arsenal rival Patrick Vieira has wished the Irishman good luck if he takes the Sunderland job.
The pair used to battle each other on the pitch but Vieira has put aside their long-standing rivalry to wish his former nemesis Keane all the best if he becomes the new Black Cats boss.
Vieira said: “Yeah, I think deep inside him this is something that he will want to try again.
“And I think if there’s opportunity there, I think he will. He will take it. And I will wish him good luck.”
- Justin Lawrence
Jack Grealish shaves hair
Jack Grealish has ditched his famous luscious locks for a new shorter look.
The £100million Manchester City man is the latest happy customer for A-Star Barbers, whose clients include the likes of Paul Pogba, Eden Hazard and John Terry.
Taking to Instagram, A Star Barbers posted a video of a grinning Grealish after having his lengthy hair noticeably cropped.
Instead of his usual style Grealish opted for a short fade on the back-and-sides, with an up-and-over style on top.
- Justin Lawrence
Reece James blow
Thomas Tuchel has ruled Reece James out of Chelsea’s Club World Cup campaign after flu added to the wing-back's 'big injury'.
England star James has been out with a 'tricky' hamstring problem since limping off against Brighton on December 29.
And Blues' boss Tuchel believes the 22-year-old needs more training time to build up his 'confidence'.
Chelsea were reportedly targeting a return for James in the tournament, for which they fly to Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
- Justin Lawrence
Rudiger rejects Chelsea's latest proposition
Antonio Rudiger has reportedly rebuffed Chelsea's latest attempts to keep him at the club.
Rudiger is out of contract at the end of the season, and has been strongly linked with a move away.
Despite not tabling an official contract offer, the Mail report that Chelsea informally offered Rudiger a new deal worth close to £200,000-per-week.
But the German international is said to have turned his nose up to that number.
That's after rejecting the club's original £140,000-per-week offer earlier in the season.
- Justin Lawrence
Prem star's betting scandal
West Ham striker Andriy Yarmolenko has reportedly been charged with alleged misconduct in relation to a betting commercial.
According to the BBC, Yarmolenko's charge entails a potential breach of FA Rule E8.5, which says that players are 'not permitted to advertise or promote any betting activity that they are prohibited from engaging in'.
It's been alleged that the 32-year-old's appearance in an advert for a Ukrainian betting company form misconduct.
The Ukrainian reportedly has until February 18 to respond to the charge.
- Justin Lawrence
Out of my Sands
Philippe Sandler has no regrets about Manchester City and puts his lack of success at the club down to bad luck.
Sandler, 24, signed for The Citizens in 2018 but never made a single appearance under Pep Guardiola.
He was on loan at French club Troyes this season but that was cut short and his City contract was cancelled to allow Sandler to sign for Feyenoord.
And the defender is glad to be back in his native Netherlands, though he does not think he made a bad decision by signing for City.
Sandler told Dutch outlet NOS: “I just had bad luck.
“With hindsight, you can say that it was not the right choice, but it could just as well have been very different.
“I’m at Feyenoord now, one of the biggest clubs in the Netherlands. I’m not that bad off.
“For me, it feels like coming home. You’re close to your family again, which is something I miss abroad.”
- Justin Lawrence
Rice picks Ron
Declan Rice picked Cristiano Ronaldo over Lionel Messi when asked who he prefers out of the pair by Gary Neville.
Ronaldo got Rice’s vote as the West Ham star claims the Portuguese attacker always produces the goods in big games.
Rice said to Neville on Sky Sport’s Overlap: “[I’m] Going to have to say Ronaldo – 100 per cent Ronaldo.
“The penalties he’s scored in big moments, Champions League finals, tournaments. I’d 100 per cent put my money on CR7 for the big occasions.”
- Justin Lawrence
Alli transfer rumours
Frank Lampard's appointment at Everton caused Dele Alli to 'break a deal' with Turkish club Adana Demirspor to join them on loan.
Turkish newspaper Milliyet report that a loan deal was agreed for Alli to join them, with his brother even jetting to Turkey for discussions.
But everything changed after Lampard's appointment, and his pursuit of Alli caused the switch to Turkey to collapse.
Club president Murat Sancak was quoted as saying: "We made a deal with Tottenham for Dele Alli. They were going to give us a loan.
"Even his brother came to Turkey. The transfer was almost complete.
"At that time, when Lampard went to Everton, he broke our deal."
- Justin Lawrence
No time for Toon
Steve Bruce claims Newcastle is in his past and he's firmly focused on taking West Brom forward.
Bruce said: "Newcastle’s gone.
"It was another chapter of my football life.
"I want them to do well under Eddie (Howe), I want them to succeed.
"It was a difficult time for me but maybe in a few years people will think finishing 12th and 13th wasn’t so bad after all.
"That chapter has left me and I want to look forward now.
"I want to look forward to taking West Brom forward and I’m very, very confident I can do that."
- Justin Lawrence
Tamm to go
Tammy Abraham is reportedly eyeing a Premier League return despite being a revelation in Serie A this season.
Abraham left Chelsea for Roma in a £30m deal in the summer, with the Blues cleverly including a buyback clause into the deal.
That is claimed to be around £68million, double his transfer fee, which becomes active in 2023.
And Corriere dello Sport claim Abraham wants to 'go home one day' in a bid to conquer the Premier League.
- Justin Lawrence
Chelsea fans troll Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku was mercilessly trolled after modelling Chelsea's new pre-match kit which looks strikingly similar to his former club Inter Milan's colours.
The Belgian landed himself in hot water last December after claiming he would '100 per cent still be at Inter' if they'd offered him a new contract.
But with the release of Chelsea's new pre-match kit, fans are hoping the Inter Milan-inspired kit helps Lukaku feel at home and get him back among the goals again.
A Twitter user joked: "Chelsea have actually released an Inter Milan themed kit to keep Lukaku happy."
Another quipped: "Chelsea's new pre-match kit looks very INTEResting.
"Look at the smile on Lukaku's face."
- Justin Lawrence
Chelsea chief Marina treats Tuchel
Chelsea chief Marina Granovskaia treated Thomas Tuchel and staff to a nice dinner and magic show ahead of their FA Cup clash against Plymouth Argyle.
Granovskaia and Tuchel were all smiles as they posed alongside Chelsea's resident magician Redfearn.
In the picture, Tuchel can be seen holding a card as if he had taken part in one of Redfearn's mesmerising tricks.
Redfearn posted the picture on Instagram, writing: "What an honour!
"Performed magic last night to the total gentleman Thomas Tuchel, Marina Granovskaia and the Chelsea backroom staff. #magician"
- Justin Lawrence
Conte's Spurs transfer fury
Antonio Conte revealed he was surprised by Tottenham’s departures in the transfer window.
Conte said: “For sure, it was strange. It was strange to send on loan, and sell one player, in the January transfer window.
"It was strange because it means something went wrong in the past.
“It was strange, I repeat in January to send four on loan, and sell one player. It means maybe in the past, you have to see what you did. And maybe to understand that there were some mistakes in the past.
“Because usually you have to buy players to reinforce your team.
"But if you send away players on loan you bought in the last two or three years, it means maybe you did something wrong in the past.”
- Justin Lawrence
Yedlin joins Inter Miami
Inter Miami have announced the signing of DeAndre Yedlin.
The former Newcastle player quit Galatasary to team up with Phil Neville's side ahead of the 2022 MLS season, which begins later this month.
Yedlin has signed a contract that will see him stay in Florida until 2025, with the option of an extra year.
Miami Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson is delighted to be able to welcome the defender to the club.
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