€75m-rated starlet among trio of targets on Barcelona transfer radar

Barcelona are reportedly interested in a trio of Lyon players, with Tanguy Ndombele, Nabil Fekir and Houssem Aouar on their transfer radar.

The Catalan giants appear to be in a strong condition currently given that they lead the way in La Liga in defence of their title while also comfortably going through to the knockout stage of the Champions League.

SEE MORE: Barcelona compile three-man transfer shortlist to solve key issue after latest setback

Coach Ernesto Valverde appears to have found a strong balance in his current squad, albeit key club stalwarts such as Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic and Gerard Pique will eventually need to be replaced.

Rather than sit back and wait for them to decline or potentially move on, it appears as though Barcelona are remaining active in their pursuit of targets, with Sport noting that Ndombele, Fekir and Aouar are all said to be of interest.

Barca will get a great opportunity to see them at close quarters when they face Lyon in the Champions League in February, and so it remains to be seen if that helps to convince them over possible swoops for the trio in question.

It won’t be cheap though, as Sport add that Ndombele is valued at €75m by the French outfit, with the 21-year-old emerging as a top talent since his switch to Lyon last year.

The midfielder initially joined on loan last season from Amiens, but impressed enough to secure a permanent move. It appears as though his form has attracted interest from elsewhere too, but time will tell if Barcelona can prise him away.

The same applies to both Fekir and Aouar, although with AS noting that Ajax duo Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong are also of interest to the Spanish champions, time will tell who is eventually brought in at the Nou Camp to bolster the squad with a long-term vision in mind.

Man United star tipped to seal shock January transfer to ‘big six’ rival after becoming fed up with Jose Mourinho

Odds have been dramatically slashed on Romelu Lukaku leaving Manchester United and sealing a transfer back to his former club Chelsea in January.

According to the Sun, Coral have now got Chelsea at just 4/1 as being Lukaku’s next club, down from 10/1.

MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo takes swipe at former clubs Real Madrid and Manchester United

The Belgium international has not been at his best at Old Trafford for much of this season, but it could make sense for Chelsea to try to revive his career.

The 25-year-old was one of the most lethal strikers in the Premier League during his time at Everton, and also started brightly before fading at United.

Chelsea could also badly do with an upgrade on Alvaro Morata, who did not even make their matchday squad for the weekend win over Manchester City.

Although some will question if Lukaku really is a superior option, Chelsea may well feel they could get more out of him than Jose Mourinho has.

Romelu Lukaku has blown hot and cold since signing for Manchester United

Jose Mourinho discusses surprise Manchester United transfer raid with club scouts

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly asked his scouts for their information on Bordeaux defender Pablo.

The 27-year-old Brazil international is not the biggest name in Europe by any means, but has impressed enough in Ligue 1 with some solid defensive displays.

MORE: Manchester United star ‘shocked’ by what Jose Mourinho did against Arsenal and Fulham

Given United’s struggles in defence this season, Pablo may well be good enough to come in and help Mourinho tighten things up, with the Portuguese seemingly making moves to get this deal done.

According to Fox Sports Brazil, with translation from the Metro, Mourinho has asked his scouts for info on the South American centre-back as he weighs up a potential transfer.

As the report adds, this comes as MUFC boss Mourinho and his board seem unable to agree on other targets.

Jin Young Ko fires 68 to clinch 1st LPGA Tour victory on home soil

INCHEON, South Korea — South Korean Jin Young Ko overcame a sluggish start to clinch her first LPGA Tour victory at the KEB Hana Bank Championship on Sunday.

Ko, who had been two strokes in front overnight, bogeyed two of the first three holes at the Ocean Course before carding six birdies for a 68 and an overall 19-under total of 269.

"After I made the two bogeys I had a really long chat with my caddie," Ko said. "He kept reminding me that being nervous was quite natural, that I needed to accept those nerves. I kept reminding myself of that."

Sung Hyun Park, seeking her third LPGA Tour victory of the year and the chance to take over at the top of the Rolex Rankings for the first time, was denied both goals after closing with a 68 and finishing two shots behind Ko.

Park played flawless golf over the first 13 holes with four birdies, but a three-putt bogey at the 14th effectively halted her title bid.

"Although I didn't win, I think I had a really solid, good round," said Park. "It's not easy to lower your score in the final group of the championship, and I managed to get a four-under round.

In Gee Chun, playing with compatriots Park and Ko in the final grouping, finished in third after carding a final round 69.

Carlota Ciganda, who won last year's LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship in a playoff with Alison Lee, tied for eighth with a final-round 72.

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Ousmane Dembele lets Barcelona down again amid ongoing transfer speculation

After playing a starring role in Barcelona’s win over Espanyol on Saturday night, Ousmane Dembele has reportedly turned up late for training again.

As seen in the video below, the 21-year-old bagged a stunning goal in Barca’s 4-0 win over their rivals, as he made it eight goals and five assists in just 19 appearances so far this season.

SEE MORE: Jordi Alba issues brutal response to Pele over recent Lionel Messi comments after Barcelona masterclass

That would suggest that things are going well on the pitch, but unfortunately for Barcelona, their frustration continues off it as Sport claim that the Frenchman turned up two hours late for training on Sunday.

It’s not the first time that it’s happened, as noted by Eurosport last month, and it will undoubtedly be a source of major frustration for the Catalan giants that the talented youngster isn’t showing the right attitude all the time.

If accurate, there really is no excuse for it as ultimately Dembele has an incredible opportunity to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world and is clearly being given the chance to shine by coach Ernesto Valverde.

While he’s responding with decisive performances on the pitch, it seems as though he’s struggling to adopt that same mentality off the pitch, with Sport suggesting that there was no genuine excuse put forward to defend himself.

As noted by The Express, both Arsenal and Liverpool continue to be linked with a swoop for the French starlet.

Although he’s made his case to establish himself as a key figure in Barcelona’s plans, he surely can’t afford to continue to frustrate Barcelona with a lack of professionalism as it could be enough for them to consider a sale if his attitude and approach isn’t in keeping with the club’s expectations.

€100 Serie A superstar favours a move to Real Madrid over Barcelona next year

Juventus midfielder Paulo Dybala’s preferred next destination is Real Madrid, as he plots a move away from Turin in 2019.

According to Don Balon, the Argentine superstar has become frustrated by his role at Juve since the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid over the summer, having slipped behind the Portuguese as the club’s standout figure.

Don Balon reports that Dybala is the subject of interest from both Real Madrid and Barcelona, but he would prefer a move to the former, where he could once again be the main man.

Lionel Messi is Barca’s talisman and will remain so until the end of his career in all likelihood, which means the disillusioned Juve star would face the same problem at the Camp Nou as he does now at the Allianz Stadium.

However, at the Santiago Bernabeu, there is still a Ronaldo shaped hole, which the likes of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Isco have all failed to fill over the last few months, leading to plenty of transfer speculation over who will be their next Galactico.

Don Balon states that Madrid could bring in Dybala for €100 million, which is merely a drop in the ocean for a club of their size and stature.

Paulo Dybala

After a frustrating first half of the 2018-19 campaign at Juventus, Dybala is hoping to reignite his career elsewhere and Madrid could be the perfect place for him to thrive and take his game to the next level.

Last year, the 25-year-old scored 22 goals in 33 games from the middle of the park as the Old Lady stormed to yet another Serie A title, but this term he has only managed to find the net twice in 14 games.

As he approaches the prime years of his career his ambition might see him outgrow Juventus and there is no bigger step up than joining the Blancos in the Spanish capital.

That being said, Massimiliano Allegri’s side are one of the favourites to win the Champions League come May and they would surely be reluctant to lose one of their prized assets before the current campaign ends.

Manchester United duo urged to stay as club confident Jose Mourinho departure boosts their hopes

Manchester United duo David de Gea and Anthony Martial have been urged by interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to sign new contracts with the club.

Both are hugely important players for the Red Devils, but both have seen their long-term Old Trafford futures plunged into doubt of late.

Things haven’t been helped by United making a poor start to the season and looking an unhappy squad under Jose Mourinho until his recent departure.

This now gives MUFC some increased confidence of tying De Gea in particular down to a new deal, while it’s also noted that Martial had his issues with the Portuguese, according to the Daily Mail.

Solskjaer, meanwhile, has been quoted in the piece as urging the players to sign, speaking about his own time as a United player when he had options to leave after not playing that often.

The Norwegian, however, insists they are at the best club in the world and shouldn’t think the grass is any greener somewhere else – words that will please United supporters.

A private driver, butler and bodyguard: Kylian Mbappe’s demands Real Madrid must meet to seal stunning transfer

Kylian Mbappe is one of the hottest prospects in world football, and given his exploits with France at the World Cup this past summer, it’s easy to see why some of the planet’s biggest clubs are keen on signing him. 

The Frenchman, who only recently turned 20, is one of the best forwards in the world, something he’s already managed to prove despite only making his professional debut a few years ago.

Mbappe would easily get into any side in world football, and one team that seemingly needs him the most are Spanish giants Real Madrid, who’ve have looked lost in attack this season without Cristiano Ronaldo in their side.

And it seems like Real Madrid are keen on signing Mbappe if Diario Gol‘s report is anything to go by, however it looks as if Los Blancos are going to have to bow down to Mbappe’s demands if they are to bring him to the Spanish capital.

According to Diario Gol’s report, Real are said to be in the hunt for Mbappe, with it also being stated that the club are going to have meet the player’s numerous demands if they want to sign him.

As per the report, Mbappe’s list of demands are as follows: be made the club’s highest paid player, get a bonus of €500,000 for winning the Ballon D’Or, be handed the club’s no.10 shirt, a private driver, a butler, a bodyguard, a house that’s similar standard to that of a ‘mega star’, and 50 hours usage of his own private jet.

Real Madrid are going to have to meet Mbappe’s huge list of demands to sign him

These list of demands from Mbappe are somewhat ludicrous, as we struggle to see why a 20-year-old footballer would want 50-hours worth of rides on a private jet, especially when you realise players travel to away games as a squad and not individually.

It seems like Real are going to have to pull out all the stops of they’re to sign Mbappe, something that may just be worth doing considering the potential the forward has in his locker.

Zac Oakley shoots 66, wins Event No. 2 of PGA Tournament Series

PORT ST. LUCIE – Zac Oakley’s second swing of the day turned out to be an omen – even if he didn’t see the result.

Oakley holed a 110-yard wedge on the first hole for eagle Tuesday and added a traditional eagle four holes later, jump-starting a 6-under 66 that enabled him to win Event No. 2 of the PGA Tournament Series at PGA Golf Club.

“The first hole I didn’t see it land,” Oakley said. “My partner said it went in the hole. I went up there and it was in the hole. I felt good after that.”

Oakley felt even better when he eagled the par-5 fifth hole on the Dye Course, making a 20-footer. He clinched the victory with a tap-in birdie on the par-5 17th, finishing at 8-under 136, two shots ahead of Danny Balin (68) and Brett Walker (68)

“This is definitely my biggest PGA win since I’ve been in the program,” said Oakley, a part-time Palm City resident who caddies at famed Seminole Golf Club. Oakley was congratulated after the victory by his father, former Senior British Open champion Pete Oakley.

Balin was bidding to win his second consecutive PGA Tournament Series event. The Rockville, Md., native had four birdies in a five-hole stretch after the turn to move into a tie for the lead.

But Balin three-putted the 17th hole from 15 feet, and when Oakley birdied the hole, the two-shot swing left Balin tied for second with Walker of Jupiter.

“I thought I needed to make the putt on 17 and I just misjudged the speed,” Balin said. “I was playing catchup with Zac all day.”

Oakley earned $5,000 for the victory.

Marc Issler of Jupiter was alone in fourth with a 67-139. Three players tied for fifth at 3-under 141: Omar Uresti (69), Andy Hansen (71) and Jonathan Mansfield (71).

The PGA Tournament Series is presented by Golf Advisor.

Chelsea star ready to cancel current deal in order to clinch transfer to Premier League rivals

Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham is reportedly ready to make a surprise decision on his future and seal a January transfer to a Premier League club.

The Blues youngster has shone on loan at Aston Villa this season, scoring 14 goals in just 19 games for the Championship side.

MORE: Chelsea star takes important step to impress clubs ahead of potential transfers to Arsenal and two other Premier League suitors

However, Abraham seemingly now wants a bigger challenge as he senses a top-flight move could be realistic for him as the Sun list a number of suitors for his signature.

It remains to be seen how this will pan out, but Chelsea would likely prefer him to be playing in the Premier League as well in order to gain that top-level experience.

The 21-year-old looks an exciting talent who could one day be good enough for the CFC first-team, though he didn’t have the best time on loan in the Premier League with Swansea City last season.

The Sun now list Chelsea’s London rivals Fulham as among his admirers this winter, along with Huddersfield, Brighton and Bournemouth.