^ ^ Chelsea make late enquiries to sign Sporting star as Nicolas Jackson replacement

Conrad Harder is attracting strong interest from Chelsea (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea have made late enquiries for Sporting striker Conrad Harder as they prepare for the potential departure of Nicolas Jackson.

Jackson had been set to join Bayern Munich on a season-long loan deal, but Liam Delap’s hamstring injury has thrown a spanner in the works and Chelsea are demanding that the forward returns from Germany.

Facing the media after Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat of Fulham, Enzo Maresca confirmed that Delap – the club’s £30million signing from Ipswich – would likely be sidelined for between six and eight weeks.

As things stand, Stamford Bridge bosses expect Jackson to join up with Maresca’s squad again in time for the side’s Premier League clash with Brentford next weekend.

But according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Chelsea could still allow Jackson to depart if they are confident of bringing in a viable replacement before the summer transfer deadline.

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The Blues have ruled out the possibility of Jackson leaving on loan, though, and the Senegal international will only be able to move on a permanent basis if a ‘suitable proposal’ arrives in the next 48 hours.

The report adds that, with loan options thin on the ground, Chelsea’s hierarchy have made enquiries regarding a possible bid for Sporting and Denmark centre-forward Harder.

Jackson remains in a state of limbo (Picture: Getty)

Delap was forced off with a hamstring injury in Chelsea’s win on Saturday (Picture: Getty)

Harder had been Viktor Gyokeres’ understudy at Sporting and would no doubt have been looking to spearhead Rui Borges’ attack following the Swede’s big-money switch to Arsenal.

However, the 20-year-old is yet to make a single start in the Primeira Liga this season, coming off the bench in all four of Sporting’s opening top-flight matches.

Chelsea were first credited with an interest in Harder in February, but the Club World Cup winners decided to cool their pursuit of the Dane to focus on other attacking targets, namely Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens and Delap.

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But Delap’s injury blow in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off has dramatically altered the situation and Harder has once again come to the fore as a potential solution in west London.

Harder – who has scored 12 goals in 51 games for Sporting – has also been linked with RB Leipzig and Newcastle in recent weeks.

The youngster’s current contract with the Portuguese champions runs through to June 2029.

Speaking earlier this summer, Harder indicated that he was ready to fill the void left by Gyokeres in Lisbon.

‘I don’t think about the fact that it’s Viktor that I have to replace, but they will be enormous shoes that I have to fill,’ Harder told reporters while on international duty with the Danish Under-21 side.

‘I want to play, but Viktor is a super cool guy and I feel really good with him. But now he also has to try something new.

‘He has proven everything he has to in the Portuguese league. He has proven that he needs to be on a higher shelf, so maybe it’s time for that.’

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^ ^ Peter Schmeichel slams Manchester United star after win over Burnley

Altay Bayindir was largely at fault for Burnley’s second goal against Manchester United (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel singled out Altay Bayindir for criticism after the goalkeeper produced another poor performance in the club’s nervy 3-2 win over Burnley.

After missing a crucial penalty against Fulham, Bruno Fernandes kept his cool to convert a late spot-kick and rescue the Red Devils in front of a relieved Old Trafford crowd.

Newly promoted Burnley had twice equalised to peg United back in Saturday’s thrilling contest before Fernandes’ dramatic late penalty – and Bayindir was largely at fault for the visitors’ second goal.

Despite several shaky moments in United’s two opening games of the campaign, Ruben Amorim decided to keep his faith in the Turkey international, with Andre Onana again starting on the substitutes bench.

And after a relatively promising start to the game, Bayindir managed to spill Loum Tchaouna’s 66th-minute effort into the path of Jaidon Anthony, who made no mistake from close range.

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Facing the media shortly after the final whistle, Ruben Amorim – not for the first time – jumped to Bayindir’s defence, simply emphasising that it was ‘hard to be a Manchester United goalkeeper’.

‘They are humans. At Manchester United, everything is analysed. Everybody talks about the goalkeeper,’ the United head coach told reporters.

The Turk has, at times, looked out of his depth this season (Picture: Getty)

Amorim defended Bayindir after the goalkeeper’s latest blunder (Picture: Getty)

‘And you can see, I can change the goalkeeper and these situations keep happening. We are in that moment.

‘I think it is hard to be a Manchester United goalkeeper in this moment. But if you look at the first goal, we can defend it better.

‘We suffered a quite similar goal against Fulham, because we don’t do the full rotation of the team when the ball is on the other side.

‘All these small things have nothing to do with the goalkeeper.’

Schmeichel slammed Bayindir for ‘gifting’ Burnley a way back (Picture: Getty)

Former United shot-stopper, Schmeichel, wasn’t quite so forgiving, though, blasting Bayindir for ‘gifting’ Burnley their second-half leveller.

‘Have a look at all the red shirts doing nothing and then that isn’t great goalkeeping,’ Schmeichel said on Premier League Productions.

‘Just hold onto it! Just hold onto it!

‘Or, if you feel you can’t hold onto it, get it somewhere else, save, out to one of the sides.

‘He gave it straight back to Anthony and that was a gift.’

Fernandes won it in the seventh minute of stoppage time (Picture: Getty)

Schmeichel reserved special praise for Fernandes for ‘stepping up’ and delivering under intense pressure in the dying moments.

‘I think it’s a penalty but it’s one of the softer ones,’ the 1999 treble hero said of Anthony’s shirt pull on Amad Diallo.

‘It’s stupid, so stupid. There’s no need to do that.

‘We’ve been trusting Bruno to take these penalties for years and today he was back on track.

‘I tell you what, when you are under that kind of pressure as a football club and as the manager is, as the individual players are, and he [Fernandes] is as well, because he is the leader of that team and the team is not working perfectly… you stepping up there in the 97th minute, that’s pressure, that’s a lot of pressure and he just dealt with that.

‘Fantastic. Well done.’

Should Onana return for United's next match?

• Yes
• No

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^ ^ Liverpool vs Arsenal: Predicted lineups today and confirmed team news

Gyokeres got off the mark last week against Leeds (Picture: Getty Images)

Liverpool host Arsenal in a blockbuster Premier League clash this afternoon at Anfield.

The Gunners eased to victory over Leeds United last Saturday with Viktor Gyokeres scoring his first goals for the club in that 5-0 thrashing.

It came at a cost however with Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka forced off injured. The Gunners are set to be without Saka for four weeks as a result of the hamstring injury he picked up with the issue not as bad as first feared.

Arsenal’s concerns were also eased over Odegaard after he was included in Norway’s squad for upcoming matches.

The Arsenal captain could still feature on Merseyside this afternoon with Mikel Arteta refusing to rule him out on Friday.

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The absence of Saka will lead to a reshuffle in attack with Noni Madueke, who impressed against Leeds, in line to shift over to his preferred role on the right.

Saka was forced off against Leeds (Picture: Getty Images)

Eberechi Eze meanwhile trained with is new teammates for the first time this week and given injuries elsewhere, could come straight into the side with Arsenal fans desperate to see the man they clawed away from Tottenham in action for the first time.

Kai Havertz is another on the injured list, sidelined with a knee problem that will require surgery.

Eze in line to make his Arsenal debut (Picture: Getty Images)

Liverpool came through a bruising night at St James’ Park with three points with Hugo Ekitike on target again in the dramatic 3-2 victory over Newcastle United.

Alexis Mac Allister missed that win on Tyneside with Curtis Jones filling in alongside Ryan Gravenberch in midfield. Arne Slot revealed in his pre-match press conference the Argentina will be fit and available this afternoon.

The Reds boss has a decision to make at right-back with Jeremie Frimpong ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Ekitike already turning into a hero on Merseyside (Picture: Getty)

Dominik Szoboszlai dropped into that unfamiliar role against Newcastle and turned in a fine performance but the availability of Conor Bradley again could see Slot opt for a more natural option.

15-year-old Max Dowman and 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha will be hopeful of having some involvement.

Liverpool XI to face Arsenal – Metro prediction

The dilemma at right-back is Slot’s biggest decision to make ahead of the weekend. Mac Allister will be expected to return to midfield if deemed fit enough this week.

Arsenal XI to face Liverpool – Metro prediction

Much will depend on whether Odegaard is passed fit but confirmation of Saka’s absence will prompt a reshuffle in attack.  

Liverpool vs Arsenal TV channel and kick-off time

Liverpool vs Arsenal takes place on Sunday 31 August with kick-off scheduled for 4:30pm.

You can watch the match live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event with streaming also available through the Sky Go app and NOW TV for subscribers.

You can also follow all the action with Metro’s LIVE match day blog.

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^ ^ Man Utd make last-ditch transfer move for £40m Premier League star

Manchester United have made a late approach for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United have made a stunning move for Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez at the 11th hour, with the club determined to sign a goalkeeper before the transfer deadline.

The goalkeeping situation at Old Trafford has once again come under the spotlight after a concerning start to the Premier League season for Altay Bayindir.

Bayindir has taken over the reins from Andre Onana as Ruben Amorim’s number one for United’s three opening games, but has already been guilty of several mistakes and lapses in concentration.

It was the Turk’s howler that gifted Burnley their second, through Jaidon Anthony, before Bruno Fernandes scored an injury-time winner to secure United’s first victory of the campaign on Saturday.

And with Onana seemingly out of chances, it leaves the Red Devils with only one option: find a replacement before the transfer window slams shut.

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Fabrizio Romano reports that United are still working hard to sign a new ‘keeper and there have always been two players on the club’s shortlist since the start of the summer, Royal Antwerp’s Senne Lammens and Villa’s Martinez.

While United have agreed personal terms with Lammens’ camp, negotiations are ongoing between the two clubs regarding a possible fee for the 23-year-old shot-stopper.

The Red Devils remain in talks for Royal Antwerp shot-stopper Lammens (Picture: Getty)

Bayindir has looked out of his depth in United’s three opening games (Picture: Getty)

Romano claims that, as of Saturday night, Antwerp’s hierarchy are not accepting the offer on the table from United because they believe other teams could enter the race for the Belgian.

The feeling internally at Antwerp is that a bidding war could break out for Lammens, which explains their hesitation in shaking hands with United at this stage.

With less than 48 hours remaining of the window, United have therefore turned their attentions back to Martinez, who they first made a move for back in July.

Amorim has repeatedly jumped to Bayindir’s defence (Picture: Getty)

According to Romano, United ‘want to be ready’ in the event that their deal for Lammens collapses which has forced club bosses to approach Martinez and his camp once again.

Villa are demanding a fee in the region of £40million for Martinez and the 32-year-old Argentina international is thought to be open to the prospect of a move to the Theatre of Dreams.

Martinez has four years remaining on his current contract at Villa Park.

Martinez was in tears after Villa’s final home match of last season (Picture: Getty)

It was widely assumed that Martinez had played his last match for Villa after he was pictured in tears in the wake of the side’s win over Tottenham towards the end of last term.

But after missing Villa’s opening match this season through suspension, Martinez returned to Unai Emery’s starting XI for the team’s 1-0 defeat at Brentford last weekend.

The 2022 World Cup winner will be expected to continue his run in the side this evening when Villa return to action at home to Crystal Palace.

Emery is desperate to keep hold of Martinez (Picture: Getty)

‘My future? I don’t know,’ Martinez told reporters when asked for an update on his plans while away on international duty in June.

‘I’m here to play for the Argentina national team and that’s all I care about right now.

‘Do I want to change clubs? The transfer market has just opened, so there’s still a lot to do.’

Amorim has been reluctant to criticise Bayindir this season, simply saying it was ‘hard to be a Manchester United goalkeeper’ following the Turkey international’s latest blunder against Burnley.

‘They are humans. At Manchester United, everything is analysed. Everybody talks about the goalkeeper,’ Amorim said.

‘And you can see, I can change the goalkeeper and these situations keep happening. We are in that moment.

‘I think it is hard to be a Manchester United goalkeeper in this moment. But if you look at the first goal, we can defend it better.

‘We suffered a quite similar goal against Fulham, because we don’t do the full rotation of the team when the ball is on the other side.

‘All these small things have nothing to do with the goalkeeper.’

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