CHELSEA and Man City are counting down to their huge Champions League final in Lisbon tomorrow.
More than 16,000 fans will be in attendance at the showpiece, with the Premier League pair scrapping it out for the biggest prize in European football.
On the transfer front, Liverpool have reportedly triggered RB Leipzig star Ibrahima Konate's £36million release clause.
And we've the very latest on the managerial merry-go-round, with Mauricio Pochettino, Zinedine Zidane and Max Allegri all in the news.
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Follow ALL of the latest news and updates below…
- Kostas Lianos
ENGLAND FAVOURITES
England are 4/1 favourites to win Euro 2020 in the summer ahead of France after Gareth Southgate picked his squad for the delayed tournament.
Here’s how the Three Lions fare compare to their competition:
England 4/1
France 5/1
Belgium 13/2
Spain 7/1
Italy, Germany 15/2
Portugal 9/1
Netherlands 11/1
Denmark 22/1
Croatia 25/1
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
ARSENAL BOOST
Arsenal have been handed a boost by Liverpool in their bid to sign Brighton star Yves Bissouma.
That is because the Reds will not enter the race to land Bissouma despite Georginio Wijnaldum's imminent departure.
According to The Athletic, manager Jurgen Klopp believes an already existing member of the squad can fill in for Wijnaldum in midfield.
Klopp has faith in Curtis Jones and is not likely to sell Naby Keita or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
- Kostas Lianos
TOP PICK
Everton star goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is going to be England’s No1 at Euro 2020 ahead of Manchester United ace Dean Henderson, according to former Three Lions goalkeeper Rob Green.
Green said: “It’s a case of one from one. Jordan will play. Gareth [Southgate] has been very persistent and very clear with that.
“He’s one that, the way that they play, he’s never made a mistake whilst playing for England that has cost a goal. I think what’s good is that Dean Henderson has already made his debut so he’s got that bit out of the way.
“He’s played 50 per cent of the games that David de Gea has played at United.
“But it’s not like he’s played a full season there. He’s had to bide his time at Manchester United so if he does get to play every week, then he’d have a louder case.
“But we’ll have to see where we are in 12 months’ time. At the moment it doesn’t seem to suggest that it should be pointing in any other direction really”
- Kostas Lianos
FOR GREAL
Aston Villa ace Jack Grealish is “100% fit” for Euro 2020 according to Villa manager Dean Smith.
Smith said: “He is 100% fit. Firstly, we had to make sure he was ready to play for Aston Villa. We wouldn’t take a risk with only four games to go, with a player of Jack’s standing and quality, unless it was the right thing to do.
“We all believed it was the right thing to do – for him and for Aston Villa. Then once the season finished, if he gets picked, which hopefully he does, then it’s the right thing for England as well.
“If we felt there was any kind of future risk then we would have just shut him down for the rest of the season and he wouldn’t have had the chance to go to the Euros”
- Kostas Lianos
BALE RETIREMENT
Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale, who spent the season on loan at Tottenham, was recently linked with early retirement.
Reports in Spain have claimed that Bale may negotiate a payout from Real and could even quit football altogether after Euro 2020, where he will play for Wales.
However, the star winger's agent Jonathan Barnett has poured cold water on these rumours with an explosive statement.
Barnett told talkSPORT when asked about the matter: “Sorry, don’t speak about rubbish reporting”
- Kostas Lianos
FAN TROUBLE
Chelsea and Manchester City fans were involved in minor clashes with police in Porto on Thursday ahead of the Champions League Final.
The city's mayor Rui Moreira claimed the incident took place near the River Douro where supporters were drinking.
According to Sky Sports, no arrests were made but one fan was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
The Blues and City will have nearly 6,000 supporters in the Estadio do Dragao for the game, which will take place in front of a total of 16,500 spectators.
- Kostas Lianos
JO AWAY
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has rejected a potential swap deal with Barcelona over Joao Felix.
Reports from Spain have suggested that Barca wish to sign Felix in the summer transfer window and are willing to let Antoine Griezmann go the other way.
Cerezo said on El Larguero: "There's no way [Felix] leaves.
"He has to adapt, but when he takes off he'll be one of the most important players on the planet.
"Players aren't machines; they have good days and bad, and he'll have many glorious afternoons at this club"
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
IBRA-KADABRA
Liverpool have triggered RB Leipzig star Ibrahima Konate's £36million release clause.
According to Sky Sports, the Reds are hoping to finalise Konate's move in the next few days.
The centre-back has completed his medical a few weeks ago and is expected to put pen to paper on a five-year contract with the Merseysiders.
Manager Jurgen Klopp wants to strengthen his defence following a turbulent season, which saw him losing Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to injury
- Kostas Lianos
ZIDANE REPLACEMENTS
Zinedine Zidane has resigned from Real Madrid’s dugout for the second time.
Real were hoping to replace Zidane with Massimiliano Allegri but the Italian manager has agreed to return to Juventus.
According to Marca, that leaves Antonio Conte, Mauricio Pochettino and club legends Raul as well as Xabi Alonso as the Frenchman’s likeliest successors.
Zidane experienced immense success throughout his two stints at Los Blancos as he won a total of two LaLiga titles as well as three successive Champions League trophies
- Kostas Lianos
MAUR UPDATES
Tottenham have held talks with former manager Mauricio Pochettino over a sensational return to the club.
That is according to The Guardian, who claim that Pochettino is interested in reviving Spurs just 18 months after his exit from north London.
The Argentine is reportedly unsatisfied at Paris Saint-Germain following a turbulent season that saw the Parisians losing their Ligue 1 crown to shock winners Lille.
The 49-year-old is also said to be unhappy with the power structure as it doesn't allow him much influence in the club.
Plus, Pochettino and his staff have yet to settle in Paris as they've spent most of their time in hotels
- Kostas Lianos
WHAT A PHIL-ING
Barcelona could let Arsenal transfer target Philippe Coutinho leave in the summer.
That is according to Sky Sports, who claim that Coutinho’s turbulent stint at Barca is likely to come to an end soon.
However, the Blaugrana are not willing to let the former Liverpool star go before July as he continues his rehabilitation from a number of injury problems.
The attacking midfielder has gone through three separate surgeries on his knee alone since January
GETTY IMAGES - Richard Forrester
GOOD MORNING FOOTBALL FANS,
Daniel Levy is confident he can pull off Mauricio Pochettino’s sensational return to Tottenham.
And Poch is willing to come back to North London after extended talks this week.
SunSport revealed on Tuesday that Spurs chairman Levy was ready to ask Pochettino to take over as manager for a second time.
We also told you the Argentine is prepared to leave Paris Saint-Germain and head back to White Hart Lane as he has been unhappy in France.
Both parties have now held talks over a reunion that would improve the chances of Harry Kane staying put — as Levy faces a battle to keep his star striker this summer.
Pochettino, devastated by his 2019 axe, also believes he has unfinished business at Spurs.
Meanwhile, Antonio Rudiger says he has been 'marked' by racial abuse forever.
Chelsea’s German defender fought his way up from poverty to tomorrow’s Champions League final in Portugal.
Ahead of facing Manchester City, Rudiger said: “Do you know how many times I have been called a n****r? Do you know how many times I have been told to go back to Africa?
“Eight years old, I had to ask Dad: ‘What is this word, n****r?’
“When you grow up being called that, you can choose to ignore it or you can fight.
“Many times, I had to fight — I had to bleed.
“The whole world will watch the Champions League final and I want to use my voice.
“This is not a ten-minute conversation, or an Instagram caption, this is my life.”
And finally, RB Leipzig star Ibrahima Konate has passed a medical and is set to join Liverpool.
That is according to ESPN, who claim that Konate is set to become the Reds’ first signing of the summer transfer window.
Konate completed his medical a few weeks ago and is expected to put pen to paper on a five-year contract with the Merseysiders.
Liverpool are reportedly on the verge of meeting the talented centre-back’s £35million asking price, which they will have to pay in one instalment.
If all goes well then the 22-year-old will link up with his new team after the Under-21 European Championship where he competes with France.
Jurgen Klopp has been keeping tabs on Konate ever since 2017 when the defender was playing for Sochaux.
- Joe Brophy
MAUR TO COME
Exclusive by Charlie Wyett: Daniel Levy is confident he can pull off Mauricio Pochettino’s sensational return to Tottenham.
And Poch is willing to come back to North London after extended talks this week.
SunSport revealed on Tuesday that Spurs chairman Levy was ready to ask Pochettino to take over as manager for a second time.
We also told you the Argentine is prepared to leave Paris Saint-Germain and head back to White Hart Lane as he has been unhappy in France.
Both parties have now held talks over a reunion that would improve the chances of Harry Kane staying put — as Levy faces a battle to keep his star striker this summer.
Pochettino, devastated by his 2019 axe, also believes he has unfinished business at Spurs.
- Joe Brophy
JAN UTD
Exclusive by Alan Nixon: Manchester United will make an ambitious move for Atletico Madrid keeper Jan Oblak to solve their No 1 crisis.
And the Red Devils would let blundering David De Gea go the other way as a makeweight in the deal for Oblak — in an attempt to get his huge £375,000-a-week wages off their books.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his coaching staff have had headaches over who starts in goal for months — and gave De Gea and Dean Henderson a chance to claim the jersey.
But some of Solskjaer’s closest advisers have been pushing for Slovenian stopper Oblak, who has just won the LaLiga title with Atletico.
Highly-rated Oblak, 28, would cost in the region of £70million but United are looking at ways of brokering a move with De Gea part of the package.
De Gea, who missed the crucial 22nd penalty in United’s Europa League final shootout defeat to Villarreal on Wednesday, came through the ranks at Atletico and the move would appeal to him if the money men get the figures to work.
- Joe Brophy
IBRA-KADABRA
RB Leipzig star Ibrahima Konate has passed a medical and is set to join Liverpool.
That is according to ESPN, who claim that Konate is set to become the Reds' first signing of the summer transfer window.
Konate completed his medical a few weeks ago and is expected to put pen to paper on a five-year contract with the Merseysiders.
Liverpool are reportedly on the verge of meeting the talented centre-back's £35million asking price, which they will have to pay in one instalment.
If all goes well then the 22-year-old will link up with his new team after the Under-21 European Championship where he competes with France.
Jurgen Klopp has been keeping tabs on Konate ever since 2017 when the defender was playing for Sochaux.
- Joe Brophy
ED HUNTER
Arsenal star Eddie Nketiah is reportedly wanted by Brighton.
And that could spark a swap deal involving highly-rated Gunners target Yves Bissouma, 24.
Latest Brighton claims Graham Potter is targeting a move for Nketiah, 21, in order to prevent another season battling relegation.
The likes of Danny Welbeck and Neil Maupay failed to hit the target regularly, forcing Brighton to scrap for their top-flight status for the entire campaign.
Nketiah is facing a bleak future at the Emirates under Mikel Arteta, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette set to stay put.
Fellow youngster Folarin Balogun has also signed a new deal under the premise of more first-team football.
- Joe Brophy
GUARD DOWN
Pep Guardiola insists it means 'absolutely nothing, zero' that his Manchester City side have lost twice to Chelsea already.
Asked by Rio Ferdinand with BT Sport about the impact of those two defeats, he said: "Absolutely nothing, zero.
"I know how we have prepared this final.
"We played two days after the Dortmund game away and in the [FA Cup] semi-finals, yes well done, well deserved, congratulations Chelsea.
"On Saturday, it's a new game we face and we will see what happens.
"If we had won these two games, my position would be the same because I know what the Champions League is.
"The season is gone, it's over – just one game, the Champions League, everyone else is on the beach thinking about next season."
- Joe Brophy
WAIST AWAY
Gareth Southgate will continue to ditch the iconic waistcoast for this summer’s Euros.
The England boss stole the show at the World Cup in Russia three years ago with his stylish smart outfit.
But there will be no return of the waistcoat at the upcoming tournament, especially with most England matches played in London.
Southgate told BBC Radio 4 Today: “It was a lovely moment to have that connection with the public.
“I haven’t worn a waistcoat on its own since… I don’t think I’ll be wearing a waistcoat this summer.”
- Joe Brophy
KYLLER BLOW
Kylian Mbappe is reportedly stalling on a new Paris Saint-Germain contract over two key demands.
And that has given a transfer boost to suitors Real Madrid and Liverpool.
Le Parisien claims Mbappe is open to staying at the Parc des Princes, despite his current deal expiring in 2022.
- Joe Brophy
TUCH OR GO
Thomas Tuchel must start winning trophies at Chelsea – or he will be sacked just like Frank Lampard.
That is the view of former left-back Wayne Bridge, who knows all about the pressure and demands for titles at Stamford Bridge.
He told bettingexpert.com: "If he stays on he’s going to have to start winning trophies but I don’t think there’s loads of pressure in terms of what he has achieved so far in terms of where Chelsea were.
"There’s always pressure in big games, you don’t want to lose and Tuchel will put that pressure on himself to win."
- Joe Brophy
NOT RON
Cristiano Ronaldo has been criticised by Atletico Madrid legend Milinko Pantic for "loving the mirror" too much.
He told La Resistencia: "I took off my shirt [after scoring in the 1996 Copa del Rey final] and I don't know why, because I don't have abs like Cristiano Ronaldo.
"In my day, players didn't love the mirror so much. Now players love the mirror a lot."
- Joe Brophy
KANE AND ABLE
Daniel Levy will refuse to sell Harry Kane to Chelsea this summer but the Tottenham star must sort his future out as soon as possible, according to Glenn Hoddle.
Hoddle told Betfair: “The key factor in Harry Kane’s future is that he has three years left on his contract at Tottenham.
“If he only had a year or two left then I think it would be done and dusted that he’d leave them this summer.
“He could go to Manchester City. What would he achieve there, if he’s already Premier League top goalscorer at Tottenham?
“I’d hate to think he’d go to Chelsea but I don’t think Daniel Levy will let him go there instead of City or United.
“Kane has been brilliant for Spurs and it really is a sad situation.
“Tottenham only really have themselves to blame for not building on the season when they go to the Champions League final.”
- Joe Brophy
RACISM ROW
Ondrej Kudela will appeal his ten-game Uefa ban for racially abusing Glen Kamara to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
It is his last attempt to overturn the decision and give him a chance of appearing at this summer's Euros.
Kudela's initial appeal was turned down by Uefa's committee on Wednesday.
But now, as reported by France24, Kudela's lawyer Rene Cienciala has confirmed they are taking the case to the highest court in European sport to clear his name.
The Czech player said via his legal team: "I regret being deprived of taking part in the Euros, but I want to clean my honour, so we will continue to fight."
- Joe Brophy
GO-MAR
Bayern Munich have confirmed the signing of Reading left-back Omar Richards on a four-year deal.
The English left-back, 23, is out of contract next month and had already rejected a new contract at the Championship side.
- Joe Brophy
MARC MY WORDS
Marcus Rashford vowed to end Manchester United’s trophy drought in an emotional interview.
He said: “The feeling inside is difficult to explain. We came here to win.
“We’ve been working so hard all season and this was the opportunity to win a trophy and it didn’t happen for whatever reason.
“We have to get rid of the disappointment and look back at the game and see what we did wrong.
“The team will not give up – no chance. The manager won’t allow us to give up.
“We will come next season with a bigger desire.
“People say a lot about Man Utd going downhill but for me, the club, desire, hunger, talent, ability, the squad, we have everything to compete at the highest level.
“We just have to show it to the world and ourselves, show why we belong in the top places and why we need to win finals like this.”
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