Liverpool identify three replacements for contract rebel Gini Wijnaldum
The Dutch midfielder is set to leave Anfield on a free transfer this summer (Picture: Getty)

Liverpool are now braced for Georginio Wijnaldum to leave the club when his contract expires this summer and have three players on their radar as a potential replacement, according to reports.

The 30-year-old Dutchman, who was described as Liverpool’s most consistent player by manager Jurgen Klopp, is believed to be keen for a new challenge and is not expected to sign a contract extension with the Merseysiders.

Wijnaldum has already been linked with a host of top clubs around Europe, including Barcelona – where he could be reunited with Ronald Koeman – and Serie A leaders Inter Milan.

Florian Neuhaus Borussia Mönchengladbach v Borussia Dortmund - DFB Cup: Quarter Final
Gladbach’s Florian Neuhaus is one option Liverpool are considering (Picture: Getty)

While Liverpool had hoped to convince Wijnaldum to remain at Anfield, they are becoming increasingly resigned to his departure and, according to Goal.com, have started drawing up a list of potential replacements.

Chief among them is Borussia Monchengladbach’s Florian Neuhaus, who is widely expected to leave the German this club – a switch to Dortmund with Marco Rose has been mooted.

However, Liverpool are also interested in the 23-year-old, who has a similar playing style to Wijnaldum, and they would be able to afford the £35million release clause he has in his Gladbach contract.

Another, more familiar option Liverpool have identified comes from the Premier League in the form of Brighton’s Yves Bissouma.

The 24-year-old Mali international again fits the age profile Liverpool target, as well as already being adapted to the Premier League.

His performances for Brighton over the past few seasons – particularly under Graham Potter – have caught the attention of a number of a bigger clubs, with Arsenal also said to be interested.

Liverpool target Houssem Aouar
A midfield of Thiago and Houssem Aouar would be mouth-watering (Picture: Getty Images)

The third and final option Liverpool will consider as a replacement for Wijnaldum is Lyon playmaker Houssem Aouar.

Although a very different type of player to Neuhaus and Bissouma, the Frenchman is regarded as one of the best young midfielders in Europe and would bring more creativity and goal threat from midfield.

Aouar has netted five goals and laid on three assists in just 19 starts in Ligue 1 for Lyon this season and Liverpool have long-standing interest in the midfielder, who was also pursued by Arsenal last summer before they signed Thomas Partey.

MORE : Jurgen Klopp writes emotional message to Alisson ahead of Liverpool vs Chelsea

MORE : Jurgen Klopp rates Liverpool’s chances of finishing above Manchester United

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Crystal Palace v Manchester United - Premier League
Manchester United have failed to score in over four hours (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)

Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves was critical of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team selection after the Red Devils recorded their third consecutive 0-0 draw in a stalemate against Crystal Palace.

United’s failure to find the back of the net was extended to beyond four hours as Solskjaer’s side drew against Roy Hodgson’s men at Selhurst Park.

United’s form has nosedived in recent weeks and it was the third successive 0-0 draw in all competitions, following games against Real Sociedad and Chelsea in the last six days.

The Red Devils started in a 4-2-3-1 system against the Eagles, with Fred and Nemanja Matic sitting at the base of the midfield against the south Londoners.

While a draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday was viewed as satisfactory, United needed to beat Palace to solidify second spot and Hargreaves believes Solskjaer’s negative tactics contributed to the side’s third consecutive draw.

Crystal Palace v Manchester United - Premier League
United are now in a race for the top four. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)

‘It’s their third 0-0 in a row they had one in the Europa League and they had one against Chelsea,’ Hargreaves told Premier League Productions.

‘I can understand in the bigger teams when they’re playing against the better team they get a bit cautious, they try and play on the counter and defend well.

‘Today you knew the way Crystal Palace and Roy Hodgson would set-up so surely they had to (do something else). You think back to the goal with Vardy and Iheanacho where they link up when Vardy went inside and made that space for other players.

‘There was no running in behind or making space for other people. They were quite static, Palace were quite comfortable, everything was in front of them.

‘Sometimes you need somebody to make a run for somebody else, that didn’t happen. They tried to get Bruno on the ball but he was too crowded out.

‘I don’t think it was a game where you needed two defensive midfielders, Matic and Fred, who gave the ball away a lot as well so maybe find a way to get another attacker on when you dominate the ball. Ole will say one shot on target against a team that defensive, they definitely need more.’

United face the daunting prospect of a trip to the Etihad to take on rivals Manchester City on Sunday.

Pep Guardiola’s side have won their last 21 matches in all competitions, though United have won on their last three trips to the blue side of Manchester.

Solskjaer hopes to have Anthony Martial and Donny van de Beek available again after the pair missed the trip to Selhurst Park.

MORE : Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praises Dean Henderson and provides David de Gea update after Crystal Palace draw



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West Indies star Kieron Pollard became just the third player to hit six sixes in an over
West Indies star Kieron Pollard became just the third player to hit six sixes in an over (Picture: Getty)

Yuvraj Singh and Herschelle Gibbs have welcomed Kieron Pollard ‘to the club’ after the West Indies captain hit six sixes in an over.

Pollard, 33, became just the third man to strike six maximums in a single over in international cricket as the Windies beat Sri Lanka in a Twenty20 match in Coolidge.

Sri Lanka spinner Akila Dananjaya, who had earlier taken a hat-trick, was the victim of Pollard’s brilliant and destructive hitting.

Dananjaya dismissed Evin Lewis, Chris Gayle and Nicholas Pooran in successive balls in his second over, before being taken apart by T20 superstar Pollard.

Pollard’s 11-ball 38 helped West Indies chase Sri Lanka’s 131-9 with four wickets and 41 balls remaining in the first of three T20Is.

By hitting six sixes in an international, Pollard followed in the footsteps of South Africa hero Gibbs, who achieved the feat in 2007 against the Netherlands, and former India all-rounder Yuvraj, who did so at that year’s Twenty20 World Cup.

Pollard said: ‘I felt I could hit six sixes after the third one. Once I had five sixes I knew I had the bowler on the back foot.

‘He was going round the wicket and it was difficult for him. I just told myself: “Go for it”.’

Pollard is one of a number of overseas stars who have signed up for The Hundred, the ECB’s new competition which starts this summer.

The West Indian was signed up by Gary Kirsten’s Welsh Fire and will play alongside the likes of Jonny Bairstow, Ollie Pope, Tom Banton and Liam Plunkett.

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Lei Peifan
Lei Peifan got the better of Neil Robertson on Wednesday night (Picture: WST)

Lei Peifan pulled off the win of his short career so far on Wednesday night as he beat world number three Neil Robertson 4-2 in the first round of the Gibraltar Open.

The 17-year-old was born in May 2003, five years after the Australian initially turned professional in 1998.

The Thunder from Down Under did not play well, failing to make a single break over 50, but Lei was impressive, making four half-centuries of his own to secure just his sixth victory of the season.

The Chinese teenager will fancy continuing his run in Milton Keynes as he takes on amateur player Dylan Emery in the second round.

Lei began his journey as a professional at just 15-years-old, making it onto the tour through Q School in 2019 but, unsurprisingly, it has been difficult for him to make an impact since then.

Clearly he has a lot of talent, though, and he has started to show it recently with a victory over Gary Wilson at the German Masters, three wins in the WST Pro Series and pushing Jack Lisowski to a deciding frame in the opening round of the Welsh Open last month.

Lisowski was impressed by Lei’s style in that clash in Newport and how he battled back from three frames behind, although eventually falling 4-3 to the Englishman.

‘I thought he looked quite cool, sort of strolls around like he doesn’t care. I like his style,’ Lisowski told Metro.co.uk at Celtic Manor.

‘He was really struggling then woke up, came alive and didn’t really miss a ball. Hopefully, like a lot of the Chinese players coming through, he can kick on, it’s good to see him coming through.’

Lei is ranked number 101 in the world and needs some more wins here this week and then at the World Championship qualifiers next month in Sheffield if he is to stay on tour next season.

In the second year of his two-year card earned in 2019 he needs to be in the top 64 in the rankings, or in the top eight on the one-year list of players not in the world’s top 64, which he is still a way off.

It may be another trip to Q School for the teenager this year, but after downing Neil Robertson he will be confident of a bright future in the game.

MORE : Matt Selt stunned by Stephen Hendry performance after ropy practice sessions

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer thanked Dean Henderson for preserving a point against Crystal Palace
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer thanked Dean Henderson for preserving a point against Crystal Palace (Picture: Getty)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer thanked Dean Henderson for preserving a point against Crystal Palace following Manchester United’s third consecutive goalless draw.

Hopes of reeling in runaway leaders Manchester City all but evaporated at Selhurst Park as Roy Hodgson’s well drilled side easily blunted the visitors’ attack, restricting United to just a solitary shot on target.

And the Eagles might have snatched all three points late on had it not been for Henderson thwarting Patrick van Aanholt with a smart save to deny the Palace full-back.

The 23-year-old was handed a rare Premier League start with David de Gea missing for ‘personal reasons’.

The England international has had to wait patiently for opportunities this season having returned to Old Trafford following two reputation-enhancing loan spells at Sheffield United.

Dean Henderson impressed on a rare Premier League start for Manchester United against Crystal Palace
Dean Henderson impressed on a rare Premier League start for Manchester United against Crystal Palace (Picture: Getty)

Henderson was largely a spectator last night but Solskjaer was delighted with his goalkeeper’s late contribution which at least helped United cement their position in the top four.

‘Yes, but that’s a Man Utd goalkeeper,’ Solskjaer told BT Sport when it was pointed out that Henderson had little to do. ‘Sometimes you have to keep your concentration and he’s growing into that position

‘It was a great save and I thought I didn’t know if it was off or not so I thank him for one point and not zero.’

In a further interview with MUTV, he added: ‘That’s the challenge Dean is going to face at Man Utd we hope, not a lot to do. He showed good concentration good reactions and saved us a point probably, so well done.’

Henderson appears likely to retain his place on Sunday against City with Solskjaer confirming he will put no pressure on De Gea to make himself available for selection ahead of the derby.

‘No, that’s a private matter so that will take the time that it takes,’ the United manager confirmed when asked about the possibility of De Gea returning this weekend.

MORE : Manchester United set to block Bruno Fernandes from linking up with Portugal

MORE : Ole Gunnar Solskjaer defends decision to leave Amad Diallo and Shola Shoretire on the bench in Manchester United’s draw vs Crystal Palace

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The 2021 Pakistan Super League has been postponed indefinitely due to coronavirus
The 2021 Pakistan Super League has been postponed indefinitely (Picture: Getty)

The 2021 Pakistan Super League has been postponed indefinitely after an outbreak of coronavirus.

The decision was taken in a meeting between the organising committee and the team owners and management on Thursday.

Seven positive cases of coronavirus have been reported this week, including England and Quetta Gladiators batsman Tom Banton and Karachi Kings fielding coach Kamran Khan.

Earlier in the week, Quetta star Fawad Ahmed tested positive, which led to the postponement of one fixture.

The tournament started on February 20 and most teams have already played five group matches, but if and when the 2021 PSL will continue is now unclear.

In a statement, the Pakistan Cricket Board said: ‘The PCB, as an immediate step, will focus on the safe and secure passage of all participants, and arrange repeat PCR tests, vaccines and isolation facilities to the six participating sides.’

The 2020 Pakistan Super League was also impacted by coronavirus, with the tournament pushed back by eight months and eventually hosted in November.

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Barnsley v Chelsea: The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round
Tammy Abraham has struggled to hold down a place in the Chelsea team under Thomas Tuchel (Picture: Getty Images)

Aston Villa and West Ham are considering a summer move for Chelsea and England striker Tammy Abraham as he struggles to hold down a place in the first team under Thoams Tuchel.

The 23-year-old has been in-and-out of the Blues team since the German took charge in January, only scoring once against Barnsley in the FA Cup under Tuchel’s management.

The new Blues boss has regularly made changes to his starting XI since arriving, so Abraham is not in a unique situation, but with competition from Timo Werner and Olivier Giroud, and with talk of a summer bid for Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland, Abraham’s future is in the balance.

The Birmingham Mail report that Villa are keen to bring Abraham back to the club after his superb loan spell in 2018/19 when he scored 26 league goals in the Championship.

The report also states that West Ham are keen on the forward as David Moyes looks to add a focal point to his attack.

Abraham was not even on the substitutes’ bench when Chelsea hosted Manchester United at the weekend, playing out a drab goalless draw.

Tuchel has insisted that the striker remains in his plans and he is just going through a spell of bad luck at the moment.

‘He lacks a little bit of luck, Tammy, not only in games but also in training,’ Tuchel said.

‘And once the last touch comes back, and he’s fighting for it now, he will stay a player that we will push for.

“It’s my job to push him to his limits and we will not stop doing this in supporting him.

Southampton v Chelsea - Premier League
Thomas Tuchel has clearly not been entirely convinced by Tammy Abraham (Picture: Getty Images)

‘We have to cut it down to 18 players, so in the end it’s not always a punishment or a signal to a player who is not in the squad.

‘And in this case it was exactly like this. It was not a punishment or a signal, it was just a choice from the alternatives, on which position who starts, who could come from the bench.’

Chelsea go to Liverpool on Thursday night and Abraham is a doubt due to an ankle injury, with Tuchel saying on Wednesday: ‘Tammy had some problems yesterday on the ankle again, so let’s see how this works out.’

MORE : AC Milan send message to Chelsea over Fikayo Tomori transfer

MORE : Jurgen Klopp writes emotional message to Alisson ahead of Liverpool vs Chelsea

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Virat Kohli and Ben Stokes clashed during the first day of the fourth Test
Virat Kohli and Ben Stokes clashed during the first day of the fourth Test (Picture: Fox Sports)

Graeme Swann called Virat Kohli ‘childish’ after the India captain clashed with Ben Stokes on the first day of the fourth and final Test in Ahmedabad.

One of the umpires had to intervene after Kohli and Stokes shared words in the middle, with England struggling on 37-3 after winning the toss.

Swann insinuated that Kohli was to blame for the spat after ‘butting in’ to Stokes’ conversation with England team-mate Jonny Bairstow.

India took an unassailable 2-1 lead in the four-match series last week but still need to avoid defeat in the series finale to qualify for the World Test Championship final.

‘A little conflab in the middle between Ben Stokes and Virat Kohli, not sure what it’s about, it seems very friendly,’ former England spinner Swann said on Channel 4 before the duo got up close and personal.

‘Maybe it’s not quite so friendly. The umpire’s stepping in. I want a clean fight lads, nothing below the belt, when the bell goes you go back to your corners.

‘It’s not really up to the fielders to butt into the batsmen’s conversations when they’re out in the middle.

‘Just let them get on with it, and you get on with your own game. It all seemed a bit childish to me.’

Commenting on the incident, India legend Sunil Gavaskar added: ‘That works in the fielding side’s favour because the batsman’s concentration is gone.

‘At this particular point in time, nothing will happen to Virat Kohli for the simple reason he’s fielding.

‘But as a batsman, if you’ve lost concentration, it sort of lingers in your mind as you’re facing up to the next ball and you’re not fully concentrating, not fully focused on the ball.’

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Former England spinner Graeme Swann calls India captain Virat Kohli ‘childish’ after Ben Stokes spat in fourth Test

Virat Kohli and Ben Stokes clashed during the first day of the fourth Test (Picture: Fox Sports) Graeme Swann called Virat Kohli ‘chi...



AC Milan have the option to sign Fikayo Tomori from Chelsea
AC Milan have the option to sign Fikayo Tomori from Chelsea (Getty)

AC Milan have been pleased with Fikayo Tomori’s impact but admit their option to purchase the centre-back from Chelsea is ‘very high’.

The 23-year-old struggled to secure a regular role under Frank Lampard this season and was allowed to leave the club in the January transfer window.

AC Milan signed Tomori on loan for the remainder of the season and have the option to buy him this summer for €30 million (£26m).

‘The boy has proved to be strong, he integrated well,’ AC Milan’s sporting director Frederic Massara told DAZN.

‘We are convinced of his qualities, there is a very high option to buy and we will evaluate whether to go on but we are very satisfied with his impact so far and we are happy to have him with us.’

Tomori’s current contract with Chelsea expires in June 2024.

Fikayo Tomori has made seven appearances for AC Milan so far
Fikayo Tomori has made seven appearances for AC Milan so far (Getty Images)

Speaking last week, AC Milan’s technical director, Paolo Maldini, also stressed that Tomori’s clause is ‘very high’.

‘Tomori is a good talent and we have a buy-option clause,’ Maldini told Sky Italia.

‘The price is very high. AC Milan will decide at the end of this season and we will discuss it with Chelsea’s board.’

Tomori has made seven appearances in all competitions since joining AC Milan earlier this year.

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Bruno Fernandes looks on during Manchester United's Premier League clash with Crystal Palace
Bruno Fernandes may not be released for Portugal’s World Cup qualifiers (Picture: Getty)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hinted that Manchester United will prevent Bruno Fernandes from joining up with Portugal for the first of their World Cup qualifying matches later this month.

Under current government coronavirus restrictions, Premier League stars involved in games held on the UK’s travel red list will be required to quarantine for ten days in a government-approved hotel on their return.

Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp has already confirmed the likes of Alisson, Fabinho, Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota will not be released and Solskjaer suggested United would follow suit in the wake of their drab stalemate at Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks on after Manchester United's draw with Crystal Palace
The Red Devils were held to a stalemate away to Palace on Wednesday evening (Picture: Getty)

Fernandes, one of the standout players in the English top flight this term, would have been a shoo-in for selection ahead of Portugal’s Group A clashes with Azerbaijan (Lisbon), Serbia (Belgrade), Luxembourg (Luxembourg) in normal circumstances.

But as the country has been placed on the red list, the Red Devils are reluctant to release their talisman and Solskjaer said it would be a ‘hard call’ to allow him to leave.

On whether Fernandes will be granted permission to represent his nation at his post-match press conference, Solskjaer told reporters: ‘Well we’ve not sat down and made a proper call on that one but it doesn’t make sense if you lose your player for ten days isolation, of course it doesn’t.

‘We’re the ones paying the players and from what I understand, FIFA have given the rules that [players] don’t have to be released.

‘So I would think that’s going to be a hard call to make to let them go and play in red list countries, yeah.’

Red list travel ban countries

  • Angola
  • Argentina
  • Bolivia
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • Burundi
  • Cape Verde
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Ecuador
  • Eswatini
  • French Guiana
  • Guyana
  • Lesotho
  • Malawi
  • Mauritius
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Portugal (including Madeira and the Azores)
  • Rwanda
  • Seychelles
  • South Africa
  • Suriname
  • Tanzania
  • United Arab Emirates (UAE)
  • Uruguay
  • Venezuela
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

The Norwegian said ‘of course’ he wanted Fernandes – United’s top scorer this season with 22 goals – involved in their matches with Brighton and Tottenham after the international break.

Pressed on whether he’s keen for Fernandes to stay put, he added: ‘I want Bruno, of course.

‘I want him ready against Brighton and again hopefully that we’re through in Europe and against Tottenham after that break, of course I do.’

United’s goalless draw at Selhurst Park – their third consecutive statement in all competitions – meant the club lost further ground on Manchester City, who now sit 14 points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

Next up for Solskjaer’s men is a trip to the Etihad where Pep Guardiola’s rampant City side will be looking to extend their winning streak to 22 matches with victory over their fierce rivals.

MORE : Gary Neville hits out at ‘boring’ Manchester United and criticises ‘sloppy’ Bruno Fernandes after Crystal Palace draw

MORE : Marcus Rashford clashes with Harry Maguire during Manchester United’s draw with Crystal Palace


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