The top stories and transfer rumours from Thursday’s newspapers.
Liverpool
Liverpool face a tough battle to sign Bayern Munich star Michael Olise this summer, with Bayern insisting he is not for sale. Olise is on Liverpool’s radar as a possible replacement for the departing Mohamed Salah (Daily Mail). The Saudi Pro League are also targeting Liverpool executives Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, which could deepen summer upheaval at Anfield (The Independent).
Mohamed Salah is reportedly being tempted by a staggering £200m-plus offer from the Saudi Pro League (The Sun). Inter Miami are prepared to rival Saudi interest in Salah with a proposal that could pair him with Lionel Messi in MLS after his Liverpool exit (The Independent). MLS commissioner Don Garber believes Salah could have a major impact in American soccer and has urged him to move to the US (The Athletic).
Manchester United
Manchester United are relaxed about Marcus Rashford’s situation at Barcelona and confident they could find other suitors if Barca do not trigger the option to make his move permanent (ESPN). Inter Miami have sounded out United midfielder Casemiro over a potential MLS move (Daily Mail). MLS sides Inter Miami and LA Galaxy are interested in signing Casemiro when he leaves United this summer (The Athletic). Al Ittihad are also interested in signing Casemiro on a free transfer, though they must first decide on Fabinho’s future (ESPN).
United will travel to the Republic of Ireland for a four-day training camp at the start of April (The Athletic). The FA has reportedly rejected Manchester United’s new stadium for hosting the 2035 Women’s World Cup final, assigning Wembley instead (The Sun).
Arsenal
Arsenal are investigating a deal for Paris Saint-Germain forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ahead of a potential major reshuffle this summer (The Independent). Frustrated Arsenal fans were blocked in attempts to attend a crucial away match after West Ham asked ticket buyers to provide photographic proof they are genuine supporters (The Telegraph).
Chelsea
Everton are exploring a legal challenge against the Premier League over its handling of Chelsea’s undisclosed payments sanction (The Guardian). Chelsea have reportedly made an offer for Marseille’s 16-year-old winger Said Remadnia as they chase another teenage prospect (The Sun). Chelsea Women are considering moving all home games to Stamford Bridge next season (The Sun).
Real Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo’s eldest son trained with Real Madrid’s academy as he explores a move into the club’s youth ranks (The Athletic). Kylian Mbappé’s knee injury was reportedly misdiagnosed after Real Madrid medical staff performed an MRI on the wrong leg in December (The Athletic). The Santiago Bernabéu will host a major tennis event next month, with the pitch converted into courts (The Athletic).
Scottish Football
Craig McLeish looks set to be given the chance to keep St Mirren in the Premiership (Daily Record).
Rugby Union
There are growing concerns that Qatar Airways’ proposed title sponsorship of rugby union’s new Nations Championship is under threat because of the war in the Gulf (The Times).
Athletics
The London Marathon could be held over two days from next year, staging the men’s and women’s elite races separately across the weekend to allow more than 50,000 additional amateur runners to participate and raise extra funds for charity (The Times).
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