NEWCASTLE are looking at Alexandre Lacazette as one of their potential first signings after their takeover.
The out of favour Arsenal striker fits the bill of players with Premier League experience as the club look to build a squad capable of challenging for Europe.
And SunSport can reveal that the new owners are eyeing up Brighton boss Graham Potter as a potential replacement for Steve Bruce.
Steven Gerrard, Eddie Howe, Frank Lampard and Antonio Conte are also among those to have been linked to the job.
Meanwhile Chelsea are ready to offer Andreas Christensen a contract extension.
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- Dylan Terry
ALEX ON WAY?
Arsenal star Alexandre Lacazette is wanted by Newcastle, according to reports.
The Gunners striker has just eight-months left on his deal and will be available on a free next summer.
The Toon have a large transfer budget to spend, following their £300m Saudi takeover last week.
And Lacazette is high on their radar to get the new revolution at St James' Park underway, according to Fichajes.
The mega-rich Premier League side are looking to snatch the French forward on a free, or a cheap deal in January.
It is understood the Magpies have a ten-man initial shortlist of stars they are looking to bring in.
This includes Lacazette, who has become a bit-part player under Mikel Arteta at the Emirates.
- Dylan Terry
BLUE BEAUTY
Chelsea have the most Premier League goal scorers this season, twice as many as Manchester United.
Thomas Tuchel’s mega-squad proves depth really does matter at the top level.
That’s because TWELVE different players have netted in Chelsea’s opening seven league matches of the new campaign.
That’s three more than champions Manchester City, who alongside the Blues arguably boast the best squad in the division.
Meanwhile, Man United have seen just six of their players score this term – half of Chelsea’s amount.
- Jack Figg
GOOD MORNING FOOTBALL FANS
Steve Bruce expects to start clearing his desk today as the new Newcastle owners begin work in earnest.
Firing the unpopular Toon boss will be the first big decision made by the Saudi-led consortium.
A multi-million pound pay-off will soften the blow for Bruce, who said last Thursday that the sack would come as no surprise.
That was despite the owners claiming no decision had been made about his future last night.
Geordie Bruce was set to take charge of his 1,000th game as a manager against Spurs at St James’ Park on Sunday, but assistant Graeme Jones is more likely to be in temporary charge instead.
Meanwhile, Harry Kane ‘loves Tottenham’ and will play a key role in the club’s rebuild, according to the club’s transfer chief Fabio Paratici.
Paratici, as per Fabrizio Romano, said: “Harry Kane loves Tottenham.
“We’ve decided to keep Harry last summer to start the re-building, and we’re happy with our choice.
“There’s no need of any new talk with Harry. He knows how to share the sense of belonging to Spurs.”
- Dylan Terry
PARTEY TIME
Arsenal star Thomas Partey gave fans plenty to be excited about after he scored a brilliant solo goal for Ghana against Zimbabwe.
The midfielder, 28, was brought on as a second-half substitute and it did not take him long to make an impact.
- Dylan Terry
OUT OF TOON
Steve Bruce expects to start clearing his desk today as the new Newcastle owners begin work in earnest.
Firing the unpopular Toon boss will be the first big decision made by the Saudi-led consortium.
A multi-million pound pay-off will soften the blow for Bruce, who said last Thursday that the sack would come as no surprise.
That was despite the owners claiming no decision had been made about his future last night.
Geordie Bruce was set to take charge of his 1,000th game as a manager against Spurs at St James’ Park on Sunday, but assistant Graeme Jones is more likely to be in temporary charge instead.
Part-owner Amanda Staveley and husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi will get to work proper today having met staff – but not Bruce – last Friday.
Finding Bruce’s replacement is the priority, with a shortlist including Graham Potter, Brendan Rodgers and Steven Gerrard being considered.
- Dylan Terry
PAUL THE OTHER ONE
Juventus want to use Aaron Ramsey as a bargaining chip to sign Manchester United star Paul Pogba, according to reports.
The Welshman, 30, has struggled to make an impact in Turin since leaving Arsenal in 2019.
Juve are believed to have grown frustrated by his persistent injury troubles.
And according to the Mail, Ramsey himself feels that their training regime is hampering his progress.
They add that Juve must get the midfielder's salary off their wage bill, if they are to make a move for Pogba.
And they would ideally like to include him in any deal made with Man United.
Pogba, 28, has long been linked with a return to Juventus – with his Red Devils contract set to expire at the end of this season.
But, amid his blistering form so far this term, there is optimism at Old Trafford that the Frenchman could pen an extension and decide to stay.
- Dylan Terry
RAPH BLOW
Manchester United have been dealt a potential injury blow after Raphael Varane limped off against Spain.
The France defender, 28, lined up for his country in tonight's Nations League final.
But as the first-half drew to a close, Varane went down without anyone around him.
Replays suggested the centre-back had stretched too much for a loose ball.
And medics rushed onto the field to give him treated.
- Dylan Terry
SHAW DEAL
Manchester United are preparing a contract offer for Luke Shaw, according to reports.
The left-back, 26, has become the latest United star to join the 'priority list' of players due to receive a new deal.
SunSport revealed last month that Bruno Fernandes is closing in on a five-year contract worth more than £250,000 a week.
Harry Maguire has also been told by the club that they want to offer him a bumper new deal.
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano England star Shaw is next in line.
He has become a key player under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and has less than two years left to run on his current deal.
- Dylan Terry
KICKING OFF
Premier League anti-vax stars have been likened to drink-drivers as they were urged to get jabbed.
The top-flight footballers were told by Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi to help protect the public after concerns about their slow vaccine take-up.
Former vaccines minister Mr Zahawi said: “I urge all footballers to listen to Jurgen Klopp. He says we all have a duty to protect one another.
“He compared it to being drunk behind the wheel because of the harm to others.
“So get yourself protected. Protect your community, protect people that might come into contact with you.”
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said of those refusing the jab: “It is disappointing. They are role models in society.”
- Dylan Terry
OUS DEAL
Liverpool are considering a transfer move for Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele, according to reports.
Dembele, 24, has interested the Reds for some time and could be signed to provide competition for the likes of Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota.
The Frenchman signed for Barca in 2017 for a fee of £138million but his contract expires at the end of the season.
That means he is affordable, and though Barcelona want to keep him they are requesting he accepts a reduction in his £200k a week wages.
Dembele has the ball in his court as a result, with Liverpool one of several teams eyeing a free transfer, report TEAMtalk.
Manchester United have been long-term admirers of the winger.
- Dylan Terry
BRUCEY BONUS
Steve Bruce could be removed as manager with an £8MILLION pay-off from Newcastle's new owners.
That is according to the Daily Mail, who report that Bruce could be gone this week before the Amanda Staveley led-consortium's first game in charge of the Magpies after their £300m takeover.
The Toon's new owners realised the 60-year-old manager's presence will have a negative impact on the celebratory mood at St James' Park, which is expected to be sold out on Sunday against Tottenham.
The Manchester United legend's assistant Graeme Jones is set to be placed in temporary charge until a full-time replacement is found.
Bruce is in line for a major pay-off that will officially end his turbulent two-year stint in charge.
- Dylan Terry
BLUE BEAUTY
Chelsea have the most Premier League goal scorers this season, twice as many as Manchester United.
Thomas Tuchel’s mega-squad proves depth really does matter at the top level.
That’s because TWELVE different players have netted in Chelsea’s opening seven league matches of the new campaign.
That’s three more than champions Manchester City, who alongside the Blues arguably boast the best squad in the division.
Meanwhile, Man United have seen just six of their players score this term – half of Chelsea’s amount.
- Dylan Terry
KAL HIM UP
Newcastle are interested in signing Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, according to reports.
The Magpies are expected to spend big in the January transfer window following the completion of PIF's takeover this week.
And signing a strong, experienced defender is reportedly top of their agenda given they are without a win so far this season.
Koulibaly is being targeted as the club's first marquee signing of the new era, report Football Insider.
The centre-back has helped Napoli to the top of the Serie A table with Luciano Spalletti's side winning all seven league games so far.
But Koulibaly is viewed as a realistic transfer by the Newcastle hierarchy.
- Dylan Terry
WHAT ABOU THAT
Arsenal, Liverpool and Everton are not alone in their bid to sign Olympiacos star Pape Abou Cisse in January.
Reports emerged on Friday suggesting that the three Premier League sides are keeping tabs on Cisse ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
It has also been claimed that the Gunners, Reds and Toffees had scouts in Istanbul last week when Olympiacos beat Fenerbahce 3-0 in the Europa League.
SunSport can confirm those reports but sources suggest that the centre-back's agent has received enquiries from various other clubs as well.
That means Arsenal, Liverpool and Everton are set for a bidding war if they go ahead with a swoop for the Senegal international.
- Dylan Terry
REDS RAID
Newcastle are planning a mass transfer raid on Manchester United with FOUR outcasts reportedly in their sights.
The Magpies are in the market for 'world class signings' after their £300million Saudi takeover and are allegedly looking to test United's resolve in January.
Donny van de Beek, Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial and Eric Bailly are the quartet in question, according to the Mirror.
- Dylan Terry
VIEW TO KYL
Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo is adamant that his 'jewel' Kylian Mbappe will stay at the club beyond the end of the season.
And the Brazilian also believes that Real Madrid should be punished for their public pursuit of the Frenchman over the summer.
Mbappe, 22, recently made it known that he asked to leave PSG back in July.
He would be denied his transfer, despite a £154million offer coming from Madrid.
The forward's contract is set to expire at the end of this season, however, taking the decision out of PSG's hands.
But Leonardo, 52, remains bullish – telling Festival dello Sport: "Our idea is to extend Kylian Mbappe's contract.
"Nothing has changed in our plans. Kylian is a jewel, he is incredibly perfect for PSG… then we've Kylian, Leo [Messi], Ney. We've never planned PSG future without Mbappe."
- Dylan Terry
STARS AND STRIPES
Former Arsenal ace Yunus Musah has explained why he switched international allegiance from England to the USA.
The 18-year-old represented the Young Lions at youth level and has even been described as Paul Pogba-like by his former U17s boss Steve Cooper.
But after leaving the Gunners for Valencia in Spain last year, he has now opted for a change at international level too.
And after starring on his latest appearance for the Stars and Stripes last night, Musah has now revealed the reasons behind his decision.
He told CBS Sports: “It was a mixture of things.
“I’m really into the project we have of building this team, this new identity and trying to change the view of American soccer in the world.
“That really inspired me and was one of the things I really wanted to be involved in.”
- Dylan Terry
STAY PUT
Paul Pogba should be delighted to play football in England as the Premier League is the ‘best in the world’.
That’s the view of Paul Scholes, who has questioned why Pogba is entertaining the transfer speculation currently rife around him.
He told the Webby & O’Neill show: “I can’t see why he would want to leave here. Why would you want to leave England?
“You look at Real Madrid – the Spanish league’s gone. Real, Barcelona, they’re an absolute, complete mess.
“PSG might be another option for him but England is the best now.
"You look at the top four teams, they’ve got all the best players, the best managers are here, so why would he want to leave?
“But it’s up to the club. If the club want to keep him then great, if they don’t then we’ll say goodbye.”
- Dylan Terry
NEY MORE
Neymar has sensationally revealed the 2022 World Cup will be his last as he struggles to cope with the pressure of international football.
The Brazil forward wants to call time on his international career after the Qatar tournament when he will be just 30 years old.
Neymar made his Brazil debut back in 2010 and has since scored 69 goals in 113 appearances for his country.
But the Paris Saint-Germain star has said he doesn’t know if he has the ‘strength of mind’ to continue.
He told DAZN: “I think it’s my last World Cup.
“I see it as my last because I don’t know if I have the strength of mind to deal with football any more.
“I’ll do everything to turn up well, do everything to win with my country, to realise my greatest dream since I was little. And I hope I can do it."
- Joshua Mbu
SAK THAT
Bukayo Saka has hailed England team-mate Tammy Abraham for adjusting to life in Italy.
The forward left Chelsea for Roma in the summer, and his form earned him a recall into Gareth Southgate’s squad.
And he got a goal on his return on Saturday, helping England to a 5-0 victory over Andorra.
Saka said: “I’m really happy for Tammy.
“He’s my boy. I’m just really happy he got his goal because he’s been working really hard, he’s been in really good form out in Italy so I’m really happy for him.
“It is football and different challenges will come up and I feel he’s dealt with this one (moving to Roma) well so far, I just wish him the best and I’m happy he got his goal.”
- Joshua Mbu
RON TARGET
Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated breaking yet another international record, writes KOSTAS LIANOS.
Ronaldo overtook Paris Saint-Germain star and former Real Madrid team-mate Sergio Ramos for most international caps won by a European player.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner registered his 181st cap for Portugal on Saturday’s 3-0 win over Qatar in a friendly match at the Estadio Algarve.
This also means the star forward has scored against a total of 46 different countries.
Ronaldo tweeted: “Records are always outstanding, but those who fall at the service of our national team take on a special dimension.
“181 games with the jersey of the corners are 181 reasons to be proud of!
“And scoring against 46 different countries is something I never imagined was possible.”
- Joshua Mbu
'FABULOUSLY EXCITING'
England manager Gareth Southgate has hailed 'fabulously exciting' Phil Foden.
The young midfielder took yesterday's game against Andorra by the scruff of the neck.
Southgate said: "Frankly he is one of those players who is effective anywhere across the front line if you play him 7, 11, 10, 8.
"A traditional 4-3-3 midfield with a 6, 8, 10, if he was the 10 within that but with the capability to drop lower and build the play at times, as he did tonight, I think part of that is just as he gets stronger as well and part of that is the balance of the type of player who might play as the 8 with those qualities.
“But it’s fabulously exciting, isn’t it, when you’re trying to break down a defence, as we have tonight, and you have a player who sees the passes that he sees and hits them and executes them in the way he did.
"Towards the end of the game there were some lovely combinations between Foden, Mount, Grealish, Saka.
"The type of play our players are capable of producing is really exciting.”
- Joshua Mbu
GET JU TO ANFIELD
Jude Bellingham 'should join Liverpool instead of Chelsea', according to former Blues star Glen Johnson, writes WILLIAM PUGH.
The Borussia Dortmund ace has been linked with a January move to the West Londoners but Johnson reckons the England international would be better of at Anfield where he would be 'nurtured'.
Bellingham, 18, has been at Dortmund little more than a year but has impressed since breaking into the first-team.
He's scored twice and provided five assists in 11 matches for the Bundesliga side this season.
And his performances last campaign earned him a call-up to England's Euro 2020 squad and led to Chelsea's interest.
SunSport exclusively revealed last month Manchester United are in pole position to sign the former Birmingham midfielder.
But when asked which of the Premier League's biggest clubs would be the best destination for Bellingham, Johnson picked his most recent former team Liverpool.
The 37-year-old – who spent four years at Chelsea and six at Anfield – told Betting Odds: "I’d probably say Liverpool."
- Joshua Mbu
VARDY'S HAVING A PARTY
Jamie Vardy is the top goal scorer in the Premier League so far this season.
- Joshua Mbu
NEYMAR PONDERS FUTURE
Neymar says next year's 2022 Qatar World Cup could be his LAST as he doesn't know if he has 'the strength of mind to deal with football any more'.
The Brazilian did, however, insist he would try his best to win for his country.
Speaking to DAZN, he said: "I think it's my last World Cup.
"I see it as my last, because I don't know if I have the strength of mind to deal with football any more.
"So I'll do everything to turn up well, do everything to win with my country.
"To realise my greatest dream [winning the WC], since I was little.
"And I hope I can do it."
WOW.
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