What the papers say
Zinedine Zidane has three key conditions that need to be met if he is to take over at Chelsea from under-pressure Maurizio Sarri, The Sun reports. They are said to be: 1. Sign Eden Hazard on a new deal that would make him the squad’s central figure. 2. Free up £200million for team improvements. 3. Be a deciding voice alongside director Marina Granovskaia.
Saudi Arabia’s crown prince does not intend on buying Manchester United, the Gulf kingdom has said amid rumours of a multi-billion pound deal in the making. Media minister Turki Al-Shabanah revealed United had met with officials from the Saudi sovereign wealth fund to discuss a “sponsorship opportunity”. However reports suggesting crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman intends on buying the club are “completely false”, the minister said. The Sun reported that a £3.8billion takeover bid by the oil-rich state was in the pipeline after United chiefs spent time in the kingdom.
Manchester United defender Antonio Valencia has been earmarked as a possible replacement at West Ham for Pablo Zabaleta, should he choose to retire at the end of the season, the Daily Mail reports. The 34-year-old Argentine is yet to confirm if he will return to East London after the summer, with reports suggesting he could join the coaching staff at old club Manchester City.
Birmingham forward Che Adams is being closely monitored by a pack of Premier League clubs, the Daily Mirror reports. Manchester United, Arsenal and Burnley are said to be in pursuit – the latter reported to have made several bids in the transfer window that were rejected. The 22-year-old recently scored in six Championship games on the trot, taking his tally to 19 for the season, and is said to have attracted bids of up to £9million back in January.
Social media round-up
😲 Man Utd ready to pay huge compensation fee to land Pochettino— Standard Sport (@standardsport) February 17, 2019
'Liverpool are no longer a selling club' as they are confident of avoiding Philippe Coutinho saga with Mohamed Salah after announcing record profits https://t.co/e4uEDPG4sOpic.twitter.com/eRWps21s1a— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) February 17, 2019
Arsenal teenager Matteo Guendouzi has been linked with a move to PSG #AFChttps://t.co/nGPAEgxQDO— Daily Star Sport (@DailyStar_Sport) February 18, 2019
Players to watch
Nick Pope: The Burnley goalkeeper might replace Petr Cech at Arsenal when the latter retires in the summer, according to the Daily Mirror.
Franck Kessie: AC Milan’s Ivorian playmaker is a target for Tottenham, Goal.com says.
