Theo Hernandez to Chelsea, Real Madrid target BOTH Mbappe and Haaland, Newcastle want Umtiti transfer EXCLUSIVE

Lloris transfer

Hugo Lloris is considering rejoining Nice next year, according to reports.

The Tottenham goalkeeper and captain’s contract at White Hart Lane expires at the end of this season.

And if he decides against extending his stay in North London or is not offered an extension, he could return to his boyhood club.

According to Foot Mercato, Nice are lining up an approach to land the experienced stopper.

James injury

Chelsea are sweating over scan results for Reece James.

The England star, 22, had to be helped off in the first half of Wednesday night’s 1-1 draw with Brighton after damaging his hamstring.

t looked a potentially serious injury as he hobbled very slowly down the tunnel on crutches assisted by two of the Blues’ physios.

Thomas Tuchel will be praying it is not as bad as first feared, particularly in the week when it was confirmed fellow flying wing-back Ben Chilwell requires surgery on a knee problem and will be out for the rest of the season.

Ben Chilwell on the mend

Chelsea star Ben Chilwell tweeted fans he’s ready to get back to full fitness after a successful surgery for a serious knee injury.

The left back tore his ACL in a Champions League match against Juventus.

It means the England defender is ruled out for the season.

Hammer blow

West Ham’s board are getting restless that manager David Moyes hasn’t presented a list of targets for the January transfer window.

David Sullivan, David Gold and new co-owner Daniel Kretinsky are said to be dismayed by Moyes’ lack of preparation going into the next month, according to Claret and Hugh.

The Hammers are suffering with injuries defensively, and moves in the transfer market could ease their issues.

While they are still in the hunt for a top 4 spot, so reinforcements could be crucial to their chances.

Dabizas advice

Newcastle legend Nikos Dabizas has advised his former club to target Premier League players with limited game time during the January transfer window.

The Magpies have found themselves in an intense relegation battle despite their recent £300million Saudi-led takeover as they have lost 10 and won just one out of 19 league matches.

Dabizas told SunSport: “All 20 teams have [talented] players that don’t get enough minutes and that might be something Newcastle can take advantage of.

“High-level players that don’t get enough opportunities could receive more playing time on a temporary basis or commit with a long-term deal at a club like Newcastle. If the club makes careful moves then it is possible to make good transfers in January.”

Chelsea financial woe

Chelsea have felt the crippling impact of the pandemic by recording a post-tax loss of £145.6million for the financial year ending in June.

The bleak figure is largely put down to a near-complete loss of matchday revenue due to fans being shut out, as well as a decrease in profit from selling players.

t is in stark contrast to the previous financial year before Covid-19 struck when Roman Abramovich’s Blues made a profit of £39.5m.

Turnover actually went up by £29m to £416.8m – largely due to a broadcast income boost.

But matchday revenue was just £7.2m – constituting a whopping annual fall of £68.4m.

January signings best XI

On January 1 the transfer window opens, and the top Premier League clubs will hoping to do big business.

Here’s the best eleven of players we could see on the move, with Vlahovic upfront, Dele Alli swapping Spurs for West Ham and Ousmane Dembele coming to the Prem.

Scary Man City

Should Manchester City be successful in their pursuit of Harry Kane, here’s how they could line-up.

One word. Frightening.

Puskas contender

EX-RANGERS striker Greg Stewart made himself a sure contender for the illustrious Puskas Award with a stunning strike in the Indian Super League.

The 31-year-old gave current side Jamshedpur the lead against rivals Kerala Blasters with a sublime free-kick in the 14th minute of the riveting Boxing Day clash.

Check out the strike below.

Brighton kid set to leave

Brighton youngster Zak Sturge has turned down a contract extension from the club.

Sources have told SunSport that Sturge, who is considered as a highly-rated talent, decided against putting pen to paper on a new deal with the Seagulls.

The left-back has shown immense ability within the team’s youth ranks and has attracted interest from the Bundesliga.

Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg are among a few clubs keeping tabs on the 17-year-old ahead of the January transfer window.

Important Mount

Chelsea may be stuttering at the moment, but at least they can turn to their talisman, Mason Mount.

The playmaker has been directly involved in 12 Premier League goals this campaign.

That’s only bettered by Mo Salah and Emmanuel Dennis.

GUESS WHO

This Newcastle legend was a centre back at the club who scored a famous 30-yard lob against Manchester United.

The flamboyant defender sported a moustache during his heyday, and turned out for Belgium. But can you guess who it is? Scroll down for the reveal…

It’s Philippe Albert, of course, who is now a TV pundit in his homeland.

Mike Dean slammed

Thomas Tuchel has slammed referee Mike Dean after Chelsea were denied a penalty in their 1-1 draw with Brighton on Wednesday.

The Blues’ boss was adamant that his team deserved a penalty in the 50th minute after Christian Pulisic was tripped by Joel Veltman in the box.

However, Mike Dean did not have the same view and the challenge was not looked at by VAR.

“We have a 100 per cent penalty against Christian Pulisic,” Tuchel challenged.

Tractor boy

Chelsea fans have fond memories of Diego Costa on the pitch, but he’s also got quite the reputation off it.

The former Chelsea striker’s latest stunt involved driving around the streets of Brazil behind the wheel of an enormous yellow tractor.

Costa is even joined in the vehicle by three children, with one perched on his lap and a further two sat behind him, in a clip originally posted to his Instagram.

Exclusive: EFL scraps Covid tests

The EFL have scrapped Covid tests on the day of a game to stop late call-offs.

This move is coming into force immediately after several matches were left in the balance by a wait for checks that have led to postponements.

There has been anger among the 72 clubs and the EFL that this has led to fans going to matches and being left frustrated by results that lead to games being shelved.

Under the new protocols, no player will be tested on a matchday unless he is showing symptoms.

Toney jokes about Man City

Ivan Toney might be waking up with sore legs after spending 90 minutes chasing shadows against Manchester City on Wednesday night.

Brentford put up a good fight against the champions, but went down 1-0 thanks to an early Phil Foden goal.

But Toney likened City’s possession to playing in the school playground.

The 25-year-old joked on Twitter: “Not the best kick about year 11s Stole our ball.

“But we go again next year. Fans were behind us right till the end. Happy new year everyone stay safe. 🐝 ❤️ @BrentfordFC.”

Tuchel’s moan

Thomas Tuchel believes it is “stupid” to think his Chelsea side are in the title race as injuries and illness robs him of his top talents.

He told BBC Sport: “We have seven Covid cases. We have five or six players out for six or more weeks. How should we compete in a title race?

“Everyone else who has a full squad, everybody in training has the full power to come through this league.

“We would be stupid to think we can do it out of Covid and injuries. Just play and everybody would be stupid to do it without 23 fit players.”

Morata to Barcelona?

Alvaro Morata has been linked with a shock move to Barcelona in January as Xavi looks to bolster his attack.

The Blaugrana boss remains keen to strengthen his frontline having already landed Ferran Torres from Manchester City in a deal worth up to £55million.

And Marca state that he has now turned his attention to compatriot Morata, who is currently in the second year of his loan spell at Juventus from Atletico Madrid.

Should the 29-year-old link up with the Catalan outfit, he would be the 38th player to have signed for both Barca and Real Madrid.

China bans footballers tattoos

China have banned footballers from getting tattoos and told national team players who have been inked to remove or cover them up to set a ‘good example for society’.

A growing number of high-profile Chinese players have been sporting tattoos, including international defender Zhang Linpeng.

He has previously been told to cover up while appearing for both the national team and club side Guangzhou FC.

The General Administration of Sport of China (GAS) published a statement titled, ‘Suggestions for strengthening the management of football players’.

It stated that the Chinese Football Association would set out disciplinary requirements for national team players.

Hudson-Odoi slated

Callum Hudson-Odoi was slated for his ‘very strange’ pass trying to pick out Mason Mount.

And the bizarre decision came back to bite the Chelsea winger and his team as Brighton snatched an injury-time equaliser.

And after Lukaku headed the Blues in front on 28 minutes, the winger, 21, looked destined to double their lead ten minutes after half-time.

But running through the middle to the edge of the area, rather than pulling the trigger to shoot, the academy graduate attempted a convoluted ball across for Mount.

However, rather than intricately threading for his mate, Hudson-Odoi proceeded simply in gifting possession to Seagulls defender Joel Veltman.

Biggest transfers

In just two days, clubs around the world will be able to trade players again.

Over the years we’ve seen some mega transfer fees spent.

Will any January sales make it into this list?

Newcastle in for Dembele

Barcelona contract rebel Ousmane Dembele has reportedly been approached by Newcastle over a potential move to Tyneside.

Dembele is out-of-contract at the end of the season, although Barcelona boss Xavi remains determined to tie him down to a new deal.

However, after a long-meeting with club bosses whereby nothing was agreed, two Premier League clubs are said to be in the running for his signature.

One of those is Newcastle, with Eddie Howe keen to make a marquee signing at St. James’ Park.

Messi dancer

Lionel Messi showed he’s got the moves on a night on the tiles with missus Antonella at a concert in their homeland.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward, 34, last played on December 22 and does not take to the field again until January 3.

And he has made the most of the time off to head back to Argentina on holiday with his family.

There, he treated his partner to a night out, with a video on social media showing the pair having fun.

Kane still on City’s radar

Man City could potentially go from having no strikers to boasting two of the most lethal finishers on the planet.

Harry Kane and Erling Haaland are both on City’s radar to replace the departing Ferran Torres, reports suggest.

City won’t sign a Torres replacement in January, but will instead wait to bring in a marquee signing up front in the summer, according to ESPN.

And it’s claimed the club ‘still hold an interest’ in Kane, after failing to sign the England captain six months ago.

Lloris transfer

Hugo Lloris is considering rejoining Nice next year, according to reports.

The Tottenham goalkeeper and captain’s contract at White Hart Lane expires at the end of this season.

And if he decides against extending his stay in North London or is not offered an extension, he could return to his boyhood club.

According to Foot Mercato, Nice are lining up an approach to land the experienced stopper.