MORNING FOOTY FANS
Harry Kane, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are in the transfer speculation spotlight – with mind-boggling figures circling around all of them.
And Bruno Fernandes’ value soared on his latest glory night for Manchester United.
Manchester City have slashed their five-year pay offer to Barcelona legend Messi from £600million to £430m.
And City, as well as neighbours United, are tipped to pursue Tottenham striker Kane this summer, despite the England skipper’s £200,000-a-week wages.
Meanwhile, PSG will demand £175million for France superstar Mbappe, with Real Madrid the frontrunners for his signature and Liverpool rated as outsiders.
Elsewhere, Wolves frontman Raul Jimenez returned to training yesterday after fracturing his skull in a horrific clash with Arsenal’s David Luiz in November.
On the field, Old Trafford legend Paul Scholes saluted Fernandes’ continuing “sensational” form as the midfielder’s double set up United’s 4-0 Europa League last-32 first-leg win against Real Sociedad in Turin.
Marcus Rashford and Dan James netted later on, with boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saying: “We’ve been through a difficult spell and I thought we found ourselves a little bit tonight.
“I thought the boys had got that little bit of zip in their legs again.”
Tottenham chief Jose Mourino insisted Gareth Bale’s fine goal plus an assist in Spurs’ 4-1 Europa League triumph at Wolfsberger means he could start Sunday’s Premier League clash at West Ham.
And Bukayo Saka’s leveller earned Arsenal a shot-shy 1-1 first-leg draw with Benfica in Rome’s Olympic Stadium.
Even better for the Gunners, left-back Kieran Tierney and forward Gabriel Martinelli returned after injury as second-half subs.
Leicester drew 0-0 at Slavia Prague after struggling to create chances.