Jimenez has continued his excellent form into his second season in England, having signed on a permanent deal from Benfica for £32m last summer. The 29-year-old has scored 26 goals in 53 appearances this campaign. The Mexico international has long been linked with a move to one of Europe’s top clubs this summer, with Manchester United keen on bolstering their attacking options by adding Jimenez to their ranks. And Portuguese broadcaster RTP claims that Jimenez will join Manchester United now that Wolves have signed his replacement – SC Braga striker Paulinho. The Portuguese striker has had a phenomenal season, scoring 25 goals and providing nine assists in 48 outings across all competitions, and Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have reportedly agreed a £27m deal to bring the hitman to the Black Country. The report adds that Paulinho is the direct replacement for Jimenez, with Old Trafford his next destination. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is expected to be in the market for a striker to support Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood as United return to the Champions League. The trio have been in great form since the Premier League restart, but Solskjaer is wary that injuries could derail their efforts to close the gap on arch rivals City and Liverpool.

The Portuguese suffered an exit at the last-16 stage of the competition for the first time since 2010 despite scoring both goals in their 2-1 win against Lyon on the night. The Serie A champions were knocked out on the away goals rule having suffered a 1-0 defeat in the French city before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. Prior to Friday night’s second leg, a report from France Football suggested the 35-year-old had been looking to push through a move to Paris Saint-Germain before the Covid-19 outbreak to form a ‘dream’ partnership with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. It was claimed the former Real Madrid star had become frustrated with the lack of progress the club were making, and despite Juventus’ barren run in the Champions League continuing, Agnelli believes the report was the result of media mischief. ‘I am entirely convinced he will stay,’ Agnelli told Sky Sport Italia. ‘I think the report was down to an interview from several months ago, which just happened to be published just before we played against a French team. It’s an old media trick. ‘No, I can assure you that Ronaldo remains a pillar of Juventus.’ Agnelli also praised Ronaldo’s performance on Friday night but insisted the club must now focus on achieving success on two fronts next season. ‘This season has been evidently bittersweet. It has been a very difficult campaign, we achieved a great result winning our ninth consecutive campaign and wrote a fantastic chapter in the history books,’ Agnelli continued. ‘Maurizio deserves his own extraordinary page for himself, going from the amateur leagues to winning the Scudetto. ‘In the Champions League, obviously, it’s disappointing for us, for the players and the fans. As I said several times in recent years, the Champions league was a dream, now it has to be an objective. ‘Going out like this is going to be a huge disappointment. We will take the next few days to consider, evaluate and decide how to go forward next season. ‘Juventus have these objectives, they have to be honoured, both domestically and in Europe. We have the best player in the history of the Champions League, which he proved again tonight, and we must start again with renewed enthusiasm.’

Chelsea correspondent Nizaar Kinsella, Chelsea are still interested in snapping up West Ham midfielder Declan Rice. With the focus currently on signing Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz, there have been question marks over whether the Blues would also have the funds to sign the Hammers star. However, it seems Rice is very much part of the club’s summer transfer plans and supporters on Twitter are hoping that Frank Lampard’s side can get the deal over the line. It won’t be easy to secure the services of the England international with reports suggesting that West Ham have slapped a £65m price tag on the 21-year-old. Rice has just two seasons of experience in the first team and Chelsea will need to consider very carefully if he is worth the outlay. Lampard is said to be planning to use him in central defence, which would make such a sizeable purchase an even bigger risk, but there is no doubt that he is a very talented player.

Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho could take the iconic number 7 shirt if he completes his transfer to Manchester United. The England international’s proposed move to Old Trafford looks like it could be on the cards, with BILD suggesting a deal could be struck soon between the two clubs. The Daily Mirror claim Sancho will take the number 7 jersey from the departing Alexis Sanchez. Sancho is a world-class player who is ready for a stage like Old Trafford. As for Sanchez, I think there’s two of them. One who we remember from his days at Barcelona and Arsenal, and another who rocked up at Old Trafford as a complete flop. In more recent times, a number of United flops have worn the number 7. Angel Di Maria is another notable big name signing who took the squad number and ultimately failed to reach the heights expected after his arrival. At least Sancho could arrive at United with his best years ahead of him — something we knew was never going to be case when signing Sanchez. Sancho, 20, already wears the number 7 at Dortmund so it shouldn’t weigh him down like it has for other players.

It now seems a matter of when, rather than if Jadon Sancho will become a Manchester United player in this summer’s transfer window.  United’s interest in the Borussia Dortmund forward is an open secret, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looking to add quality to provide competition for attacking trident Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood. Of course, the deal to sign Sancho is a complicated one with United needing to be creative with their resources during this unprecedented period. But United are close to agreeing a fee with Dortmund that will make Sancho the most expensive English player in history.

Willian has still not agreed new terms with Chelsea, despite having been offered a two-year extension to his expiring contract. And the 31-year-old now favours a move to Arsenal should he leave Stamford Bridge.Willian has had offers from clubs in America’s Major League Soccer, with Tottenham having monitored the situation. But Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are now considered to head the queue for his services. Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has been clear all season that he wants to keep Willian in west London, with the highly-regarded winger notching nine goals and laying on seven assists in this term’s Premier League. But the former Shakhtar Donetsk forward has been holding out for a three-year contract, with Chelsea only having offered two-year terms. Willian signed a short-term contract extension to cover the close of a campaign disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, but that deal will expire after Chelsea’s Champions League exploits. Willian sat out last weekend’s 2-1 FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal through injury, but is battling to be fit for Chelsea’s Champions League last-16 second leg at Bayern Munich on Saturday.

Wim van Hanegem has urged Chelsea boss Frank Lampard to replace N’Golo Kante in midfield with Hakim Ziyech.It’s a bit crazy, but I’d play him in central midfield. “I’ve seen Chelsea play this week. “Chelsea is short of people connecting. Between the midfielders, front and rear. And they didn’t have that in that match (against Wolves). Of course you can say ‘yes, but the Frenchman (N’Golo Kante) did not participate’. “But he’s not as sophisticated a footballer as Ziyech.” Van Hanegem added: “He has that ability. Only, it is a bit busier in midfield. Then you have to learn to act even faster. He does have that power, but that is something you have to take into account.”

Wim van Hanegem has urged Chelsea boss Frank Lampard to replace N’Golo Kante in midfield with Hakim Ziyech.It’s a bit crazy, but I’d play him in central midfield. “I’ve seen Chelsea play this week. “Chelsea is short of people connecting. Between the midfielders, front and rear. And they didn’t have that in that match (against Wolves). Of course you can say ‘yes, but the Frenchman (N’Golo Kante) did not participate’. “But he’s not as sophisticated a footballer as Ziyech.” Van Hanegem added: “He has that ability. Only, it is a bit busier in midfield. Then you have to learn to act even faster. He does have that power, but that is something you have to take into account.”

The latest story coming from Spain suggests that the player is pressing to secure Anfield move. 29-year-old midfielder has informed Bayern Munich that he does not want to continue playing for the club after seven years. The news has been confirmed by chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. News – Liverpool prepared to offer big money to sign £45million star – Face competition. The renowned Spanish news source have mentioned that it is very likely that the La Roja star will end up signing for Premier League champions Liverpool. Rummenigge explained that the asking price must be met in case Thiago reaches an agreement to move elsewhere. However, he decided against revealing the price.German champions are hoping to get a fee of 30 million euros (£27million) from the sale of their prized asset. The valuation was also reported by Sport Bild few days back. At the Nou Camp, Alcantara won the Champions League and all the major domestic prizes. At the Allianz, he has won every domestic trophy but no European Cup. That could change if Bayern end up winning the tournament this term. They already have one foot in the quarter finals after beating Chelsea 3-0 away from home in the R16 first leg. Last month, former Reds left back Enrqiue praised his compatriot and told Stadium Astro: “I believe he will be a very, very good player for us but how much do you want to spend on this player and for how many years is he going to perform in your team? That’s what you have to look at as well.” “I’m not sure it would be the best fit, but he’s an unbelievable player, there’s no doubt about that, and he would make the starting line-up.” At Anfield, Liverpool have more than a few versatile midfielders such as Wijnaldum, Henderson, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Keita, Fabinho and young Jones. However, we do not get a lot of goals from them. In 2018-19, Milner scored only 7 goals (majority from the penalty spot) and in the recently concluded campaign, Ox was the top scoring midfielder and he got 8 goals. Wijnaldum, who has regularly started under the management of Jurgen Klopp, did not even manage to provide a single assist in the last two Premier League campaigns (72 appearances). So, lack of creativity in the center of the park is a concern. Do you think an experienced star like Thiago would provide the solution?

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reportedly attempted to force through a transfer to Chelsea in January – but a move failed due to his excessive wage demands. Aubameyang will face off against Chelsea on Saturday when Arsenal take on Frank Lampard’s side in the FA Cup final. But he was keen to swap his red jersey for a blue one. Contact was made on behalf of the Gabon international as he was keen on a move to Stamford Bridge. But his high wage demands meant that a move didn’t get off the ground. It’s claimed he would have been comfortably the highest-paid player in Chelsea’s history, if they had bowed to his demands. Arsenal and Chelsea will face off on Saturday (Picture: Getty) Aubameyang’s contract expires at the end of next season – and his future at the Emirates is far from certain. Should Mikel Arteta’s side fail to win Saturday’s final, Arsenal will not be involved in European football next season. And failure to land the trophy could see Aubameyang – who has scored 27 goals this season – depart. Despite already signing Timo Werner, Lampard is keen on signing a striker but Aubameyang would have to lower his wage demands for a move to come to fruition. Barcelona and AC Milan are both interested in the 31-year-old as well and will no doubt be watching Saturday’s final closely to see if Arsenal secure Europa League qualification.