Wednesdays Football Headlines

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Wednesday's football gossip and transfer rumours (March 28 2018)

Fabio Capello is a surprise contender to replace Arsene Wenger as Arsenal manager, according to one report in Wednesday's Papers.

DAILY EXPRESS

Manchester United will seek information on what happened between Jose Mourinho and former Chelsea duo Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah before making a call on Luke Shaw's future.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has held talks with RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner's agent in an attempt to convince the player to join the Premier League side despite interest from Real Madrid.

Aston Villa defender John Terry is yet to decide if he will play on next season even if Steve Bruce's side are promoted to the Premier League.

THE SUN

Arsene Wenger has admitted he wants to manage another team if he leaves Arsenal this summer.

Former England manager Fabio Capello has emerged as one of the surprise leading candidates to replace Arsene Wenger at Arsenal.

Liverpool are prepared to fend off Bayern Munich if they make an approach for Roberto Firmino, who they will target if Robert Lewandowski leaves for Real Madrid.

Manchester United will rival Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in the race to sign Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

Liverpool are on alert after Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure admitted this week "it would be a dream" to play for them.

Gabriel Jesus is at loggerheads with Manchester City chiefs after rejecting the club's latest contract offer.

Ryan Giggs banned Gareth Bale from the golf course - in case he got injured.

THE TIMES

Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus has turned down a new £90,000-a-week deal at the club and put talks on hold until after the World Cup.

Bournemouth's 'attractive football' has earned the club an additional £7m in television appearance fees.

DAILY MAIL

Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti is threatening to leave for Manchester United in a £53million deal unless the LaLiga club offer a new deal worth £8million per season.

West Ham will use a security banner at the London Stadium in Saturday's game against Southampton to protect David Sullivan and David Gold in the directors' box.

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea says he does not feel he is respected in Spain compared to how he is in England.

Liverpool have accepted defeat in pursuit of Roma goalkeeper Alisson after Real Madrid made the Italian their 'plan A' target this summer.

Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso has no intention of returning to Real Madrid at the end of the season.

Wales manager Ryan Giggs has banned his squad from playing golf over injury fears and has instead organised table tennis and card games.

DAILY MIRROR

Newcastle midfielder Mikel Merino has admitted he would like to return to Spain in the future amid interest from Athletic Bilbao.

Prince William, president of the Football Association, will miss the FA Cup final in order to attend Prince Harry's wedding on May 19.

DAILY STAR

Juventus will rival Manchester United's interest in Valencia defender Joao Cancelo after impressing during his loan spell at Inter Milan.

DAILY TELEGRAPH

Arsenal are hopeful the trio of Jack Wilshere, Alexandre Lacazette and Aaron Ramsey will all be fit to face Stoke on Sunday.

Gabby Agbonlahor will end his 17-year stay at Aston Villa at the end of the season even if they are promoted to the Premier League.

Steve Cotterill has turned down the chance to manage League One promotion chasers Scunthorpe.

THE INDEPENDENT

Monaco winger Lemar is trying to revive Liverpool and Arsenal's interest in him after a move to the Premier League collapsed at the beginning of the season.

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Round-up of Wednesday's headlines. (March 28 2018)

Isco does not know 'how to win Zinedine Zidane’s confidence' at Real Madrid, England's VAR fallout and West Ham security -

Isco: ‘I don’t know how to win Zidane’s confidence’

Isco said he felt "alive" after his first career hat-trick helped Spain thrash Argentina 6-1 at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid.

The Real Madrid playmaker has seen his club football limited in spells under Zinedine Zidane this season.

However, Isco produced a superb display for La Roja against Argentina, whose captain Lionel Messi again watched from the stands because of fitness concerns.

Spain drew 1-1 with Germany last week and have now extended their unbeaten run under coach Julen Lopetegui to 18 matches.

"In Madrid I don't have the confidence a player needs, " Isco said in a post-match interview, as quoted by Marca.

"The matches with the national team give me life. Here I have the confidence of the coach.

"I want to show that I'm a good player. Lopetegui shows me confidence with the minutes he gives me. Maybe I'm the problem in Madrid. I don't know how to win Zidane's confidence."

After Gonzalo Higuain shot wide early on, Diego Costa fired Spain ahead in the 13th minute, before Isco struck either side of a header from Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi. Thiago Alcantara added a fourth, with substitute Iago Aspas also on the scoresheet before Isco netted his third with 16 minutes left.

England manager Gareth Southgate was frustrated by the video assistant referee as the incident that allowed Italy to secure a late draw was not a "clear and obvious" error.

The Three Lions impressed in the final match before the World Cup squad is announced, but questions about the use of video technology only increased after the 1-1 draw at a sold-out Wembley.

Lorenzo Insigne scored from the penalty spot in the 87th minute when, after VAR's latest high-profile and controversial intervention, debutant James Tarkowski was ruled to have fouled Italy substitute Federico Chiesa.

Replays suggested the VAR had made the right decision but the England manager, who had watched his team take the lead through Jamie Vardy's fine 26th-minute finish, felt guidelines that only "clear and obvious" errors should be corrected had not been followed.

"I don't think it was clear and obvious," said the 47-year-old. "(But) we have to accept the ruling.

"I'm glad it's not the World Cup just yet. The ruling is 'clear and obvious' and it's not. It's one you can debate all day. It looks like James Tarkowski stands on him but it's during the running process and he's going down anyway.

"The referee had a good view already. I don't think with incidents like that VAR will clear things up. An obvious handball and stuff like that then maybe, but we have to get on with it.

"I prefer 'referee's decision is final'. That's my starting point. It's sport. We shouldn't be talking about how much money is lost. But if we go with technology it's the right thing to do, but it must be clear and obvious, otherwise it's just opinion again.

"A better way of communicating with the fans (is needed). That was a little better, but there's a clearer communication with those in the stadium in other sports."

England striker Jamie Vardy, insists there are still teething troubles with video assistant referees and that "no-one knows what is going on" when the system is used.

He said: "They say they are using it at the World Cup so we have used it tonight. Obviously most of it is down to players and supporters not knowing what is going on.

"It is okay to come up and say VAR is in use but no-one knows what it is going on. It is obviously taking time as well, there were five minutes added on. I think there are still issues with it but it works in other countries so who knows?"

West Ham up security measures

West Ham will erect a security barrier near the directors' box at the London Stadium for Saturday's visit of Southampton to prevent a repeat of the crowd trouble which marred their last match.

Almost 20 supporters have now been issued with lifetime bans following the shameful scenes during the 3-0 defeat by Burnley on March 10.

Five fans invaded the pitch while hundreds more gathered on the concourse below the executive seats to protest against David Sullivan and David Gold.

The joint-owners were eventually forced to leave their seats for their own safety, with Sullivan being struck by a coin.

It is understood Sullivan and Gold intend to be at the match, a crucial one in West Ham's battle against relegation, and the barrier will stop supporters getting too close to the directors' box.

One fan has complained that he has been moved from his seat in the disabled section to make way for the barrier, but West Ham have explained that is only a possibility and even then the temporary measure would affect only three wheelchair seats.

Extra police and stewarding will also be in place, with West Ham insisting the safety of supporters is of paramount importance.