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Page 55 stories

Chelsea ‘in talks’ to sign PSG striker Edinson Cavani

Chelsea are in talks over a deal to sign Edinson Cavani, according to ?TuttoMercatoWeb.

Cavani scored Paris Saint-Germai’s winning goal against the Blues on Tuesday, but doubts remain over his long-term future at the Parc des Princes.

The Uruguayan has long been linked with moves to England but with Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s contract due to expire this summer, there’s a possibility he could remain as the Parisiens’ main striker.

Nevertheless, Chelsea are said to have started the ball rolling over a potential summer transfer, with a contract offer reportedly drafted up already.

Atletico Madrid and Juventus have also been linked with moves for the 29-year-old.

The former are thought to be keen on Chelsea’s Diego Costa, whose form has picked up since the arrival of Guss Hiddink as interim manager in December.

The Blues are unlikely to want to lose the Spain international, given his recent form and that of last season, but may be more inclined to sell him if Cavani heads to Stamford Bridge.

One probable spanner in the works could be the Blues’ lack of Champions League football next term.

The English champions are currently 14 points behind fourth-placed Manchester City in 12th and their only real hope of returning to Europe’s premier cup competition is by winning it this season.

As things stand, Chelsea will have only Costa and Loic Remy as senior strikers come the summer, with the loans of Radamel Falcao and Alexandre Pato due to expire.

Errani recovers to reach Dubai semis

Sara Errani struggled through a match littered with 39 break point chances to post a difficult 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 defeat of Madison Brengle yesterday for a place in semifinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships.

The Italian, who played the 2013 final in Dubai against Petra Kvitova, will today face off against Caroline Garcia after the 38th-ranked Frenchwoman beat Germany’s Andrea Petkovic 6-3, 6-4.

The top seeds had already crashed, the first time in WTA or ATP history that all eight seeds did not win a single match.

The 22nd-ranked Errani is the only player left who has ever made an impression in Dubai, with the remainder of the field all newcomers to potential success at the Aviation Club.

“She did not miss a ball,” Errani said. “It’s not easy to play against her. In the beginning there was a lot of wind.”

Errani fought from 1-4 down in the final set after starting off poorly by dropping the first to number 60 Brengle.

The Italian converted on ten of 22 break points while American Brengle converted seven of 17.

“It was difficult for me to play the ball, I could have lost easily, I just kept fighting.

“Just to be in the semifinal for me is an amazing result. I’ll try to play the next match, doing my best.”

Garcia recovered after two losses to Petkovic, who is playing this season with a new coaching and fitness team in place.

“You always have to fight and work hard against Andrea, she is big fighter, always trying to come back,” Garcia said.

United ‘considering offer for Rooney’ from China

One of China’s cash-rich teams has made a move for Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney, according to a report.

The Manchester Evening News claims that United have received an official written offer for their skipper – despite the fact that he is out injured for what is expected to be 6-8 weeks.

And the paper claims that the club are “open to selling Wayne Rooney”, should they make a “marquee signing” to replace him up front.

The Chinese transfer window does not close until next week, but there is no suggestion that Rooney could leave Old Trafford before the summer.

Despite the striker’s struggle for form over the past few years, he remains a huge name and one that would generate massive interest across the globe – not to mention a switch that would earn Rooney a staggering £500,000-a-week.

“Despite a few chastening seasons at United, Rooney remains the most marketable player at the club due to his longevity and success at Old Trafford, as well as with the England national side,” the paper reports.

“[He] remains United sponsors’ most requested player to plug their brands, evidenced by shirt sponsor Chevrolet’s recent viral video with the United no.10.”

Club chief Ed Woodward admitted last week that China will be a “useful market if we’re looking to sell any players”.

And also last week former England manager Sven Goran Eriksson, now manager at China’s Shanghai Shenhua, said that it’s “only a matter of time” before a player of the stature of Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi signs for a Chinese side.

Hagen keeps lead in Oman

Norwegian Alexander Kristoff won the third stage of the Tour of Oman in a sprint finish yesterday, comfortably beating Dutchman Moreno Hofland and Belgian Roy Jans to the line.

Katusha man Kristoff’s season has started in a remarkably similar vein to last year, with replicate wins on stages two, four and five in Qatar, before this victory after a 176.5km ride to Naseem Park.

His compatriot Edvald Boasson Hagen, who was unlucky to lose the overall title in Qatar to Dimension Data team-mate Mark Cavendish, still leads the overall standings by four seconds from former Tour de France champion Vincenzo Nibali.

Today’s 177km fourth stage will see the peloton tackle an uphill finish on the “green mountain”, which is likely to be crucial in deciding the General Classification.