There are reports that Arsenal and Chelsea are in a battle to sign Jerome Boateng on a free transfer.

And London rivals Tottenham may join the chase for the German defender.

According to Sport Bild in Germany, Bayern Munich will refuse to offer Boateng a new deal.

The report claims that Boateng was on Arsenal’s shortlist this summer and the Gunners are still keeping tabs on the defender’s situation.

But Mikel Arteta’s side will also face competition from Tottenham as Sport Bild claim that Jose Mourinho is monitoring Boateng’s contract negotiations.

In April, Sport Bild also reported that Chelsea had made an approach to sign Boateng, although since then Frank Lampard has opted to bring Thiago Silva to Stamford Bridge on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.

Bayern are now targeting RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano, who is also wanted by Manchester United, as a replacement for Boateng.

The former Manchester City man, 32, is out of contract at the end of the season.

That means he can enter negotiations with European clubs over a pre-contract agreement to move in the summer.

Edouard Mendy has re-enacted the string of superb saves his is dishing out at Chelsea in his country’s national team win as Senegal coasted home to 2-0 victory over Guinea Bissau at Stade Lat Dior.

Senegal made it three wins from three matches in Group I as goals from Sadio Mane and Opa Nguette sealed the win for the West African country.

Mendy, however, preserved his nation’s clean sheet with a superb save to deny Marcelo Djalo in the final stages of injury time.

Djalo met a free kick from the left flank with a strong header from six yards out, but Mendy produced a brilliant reaction save from close range to tip the effort over the bar.

After the match, Guinea-Bissau’s head coach, Baciro Cande, praised Mendy for his performance.

“There were a few minutes left before the end of the first half, unfortunately Senegal benefited from a non-existent penalty, for me there is no foul,” said Cande.

“We tried to get back to the score in the second half, we had two or three great chances but we missed them because there was a good goalkeeper in front.”

Kai Havertz has declared his aim to become Chelsea’s new Frank Lampard – after shaking off a bout of Covid-19.

The German international has made a slow start to life with the Blues following his £72million move from Bayer Leverkusen.

Attacking midfielder Havertz has just one goal from seven Premier League appearances, plus a Carabao Cup hat-trick against Barnsley.

The 21-year-old tested positive for coronavirus earlier this month.

He told SportBild magazine: “I now feel better once more. You can’t underestimate what coronavirus is like.

“It’s important for everyone to understand that it is no laughing matter. We need to take care of one another.

“I have always remembered how dangerous Frank Lampard used to be in front of goal.

“I thought he had an outstanding record for a midfielder – and I want to use him as a benchmark.

“I’m also impressed by the fact that he has been such a likeable guy despite all his successes.

“I joined Chelsea because it was important for me to be at a club with a vision.

“There’s an exciting revolution going on at the club. We are a young team, with lots of great players.”

Chelsea right-back Reece James has spoke of his delight of playing alongside Thiago Silva at Hakim Ziyech.

He told The Athletic: “Thiago has brought a lot of experience. I have played alongside him a few times now. He has helped me a lot.

“You can see straight away why he has been one of the best in the world.

“He constantly talks to me throughout games, helping me in my positioning, directing me and making sure he is talking to me before, during and after games. It all adds up and improves performances.

“Further forward, there have been signs with Hakim in training. Ever since he arrived, we got on well. I knew I would be playing behind him.

‘We clicked early and tried to build this connection in training to use this season. His left foot is just unbelievably good.”

Patrice Evra has announced his engagement to Danish model Margaux Alexandra on Instagram after a year of romance.

The Manchester United legend, 39, split from ex-wife Sandra, who revealed plans to divorce Evra to SunSport last month.

In an Instagram message, he said: He wrote: “It’s been more than a YEAR we are together, I mean since you stole my heart. After the second time we see each other I told you you going to be my wife for the rest of my life.

“You think I was crazy when I asked your hand only after 3 months we meet… I wish to all the men to love their women the way I love you.

“It’s just amazing, I can’t describe it, you are my universe, my soul, my peace you make me realise being soft its strength not weakness.

“I feel more safe when you hold my hand. Happiness, it’s a choice! I choose you for the rest of my life my little mushroom.”

Photo Credit: SkySports

Former Chelsea right-back Glen Johnson believes the club have the right man in charge in Frank Lampard.

Asked whether his ex-team-mate is the right man for the job, Johnson told Compare Bet: “Yeah, I do. I think right now, the way the club’s going, he’s proven that he is.

“Everyone’s got to make the most of certain opportunities that are thrown their way. I think even Lamps would be surprised that he’s got the job so soon. With the club in the position they were, it was good for him and good for the club.

“I think he’s earned his stripes early on, in terms of what he did with Jody [Morris] and using the youth. 18 months ago we didn’t know much about Mason Mount or Abraham and Reece James.

“They’ve brought all these players through, yes because of the ban, but they’ve still added massive assets to the club. Then obviously Roman believes in him and has given him the money to go and buy the players they’ve just bought.

“In the league, who’s more in-form than them right now? I don’t think anyone is. They’ve scored what, 12 goals in the last four home games and five clean sheets. They’re certainly the team that are going to close the gap.

“I don’t think this will be the season to tip Liverpool or City, but Chelsea will certainly make it a three-horse race next year.”

Kai Havertz has revealed why he rejected other lucrative moves to sign for Chelsea.

The attacking midfielder was linked with Bayern Munich before signing on the dotted line for the Blues.

He told Sport Bild: “It was important to me to have a club with a vision.

“An exciting change is taking place. We are a young team with many great players. We think offensively.

“We want to build something up here and attack. That motivates me a lot. And then it is a title with Chelsea is worth a lot more.”