Have you ever noticed how sensational transfer stories about football clubs have a tendency to appear in the paper just before those clubs are about to play each other in a big match? It’s either an uncanny coincidence or a marketing tool by Sky Sports to drum up interest in the game.

Either way, these stories are generally not to be trusted, especially if they appear in the Sun which is not to be trusted on any day of the week.

Therefore, it is with a huge pinch of salt that the Gossip column serves up today’s big news from the Sun on Sunday: Mauricio Pochettino is going to Chelsea!

The Blues have allegedly made the Tottenham manager their “number one target” to replace Antonio Conte at the end of the season. However, they know that defeat to Spurs at Stamford Bridge this afternoon would “kill off” their hopes of snatching the Argentine because he would demand Champions League football.

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Anthony Joshua v Joseph Parker

If it makes the Blues feel better, Tottenham have not won at the Bridge for 28 years, so their dream of luring Pochettino should endure for at least another week. Although Sky Sports will have probably lost interest by then so we might not hear about it again.

Real Madrid to end Morata ‘nightmare’

Heading out of the Stamford Bridge exit door could be Alvaro Morata, whose recent form has put him dangerously close to becoming forever known as “£60m flop Alvaro Morata”.

The Sunday Express says Real Madrid, who have already signed and sold Morata twice, want to bring the striker back to the Bernabeu for a third time.

The Spanish giants have been heavily linked with a move for Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski but are apparently considering Morata as a back-up option. Although Morata’s status as a back-up option was the precise reason the he left Madrid in the first place.

Chelsea are also said to be planning a £30m move for Newcastle defender Jamaal Lascelles. The Sunday Mirror says the Blues have been impressed by the centre-back’s leadership skills and see him as their “new John Terry”. Without the racism and adultery, one would hope.

Man Utd to swap Martial for Bale

Manchester United are set to “sacrifice” Anthony Martial this summer, claims the Sunday Mirror. But it’s nothing like that time Abraham was commanded to offer his son to God; rather they are just going to sell the French forward to Juventus to raise some money.

That money will be used to buy Gareth Bale, who will be allowed to leave Real Madrid if they receive an offer of £80m.

Guardiola’s men one win away from title