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Seniors boost for Jude Bellingham and Reece James after they miss out on England Euros squad

Duo have ‘moved on’ from Under-21 says Boothroyd; Liverpool plan complete rebuild.

SOCCER: Jude Bellingham and Reece James are ready to play a part in Gareth Southgate's senior England set-up, according to Aidy Boothroyd.

The England Under-21 boss has left the duo out of his 23-man squad for the Under-21s European Championship, saying it was 'very likely' they would find themselves among Southgate's plans for the Three Lions.

Seventeen-year-old Bellingham has made 34 appearances for Borussia Dortmund this season, while James has played 29 times for Chelsea.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Boothroyd said: They're two really gifted players who we think have moved on from the U21s at this particular stage and need to support Gareth in what he's doing with the World Cup qualifiers this March.

"They have been excellent whenever they've been with us and we just thought this was the right time for them to come through."

James' omission from the Under-21 squad has seen him shorten to 5/6 to make the England senior squad for this summer's Euros with Sky Bet.

Bellingham has also seen his odds tumble, with the former Birmingham City midfielder now 11/10.

One player who has seen his chances of joining up with Gareth Southgate's side recede, however, is Mason Greenwood.

The Manchester United player, who breached COVID-19 guidelines while with the senior side in September, is now a 5/1 shot after being named in Boothroyd's squad for the Under-21 Euros.

Liverpool look to boost goalscoring options...by selling a forward

SOCCER: Liverpool will target a striker in the summer even if they miss out on a Champions League spot.

That is the view of The Athletic, who also say Diogo Jota will be an integral part of any Anfield rebuild.

Quite why the reigning champions need a rebuild after a season in which they have been decimated by injuries is anyone's guess, but it is a view shared by Gazzetta dello Sport and Mundo Deportivo.

Gazzetta dello Sport have the Reds targeting Fiorentina centre-back Nikola Milenkovic alongside Manchester United, while Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness) claim Jurgen Klopp is ready to sell one or more of Mo SalahRoberto Firmino and Sadio Mane to fund a move for Erling Haaland.

Haaland is certainly the most coveted player in Europe right now, with Sky Bet naming him a 12/1 shot to win the 2021 Ballon d'Or.

However, Liverpool are rated 20/1 outsiders to land the Norwegian in the summer transfer window.

More likely is a move for Leeds United playmaker Rapinha, with Sky Bet pricing a summer deal as short as 9/2.

FA Cup final could be all-London affair

SOCCER: The FA Cup final crowd could be made up of 20,000 Londoners, according to The Times.

They report that the government's pilot scheme will restrict Wembley attendance to locals to mitigate against unnecessary travel.
Their claim that Manchester United fans could face being locked out seems wide of the mark, however, given how many United fans live in London.

Chelsea, the only London club remaining in the FA Cup, are seen to be the main beneficiaries.

Thomas Tuchel's side are 7/2 to lift the trophy with William Hill.

United are 9/2, with Manchester City 11/8 favourites.

* All odds correct at time of publication

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