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    Kasper Schmeichel on ‘unusually low salary’ at Anderlecht as he earns ’26 TIMES less than Leicester wages’

    KASPER SCHMEICHEL has reportedly taken a huge pay cut with his new club Anderlecht. The Leicester legend was left unemployed after he and Nice agreed to rip up his contract with hours remaining of the transfer window.
    Kasper Schmeichel has reportedly taken a huge pay cut with his new club AnderlechtCredit: Getty
    And it did not take him long at all to find a new home with the 36-year-old joining Belgian side RSC Anderlecht.
    The Purple and White have signed Schmeichel on a one-year contract that will see him at the club until June 2024.
    But according to Nieuws Blad, Schmeichel will only be on wages of £4,000-per-week.
    During his Leicester days, the keeper made 26 TIMES more than that on £107k-a-week before leaving for the French league.
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    After joining Nice, he still took a pay cut to be on £35k-per-week but it only lasted one season.
    In Belgium, the stopper is believed to be in line for match bonuses but his base salary is unusually low.
    Schmeichel left Nice after losing his place as the first choice goalkeeper to Marcin Bulka who the club signed from PSG.
    The Dane made an astonishing 479 appearances for Leicester, helping them achieve the impossible by winning the Premier League in 2016.
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    He also won the FA Cup and the Community Shield with the club and will be hoping he can replicate his trophy successes in Belgium.
    Anderlecht finished in 11th place in the Belgian Pro League last season and will be looking to improve with their new addition this term.
    And they are off to a good start after winning four of their opening six games and sitting in second place in the division as things stand. More

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    Man Utd line up England keeper in summer transfer as De Gea replacement but want under-fire Spaniard to stay

    MANCHESTER UNITED have lined up England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford if David de Gea leaves the club, according to reports. After 12 years at Old Trafford, De Gea’s contract with United is set to expire at the end of the season.
    David de Gea’s contract at Man Utd will expire at the end of the seasonCredit: Getty
    Jordan Pickford has been identified as the club’s new goalkeeper targetCredit: Getty
    The Red Devils are said to have offered new terms to De Gea with a significant wage cut.
    It is understood club bosses want to keep the Spaniard on reduced terms rather than lose him entirely.
    However, Erik ten Hag has set about trying to identify to a new No1 in order to turn the team into genuine title contenders.
    And according to the Daily Star, Ten Hag has identified Pickford for this position.
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    The 29-year-old sealed a contract with Everton running until 2027 earlier this season.
    But with the Toffees thrust into a relegation battle, Pickford would be expected to leave in the event of relegation.
    Even if Sean Dyche manages to guide the team to safety, United will still try to tempt the England No1 with a bigger wage package.
    The Star’s report states Anderlecht keeper Bart Verbruggen has also been sounded out by Ten Hag.
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    Bart Verbruggen has also been identified as a targetCredit: Rex
    The 20-year-old Dutchman has enjoyed a breakout season, earning his first call up to the Holland national team during the most recent international break.
    Six foot four inch tall Verbruggen has kept eight clean sheets in 17 Jupiler Pro League matches this season.
    De Gea’s latest error at West Ham left fans raging that they would “riot if he signs a new deal.
    And reports earlier this week suggested De Gea and United had reached an agreement to cut his wages by as much as £175,000-per-week. More

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    Watch Kylian Mbappe’s wonderkid brother Ethan, 16, copy PSG star’s iconic celebration after scoring for youth team

    PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN superstar Kylian Mbappe’s brother Ethan made the rounds on social media with his recent goal and celebration.The 16-year-old also plays for PSG in their Under-19 side and has followed them to Amsterdam for the Future Cup tournament.
    Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe’s brother went viral
    Ethan Mbappe scored a beautiful goal and copied his brother’s iconic celebration
    Kylian Mbappe has created one of the most popular celebrationsCredit: AFP
    The midfielder played with the reserves against Anderlecht and even found the back of the net with a shot that his older brother would be proud of.
    The Frenchman got the ball on the left where he was totally unmarked and curved in a clinical shot with his left foot that hit the goalkeeper’s bottom right corner.
    The teenager then went viral as he copied Kylian’s iconic celebration by crossing his arms with his hands under his armpits.
    The Montreuil native was then joined by team-mates who celebrated passionately around him.
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    Fans took to social media to praise Ethan’s goal and issue some cheeky comparisons to his superstar brother.
    One fan tweeted: “Like old bro like little bro.”
    Another commented: “Literally Mbappe’s trademark finish.”
    A third posted: “There is another one.”
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    This fan said: “Better than his brother.”
    And that one stated: “@todd_boehly get it done.”
    Ethan has amassed and goal and two assists in seven appearances with the Under-19s and also played with the seniors during a friendly in December against Paris FC. More

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    Burnley line up £15m Man Utd-linked goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen for Premier League campaign in huge transfer coup

    BURNLEY chief Vincent Kompany wants to snatch Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen from his old club Anderlecht.Verbruggen, 20, looks one of the best prospects in Europe and the Clarets boss is back on his trail after attempting to bring the stopper with him to Turf Moor last summer.
    Bart Verbruggen has attracted plenty of interest from EnglandCredit: Rex
    Since then, the Bartman has enhanced his reputation by claiming the first-team spot at the Belgian side and also being called up by Holland for their Euro 2024 qualifiers against France and Gibraltar.
    Liverpool are also very keen on Verbruggen — as we first revealed in February — but that would be as a long-term replacement for current Kop No 1 Alisson, with no guarantee of game time.
    Kompany’s runaway Championship leaders could offer Premier League football and a step up the ladder immediately, which could be a huge temptation.
    Anderlecht want around £15million for Verbruggen, which could turn out to be a shrewd investment.
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    Kompany’s former Manchester City team-mate Arijanet Muric has been the Clarets’ first choice stopper this term.
    He has made 36 Championship appearances, keeping 16 clean sheets.
    In addition to Burnley and Liverpool, Manchester United are reportedly interested in Verbruggen.
    Belgian outlet HLN claim the Red Devils are weighing up a bid for Anderlecht’s 6ft 4in gloveman Verbruggen.
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    David de Gea is out of contract at Old Trafford at the end of the season.
    But Erik ten Hag’s men are reportedly keen even if De Gea stays beyond the end of this season.
    Verbruggen has played 31 times in all competitions this season. More

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    I regret moving to the Premier League at 18 in a £35m deal – it hurts that I couldn’t show more at my hometown club

    WOLVES loanee Fabio Silva admits he “maybe” would have liked to stay a little longer at Porto instead of moving to Molineux.Silva joined the West Midlands outfit in 2020 at the tender age of 18 after a club record £35million deal with the Portuguese giants.
    Wolves have sent Fabio Silva on loan at PSV Eindhoven after a short stint at AnderlechtCredit: Getty
    Wolves flop Fabio Silva admits he would have liked to stay longer at PortoCredit: Rex
    The centre-forward has since failed to set the Premier League alight as he only managed a mere total of four goals and six assists in 62 appearances.
    The Portugal Under-21 international’s struggles led to Wolves loaning him out to Anderlecht in July.
    The 20-year-old’s stint in Belgium didn’t last long as he was then loaned out in January to PSV Eindhoven, where he still plays.
    Now the Portuguese ace looks back at his career and admits it hurts him that he didn’t have time to do more at Porto.
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    Silva told Voetbal International: “If amounts of €40m (£35m) are paid, clubs sometimes cannot refuse.
    “That was the case with me. But I had just turned 18. It hurts a bit that I haven’t been able to show more at Porto.
    “People don’t always understand football very well. It’s not that I myself think at 18: I’m going to Wolves, play in the Premier League.
    “I had no control over that. It was the decision of the club and given the transfer fee I understand.
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    “Maybe I would have liked to stay for another year or two, but I try not to think about that anymore.”
    Silva scored 11 goals and bagged four assists in 32 appearances with Anderlecht.
    The Porto academy graduate now counts four goals and one assist in 11 games with PSV. More

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    Man Utd join Liverpool in transfer chase for 6ft 4in Anderlecht goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen to fight De Gea for No1 spot

    MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly joined Liverpool in the race for Anderlecht goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.That’s amid doubts over a contract extension for club icon David De Gea.
    Man Utd are interested in Anderlecht goalie Bart VerbruggenCredit: Rex
    The Spanish stopper, 32, joined United from Atletico Madrid in 2011.
    But his deal expires at the end of the season.
    And Erik ten Hag is yet to decide if De Gea should continue between the sticks as he looks to create a new dynasty at Old Trafford.
    Talks remain ongoing over a new contract with a reduced wage.
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    But in the meantime, HLN claims United are now weighing up a bid for Anderlecht’s 6ft 4in gloveman Verbruggen.
    The 20-year-old has made quite an impression in Belgian football after being handed his debut two years ago.
    And Verbruggen is now set for his international bow after being called up for Holland’s Euro qualifiers against France and Gibraltar.
    SunSport exclusively revealed Liverpool’s interest last month.
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    David De Gea’s United future remains unclearCredit: Getty
    And Vincent Kompany is still keeping tabs after trying to sign Verbruggen for Burnley last summer.
    United are now considering a swoop, even if De Gea ends up penning an extension.

    But Anderlecht are unlikely to sell for less than £8.5million. 
    Verbruggen himself is remaining tight-lipped over his future, saying: “Will I still play here next season? That’s a very direct question.
    “I’m now really into that yet, June is so far away. I want to keep performing with Anderlecht first, I am happy at this club.”
    Former Spurs star and now Anderlecht captain Jan Vertonghen reckons Verbruggen can be the best in the world.
    He added: “For me, he has the potential to become one of the best goalies if you see where he is now.
    “I have rarely seen such a personality at that age, modest but very driven and ambitious.
    “If I’m a top European club and have the money to spend, I wouldn’t hesitate.” More

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    Nottingham Forest left stunned after transfer target Hendrik van Crombrugge turned down a move for ‘family reasons’

    NOTTINGHAM FOREST were stunned when goalkeeper Hendrik van Crombrugge turned down a move for ‘family reasons’.Steve Cooper’s side had agreed a £1.5million deal with Anderlecht for him.
    Hendrik Van Crombrugge decided to stay at Anderlecht over Nottingham ForestCredit: Getty
    However, the player rejected the move at the last minute.
    The Belgian wanted to move to a club on the continent, rather than the Premier League.
    City Ground chiefs were forced to go back for Keylor Navas in a loan deal with Paris Saint-Germain.
    Forest were keen to sign a goalkeeper in January due to first-choice stopper Dean Henderson sustaining a thigh injury.
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    Van Crombrugge looked set to join, but he will now stay at Anderlecht for the rest of the season.
    The 29-year-old has been first choice for the team based in Brussels over the past three seasons.
    He has also been capped once by the Belgian national team.
    Instead, Forest snapped up Navas on deadline day in a stunning coup.
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    The 36-year-old offers much experience, featuring 162 times for Real Madrid and 108 times for PSG.
    He won an incredible three Champions League trophies with Los Blancos and two Ligue 1 championships while in Paris.
    Navas’ arrival completed a busy deadline day for Forest as they also brought in Newcastle’s Jonjo Shelvey and Atletico Madrid’s Felipe.
    They were even busy after the window slammed shut, recruiting free agent Andre Ayew. More

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    Man City legend Vincent Kompany ‘closing in on Premier League return as he’s named favourite for Burnley job’

    VINCENT KOMPANY has reportedly emerged as a frontrunner to take over at Burnley. Under-23s coach Mike Jackson is currently interim boss and has been assisted by centre-back Ben Mee since Sean Dyche was surprisingly sacked.
    Anderlecht’s head coach Vincent Kompany is linked with the Burnley jobCredit: Rex
    But Burnley chairman Alan Pace is assessing candidates to take over from Dyche full-time, after his ten-year reign ended.
    According to the Manchester Evening News, Kompany is Pace’s ‘leading candidate’ for the role.
    But it could be dependant on Burnley beating the drop on the final day of the season.
    Manchester City legend Kompany is closing in on two years in charge at Anderlecht.
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    He guided the Belgian club to successive third-place finishes and is currently competing in the league play-offs to decide the title winner.
    Kompany won four Premier League titles with City and made 265 league appearances in his 12 years at the Etihad.
    Wayne Rooney was seen as an first-choice to take over at Burnley, despite Derby’s relegation to League One.
    Ex-Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder was also linked with the Turf Moor job.
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    Surprisingly, some oddsmakers have former Burnley midfielder Joey Barton as favourite to land the role.
    The current manager of League Two side Bristol Rovers made 14 appearances as a player for the Clarets in 2017.
    Barton’s stock has risen since guiding Bristol Rovers to an automatic promotion to League One.
    And the success could mean the former City player is instead focussing on another season in charge.
    Burnley are looking for a successor to Sean DycheCredit: PA More