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      Bayern icon Arjen Robben, 37, retires from football for second time after emotional spell with boyhood club FC Groningen

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      ARJEN ROBBEN has called time on his playing career for a second time after a spell with boyhood team Groningen.The 37-year-old hung up his boots after leaving Bayern Munich in 2019 but returned to play for his first club last season.
      Arjen Robben has confirmed the end of his playing careerCredit: Getty
      However, injuries blighted his comeback and Robben announced his departure from the Eredivisie club on Thursday.
      He wrote on Twitter: “Dear football friends, I have decided to end my football playing career.
      “It is a very difficult choice. I want to thank everyone for all the heartwarming support!”
      The ex-Holland winger also played for PSV, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich during a prestigious career that also featured a World Cup final.
      Signed as part of Jose Mourinho’s initial imperious phase at Stamford Bridge, he won two Premier League titles and an FA Cup.
      Moving to Madrid in 2007, he won the LaLiga title before a £22million transfer to Munich after two seasons.
      It was in Germany where he made his biggest impact, scoring the late winner past Borussia Dortmund in the 2013 Champions League final.
      Robben also claimed eight Bundesliga titles among an impressive haul, coming fourth in the 2014 Ballon d’Or race.

      ROBBEN’S CAREERDUTCHMAN’S trophy-laden career for club and country
      CLUB CAREER
      Groningen (2000-02)
      PSV (2002-04)
      Chelsea (2004-07)
      Real Madrid (2007-09)
      Bayern Munich (2009-19)
      Groningen (2020-21)
      Major trophies: Champions League, Eredivisie, Premier League (x2), FA Cup (x2), League Cup, La Liga, Bundesliga (x8), German Cup (x5)
      INTERNATIONAL
      Holland (2003-17, 96 caps 37 goals)

      For Holland, he hit 37 goals in 96 caps before retiring internationally in 2017.
      In a statement on the Groningen website, he added: “The football heart wanted to continue, especially with the ultimate goal of [playing in front of] a full Euroborg.
      “But the decision to stop is fair and realistic. That is why from today I am no longer a player, but a supporter of our club.”
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      Robben (right) won two Premier League titles in the mid-2000s with ChelseaCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      A persistent calf injury severely cut Robben’s game time upon his return to Dutch football.
      In his seven appearances for Groningen last season, he won only once and provided two assists without scoring.
      He said: “Looking back on the past season, I have to come to the honest conclusion that the number of match minutes was disappointing.”
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      Chelsea ‘fail in Erling Haaland transfer bid after Dortmund turn down offer including Abraham and Hudson-Odoi’

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      CHELSEA have a had a swap deal for Erling Haaland featuring Callum Hudson-Odoi and Tammy Abraham turned down by Dortmund, according to reports.The Blues are infatuated with the Norwegian striker and are desperate to land him ahead of other suitors this summer.
      Erling Haaland is top of the Blues’ wishlistCredit: Getty
      Tammy Abraham and Callum Hudson-Odoi were offered to the German giantsCredit: AFP
      According to Sky Germany, Thomas Tuchel’s side have offered to swap out of favour striker Abraham as well as winger Hudson-Odoi for Dortmund’s star asset.
      But the Bundesliga side have turned them down.
      Dortmund are reportedly hellbent on receiving an eyewatering £150million for Haaland this summer – despite a £65m release clause coming into play next year.
      BVB have agreed terms with forward Donyell Malen, a potential replacement for Haaland.
      But the Dutchman may well take Jadon Sancho’s vacated position in the team instead.
      Haaland, 20, was all smiles this week after returning to pre-season training with Dortmund.
      The Mirror claim that the Blues turned down offers for Abraham earlier this summer, as they believe he can be a key to tempting Dortmund into selling Haaland.
      But that approach has not yet yielded results.

      The 20-year-old was all smiles upon his return to training this week
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      Chelsea are eager to sign a striker this summer, after Timo Werner flopped last season.
      They have also been linked with the likes of Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku.
      But Haaland is believed to be their overwhelming first choice.
      Forward Donyell Malen is in talks with DortmunCredit: Getty
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      Chelsea transfer target Erling Haaland returns to Borussia Dortmund training and is all smiles amid £150m bid rumours

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      ERLING HAALAND kicked off his pre-season training with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday amid talk of Chelsea launching a mega transfer bid for the striker.The German side welcomed the Norwegian back after joking that he was on his way to England when sitting out an earlier fitness test.
      Erling Haaland was all smiles as he started training for the new season
      A video of his dribbling and control session was posted online before Haaland shared a thumbs-up photo to his Instagram.
      He captioned the shot: “Day one✔️ Ready for the journey 💪🏻.”
      The 20-year-old is reportedly strongly fancied by Premier League side Chelsea for a summer move.
      Borussia are intent on keeping Haaland, having already given Jadon Sancho the green light to join Manchester United.
      A price tag of £150million has been slapped on the Norway forward ahead of his release clause, thought to be set at £65m, becoming active next summer.
      Reports in Germany suggest Roman Abramovich is personally driving Chelsea’s bid for Haaland.
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      Tammy Abraham, Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi are all said to be up for sale as the Blues build funds to meet Dortmund’s valuation.
      The young star is reported to have recently turned down the opportunity to commit his future to the Bundesliga giants.
      Earlier this month, it was claimed that talks were underway with Haaland’s camp while some have even said that personal terms negotiations are complete.
      A mega money move for West Ham’s Declan Rice could also be on the cards at Stamford Bridge.
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      Chelsea ‘hellbent on Erling Haaland transfer’ but three stars could be sold or used in swap deal for £150m Dortmund ace

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      ROMAN ABRAMOVICH is prepared to meet Borussia Dortmund’s asking price for Erling Haaland, according to reports.The Bundesliga side will reportedly accept an offer of £150million for the in-demand striker.
      Erling Haaland is believed to be keen on moving to Chelsea this summer
      Roman Abramovich is ready to spend whatever is necessary to land Haaland
      And Abramovich, who is determined to land the striker, is ready to make the necessary funds available, report German outlet Bild.
      The deal would break the British transfer record, and naturally Chelsea may need to offload some players to secure the move.
      Tammy Abraham has been linked with a move to West Ham this summer after falling out of Thomas Tuchel’s plans last season.
      He is one of several first-team players who could depart, along with Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
      Ziyech only joined the club last year and has scored six goals in 39 games for The Blues.
      The highly-rated Hudson-Odoi has attracted interest from Bayern Munich, and Chelsea could now cash in.
      And according to Bild, the sale of that trio could raise around £90m, meaning Abramovich would only need to find £60m to finalise the Haaland transfer.

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      Tammy Abraham is one of several players who could leave Stamford Bridge this summer

      Olivier Giroud is another player heading for the exit door and he could be joined by Emerson Palmieri.
      That means Tuchel would need another striker, and landing Haaland would be quite the coup given the interest in him.
      The Norwegian star is said to be keen on moving to Stamford Bridge so it is possible a deal will be struck this summer.
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      Jadon Sancho expected to have Man Utd medical this week and complete £73m transfer before summer holiday

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      MANCHESTER UNITED hope to help Jadon Sancho over his Euro heartache by finalising a switch this week.The England ace, 21, is expected to have his medical with the Red Devils before he heads off on his holidays.
      Man Utd hope to help Jadon Sancho over his Euro heartache by finalising a switch this weekCredit: Getty
      A fee of around £73million was agreed between United and Borussia Dortmund in June bringing a long pursuit to an end.
      And the Premier League giants are keen to put the finishing touches to the move as soon as possible now that his international commitments are over.
      The Euro 2020 final ended in disappointment for former Manchester City trainee Sancho as he came off the bench in time for the penalty shootout.
      He saw his spot-kick saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma as England fluffed their final three efforts to hand Italy the crown at Wembley.
      Sancho and his fellow Three Lions stars at United are only likely to get around three weeks off before reporting back for pre-season in early August.
      So all parties want it finalised before he heads off for some sunshine and a much-needed break.
      Meanwhile United are still in talks with the representatives of Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane about a move to England.
      However, United have yet to speak to the Spanish outfit to agree a fee for the 28-year-old French international.

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      That could yet prove another obstacle with reports suggesting they will want north of £50m for the centre-back.
      Another French ace on United chief Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s radar is Rennes midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, 18, who is valued in the £25m bracket by his club. He is into the final year of his contract.
      Solskjaer has added Eric Ramsay to United’s first-team coaching set-up.
      The former Chelsea coach will work one-on-one with individual players and also work on the side’s set-plays.
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      Erling Haaland is already in England, jokes Dortmund chief as Chelsea transfer target misses pre-season fitness test

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND sporting director Michael Zorc joked Erling Haaland is ‘already in England’ as he missed pre-season training. Haaland was absent at Dortmund’s preparations for the start of the season, but it was laughed off by club chief Zorc.
      Dortmund chief joked Erling Haaland is ‘already in England’ as he missed pre-season trainingCredit: Getty
      He told Sky Germany: “Erling is already in England.”
      The Norwegian is among the strikers linked with Champions League holders Chelsea, who are on the hunt for a striker this summer.
      Timo Werner, 25, managed only 12 goals with Tammy Abraham, 23, and Olivier Giroud, 34, also facing uncertain futures.
      It is believed Dortmund goal machine Haaland, 20, has since emerged as their priority target.
      Some reports have suggested Chelsea have even started talks with his agent Mino Raiola.
      It is understood Dortmund have set a £150million price tag on the forward this summer, but Haaland has a £65m release clause come into play next year.
      If he remains at Dortmund, it will spark an even bigger transfer pursuit.
      It leaves Chelsea considering matching the fee the German side have laid out already.

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      But Dortmund are in no rush to sell Haaland, having agreed a £73m deal for winger Jadon Sancho, 21, to leave for Manchester United.
      Zorc added: “Nothing has changed. We are firmly planning with Erling for the new season.”
      Sancho is expected to complete his medical to United this summer before enjoying a well earned summer holiday.
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      Chelsea ‘preparing BIG Erling Haaland transfer offer but Dortmund holding out on £150m’, claims Jan Aage Fjortoft

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      CHELSEA are reportedly plotting a big-money move for Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland this summer.The striker is highly sought after with Real Madrid and Barcelona showing a keen interest earlier this year.
      Erling Haaland has a price tag of £150m this summer
      Manchester City and Manchester United could also make a move but it seems Chelsea are looking to pip their rivals to sign Haaland this summer.
      And the Blues are preparing a BIG offer for the Norwegian according to journalist Jan Aage Fjortoft.
      Dortmund have issued a hands-off warning to potential suitors but will reportedly accept a fee of £150million for their prized asset.
      Haaland is also believed to be interested in a move to Stamford Bridge.
      But with no deal on the horizon yet Thomas Tuchel has issued a transfer deadline date to both Haaland and Dortmund.
      The German hopes he can apply pressure on the two parties in order to secure a deal.
      But with Chelsea only willing to pay £135m for the attacker they may have to wait to get their man.

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      Haaland could be available for just £65m next year due to a release clause that will come into play, but that fee is likely to be met by other European powerhouses.
      A failure to land Haaland could mean Chelsea switch their transfer focus to Ben White or Jules Kounde as Tuchel bids to boost his defensive options.
      But with Olivier Giroud potentially on his way out it is perhaps likely the Chelsea boss will also want more firepower up-front.

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      How Bayern Munich could line up next season as Julian Nagelsmann experiments with new formation in pre-season

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      WHILE the Euros reach their conclusion this weekend, new Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann is already getting to work with his new team.Although missing a host of international stars, the German champions have returned to pre-season training under their new coach.
      How Bayern could line up next season
      Julian Nagelsmann has started work with his new sideCredit: AFP
      Nagelsmann, 33, is just through the door, but is already looking to put his stamp on this wildly successful Bayern side.
      The German has frequently deployed a back three during his managerial career.
      And according to Bild, he has begun toying with playing three at the back during Bayern training this week.
      They claim that he used a back three including new signing Dayot Upamecano, as well as Tanguy Nianzou and academy graduate Josip Stanizic – with Bouna Sarr and former Reading ace Omar Richards as wing-backs.
      But how will he set his team out when his Euro 2020 stars are back in town?
      German outlet Spox claim that Bayern’s business is likely done for the summer, having concluded moves for Upamecano, Richards and Sven Ulreich early.
      If Corentin Tolisso or Kingsley Coman are sold they will dip back into the market, but at this stage both players are unlikely to leave.
      So Nagelsmann will work with what he’s got.

      Dayot Upamecano is used to Nagelsmann’s methodsCredit: Getty
      Omar Richards is living the dream at BayernCredit: Getty
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      Obviously Manuel Neuer will be between the sticks.
      Upamecano replaces stalwart Jerome Boateng and will be at the heart of defence.
      Lucas Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard have both played extensively as centre-backs and full-backs in their careers – so roles on the left and right of a back three should suit them perfectly.
      Alphonso Davies can thrive as a wing-back with license to bomb forward and cause opposition defences mayhem, while Joshua Kimmich played at right wing-back for his country at Euro 2020.
      If Tolisso stays he can partner the excellent Leon Goretzka in midfield.
      On the wings, Bayern will hope for an improved second season for Leroy Sane on the right, with former Arsenal ace Serge Gnabry on the left.
      Polish superstar Robert Lewandowski will lead the line, having enjoyed a record-breaking season last time out.
      French trio Lucas Hernandez, Corentin Tolisso and Benjamin Pavard are well placed to thrive under NagelsmannCredit: AFP
      Wing wizards Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane should be even better next seasonCredit: Getty
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