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      Best 25 football stadiums around world, from the Bernabeu to San Mames… but Tottenham’s £1bn ground down in 21

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      ATMOSPHERE, capacity and the quality of the toilets are all taken into consideration when fans argue about the best stadiums in the world.And a poll to determine which ground holds that honour has revealed some surprising results.
      Boca Juniors’ La Bombonera home in Buenos Aires is one of the most iconic stadiums in the worldCredit: Getty
      Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium is also one of the most well knownCredit: Getty
      Tottenham splashed out a staggering £1BILLION on their new North London home which currently ranks just 21st despite being the most expensive stadium ever built.
      But surprisingly, it’s a stadium in Egypt that sits in the No 1 spot.
      Here SunSport reveals the results of a poll conducted by Spanish outlet Marca.
      1 CAIRO INTERNATIONAL STADIUM
      Home team: Al Ahly
      Capacity: 75,000
      Location: Cairo, Egypt
      Cairo International StadiumCredit: Getty – Contributor
      2 SANTIAGO BERNABEU
      Home team: Real Madrid
      Capacity: 81,044
      Location: Madrid, Spain
      Santiago Bernabeu stadiumCredit: Getty – Contributor
      3 NOU CAMP
      Home team: Barcelona
      Capacity: 99,354
      Location: Barcelona, Spain
      Nou CampCredit: Getty
      4 MOUNUMENTAL DE CHILE
      Home team: Colo Colo
      Capacity: 47,347
      Location: Santiago, Chile
      Monumental de ChileCredit: Getty
      5 SAN MAMES
      Home team: Athletic Bilbao
      Capacity: 53,289
      Location: Bilbao, Spain
      San Mames stadiumCredit: Getty – Contributor
      6 WANDA METROPOLITANO
      Home team: Atletico Madrid
      Capacity: 68,456
      Location: Madrid, Spain
      Wanda MetropolitanoCredit: Getty – Contributor
      7 ANFIELD
      Home team: Liverpool
      Capacity: 54,074
      Location: Liverpool, England
      AnfieldCredit: Getty
      8 LA BOMBONERA
      Home team: Boca Juniors
      Capacity: 49,000
      Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
      Boca Juniors’ La BomoneraCredit: Getty
      9 SIGNAL IDUNA PARK
      Home team: Borussia Dortmund
      Capacity: 81,360
      Location: Dortmund, Germany
      WestfalenstadionCredit: Getty – Contributor
      10 MOHAMED V
      Home team: Raja and Wydad Casablanca
      Capacity: 52,000
      Location: Casablanca, Morocco
      Mohamed V Stadium – CasablancaCredit: Africa Cup of Nations

      11 STADE OLYMPIQUE DE RADES
      Home team: Tunisian national team
      Capacity: 60,000
      Location: Rades, Tunisia
      Stade Olympique de RadesCredit: Getty
      12 WEMBLEY
      Home team: England national team
      Capacity: 90,000
      Location: London, England
      Wembley StadiumCredit: Alamy
      13 OLD TRAFFORD
      Home team: Manchester United
      Capacity: 76,000
      Location: Manchester, England
      Old TraffordCredit: PA:Press Association
      14 MARACANA
      Home team: Brazil national team, Flamengo, Fluminense
      Capacity: 78,838
      Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
      Maracana stadiumCredit: Getty
      15 SAN SIRO
      Home team: AC Milan, Inter Milan
      Capacity: 80,018
      Location: Milan, Italy
      San SiroCredit: Getty
      16 ALLIANZ ARENA
      Home team: Bayern Munich
      Capacity: 75,024
      Location: Munich, Germany
      Allianz ArenaCredit: Getty – Contributor
      17 STADE VELODROME
      Home team: Marseille
      Capacity: 67,394
      Location: Marseille, France
      Stade VelodromeCredit: Getty – Contributor
      18 ESTADIO DA LUZ
      Home team: Benfica
      Capacity: 65,647
      Location: Lisbon, Portugal
      Estadio da Luz, LisbonCredit: Getty
      19 JOHAN CRUYFF ARENA
      Home team: Ajax
      Capacity: 54,990
      Location: Amsterdam, Holland
      Johan Cruyff arenaCredit: Getty – Contributor
      20 MOUNUMENTAL
      Home team: River Plate
      Capacity: 70,074
      Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
      Monumental, Buenos AiresCredit: AFP
      21 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR STADIUM
      Home team: Tottenham Hotspur
      Capacity: 62,303
      Location: London, England
      Tottenham Hotspur StadiumCredit: Getty
      22 ESTADIO AZTECA
      Home team: Mexico national team, Club America and Cruz Azul
      Capacity: 87,523
      Location: Mexico City, Mexico
      Estadio AztecaCredit: Getty
      23 SOCCER CITY STADIUM
      Home team: South Africa national team, Kaizer Chiefs
      Capacity: 94,736
      Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
      Soccer City StadiumCredit: Getty – Contributor
      24 CELTIC PARK
      Home team: Celtic
      Capacity: 60,411
      Location: Glasgow, Scotland
      Celtic ParkCredit: PA:Press Association

      25 AZADI STADIUM
      Home team: Iran national team
      Capacity: 78,116
      Location: Tehran, Iran
      Azadi StadiumCredit: Getty
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      Erling Haaland breaks silence on Jadon Sancho’s Man Utd transfer and admits he is ‘sad’ at pal’s Dortmund exit

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      ‘SAD’ Erling Haaland has broken his silence on pal Jadon Sancho’s Borussia Dortmund exit. Sancho will complete his £73million transfer to Manchester United in the coming days.
      Erling Haaland will miss lining up alongside Jadon Sancho next seasonCredit: Getty
      And it means breaking up one of Europe’s deadliest partnerships with Haaland left behind.
      The duo boasted a combined tally of 89 goals and assists between them in 2020-21 as Dortmund finished third in the Bundesliga and won the DFB-Pokal Cup.
      Asked who can fill Sancho’s boots next season, Haaland told Stadium Astro: “Me and Jadon understood each other very well and he’s a top player.
      “So of course it’s sad that he goes but that’s how it is and that’s football. You never know what will happen.
      “But I think that there’s a lot of other good players that I have a good tone with and it can become even better.
      “We have to see who I match the best with.”
      Haaland’s dad Alf-Inge posted an X-rated tweet upon finding out Sancho was leaving Dortmund for Old Trafford.
      His son may be a £150m target for Chelsea this summer – where he would become the club’s top earner – but is expected to stay put at Dortmund for at least another season.
      He is back at the club for pre-season training and adjusting to life under new boss Marco Rose who has arrived from Borussia Monchengladbach.
      Haaland added: “I talked a little bit with him and I know him from before because I had him for six months at Red Bull Salzburg.
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      “He’s a nice guy and I look forward to working with him.
      “I heard the training sessions are hard here so it’s exactly the same as it was at Salzburg. Hard training and a lot of running.
      “That’s what I expect the tactics to be, to press a lot and run a lot and attack a lot.”
      Haaland will be reuinted with Marco Rose for the 2021-22 season
      Erling Haaland’s dad Alf-Inge posts X-rated tweet after finding out about Jadon Sancho’s £73m Man Utd transfer More

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      Chelsea ‘will have to smash wage limit to sign Erling Haaland with Dortmund ace set to earn more than top earner Kante’

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      CHELSEA will need to smash their wage structure to sign Erling Haaland this summer, according to reports.The Blues are very keen on the Borussia Dortmund striker as they look to bring in a new striker.
      Erling Haaland would become the top earner at Chelsea if he transfers this summerCredit: AP
      And according to The Athletic, if a deal did get over the line in the current transfer window, Haaland would likely become the top earner at Stamford Bridge.
      N’Golo Kante currently holds that title with his reported £290,000-a-week deal.
      But Haaland’s representatives – agent Mino Raiola and dad Alf-Inge – will be doing all they can to secure the striker the best deal possible.
      Raiola has already suggested he wants the Norwegian to be the first £1million-a-week footballer – and would earn a hefty fee in commission.
      Haaland returned to Dortmund pre-season training this week and it is expected he will stay with the club for the 2021-22 campaign.
      Chelsea would need to stump up at least £150m to tempt Dortmund to sell Haaland.
      The German giants have already landed £73m for Jadon Sancho and their qualification into the Champions League will earn them extra cash next season.
      A £150m purchase would not only obliterate their own record transfer – the £71.6m spent on Kepa Arrizabalaga – but be the biggest fee spent by a British club and third-highest of all time.
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      Haaland’s £64m release clause kicks into effect next summer which would open the door for plenty of Europe’s top clubs to make moves to sign him.
      The sale of Olivier Giroud to AC Milan means Thomas Tuchel has lost another of his No9 options – leaving Timo Werner and Tammy Abraham at his disposal.
      Kai Havertz was deployed in a false No9 position at times last season, too.
      N’Golo Kante is the highest-paid player in the Chelsea squad on £290,000 a week at Stamford BridgeCredit: AFP

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      Leeds forced to pay £18m transfer fee to RB Leipzig for striker Jean-Kevin Augustin… despite deciding not to sign him

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      LEEDS are facing demands from RB Leipzig to cough up a transfer payment for Ligue One forward Jean-Kevin Augustin. The Elland Road outfit is yet to pay the German club despite a Fifa decision going against them, according to German newspaper BILD via Sport Witness. 
      Leeds are yet to pay an £18million fee to Leipzig for Jean-Kevin AugustinCredit: Rex
      Augustin, 24, had a disappointing loan stint at Marcelo Bielsa’s club in the second half of the 2019-20 season. 
      The striker, who now plays for Nantes and struggled with a hamstring injury, played just 48 minutes of football in three goalless appearances for the then Championship side. 
      The club had an agreement in place that they would buy Augustin for £18million if they secured promotion to the Premier League at the end of the season. 
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      However, despite the compulsory clause it is reported the club have refused to pay the fee. 
      The Prem outfit argued the deal was null and void due to coronavirus delaying the start of the new season.
      In September 2020 Leeds were threatened with legal action for failing to buy Augustin. 
      The dispute between the Elland Road side and Leipzig had been in the hands of  FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport since last year. 
      But in June authorities ruled in Leipzig’s favour. 
      However, BILD claims the German club, who finished second in the Bundesliga last season, are yet to receive payment from Leeds. 
      It is thought this is due to regulations that provide the side with 21 days to appeal against the judgement and an additional ten to state the arguments for their case. 
      It is reported Leipzig could end up receiving the £18m fee in instalments from Leeds as opposed to one whole lump sum. 
      Augustin made just three appearances for Leeds during his loan spell at the clubCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Ex-Leeds loanee Augustin began his senior playing career at Paris Saint-Germain in 2014 before moving to Leipzig in 2017. 
      The striker embarked on loan spells at Monaco and Elland Road from 2019 to 2020 before returning to the Bundesliga giants in June last year.
      And the 6ft forward switched to French club Nantes on a free transfer in October 2020 after agreeing to a two-year deal. 
      Augustin struggled with injury during his loan stint at Elland Road in 2020Credit: Rex
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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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      Erling Haaland’s dad Alf-Inge posts X-rated tweet after finding out about Jadon Sancho’s £73m Man Utd transfer More

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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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