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      Eintracht Frankfurt captain David Abraham swaps shirts with REFEREE after final game in Bundesliga before transfer

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      EINTRACHT FRANKFURT captain David Abraham ended his Bundesliga career in bizarre fashion – as he swapped shirts with the referee.
      Abraham, 34, is leaving the German side after five-and-a-half years to go back to Argentina and be with his family.

      David Abraham, centre, and referee Manuel Grafe exchanged shirts after full-time on SundayCredit: AFP

      The Eintracht Frankfurt captain is heading back to Argentina to be with his family

      He was given an emotional ‘sending off’ by Eintracht as they beat Schalke 3-1 on Sunday.
      But no one quite expected referee Manuel Grafe to go home with Abraham’s final matchday shirt.
      The defender shared a laugh with the match officials after the full-time whistle.
      And while they were talking, Abraham and Grafe took off their jerseys and handed them over to each other before shaking hands and embracing – thankfully there was no yellow card.

      Popular Abraham was given a wonderful send off on social media as fans reacted to the shirt swap.
      One said: “What a legend, what a character. Been a class-act for this club from day one. Received the highest praise from team-mates and even the opponents.”
      Another wrote: “Beautiful moment of mutual respect. Don’t you just love football made in Germany.”
      Abraham left Argentina to have spells in Spain and Switzerland before moving to the Bundesliga in 2013 with Hoffenheim.

      Two years later he signed for Frankfurt and has become a club legend, winning the DFB-Pokal in 2018 – the German equivalent of the FA Cup.
      Speaking about returning to Argentina with hometown outfit Huracan de Chabas, the former Under-20 international – who played with Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero – said: “Because of coronavirus, I decided to stick around for another six months to help Eintracht Frankfurt, the club that has given me so much.
      “No, certainly not [an easy decision], but it’s worth it for my son Alfonso! 
      “I want to go back home now and play in the amateur league for the club where it all started and where I discovered my love for football, namely Huracan de Chabas – it’s the equivalent of the ninth or tenth tier in Germany.
      “I left my home town when I was a teenager.
      “I’ve been a father for four and a half years and I’ve seen my son very little, especially since the pandemic started.
      “Nothing can replace this time of watching your son grow up.”

      Abraham was given a hero’s sendoff by his team-matesCredit: EPA

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      Kai Havertz’s ex-Bayer Leverkusen boss Peter Bosz blames Chelsea struggles on Hakim Ziyech ‘pushing him away’

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      KAI HAVERTZ has struggled at Chelsea due to his new club squeezing in Hakim Ziyech, according to his old boss.
      Bayer Leverkusen coach Peter Bosz said that the £62million German has been playing too deep at Stamford Bridge, limiting his threat.

      Kai Havertz has endured a slow first few months since signing for ChelseaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Hakim Ziyech has been named as one player obstructing the young German’s opportunitiesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And the 57-year-old insisted that accommodating fellow new boy Ziyech down the right wing is responsible for his lack of goals.
      He told Voetbal International: “Havertz’s greatest quality lies in the opponent’s box. He has to be there to score goals.
      “At Chelsea, he now also plays further back, because Hakim Ziyech pushes him away.
      “Then Havertz does not get into the penalty area.”

      Havertz has just five goals under his belt for Chelsea, three of which came in a Carabao Cup cruise past Barnsley.
      Frank Lampard’s inability to get the 21-year-old firing comes alongside Timo Werner and Ziyech’s quiet starts in West London.
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      Bosz explained how he got the best out of the attacking midfielder, who netted 29 goals in 74 games under the Dutchman.

      Allowing Havertz to stay high up the pitch during opponent’s attacks kettled full-backs into either sitting deeper – or providing him with space in behind on the counter.
      He continued: “We played an attacking 3-4-3 with two No10s and a diamond in midfield.
      “Without the ball, I let Havertz swerve to the right. Without the ball is not his greatest quality, but opponents did not dare let him stand there.

      Peter Bosz has given is verdict on Havertz’s start at ChelseaCredit: EPA

      “If his opponent pushes up, their central defender will be in a one-on-one with Havertz if he loses the ball.
      “They are often not the fastest players. So that high-pressing full-back is automatically called back.”
      Havertz has been named on the bench for Chelsea’s last five league matches and will hope for an outing away to Leicester on Tuesday.
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

      Frank Lampard admits he has been playing Chelsea new boys Havertz and Werner out of position due to injuries in squad More

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      Chelsea willing to smash transfer record for Erling Haaland but could land him for just £66m from Dortmund in 2022

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      CHELSEA are reportedly prepared to break their transfer record for Erling Haaland this summer.
      The Borussia Dortmund star has also attracted interest from Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United.

      Erling Haaland has been the star of the show for Dortmund this seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      According to The Athletic, Chelsea are ‘determined’ to sign Haaland at the end of the season.
      But his £66.6million release clause cannot be activated until the end of the 2021-22 campaign.
      To let their star man leave this summer, Dortmund will demand a huge transfer fee.
      Chelsea are reportedly willing to make him their most expensive player in history.

      That title is currently held by Kepa Arrizabalaga, who cost them £71.6m in 2018.
      Haaland, 20, joined Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg in 2019 for just £17.1m.
      But his value has rocketed following his incredible spell of form in the Bundesliga.
      He has proved his potential with 35 goals in 35 games for the German giants.

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      Frank Lampard is prepared to splash the cash to land his top target Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      It is reported that Haaland would now cost at least £91m to sign permanently.
      Manchester United have also made the Norway international their top transfer target.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer came close to signing him in the summer before he joined Dortmund.

      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

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      Arsenal ‘still hopeful’ teen Folarin Balogun will stay despite transfer interest from RB Leipzig and two other clubs

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      ARSENAL reportedly remain hopeful Folarin Balogun will stay at the club – despite interest from RB Leipzig.
      The 19-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and will be able to leave the Emirates on a free transfer.

      Balogun has been linked with a move away from Arsenal with his contract set to expire in the summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

       According to the Guardian, there is a three-way battle for his signature.
      It is believed more than 15 clubs have offered him a deal.
      German side RB Leipzig, who reached last season’s Champions League semi-final, are believed to be one of those interested.
      Julian Nagelsmann’s side sit second in the Bundesliga, two points behind champions Bayern Munich.

      They will face Liverpool in the last 16 of the Champions League.
      The Gunners were reported to have restarted contract negotiations with the teenager in November, but talks have stalled.
      They are understood to remain hopeful the highly-rated striker will sign a new contract.
      Balogun is yet to make his Premier League debut but has played four times in the Europa League, scoring twice.

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      It is claimed Balogun is one of 11 players that have been made ‘dispensable’ by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, although he does want him to stay.
      Arteta said: “The club wants to make a deal, the manager wants to make a deal, the player wants to stay and I’m not sure about the agent.”
      Balogun is represented by the same agency as his team-mate Eddie Nketiah.
      He is not the only academy product at risk of leaving the club, with winger Kido Taylor-Hart also yet to sign a professional deal amid interest from overseas.

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      Everton close in on loan transfer for Bayern Munich strike sensation Joshua Zirkzee, 19, and eye permanent deal

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      EVERTON are closing in on a loan deal for Bayern Munich striker Joshua Zirkzee, according to reports.
      A hamstring injury to Dominic Calvert-Lewin may leave the Toffees short in the coming weeks.

      Joshua Zirkzee is linked with a loan move to Premier League side EvertonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Carlo Ancelotti played without a recognised striker in the midweek win at Wolves.
      Cenk Tosun was on the bench after scoring past Rotherham in the FA Cup, a game which saw young attacker Ellis Simms named among the substitutes.
      And reinforcements could be on the way with 19-year-old forward Zirkzee named as a target.
      According to talkSPORT, Everton are close to securing a loan deal for the Bayern youngster.

      The move would also be with a view to a permanent stay, it is claimed.
      Zirkzee joined the German giants from Feyenoord in 2017 and impressed last season with four Bundesliga goals.
      But he is yet to hit the back of the net in six outings this term.
      Earlier this month, Zirkzee dropped down to the German third division for a runout with Bayern’s reserves against 1860 Munich – but was sent off after 27 minutes.

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      Hansi Flick left the Dutchman on the bench as Bayern were knocked out of the DfB-Pokal to second-tier Holstein Kiel on Wednesday.
      Everton were sweating on the fitness of Calvert-Lewin before this weekend’s game with Aston Villa was postponed.
      Fellow striker Tosun is reportedly nearing an exit from Goodison Park having been dropped for the Wolves win.

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      Man Utd in Erling Haaland transfer boost as Barcelona presidential candidate who vowed to seal transfer withdraws

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      MANCHESTER UNITED will be delighted that Emili Rousaud has pulled out of the race to become Barcelona’s next president.
      Rousaud, 54, had vowed to bring Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland to the Nou Camp if he landed the job on January 24.

      Erling Haaland has scored 35 goals in 34 appearances for Borussia DortmundCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      It was claimed that Rousard had reached an agreement in principle to sign the 20-year-old for the Spanish giants.
      But that will not happen now that he has withdrawn from the race to replace Josep Maria Bartomeu.
      The 54-year-old confirmed that he would prefer to ‘stay out’ as he described the process as a ‘dirty war’.
      As cited by Marca, he said: “It was a day of impressive dignity because, to my surprise, the majority decision was not to agree to join another candidacy, because we cannot tolerate the dirty war and we prefer to stay out.

      “Our sporting and economic proposals were the best.”
      His decision to pull out will come as a huge boost for the other teams that want to sign Haaland.
      The striker has attracted wide interest following his incredible spell of form in Germany.
      Since his arrival from Red Bull Salzburg, he has scored 35 goals in 34 games for Dortmund.

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      United have turned their attention to signing him after cooling their interest in Jadon Sancho.
      But Real Madrid reportedly believe they have a deal for Haaland ‘signed and sealed’.
      It has been claimed that Haaland favours a move to Madrid over Old Trafford.

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      Bayern Munich starlet Chris Richards, 20, joins Rashford and De Bruyne by signing for Roc Nation

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      BAYERN MUNICH starlet Chris Richards has joined Marcus Rashford and Kevin De Bruyne by signing with Roc Nation.
      The highly-rated defender, 20, has played seven times for Hansi Flick’s side this season and made his senior internatinal debut in November.

      Chris Richards, 20, has impressed Treble-winning Bayern boss Hansi FlickCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Treble-winning Bayern coach Flick has been impressed with what he’s seen in Richards this season, last month noting he “does his job very well” and is “very calm and always present against his man.”
      Richards, who has 14 caps at Under-20 and U23 level for the US, becomes the 19th footballer on Roc Nation’s books.
      As well as Rashford and De Bruyne, Wilfried Zaha and Romelu Lukaku are among those represented by the firm.
      Head of Football Alan Redmond said: “Chris in an incredible young defender.

      “When you look at the manner in which he has adapted to first team life at Bayern Munich, you see he has rare traits.
      “When you speak to him, it’s even more apparent.”
      Founded by hip hop icon Jay-Z in 2008, with the sports arm coming five years later, Roc Nation also represents the likes of Rihanna and NBA star Kyrie Irving.
      Michael Yormark, Roc Nation Sports International chief, added: “With such a strong footprint in the US and subject matter experts across our international business, we are an agency perfectly positioned to support Chris’ ambition both on-and-off the field.

      Richards has played seven games this season and won his first USA cap in NovemberCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “Chris is a talent who has the ability to transform the sport in the US and his commitment to want to give back and make the sport accessible to all in his hometown is a great indication of our shared values.
      “Chris is an incredibly exciting prospect in world football, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be on this journey with him and his family”.

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      Man Utd revenue down almost 20 per cent as Europe’s elite clubs lose more than £1BN due to coronavirus crisis

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’S revenue dropped almost 20 per cent as a result of the coronavirus crisis.
      And 20 of Europe’s elite football clubs lost more than £1billion combined as the financial impact on the beautiful game became clearer.

      KPMG Football Benchmark’s The European Champions Report revealed the shocking figures for the 2019-20 season.
      Published this month, it highlights how clubs fared while dealing with the global pandemic.
      And United were among the worst hit of the 20 sampled clubs – as Ed Woodward anticipated last year.
      The Old Trafford side saw their operating revenues fall to £516million, a drop of 18.5 per cent.

      Fellow English sides Liverpool turned over £496m (7.9 per cent drop) and Tottenham took in £408m (12.3 per cent) as they took a slightly softer blow.
      However, Scottish champions Celtic’s revenue dropped by 15.5 per cent.
      From the 20 clubs, Porto came out worst with a staggering 50.5 per cent drop with Roma second on 39.3 per cent.
      Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla were the only two sides to see their revenue increase.

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      The Germans’ went up 0.6 per cent while the LaLiga outfit’s rose by 6.3 per cent.
      PSG (15 per cent), Barcelona (15.7 per cent) and Juventus (13.4 per cent) all saw similar drops in their operating revenues – but the Nou Camp giants still took in more revenue than any other club with £630m.
      Six teams registered net profits last season – Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, Real Madrid, Benfica as well as the two European champions Bayern Munich and Sevilla.
      Out of those, Benfica’s was the biggest with a £37m gain.
      At the other end of the spectrum, Roma and AC Milan had the biggest net losses with £181m and £173m respectively.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Barcelona saw their revenue drop by 15.7 per cent last seasonCredit: Reuters

      Sevilla registered an increase in revenue from the year before and managed a net profitCredit: AFP or licensors

      Manchester clubs have the worst net spend in the past decade by some distance

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