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      Man Utd transfer speculation could explain Jadon Sancho’s poor form, insists Dortmund boss Lucien Favre

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND boss Lucien Favre believes Jadon Sancho’s links with Manchester United may have contributed to his “slow” start this season.
      The England winger, 20, was strongly tipped to join the Red Devils in a British record £108million move.

      Lucien Favre believes Jadon Sancho’s slow start to the new season could be to do with summer links to Man UtdCredit: AP:Associated Press

      United had a number of offers rebuffed by Dortmund, who stood firm by their valuation.
      And a deadline day splurge by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, including two wingers in Facundo Pellistri and Amad Traore, ended any chance of an Old Trafford switch for Sancho – at least this year.
      After recording 20 goals and 20 assists in all competitions last term, Sancho has so far tallied just one goal and three assists in the new campaign.

      And boss Favre believes United’s public interest has played some role in Sancho’s unspectacular start to the season.

      Favre said: “Every player has slow periods.
      “There was a lot of talk about Jadon in the summer, something like that can also have an influence.
      “But no player is consistently in top form for a year, that’s impossible. You have to accept that.”
      Earlier this month, Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke branded United’s Sancho interest ‘misjudged’.

      He explained: “[They] misjudged the situation. We would be more willing to compromise.
      “We had a clear line and will continue to do so next summer.
      “In this industry, you can never say that a player is completely unsellable.
      “I heard and read everywhere in the spring that Sancho was gone. But he’s here.
      “We had an agreement with him and it didn’t look like that.”

      Jadon Sancho scores goals in England training More

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      Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski’s former agent detained by police amid £18.1m blackmail plot allegations

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      ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI’S former agent Cezary Kucharski was detained by police on Tuesday.
      An investigation is underway following allegations that the agent blackmailed Lewandowski over a fee of £18.1million.

      Robert Lewandowski’s former agent Cezary Kucharski, middle, was detained by police on TuesdayCredit: EPA

      Polish media reported that Kucharski has demanded the huge sum from the Bayern Munich forward.
      But Lewandowski, 32, denies owing the former Poland international any money.
      As reported by the MailOnline, Warsaw prosecturos’ office spokesman Marcin Sadus confirmed an order was in place to detain Kucharski.
      It is understood that the 48-year-old’s home and offices were searched.

      Reports claim the £18.1m in question amounts to the share price of part of a joint company that was formed in 2014.
      The intention of the company was to manage Lewandowski’s future football contracts, but it has now been closed down.
      Before becoming an agent, Kucharski made his name on the pitch.
      He played for Legia Warsaw, Sporting Gijon and FC Aarau before he retired in 2006.

      Robert Lewandowski denies owing his former agent any moneyCredit: EPA

      Despite his off-field issues, Lewandowski has continued to impress this season.
      The Poland striker bagged a hat-trick as Bayern thrashed Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0.
      He has already scored ten goals this season in just five Bundesliga games after scoring 55 in all competitions last term.

      Bayern Munich physio slips and falls over during Champions League tie with Locomotiv Moscow More

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      Solskjaer looking forward to seeing Man Utd transfer target Dayot Upamecano ‘close up’ in RB Leipzig clash

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER is looking forward to seeing Dayot Upamecano ‘close up’ tomorrow.
      The Red Devils were heavily linked with the RB Leipzig centre-back this summer.

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking forward to seeing Dayot Upamecano ‘close up’ tomorrowCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The RB Leipzig centre-back was heavily linked with United this summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And United will come head-to-head with the Frenchman during tomorrow’s Champions League clash at Old Trafford.
      On Sunday, SunSport exclusively revealed United missed out on Upamecano after a row over just £200,000.
      But speaking ahead of the Group H encounter, Solskjaer refused to be drawn on specifics.

      He said: “There are always rumours and speculation about good players for Manchester United.

      “I’ve always tried to respect that they are players for other teams and don’t want to comment on every player that we are linked to.
      “But since he’s playing against us tomorrow I know he’s a very good player so we can see him close up tomorrow.”
      Leipzig signed Upamecano for just £9million in 2017.
      He is now worth around £55m and rated one of Europe’s best centre-halves.

      But the French defender could have been playing FOR United in the Champions League this week, instead of facing them, if a fee had been agreed five years ago.
      Upamecano was at Old Trafford with his mum and agent as a deal was lined up with then club Valenciennes — only to fall apart over a small sum of money.
      The defender, 21, was just 16  when he arrived at United in the hope of sealing his dream deal to one of Europe’s giant clubs.
      But instead, Upamecano and his party went away upset as United chiefs only offered £500k while the French club demanded  £700k.
      It was considered too much to pay for a player who was already in the France under-16 and U-17 teams and tipped for the top.
      However, all hope is not lost as United are said to be ready to complete a bargain deal for the star next summer once his release clause has dropped to £36.5m.
      Despite signing a new deal with Leipzig in July, Upamecano also attracted interest from Arsenal this summer but the Gunners signed Gabriel instead.
      The Red Devils host the German side after their impressive – Marcus Rashford inspired – 2-1 win at Paris Saint-Germain in their Group H opener last Tuesday.

      Why didn’t Cristiano Ronaldo play for Juventus against Verona and will he return for Barcelona match? More

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      Brighton plan to hand Tariq Lamptey new contract to increase £14k-a-week wages amid Bayern Munich transfer interest

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      BRIGHTON are planning to reward Tariq Lamptey for his excellent start to his Albion career with a bumper new contract.
      The England Under-21 star has set the Premier League alight since joining from Chelsea in January.

      England youth international Tariq Lamptey has enjoyed a fine start to the season with Brighton

      His stellar performances have caught the eye on the continent with Bayern Munich enquiring about him this summer.
      Meanwhile Spanish side Sevilla have recently shown an interest in bringing him to LaLiga.
      SunSport understands negotiations are expected to start soon to upgrade substantially his current Seagulls terms of £14,000-a-week plus bonuses.
      Lamptey, who turned 20 last month, still has three years to run on his existing deal.

      But Albion are keen to show financial recognition for how integral he has become to Graham Potter’s side.
      The whizkid has arguably been Brighton’s best player since arriving at the club with his bravery, delivery and electric pace.
      He has already grabbed two assists in his 14 Premier League appearances for the South Coast club and played a significant role in forcing Jake Livermore’s own goal during Monday’s 1-1 draw with West Brom.
      Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney urged his former employers earlier this month to make a move for Lamptey.

      Writing in his Sunday Times column, Rooney said: “Personally, if I were doing their recruiting, as well as that No 9 I’d go for another centre-half to partner Harry Maguire and try for Brighton & Hove Albion’s Tariq Lamptey, who looks a brilliant attacking right back.
      “While Aaron Wan-Bissaka has done OK defensively, you want United full backs to put the opposition on the back foot when the team have the ball and I don’t think he does that.
      “Luke Shaw can at times but you always worry from a fitness point of view whether he can do it for 90 minutes so I think full back is an area where United could really improve.
      “The game has changed and where before your full backs didn’t have to be attacking players, they just had to provide overlaps and be an option, nowadays they have to play a full part going forward — flooding the gaps when wide strikers such as Rashford come in from the sides.”

      Watch as WSL referee Lucy Oliver books a Brighton player TWICE without sending them off More

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      Liverpool open transfer talks with Schalke over cut-price move for £40m-rated defender Ozan Kabak after Van Dijk injury

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      LIVERPOOL have reportedly opened talks with Schalke over a cut-price move for Ozan Kabak after Virgil van Dijk’s injury.
      The Reds skipper suffered a horror ACL rupture after Jordan Pickford’s wild challenge in the Merseyside derby.

      Liverpool are reportedly in talks with Schalke over defender Ozan KabakCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Van Dijk required surgery on his knee which is set to rule him out for the remainder of the campaign.
      The Kop outfit must make do with Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Fabinho as the centre-back options until the transfer window reopens in January.
      But Jurgen Klopp is already working on a plan to bring in cover.

      Reports earlier this week suggested Liverpool had identified Kabak as a target.
      And according to the Mirror, negotiations are underway between the Anfield club and Schalke.
      The Bundesliga side rated Kabak at around £40million before the coronavirus pandemic hit.
      They are still hopeful of getting at least £30m for their defender, who is under contract until 2024, but Liverpool want to pay £20m up front plus add-ons.

      Virgil van Dijk is set to miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a horror ACL injury against EvertonCredit: AP:Associated Press

      How Virgil van Dijk compares to the rest of the PL’s defenders

      Kabak, 20, came through the youth ranks at Galatasaray before moving to Stuttgart and then on to Schalke a year ago in a £13.6m transfer.
      He already has six goals in just 65 senior club appearances and four full Turkey caps to his name.
      Fabinho filled in at the back in the wins over Ajax – shining in Amsterdam – and Sheffield United, although he did give a penalty away against the Blades.

      Sam Allardyce feels Jordan Pickford should’ve been sent off in Everton v Liverpool match More

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      Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies taken off the pitch in tears after freak injury during 5-0 Eintracht Frankfurt win

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      BAYERN MUNICH’s Alphonso Davies suffered a freak injury during his side’s 5-0 Bundesliga hammering of Eintracht Frankfurt.
      The 19-year-old Canadian appeared to roll his ankle when running without the ball in the opening stages and was helped off the field in tears.

      Alphonso Davies had to be carried from the pitchCredit: Reuters

      Davies suffered what appeared to be an ankle injury and was in considerable painCredit: EPA

      The painful blow to his right ankle ended Davies’ game after three minutes as he was replaced by Lucas Hernandez.
      Bayern now must wait to discover the extent of the damage, with a ligament injury potentially sidelining the speedster for months.
      He was helped off the field by some of the Bavarian club’s medical team and was clearly distressed after suffering the injury.
      Davies has played in all Bayern’s games so far this season, bar the Bundesliga opener against Schalke, but is set for at least a short spell out.

      He became a household name last season as his stunning form helped fire Hansi Flick’s side to the treble.
      Left-back Davies – who makes popular TikTok videos with footballer girlfriend Jordyn Huitema – bagged three goals and ten assists in all competitions.
      Fans were quick to wish the youngster well online.
      One supporter tweeted: “That looks bad… hopefully he comes back quickly.”

      Another added: “Jesus that looks painful hope it’s nothing too serious.”
      Bayern didn’t show it if they were affected by the early shock loss of Davies, as a Robert Lewandowski hat-trick helped fire them past Frankfurt.
      The Polish striker, 32, has now scored an incredible TEN goals in the first five league games.
      Former Chelsea wonderkid Jamal Musiala, 17, added some gloss to the scoreline with Bayern’s fifth in the 90th minute after ex-Manchester City winger Leroy Sane had scored the side’s fourth.

      Robert Lewandowski bagged a hat-trick against FrankfurtCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala scored for BayernCredit: EPA
      Musiala became Bayern’s youngest-ever goalscorer in the Bundesliga last month after netting in the 8-0 rout over Schalke.
      The promising attacking midfielder was poached from the Blues in 2019 and signed a five-year deal.
      The England youth international was born in Stuttgart before moving to Southampton aged seven when his mother went to study abroad.
      He studied at Whitgift in Croydon – where Blues stars Callum Hudson-Odoi and Victor Moses were also enrolled.

      Thomas Muller does hilarious roadrunner impression as he lauds Alphonso Davies’ display in Bayern Munich win at Dortmund More

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      Wonderkid Youssoufa Moukoko, 15, scores FOUR goals as Dortmund U19s thump Essen 6-0 – his fourth hat-trick in four games

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND wonderkid Youssoufa Moukoko scored four goals for the Under-19s… his fourth hat-trick in four games.
      The 15-year-old sensation was on fire once again as his side thumped Rot-Weiss Essen 6-0 in their Bundesliga U19 clash.

      Youssoufa Moukoko scored another four goals to take his tally to 13 in four matches this seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The result ensures Dortmund maintained their 100 per cent start to the season with a fourth win from four matches.
      And in all four Moukoko has smashed in a hat-trick.
      The striker may be four years younger than some of his team-mates but is wearing the captain’s armband… and leading by example.
      He grabbed three against Preußen Munster, SV Wehen and Schalke – plus an assist agains the former – before continuing his hot streak today.

      It means he has now scored 13 goals already this term – out of 17 for Dortmund U19s.
      Moukoko is on course to become the youngest player to appear in the Champions League after being named in the B-list for Lucien Favre’s first team.
      Moukoko’s 16th birthday is on November 20.
      But even with rules preventing players featuring until they turn 16, the youngster may not have to wait very long to make his European bow.

      Celestine Babayaro holds the current Champions League record, having started for Anderlecht against Steaua Bucharest in the 1994-95 group stage, aged 16 years and 87 days.
      Moukoko banged in SIX on his U19s debut… aged 14.
      The youngster struck four times in seven Uefa U19 Youth League outings last term and was given permission to skip school to start training with the first team.
      And it did not take him long to impress ‘veteran’ striker Erling Haaland, 20, who said: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a 15-year-old that good.
      “He’s a lot better than I was when I was 15.”

      Erling Haaland described Moukoko as the best teenage talent he has ever seen

      Dortmund wonderkid Moukoko, 15, shatters goalscoring records galore

      By Sam Morgan and Jon Boon

      IF YOU think Borussia Dortmund wonderkids Mario Gotze and Christian Pulisic were top drawer, wait till you see the latest kid coming through their ranks.
      Youssoufa Moukoko, their 15-year-old sensation, is currently the hottest prospect in Germany – shattering Bundesliga goalscoring records at U17 and U19 levels in consecutive seasons.
      Read the full feature here

      Dortmund’s 15-year-old wonderkid Youssoufa Moukoko shows what he is made of on the pitch More

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      Jadon Sancho ‘disenchanted’ at Borussia Dortmund this season after failed Man Utd transfer

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      JADON SANCHO is not ‘100 per cent’ in the right headspace to perform for Borussia Dortmund, according to reports of discontent in the club’s dressing room.
      Manchester United unsuccessfully tried to sign the winger, 20, during the transfer window.

      Jadon Sancho is yet to hit top form since Manchester United were rebuffedCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But it has been far from a perfect start to the season for Dortmund or Sancho.
      Tuesday’s 3-1 defeat to Lazio in the Champions League has led to widespread criticism of the squad.
      In particular, Sancho was panned by Bild for not being totally focused on the Borussia cause this season.

      The German newspaper adds that there are rumblings inside the dressing room over the player’s lack of discipline.

      Sancho landed himself in hot water with his national team bosses when breaking coronavirus restrictions days before meeting up with the squad.
      Gareth Southgate dropped the forward for a friendly with Wales before he underwhelmed off the bench against Belgium and Denmark.
      His club form has been little different, scoring only in the DFB-Pokal demolition of Duisburg having impressed so much last season.
      New signing Thomas Meunier has also faced criticism for his impact in Dortmund, along with out-of-form winger Julian Brandt and coach Lucien Favre.

      The Bundesliga side will need to turn things around quickly for Saturday’s huge local derby against Schalke, with Zenit St Petersburg coming to Signal Iduna Park shortly after.
      Manchester United are said to still fancy their chances of snapping up Sancho.
      Although Borussia insist their hardline negotiating stance will continue next summer, when the youngster will have just a year left on his contract.
      CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke said: “[United] misjudged the situation.

      In this industry, you can never say that a player is completely unsellable.
      Hans-Joachim Watzke

      “We had a clear line and will continue to do so next summer.
      “In this industry, you can never say that a player is completely unsellable.
      “I heard and read everywhere in the spring that Sancho was gone. But he’s here. We had an agreement with him.”

      Gareth Southgate confirms Abraham, Chilwell and Sancho to miss Thursday’s match with Wales More