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      Serge Gnabry tests positive for coronavirus on eve of Bayern Munich’s Champions League opener vs Atletico Madrid

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      SERGE Gnabry has tested positive for coronavirus on the eve of Bayern Munich’s Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid.
      The club’s Twitter page announced the German had caught the virus.

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      Serge Gnabry has tested positive for Covid-19 a little over 24 hours before Bayern’s first Champions League gameCredit: AFP or licensors

      Bayern say he is doing well and is self-isolating.
      The club conducted tests after a training session on Monday.
      Gnabry trained with his team-mates, so it is unclear whether more positive cases may arise.
      No other positive cases have been announced since the news of Gnabry’s positive test broke.

      German outlet Bild report that the club will release another statement later in the evening.
      The positive result comes just a day before the defending champions open thier campaign against Atletico Madrid.
      Leroy Sane is also injured, leaving manager Hansi Flick with limited options of who to play out wide.

      Inside Bayern Munich’s Champions League celebrations as Davies pulls out dodgy dance moves and Wags party night away More

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      Eto’o blasts ‘disrespectful’ France Football for listing him in 10 top best right-wingers ever with Messi and Beckham

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      SAMUEL ETO’O has hit out at ‘disrespectful’ France Football for naming him in their top ten right-wingers of all time.
      The legendary Cameroonian striker played the majority of his iconic career up-front and he is not happy being labelled a right-winger alongside David Beckham and Lionel Messi.

      Samuel Eto’o was fuming over his inclusion as a right winger in France Football’s nominees for greatest footballers of all time

      France Football run the historic Ballon d’Or award but bizarrely cancelled it this year because of coronavirus.
      And in its place they are attempting to collate the best XI players of all time.
      The formation is a 3-4-3 with a pool of iconic final nominees for the panel of 170 international journalists to choose from.

      But having whittled each position down to a list of ten, France Football’s editorial staff have come in for some flack from ex-Barcelona, Chelsea and Inter Milan star Eto’o.
      Having seen himself included as a right-winger, Eto’o tweeted: “Thank you but I played one or two seasons on the right yet I have 25 years of career as a centre-forward.
      “The lack of respect @FranceFootball.
      “WHATEVER!”

      Eto’o was joined on the list by nine other iconic superstars of the ages.

      Beckham and Messi lined up next to Manchester United legend George Best, Liverpool hero Kevin Keegan and Brazilian icons from the 50s, 60s and 70s Garrincha and Jairzinho.
      Stanley Matthews completed the list of historic names with his career that spanned from 1932-1965.
      Before more modern stars from the early 90s and beyond were included.
      Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Holland magician Arjen Robben and Portuguese poster boy Luis Figo completed the list.
      Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski was in line to scoop this year’s Ballon d’Or after leading his team to an incredible Bundesliga and Champions League double.

      Patrice Evra eats cooked chicken in bizarre ‘upgrade’ to infamous video of Man Utd legend licking raw meat More

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      Man Utd transfer blow as Erling Haaland ‘prefers Real Madrid move’ from Dortmund with release clause activating in 2022

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND striker Erling Haaland reportedly favours a move to Real Madrid ahead of Manchester United.
      The 20-year-old has continued his goalscoring exploits this season having banged in five goals in six games for the Bundesliga outfit.

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      Erling Haaland has no shortage of suitors should he decide to leave Borussia DortmundCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And according to ABC, the ex-Red Bull Salzburg star is prioritising a move to the Bernabeu when he eventually departs Germany.

      They state that he is keen to play alongside Norwegian compatriot Martin Odegaard at Los Blancos.
      Relations between BVB and Real are understood to be excellent, with Dortmund signing Achraf Hakimi and Reinier Jesus on loan in recent campaigns.
      Haaland is believed to have a £65million release clause in his contract which will be active in 2022.

      United have retained their interest in the player having lost out to Dortmund in January when they brought him in from Austria.
      And they are also facing competition from Premier League rivals Chelsea in the race to secure Haaland’s services.
      But it is Real that are in pole position to sign him, as they look to partner him alongside Paris Saint-Germain ace Kylian Mbappe.
      The LaLiga champions are desperate to land both strikers as well as Rennes starlet Eduardo Camavinga in a £261m splurge.

      Despite many labelling Haaland as the complete striker, the player himself has insisted he must be more clinical in front of goal.
      Haaland fired in 44 goals last season for Dortmund and Salzburg, though he has stressed he should have scored half a century.
      Speaking to local Dortmund newspaper Ruhr Nachrichten, Haaland said: “My finishing needs to improve, I need to be more clinical, more ruthless.
      “I also need to get better in linking up with my team-mates. I know that.
      “I watch replays of my goals quite a lot, I’m constantly trying to learn more about goalscoring.
      “I don’t only watch the goals I score, I watch other players’ as well – how and where do they score, what’s their position before the ball arrives, how do they move?
      “I analyse all these little details that could help me to score more goals. So I’ve watched all 44 of my goals from last season quite a lot.
      “I actually think about all the chances I missed, I could easily have scored over 50 goals last season.”

      Erling Haaland will be the best striker in the world More

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      Man Utd given Sancho hope as Dortmund will ‘never say player is unsellable’ but Woodward told he ‘misjudged situation’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have been given hope of signing Jadon Sancho next year.
      United were found wanting in their pursuit of the Borussia Dortmund star this summer, after failing to pay the German outfit’s £108million asking price.

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      Man Utd could return for Dortmund ace Jadon Sancho next summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has hinted United may have a chance of landing their man if they renew their interest at the end of the season.
      Watzke said: “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.”

      Dortmund had originally set an August 10 deadline for any team wanting to match Sancho’s price tag, but United thought the Black and Yellows would soften their stance if a suitable offer arrived.
      Despite Dortmund maintaining Sancho would remain at the Westfalenstadion for the 2020-21 season, the Red Devils reportedly prepared a £91m offer including add-ons for the 20-year-old in the last few days of the transfer window.
      Chief executive Ed Woodward was informed the bid would be swiftly rejected and United were left scrambling to find an alternative to Sancho on deadline day, with a loan move for Barcelona outcast Ousmane Dembele ultimately falling through.
      Without mentioning Woodward and United by name, Watzke said: “[They] misjudged the situation.

      “We had a clear line and will continue to do so next summer.”
      United did manage to secure the signings of teenage forwards Facundo Pellistri and Amad Traore, as well as veteran striker Edinson Cavani, on deadline day but will likely have to wait until next summer to prise Sancho from Borussia Dortmund.
      However, reports say they could face competition from the likes of Liverpool and Bayern Munich for the England international. More

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      Sancho, Greenwood, Saka and Foden make Golden Boy shortlist – but face competition from Haaland, Fati and Vinicius

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      ENGLAND quintet Jadon Sancho, Mason Greenwood, Bukayo Saka, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Phil Foden were named on the 20-man Golden Boy 2020 shortlist.
      The five young stars all excelled for their club sides in 2019-20 and are now senior Three Lions internationals.

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      Mason Greenwood is hoping to become the fourth Manchester United youngster to win the Golden Boy awardCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

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      Arsenal and England sensation Bukayo Saka is also in contention after securing his spot in the final 20Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      However, they face strong competition in the 20-man list – including from Erling Haaland, Ansu Fati and Vinicius Junior.
      The award, run by Tuttosport, is open to players born on or after January 1, 2000 and playing in a European nation’s top tier – with 40 journalists voting on the top performer across the calendar year.
      After an initial longlist of 100 was revealed in June, four cuts of 20 players mean it is now down to the final 20.
      Sancho was pipped by Joao Felix a year ago but will be hoping his stunning form for Borussia Dortmund will see him go one better this time around.

      The winger managed 20 goals and 20 assists last season and has started the new campaign with a goal and two assists in his first three appearances.
      Greenwood is hoping to become the record-extending fourth Manchester United player to be crowned the Golden Boy.
      Wayne Rooney (2004), Anderson (2008) and Anthony Martial (2015) have all picked up the award in its 17-year history.
      And the academy graduate’s 19 goals in a stunning breakout season will surely make him a contender.

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      Borussia Dortmund team-mates Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland will be hoping to follow in Mario Gotze’s footsteps from 2011Credit: Rex Features

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      Phil Foden enjoyed a stunning end to the 2019-20 campaign and is hoping to kick on this termCredit: PA:Press Association

      Saka earned his break in Arsenal’s Europa League campaign with his versatility down the left a key attribute.
      Handed the No7 shirt at the Emirates over the summer, the teenager has continued to impress as Gareth Southgate handed him his debut against Wales during the international break.
      Hudson-Odoi made 33 appearances for Chelsea last season despite injury and has drawn attention from the likes of Bayern Munich.
      And Foden made the most of his run in the Manchester City team to force his way into the shortlist and Southgate’s plans.
      The Stockport Iniesta scored five goals after the season restarted in June and has already added another two this term.
      However, Haaland’s bonkers return of 44 goals in 40 games last season for Red Bull Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund places him among the favourites.
      He also nabbed his first international hat-trick this week to take his tally to 11 in ten so far this season.
      Elsewhere, LaLiga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid each have two nominees.

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      Barcelona fans are getting very excited about teenager Ansu Fati who looks the real deal and is breaking records galoreCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Golden Boy 2020: Final 20-man shortlist

      Mason Greenwood (Man Utd)
      Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund)
      Phil Foden (Man City)
      Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
      Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)
      Ferran Torres (Man City)
      Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea)
      Fabio Silva (Wolves)
      Ansu Fati (Barcelona)
      Rodrygo (Real Madrid)
      Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
      Sergino Dest (Barcelona)
      Dejan Kulusevski (Juventus)
      Eduardo Camavinga (Rennes)
      Mitchel Bakker (PSG)
      Jonathan David (Lille)
      Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich)
      Ryan Gravenberch (Ajax)
      Dominik Szoboszlai (Red Bull Salzburg)
      Sandro Tonali (AC Milan)

      Fati, who does not turn 18 until the end of October, burst on to the scene with the Nou Camp club last term and is already outscoring Lionel Messi at the same age.
      The teenage sensation has already played and scored for Spain’s senior side while records continue to tumble in LaLiga and the Champions League.
      He is joined by new team-mate Sergino Dest – the American right-back who signed from Ajax this summer.
      Over at the Bernabeu, Brazilian duo Vincius and Rodrygo make the shortlist as they helped Los Blancos win the league title.
      Champions League winner Alphonso Davies is in – as is his Canadian pal Jonathan David after his stellar season at Gent, scoring 23 times last season and earning a transfer to Lille.
      Premier League newbies Ferran Torres and Fabio Silva, who joined Manchester City and Wolves respectively, ensure a quarter of the list ply their trade in England.
      Rennes star Eduardo Camavinga – linked with Real Madrid and Manchester United – Paris Saint-Germain’s Mitchel Bakker and Ryan Gravenberch of Ajax are on the list.
      And Juventus’ Dejan Kulusevski, Dominik Szoboszlai of Red Bull Salzburg and AC Milan star Sandro Tonali complete the shortlist with the result set to announced on December 14.

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      Anthony Martial won the prestigious award in 2015, the year he moved from Monaco to Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Golden Boy award: Previous winners

      2003 – Rafael van der Vaart (Ajax)
      2004 – Wayne Rooney (Everton / Man Utd)
      2005 – Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
      2006 – Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
      2007 – Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid)
      2008 – Anderson (Man Utd)
      2009 – Alexandre Pato (AC Milan)
      2010 – Mario Balotelli (Inter Milan / Man City)
      2011 – Mario Gotze (Borussia Dortmund)
      2012 – Isco (Malaga)
      2013 – Paul Pogba (Juventus)
      2014 – Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)
      2015 – Anthony Martial (Monaco / Man Utd)
      2016 – Renato Sanches (Benfica / Bayern Munich)
      2017 – Kylian Mbappe (Monaco / PSG)
      2018 – Matthijs de Ligt (Ajax)
      2019 – Joao Felix (Benfica / Atletico Madrid)

      Man Utd target Jadon Sancho embarrasses team-mate so badly in Dortmund training he is walked off pitch in pity More

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      On-loan Arsenal star Matteo Guendouzi tests positive for coronavirus and forced to wait for Hertha Berlin debut

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      MATTEO GUENDOUZI has become the latest footballer to test positive for coronavirus, Hertha Berlin have confirmed.
      After returning from international duty with France’s Under-21 side, the Arsenal loanee was diagnosed with the illness.

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      Matteo Guendouzi had spent the last week away with France’s Under-21sCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      However, the Bundesliga club state that Guendouzi, 21, is asymptomatic and doing well.
      A Hertha statement read: “Matteo Guendouzi has tested positive for Covid-19 after returning from international duty.
      “There has been no contact with any Hertha players or staff.

      “He is symptom-free and feeling well, but will now self-isolate for 10 days. Get well soon, Matteo!”
      After signing from the Gunners earlier in the month, Guendouzi had been hoping to make his Berlin debut against Stuttgart on Saturday.
      But he will now have to wait for his Bundesliga bow, with the following weekend’s game at RB Leipzig also looking doubtful.
      The midfielder featured in both of France U21s’ games during the break, Les Bleus beating Lichtenstein and Slovakia.

      A move away from Emirates Stadium appeared inevitable for the youngster after he fell out with Mikel Arteta.

      ℹ️ @MatteoGuendouzi has tested positive for Covid-19 after returning from international duty. There has been no contact with any Hertha players or staff. He is symptom-free and feeling well, but will now self-isolate for 10 days.Get well soon, Mattéo! pic.twitter.com/O6nRXQL5Jd
      — Hertha Berlin (@HerthaBSC_EN) October 15, 2020

      A potential loan switch to Berlin was formulated earlier in the summer, but it was only in the final days of the window that Guendouzi accepted the offer.
      He had been a regular for Arsenal until the Spaniard’s arrival.
      A tempestuous response to the Gunners’ 2-1 defeat by Brighton in June was among the reasons behind his exile from the side.
      And he was highlighted for a move soon after that incident, with the club bringing in Thomas Partey to bolster their midfield amid his exit.

      Arsenal player Matteo Guendouzi seals loan transfers away to Hertha Berlin More

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      How Chelsea could line up with Haaland, Havertz and Werner forming Lampard’s dream front line

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      ERLING HAALAND could be the final piece of the puzzle for Frank Lampard at Chelsea.
      The Blues are reportedly planning to lure the 20-year-old away from Borussia Dortmund in 2021.

      Here’s one way Chelsea could start with Erling Haaland leading the line

      Lampard spent over £230million bolstering his squad during this summer’s transfer window.
      He poached Timo Werner from RB Leipzig, Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen and Hakim Ziyech from Ajax.
      But there’s one man missing from his dream front line.

      Chelsea want former Manchester United target Haaland to lead the line next season, it’s been claimed.

      He snubbed a move to the Premier League to join the German giants for £17.1m in December.
      Since his arrival, he has proved his potential with a whopping 21 goals in 23 appearances.
      The 6ft 3in striker would be the perfect target man to spearhead Chelsea’s attack.
      He could play as the lone striker ahead of Havertz with Werner and Ziyech out wide.

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      Real Madrid have also been linked with a move for Erling HaalandCredit: AP:Associated Press

      He is believed to have a £63m release clause in his Dortmund contract.
      But Chelsea face competition from Real Madrid for the Norwegian’s signature.
      Zinedine Zidane wants to sign him up as a long-term replacement for Karim Benzema.
      And Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has urged his former club to go all out for Haaland.

      Erling Haaland will be the best striker in the world More

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      Best XI available for FREE in 2021 including Lionel Messi, Mesut Ozil, Paul Pogba… and Prem return for Diego Costa?

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      LIONEL MESSI and Paul Pogba head the list of seriously big names who are now into the final year of their current contracts.
      And that means we could see some incredible free transfers at the end of the season.

      These players are all out of contract come the end of the season so will be available for free

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      Lionel Messi made a dramatic U-turn to see out the final year of his Barcelona contractCredit: AFP or licensors

      Messi threatened to quit Barcelona this summer but decided to honour his deal while Pogba made another ploy to try and manufacture a ‘dream’ move to Real Madrid over the international break.
      But with the likes of Mesut Ozil, Memphis Depay and Sergio Aguero also running down their deals, plenty of clubs will be eyeing up some smart business.
      And could there even be a surprise return to the Premier League in store for Diego Costa?
      SunSport picks out some of the best players available for nothing next summer.

      GK – Gianluigi Donnarumma
      The AC Milan stopper burst on to the scene as a teenager and is still backed to be Italy’s No1 for many years.
      But with just a year to go on his current deal, could he be holding out for one of the European superpowers to come calling?
      RB – Eric Garcia
      OK, yes, his favoured position is at centre-back but for this team he is going to have to move across.
      The Manchester City star revealed he will not be signing a contract extension at the Etihad and is expected to rejoin Barcelona after a summer move fell through.

      CB – Sergio Ramos
      Ramos takes the first centre-back spot as one of the greatest in that position over the last decade.
      Captain now Iker Casillas has gone, penalty taker now Cristiano Ronaldo has gone, the Real Madrid icon may no longer be at his peak aged 34 but is still a fine defender.
      CB – Jerome Boateng
      On paper, Boateng has enjoyed a stellar career with an FA Cup, eight Bundesligas, two Champions Leagues and the World Cup.
      But even then the German still leaves some unconvinced he is in the top bracket – however, you could do worse for a free agent.

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      Sergio Ramos continues to lead by example for Real Madrid with the armband and spot-kick responsibilitiesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Chelsea were the top spenders in the Premier League this summer

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      The percentage of answers have been round up or down from their decimal points
      LB – David Alaba
      Alaba, meanwhile, has proven his quality time and time again – and in many different positions.
      The Bayern Munich star excelled at left-back for years but has since moved into midfield and centre-back, making it look easy – no wonder the giants are battling it out for his signature.
      CM – Paul Pogba
      What more is there to say about Paul Pogba? There is undoubtedly bags of talent – as he showed at the World Cup and at the end of last season.
      But it feels like he has never fully found his best football since returning to Old Trafford for £89million and keeps openly admitting he would consider a transfer – the question is whether he has justified a move to the likes of Real Madrid. Does have a 12-month extension option.
      CM – Georginio Wijnaldum
      A critical part of the Liverpool engine room which delivered European and then league success.
      Ronald Koeman taking over at Barcelona and Thiago’s arrival at Anfield led to speculation of a departure this summer – give it a year and he could well be lining up at the Nou Camp.
      CM – Mesut Ozil
      Arsenal will be counting down the days until they can stop paying Ozil £350,000 per week, or £50,000 a day, or £2,083 an hour, or £34.72 per minute.
      The German signed his lucrative new deal in January 2018 and has done very little for the club since – and absolutely nothing after the lockdown restart, except offer to pay for Gunnersaurus’ wages.

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      Paul Pogba declared it would be a ‘dream’ for him to play for Real Madrid – but whether he has earned the move is debatableCredit: PA:Press Association

      RW – Lionel Messi
      We almost witnessed one of the most spectacular of all transfers this summer when Messi was ready to walk out on Barcelona after nearly 20 years.
      His loyalty to the Catalan giants saw him perform a U-turn so he didn’t take them to court and instead would honour the final year.
      But it would take a remarkable shake-up for the Argentine to sign a new deal.
      And that means the likes of Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain will be plotting their mammoth offers.

      ST – Sergio Aguero
      Aguero is the greatest foreign goalscorer the Premier League has seen, breaking records galore and bagging more than 250 times for City since his arrival in 2011.
      But this season may well be his last if there is no agreement made for the 32-year-old to stay on beyond the summer – and he would not be short of options.
      LW – Memphis Depay
      Remembered by many for his failed spell at Manchester United, Depay reset with Lyon and has proven he is still a top-class talent.
      Like compatriot Wijnaldum, he was close to joining Barcelona in the last window but a deal could not get over the line in time – another impressive campaign in Ligue 1 will ensure the biggest clubs keep an eye out.
      Alternative XI
      Unsurprisingly, there are still a fair few names not getting into that star-studded XI.
      So here is the Alternative XI – and it is still pretty strong with experienced internationals, Premier League kings, a World Cup champion and even a Ballon d’Or winner.

      Another whole team of out-of-contract talented players could make up a second-string XI
      GK – Jack Butland
      Things have gone rather pear-shaped for Butland, England’s youngest senior goalkeeper, with relegation with Stoke, a loss of form and now an outcast – although was linked with Liverpool as back-up to Alisson.
      CB – Willy Boly
      Boly was one of Wolves’ standout players in their first year back in the Premier League and is still a key member of the back three Nuno Espirito Santo has mastered at Molineux.
      CB – Jonny Evans
      At £3m, Leicester bagged a great when they landed the former Man United defender, who played in every league game for the Foxes in 2019-20 – don’t rule out a new deal getting signed.
      CB – Shkodran Mustafi
      Mustafi’s Arsenal career looked all over before Mikel Arteta’s arrival and a strong end to the season.
      But will he be needed next season with William Saliba, Gabriel, Pablo Mari, Rob Holding, Calum Chambers AND Konstantinos Mavropanos?

      Manchester clubs have the worst net spend in the past decade by some distance
      RM – Michail Antonio
      Effective in a multitude of positions – probably none more so than up front – Antonio is proving why he deserves a new contract with the Hammers already this season.
      CM – Luka Modric
      A serial winner for Real Madrid, ended the Ballon d’Or duopoly and took Croatia to the World Cup final.
      But it looks as though Modric’s nine years at the Bernabeu will come to an end following the emergence of Fede Valverde and others.
      CM – Julian Draxler
      The German midfielder’s Paris Saint-Germain career never really took off as many expected following his 2017 arrival from Wolfsburg but aged 27 he will be confident of further success.
      LM – Danny Rose
      England’s No1 left-back for many years saw his career spiral downwards when Jose Mourinho arrived at Spurs and he needs to find a new club while he can still do a job .
      The 30-year-old walks into a fair number of Premier League sides.

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      Jonny Evans and Michail Antonio will both have their eyes on a new contract after excelling at Leicester and West Ham respectivelyCredit: EPA

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      Luka Modric became the first player other than Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to win the Ballon d’Or since Kaka in 2007Credit: AP:Associated Press
      CAM – Angel Di Maria
      Not many players can boast a CV of clubs like Di Maria.
      But now well into his 30s, he will do well to earn another contract at Paris Saint-Germain and will need to be playing to get back into the Argentina fold ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
      ST – Arkadiusz Milik
      He may have already racked up more than 50 Poland appearances but it appears Spurs-target Milik is unwanted at Napoli. Turning 27 in February, he still has plenty to offer.
      ST – Diego Costa
      And last but by no means least is Costa. The fiery front man banged in 59 goals in 120 Chelsea appearances before returning to Atletico Madrid in 2017 – but now faces competition from Luis Suarez.

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      The arrival of Luis Suarez could see Diego Costa leave Atletico Madrid – could a return to the Premier League be on the cards?Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Man Utd star Paul Pogba confirms he’d like Real Madrid transfer ‘one day’ but insists he’s happy at Old Trafford More