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    Man Utd to make Dayot Upamecano transfer move and can steal RB Leipzig defender for just £38m due to release clause

    MANCHESTER UNITED will reportedly look to activate the release clause of RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano next summer.
    The 22-year-old was heavily linked with a switch to Old Trafford during the latest transfer window, but he instead signed a new deal with the Bundesliga side.

    RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano is a target for Manchester United next year

    SunSport reported earlier this month how the Red Devils were still keen on luring the centre-back away from Germany.

    And now the Times claim United will look to bring Upamecano to England at the end of the season.
    It’s reported that he has a release clause of around £38million that will become active next summer.
    While £38m appears relatively cheap for a top centre-back, United could have signed the France international for just £700,000 from Valenciennes in 2015, but refused to offer more than £500k.

    SEE HIM UPA CLOSE
    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is understood to be desperate for a new defender to partner Harry Maguire after deciding Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly cannot be trusted.
    The Norwegian revealed this week he is looking forward to seeing Upamecano in action with the player set to feature against United in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
    Speaking ahead of the game with RB Leipzig, 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.”
    United are believed to face competition from Liverpool in the race to secure Upamecano’s services.
    With Virgil van Dijk out with a knee injury, rumours have circulated that Reds boss Jurgen Klopp could turn to the former Red Bull Salzburg star.

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    Leon Goretzka’s arms so big they RIPPED Bayern Munich shirt in Lokomotiv Moscow game after amazing body transformation

    BAYERN MUNICH midfielder Leon Goretzka’s arms are so big they ripped through his shirt last night.
    Pictures from Bayern’s Champions League victory at Lokomotiv Moscow show the muscle-bound star with a torn sleeve as he celebrated scoring the opener after 13 minutes.

    Leon Goretzka ripped his shirt during Bayern’s win at Lokomotiv MoscowCredit: EPA

    The German used lockdown to get hench

    The Bavarians went on to win 2-1 in Russia to stay top of Group A.
    But attention was on Goretzka after the images surfaced online.
    The German was famously slender but used lockdown to transform his body.

    And fans are still fixated on the 25-year-old’s physique months down the line.
    After Goretzka put his side 1-0 up in Moscow, pictures showed him celebrating with his team-mates with a huge rip along the seam of his shirt by his left tricep.
    And the images sent Twitter into meltdown.
    Liam wrote: “Leon Goretzka’s triceps are so immense his shirt can no longer contain them.”

    Tombo quipped: “Goretzka is too strong for his shirt now.”

    Goretzka is hulking. Mans has a ripped shirt in the first 15 mins.
    — Mr.Barnez (@JackBarnez) October 27, 2020

    And Mr Barnez joked: “Goretzka is hulking. Mans has a ripped shirt in the first 15 mins.”
    Patrik added: “Is Goretzka seriously so ripped that he has torn his shirt sleeve at the seam?”
    And Aaron wrote: “Did Leon Goretzka flex out of his shirt lmao.”
    Elsewhere, yesterday SunSport exclusively revealed Tariq Lamptey will be offered a new Brighton contract to ward off interest from Bayern.

    Did Leon Goretzka flex out of his shirt lmaaaaooooooo
    — Aaron West (@oeste) October 27, 2020

    Is Goretzka seriously so ripped that he has torn his shirt sleeve at the seam?
    — Patrik, Not a Man of Mystery (@ShutUpPatrik) October 27, 2020

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

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

    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.”

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

    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

    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.

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

    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.”

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

    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

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    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.

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

    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