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    Arsenal and Man Utd dealt transfer blow as ‘Bayern Munich enter race for top target Declan Rice’

    ARSENAL and Manchester United have been dealt a blow with Bayern Munich reportedly entering the race for Declan Rice.The West Ham captain, 24, could leave the London Stadium this summer.
    Declan Rice is a reported transfer target for Bayern MunichCredit: PA
    The Gunners and the Red Devils have been long-term admirers of Rice, with the Emirates side once the favourites to land him in a club-record transfer.
    However, it is understood Thomas Tuchel is weighing up a move for the Hammers ace.
    Bild state Tuchel and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic are working on a plan to overhaul the Bayern squad this summer.
    And they identified Rice as a suitable option in holding midfield.
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    He would be a like-for-like replacement for experienced star Joshua Kimmich, who has been linked with a transfer to Barcelona.
    Tuchel came up against Rice during his time as Chelsea boss and believes he has the quality to slot into the Bavarians’ team chasing the Champions League trophy.
    And a possible transfer could see England’s first-choice midfield pairing of Rice and Jude Bellingham both playing in the Bundesliga – although the latter may head to Real Madrid or Manchester City.
    However, the report adds the transfer fee could prove a sticking point for Bayern.
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    West Ham continue to demand £100million for their academy graduate, despite his current contract expiring in 2024.
    Bayern’s record transfer fee is the £68m they paid for Lucas Hernandez.
    And that could prove a boost for the Premier League sides still keen on landing Rice, especially if they can offer Champions League football.
    Hammers boss David Moyes admitted last week there is a “good chance” his influential skipper could leave the club at the end of this season – with James Ward-Prowse lined up as a possible replacement.
    Moyes said: “We would love Declan to be a West Ham player but we are aware that may not be the case come the end of the season.
    “That is one of the scenarios when it comes to planning.
    “There are plans that we have Dec here but we are fully aware that there is a good chance we won’t have him.” More

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    Barcelona want Kimmich from Bayern Munich in stunning summer transfer – and German is open to move

    BARCELONA are tipped to launch a shock move for unhappy Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich. The German national team captain, 28, was said to be upset at Bayern sacking Julian Nagelsmann in March.
    LaLiga champs Barca could be poised for an amazing swoop on Joshua KimmichCredit: Getty
    Bayern currently sit atop the Bundesliga table with two games to go, leading long-time rivals Borussia Dortmund by a point, but face third-placed RB Leipzig in their penultimate game.
    Following Nagelsmann’s departure, Kimmich experienced a tense situation and divided atmosphere inside the dressing room, with many players in the dark on the sudden dismissal.
    And he is reportedly excited by the Barcelona project after their success this season under former star Xavi.
    Kimmich could fit perfectly into the role vacated by Sergio Busquets, who has announced he is leaving the club, and is a cheaper option than Martin Zubimendi.
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    The Real Sociedad star, 24, has four years left on his deal with a £51.5m release clause.
    He is also likely to attract a bidding war in the transfer market, with Arsenal and Manchester United reportedly among his admirers.
    Xavi believes Kimmich “would be perfect for Barca” with the German calling Xavi his role model.
    The 2010 World Cup winner was introduced to Kimmich by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, who said: “I have a player who can literally play in any position.”
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    Kimmich has spent eight seasons with Bayern after joining from RB Leipzig in 2015, winning seven Bundesliga titles, three German cups and a Champions League, including the historic sextuple in 2020. 
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    He has featured 45 times in all competitions this season, scoring seven and assisting 11.
    Should he move to the Camp Nou he would rejoin his former teammate Robert Lewandowski, who made the switch last summer, and fellow countryman Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.
    The Polish striker has netted 21 goals in La Liga this season taking Barcelona to the title as the top scorer in the league with the German shot-stopper holding the most clean sheets.
    Barcelona are also linked with signing Athletic Club centre back Inigo Martinez at the request of Xavi and could also pull off an emotional return for club legend Lionel Messi from PSG. More

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    Man Utd ‘chasing Sadio Mane’ in shock summer transfer but face competition from top four rivals

    MANCHESTER UNITED are in the hunt to sign Sadio Mane this summer but face competition from Newcastle, according to reports.The ex-Liverpool winger is expected to leave Bayern Munich after just one season with the club.
    Sadio Mane could secure a move back to the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
    Sky Sports in Germany claim they want to get rid of him after a troubled campaign.
    The Senegalese international punched team-mate Leroy Sane after a Champions League tie versus Manchester City.
    Mane was suspended and fined a reported £250,000.
    He earns a supposed £17.4million per year, meaning many sides are likely to be priced out.
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    Man Utd would be able to afford him and are interested as he would be able to add versatility and experience to the attack.
    Mane wanted a move to the Red Devils prior to signing for Liverpool in 2016.
    Meanwhile, Newcastle are in for the 31-year-old as Eddie Howe looks to bolster his attacking options with European football on the horizon.
    Chelsea were also reportedly keeping an eye on Mane’s situation but already have a bloated squad with plenty of wingers.
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    A switch back to Anfield appears unlikely after Jurgen Klopp signed the likes of Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez since his departure.
    Outside the Premier League, the Champions League winner could head to Barcelona but would need to take a pay cut as the club battle ongoing financial constraints.
    Teams from Saudi Arabia could also be keen as they look to add more high-profile players to their league. More

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    Newcastle ‘target surprise move for RB Leipzig star’ who would shatter their transfer record

    NEWCASTLE are reportedly going all in for RB Leipzig star Dominik Szoboszlai – but he could demand a fee that would break their transfer record. The Magpies are looking to strengthen in the summer with European football now guaranteed at St James’ Park next season.
    Dominik Szoboszlai has five goals and eight assists in 29 Bundesliga games so far this seasonCredit: Getty
    Backed by their rich owners, it appears the sky is the limit for the club as they head into the transfer window.
    And Sky Sports Germany report one of their major targets is RB Leipzig attacker Szoboszlai, who the club have been monitoring.
    The Hungarian’s profile has grown since his 2021 move to the Red Bull Arena and at 22 years of age he has space to grow.
    But attracting the star to the north-east of England could prove expensive due to his release clause.
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    Newcastle could have to offer 70m euros – around £60m – to force Leipzig into accepting their bid.
    This fee could edge out the amount they paid for Alexander Isak last summer which is their current club record.
    Szoboszlai’s contract runs until 2026 which will allow Leipzig some space to negotiate – but the report adds that the German club are willing to “lower the thumb” to find a fee.
    The winger is believed to want to play for a club in the Champions League.
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    Newcastle sit third and need six more points to guarantee passage into Europe’s top tier competition.
    While RB Leipzig’s late victory over Werder Bremen on the weekend – which saw Szoboszlai snatch a stoppage-time winner – leaves his side needing just a single win from their last two. More

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    Watch ex-West Ham star score ‘insane goal of the season’ with cheeky backheel as Dortmund keep up title hopes

    FORMER West Ham star Sebastien Haller scored a goal of the season contender as Borussia Dortmund kept their title hopes alive.Edin Terzic’s side smashed Borussia Monchengladbach 5-2 to remain one point behind Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga.

    Sebastien Haller scored with a smart backheelCredit: Rex
    Dortmund remain in the hunt to win the BundesligaCredit: Rex
    Haller netted twice as Dortmund raced in a 4-0 lead before half-time.
    His first strike was the pick of the goals as he cheekily flicked the ball in with a back heel.
    Donyell Malen worked it well down the right and slid the ball across the box for the Ivorian striker to improvise with his finish.
    Fans labelled the goal as “insane” and “filthy”.
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    It was his seventh goal of the season in his 20th appearance.
    Haller signed for Dortmund from Ajax last summer and was ruled out for half of the campaign as he fought testicular cancer.
    He has made a sensational and emotional comeback since.
    The 28-year-old’s club even made a change to the pitch for one game to raise awareness of his battle.
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    Haller is formally of West Ham, having played for the club 54 times after arriving for a then club record fee of £45million.
    He scored 15 goals for the Hammers, including a spectacular acrobatic effort versus Crystal Palace.
    Haller will aim to complete his incredible return to action by lifting the Bundesliga title but Dortmund have just two games to leapfrog Bayern. More

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    Fans convinced Jude Bellingham has dropped major hint over transfer as they ‘read his lips’ during celebration

    FANS are convinced that Jude Bellingham dropped a major hint over his future in a goal celebration. The Borussia Dortmund star netted twice in his team’s 6-0 hammering of Wolfsburg on Sunday.
    Jude Bellingham said something during his celebration, sending fans into a frenzyCredit: BVB TV
    Bellingham passionately celebrated punching the air as he mimicked people talking in his ear.
    Fans have read his lips as he shouted and they are convinced he said: “F*** the talk, I’m staying.”
    However, some believe he didn’t say that and was in fact swearing at Bayern Munich fans after he received criticism from them.
    The 19-year-old midfielder, who is under contract until 2025, has been heavily linked with a transfer away from Dortmund this summer.
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    Manchester United, Manchester City and Real Madrid are all in the race to sign him after Liverpool pulled out.
    Bellingham has supposedly agreed personal terms with the LaLiga club after they reportedly offered him a £12million-a-year deal.
    Despite Real Madrid leading the race, they are yet to agree a fee with Dortmund.
    They are supposedly demanding £124million, which is more than Carlo Ancelotti’s men are ready to spend.
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    Dortmund are chasing down Bayern at the top of the Bundesliga and sit one point behind them with two games to go.
    Despite the title race and transfer saga, Bellingham found time to head back home to Birmingham to watch his former side and brother Jobe play and he was mobbed by fans on his way out the ground. More

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    Jude Bellingham mobbed by fans as Man Utd and Man City transfer target shows up at English football stadium

    JUDE BELLINGHAM was mobbed by fans after he turned up at St Andrew’s to watch his former club Birmingham City.The Blues faced Sheffield United on the final day of the Championship season and lost 2-1.
    Jude Bellingham was swarmed by Birmingham fans outside St Andrew’sCredit: Twitter
    Jude Bellingham has been linked with a host of top clubsCredit: Getty
    Bellingham, who came through the ranks at Birmingham, was in attendance to watch younger brother Jobe play.
    Fans patiently waited two hours for Bellingham to appear outside the ground after the game.
    And the player was spotted greeting supporters and posing for photos as people swarmed him.
    The 19-year-old midfielder has been heavily linked with a move away from Borussia Dortmund this summer.
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    Manchester United and Manchester City are interested but Real Madrid are supposedly leading the race.
    The LaLiga giants have reportedly offered him a £12million-a-year deal.
    However, Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid are yet to agree a fee and they are demanding £124million.
    Liverpool were keen on the England star but have pulled out of the transfer race.
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    Bellingham is leading his side’s title push after scoring twice in a 6-0 demolition of Wolfsburg just the day before he returned home to Birmingham.
    Dortmund sit one point behind Bayern Munich with two games remaining. More

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

    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 in 2020.
    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
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    25 AZADI STADIUM
    Home team: Iran national team
    Capacity: 78,116
    Location: Tehran, Iran
    Azadi StadiumCredit: Getty More