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    West Ham failed with measly £1m late loan transfer bid for Bayer Leverkusen defender Odilon Kossounou

    WEST HAM made a low bid for Bayer Leverkusen centre half Odilon Kossounou before the transfer window shut.Hammers moved for the Ivory Coast defender who has fallen out of favour a year after a major move to the Bundesliga.
    West Ham failed in a late loan bid for Odilon KossounouCredit: Getty
    However David Moyes’ money men only came up with £1million in a loan fee.
    Leverkusen wanted more from West Ham and would have been more interested in a guaranteed buy at a big price.
    The 21-year-old defender signed for the Bundesliga side for £20m last summer.
    But he has started just one league game this season.
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    Kossounou played 34 times in total last season, and has been capped 15 times by his country.
    Meanwhile, West Ham will try to tie down Harrison Ashby on a deal after blocking moves to Leeds United and Newcastle.
    Ashby was initially being allowed to go after stalling on new terms.
    But that was stopped when Ben Johnson picked up an injury.
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    Leeds fancied Ashby strongly and are expected to return.
    Although the Newcastle interest could die as it was a replacement for Emil Krafth who is out for the season. More

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    Top 10 most expensive summer transfers with Man Utd leading the way and just two non-Premier League deals

    THE transfer window has closed once again and managers know exactly who they have at their disposal until it all starts over again in January. And it was a record-breaking summer with the Premier League splashing out a whopping £2BILLION on new signings.

    Chelsea were the biggest spenders this summer with new owner Todd Boehly writing cheques totalling £260m to give Thomas Tuchel nine new players.
    But who were the biggest signings of the summer 2022 transfer window?
    1. ANTONY – Ajax to Man Utd – £85.5m
    The transfer saga that rumbled on and on and had more twists and turns than an Agatha Christie classic, Antony finally signed for United on deadline day for a staggering £85.5m.
    Erik ten Hag was desperate to add the Brazilian winger to his attack and paid more than double what United had initially hoped to land him in the biggest transfer ever on deadline day, surpassing Gareth Bale’s record.
    Antony arrived at Old Trafford for £85.5m on deadline dayCredit: Getty
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    2. WESLEY FOFANA – Leicester to Chelsea – £70m
    Another deal that seemed to take an age to get over the line was Wesley Fofana’s switch to Chelsea.
    The Leicester defender went on strike, refused to train and then took a cheeky swipe at Brendan Rodgers after completing his “dream” move to Stamford Bridge.
    The £70m is the initial fee – as with the rest in this list – making him the third most-expensive defender ever after Harry Maguire and Virgil van Dijk but it could rise to £75m in achievable add-ons.
    Wesley Fofana hailed his £70m transfer to Chelsea as a “dream”Credit: Getty
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    3. AURELIEN TCHOUAMENI – Monaco to Real Madrid – £68m
    Aurelien Tchouameni’s move from Monaco to Real Madrid seems like it was done a lifetime ago, such was the frantic nature of the closing stages of the window.
    The European champions identified their target and got the France international in early to integrate him in the squad, where he is hitting the ground running alongside compatriot Eduardo Camavinga.
    Aurelien Tchouameni has already settled into life in the Real Madrid midfieldCredit: Getty
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    4. DARWIN NUNEZ – Benfica to Liverpool – £64m 
    Liverpool were one of several clubs to splash the cash on a new No9 this summer and landed Darwin Nunez from Benfica despite interest from Manchester United.
    He made an immediate impact with goals in the Community Shield and then at Fulham on the opening day before shockingly headbutting Joachim Andersen to earn a three-match suspension.
    Jurgen Klopp will be desperate that is a one-off incident and the Uruguayan converts his hot head into a hot streak.
    Darwin Nunez is hoping for more goals than red cards this season at LiverpoolCredit: Getty
    5. CASEMIRO – Real Madrid to Man Utd – £60m 
    With a deal for Frenkie de Jong failing, Ten Hag knew he needed to bring in another midfielder and made a sudden swoop for the experienced Brazilian midfielder Casemiro.
    The five-time Champions League winner could cost up to £70m and is being paid a staggering £350,000 per week for an initial four years – a huge investment for a 30-year-old who has never played in England.
    Tchouameni’s arrival meant Casemiro was not even a guaranteed starter under Carlo Ancelotti anyway – and the fee essentially covered the cost of the new signing.
    Casemiro adds plenty of trophy-winning experience at UnitedCredit: Getty
    6. ALEXANDER ISAK – Real Sociedad to Newcastle – £60m
    Eddie Howe was determined to add a striker to his Toon squad – and he certainly did that by landing Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad.
    The Sweden international smashed the club record with his £60m move and wasted no time getting to grips with the Premier League by blasting in 38 minutes into his debut at Liverpool.
    Alexander Isak hit the ground running immediately with NewcastleCredit: Getty
    7. MATTHIJS DE LIGT – Juventus to Bayern Munich – £57m
    Matthijs de Ligt was dubbed one of the next generation of elite centre-backs but it did not quite work out for him at Juventus as hoped.
    Bayern Munich were not put off, though, and splashed out big money on the Dutch defender who will likely form a solid partnership with Dayot Upamecano for many years.
    Matthijs de Ligt completed his transfer from Juventus to BayernCredit: EPA
    8. MARC CUCURELLA – Brighton to Chelsea – £55m
    Despite having £50m Ben Chilwell who plays in the same position, Chelsea decided to spend an initial £55m on Marc Cucurella from Brighton.
    The Spanish left wing-back, who can also play in a back three, was also a target for Manchester City but they refused to pay what the Seagulls demanded.
    Among the other new arrivals at Stamford Bridge this summer were Raheem Sterling (£47.5m), Kalidou Koulibaly (£35m) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£12m) on deadline day.
    Eyebrows were raised by the amount Chelsea spent on Marc CucurellaCredit: Getty
    9. ERLING HAALAND – Borussia Dortmund to Man City – £51m
    He may have cost £51m but Erling Haaland is already looking like an absolute bargain with nine goals – including two hat-tricks – in his first five Premier League games.
    City, who Haaland’s dad also played for, won the race for the Norwegian’s signature ahead of some of Europe’s biggest teams after triggering his low release clause at Dortmund.
    Erling Haaland wasted no time in continuing to fire in goal after goal at his new clubCredit: AFP
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    10. RICHARLISON – Everton to Tottenham – £50m 
    Completing the top ten – eight of which are Premier League signings – is the £50m move Richarlison made from Goodison Park to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
    The deal could rise by a further £10m for the Brazil star who has more keepy-uppies than goals and assists combined so far under Antonio Conte after riling Nottingham Forest players and supporters with his cheeky showboating.
    Richarlison swapped Everton for Tottenham for an initial £50mCredit: Getty More

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    Timo Werner scores first-half hat-trick for RB Leipzig to show Chelsea what they’re missing as Blues lose to Southampton

    TIMO WERNER showed Chelsea what they’re missing with a first-half hat-trick for RB Leipzig on Tuesday.The striker was in dangerous form as he led the way in an 8-0 thrashing of minnows Teutonia Ottensen.
    Timo Werner scored a first-half treble for RB Leipzig as Chelsea lost at SouthamptonCredit: EPA
    Chelsea could have used Werner’s help as they lost to SouthamptonCredit: Reuters
    Andre Silva, Emil Forsberg, Christopher Nkunku and Dani Olmo also netted in the first-round German Cup clash.
    But it was Werner who walked off with the match ball, with the ace now on four goals in as many games since his Leipzig return.
    Werner – who also bagged an assist on Tuesday night – rejoined the Bundesliga giants from Chelsea over the summer for £25million.
    That was just two years after the Blues paid £47.5m to sign him from Leipzig in the first place.
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    Werner struggled to light up Stamford Bridge despite winning the Champions League in his first season.
    He ended up with just 10 league goals and 23 in all competitions.
    But Chelsea could have ended up using his finishing in their shock 2-1 defeat at Southampton.
    The toothless Blues were left wanting in the final third as they crashed to a second loss in three games.
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    Werner’s former flop partner Romelu Lukaku was also shipped out by Thomas Tuchel this summer.
    And unless Chelsea can land Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona on deadline day, they may regret letting both go.
    Werner wil get the chance to strut his stuff again in Saturday’s trip to Eintracht Frankfurt.
    Earlier that afternoon, Chelsea face a tough test against rivals West Ham.
    And unless they can bag a few goals, Tuchel is sure end up looking longingly at Werner as he continues to rediscover his old form. More

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    Wolves reach £15m Sasa Kalajdzic transfer agreement with Stuttgart as 25-year-old agrees five-year contract

    WOLVES have reached an agreement to sign Sasa Kalajdzic.Stuttgart have agreed to sell the striker for a fee of £15.3million plus add-ons.
    Sasa Kalajdzic is set to join Wolves from Stuttgart in a £15m dealCredit: Getty
    According to David Ornstein, Kalajdzic will sign a five-year contract with Wolves with an option for an additional year.
    The Austrian has three assists in as many games for Stuttgart this season, and bagged six goals in 15 league games last term despite injuries severely hindering his campaign.
    He stands at a towering 6ft 6in and would likely be the long-term successor of Raul Jimenez, with the departure of Fabio Silva also meaning Wolves have no natural back-up.
    The 25-year-old was linked with Manchester United earlier in the window.
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    Former interim United boss Ralf Rangnick, who is now the Austrian national team coach, warned him off of a move to Old Trafford.
    Rangnick believed the forward would benefit from the stability of another season in the Bundesliga.
    However, Kalajdzic clearly seems to believe his interests ahead of the World Cup would be better served by securing a transfer to Wolves.
    The £15m Wolves will splash on the striker will see their spending climb to approximately £120m.
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    The club secured the permanent signature of Hwang Hee-Chan for roughly £15m earlier in the window, before splashing out on Goncalo Guedes, Nathan Collins and a club record deal for Matheus Nunes.
    In terms of outgoings, Wolves have seen Morgan Gibbs-White depart to Nottingham Forest in a deal which could rise to just shy of £45m, while captain Conor Coady left on loan to Everton. More

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    Man Utd transfer target Yann Sommer has game of his life against Bayern Munich and shatters save record in 1-1 draw

    MANCHESTER UNITED target Yann Sommer played the game of his life as Borussia Monchengladbach grabbed a 1-1 draw at Bayern Munich.The Swiss stopper is on the Red Devils’ radar as a potential competitor for David de Gea’s No1 spot.
    Yann Sommer denies Leroy SaneCredit: AP
    The Swiss ace stops Sadio Mane from close rangeCredit: EPA
    And on yesterday’s evidence it was easy to see why.
    Sommer, 33, smashed the Bundesliga record for most saves made in a single match.
    The experienced goalie denied Bayern an incredible 19 times – the previous record standing at only 14.
    His amazing repertoire of saves included a remarkable double effort against Sadio Mane, as well as a one on one with Leroy Sane.
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    Marcus Thuram gave the visitors the lead against the run of play on the stoke of half time, profiting on a Dayot Upamecano mistake to run through and squeeze a left-footed effort beyond Manuel Neuer.
    Sommer’s heroics preserved his side’s precious lead until the 83rd minute, when Sane was finally able to sweep the ball beyond him following Jamal Musiala’s cutback.
    SunSport revealed that Man United scouts were in attendance at Sommer’s last match against Hertha Berlin a week ago.
    And it’s impossible that they came away unimpressed by the 6ft stopper.
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    Convincing him to join and potentially play second fiddle to De Gea, however, will be difficult – with United looking at a number of alternatives.
    Norwich stalwart Tim Krul has come up as a potential option.
    While the Red Devils were turned down by Eintracht Frankfurt ace Kevin Trapp.
    They have made an offer for Newcastle ace Martin Dubravka, with the 33-year-old reportedly “begging” Toon chiefs to let him go.
    Martin Dubravka wants to join Man UnitedCredit: Getty More

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    Phil Collins’ son Matthew signs for German side Hannover as Brit rock legend’s kid picks football over music

    GERMAN club Hannover hope to hit the high notes… after signing the son of rock legend Phil Collins.Former Genesis frontman Phil, 71, has five kids including 17-year-old Matthew.
    Phil Collins’ son Matthew has joined German side Hannover after impressing at Astoria Walldorf
    Matthew (left) is the son of rock legend Phil and his ex-wife Orianne CeveyCredit: Getty
    The central midfielder, born to Collins’ Swiss ex-wife Orianne Cevey, 48, recently impressed with amateur side Astoria Walldorf.
    Bundesliga stalwarts Hannover, currently in the second division, have now handed Matthew a one-year contract.
    The teenager will be part of the Reds’ youth squad.
    Club coaches will no doubt urge him not to copy his dad’s hit single I Missed Again – and tell him to leap highest if the ball is In The Air Tonight.
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    Not to mention pleading with Matthew to Turn It On Again in the wake of an impressive display.
    Hannover youth coach Achim Sarstedt said: “Matthew isn’t playing for us because he has a famous father.
    “It’s instead because he really stood out in several respects while on trial.”
    Meanwhile club sporting director Marcus Mann labelled Collins Jr as a “good footballer.”
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    Quoted by Focus, Mann remarked: “He’s agile, good at football.
    “Physically he still has to catch up, then he can become a good footballer.”
    Dad Phil has strong links with Hannover, having previously played a dozen concerts in the German city.
    He said a few years ago: “Matt loves music, but loves his football even more. 
    “He is certain he’ll turn professional.
    “The other day he said, ‘Another five years and I’ll be gone’.
    “He also looks at everything, Bundesliga, French league, everything.” More

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    Chelsea make contact with Edmond Tapsoba after Wesley Fofana frustration but Leverkusen could demand £60million

    CHELSEA are ready to switch their attention to Edmond Tapsoba after failing to agree a deal for Wesley Fofana.The Bayer Leverkusen centre-back is seen as an alternative to the Frenchman with Leicester refusing to budge on their £85million valuation.
    Edmond Tapsoba of Bayer Leverkusen is wanted by ChelseaCredit: Getty
    Wesley Fofana is frustrated at Leicester’s stanceCredit: Getty
    Initial enquires regarding Tapsoba have been made by the Blues but no concrete negotiations have taken place.
    Tapsoba has another four years left on his contract at the Bundesliga club so £60million may have to be paid for his services.
    The Burkina Faso international arrived at Leverkusen in 2020 from Portuguese outfit Vitoria.
    He has since established himself as a regular first-team player featuring in 29 games last season.
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    The 23-year-old is reportedly Chelsea’s first choice other option after seeing three bids rejected for Fofana.
    Thomas Tuchel’s side tabled £70million but after it was turned down by the Foxes and they have withdrawn from any potential deal.
    Fofana saw the move to Stamford Bridge as a ‘dream’ and he has been left out the last two Leicester matchday squads.
    The 21-year-old has also been forced to train with the Under-23s for not turning up to training to try to push through the transfer.
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    Due to the financial backing provided by new owner Todd Boehly, Chelsea have been splashing the cash this summer.
    The Premier League’s biggest spenders have already signed Marc Cucurella and Raheem Sterling, both for more than £50million.
    And after missing out on Jules Kounde to Barcelona, Tuchel remains desperate to add defensive reinforcements especially after losing Antonio Rudiger to Real Madrid. More

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    Man Utd target Kevin Trapp opens up about ‘nice’ transfer rumours with keeper ‘given assurances over playing time’

    MANCHESTER UNITED target Kevin Trapp has opened up on the rumours linking him with Old Trafford.The Red Devils’ interest in Trapp emerged yesterday as Erik ten Hag seeks to recruit competition for David de Gea.
    Kevin Trapp, left, appeared at the SportBild Awards alongside manager Oliver GlasnerCredit: Getty
    Asked about United’s interest at the SportBild Awards show last night, the Eintracht Frankfurt keeper remained coy – refusing to rule anything out.
    Trapp, who originally left the Bundesliga side for PSG in 2015 before later returning, said: “As I said during my first spell at Frankfurt, it’s always nice when rumours like this come out.
    “It’s a nice acknowledgement. But I can’t say anything about it.”
    Doubts have been raised whether Trapp, a six-cap German international, would risk leaving Frankfurt to play second fiddle at United in the months leading up to the World Cup.
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    But German outlet Kicker claim that the 32-year-old has been guaranteed game time and a four-year contract should he move to Old Trafford.
    They add that Trapp would be guaranteed to start Europa League and Carabao Cup matches – and would be given a genuine chance to claim De Gea’s No1 spot.
    Some figures within Old Trafford see De Gea as a weak link, particularly after his blunders during the 4-0 defeat at Brentford.
    It has also been questioned whether the Spaniard has the passing ability required to play in Erik ten Hag’s preferred system.
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    Dean Henderson briefly grabbed De Gea’s spot as United’s No1 during the 2020-21 season, starting ten of his side’s last 12 Prem matches.
    But after suffering from Covid during the following pre-season, Henderson lost his place and was handed just three appearances in all competitions last term.
    The one-cap England international grew desperate to leave United, hopping at the chance to join Nottingham Forest on loan.
    Tom Heaton has been the Red Devils’ sub keeper for their opening three matches of the season, although would drop back down to third choice should Trapp arrive.
    Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner revealed that he is desperate to keep his goalkeeper beyond the transfer deadline… but admitted it’s not up to him.
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    He said: “From a sporting point of view, I would of course like to keep such a great goalkeeper and person.
    “He is a great role model and always one of the first to arrive at training. But I’m not the final decision-maker.”
    David de Gea’s place could come under threatCredit: Rex More