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      West Ham star Tomas Soucek ‘lined up for free transfer’ by Champions League giants as Hammers face dilemma

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      WEST HAM star Tomas Soucek is being lined up by Italian giants Inter Milan ahead of a possible free transfer at the end of the season, according to reports in Italy.The Czech midfielder’s contract expires in June 2024 but West Ham do have an option to extend it by another year.
      Soucek has undergone a positive start to the seasonCredit: Rex
      Corriere dello Sport report that West Ham will not activate the clause should Soucek make it clear that he wants to leave and that could see him join Inter on a free.
      The Milan club have been active in the free agency market in recent years, bringing in Marcus Thuram, Davy Klaasen and Juan Cuadrado as free agents this summer.
      In the past they have also brought in the likes of Hakan Calhanoglu, Andre Onana and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
      Inter manager Simone Inzaghi is keen to add some steel to the Inter midfield and Soucek fits the bill as a player that can not only provide solidity but score goals too.
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      The Czech Republic international has four goals and one assist in his 10 games for West Ham so far this season in all competitions.
      The midfielder has also scored in The Hammers’ last two games against Sheffield United and Newcastle.
      Soucek has undergone a revival this season after The Hammers lost Declan Rice to Arsenal in a £100million deal.
      The absence of Rice has allowed Soucek to get forward again and return a similar amount of goals as he last did in the 2020/21 season.
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      Since joining West Ham in January 2020, Soucek has made 165 appearances for West Ham, scoring 26 goals and becoming a fans’ favourite at The London Stadium.
      Inter have won the Coppa Italia and Italian Super Cup in Inzaghi’s two seasons in charge – as well as reaching last year’s Champions League final which they lost to Manchester City.
      Their quest for their first Scudetto since Antonio Conte led them to victory in 2021 got off to the perfect start, with the club winning their opening five games.
      But they have won just one of their three games since then and go into the international break off the back of a disappointing 2-2 draw at home to Bologna. More

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      Meet Marialuisa Jacobelli, the Kim Kardashian lookalike sports presenter who was given World Cup winner’s shirt

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      MARIALUISA JACOBELLI has become a huge hit as sports presenter – but could wouldn’t do bad as a Kim Kardashian lookalike.The Italian journalist has caught the eye this season with fans swooning over her resemblance to the queen of reality TV.
      Marialuisa Jacobelli shares a striking resemblance to Kim KardashianCredit: Instagram @marialuisajacobelli_
      She has been compared to reality star Kardashian in the pastCredit: Getty
      The Italian is a journalist and TV presenterCredit: Instagram @marialuisajacobelli_
      Marialuisa is best known for her presenting work on Sportmediaset in her native Italy.
      However, she also regularly stuns her 3.4million Instagram followers with snaps from her life and career.
      When she is not sharing content from her presenting work and visits to stadiums, Marialuisa can be seen relaxing on the beach in a bikini.
      Her recent travels have seen her share posts from trips to Monaco, Rome and Milan.
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      She was on presenting duties last week, though, as she provided coverage from Inter Milan’s Champions League win over Benfica.
      The 31-year-old uploaded several snaps from the San Siro after the match as she stunned pitchside in a skintight black top and bejewelled jeans.
      Her long black hair enhanced her resemblance to Kardashian, with fans flooding the comments section.
      One follower commented: “Looking more beautiful than ever.”
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      She was given Benjamin Pavard’s shirt after Inter Milan’s win over BenficaCredit: Instagram @marialuisajacobelli_
      Marialuisa was recently gifted a World Cup winner’s shirtCredit: Instagram @marialuisajacobelli_
      Marialuisa has 3.4million Instagram followersCredit: Instagram @marialuisajacobelli_
      Another added: “Such a beautiful woman.”
      A third fan also wrote: “You are the best of the best.”
      Meanwhile, one more simply said: “Wow! Wow! Wow!”
      Marialuisa was also gifted Benjamin Pavard’s shirt after the match by the World Cup winner.
      Pavard was caught on camera pointing to the presenter and throwing her his match worn jersey as he headed down the tunnel.
      She could be seen smiling and holding the shirt up to the camera after catching it.
      The French defender played six of his country’s matches as they won the World Cup in Russia in 2018, scoring the goal of the tournament in the round of 16 against Argentina.
      He joined Inter from Bayern Munich this summer and has since made six appearances across all competitions.

      The 31-year-old presenter is best known for her work with SportmediasetCredit: Instagram @marialuisajacobelli_
      Marialuisa presents coverage of the Champions League on Italian TVCredit: Instagram @marialuisajacobelli_
      Her recent travels have seen her visit Monaco, Rome and MilanCredit: Instagram @marialuisajacobelli_ More

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      Man Utd fan rushed to hospital with horror injuries and ‘lucky to be alive’ after rival ‘attacks him over tattoo’

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      A MANCHESTER UNITED fan has been left with horror injuries after being attacked during a family holiday in Turkey.Kian Hoey, 19, was punched in Marmaris after going for drinks with friends.
      Kian Hoey was rushed to hospital with horror injuries after being attacked in TurkeyCredit: Kennedy Newsand Media
      The Manchester United fan has said he is ‘lucky to be alive’Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media
      The nuclear power plant security worker had been at a bar on October 3 to watch United’s Champions League defeat to Galatasaray.
      Kian, who was not wearing a United shirt. then walked home with his pals along the marina.
      It was then that he and his friends were approached by a group of seven men and started to speak about the match.
      He says that one of the men spotted his United tattoo before he was approached from behind and punched.
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      The punch was so hard that Kian broke his jaw on both sides and suffered cracked teeth.
      Photos from after the attack show Kian in hospital on October 5 after undergoing five-and-a-half-hour surgery to fix his jaw.
      His jaw will now be wired shut for a month whilst it heals.
      Meanwhile, his friends suffered cuts and bruises in the attack.
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      Kian believes he was attacked due to his United tattooCredit: Kennedy Newsand Media
      Kian was taken to hospital after a hotel doctor checked him overCredit: Kennedy Newsand Media
      The 19-year-old was left with a broken jaw on both sides and shattered teethCredit: Kennedy Newsand Media
      Kian, from Egremont, Cumbria, said: “In the moment I was more shocked than anything when I could feel my jaw was broken.
      “The group attacked me and my two best mates when we were walking home from the bar.
      “There was no provocation for the attack as none of us had Manchester United shirts on but they must’ve overheard us talking about the game and understood that we were fans.
      “I remember talking to them about the game and even saying ‘it was a good game you were the better side’ but as we were walking away we were attacked from behind.
      “I believe I’m lucky I didn’t go down from the punch or I wouldn’t be here right now.
      “With the tattoo being on my calf I feel like when I was walking away they saw it and got a better understanding that I was definitely a Manchester United fan.
      “I feel quite good now, it’s a few days after [the attack] and I’ve come to terms with what happened.”
      Following the attack, Kian was found by his mum in his hotel room after texting her what had happened.
      Kian underwent five-and-a-half-hour surgery in hospitalCredit: Kennedy Newsand Media
      The nuclear power plant security worker will have his jaw wired shut for four weeks to allow it to healCredit: Kennedy Newsand Media
      He was covered in blood, with the hotel doctor checking him over before sending the teenager to hospital.
      Brenda Hoey explained: “When I received that text saying they had been jumped I felt physically sick.
      “When we saw him in the hotel room after the attack there was blood all over him, on the bedsheets and all over the towels in the bathroom. The attack has scared him, it could have been a lot worse.
      “I could have been coming home without a son and when I got the text message [about the jumping] I thought the worst. If he had fallen to the ground it could have killed him.”
      Kian spent four days in hospital before being discharged on October 9.
      He finally flew home from Turkey on Wednesday with his dad.
      The attack has been reported to local police, with an investigation into the incident being opened.
      Kian’s insurance has paid out £4,200 to cover the cost of his hospital bills and operation.
      Kian was not wearing a United shirt at the time of the attackCredit: Kennedy Newsand Media
      His father stayed with him in Turkey and the pair flew home on WednesdayCredit: Kennedy Newsand Media
      Kian’s insurance has paid out £4,200 to cover his hospital bills and operationCredit: Kennedy Newsand Media
      However, a GoFundMe page has also been launched to cover the flights home and other costs.
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      A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman said: “We are in contact with the local authorities about a British man who was hospitalised in Turkey.”
      The Turkish Police have yet to provide a comment on the attack. More

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      Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup bid facing 11th-hour rival with FOUR nations join forces to avoid another winter tourney

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      SAUDI ARABIA’s smooth procession to being awarded the 2034 World Cup could be hit by an Australian-led roadblock.Fifa chief Gianni Infantino loaded the contest in the Saudis’ favour by giving an October 31 deadline for bids — with government sign-off.
      FIFA President Gianni Infantino has paved the way for Prince Mohammed bin Salman to land the World Cup for Saudi ArabiaCredit: AP
      But a joint bid from Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore could change thingsCredit: Getty
      But Indonesian FA boss Erick Thohir, who is also a minister, has announced: “We are discussing a bid with Australia.
      “Both Malaysia and Singapore expressed interest in joining us.”
      Meanwhile, words have been exchanged between the two bodies representing clubs across Europe.
      Lokomotiva Zagreb executive Dennis Gudasic is one of six board members of the Union of European Clubs launched in April to rival the powerful European Club Association.
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      Gudasic has accused the ECA of being undemocratic and blamed it for the failed Super League project.
      He said in Brussels: “ECA claims to be for all but won’t allow all clubs to join or vote.
      “ECA was born out of the G-14 clubs that tried to break European football 25 years ago, the same clubs that parented the Super League. Super League is in ECA’s DNA and it is now trying to hijack the Champions League from Uefa.”
      The UEC, now 120-strong, aims to speak for the 1,400 medium to small clubs in Europe, many of whom are part of the 450-plus clubs aligned to the ECA.
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      It is thought to be funded by LaLiga boss Javier Tebas — one of the speakers in Brussels.
      ECA now has sole recognition to represent clubs from both Uefa and Fifa, and board member and Celtic boss Peter Lawwell said: “UEC is more PR than any substance.
      “From what we are picking up among Scottish clubs, they are not making up any traction.”
      Crystal Palace chairman Steve ­Parish, coincidentally, has launched an assault on Uefa.
      The Eagles chief said: “I’ve looked at Uefa’s mission statement.
      “I can’t find anywhere that it says the mission is to grow the biggest and best football tournament across Europe, garner the most media money and give it to as few clubs as possible.”
      Parish also fears next season’s expansion of the Champions League will be the thin end of a wedge that will eventually force the Premier League to be cut from its current 20 clubs to 18.
      He added: “This will affect every league with 20 clubs.
      “This is the moat we’ve tried to protect.
      “It feels like there’s an intent from Fifa and Uefa to create more competitions that reduce that and we have been disenfranchised from the debate.”
      Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has slammed UEFACredit: PA
      And finally, the Olympic obsession with ‘youth’ and ‘urban’ sports appears to have ended.
      Breakdancing has been dropped from the Los Angeles Games in 2028 — BEFORE it has made its bow in Paris next year.
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      Instead, T20 cricket and flag football are in, along with top stars from squash.
      Meanwhile, the first Team GB news for Paris was released with the naming of our ten sailors who will compete at Marseille. More

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      Eleven wonderkids set to tear up Euro 2028 including Man Utd ace and Barca history-maker as UK & Ireland to host

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      WITH the UK and Ireland CONFIRMED to be hosting Euro 2028 today, it’s time to look ahead to what the tournament could look like when it rolls around in five years.Here’s a list of 11 of the hottest prospects that could be lighting up the likes of Wembley and the Principality Stadium by the time the tournament comes around.
      A look at the youngsters that could flourish at the EurosCredit: SunSport
      Mathys Tel, 18, France
      After Harry Kane’s £100million move to Bayern it’s natural that the England captain grabs the bulk of game time and media attention in Munich.
      But in Mathys Tel, he has a more than capable back-up and eventual successor waiting in the wings.
      Tel has made 11 appearances this season and despite starting just two of these, has racked up six goals and one assist in his 310 minutes of football.
      In Mathys Tel, Bayern look to have their Harry Kane successor sorted alreadyCredit: Getty
      Evan Ferguson, 18, Ireland
      One of the host nations, Ireland will be hoping that 18-year-old Evan Ferguson will be in the prime of his career by the time Euro 2028 rolls around.
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      Trying to put an estimate on his ceiling right now feels impossible, with the striker undergoing another impressive start in his sophomore year in the Premier League.
      His four goals in eight league games so far have seen the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United put on alert for a transfer fee of at least £100m.
      Evan Ferguson has Europe’s top clubs fighting over his signatureCredit: Sportsfile
      Arda Guler, 18, Turkey
      Guler had Barcelona and Real Madrid fighting to sign him this summer – with Madrid eventually winning out with a presentation to his family outlining how he would be a jewel in the team’s crown for years to come alongside Jude Bellingham.
      The wonderkid was then unveiled as a Madrid player by Florentino Perez in a lavish ceremony that saw him wipe away his mother’s tears of pride at her son’s move.
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      Unfortunately for the attacking midfielder, he suffered an injury to his meniscus in pre-season, meaning he is still yet to make an appearance for Los Blancos.
      When Spain’s two biggest clubs are falling over themselves to sign you, it’s safe to say you’ve done something rightCredit: Getty
      Lamine Yamal, 16, Spain
      Yes you read that right, Lamine Yamal is just 16 years old – and yet, he’s already a first-team regular for Barcelona and the national side.
      Yamal holds the record bot for the youngest player ever to score in LaLiga (16 years, 87 days) and the youngest ever player to both play and score for Spain (16 years, 57 days).
      Such is his increasingly vital role in the national team, he was seen limping through Barcelona airport to join up with Spain despite visibly carrying an injury.
      Lamine Yamal is Spain’s youngest ever goalscorerCredit: Getty
      Rico Lewis, 18, England
      After his starring role at Leipzig in the Champions League last week Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola described Lewis as “one of the best I’ve trained, by far.”
      Lewis broke into the City team last season as a full-back but Pep has now pushed him into midfield after being impressed by his performances in training.
      Lewis has only played twice for England’s under-21 side but it feels like a matter of time before he breaks into Gareth Southgate’s side.
      Lewis’ performance in the Champions League blew Pep awayCredit: Getty
      Warren Zaire-Emery, 17, France
      Zaire-Emery reflects PSG’s new club vision of moving away from superstars and towards homegrown stars.
      The Paris born-and-bred lad has already made himself a fan favourite by leading the Paris ultras with chants after victories.
      Zaire-Emery has made 10 appearances this season, starting in 88 per cent of those matches.
      Zaire-Emery is a regular at just 17 years oldCredit: Getty
      Kobbie Mainoo, 18, England
      United’s deal for Sofyan Amrabat was held up by the impressive performances of Kobbie Mainoo in pre-season.
      The midfielder was having another great game in a friendly with Real Madrid before damaging his ankle ligaments and subsequently missing the start of the 2023-24 season.
      But the Old Trafford faithful are eagerly anticipating the return of a player they believe could play a key first-team role by the end of the season with Mainoo now on the cusp of a return.
      United fans are eagerly anticipating Mainoo’s returnCredit: Getty
      Youssoufa Moukoko, 18, Germany
      The Cameroon born German international broke into Dortmund’s first-team last year and immediately put Europe’s top clubs on alert.
      But despite scoring seven and assisting four times in 26 Bundesliga appearances last season he now finds himself down the pecking order at Dortmund.
      Chelsea, Real Madrid, Liverpool and RB Leipzig all showed interest in the forward last season but a loan to FC Koln or Werder Bremen this year looks more likely as he looks for first team minutes.
      Moukoko’s progress has stalled slightly this seasonCredit: Getty
      Ben Doak, 17, Scotland
      At just 17, Ben Doak has already made eight appearances for Liverpool.
      The tricky winger has impressed in his brief cameos in a Liverpool shirt and manager Jurgen Klopp described his performance against Leicester in pre-season as “special”
      Doak could be a star of Scotland’s futureCredit: Willie Vass
      Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, 19, England
      Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens has been tipped as the club’s ‘next Bellingham’ as he looks to emulate the Madrid midfielder’s rise to the top of the game.
      He’s already played three times in the Bundesliga and twice in the Champions League for the yellow submarine and looks set to nail down a regular place in the team by the end of the 2023-24 season.
      Bynoe-Gittens recently signed a new contract at Dortmund extending his stay to 2027Credit: Getty
      Francesco Camarda, 15, Italy
      At 15, Camarda is far less experienced than the rest of the wonderkids on this list – but he’s still tipped for greatness.
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      In AC Milan’s academy, he is said to have hit an unfathomable 483 goals in just 86 matches before the age of 13.
      Both Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund have looked to prise the young Italian away from Milanello according to reports.
      Camarda reportedly had a record of 5.6 goals a gameCredit: Getty More

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      Ex-Chelsea boss Graham Potter ‘lined up for Champions League manager’s job’ after rejecting TWO huge roles

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      GRAHAM POTTER is being lined up by Napoli if they decide to axe Rudi Garcia, according to reports.The former Brighton and Chelsea boss has been out of work since he was sacked by the Blues in April.
      Graham Potter is being eyed up by NapoliCredit: PA
      Pressure is mounting on Rudi Garcia in NaplesCredit: Getty
      Potter has already turned down approaches from Rangers and Lyon, with him in no rush to return to the dugout.
      It is believed he is waiting for a club that suits him and it remains to be seen whether he will be tempted by Napoli.
      They won the Serie A last season for the first time in 33 years under the guidance of Luciano Spalletti.
      He since resigned and took over the Italian national team.
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      Napoli replaced Spalletti with Rudi Garcia, who has had a mixed start to life with the champions.
      They currently sit fifth in the league, already seven points behind AC Milan at the top and they are second in their Champions League group.
      And outlet Foot Mercato claim that pressure is mounting on Garcia with some of his own players expressing concerns about him.
      Potter could be set to battle fellow ex-Chelsea boss Antonio Conte for the job with Sky Italy reporting that he is a leading candidate.
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      Conte has been out of work since his bombshell exit from Tottenham.
      Ex-Marseille gaffer Igor Tudor, who has Serie A experience with Udinese and Hellas Verona, is also in the running.
      Additionally, former River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo is an alternative. More

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      Laura Woods shares embrace with Premier League legend and former I’m A Celeb heartthrob after huge Newcastle win

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      LAURA WOODS has shared her warm embrace with a Premier League and I’m A Celeb heartthrob on Instagram.The much-loved TNT Sports pundit, 36, was on hosting duties to provide the channel’s Champions League coverage this week.
      Laura Woods shared a warm embrace with a Newcastle legend this weekCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
      She shared a clip on Instagram of herself hugging David Ginola at St. James’ ParkCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
      She captioned the clip with a ‘Always a pleasure to see David’Credit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
      Former French winger Ginola was back at his old club to see them beat PSGCredit: Getty
      And she was up in the North East to witness Newcastle demolish Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 on Wednesday.
      Viewers quickly took to social media to claim that former TalkSport presenter Woods had lit up St. James’ Park with her outfit choice.
      However, another huge favourite was also in attendance working as a pundit on the clash.
      French icon David Ginola, 56, left PSG for Newcastle back in 1995 and became an instant favourite with the Geordie faithful under Kevin Keegan.
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      He then went on to enjoy seven years of thrilling supporters in the Premier League with his magical displays for Tottenham, Aston Villa and EVerton before hanging up his boots in 2002.
      Ginola, who also enjoyed huge success as a model, amassed a huge legion of admirers during his heyday.
      And it appears that Woods is one of the many that still have a soft spot for the wing wizard.
      She posted a clip on Instagram that firstly showed Rio Ferdinand greeting Ginola on the sidelines at St. James’ before Woods quickly jumped in to give the icon a hug.
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      Along with a love-heart eye emoji, she captioned the footage on her Insta story with: “Always a pleasure to see David.”
      Ginola suffered a huge health scare back in 2016 when he played – and even scored – in a charity match in Mandelieu on the south coast of France.
      But his celebrations suddenly turned to horror when he ­collapsed and “died” for eight minutes after his heart stopped.
      The star’s friend, fellow footballer Frederic Mendy, valiantly performed CPR, keeping the blood pumping to Ginola’s brain until medics arrived with a defibrillator that sent a series of ­electric shocks through his body, helping his heart restart.
      He made a stunning recovery and went on to star in hit ITV show I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here in 2021 as he finished fourth.
      Laura Woods was on hosting duties for TNT Sports at the gameCredit: Alamy
      Ginola was a big hit with viewers in the 2021 edition of I’m a CelebrityCredit: Rex
      Fans have been loving the introduction of Woods to the TNT Sports coverageCredit: Getty More

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      David Beckham hints at signing Champions League winner for Inter Miami with cheeky remark in Netflix doc

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      DAVID BECKHAM has hinted that Inter Miami could attempt to sign former Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona winger Neymar.The England legend founded Inter Miami in 2018, four years after exercising his option to purchase a club.
      David Beckham claimed Neymar will one day be an Inter Miami player in his documentary seriesCredit: Netflix
      Neymar currently plays for Al-Hilal in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Getty
      Beckham’s side – which is co-owned by Jorge and Jose Mas – made its MLS debut in 2020, but failed to hit the ground running.
      Several high-profile players signed for the Herons, including Blaise Matuidi and Gonzalo Higuain, but they struggled to challenge for any silverware.
      That was until Lionel Messi arrived.
      The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner joined Inter Miami in a free transfer from PSG in June and has already scored 11 goals and provided five assists in 12 appearances.
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      He also helped the club to its first-ever trophy – the Leagues Cup.
      Former Barcelona stars Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba have since joined Messi at the DRV PNK Stadium.
      But Beckham is keen to add even more big names to his squad.
      And he has hinted that he will try to sign Neymar next.
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      While showing a video of the Brazilian winger in his new Netflix documentary, BECKHAM, the ex-Man Utd star said: “He’ll be playing for us one day.”
      He added: “I want to win with the best players and the best team.”
      Neymar joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in a £77.6million transfer from PSG in August.
      However, he has grown increasingly frustrated since making the switch.
      The ex-Barcelona star was left stunned after discovering the state of the pitch he was expected to play on last week.
      He returned to Brazil earlier this week to witness the birth of his second child.
      Neymar announced the arrival of daughter Mavie early on Saturday morning. More