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    How Real Madrid could line up after Kylian Mbappe ‘agrees to join on free transfer next season’

    KYLIAN MBAPPE is set to join Real Madrid in a stunning free transfer this summer.The Frenchman finally reached an agreement with Los Blancos last week following months of speculation, according to Foot Mercato.
    Kylian Mbappe is set to join Real Madrid this summerCredit: Getty
    Real Madrid have been pushing to sign Mbappe since his Monaco days.
    The La Liga giants came close to sealing a deal in 2022, but the 25-year-old penned a new two-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain instead.
    However, Carlo Ancelotti will finally get his man in July.
    Mbappe is set to jump straight into the Italian’s starting line-up when he arrives at the Santiago Bernabeu, joining the likes of Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr.
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    The World Cup winner regularly plays on the left wing for his national team, but he will likely move into the middle for Real Madrid to accommodate Vinicius and Rodrygo.
    Bellingham, who joined Los Blancos in a huge £115million transfer last summer, is set to keep his spot in midfield.
    The England international is currently leading the La Liga Golden Boot race with 13 goals in 17 games.
    Mbappe’s proposed partnership with Bellingham will likely strike fear into any defence in Europe.
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    How Real Madrid could line up with Mbappe
    Although they are yet to pen new deals with Real Madrid, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric could stay at the Santiago Bernabeu beyond the summer.
    Both players will be able to provide five-star service to Mbappe in attack.
    And with Thibaut Courtois set to return from an ACL injury ahead of the 2024-25 season, Los Blancos will still be defensively solid.
    David Alaba, who joined the club in 2021, is also set to return from his ACL injury in time for the new season.
    Alternatively, Ancelotti could bolster his squad even more by adding some extra summer signings to the mix.
    Real Madrid have expressed an interest in signing Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle, but they face competition from PSG.
    Guimaraes could be a perfect replacement for either Kroos or Modric in midfield.
    Federico Valverde will also step up should either of the two players leave.
    An alternative line-up with Mbappe More

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    Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel gives brutal response as he’s quizzed over Eric Dier transfer from Spurs rumours

    THOMAS TUCHEL gave a blunt response when asked about a potential Bayern Munich swoop for Eric Dier.The Bundesliga champions have been strongly linked with a move for the out of favour Tottenham defender.
    Thomas Tuchel answered a question about Tottenham star Eric DierCredit: Getty
    Dier has struggled for game time at Tottenham this seasonCredit: EPA
    Dier, 29, has agreed personal terms with Bayern over a January switch.
    Asked about the England international, former Chelsea boss Tuchel gave nothing away.
    Quizzed how Dier sounds, Tuchel joked: “English!”
    He then kept his cards close to his chest, adding: “Have you already asked the sporting director? There will be no comment from me.”
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    Fans online, rightly or wrongly, claimed that Tuchel’s comments suggested that he wasn’t that keen on signing Dier.
    One wrote: “So Bayern Munich signed Dier without the manager’s consent.”

    While a second commented: “Clearly not his signing.”
    Another added: “In other words, Eric Dier is the idea of the sporting director not Tuchel’s.”
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    Dier has been out of favour at Tottenham this season.
    He did not play a single minute under Ange Postecoglou’s until the 4-1 defeat to Chelsea on November 6.
    The experienced defender has made four appearances in total this term, with his contract set to expire in June.
    Spurs have had to do without Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero for long stretches this season.
    While Ben Davies pulled up with an apparent hamstring issue during Spurs’ 1-0 FA Cup win over Burnley on Friday night.
    After the match, Postecoglou was asked if his side can afford to lose Dier given Davies’ knock.
    The Aussie gave a considered pause before answering: “Yes.”
    Dier has played 364 times for Spurs since signing from Sporting Lisbon for £4million in 2014.
    He played regularly as the North Londoners contended for the Premier League title under Mauricio Pochettino, and featured in the 2019 Champions League final.
    The 49-cap star earned his place in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad for Qatar, but has struggled for form since.
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    Tottenham are trying to sign Genoa centre-back Radu Dragusin, while Van de Ven has finally returned to fitness.
    Spurs have also bolstered their front line by agreeing a shock loan deal with RB Leipzig for former Chelsea forward Timo Werner.
    Timo Werner has agreed to join Tottenham on loanCredit: Getty More

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    BBC face two huge decisions over Gary Lineker replacement on Match of the Day and brand new football show

    GARY LINEKER’S uncertain future is at the centre of two huge decisions facing the BBC over their football coverage.The Beeb will soon get a new director of sport – with an in-tray including who presents Match of the Day and a new Champions League show.
    Gary Lineker has suggested he won’t stay at MOTD much longerCredit: Handout
    Jermaine Jenas is rated as a prime contender to replace Lineker as well as for a role on the Beeb’s upcoming new Champions League programmeCredit: PA
    Ex-England striker Lineker, 63, has suggested his “time is nearly up” after 25 years fronting MOTD.
    And apart from the Saturday-night fans’ favourite show, the BBC must also assess their team for a fresh midweek programme after winning some Champions League rights from next season.
    Long-serving Barbara Slater is stepping down as the Beeb’s director of sport this spring.
    And The Times say whoever replaces her is expected to quickly address the MOTD situation.
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    There’s talk of former Tottenham and England midfielder Jermaine Jenas switching from being a pundit to a more Lineker-like lead role.
    The One Show host will start presenting TNT Sports’ Formula E coverage later this year.
    But Jenas, 40, has admitted he’d be interested in succeeding Lineker.
    He told The Mirror last month: “If the opportunity was to arise it’s obviously something I’d have to think about.
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    “My commitment is fully with the jobs that I have. That’s hosting Formula E, the bits that I do on The One Show.
    “Any punditry work that I’m doing with TNT Sports and the BBC are huge commitments of mine and something that I love.”
    Spurs and Barcelona legend Lineker, who is the Beeb’s top earner on £1.35million a year, has yet to reveal his plans or exactly how long he plans to stay on MOTD.
    But Jenas has praised him as almost a mentor.
    He said: “The big thing with this is Gary’s brilliant.
    “Love Gary. I’ve learned so much from him over the course of my career and there’s still loads more to learn from him.”  More

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    Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey opponents ‘submit list of shirts they want after game’ with Premier League icon in big demand

    REAL MADRID’S Copa del Rey opponents have submitted a list to highlight the players they want to swap shirts with at the end of the game.Los Blancos will take on fourth division Arandina away from home this evening.
    Midfield maestro Luka Modric proved to be the player most in demandCredit: Getty
    Marca obtained a list of the players the Arandina squad would like to swap shirts withCredit: MARCA
    Arandina have never been above the third tier of Spanish football in their 37-year-history.
    They’ll welcome 14-time Champions League winners Real Madrid to a sold out Estadio El Montecillo in the round of 32.
    The club saw off Real Murcia before producing an upset against La Liga side Cadiz in the second round.
    Playing Real Madrid is something that many of these players have only dreamed of and as a result there is a clamour to get their hands on an opposition player’s shirt.
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    Jude Bellingham has been Madrid’s star man this season, scoring 17 goals in 22 games and yet he was not the most requested player of the Real Madrid XI.
    Three players wanted Belligham’s shirt, with two opting for Toni Kroos and Vinicius Jr.
    But 2018 Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric was the most requested shirt by far.
    Nine players listed the Croatian as the player they most want to swap shirts with.
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    Arandina’s goalkeeper Adri kept the goalkeeper union strong by requesting to swap shirts with Kepa Arrizabalaga.
    And forward Atomo said that Nacho Fernandez was top of his list so that he could gift the shirt to his sister.
    Arandina captain Jorge Gonzalez said: “In the locker room I proposed the idea of ​​trying to get as many shirts as possible because at the end of the day everyone is going to want the same shirt.
    “And I think the beauty of this match is having a memory. If Madrid can provide us with more t-shirts, welcome. More

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    I played with Real Madrid stars Gareth Bale and Luka Modric… but Barcelona legend is my greatest team-mate

    IT’S not easy overlooking Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Brazil’s Ronaldo.But former Tottenham keeper Heurelho Gomes has done just that in picking his greatest ever team-mate.
    Real Madrid icons Luka Modric and Gareth Bale were among the superstars who keeper Heurelho Gomes played alongside at TottenhamCredit: Getty
    Ronaldinho is the best team-mate Gomes had with BrazilCredit: Getty
    Ex-Brazil, PSV, Spurs and Watford stopper Gomes found it tough to single out just one star as the bestCredit: Getty
    And the Brazilian admits he agonised before singling out Barcelona legend Ronaldinho.
    But it’s not meant as a snub to Real Madrid icons Bale and Modric.
    Gomes played behind the two at Spurs – but found it too tough to separate all the exciting talents he played with at club level.
    The ex-PSV and Watford stopper, 42, told talkSPORT: “I am unfair if I say just one.
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    “But to not be unfair with the others that I played with at club level I am going to say at international level – Ronaldinho.
    “Not a bad player, not a bad player!”
    Ronaldinho, 43, won the Ballon d’Or, LaLiga twice and the Champions League during his exhilarating spell at Barca from 2003-08.
    The mesmeric attacker also featured for PSG and AC Milan, as well as netting 33 times in 97 games for Brazil.
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    In contrast, former Barcelona and Real striker Ronaldo, 47, is a double Ballon d’Or winner, also lifting the World Cup in 2004 and 2002 on the way to 62 goals in 98 internationals.
    Meanwhile, 172-cap Croatian Modric is still playmaking for Real aged 38.
    The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner has tasted LaLiga glory three times and Champions League success on five occasions since moving from Spurs to Spain 12 years ago.
    Welsh winger Bale, 34, shared all of Modric’s Real trophy joy but retired as a player last year after a short spell with Los Angeles FC. More

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    Jose Mourinho reveals he is getting new Netflix documentary and tells fans why they will think he is an ‘total idiot’

    JOSE MOURINHO has revealed that he is the subject of a brand new Netflix documentary – but reckons fans will think he’s an ‘idiot’.The 60-year-old is one of the most decorated managers in football.
    Jose Mourinho has revealed that he is the subject of a new Netflix documentaryCredit: Getty
    With two Champions League titles, three Premier League titles, an FA Cup, two Serie A titles and a La Liga title among his accolades, Mourinho has become a household name.
    And now fans will be given a look into his life beyond the dugout in a new Netflix documentary.
    Mourinho broke the news about his new series following Roma’s 2-1 Copa Italia win over Cremonese on Wednesday.
    But he admitted there will be one scene where viewers will think he is a “total idiot”.
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    He said: “I’ll give you some news, a documentary about me starts on Netflix, it’s a documentary about my career and it starts on Thursday.
    “There are things that will only be known there, they pay me well. I hadn’t signed with Roma yet, but I had given my word.
    “A club came along and wanted me to break my agreement with Roma, which hadn’t yet been signed, and I said no.
    “When the documentary comes out everyone will say I’m a total idiot.
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    “When Portugal arrived I immediately told the president about it.
    “When Saudi Arabia arrived I immediately told the president about it.
    “This is why I don’t think they talk to other coaches behind my back, for me it’s not like that because there is reciprocity.”
    Mourinho joined Roma in 2021 following a two-year stint with Tottenham.
    The Portugal-born boss has also managed Benfica, Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Manchester United.
    He is expected to take a job in Saudi Arabia when his Roma contract expires in June. More

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    Jadon Sancho ‘on verge of joining Champions League giants in loan transfer with Man Utd talks very advanced’

    JADON SANCHO is in advanced talks to leave Manchester United on loan. The winger – who joined in 2021 for £73million from Borussia Dortmund – has been frozen out of the squad since September.
    Jadon Sancho could leave Man Utd on loanCredit: Getty
    Sancho’s exclusion followed a public row with Erik ten Hag, and after the winger refused to apologise he was banished from the side.
    It leaves United looking to offload the England star, and according to Sky Sports in Germany, Dortmund are in talks to re-sign Sancho.
    The two clubs are back in negotiations for a loan deal with Dortmund paying a fee and United helping to cover his £350,000-per-week wages.
    Sancho is believed to be pushing for a return to Germany, where made 137 appearances with 50 goals.
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    And he could be at Dortmund’s training base as early as this week.
    The 23-year-old has not played for United since August having been dropped for the 3-1 away loss at Arsenal.
    And Ten Hag spoke out to reveal Sancho was dropped due to performances in training.
    The ex-England international took to social media to defend himself and claimed he was being used as a “scapegoat”.
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    But after refusing to apologise to Ten Hag it has seen Sancho frozen out of the United setup.
    United had been struggling to find a buyer for the misfit due to his high wages and the club’s refusal to send him to a Premier League rival.
    But Dortmund’s newfound interest in Sancho offers both the club and team a lifeline. More

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    Premier League cult hero’s son now making own way in game for Liverpool just eight years after dad’s retirement

    JURGEN KLOPP could hand a debut to the son of a former Liverpool star on Monday.Lewis Koumas has already made one matchday squad for the club this season.
    Lewis Koumas has family history at LiverpoolCredit: Rex
    His dad Jason was in Liverpool’s youth academyCredit: PA:Press Association
    He was team-mates with Michael Owen, left, and Steven GerrardCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
    The striker was on the bench for Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat in the Europa League group-stage clash against Union Saint-Gilloise.
    The 18-year-old has starred for the club’s youth teams this season with four goals and three assists in nine appearances in all competitions.
    Koumas has a family connection to the club running back to 1997.
    His father Jason Koumas, 44, is best known for his stints with West Brom and Wigan Athletic during his career.
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    However, the attacking midfielder started his career in Liverpool’s youth academy.
    Koumas Sr played alongside some famous faces in his youth days.
    He was a team-mate of club legend Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen before the striker won his Ballon d’Or.
    Gerrard went on to captain the Anfield side to a Champions League title as well as two FA Cups and three League Cups.
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    Owen was named the best player in the world in 2001 and went on to enjoy spells at Real Madrid, Newcastle, Manchester United and Stoke City.
    Koumas, however, did not have as glamorous a career as his former team-mates.
    He left Liverpool for Tranmere Rovers in 1997 and became a first-team player.
    His good form at the club earned him a move to Premier League outfit West Brom in 2002.
    Koumas went on to score 23 goals and assist 20 more in 141 appearances for the Baggies.
    Can you name the famous fathers?

    He had a loan spell at Cardiff City before sealing a permanent move away to Wigan in 2007.
    He ended his career with Tranmere in 2015.
    Son Lewis will only need to make one appearance for Liverpool’s senior team in order to better his dad’s record for the club. More