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      Two former Premier League stars look unrecognisable as they star for Real Madrid in legends match

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      TWO former Premier League stars looked completely unrecognisable as they recently lined-up for Real Madrid in a legends match.One was a Croatian striker that was almost unplayable at the 1998 World Cup.
      Two former Prem stars looked unrecognisable as they returned to match actionCredit: Twitter
      The pair both played recently for a Real Madrid legends teamCredit: Twitter
      One of the icons posed with ex-ref Mark Halsey and posted the snap on TwitterCredit: Twitter
      The hotshot grabbed the Golden Boot as he fired his team to a fourth-place finish and eventually ended up as his country’s all-time top scorer.
      Domestically, he starred for Sevilla before going on to shine at Real Madrid during a three-year spell from 1996.
      Then, to a lesser extent, the ace headed to England to join Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal for a season before moving across London to West Ham for a 12-month stint.
      He scored eight goals in 22 Premier League appearances for the Gunners, with just two in 11 for the Hammers, and then moved to Germany to finish his career at 1860 Munich.
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      The ex-forward was then president of the Croatian Football Federation.
      Meanwhile, the other was a team-mate of the Croatian striker briefly at the Bernabeu after Real snapped him up from Mallorca in 1998.
      He became a huge favourite and a stand-out star due to his famed perm haircut, winning the Champions League twice at Madrid.
      However, he was shipped out on loan to Bolton Wanderers in the 2002/03 campaign and eventually made that move permanent.
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      Under Sam Allardyce, the Spanish international midfielder played for the Trotters for another five years and achieved icon status at the club before going on to join Ipswich Town for a season prior to ending his career at Cypriot club AEK Larnaca.
      The two players in question, of course, are Davor Suker and Ivan Campo.
      The pair were recently reunited as they starred for a Real Madrid legends team.
      An ex-Premier League referee was also involved with Mark Halsey being the man in charge of the action.
      And Campo, now 49, even shared a shot of himself with the whistleblower and captioned it with: “Today I was with a special person and big friend : @RefereeHalsey.
      “Very very very happy to see you again in Orihuela playing with @VeteranosRM.”
      He also posted numerous other shots from the match, including one with him next to now 55-year-old Suker.
      And some of his followers were quick to jump into the comments, with one writing: “Look at those legends.”

      “Dream team right there,” declared another as a fellow fan tweeted: “Ivan Campo Ivan Campo my hero … Baller end of .. love this man ..”
      And the two men both showed they still possessed some of the magic as they helped Madrid to a 5-0 win over an Alicante XI thanks to a brace from Edwin Congo and goals from Jose Amavisca, Fernando Moran and Alberto Rivera.
      Davor Suker went on to star for Arsenal after Real MadridCredit: Reuters
      Ivan Camp achieved legend status after a switch to England with Bolton WanderersCredit: PA:Press Association More

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      Arsenal ‘reveal staggering valuation of Folarin Balogun as Champions League finalists Inter Milan enter transfer race’

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      ARSENAL have reportedly revealed their staggering valuation of Folarin Balogun after Inter Milan entered the race to sign him.Balogun is expected to leave the Gunners in search of first-team football this summer.
      Arsenal have revealed their valuation of Folarin BalogunCredit: Getty
      Following a breakthrough season on loan at Stade Reims in Ligue 1, interest is thought to be high in the 21-year-old.
      Balogun scored 22 goals in 39 appearances in France and finished fifth in the league’s scoring charts.
      His form for Reims has caught the eye of several European clubs, with reports in Italy claiming Inter are interested in the forward.
      According to Gazzetta Italia, talks have taken place between the club’s sporting director Piero Ausilio, agents and Arsenal staff.
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      Further discussions have also been scheduled before Ausilio returns to Italy as the Champions League finalists pursue a deal.
      Inter are keen to sign a striker this summer, with Edin Dzeko set to leave for Fenerbahce and Romelu Lukaku’s loan coming to an end.
      However, the report adds that Inter are eyeing a loan move for Balogun, despite Arsenal instead looking to sell him.
      Arsenal are keen to boost their transfer budget with the sale of Balogun, who they value at a whopping £40million.
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      With two years left on his Arsenal deal, Balogun is after first-team football next season and would not be first choice up front under Mikel Arteta.
      Inter’s interest in Balogun comes after he made his senior international debut for the USA on Thursday.
      Having switched allegiances from England last month, Balogun started the USA’s 3-0 CONCACAF Nations League win over Mexico.
      Inter Milan have entered the race to sign Folarin Balogun this summerCredit: AFP More

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      England boss Gareth Southgate warns Jack Grealish and Man City booze boys ‘there is a line’ ahead of Malta clash

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE has warned Jack Grealish and the Manchester City booze boys: The party stops here.The Etihad’s Treble winners spent three days on the sauce celebrating their Champions League triumph.
      The Man City booze boys celebrating their treble winning seasonCredit: AFP
      Jack Grealish in England trainingCredit: Getty
      But the England boss insisted he is not worried about their physical condition ahead of the forthcoming Euro qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.
      And he says his former team-mates would have been in a lot more trouble if their boozing had been splashed all across social media.
      Southgate refused to reveal if he believed the City players had gone too far this week but said: “There is a line and we’re always monitoring where every player is at.
      “I have spoken with the players and we’ve talked about where the focus needs to be.
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      “We’’ve acknowledged what they have experienced and that’s for me to manage but anything I might say to the players I would do privately.
      “I don’t think it would serve any purpose discussing that publicly, really.
      “We’re a bit in unknown territory because although we’ve had players in the Champions League final before, we haven’t had a team that has won the treble.
      “Things will never be the same again for that group of players and everything changes in their lives.
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      “There are so many things going on this summer that could potentially distract us if we allow it to, but I’ve not seen that this week with any of the players.”
      The bulk of Southgate’s squad gathered at St.George’s Park on Sunday but Grealish and his City team- mates John Stones, Kyle Walker, Phil Foden and Kalvin Phillips did not have to report until late on Thursday evening.
      As a result, none of them are in contention to start tonight’s game and Southgate said: “We don’t know what the emotional dip is going to be for them.
      “They need to recover, sleep and eat well to get them ready and I’ve seen enough to know what could help us against Monday and then a few days further on against North Macedonia.”
      Southgate also pointed out: “A few of our players are teetotal but what is different from my playing days is that everyone posts everything on social media now.
      “I wouldn’t have liked a few of my nights out to be posted publicly. My generation would have been in a lot more problems.”
      Gareth Southgate looks on during a training sessionCredit: Getty More

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      Jude Bellingham says he snubbed ‘easy option’ of Premier League and ‘heart almost stopped’ over Real Madrid transfer

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM snubbed the “easy” option of coming home to England.Real Madrid’s new £115million superstar was courted by Premier League heavyweights Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City.
      Bellingham completed a move to Real Madrid on WednesdayCredit: Getty
      He will wear the iconic No.5Credit: Getty
      But Bellingham, 19, said his “heart was close to stopping” when told the Spanish giants wanted him.
      He admitted: “I like to get out of my comfort zone and the easiest thing was to go back to England, but I couldn’t turn down Real Madrid.
      “I’ve always been aware of interest from England. At the World Cup and at national team camps it’s hard.
      “Everyone wanted me to go back home and play for their team.”
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      Midfielder Bellingham moved from Germans Borussia Dortmund for an initial £88.5m and will collect £70m in wages.
      He was unveiled here in Madrid yesterday and added: “It was a bit of a surprise when my dad sat me down 12 or 15 months ago and told me there was interest from Real Madrid.
      “When he said that I had goosebumps, my heart was close to stopping! It’s something you don’t expect growing up.
      “We had a meeting at my house and that was the moment it was definite.
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      “After I made my decision, I wanted it to happen very quickly. It wasn’t a case of other teams not being good but, for me, Madrid is the greatest.” More

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      Man City star Ederson claims team-mate ‘VOMITED into Jack Grealish’s mum’s bag’ during boozy Treble celebrations

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      EDERSON has opened the bag on what happened when Manchester City’s teetotallers took a Treble tipple.And the Etihad No1 claims Jack Grealish’s MUM was an unwitting victim!
      Ederson has revealed just how uproarious Man City’s celebrations wereCredit: Getty
      Centre-back Ruben Dias found a rare drink too much, says Etihad pal EdersonCredit: Getty
      Jack Grealish’s mum could have had an unwanted role after City’s joyCredit: Getty
      Grealish spearheaded City’s extended celebrations after Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup glory.
      And although the England winger was happy to be snapped drinking freely, one team-mate might regret his out-of-character alcohol guzzling.
      Ederson told TNT Sports BR: “There are Man City players who don’t drink, but made an exception, which was the case with Ruben Dias.
      “But it didn’t work out for him.
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      “Two shots and he threw up everything and in Jack Grealish’s mother’s bag…”
      That, however, might be a subtle dig at Grealish’s own designer accessory.
      His Gucci bag has been in the wars this season – suffering from good-natured stick plus an infamous incident in the Wembley dressing room.
      City players gleefully shared a clip of Grealish shouting at a kit man who slid right into it amid fun scenes.
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      Yet that rejoicing after the 2-1 FA Cup final victory over Manchester United was eclipsed by the partying when Pep Guardiola’s men sealed the Treble with last Saturday’s 1-0 Champions League final win against Inter Milan.
      The Treble was in the bag with that – and according to Ederson something else was soon unfortunately in the bag…
      “The Gucci one? Oh no” posted one fan, and “Poor Mrs Grealish, hopefully he got her a new bag” wrote another. More

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      Record-breaker Bellingham was seen as ‘special’ even as a kid in the Birmingham academy

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      JORDAN JAMES knew record-breaker Jude Bellingham was special from the age of nine.The Wales and Birmingham midfielder, 18, trained alongside Bellingham, who joined Real Madrid yesterday from Borussia Dortmund in a £115million deal, in the Blues academy.
      Bellingham was unveiled as a Real Madrid player on Thursday after completing £115million move from Borussia DortmundCredit: Getty
      Birmingham’s Jordan James trained with Bellingham in the club’s academyCredit: Getty
      And James hailed the 19-year-old England ace after he became the most expensive British player of all-time with his six-year switch to the Bernabeu.
      Birmingham are set to cash in on Bellingham’s eye-watering deal with the 14-time European champions.
      Reports have claimed the Championship club will land a windfall in excess of £6million as part of the move when Bellingham left the Midlands for Dortmund in 2020.
      James said: “I’m really happy for him because he deserves everything he gets because he’s worked so hard for it all.
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      “But most importantly, he’s a really nice guy. I hope he goes on and shows just what he can do.
      “When I joined Birmingham at eight years old, I used to go up and train and play with him.
      “You knew from an early age he was a level above everyone. He could see from the way he dribbles. He was technically gifted.
      “We all saw at the World Cup, he was the best player for me. At a young age he was always the best player on the pitch.
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      “People were always talking about him, he was the main guy and now he’s gone to Real Madrid – that’s really good.
      “He had his growth spurt just before he turned 15 and you can see he has now turned into a man.
      “That’s what helped him a lot and now he’s playing at the highest level because of it. He’s an unbelievable player.” More

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      Liverpool ‘have £51m bid REJECTED for Real Madrid star as club demand £85m’ after splurging on Jude Bellingham transfer

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      LIVERPOOL have reportedly had a £51million bid rejected for Real Madrid star Federico Valverde.And they will have to spend over £30m more to get him.
      Federico Valverde being bet for by Liverpool hopefuls.Credit: Getty
      Reds manager Jurgen Klopp is keen on the Uruguayun midfielder as he attempts to change up his midfield after a disappointing seaosn.
      Liverpool have already completed the £35m signing of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton.
      But Klopp is not done there and Spanish outlet El Nacional claim the Reds have already made their move for Valverde, 24.
      However, the say that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez will not accept anything less than £85m for one of their key players this season.
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      Valverde has proven himself a valuable asset to Real Madrid after multiple successful seasons, scoring seven goals and notching four assists this year.
      He has been with Madrid for almost five years, and signed a new contract in 2021 , holding him until 2027 with a massive £856m release clause.
      At the time of signing he was also given a pay raise and now with an integral position in the team, Madrid are reluctant to let him go whilst improving their own midfield.
      Although Liverpool’s bid reportedly included add-ons that would increased the fee, Madrid remain reluctant to budge.
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      That is despite the Spanish giants spending £115m on Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, a record fee for a British player.
      Reports claim Klopp has tried to sell Valverde the dream of playing in the Premier League as he did with Mac Allister, who admitted he was sold on Klopp’s vision.
      Bellingham who will be signed for six future seasons, according to Real Madrid’s announcement about the deal. More

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      Top 10 most expensive British footballers of all time as Jude Bellingham smashes record after Real Madrid transfer

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM has become the most expensive British footballer of all time.The 19-year-old midfielder completed a record-breaking £115million move from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid on Wednesday following months of negotiations.
      Jude Bellingham joined Real Madrid on Wednesday for £115mCredit: Getty
      The midfielder is now the most expensive British player of all time
      He now sits at the top of an elite list of players including the likes of Jack Grealish, Harry Maguire, Jadon Sancho and Ben White – all of whom cost their respective clubs a substantial amount of money.
      The majority of those stars have justified their hefty price tags with consistent performances, but some have struggled to impress.
      SunSport’s Emillia Hawkins takes a look at the top 10 most expensive British players of all time to see if they have been a hit or missed the mark.
      Jude Bellingham
      Bellingham came with a £115m price tagCredit: Getty
      Although we are yet to see Bellingham in a Real Madrid shirt, his performances for both Borussia Dortmund and England have largely warranted his record-breaking fee.
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      At just 19-years-old, the midfielder is yet to hit his prime and still has at least a decade in the game ahead of him.
      He already has 24 senior England caps under his belt along with 124 appearances for Borussia Dortmund, including some as captain, so he is more than comfortable on the big stage.
      Jack Grealish
      Jack Grealish became the first £100m British player in 2021Credit: Getty
      The fun-loving winger joined Manchester City in a huge £100m transfer from Aston Villa in 2021.
      Although he struggled to find his feet during his first season at the Etihad, Grealish has since established himself as one of Pep Guardiola’s most important players.
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      This season, he made 50 appearances for the Cityzens and helped them to a historic treble, so it would be fair to say that his £100m fee was justified.
      He has entertained the nation both on the pitch and off it, on his four-day Treble bender.
      Harry Maguire
      Harry Maguire cost United a massive £85mCredit: Getty
      Maguire joined Manchester United in 2019 for a then-world-record fee of £85m.
      He has since made 175 appearances for the Red Devils, but his time at the club has been mixed.
      The defender fell out-of-favour with new boss Erik ten Hag this season following a poor run of form.
      And he is now expected to move away this summer – for a much smaller fee than what he was initially bought for.
      Jadon Sancho
      Jadon Sancho was another marquee signing for the Red DevilsCredit: Getty
      Another one of Man Utd’s marquee signings, Sancho signed for the Red Devils in a £75million transfer from Borussia Dortmund in 2021.
      Like Maguire, his time at the club has been mixed.
      He struggled to find his feet at Old Trafford, scoring just five goals in 38 appearances during his first season.
      Sancho’s mixed form continued into the 2022-23 campaign, but his performances were also affected by injuries and illnesses.
      He is now being linked with a move elsewhere, with Tottenham readying a £50m bid.
      Ben White
      Arsenal spent £50m on Ben WhiteCredit: Alamy
      The defender joined Arsenal in a £50m move from Brighton in 2021.
      Although many fans were sceptical of his price tag, White quickly became a mainstay in Mikel Arteta’s squad.
      He is now considered as one of Arsenal’s key players.
      White played a crucial role in Arsenal’s Premier League title charge this season, appearing in all 38 games.
      Raheem Sterling
      Raheem Sterling joined Man City from Liverpool in 2015Credit: Getty
      Sterling made the blockbuster move from Liverpool to Man City in 2015.
      The move set the Cityzens back £49m, which felt like a fortune at the time.
      But that fee was certainly worth it.
      He scored 131 goals in 339 appearances for Man City during his seven-year spell at the Etihad and won four Premier League titles, an FA Cup and five League Cups.
      Sterling signed for Chelsea for a similar fee last summer and made 38 appearances across all competitions this season.
      Aaron Wan-Bissaka
      Aaron Wan-Bissaka made a £49m move from Crystal Palace to UnitedCredit: Getty
      The full-back joined Man Utd in a £49m move from Crystal Palace in 2019.
      The majority of his time at Old Trafford has prompted mixed responses from fans.
      But Wan-Bissaka flourished in the second half of the season under the management of Ten Hag.
      John Stones
      John Stones joined Man City for £47.5m in 2016Credit: Getty
      The £47.5m Man City paid for Stones back in 2016 now looks like a complete bargain.
      It was considered a lot of money for a defender back then, but when you look at what the England ace has won during his time at the Etihad, it is easy to see that he was worth every penny.
      Stones has five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and a Champions League title to his name.
      And he will go down in history as a crucial member of Man City’s historic Treble-winning squad.
      Kyle Walker
      Kyle Walker made a £45m switch in 2017Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Like Stones, there is not much on a club level that Walker hasn’t won.
      He joined City one year after his England team-mate, but the full-back has the same number of accolades.
      His £45m move from Tottenham can easily be justified by the impact he’s had on Guardiola’s squad.
      Ben Chilwell
      Chilwell joined Chelsea for £45m in 2020Credit: Getty
      Chilwell joined Chelsea in a £45m transfer from Leicester in 2020.
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      Since joining the Blues he has won the Champions League and the Club World Cup, but his time at Stamford Bridge has been slightly marred by numerous injury issues.
      Nevertheless, when playing he offers a solid defensive presence with pace going forward. More