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      Chelsea wonderkid Omari Hutchinson set for West Brom loan transfer to play key role in Premier League promotion push

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      CHELSEA wonderkid Omari Hutchinson has agreed to join West Brom on loan, according to reports.The highly-rated youngster joined from Arsenal last summer but he’s struggled for game-time.
      Omari Hutchinson is set to join West Brom on loanCredit: Conor Molloy/News Images
      He did make his senior debut as a substitute against Manchester City earlier this month before featuring against Pep Guardiola’s side in the FA Cup three days later.
      But he’s not been involved since and has is set to drop into the Championship to help West Brom’s promotion push.
      According to Fabrizio Romano, an agreement has been reached for the 19-year-old to spend the rest of the season at the Hawthorns.
      Despite his lack of first-team opportunities, Hutchinson has impressed for Chelsea’s Under-21s.
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      In 14 Premier League 2 appearances, the teenager has scored five goals and chipped in with seven assists.
      But he’s now expected to link up with West Brom, who lost their last league match against Burnley but have been on an incredible run under Carlos Corberan.
      And prior to that defeat, the Midlands club had won nine of their last 10 Champ matches, which has put them firmly in the race for the play-offs.
      They’re currently tenth, but are just one point behind sixth place and only four behind Middlesbrough in third with a game in hand.
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      Should Hutchinson sign before the deadline, he’ll be hoping to make his debut in their Friday night clash with Coventry.
      He’ll become West Brom’s second signing on deadline day after Nathaniel Chalobah arrived from Fulham earlier on Tuesday. More

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      Fulham sell ex-Chelsea star and promotion specialist to Premier League hopefuls West Brom ahead of transfer deadline

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      WEST BROM have signed promotion specialist Nathaniel Chalobah from Fulham in the hope he can pull off a hat-trick of successful promotions.The 28-year-old former Chelsea midfielder has won promotion to the Premier League with Watford and Fulham in his last two spells in the Championship.
      Nathaniel Chalobah has left Fulham after two years in West LondonCredit: Getty
      Now he wants to pull off the feat for a third time with West Brom after being impressed with what he saw of them on TV under Carlos Corberan.
      Chalobah who has signed an 18-month-deal at the Hawthorns said: “Ever since I heard about the club’s interest in me I obviously started following Albion’s results a lot more. 
      “I’ve been watching plenty of the games recently and from what I’ve seen, it’s been pretty good.
      “I definitely see so much potential in this team. I see that there’s a talented group of players here and I just want to play a part in everything.”
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      Chalobah was a child star at Chelsea, winning almost a century of England caps at various youth levels before earning his one senior England cap against Spain in 2018.
      The experienced midfielder has also spent time on loan with Watford, Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough, Burnley and Reading. 
      He also has experience of playing abroad after signing for Italian giants Napoli in September 2015. 
      Albion head coach Carlos Corberan said: “Chalobah has the quality required to make a real impact in the Championship. 
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      “To do that he will need to consistently play to a high standard and take his opportunity when it arises. 
      “I believe strongly that competition for places must be intense and recruiting Chalobah to the squad will bring out the best in everyone.
      “We will work with him closely to ensure he is ready to fight for every point between now and the end of the season.” More

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      Fulham set to release Josh Onomah with ex-Tottenham starlet and England prospect primed for Championship free transfer

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      FULHAM are set to release Josh Onomah amid interest from Championship clubs, according to reports.The midfielder has seen his game reduce significantly since playing 20 times as Fulham won the Championship last season.
      Josh Onomah is set to be released by FulhamCredit: Getty
      Onomah, 25, has struggled to establish himself in the top flight after making 11 appearances in 2020-21 and just two this year.
      Fulham are in talks with Onomah to cancel his contract six months before it was due to expire, report Sky Sports.
      It is claimed several Championship clubs are interested in signing the former Tottenham star, who joined Fulham in 2019.
      He previously had spells at Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday and also helped the Cottagers to promotion in 2020.
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      According to Football Insider, Onomah is on Rangers’ transfer radar.
      West Brom also came close to signing the Fulham ace last summer but a proposed move collapsed on deadline day.
      Fulham boss Marco Silva revealed Onomah could leave in search of first-team football.
      He said: “It is possible for something to happen for Josh in this market. He needs to play. It is important to him.
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      “Last summer things didn’t work out well for him getting more minutes elsewhere.
      “He is a top lad, a great professional as well. Every training session he is there wanting to improve.
      “It is a decision we will take with him and see what is best for him and the football club as well.” More

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      Newcastle look to hijack Sander Berge transfer to Fulham with Toon ready to stump up £20m for Sheffield United ace

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      NEWCASTLE are looking to hijack Fulham’s bid for Sheffield United star Sander Berge.The Norwegian was all set to join the Cottagers in a £20million deal.
      Sander Berge is wanted by both Fulham and NewcastleCredit: Getty
      However, the Magpies want to sign him on loan until the end of the season with a view to a permanent deal.
      Jonjo Shelvey is Nottingham Forest-bound and Eddie Howe sees Berge as his replacement.
      The 24-year-old will have to fight for a place in the starting XI as Shelvey has featured only five times this season.
      Berge joined Sheffield United in January 2020 for a club record fee of just over £20million from Belgian team Genk.

      The central midfielder could not help the club survive in the Premier League despite showing his talent prior to their relegation.
      Berge has continued to impress in the second tier, featuring 21 times and scoring four goals in all competitions this season.
      Sheffield United are pushing hard to get back to the top-flight and are second in the Championship table but may lose one of their key players.
      He was not in the squad yesterday as the Blades were held by Wrexham in a thrilling FA Cup tie, perhaps suggesting a transfer is imminent.
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      If Newcastle get a deal over the line for Berge then he would become the club’s second signing of the January window.
      The Toon have just splashed £45million on Everton winger Anthony Gordon.
      They also remain keen on West Ham right-back Harrison Ashby in a deal that could be worth £3million. More

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      I was famous for my wild hairstyle during decade-long EFL career… now I’m coaching Cesc Fabregas in paradise

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      MARC BIRCHAM is best remembered from his playing days at Queens Park Rangers, but he now finds himself coaching Cesc Fabregas at Como. The 44-year-old was well-known for his crazy hairstyle at QPR, dying his spiky trim blue and white to match the club’s colours.
      Bircham is part of the coahcing staff at ComoCredit: Instagram: @marcbircham
      Cesc Fabregas runs the midfield for ComoCredit: Getty
      Bircham has moved on from his wild playing days and he is now managing Serie B side Como.
      He was appointed first-team coach at the ambitious second division team in the summer of 2022.
      Among those in the squad at the Lombardy-based club is Cesc Fabregas.
      The ex-Chelsea, Arsenal and Barcelona star keeps the team ticking in midfield after he was convinced to join by Dennis Wise.
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      Wise helps run the club, with Gunners legend Thierry Henry an investor and minority shareholder.
      Bircham has spoken to talkSPORT about Como, saying: “Me and Dennis have been close for many years. He’s been CEO over here for about three years but he’s kept it under the radar.
      “They’ve been promoted to Serie C, to Serie B and now they’re looking to kick on to Serie A in the next three years.. it’s a really good project.
      “It’s a very good standard, there’s big budgets in the league. It’s the best Serie B they’ve had.
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      “They’ve got Genoa and Cagliari, Parma are in the league too, there’s a lot of big teams and a lot of ex-Serie A teams too.
      “[Wise] did have to talk me into it but it’s Lake Como so only working holiday hotspots.”
      On coaching World Cup winner Fabregas, Bircham said: “He’s over here, he’s looking to play as long as he can.
      “He can still offer a lot to the team on the pitch and on the commercial side of things, Cesc coming in has really helped.”
      There is a language barrier but Bircham is slowly learning Italian: “It’s great for me to come over and learn the language. I’m trying.
      “Hopefully in six months I’ll be talking Italian but they said it would be more like Ray Winstone talking Italian.”
      His role in Italy is just the latest chapter of a fascinating career for Bircham, who represented the Canadian national team due to his grandfather being born there.
      The ex-Millwall defender scored an international goal against Northern Ireland despite admitting he’s never even visited Canada.
      Bircham said with a giggle: “I’m the first person to ever score for their country without stepping foot there.
      “My debut was Northern Ireland away and I sang the wrong national anthem. God Save the Queen came on and I blasted that out – they [team-mates] were all looking at me.
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      “I came on as a sub, scored my first goal, kissed the badge – amazing.”
      He went on to play for Canada 17 times and after retiring he also coached at QPR and Chicago Fire.
      Marc Bircham is a cult hero at QPRCredit: Getty
      Marc Bircham is coaching at ComoCredit: Instagram
      Thierry Henry and Dennis Wise are both involved at ComoCredit: EPA More

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      Burnley thrill fans with another hilarious transfer reveal as they confirm Michael Obafemi deal with Gavin & Stacey clip

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      BURNLEY have pulled it out the bag again as their social media team left fans in stitches with another brilliant transfer announcement.The runaway Championship leaders completed the signing of striker Michael Obafemi on-loan from Swansea until the end of the season on Sunday.
      Burnley announced the signing of Michael Obafemi in epic fashionCredit: https://twitter.com/BurnleyOfficial
      They announced his arrival with a brilliant Gavin and Stacey clipCredit: https://twitter.com/BurnleyOfficial
      And the 22-year-old’s arrival was announced with yet another epic social media video.
      Burnley opted for a Gavin and Stacey inspired clip for the Republic of Ireland star.
      In the video, Obafemi receives a call from Smithy, the character played by James Corden in the hit BBC comedy series.
      The hotshot answers the phone and Smithy his sister, Rudy, then produce a rendition of Estelle and Kanye West’s ‘American Boy’ song.
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      Obafemi starts to chuckle before telling them it’s “very good” and then asks how long it took to put it together – to which the response is “two or three weeks”.
      Fans absolutely loved it, and many are claiming it is the media team’s best one yet.
      One person tweeted: “I don’t know who gave this admin the confidence to pull these off but I’m here for it.”
      Another commented: “Burnley have the best announcement videos in the world.”
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      While a fellow fan wrote: “Babe wake up, Burnley just dropped another transfer announcement video.”
      It comes days after Vincent Kompany’s side completed the £8m signing of the 22-year-old South African hitman Lyle Foster from KVC Westerlo on Wednesday afternoon.
      And Burnley announced the deal with an incredible Shrek video.
      The Turf Moor club have produced a Hollywood parody for every new signing since the start of January 2022 when a Jurassic Park parody was made for Wout Weghorst, who is now on loan at Manchester United. More

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      Lyndon Dykes admitted to hospital as QPR deliver update on Scotland star amid health concern

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      QPR are ‘closely monitoring’ Lyndon Dykes after the Scotland striker was admitted to hospital.The English Championship side haven’t revealed any further details on the 27-year old’s condition or said why he ended up in hospital.
      Scotland star Dykes is a key man for QPRCredit: Getty
      Dykes was substituted during the Rs’ draw against Swansea last weekend and wasn’t in the squad for yesterday’s 3-0 defeat against Hull.
      In the hours that followed that game, the club revealed the striker had been admitted to hospital earlier this week.
      They posted: “Stray strong Lyndon.
      “The club are closely monitoring Lyndon after he was admitted to hospital this week.

      “We wish our No.9 a quick and safe recovery.”
      The Scotland national team have also wished Dykes well.
      It has been reported that Dykes felt unwell during the clash with Swansea last week prior to being subbed-off.
      He then returned to training during the week before becoming unwell again.
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      QPR manager Neil Critchley was asked about the former Livingston man’s condition after the defeat to Hull, and appeared positive about the situation.
      Critchley said: “He’s ok.
      “He’s been in hospital the last 24, 48 hours.
      “He’s on medication so hopefully we get some good news in the next 24 hours.”
      Dykes has been a key man for QPR since making the switch from the Scottish Premiership in August 2020.
      He’s made 29 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring six goals.
      Scotland boss Steve Clarke will be watching closely with the Euro 2028 qualifiers getting underway in less than two months’ time.
      There was a major blow involving another Scots striker this weekend.
      Ross Stewart, who’s been in fine form for Sunderland, went off during their FA Cup draw with Premier League side Fulham yesterday.
      It’s a suspected Achilles injury and one that looks set to keep 26-year old for the rest of the season.
      The former Ross County hitman was stretchered-off just 20 minutes into the 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage.
      Speaking after the game, Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray said: “First thoughts is it’s pretty bad. If it’s an Achilles – we’ve discussed whether it’s ruptured, but it’s a bad injury.
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      “Hopefully it’s just strained and it’s not so bad, but let’s wait and see. It’s no good me telling you it’s really bad or it’s not so bad, let’s wait and see what the scan shows, but we know he’s got a protective boot on his foot.”
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      Watford tell Aston Villa and Crystal Palace that Ismaila Sarr transfer won’t come cheap as they demand £25million

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      WATFORD aim to hold out for a £25million fee for star man Ismaila Sarr as his name comes up on Premier League radars.Top-flight clubs hoping for a bargain deal or even a drop in price have been reminded of the valuation — and the fact the Hornets are not about to cave in. 
      Ismaila Sarr is being linked with a return to the Premier LeagueCredit: Rex
      Aston Villa are keen and Crystal Palace have been long-term admirers of the Senegal winger, 24 — but that price tag is too high for both.
      He joined Watford for a club-record £40million three and a half years ago.
      And he has gone on to contribute 31 goals and 22 assists in 114 appearances for the club.
      Sarr also represented his country at the Qatar World Cup, starting all four of Senegal’s games before they were eliminated by England in the last-16.
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      Last month, Sarr’s former Watford team-mate Troy Deeney praised the Senegalese attacker’s ability.
      In an exclusive column for SunSport, he said: “From the moment he joined us at Watford back in the summer of 2019, we knew he was something special at 21 years old.
      “His blistering pace is frightening. He runs so effortlessly.
      “When you are a big guy like me and you can’t run, it is quite disheartening.
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      “He is genuinely a nice bloke, and funny. His English was not great at the start but rather than being embarrassed by it, he made fun of himself which was quite endearing.
      “At the same time, when Ismaila is on it, he is scary.
      “I remember watching him in the Europa League for Rennes against Arsenal in the 2018-19 season and he tore them a new one.
      “He has the ability to do that, especially in his natural position on the flanks. If you play him down the middle, you lose something from his game but he can be deadly on the right or left.”
      Watford occupy a play-off spot in the Championship, sitting fourth after 29 games.
      But they are a huge 13 adrift of an automatic promotion spot, with Burnley and Sheffield United opening up a substantial gap to the chasing pack. More