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      Blackburn refused to splash out £700,000 for Cardiff striker Mark Harris.. and hope to get him for FREE this summer

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      BLACKBURN want Cardiff’s Mark Harris after missing out on a deadline day swoop.Rovers targeted the Welsh striker, 24, for cover but City surprisingly quoted a £700,000 fee.
      Blackburn will go back in for Cardiff star Mark Harris in the summerCredit: Getty
      Blackburn did not want to pay for the star and now hope to sign him for nothing when his deal expires this summer.
      Rovers scout Gus Williams knows Harris well after working with him in the national team.
      Stoke and Wigan were also put off by the fee but could go back in for his signature.
      Harris has played 32 times in all competitions this season, scoring three goals.
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      He is capable of playing as a striker or on either flank.
      Cardiff are happy to have kept him with the club sitting 21st in the Championship table, just two points above the relegation zone.
      Harris has been capped five times for the Welsh national side and was named in their squad for the World Cup in Qatar.
      He previously had loan spells at Newport, Port Vale and Wrexham earlier in his career.
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      Harris was not the only deal that Blackburn saw fail to materialise in the January window after seeing a bid for Todd Cantwell turned down by Norwich.
      Additionally, a paperwork disaster prevented them from signing Nottingham Forest’s Lewis O’Brien.
      Blackburn are keen to add a striker to their ranks with main man Ben Brereton Diaz set to leave the club in the summer.
      After much Premier League interest it appears Villarreal may have won the battle to sign him with a reported pre-contract agreement in place. More

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      Age just a number for Billy Sharp as Sheffield United captain looks to celebrate 37th birthday with 250th league goal

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      BILLY SHARP is like a fine wine … the more he ages, the more he delights.The Sheffield United striker celebrates his 37th birthday on Monday and is still doing it for the Blades.
      Billy Sharp is still going strong as he hits the ripe age of 37
      Sharp needs to net one more to reach the landmark 250 career league goals and he can do it today in the Championship derby clash at Rotherham.
      And, despite his age, he wants to celebrate his 38th birthday as a Premier League player.
      And there is every chance that will happen with Paul Heckingbottom’s men 12 points clear and a game in hand of third-place Middlesbrough.
      But how does Sharp, with his status as a club legend already secured, continue to be motivated to train hard every morning and punish his body in the unforgiving second tier.
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      He told SunSport: “I might be 37 on Monday but nothing has changed for me. Since I hit my 30s I looked at it as just a number and feel fit and strong as I did when I turned 30.
      “It’s true I changed a couple of things in my lifestyle, in the way I went about things, and that has helped me still keep going now. 
      “I still have a few years left in me and hope to keep achieving things for Sheffield United.
      Billy Sharp does not feel like he is getting any older
      “There are some personal accolades I’d like to achieve — my 250th league goal is coming up. There are a couple of people for me to catch in the all-time Sheffield United top scorers.
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      “But, collectively, I want to get promoted and if I do that it’ll be my third promotion as captain of Sheffield United, which would be unreal. 
      “I’m not too sure if any other club captain in their history has done that.”
      Sharp currently stands seventh in the all-time top Sheffield United scorers although two more would take him past Fred Tunstall’s 129.
      It seems impossible that Sharp will get anywhere near the staggering 201 goals Harry Johnson netted between 1919 and 1930 — although he will fancy his chances of catching Doc Pace’s 140 and Jimmy Dunne’s 143, which would take him to fourth top scorer ever.
      The Blades striker has found himself playing more of a supporting role this term, coming off the bench as much as he has started — after recovering from a calf injury that saw him miss the end of last season.
      He said: “When I came back from injury, I was on the bench to start with and then when I started my first game back at Boro I did my ankle. That set me back a little bit.
      “But I managed to win my place back in the team. Oli McBurnie got injured and I chipped in with a couple of goals.
      “Whatever role I play, I want to make sure I’m doing my bit for the team and feel I’ve done that. In the last eight games that I’ve started, we’ve won seven of those and drawn the other.
      “But the great thing about this team is despite all the injuries we’ve had whoever has come in has done a great job. Daniel Jebbison has stepped in up front and got a couple of goals.
      Billy Sharp just needs one more goal for 250 career league goals
      “This is a strong squad and that’s why we’ve done so well.”
      But despite the cracking opening half of the season, Sharp has played enough in the Championship to know nothing can be taken for granted.
      He points to how Nottingham Forest climbed from the bottom of the table last season to clinch promotion — beating the Blades in the play-offs en route to the final.
      But the Blades ace says the team are not focussed on their gap with Boro. They want to target catching Burnley to win the title.
      Sharp said: “We must maintain that gap with third of course but I’m not too scared to say it: we want to win the league.
      “We’re in a great position so it’s up to us to keep winning games until the end of the season.”
      And while everyone to a man has been impressive for the Blades this season, two players who have really kicked on are Iliman Ndiaye and on-loan Manchester City kid James McAtee.
      Sharp said: “James has played in a few different positions for us and had a tough start to his career. I think it was Luton away, a tough place to go and he learned a lot from that game. He has come on strong since the World Cup finished.
      “He has chipped in with goals, assists and plays week-in, week-out. I’m sure he is delighted with the way it’s going at the minute. Hopefully he can stay fit and help us get promoted as well.
      “And Iliman has been our star player — scoring 10 goals this season already and he’s been special. We saw glimpses of it last season but this season he has kicked on and added more to his game and I’m sure there were people interested in signing in last month and will be again this summer.
      “But hopefully he can help us get promoted and then he might as well spend another year with us in the Premier League.
      “Make no mistake, he will play at the highest level because he’s a special talent.”
      And what will the future hold for Sharp once he finally does decide to hang up his boots?
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      He said: “I’ll do my coaching badges. I want to step up into management, whenever that will be I’m not sure. I want to put myself in the best position to manage. 
      “I want to learn my trade and that is what I want to do after I quit. Maybe one day I’ll manage Sheffield United.” More

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      Blackburn suffer paperwork disaster leaving Lewis O’Brien facing six months without playing after transfer from Forest

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      BLACKBURN ROVERS are appealing the EFL’s decision to reject applications for two deadline day transfers that has left Lewis O’Brien and Ethan Brierley in limbo.The governing body ruled that the Championship club failed to submit the relevant paperwork to secure deals for the Nottingham Forest midfielder and Rochdale ace before last night’s 11pm cut-off.
      Lewis O’Brien faces an anxious wait as Blackburn launch their appeal to the EFLCredit: Getty
      Rovers had the opportunity to present their case at a hearing earlier today and stated that they had filed the documentation and info requested by the league in their bid to get the deal rubber-stamped.
      However, the EFL have rejected the Ewood Park outfit’s mitigating factors as to why it was submitted late.
      Rovers thought they had pulled off a deadline day coup with the capture of 24-year-old O’Brien.
      The 24-year-old was initially joining on loan with the option for a permanent deal should they secure promotion.
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      The 19-year-old Brierley was also wanted by a host of other Championship clubs after bursting into the Rochdale first-team, but Rovers looked to have won the race for his signature.
      However, both face an anxious wait to discover their futures despite passing their respective medicals after the moves did not get the necessary sign-off from the EFL.
      And O’Brien will be particularly worried as he could now be left out of Forest’s 25-man Premier League squad for the second part of the campaign if he has to stay at the City Ground.
      That would leave him with the prospect of no football for the remainder of the season.
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      However, Rovers have confirmed they have launched an appeal, with a statement reading: “One of the deals was a very ambitious target and it was only confirmed that he was able to join us late Tuesday afternoon.
      “Due to the complex nature of the various agreements to be included within the overall registration, legal advisors were brought in to assist in part of the process.
      “Despite the club’s best endeavours to complete all the required elements of this loan transfer, due to events we believe to be outside of our control, the deadline for submission was late and despite the club stating the mitigating reasons for the delayed submission, our application has today been rejected by the EFL.
      “Our application for the second deal – for the permanent transfer of a promising young player – was also delayed due to unsigned paperwork and technical issues encountered by the club at the point of submission.
      “Once again the EFL has not accepted these issues were an impediment to the paperwork being lodged on time and has also rejected this application.
      “The club will now appeal the EFL decision to reject both applications and will submit documents ahead of the Tuesday, February 7 deadline.” More

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      Max Aarons rejected two Premier League transfer moves on deadline day to help Norwich get promoted for third time

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      MAX AARONS turned down two offers from unnamed Premier League clubs on deadline day in order to win promotion from the Championship with Norwich for a third time.The England Under-21 right-back had interest from a number of clubs from home and abroad before the window closed on Tuesday night.
      Max Aarons turned down the chance to move to the PremCredit: Rex
      Aarons has starred in the Championship for Norwich this season
      SunSport revealed last month that Aarons was being monitored by suitors including Fulham, Bournemouth and German outfit Borussia Monchengladbach, who had a bid rejected for Aarons in August.
      Clubs in Italy were also keen.
      But the highly-rated defender, who will have 12 months left on his deal this summer, wanted to stay put at Carrow Road and focus on promotion rather than jump ship mid-season.
      And Aarons, who won the Championship twice with the Canaries in 2019 and 2021, is hugely committed in helping David Wagner’s side make an instant return to the Prem.
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      Seventh-placed Norwich, a place and a point outside the play-offs, host league leaders Burnley on Saturday.
      Ambitious Aarons retains the dream of returning to the Prem and then establishing himself as a top-flight player.
      The 23-year-old is currently valued at £10million by Norwich but once he enters the final year of his contract at the end of the season he is likely to be available for a smaller fee.
      Aarons, who has made almost 200 appearances for the club, will also have one eye on England’s Euro U21 finals this summer.
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      Lee Carsley’s junior Three Lions face Czech Republic, Germany and Israel at the tournament hosted by Romania and Georgia in June.
      And Aarons, who qualifies to play for England in the finals by just four days with his birthday on January 4, 2000, wants to achieve success with his country after a strong end to the domestic season. More

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      Sheff Utd ‘set for shock takeover as African billionaire tables £90million bid for cash-strapped club amid transfer ban’

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      CASH-STRAPPED Sheffield United are reportedly set for a shock £90million takeover from an unnamed African billionaire after being placed under a transfer embargo for missed payments.The Blades are chasing promotion back to the Premier League and are sat second in the Championship after 28 games played and hold a 12-point advantage over third-place Middlesbrough.
      Prince Abdullah could sell Sheffield United to an unnamed African billionaire for £90mCredit: Getty
      Sheffield United are chasing promotion back to the Premier LeagueCredit: Alamy
      But they were placed under a transfer embargo last month amid financial difficulties.
      Sheffield United are unable to buy players for the next 18 months after failing to keep up with payment instalments on signings.
      This included payments to Liverpool for forward Rhian Brewster, who was signed in October 2020 for £23.5m.
      Winning promotion back to the big time could ease the Blades’ financial fears – as could a takeover.
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      And according to the Daily Mail, Sheffield United are subject of a £90m takeover bid from an unnamed African billionaire.
      The interested party would like to purchase the club from current Saudi owner, Prince Abdullah.
      American Henry Mauriss was close to buying the club last year only for the takeover to collapse after he failed the EFL’s test.
      The latest African bid is seen as much more viable.
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      If Sheffield United’s financial situation remains uncertain, they could be forced to sell key players.
      Sander Berge was linked with a £20m return to the Premier League with Fulham.
      An astonishing 15 players could also leave for nothing in the summer.
      Oliver Norwood, Wes Foderingham, Oli McBurnie and Billy Sharp are among the big names set to leave the club. More

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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