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      Middlesbrough eye Norwich talent-spotter Kieran Scott who found star man Teemu Pukki and Emi Buendia  

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      MIDDLESBROUGH are eyeing up a move for Norwich talent-spotter Kieran Scott.Canaries head of recruitment Scott played a key role in the Norfolk side’s signings of Teemu Pukki and Emi Buendia, who joined Aston Villa for £33million earlier this month.
      Middlesbrough are eyeing up a move for Norwich talent-spotter Kieran ScottCredit: www.canaries.co.uk
      Emi Buendia pictured with Teemu PukkiCredit: Alamy
      SunSport understands Championship side Boro are mulling over offering him a role as sporting director.
      Scott has spoken before of his desire to take such a position at a club in the future.
      Though that role could possibly be available in a year at his own club Norwich, with current incumbent Stuart Webber previously hinting he could vacate his role when his contract ends in 2022.
      Meanwhile, the newly-promoted Canaries are set to announce Lotus as their new shirt sponsors for the season.
      It came after the club ditched online casino BK8 as their sponsors following a fan backlash over the gambling company’s sexualised marketing.
      That deal was believed to be worth £5m for the year – but the Lotus deal is understood to be worth less than half of that.
      Boro head pre-season having lost forward Ashley Fletcher, who joined Watford on a free transfer.
      The ex-Manchester United prodigy agreed a five-year deal to move to Vicarage Road after his contract expired this month.
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      Fletcher leaves Boro after a rollercoaster four years that were hindered by injuries following his £6million arrival from West Ham.
      He initially struggled to make a breakthrough and was shipped out to Sunderland on loan but returned to become a regular under Tony Pulis.
      Fletcher was top scorer at the Riverside during the 2019/20 campaign but could only muster four goals in 14 matches this term under Neil Warnock after being sidelined for four months.
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      Scott Parker ready to quit Fulham this week as Bournemouth look set to make him new boss and replace Woodgate

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      FULHAM boss Scott Parker is eyeing a move to Bournemouth – but the Cottagers are holding out for compensation.The Cherries have made Parker their No1 target to take over from the departing Jonathan Woodgate.
      Jonathan Woodgate is poised to depart Bournemouth after failing to get them promotedCredit: Getty
      Fulham gaffer Scott Parker is understood to be close to linking up with the CherriesCredit: PA
      SunSport exclusively revealed earlier this month how Parker was being lined up as Woodgate’s replacement.
      And now Bournemouth are just thought to be waiting for the 40-year-old to become available, anticipating that he will come to a mutual agreement with Fulham over his departure.
      Parker has been in talks over his future with the Cottagers hierarchy – with whom he has had a fractious relationship – following relegation and there is a growing expectation he will leave.
      Yet Fulham are adamant they will not let their manager, who still has two years left on his £3million-a-year contract, go on the cheap.
      They rate Parker highly and see his previous experience of guiding Fulham out of the Championship as key to their bid to return to the top-flight at the first attempt.
      Bournemouth are long-term admirers of the former England star and were hopeful of appointing him last summer, had Fulham failed to win promotion via the play-offs.
      But the Cottagers did triumph at Wembley and Parker stayed, overseeing a Premier League campaign which ended in relegation.
      Despite the drop, Parker earned praise for making the West Londoners hard to beat and easy on the eye – at least in the middle part of the season – and all on a shoe-string budget.
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      Fulham finished in 18th spot – nine points off safety – after winning just five out of their 38 Premier League games.
      Woodgate joined the Cherries in February on a deal until the end of the season, but lost in the play-off semi-finals to eventual winners Brentford.
      The former Tottenham and Real Madrid centre-back is yet to formally leave his role in the South Coast.
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      Blackburn striker Ben Brereton, born in Stoke, makes shock CHILE debut against Messi’s Argentina after shock call-up

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      BLACKBURN ace Ben Brereton made his CHILE debut on Monday – against Lionel Messi’s Argentina. The Stoke-born forward, 22, qualifies for the South American nation through his mother who was born there.
      Ben Brereton went up against Argentina legend Lionel Messi in the Copa AmericaCredit: Getty
      He made his senior debut for Chile on Monday night and came on for the final 13 minutesCredit: AFP
      Brereton represented England at Under-20 level but has been on La Roja’s radar since the end of last year.
      He produced his best season to date with seven goals and five assists for Rovers this term.
      That saw him rewarded by being named in Martin Lasarte’s squad for their June World Cup qualifiers and then Copa America.
      Then he got his first taste of senior international football when he replaced Eduardo Vargas on 77 minutes in their Copa clash with Argentina.
      Brereton led the line as the central striker for the closing stages and put himself about with some surging runs to stretch the opposition defence late on.
      Messi opened the scoring with a vintage free-kick before Vargas equalised, heading in the rebound when Arturo Vidal’s penalty was saved.
      Brereton is part of the squad alongside former Manchester United flop Alexis Sanchez who has a staggering 46 goals in 138 games for his nation.
      Well known stars Claudio Bravo, Arturo Vidal and Gary Medel are also part of the current set-up.
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      The coastal nation sit seventh in the South American qualifying group for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Lasarte’s side are 12 points behind group leaders Brazil after another 1-1 draw with Argentina earlier in June.
      But after two unused substitute appearances for that one and then against Bolivia, the former Nottingham Forest star followed in the footsteps of legends Ivan Zamarano and Marcelo Salas with his Copa America bow in Rio.
      Chile – who won the tournament in 2015 and 2016 – also face Bolivia, Uruguay and Paraguay in the group stage.
      Blackburn finished 15th in this season’s Championship.
      The former Premier League winners beat Birmingham 5-2 on the final day.
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      The striker enjoyed a fine season with Blackburn which led to the surprise call-upCredit: Simon Whitehead/News Images
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      David Brooks desperate to remind Man Utd and Liverpool of Premier League qualities at Euro 2020 after transfer interest

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      DAVID BROOKS hopes to use the Euros to remind everyone he still has Premier League quality.Bournemouth’s Wales midfielder was on the radar of Manchester United and Liverpool before a serious ankle injury two years ago.
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      Bournemouth star David Brooks is hoping for a big summer with WalesCredit: Getty
      There were signs that Brooks, 23, was returning to his best last season – and his 15-minute appearance for the Dragons on Saturday added to that.
      He said: “I think every player will see it as a chance to impress.
      “I’m not going to sit here and disrespect Bournemouth. Obviously, I’m contracted to them. I’m very happy there.
      “I’m just looking forward to the Euros to try to showcase what I can do to everyone.
      “However many minutes I get in the Euros, I want to take the opportunity to impress those watching.
      “The Euros being pushed back meant I was able to take my recovery at an easy, steady pace.”
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      Man Utd’s biggest transfers ever, both in and out, including Ronaldo
      The former Manchester City academy player made a name for himself at Sheffield United during the 2017-18 season, featuring 30 times in the Championship.
      His eye-catching performances persuaded Premier League side Bournemouth to pay a reported £11.5million for him in July 2018.
      Brooks went on to have an excellent first campaign in the top flight, making 30 Prem appearances.
      But an ankle injury during a pre-season friendly restricted him to just nine league games the following campaign as Bournemouth were relegated.
      Brooks regained his fitness last term, featuring in 32 Championship games for the Cherries.
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      Erik Alonso slams EFL over failed Derby takeover and says hacker posted video bragging about £42m house that wasn’t his

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      ERIK ALONSO has blasted the EFL over his failed Derby takeover and blamed a hacker for a video bragging about a a £42million house.The Spanish boxing promoter claimed in April he was buying out the Championship club – but failed to satisfy League chiefs that he could provide sustainable funding.
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      Former boxer Erik Alonso has hit out at the EFL after his Derby buyout bid failedCredit: Instagram / @eralwbd
      Spanish businessman Erik Alonso denies posting a clip of this as his £42m mansion, saying his Twitter account was hacked
      Erik Alonso claims he showed to EFL he had all the necessary fundingCredit: Instagram / @eralwbd
      And the saga took a farcical twist when fans accused him of tweeting to pass off an extravagant mansion on TikTok as his.
      But Alonso insists he never made the post – as his account had been hacked.
      The ex-fighter also accused EFL chiefs of not wanting someone so young owning a club so old as Derby.
      He told The Athletic: “It predominantly broke down because the EFL kept putting up more barriers.
      ‘I think, and maybe I am wrong, they see a 29-year-old kid would own one of the founders of the Football League and they did not want it.”
      EFL chief executive Trevor Birch told talkSPORT this month that Alonso “wasn’t able to deliver…tangible proof”.
      But Alonso claims he and his lawyers believe he did all he could to show he can not only buy Derby but maintain funding.
      He said the EFL “wanted proof of funds and to justify the movement between the banks. It had to be €75million over a three-month period.

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      “Initially, the EFL said it was OK, but they wanted to know the source of the funds. I said ‘no problem’. 
      “I provided all the information about the businesses and sent it to the organisation.
      ‘Then they (EFL) came back and told me it was not sufficient. 
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      “They asked me to provide all information for all business dealings I may have in Indonesia and Spain, including tax returns and bills. 
      “I then provided all that information. I spoke to my lawyers and they told me what we had provided was already sufficient.”
      Meanwhile, current Derby owner Mel Morris is reportedly stepping up efforts to find a successor.
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      Jonathan Woodgate facing Bournemouth axe – with Fulham boss Scott Parker eyed as replacement

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      JONATHAN WOODGATE is in grave danger of the axe at Bournemouth — with Scott Parker in their sights as boss.The Cherries plan to change manager after Woodgate’s failure to get through the Championship promotion play-offs when he took over.
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      Jonathan Woodgate is in danger of the axe at BournemouthCredit: Rex
      Fulham boss Scott Parker is being targeted by BournemouthCredit: PA
      And Fulham chief Parker is top of the wanted list because of his past record at this level and amid growing talk that he wants a new challenge.
      Parker, 40, was wanted by Bournemouth when Eddie Howe left a year ago, but they could not seal a deal as the Cottagers were in the top flight.
      Now there will be a second attempt to get him and Parker may decide to move on because Fulham have gone down.
      He has already been linked with the Tottenham vacancy, leaving doubts about his future at Craven Cottage.
      Bournemouth will need massive changes after coming up short. They were the only one of the three relegated clubs to not bounce straight back from the Championship.
      Woodgate, 41, did well when he first replaced Jason Tindall at the Cherries in February — but they lost to Brentford in the play-off semi-finals.
      Despite relegation, Parker shrewdly led a side  with eye-catching football at Fulham, so he knows what is needed.
      Meanwhile, Manchester City are setting up a shock move for Fulham’s USA  left-back Antonee Robinson.
      Antonee Robinson is a shock target for Man CityCredit: PA
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      Boss Pep Guardiola plans to shake up his defence next season and is looking at Robinson  as a cover player for his squad following the youngster’s first Premier League campaign.
      The 23-year-old can also play as a wing-back and his pace and athleticism have caught the eye since he joined from Wigan a year ago.
      Prem kings City would have to pay out about £10million to sign Robinson but that is within their budget plans as they look to tinker with their options.
      He would be trading a regular start at Fulham for a place in City’s squad — but if he gets enough game time that would work out for him.
      Guardiola tried injury-prone Benjamin Mendy and out-of-position Joao Cancelo at left-back, before Oleksandr Zinchenko got the nod for the Champions League final.
      So it is an unsettled part of his team.
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      Brentford in race to sign cut-price Colombian left-back Gabriel Fuentes to provide competition for Rico Henry

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      BRENTFORD will bid to sign left-back Gabriel Fuentes from Junior FC in his native Colombia.Fuentes, 24, would provide competition for Rico Henry.
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      Brentford are keen on signing Colombian left-back Gabriel FuentesCredit: Getty
      He is a full international and will be out of contract at the end of this year.
      Fuentes could move in the summer for about £1.3million.
      There is a higher buy-out clause but Bees may get him for less because of the time left on his deal.
      Henry was named in the Championship Team of the Year after Brentford’s play-off final win over Swansea.
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      However, he suffered a bad hamstring injury in February.
      And Henry missed the final 15 games of the regular Championship season.
      His absence saw boss Thomas Frank switch to five at the back, deploying Sergi Canos as a left wing-back.
      Henry made his return from injury in the first leg semi-final defeat to Bournemouth.
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      Fuentes will provide cover for Rico Henry after his hamstring injury earlier this seasonCredit: Reuters

      But he missed the return fixture and the victorious final.
      Yet there has been good news for Henry’s former club Walsall, who sold him to Brentford for £1.5million in 2016.
      They are now set to pocket over £5m from the Bees’ promotion, and are also entitled to some of his next transfer fee.
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      Brighton legend Glenn Murray retires from football aged 37 after 19-year career and reveals plans to work in media

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      GLENN MURRAY has retired from playing football after a lengthy career that took in all levels of the English pyramid.Murray played for Watford and Nottingham Forest this season but wants to hang up his boots while still playing at a good level.
      Glenn Murray has called time on his playing career after 19 years in the game
      To all the Clubs, Players & Fans that I’ve come across on this life changing journey….THANK YOU from the bottom of my 🖤It’s been a pleasure, hanging them up 31/05/2021 ✌🏼 pic.twitter.com/XTbC87wq3k— Glenn Murray (@GM_83) May 31, 2021

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      A statement via Brighton & Hove Albion read: “I feel as though the time is right and I wanted to retire at a good level.
      “I’ve had a lot of good years in the game, but this seems the right time to call it a day.
      “I am getting off the football merry-go-round, the structure of being told what to do for 20 years. I am looking forward to making some of my own decisions I suppose.”
      Murray, 37, actually began his career in the USL Pro Soccer League playing for Wilmington Hammerheads before a Conference North switch to Barrow.
      From there he worked his way up the leagues with a number of clubs, including Carlisle United and Rochdale.
      He then moved to Brighton for the first of two spells which saw him score a total of 111 goals for the club.
      In between stints on the south coast he also featured for fierce rivals Crystal Palace, enjoying a record-breaking season that saw him score 30 Championship goals to fire Palace to promotion to the Premier League.
      Now the former striker is focused on a new path, and is keen to take on more media work after featuring on Sky Sports in their coverage of the Championship play-off final on Saturday.
      He added: “I have got a lot of options, there are a lot of things going on in the background.
      “The media work is something I want to pursue and I am looking forward to starting a new chapter of my life.
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      “I don’t know if I am a natural at the media work but it keeps me in the game that I love.
      “It gets me going to different grounds and I think I will always need that to feel close to the grass and be a part of professional football in England.
      “It would be too strange for me to cut it off entirely and not have anything to do with. Football is all I know.”
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