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      Derby on verge of takeover as Erik Alonso agrees to buy club while Ipswich complete £40m sale to US investors

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      CHAMPIONSHIP side Derby are on the verge of a takeover after Erik Alonso agreed to buy the club, subject to EFL approval.Confirmed on Wednesday, the Rams were the second Football League club to change hands in just a few hours after Ipswich were sold to US investors.
      Derby will soon be under new ownership when the EFL approves Erik Alonso’s takeoverCredit: PA
      Mel Morris has been attempting to sell Derby for some time but a deal with Bin Zayed Group collapsed earlier this season.
      Talks with No Limits Sports lasted a number of weeks until a breakthrough with Spanish businessman Alonso, 29, who recently attempted to buy Sheffield Wednesday having worked at Hillsborough as an advisor.
      The East Midlands club have confirmed the purchase will be completed when Alonso passes the EFL’s Owners and Directors Test.
      A statement read: “Derby County Football Club wishes to confirm that a definitive agreement to purchase the club has been reached with No Limits Sports Limited.
      “The transaction, which is still subject to the EFL’s Owners and Directors Test approval, is expected to close in the near future.
      “As agreed with No Limits Sports there will be no further comment until the transaction is complete. This is to ensure that all of the club’s focus will be on the Championship run in.”
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      We are looking forward to working with Wayne Rooney and his team.Erik Alonso
      Alonso thanked Candy Crush millionaire Morris for a ‘quick and smooth transaction’.
      He said in a statement: “It has undoubtedly been a difficult period both on and off the pitch for the club over the last two seasons.
      “And we recognise that all of the staff have been dedicated and worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the club’s first-team and academy football operations were fulfilled.
      “We are looking forward to working with Wayne Rooney and his team, and will do everything possible to support the club’s vision and ambition.”
      Derby currently sit 18th in the Championship table after a 3-1 defeat to Reading, eight points clear of the relegation zone.
      TRACTOR BOYS TAKEOVER
      League One club Ipswich also changed hands on Wednesday, ending Marcus Evans’ 13 years at the helm.
      The 57-year-old accepted a £40m bid from US investors Gamechanger 20 but will retain a five per cent share of the Suffolk side.
      Ipswich have not reached the Premier League since relegation in 2002Credit: Getty – Contributor
      US pension fund ORG will control 90 per cent of the Tractor Boys but day-to-day running is to be overseen by a group known as Three Lions Fund, which holds a five per cent stake.
      Made up of co-owners of the American team Phoenix Rising, the group has appointed former West Brom CEO Mike O’Leary as the new Ipswich chairman.
      O’Leary said: “We want our first remarks on completion of this takeover to be words of thanks to Marcus Evans.
      “We have been discussing this sale with him for more than a year, and throughout the negotiations his love for the Club has shone through. He is a true supporter and all of us at Gamechanger 20 are extremely grateful that he has chosen to put his trust in us.
      “Marcus has invested considerable money, time and energy in Ipswich Town. His decision to waive much of the Club’s outstanding debt is one that deserves the gratitude of every single Ipswich Town fan.”
      Three Lions member Brett Johnson added: “The Three Lions have considerable experience in commerce and marketing, and in the medium-term plan to increase revenue at the Club.
      “But the short-term priority has to be the playing side, and we are committed to improving that, all the way from the Academy to the first-team.”
      Evans confirmed the writing off of ‘a portion’ of Ipswich’s historic debt having put £100m into the club since buying it in 2007.
      Paul Cook’s side are three points outside the League One play-off placesCredit: Alamy

      In that time, Town have dropped from the Championship to League One, where they sit eighth.
      Evans stated: “The fund has deep pockets, but by the nature of a pension fund will be fiscally responsible in the use of those funds.
      “In order to meet its investment responsibilities, it will need to invest to secure Premier League status, and it has already committed to making substantial investment in both the Club’s playing squad and infrastructure.
      “I had always wanted to take the Club myself to the Premier League and sadly, for too short a window, at one time this had seemed possible.”
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      Rotherham boss Paul Warne dreaming of football again – and takes aim at critics

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      PAUL Warne has had his shed done in by being forced to watch games at home – now he is dreaming of football.That means there can be no delays in what the Rotherham boss sees and no comments to his family.
      Rotherham boss Paul Warne is back on the touchline after being forced to watch from his shedCredit: Rex Features
      Warne was forced to self-isolate after contracting Covid-19, forcing him to watch the Millers from his garden shed.
      But he will be back in his usual place today at the crucial relegation six-pointer with Wycombe and just being around players and colleagues is a huge boost.
      He successfully wound up his squad on Thursday with an April Fool asking them to bring eggs to training for an egg rolling race.
      But getting stressed in bed is one drawback as he said: “I’d rather just sleep and dream of being on an island or something.
      “Dreaming about work isn’t ideal. Even more so when I get sent off. I get stressed when I’m asleep. I have enough of that when I’m awake!
      Warne admits he has been dreaming of football againCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “Wednesday was the first night I dreamed about football, which I normally do most nights. It’s my brain telling me, ‘Get ready mate. There’s a game.’
      “I woke up at 6am, I’d made some signings and out this left winger on, got fouled, got up and punched the fella in the face and got a red card!”
      Warne admits having to watch in his shed brought its own issues.
      A lag on the feed on his TV meant he had not seen a key piece of action when it happened and he admits he was proved wrong after questioning a player’s actions.
      But he is ready to defy critics by keeping Rotherham in the Championship, ones who do not credit his side while praising others for doing the exact same thing.
      Rotherham are fighting to stay in the ChampionshipCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      He added, after admitting he has cut out certain comments other managers have made to fire his side up: “I’m biased but I see Cardiff play and they don’t play any differently than us.
      “I love Mick McCarthy but I read an article the other day about how he’s gone in and they are unbelievable. They play exactly the same as we do.
      “I get offended, more offended by the fact I see a lot of teams play exactly the same as us and when we win against other managers, the first thing they come out with is, ‘Oh, they’re a physical team.’
      “I don’t think we’ve given away more fouls than any other team, we’ve had no more sendings off or bookings. I get frustrated, I find it wrong.
      Warne admits he is offended by some Rotherham criticsCredit: PA:Press Association
      “I’ve kept a few things people have said if anyone’s needled the lads or been disrespectful.  Also things about this whole ‘Covid conspiracy’ because everyone wants to take home a life threatening illness, that makes complete sense.
      “But when I watched our Watford game, it was two minutes behind, which was beyond frustrating. One minute I thought we were going to score then the goalie coach rang saying, ‘They’ve scored.’
      “I was like, ‘What do you mean they’ve scored? We’re in the other box,’ and against Bristol City when Wes Harding crossed the ball I was like, ‘What’s he doing?’
      “When Michael Smith scored I was like, ‘That’s what he’s doing. Yes Wes!” More

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      Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock lines up Ched Evans free transfer with Preston deal set to expire

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      MIDDLESBROUGH boss Neil Warnock is hoping to snatch striker Ched Evans from Preston.The Boro gaffer fancies the 32-year-old on a free transfer.
      Middlesbrough are eyeing up a summer move for Preston striker Ched EvansCredit: Rex
      The Wales international’s deal at Deepdale expires at the end of the season.
      Boro are also targeting Oxford goalkeeper Jack Stevens as well as Evans.
      Evans only joined the Lilywhites on an initial loan transfer from League One outfit Fleetwood Town in January.
      Preston turned his deal into a permanent stay a month later, but it remains to be seen whether he will offered a contract extension.
      The ex-Sheffield United ace has impressed during his short stay – chipping in with three goals in 14 Championship appearances.
      Evans recently spoke about the possibility of remaining at Preston, as he stated: “With regards to the games that I have played, I feel that I’ve done OK, I’ve done well.
      “I’ve scored a few goals and I feel we could’ve created more chances.
      “And if we did create those more chances, I feel I could’ve scored more goals.
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      “But it is, for me, just about taking every game as it comes now and performing.
      “It’s about getting wins on a Saturday and keeping Preston North End where they are.”
      Commenting on what Preston need to do in their remaining fixtures to stay in the Championship, Evans declared: “Some games I felt we could’ve fought more.
      “Possibly created more chances, crosses into the box and stuff – at the end of the day there is 11 players on the pitch and we need to go out and perform, you need people to take control.
      “Being more solid at the back, I felt the manager tried his utmost to make happen but ultimately it came down to how we did it on the pitch.
      “You can’t have too many people not performing because it just doesn’t work and for me, the last eight games now, you are basically going to battle in every game.”
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      League One drop scrap nothing for Rotherham skipper Richard Wood compared to son battling diabetes

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      RICHARD WOOD knows about struggles so Rotherham’s fight against relegation is water off a duck’s back.The Millers captain’s 12-year-old son Jenson everyday lives with type 1 diabetes.
      Rotherham captain Richard Wood and 12-year-old son Jenson set off for a 100km bike ride to raise funds for a diabetes research charityCredit: RICHARD WOOD

      Richard Wood relishes the relegation battle that Rotherham currently find themselves in
      It is something Woods and his partner Jade have had to worry about since their son was diagnosed with the condition aged two.
      Rotherham are in a battle against dropping into League One and have a crazy schedule – which after Friday’s trip to Millwall and Monday’s home game with Wycombe – includes them playing four games in just eight days.
      But this pales into insignificance when people like Jenson are battling more serious problems.
      Wood, 35, said: “It’s a condition where something is triggered when you’re young.
      “In Jenson’s case, he got ill and his immune system attacked the cells that produce insulin in his pancreas, causing permanent damage.
      “The insulin converts sugars and carbs into energy so we manually have to put it in each day and calculate how many carbs he has had or whatever he is drinking and match that with the amount of insulin his body needs.
      “It’s a constant balancing act. If you’re eating something sugary or high in carbs, your blood sugars increase. If you have too much sugar in your blood, you can become ill.
      “The insulin moves the sugar from your blood to your muscles.

      “But if he has too much insulin, it takes too much sugar out of your blood and you don’t get enough to your brain and you can pass out – and people with this condition can die in that scenario.
      “He’s been low a few times and got dizzy. We’ve had to give him adrenaline injections to bring him back up. It’s a constant balancing act.
      “Exercise affects it because you’re using sugar and energy.
      “He’s growing older and doing things with his friends so he must manage it a little himself. Now he wears an insulin pump that injects it automatically.
      “I’m constantly ringing him and texting him to say how are your blood sugars?
      “But he’s doing brilliantly and living as normal a life as possible. He even plays football.”
      Wood has become so passionate about helping others who suffer this horrible condition that he has become an ambassador of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
      And in November – to mark the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin – the Rotherham defender decided to raise funds for the charity by cycling 100km.
      Richard Wood’s son Jenson joined him for the first 20k of his 100k charity bike ride
      No journey is too far for Wood
      He said: “I wanted to do a marathon but couldn’t risk getting injured. I’ve recently got into mountain biking so thought to keep within the theme of 100 years, why not do a 100km cycle.
      “So during the international break in November, I set off one day early in the morning with Jenson. He did the first 20k with me.
      “I did the ‘Wakefield Wheel’, which is 60k all around Wakefield and then the Trans Pennine Trail.
      The 101.5km route taken by Richard Wood took him six hours, 26 minutes
      “I went out towards Huddersfield and back home from there. It was mostly on trails because I’m not keen on road biking.
      “I’d much rather be on a country trail or hills. I also don’t listen to music – I just enjoy my day out. It helps clear the mind.”
      And while Wood is fortunate enough to be a Championship footballer, he knows full well how difficult this pandemic has been as he and his partner Jade run a soft-play centre in Horbury, near Wakefield.
      We can relate to all the small businesses who have struggled and people who have been furloughed during these tough times
      Secret Garden, like many businesses, has been shut down because of lockdown restrictions.
      Wood said: “We opened it three years ago but it’s been shut for the last year so we’re looking forward to getting that going again.
      “We can relate to all the small businesses who have struggled and people who have been furloughed during these tough times.
      “When our two boys – Jenson and Graye – were younger we had been to that many play centres, we wanted to have a go at it ourselves.
      “I love going there for my coffee. I’ve worked there as well when we’ve been busy by picking up the trays and plates from the customers in the cafe.”
      Rotherham are three points adrift of fourth-bottom Birmingham with four games in hand – but have won two out of their last three.
      Richard Wood is still going strong for Rotherham at the age of 35
      And even before that, despite the Millers losing five on the spin, each one was by the odd goal and four of the opponents are challenging for promotion in Bournemouth, Cardiff, Norwich and Reading.
      Wood said: “We haven’t played badly in those games we lost either.
      “It’s not like we’ve been struggling and confidence has been low. We’re in a good place. The lads are positive about it and we’re looking forward to it and the mad schedule we’ve got coming up.
      “Watford aside – where we got battered 4-1 – we’ve been decent and fancy our chances of staying up. It’s in our own hands.”
      Wood is in his seventh season at Rotherham in a career that has also taken in Sheffield Wednesday, Coventry and Charlton as well as loans at Crawley, Fleetwood ad Chesterfield.
      So what is it that he loves about the Millers?
      He said: “We know we don’t have the biggest budget and are not a big team on paper.
      “For a club in the bottom three, there is no sign of a lack of confidence and morale is high.
      “Everyone just pulls together at Rotherham, we do a lot of community work and are hard working. That is what this club is all about. We’re similar to Barnsley in a lot of ways and look what they’re doing right now.”
      Wood puts this down to boss Paul Warne and the squad he has assembled.
      He said: “He’s a great person. I’ve known him a long time. He was a fitness coach when I first came to the club and he helped me out a lot before he became the manager.
      “Since taking over, he’s grown into the role really well.
      “He wants good people in. He wants proper human beings. He believes in that side of it.
      “The manager also cares about all his players and staff as people. That is a really good trait he has got and he’s a really genuine guy.
      “He has rejuvenated the club and it’s a happy place to come to work now.”
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      Premier League clubs splash out £272m on agent fees in last season alone after huge transfer payments despite pandemic

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      AGENTS walked away with a staggering £272million from the 20 Premier League clubs this season – despite the pandemic.While top-flight transfer fees were down by £201m in the summer and more than £150m in January, cash paid to agents and intermediaries over the season went UP by £9m.
      Chelsea splashed out more than £35million on agent fees alone this season, the most in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
      Chelsea spent £250m in January on signings including Germans Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, neither of whom have pulled up many trees.
      And the Blues were ‘top’ of the agent table too, splashing out £35,247,822 in fees.
      They were followed by Manchester City, who paid out £30,147,615 and Manchester United, whose outlay was £29,801,555.
      Another seven Premier League clubs paid out more than £10m in fees, led by Liverpool who paid £21,652,589.
      The others were Arsenal, Everton, Leicester, Newcastle – which will shock and surprise Toon fans – Spurs and Wolves.
      Promoted West Brom were the lowest payers on £4,222,059.
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      Many of the payments are related to existing contracts with staged payments made to selling clubs and agents, while new deals and bonuses also see intermediaries in the money.
      Lower down the pyramid, Championship clubs paid out £40.7m, ranging from the £6,827,037 paid by relegated Norwich to Wycombe’s bill of just £126,053.
      Seven League One clubs and Salford in League Two paid more to agents than Wycombe, with Hull splashing out more than £543,000.
      League One Gillingham were the only club in the top four divisions of the English game not to pay out a penny in fees to agents.

      Liverpool boast the most-valuable squad in the Premier League
      Transfer windows play into hands of agents and are the last thing we need.. especially after coronavirus More

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      Aston Villa lead Ajani Burchall free transfer race with 16-year-old wonderkid snubbing new Bournemouth deal

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      ASTON VILLA have moved into pole position to snap up Bournemouth whizkid Ajani Burchall.The Bermudan winger, 16, is set to leave the Cherries in the summer after snubbing a scholarship deal.
      Ajani Burchall made his Championship debut in DecemberCredit: Getty
      Arsenal have shown interest, but it is Villa who now look most likely to sign the school boy.
      Burchall became Bournemouth’s third youngest ever player when making his debut as a late sub in December’s 5-0 win over Huddersfield.
      Then-Cherries boss Jason Tindall hailed the winger as one of many bright talents coming through the club academy.
      He said: “Ajani’s been one that has been performing consistently well for some time now.
      “He stepped up to play in [youth coach] Alan Connell’s side and has done very well when he’s stepped up.
      “And [the debut] was just a reward for his performances and also a reward for the academy, for the good work that they’ve been doing.
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      “To be able to see the amount of academy players we’ve had involved so far this season, I think it’s been excellent.”
      Villa have handed midfield prospect Jacob Ramsey a number of appearances this season and signed the teenager up to a new long-term deal in February.
      Earlier this season, fans got an unexpected look at their academy starlets as a coronavirus outbreak led to the club’s youth team facing Liverpool in the FA Cup third round.
      Louie Barry, signed from Barcelona in January 2020, got on the scoresheet in the 4-1 loss.
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      Women’s Aid terminate Bristol City partnership after Danny Simpson transfer due to domestic abuse conviction

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      A WOMEN’S domestic abuse charity have ended their partnership with Bristol City after signing Danny Simpson.The 34-year-old former Manchester United and Leicester right-back has penned a short-term deal with the Robins until the summer after his arrival on a free transfer.
      Danny Simpson recently joined Bristol City on a free transfer until the summerCredit: Rex
      But the move has been met with plenty of opposition from supporters following the 2016 Premier League winner’s conviction six years ago for assaulting his then-partner.
      In December 2014 an eight minute phone call was made to 999.
      Manchester Magistrates Court heard that Simpson was found by a police officer on top of his partner at their Worsley home with his hands around her throat.
      He denied the charge but was found guilty of assault at Manchester Magistrates Court and served a period of 145 hours of community service.
      Simpson, who spent last season at Huddersfield Town, has now reunited with his ex-Foxes boss Nigel Pearson at Ashton Gate.
      However, Women’s Aid have decided not to use Bristol City in any of their campaign materials due to his previous conviction.
      That includes a photo of a pledge made in 2014 and removing details of the club from their website.
      A statement from the charity read: “While we understand that Simpson’s court case was in 2015 and his sentence for ‘throttling’ his girlfriend has been served, there is the significant issue that as an experienced and successful football player, he will be a role model for young fans and teammates.

      “There is no public message about rehabilitation or perpetrator programmes, or understanding that domestic abuse is rarely a one off event, but an ongoing pattern of control and fear.
      “Under a fifth of women experiencing abuse ever contact the police, and most domestic abuse will never be prosecuted.”
      It continued: “Following the tragic murder of Sarah Everard, alongside many other women who have been killed, there is currently a national conversation on how we can reduce violence against women.
      “One of the main ways we can do this is by not ignoring or minimising violence against women where it happens.
      “On average, one woman is killed by a current or former partner every four days in the UK – it is vital we talk about it and take it seriously.”
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      Man Utd were ‘extremely close’ to Ismaila Sarr transfer before £40m move collapsed in summer, confirms ex-Watford chief

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      MANCHESTER UNITED were ‘extremely close’ to signing Watford winger Ismaila Sarr last summer.The Red Devils had spent most of the window chasing Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho.
      Ismaila Sarr has scored nine times in the Championship this seasonCredit: Rex
      But when the German side stuck to their valuation of over £100million, United started chasing a back-up option.
      And former Watford technical director Filippo Giraldi has revealed that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side came close to signing the Hornets’ £40m-rated star man.
      He told the Here We Go podcast: “We were extremely close, I was personally negotiating with them.
      “We weren’t able to reach an agreement. And I think Ismaila is very young, he will arrive for sure.
      “He missed probably an opportunity, but I think also for his football to stay here and get 10 goals and 10 assists, he’s deciding the league. I think for Watford in the condition they are at the moment it’s luck he stayed.
      “I love Ismaila because he has the ability to affect the game every time he plays, and that’s quite rare.
      “You see fast wingers becoming more and more important in physical leagues like the Premier League. I remember last year against Manchester United and Liverpool, he was the one with Gerard Deulofeu on the other side affecting the game and deciding the game every time.
      “This type of player are players you have to try to maximise and protect them as much as you can.”
      Sarr, 23, helped Watford to a famous victory over Liverpool last yearCredit: Getty
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      Having joined Watford for £31m from Rennes in 2019, Sarr impressed at times in the Premier League, scoring five goals and laying on six assists in 28 outings.
      Amid transfer speculation upon relegation, the 23-year-old sat out of Watford’s first two games of the Championship season.
      But he has only missed three games since, playing a major role in catapulting the Hornets to second in the table, as they aim for an instant return to the top flight.
      Sarr has taken to the Championship like a duck to water, scoring nine and assisting another nine in 33 appearances.

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      Watford’s Ismaila Sarr shows off his skills on the training pitch More