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      David Brooks set to stay at Bournemouth this summer with £50m transfer demands putting off Man Utd and Leicester

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      DAVID BROOKS is set to stay at Bournemouth this summer.
      The Welshman had been linked to Leicester and Manchester United.

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      David Brooks is on course to stay at Bournemouth with no club set to meet the £50m asking priceCredit: Rex Features

      But the Cherries value the midfielder at more than £50million and do not want to sell.
      Brooks, 23, was on United’s radar last summer but missed most of the season with an ankle injury that required TWO surgeries.
      That long-term problem is likely to scare off any potential suitors from making a massive offer that Jason Tindall’s recently-relegated side could not turn down.

      Brooks came on as a late sub in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Blackburn and played the full 90 of Tuesday’s epic penalty-shootout triumph over Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.
      One player Bournemouth are planning on selling is Josh King – but they are yet to receive ANY bids for the striker.
      King, who is still in Norway as he recovers from a knock picked up on international duty, only has one year left on his contract.
      The Cherries do not want to see a repeat of the Ryan Fraser’s situation last term with a player running down his deal and risk losing him for nothing.

      Aston Villa were interested but made no firm offer – before signing Ollie Watkins from Brentford, with Lyon’s Bertrand Traore expected to follow.

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      The Cherries are preparing for life without Josh King who is hopeful of a return to Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      King is understood to be hoping old club Manchester United rekindle the interest that saw them bid for the 28-year-old in January, before they loaned Odion Ighalo.
      As for incomings on the south coast, Tindall is keen on Preston’s Ben Davies who is out of contract next summer.
      But SunSport understands the centre-back, 25, is more likely to sign a pre-contract agreement with Celtic in January.

      David Brooks enjoys the company of fellow Bournemouth players as he works out in training More

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      Aston Villa eye transfer for Brentford star Rico Henry with Dean Smith keen on new full-back amid West Ham interest

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      ASTON VILLA are tracking Rico Henry as boss Dean Smith weighs up whether to make a late bid to sign the Brentford defender.
      Henry, 23, emerged as one of the best full-backs outside of the top flight last season with a series of impressive displays before Brentford ultimately fell just short of promotion from the Championship.

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      Rico Henry has made 89 appearances for BrentfordCredit: Alamy Live News

      A number of Premier League clubs have shown interest in the left-back over the summer but found the Bees reluctant to do a deal for the player.
      But Smith, who worked with Henry while he was Walsall manager, is considering making an attempt to persuade Brentford to sell the defender before the window closes next month.
      West Ham had also been tracking the player as they search for a new left-back but have been forced to put their interest on hold while they try to prioritise bringing a new centre-back in with finances tight.

      It wouldn’t be the first time that Smith, 49, has reunited with Henry.
      After bagging the Brentford job in 2015, Smith brought Henry with him a year later – paying £1.5million to secure the then-teenager.
      Henry has since made 89 appearances for the Bees, despite having missed over a year with a knee injury.
      The injury occurred in September 2017, keeping the talented left-back out until November of the following season.

      But the England Under-20 international has bounced back impressively, becoming a regular in Thomas Frank’s promotion-pushing side.

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      Henry featured as Brentford lost 1-0 to Birmingham on SaturdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      He started the Bees’ season-opener on Saturday as his side slumped to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Birmingham.
      Henry would compete with Neil Taylor and Matt Targett for the left-back berth in Smith’s Villa side.
      The former started last night as the Villans overcame an early scare to beat Burton Albion 3-1 in the League Cup.

      New Aston Villa signing Emiliano Martínez talks about joining the club More

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      Benik Afobe joining Trabzonspor from Stoke as ex-Arsenal striker looks to relaunch career with transfer to Turkish club

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      BENIK AFOBE is joining Turkish club Trabzonspor for a season.
      The Stoke striker confirmed to SunSport that he has joined the Super Lig club in a move that will be officially announced later.

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      Benik Afobe appeared in Stoke’s Carabao Cup tie with Blackpool but is now set for an exit

      Former Arsenal and Bournemouth striker Afobe, 27, was left out of Michael O’Neill’s squad for the opening-day draw against Millwall.
      And he is set to put pen to paper on a deal that will keep him in the Turkish city of Trabzon until next spring.
      Afobe – who Stoke bought from Bournemouth for £12million in the summer of 2018 – was on loan last season at Bristol City.
      But after scoring three goals in five games, the striker injured his ACL and did not return to action until after the coronavirus lockdown.

      He managed another three starts and five sub appearances for City and also started Stoke’s 0-0 Carabao Cup draw with Blackpool that they won on penalties.
      It is a far cry from Afobe’s success earlier in his career, helping loan clubs Reading, MK Dons and Wolves to promotion.

      The 2014-15 season remains the 27-year-old’s best in English football, notching 32 times in a year split between Milton Keynes and Wolverhampton.

      It has been a traumatic year for the former Arsenal kid, whose two-year-old daughter Amora died of the rare kidney condition nephrotic syndrome.
      But Afobe – who says he has never felt in better shape physically – is hoping to relaunch his career in Turkey.

      Aston Villa sign Ollie Watkins from Brentford in club-record £33m transfer on five-year deal More

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      Said Benrahma set to join Crystal Palace as Eagles win £20m transfer race for Brentford forward

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      SAID BENRAHMA is ready to join Crystal Palace as they look set to win the £20million race for the Brentford flier.
      The Eagles have waited weeks for the right moment to go in for the Algerian wide-man and are keen to avoid an auction.

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      Crystal Palace have jumped ahead of Aston Villa and West Ham in the race to sign £20million-rated Said Benrahma

      Now Palace have stepped in after main rivals Aston Villa and West Ham turned down the chance of snapping up the exciting and unpredictable winger.
      Benrahma, 25, wants to play in the Premier League and is also happy to stay in the London area.
      So Palace could be able to pull off their latest coup shortly, having already signed fellow Championship star Eberechi Eze from QPR. 
      The move will give boss Roy Hodgson another attacking option and more width, but also puts the pressure on Andros Townsend.

      The former England cap could even be squeezed out if the right offer comes in as Palace do their own changing of the guard.

      Belgian side Club Brugge are also keen on Christian Benteke and could land the flop striker for £10m.
      Wages would be a problem but the Belgians found a way around that obstacle when they signed Simon Mignolet from Liverpool.
      Elsewhere, Palace are keen to send young Scottish midfielder Scott Banks to League One Rochdale on loan for the season.

      Crystal Palace complete £15m transfer for QPR ace Eberechi Eze after beating Premier League rivals to the attacker More

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      Arsenal ready to spend £10m on transfer for Brentford stopper David Raya with Emiliano Martinez set for exit

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      ARSENAL are ready to up their bid for Brentford keeper David Raya.
      The Gunners will go as high as £10million for the Spaniard, who would be Bernd Leno’s back-up.

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      David Raya could be set to replace Emi Martinez at ArsenalCredit: PA:Empics Sport

      Brentford may sell as Raya — who turns 25 on Tuesday — is keen on the chance of Prem football.
      His arrival would also allow Arsenal to clear Emiliano Martinez’s move to Aston Villa.
      The Bees plan to look at Charlton’s Dillon Phillips as a replacement.
      Martinez was left out of Mikel Arteta’s squad for Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Fulham as he closes in on a move to Aston Villa.
      The stopper, 28, was heading to Birmingham to undergo his medical.
      And if he passes, as expected, his signing will be announced by Villa imminently in a £20million deal.
      The Argentinian has agreed a long-term contract believed to be worth around £60,000-a-week to join Dean Smith’s team.

      Martinez was a revelation between the sticks for the Gunners last season.

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      He was brought into Arteta’s side after the restart when Bernd Leno suffered a long-term injury.
      The stopper went on the star as the North Londoners won the FA Cup in August.
      And he kept his place ahead of Leno for the recent penalty shoot-out victory over Liverpool.

      Watch Arsenal hero Emiliano Martinez break down in tears and leave interview early after being asked about his family More

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      Referee Keith Stroud appears to break Covid-19 rules by ‘KISSING’ ball as he leads Watford and Middlesbrough onto pitch

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      REFEREE Keith Stroud appeared to breach Covid-19 rules by KISSING the ball.
      The 51-year-old took charge of Watford’s 1-0 win over Middlesbrough on Friday.

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      Furious fans on Twitter slated the veteran official Credit: Sky Sports

      But he caused a stir as he led the players out onto the pitch before kick-off.
      Video footage appears to show Stroud pick up the match ball then kiss it.
      Players and officials have been warned against this due to the coronavirus pandemic.
      The footballs are being regularly cleaned before and during matches to lower the risk of spreading germs.

      After a clip of the kiss went viral on Twitter, one fan said: “Keith Stroud ignoring Covid guidance to ensure he still kisses the ball pre-kick off is about as #CelebrityRefs as it gets.”
      Another added: “What the hell is the point of all the Covid rules and sanitising at football if the bloody referee is going to kiss the match ball?”
      One joked: “Perhaps that’s how he tests the ball… by giving it a snog.”

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      The referee gave the ball a cheeky kiss after he picked it upCredit: Sky Sports

      And one Twitter user asked: “I can’t be the only one who saw Keith Stroud kiss the ball when he picked it up?”

      His controversial decision to kiss the ball came after Argentine midfielder Sergio Lopez was fined for the same offence.
      Lopez was handed a £1,000 fine for kissing the match ball after SD Aucas won their match in Ecuador.

      Former Russian star Roman Shirokov punches ref referee Nikita Danchenko and kicks him while on floor More

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      Tom Cleverley ready to step up and lead Watford back to Prem if Troy Deeney seals transfer exit

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      TOM CLEVERLEY spent the summer in a bad mood.
      But he has now got itchy feet to turn back the years for Watford this season.

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      Tom Cleverley admits Watford’s relegation led to a miserable summerCredit: Getty

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      The midfielder insists he is ready to take over the armband if Troy Deeney departs the HornetsCredit: AFP
      The midfielder, 31, was one of the many Hornets stalwarts to  suffer as the club returned to the Championship for the first time in five years.
      Even Cleverley, who is enjoying his third stint at Watford over an 11-year period, admits he gave up on survival when Aston Villa beat Arsenal on the penultimate day.
      Ahead of tonight’s opener against Middlesbrough, he said: “The first couple of weeks were hard.

      “It was my first relegation so I had never felt anything like that before. I was pretty annoyed to say the least.
      “But the short break has helped me and the rest of the squad get over that hangover. We footballers like a good break but personally I’m really happy it was a shorter one.
      “We could have dwelt on last season’s disappointment for too long and then ‘bang’ you lose focus on what’s ahead.
      “I accepted we were down when Villa beat Arsenal. We had one game to play and we could have stayed up but that’s when I started getting my head around the prospect of relegation.

      “I wasn’t the happiest man in the world that’s for sure. That sort of season takes its toll on you.
      “We lost on the opening day and from there we were in a relegation battle.
      “I know we are paid a lot of money but that stress is more than anyone can imagine.”

      It was my first relegation so I had never felt anything like that before.
      Tom Cleverley

      That stress is now gone from Cleverley’s mind but there is still a bone to pick with himself regarding his shooting boots.
      Since returning in January 2017 and signing permanently that summer — after  an initial loan spell in 2009-10 — the former Manchester United midfielder has netted just three times.
      In that 2009-10 campaign, also in the Championship, Cleverley was named Watford player of the season with 11 goals to his name.
      The Old Trafford academy graduate is not one to look back but he admits that is the type of goal-scoring performance he needs.
      He added: “I am the first one to say I have been disappointed with my goal return since then.
      “You don’t want a small-club mentality but it will be a nice change dominating the ball in the Championship — as well as not having to play Manchester City twice a season.
      “This year I will be making more forward runs. I am a good finisher still.”
      Cleverley is part of an experienced core at Vicarage Road who give the club a real chance of jumping straight back up.

      However, some of those experienced faces could yet move on this summer under the new reign of Vladimir Ivic.
      Abdoulaye Doucoure has gone to one of Cleverley’s old clubs Everton while skipper Troy Deeney appears to be unsettled.
      While Cleverley would love his old mate to stay, he is prepared to stand up should the armband become vacant.
      He said: “I captained the side during our pre-season friendly against Tottenham and I really enjoyed that responsibility. I would be ready if asked.” More