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      Leeds eyeing Norwich ace Todd Cantwell and Derby star Louie Sibley, 19, as Bielsa searches for new midfielder

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      LEEDS are eyeing up Norwich ace Todd Cantwell and Derby star Louie Sibley as Marcelo Bielsa looks for a midfield reinforcement, according to reports.
      The two players are making names for themselves early in their careers and are seen by the Yorkshire club as potential targets.

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      Louie Sibley is catching the eye after a breakthrough few months at DerbyCredit: Rex Features

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      Talented Todd Cantwell has had to readjust to life in the Championship this season Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      But Leeds are in no rush to get them through the Elland Road front door and any moves before Friday’s domestic deadline are unlikely.
      This is despite the Whites’ move for German midfielder Michael Cuisance falling apart earlier this month, with the two parties disagreeing on why.
      But with all of that now behind them, Leeds’ director of football Victor Orta reveals they are looking elsewhere even with the limitations of the domestic window.
      When asked about Cantwell and Sibley, he told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “We are analysing but obviously the market is greatly reduced now.

      “Even for us it’s difficult to evaluate clearly one point of view. The availability is reduced from the other market.
      “We analyse all the players. We know them really well, their clubs were our rivals, we analysed [Cantwell] in the Premier League.
      “It’s difficult. They are players we analysed, we have information and then we need to think about the possibility.”
      Orta insists the club will remain ready if opportunities to bring in the right players present themselves.

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      Sibley stunned Millwall with a hattrick on only his second league start for Derby in JuneCredit: PA:Press Association
      He added: “We are always focused on information, managing it, analysing players, their availability, staying updated.
      “That could be useful for the winter market. We need to put in practice the usefulness of the knowledge.”
      Leeds have reportedly balked at Norwich’s £20million price tag for the midfielder, but the 22-year-old is undoubtedly attracting the interest of top-flight clubs.

      He impressed during Norwich’s otherwise disappointing Premier League campaign last season, where they were relegated with only 21 points.
      Meanwhile Sibley is enjoying a breakthrough spell at Derby, with the attacking midfielder being in and around the first-team and competing with the likes of Wayne Rooney for a spot in the starting line-up.
      The 19-year-old got Rams fans excited when he netted a hattrick on only his second league start against Millwall in June.

      Norwich’s Todd Cantwell talks about being recruited at age 6 and trying to tackle Hazard More

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      Government claim fans will not be back into stadiums until coronavirus cases fall as Oliver Dowden demands EFL is saved

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      CULTURE Secretary Oliver Dowden ordered football’s warring factions to come together and save the EFL.
      In a clear statement of intent, Dowden told MPs the Government is prepared to intervene and force wholesale change on the game if it cannot sort out its most pressing issues.

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      Oliver Dowden has promised that action would be taken to save EFL clubsCredit: PA:Press Association

      Dowden agreed that Gareth Bale’s Tottenham weekly salary was “perverse” when the sum could have kept Macclesfield alive.
      He attacked the weekend launch of pay-per-view Prem games and called on BT to make this weekend’s Merseyside derby free to air rather than being screened behind a paywall.
      But he revealed he had been “promised” that action would be taken to ensure “no EFL club goes bust” as a result of the Covid crisis. 
      And Dowden admitted there were “inconsistencies” in the Government policy that has allowed some indoor venues to open to the public while fans are locked out of football stadiums.

      Pressed on his response to Project Big Picture by members of the DCMS Select Committee, Dowden said: “I’ve made clear my deep scepticism and concern about this.
      “This would tend towards a closed shop for effectively the six most powerful clubs in the Premier League.
      “More importantly there is a problem which football is perfectly capable of resolving itself, whereby the Premier League and the EFL just need to get together and do this deal. 
      “From the conversations I’ve had we know the EFL clubs will not be allowed to go bust – and there are resources there – but we need a comprehensive deal.

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      “This is a distraction at best from that and demonstrates we were wise to put in our manifesto the provisions for a fan-led review because it genuinely brings into question the ability of football to govern itself properly.
      “Football can show it can govern itself well is to get this deal over the line, where the Premier League uses its wealth to support the wider football family and the EFL comes properly to the negotiating table.”
      Dowden insisted the Government was not minded to dig into its own pocket to help keep clubs alive, citing his feeling that it would be wrong “to ask a pensioner in Hartlepool to pay her taxes” to spend on the national game.
      The Culture Secretary said he could “accept peoples’ frustration at the inconsistency” in policy over opening up venues.
      Dowden said: “I desperately wanted socially distanced fans in stadiums from the start of October but we had to pause that because of the rapidly rising rates of infection.
      “It’s not just the stadium. it is the journey to and from the stadium both on public transport and people being likely to want something to eat or drink on the way.
      “When we get to the point that we have confidence we have the disease under control so that it is not on a rapid upward curve I would rapidly return to this decision.”
      Dowden’s repeated reference to the “£1billion spent in the transfer window by Premier League clubs” is unlikely to go down well.

      PROPOSED PREMIER LEAGUE CHANGES IN FULL

      EFL given £250m for loss of matchday revenue – deducted from future TV earnings.
      Nine longest-serving clubs have ‘special status’ – with just six votes from those clubs needed to pass a new rule.
      Premier League to go from 20 clubs to 18.
      FA awarded £100m gift to help during Covid-19 pandemic to help non-league game, the women’s game and grassroots football.
      8.5 per cent of annual net Premier League revenue to go to ‘good causes’, including the FA.
      25 per cent of all combined Premier League and Football League revenues to go to EFL clubs.
      Six per cent of Premier League gross revenues to pay for stadium improvements across the top four divisions.
      New rules for the distribution of Premier League television income, overseas and domestic.
      League Cup and the Community Shield to be axed.
      24 clubs each in the Championship, League One and League Two reducing the professional game overall from 92 clubs to 90.
      A women’s professional league independent of the Premier League and FA.
      Two sides automatically relegated from the Premier League every season and the top two Championship teams promoted.
      The 16th place Premier League club plays in a play-off tournament with the Championship’s third, fourth and fifth placed teams.
      Financial Fair Play regulations in line with Uefa, and full access for Premier League executive to club accounts.
      Away tickets for fans to be capped at £20, with travel subsidised, a focus on a return to safe standing, a minimum away allocation of eight per cent capacity.
      Later Premier League start in August to give greater scope for pre-season friendlies, and requirement for all clubs to compete once every five years in a summer Premier League tournament.
      Huge changes to loan system allowing clubs to have 15 players out on loan domestically at any one time and up to four at a single club in England.
      *According to The Telegraph…

      Now will his agreement with committee head Julian Knight that Bale’s wages in the current financial situation were “perverse”, which he described as “an apt observation”.
      Further quizzed over the controversial PPV deal, with fans charged £14.95 to watch each of the 15 games over the next three weekends, Dowden said: “I was not massively impressed.
      “This goes to the whole concern that people have. These other things jar with the idea of coming together during this period of crisis for the country.
      “We had conversations with the broadcasters in the past and will continue to raise these issues with them.
      “If BT were able to make this weekend’s game free to air as a gesture it would be a great thing to do of course.”

      Ally McCoist can’t believe that Premier League clubs won’t financially help EFL clubs More

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      Leeds transfer for Todd Cantwell looking unlikely as Norwich demand £20m for young England midfielder

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      LEEDS chief Victor Orta admitted a deal for Norwich’s Todd Cantwell looks unlikely before Friday’s deadline.
      The Whites have been tracking the playmaker since last season and have until Friday to buy EFL players.

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      Todd Cantwell’s move to Leeds appears to be off with just days of the transfer window remainingCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Championship Canaries want around £20million for their star man – and director of football Orta said a move for Cantwell, 22, now looks ‘difficult’.
      Leeds have also monitored Derby youngster Louie Sibley, but the Spaniard is not confident of adding to Marcelo Bielsa’s squad.
      Orta said: “We are analysing but obviously the market is greatly reduced now.

      “We know them really well, their clubs were our rivals, we analysed [Cantwell] in the Premier League.
      “It’s difficult. They are players we analysed, we have information and then we need to think about the possibility.”
      Having had his head turned by Leeds’ interest, Cantwell was left out of Norwich’s last few squads.
      But the England Under-21 midfielder dropped a hint on Instagram over the weekend that his future, for now, remains at Carrow Road.

      Cantwell posted a picture of himself celebrating a goal for the Canaries, alongside the caption: “I love my club. We rise together.”

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      The players Premier League sides may still sign in the ‘domestic’ window

      Bielsa has been desperate to add a midfielder and saw a £20m move for Bayern Munich’s Michael Cuisance collapse at the last minute over a failed medical.
      But he has more urgent concerns at the back with centre-backs Liam Cooper and Diego Llorente injured on international duty and touch-and-go for next Monday’s clash against Wolves.
      Scotland boss Steve Clarke confirmed Leeds skipper Cooper missed their 1-0 win over Slovakia on Sunday with a knock.
      And Llorente was withdrawn from the Spain squad with a muscle injury for their clash against Ukraine on Tuesday.

      Norwich City’s Todd Cantwell scores acrobatic goal in training ground shooting drill More

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      Arsenal set to make William Saliba U-turn and keep defender until at least January despite Fulham transfer links

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      ARSENAL are set to make a surprise U-turn on William Saliba and keep him at the club despite interest from Fulham, it is being reported.
      The defender had been tipped to go out on loan throughout the window and has multiple admirers at home and abroad.

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      Despite months of speculation, William Saliba looks set to stay in North LondonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But now manager Mikel Arteta looks set to keep the 19-year-old at the club and allow him to develop there.
      Saliba’s move abroad fell through on deadline day and he was left out of Arsenal’s Europa League squad, prompting speculation he could still be on his way before the domestic window closes on October 16.
      But the Athletic report the Frenchman will stay at the Emirates until January at least, despite reported interest from Fulham and Brentford.

      The report also says that Saliba could be in Arteta’s Premier League squad, which will be announced on October 20.
      Other reports have suggested the youngster is unlikely to be given much first-team football, even if he stays at the club, as Arteta still believes he has developing to do.
      ESPN claim that the Arsenal manager wants him to improve on defending set-pieces and mature decision-making on the pitch.
      The Gunners gaffer has publicly stated he doesn’t think Saliba is yet up to scratch.

      Following Arsenal’s penalty win over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup earlier this month, Arteta said: “He had year last where Arsenal essentially loaned him to Saint-Etienne and that was a transition year for him.
      “For many reasons, that wasn’t the transition year that he needed because he had a lot of injuries, he had some personal issues and obviously with COVID and the French league getting cancelled, he didn’t have that year, so he needs that year of transition.
      “He needs that year of transition and we are trying to make the right decisions for him to make the best possible year of transition for him to have the player we want for our future.”

      Mikel Arteta pairs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes in Arsenal training More

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      Biggest Championship to Premier League transfers ever with David Brooks and Said Benrahma valued at £30m

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      SAID BENRAHMA and David Brooks will rank among the most-expensive Championship players ever if they complete transfers before deadline day.
      Premier League clubs have until Friday to snap up lower-tier talent after the international window shut.

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      How the top transfers XI would look if Said Benrahma and David Brooks move before Friday

      And Brentford’s Benrahma, 25, is tipped to move to West Ham with interest in Brooks, 23, also high.
      The Hammers have reportedly beaten Crystal Palace to the Algerian star in a deal worth around £30million.
      A medical is being planned amid talks over personal terms.

      Should the pair seal £30m moves to the top-flight, they will enter a star-studded line-up of players to swap the Championship for the Premier League.
      With transfers amounting to £241m ahead of the final days of the market, these two deals would boost the XI’s value past £300m.
      Jordan Pickford only played one full season for Sunderland before a £25m move to Everton, upon the Black Cats’ relegation in 2017.
      Likewise, Nathan Ake (£41m) and Ben Godfrey (£25m) traded back up after Bournemouth and Norwich failed to beat the drop last season.

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      Said Benrahma is reportedly nearing a move to West HamCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      David Brooks could also be set for a move to the top-flightCredit: PA:Press Association
      Joining them in defence is Brighton’s Adam Webster, who cost £20m when signing from Bristol City a year ago.
      Moussa Sissoko (£30m) and Georginio Wijnaldum (£25m) certainly landed on their feet after Newcastle’s relegation in 2016 – joining Tottenham and Liverpool, respectively.
      The Reds were downed earlier in the month by the most-expensive striker to have made the step up: Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.
      After swapping Brentford for the Midlands in the off-season, the £28m striker bagged his first Premier League goals with a hat-trick in the 7-2 drubbing.

      Completing the most-expensive side are Ryan Sessegnon (£25m) and James Maddison (£22m).
      Should Leicester, Sheffield United or Manchester United complete a touted move for Brooks, he would slot into right-midfield of this line-up.
      A £30m move would edge him ahead of Jarrod Bowen, Neal Maupay and Callum Wilson – who have all bounced up a division with a fair degree of success in the past year.

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      How the PL’s best transfer XI for this summer could look

      Said Benrahma proves he has the right moves in Brentford training More

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      Vasili Kulkov dead aged 54: Former Millwall, Russia and Benfica star dies after battle with cancer and ‘Covid diagnosis’

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      FORMER MILLWALL star Vasili Kulkov has died aged 54 following a battle with cancer.
      The Russian, who was best known for his spells at Spartak Moscow and Benfica, passed away on Saturday.

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      Former Millwall player Vasili Kulkov has passed away

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      The 54-year-old was best known for featuring for Russian giants Spartak MoscowCredit: Alamy

      Os nossos pensamentos estão com os familiares e amigos do Vasily Kulkov. Será, por nós, sempre lembrado como um dos obreiros do primeiro campeonato do Penta. Descansa em paz, campeão 💙#FCPorto pic.twitter.com/dl5kzpo7oF
      — FC Porto (@FCPorto) October 10, 2020

      According to Portuguese outlet Record, Kulkov was also diagnosed with coronavirus shortly before his untimely death.
      The former defender-cum-midfielder had been undergoing chemotherapy for esophagus cancer but his wife Elena Makharadze sadly confirmed his passing over the weekend.
      Kulkov featured for 11 clubs in a varied 440-appearance playing career including stints at Porto and Zenit St Petersburg.
      Yet he is best known on these shores for his brief ill-fated tenure at Millwall.

      The ex-Russian international joined the Lions in a six-month loan deal alongside compatriot Sergei Yuran back in 1996.
      The pair were recommended to then-Millwall boss Mick McCarthy by the legendary Bobby Robson in what was seen as a huge coup at the time.
      But Kulkov, who had made a name with his goal against Arsenal in the 1992 European Cup, turned out for the Lions just six times before his exit.
      However he was a serial winner across the rest of Europe, winning the Portuguese league title twice at rivals Porto and Benfica.

      He also lifted the Portuguese Cup at the latter and tasted domestic glory in his homeland with Spartak.
      Kulkov hung up his boots in 2001 following a stint at amateurs FC Shatura before embarking on a coaching career at C.S. Maritimo and the Russian national team.
      His agent led the tributes to his passing and revealed that the defensive midfielder, who could also play at centre-back, had been unwell for a year.
      Paulo Barbosa told Portuguese daily Diario de Noticias: “Sad news. He had been fighting cancer for over a year and was hopeful. But unfortunately he was unable to win this battle.
      “We were good friends and we used to talk. We were together about a year ago. He was a huge football player and he was a special person.”

      We would like to offer our sincerest condolences to the family, friends and teammates of Vasily Kulkov. May he Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/f6ZOTyELtl
      — FC Zenit in English✨ (@fczenit_en) October 10, 2020 More

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      Millwall chief issues stark warning on devastating damage to communities if clubs go under

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      MILLWALL chief Steve Kavanagh believes the impact on communities will be devastating if EFL clubs go to the wall.
      The Lions bigwig has called on the Government to act swiftly to save Covid-crippled clubs from going bust.

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      Millwall chief executive Steve Kavanagh has highlighted the community work done by football clubsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      His stark warning is that, if they do, many communities across the country could be ravaged by emotional and economic depression for years.
      Speaking to SunSport as part of the Save Our Clubs drive highlighting the work clubs do on and off the field, Kavanagh said: “We’re not just talking about our national sport, the community work done by clubs in this country is vital. It has been for years.
      “Boris Johnson came  to The Den to see it first hand when he was Mayor of London and was highly impressed.
      “And when you take into consideration lockdown and what clubs, including Millwall, did to support their local communities, society and the vulnerable who were scared and did not have food . . . the work that went on was incredible.

      “We sheltered the homeless, we delivered more than 5,000 free dinners to children and care packages to the vulnerable and needy.
      “We didn’t just deliver food packages, with them we  delivered cooking lessons to ensure people could sustain themselves with good food, not just ready meals.
      “We also stored PPE for the NHS, while other clubs allowed stadiums to be used as testing centres.
      “Despite having absolutely no income, Millwall, through our chairman John Berylson, pledged £300,000 to our community trust during this period when we were on our knees.

      “Our community work is valued at more than £10million to Lewisham and the local area. And that is replicated all over the country.
      “If clubs are lost, that will be lost — and that would result in real damage to society.
      “And that’s before you get into job losses in and around football clubs.
      “The Government has to start recognising what football actually does — and not just continue taking from it all the time.
      “It needs to understand what we do for communities outside of actually playing, which is extremely important in itself for wellbeing. And it needs to help.”
      Millwall, who have spent more than £100,000 reconfiguring The Den to make it safe to host matches, have been hit hard by the ban on fans attending matches.
      American Berylson is having to pump in £1m a MONTH to keep them afloat.
      And Kavanagh admitted: “Unfortunately, we have had to make some staff redundant. It’s been really, really sad.
      “But I’m having to try to run a business which is haemorrhaging money and have no idea when its income streams will be returning.”
      The PM plus Culture, Media and Sports Secretary Oliver Dowden have announced rescue packages for the arts — but not our national sport.
      Kavanagh added: “The Government is not treating football fairly and in line with other entertainment businesses.
      “I can’t believe we haven’t lost more clubs in the EFL. That’s a testament to the club owners and chairmen.

      “They’re all putting their hands in their pockets to keep clubs and their community assets alive by feeding the vulnerable and schoolkids, sheltering the homeless and helping the NHS.
      “What worries me is I don’t know where the breaking points for these owners and chairmen are. Even with John.
      “I don’t want to over- dramatise that but when does he say enough is enough? I hope to God I never find out.”

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      Steve Kavanagh, right, is worried that entire areas could be hung out to dryCredit: PA:Empics Sport

      Watch hilariously blunt Crawley boss give grumpy short answers in post-match interview after defeat to Millwall More

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      Gareth Bale expected to be key cog in Tottenham’s transfer hunt for in-demand Swansea defender Joe Rodon

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      GARETH BALE is expected to play a big role in convincing compatriot Joe Rodon to join Tottenham Hotspur from Swansea , according to reports.
      The transfer deadline for Premier League clubs to buy players from each other and around Europe passed on Monday this week.

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      Joe Rodon featured for Wales against England on Thursday nightCredit: Reuters

      But teams still have until Friday to do deals with clubs in the EFL.
      Spurs are still hoping to sign Rodon, 22, before the window shuts for good.
      But SunSport exclusively revealed this weekend that they are facing competition from Leicester.

      In fact, the Foxes have tabled a bid of £20million for the defender, while Tottenham have offered just £7m.
      According to the Star, however, Spurs may have found an edge in their chase for Rodon.
      They claim that the Swansea academy product’s fellow Wales internationals Bale and Ben Davies could play a big part in attracting their team-mate to North London.
      Davies, 27, captained Ryan Giggs’ side against England at Wembley Stadium on Thursday night.

      And he featured alongside Rodon for the opening 45 minutes, as the Three Lions eased to a 3-0 win.

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      Welsh legend Gareth Bale could help persuade Rodon to come to SpursCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Rodon has become a key player for the Swans since their relegation from the Premier League in 2018.
      The centre-back has made 54 first-team appearances, first under Graham Potter, and then current boss Steve Cooper.
      He has played every minute of Swansea’s opening four Championship games this term, as well as their ill-fated League Cup tie with Newport County.

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      Rodon also knows Ben Davies from international dutyCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Gareth Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett gives his views on his return to Tottenham More