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THE EFL wanted to relegate Sheffield Wednesday — but bungled how they handled the case. An explosive report by an independent disciplinary commission explains why the Owls escaped with a Financial Fair Play penalty that was suspended to next season. It went against the EFL’s push for a full 12 points to be stripped from […] More
PRESTON NORTH END are eyeing up a cut-price move for Charlton Athletic striker Macauley Bonne. Alex Neil’s side, who finished four points off the play-off places, could make an opening bid of £500,000 plus add-ons next week. Former Leyton Orient striker Bonne jumped three divisions last season but more than held his own in the […] More
STOKE CITY have reportedly slashed their asking price for England keeper Jack Butland. Sky Sports claim the Potters are now prepared to accept around £8-10million for the 27-year-old because of the current climate. The Championship club were chasing triple that less than two years ago after Butland travelled with England to the 2018 World Cup. […] More
LIVERPOOL are chasing Ismaila Sarr – but Watford are determined to hold out for more than £40million for the winger, according to reports.
The Hornets spent a club-record £30m on the Senegal international, 22, last summer to bring him in from Rennes.
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Liverpool may have to shell out as much as £40m to land Ismaila Sarr from WatfordCredit: Reuters
But with their combination of managers unable to keep them in the Premier League, some of the bigger names are expected to be sold.
However, as revealed by SunSport, the Vicarage Road outfit are desperate not to make a loss on Sarr – and will instead try and get a record fee if they do sell.
One Merseyside club, Everton, paid £40m for Richarlison in 2018.
And across Stanley Park, Liverpool may have to top that to land Sarr this summer.
The report adds that Crystal Palace and Wolves are both interested in him as well – the former scouting him at Rennes but likely to be priced out of a deal.
According to the Evening Standard, Liverpool are the favourites to sign the man who wrecked their hopes of going the whole Premier League season unbeaten with his man-of-the-match performance in the 3-0 win in February.
Sarr, who still has four years left on his Watford contract, is thought to be open to the idea of a move to one of the Premier League big boys, with Anfield his preferred destination.
And it is understood contact has already been made by the English champions.
There, although unlikely to be a regular starter, he would be able to reunite with Sadio Mane after the Senegal pair came through at the same academy.
However, in order to finance a transfer, the Reds would need to raise some funds and could do so through the sales of Harry Wilson, Xherdan Shaqiri and Marko Grujic.
Watch Liverpool star Mane looking out for ‘shy’ Sarr two months before Watford man scored two in shock 3-0 win More
JOSH KING is a shock target for Paris Saint-Germain.
The Bournemouth striker is also wanted by ten Premier League clubs as well as four in Italy – including Rome rivals Lazio and Roma.
PSG are lining up a shock raid on relegated Bournemouth for Josh King
SunSport understands the Cherries, who were relegated to the Championship, do not want to sell the 28-year-old for less than £25million.
King would prefer to stay in the Premier League but then his next aim will be to play Champions League football for a club on the continent.
French champions PSG are in next season’s competition and a move to Paris would be appealing for the Norway forward.
Newcastle, Everton and Brighton have registered their interest in King, who has one year left on his Bournemouth contract.
King was close to a move to Manchester United in January but a £20million bid was rejected.
Instead, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side snapped up Odion Ighalo on deadline day. More
BOURNEMOUTH have appointed Jason Tindall as the club’s new manager on a three-year deal.
The Cherries former assistant succeeded Eddie Howe after he left the Vitality Stadium following their Premier League relegation.
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Bournemouth have announced that Jason Tindall has been named their new managerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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The 42-year-old was Eddie Howe’s assistant during both his reigns in charge of the CherriesCredit: Reuters
Tindall was Howe’s No 2 throughout both his reigns in the Bournemouth dugout and was part of the latter’s background staff at Burnley.
He made 199 appearances for the Cherries as a player between 1998 and 2011.
Tindall was a key part of the club’s coaching staff as they rose from League Two to the Premier League while his son, Levi, also plays for the academy.
He told afcbTV: “It’s an honour and a privilege to be the manager of such a great football club.
It’s an honour and a privilege to be the manager of such a great football club
Jason Tindall
“Given the success of the club over the last 12 years, with Eddie in charge and me by his side, I’m not going to come in and rip everything up and start again. I would be a fool to do that.
“But I’m my own person with my own ideas and I will be looking to implement them as soon as we get back on the training ground.
“I know the Championship is a very tough league but my aim is to get this club back into the Premier League at the first time of asking.
“This is a challenge that I feel I’m ready for and one I’m looking forward to.”
Tindall was previously named as interim boss following Howe’s exit and this will be his first significant managerial role.
The 42-year-old will be without Nathan Ake after the centre-back sealed a £40million move to Manchester City on Thursday.
He also faces a fight to keep hold of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale after rejecting a £12m bid from Sheffield United.
Nathan Ake post emotional video to Bournemouth fans after completing move to Man City More
NEWCASTLE are reportedly plotting a double swoop for Josh King and David Brooks.
Steve Bruce is on a mission to bolster his attacking options during this summer’s transfer window.
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Josh King joined Bournemouth in 2015 from Blackburn RoversCredit: Rex Features
Dreams of signing global superstars such as Kylian Mbappe are now dead following the collapse of their £300million Saudi takeover.
Now, according to The Telegraph, the two Bournemouth stars on Bruce’s wish list.
King, 28, has been tipped to leave the Cherries following their relegation from the top-flight.
The striker managed just six goals in 26 Premier League appearances this season.
But Bruce is keen to reunite with him after he signed him while in charge of Hull in 2012.
Newcastle will be up against the likes of Everton, Brighton and Burnley in the race for his signature.
Wales midfielder Brooks, who joined the Cherries in 2018, is another name on Newcastle’s radar.
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David Brooks has scored just one Premier League during the 2019/20 seasonCredit: PA:Empics Sport
He proved his potential with seven goals from midfield during his first season with Bournemouth.
But the 23-year-old was limited to just nine appearances during the 2019/20 campaign due to injuries.
The source claims Bruce will take a chance on him if Bournemouth are willing to sell him for the price they paid for him – which was £11.5million.
Micky Quinn questions why Newcastle Saudi Arabian bidders were put under such scrutiny compared to other club’s owners More
FANS have taken to social media to mock poor Brentford goalkeeper David Raya after he was caught out by Joe Bryan’s free-kick from range in the Championship play-off final.
The Spaniard has been excellent for the Bees this season, but endured a moment to forget as he saw the ball fly past him at the near post.
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Raya bizarrely dived after the ball had already struck the back of the net
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Raya was helpless as Joe Bryan’s free-kick found the back of the netCredit: Rex Features
Anticipating a cross into the box from Bryan, Raya positioned himself ready to come and claim a delivery.
But to his horror, the ball instead was sent towards goal, leading him to scramble back towards his near post in order to try and recover the situation.
But having been caught out, the Spaniard bizarrely dived beyond his post AFTER the ball had already gone in.
The incident happened in the 105th minute with the sides having been approaching half-time of extra-time still locked at 0-0.
Bryan went on to score again, and a late Henrik Dalsgaard consolation wasn’t enough as the Bees surrendered promotion to their local rivals.
And as if that wasn’t bad enough Raya, 24, has been trolled on social media following his moment to forget.
One wrote: “David Raya’s positioning was like your mate on clubs who usually plays up front but fancies himself between the sticks for a game.”
While another likened it to a different computer game: “That David Raya dive is the most Football Manager Match Engine thing I’ve ever seen happen in a real-life football match.”
A third joyful rival fan wrote: “Bottleford at it again, you love to see it”.
While another joked: “I suppose David Raya does sound like David de Gea!”
A West Ham compared Raya to the Hammers’ calamity keeper from earlier this season: “Roberto signed for Brentford?”
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Raya was devastated as his side slumped to defeatCredit: Rex Features
The Championship play-off final, dubbed the “richest game in football”, is said to be worth around £170million to the winner.
But while club chiefs will be hurt in the pocket, fans will be most devastated by having lost out on a golden opportunity to make their Premier League debut.
And having done so at the hands of nearby Fulham will rankle even more.
Fulham go wild with celebration as they get promoted back in to the Premier League after beating Brentford 2-1 in the Championship play-off final More
