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      West Ham ‘agree terms’ with Brentford star Said Benrahma as David Moyes closes in on £17m transfer for winger

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      WEST HAM are closing in on a £17million transfer for Brentford star Said Benrahma after agreeing personal terms, according to reports.
      And the Algerian’s wage demands are not expected to be an issue in any deal this time around.

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      West Ham launched a £17m-plus bid for Brentford winger Said BenrahmaCredit: Reuters

      The Bees wide man, 25, has been linked with a move to the Premier League throughout the summer following their failure to win promotion last season.
      According to 90min.com, the Hammers submitted a £17m-plus-add-ons offer to the West London club on Friday night.
      And Italian journalist Nicolo Schira reckons talks are continuing between the two clubs while personal terms with the player are already sorted over a five-year contract.

      Brentford value the winger at around £25m and are yet to accept the offer with just days to go until the transfer deadline.
      Although the international window closed last Monday, Premier League clubs can do business with the EFL up until 5pm on Friday.
      And that could give West Ham time to secure a deal.
      Benrahma was linked with the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal earlier in the summer before Crystal Palace emerged as favourites to land him.

      However, SunSport revealed the ex-Nice forward may have priced himself out of a move with his £16million contract demands, wanting at least £60,000 per week on a five-year deal.

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

      Benrahma, who is seeing former team-mate Ollie Watkins banging in the goals for Aston Villa, missed the first five games of the new season but came off the bench in the Championship clashes with Millwall and Preston.
      In the Carabao Cup, however, his double against Fulham set up a quarter-final with Newcastle.
      West Ham have begun the season strongly with Michail Antonio, Jarrod Bowen and Pablo Fornals all hitting early form.
      But allowing Felipe Anderson out on loan to Porto and the controversial sale of Grady Diangana to West Brom mean there is scope for an extra attacker to bolster the squad and Benrahma fits the bill.

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      Liverpool line up shock transfer move for Stoke outcast Jack Butland after Adrian shipped seven at Villa

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      LIVERPOOL are lining up a shock transfer move for Stoke outcast Jack Butland, according to reports.
      With No1 Alisson injured, Jurgen Klopp was forced to turn to back-up goalkeeper Adrian for the clash at Aston Villa last week.

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      Liverpool are eyeing up Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland as a back-up option to AlissonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But it did not go according to plan for the Spaniard as he shipped seven goals in a humiliating defeat, including the opener when he passed the ball to Jack Grealish inside his own box.
      And according to the Sunday Mirror, Liverpool could turn to Butland to replace as Adrian as the No2.
      Butland, 27, is one of Stoke’s top earners but has not played for the club since a 5-0 defeat to Leeds in July.

      Welsh international Adam Davies has claimed the first-choice spot under Michael O’Neill with the Potters sat 13th in the Championship table.
      Butland broke on to the scene at Birmingham and made his senior England debut aged just 19 to become the Three Lions’ youngest goalkeeper.
      A £4million move to Stoke and a further eight caps followed with the Bristol-born stopper tipped by many to be the national team’s No1 for many years.
      However, after relegation with Stoke in 2018, he has struggled for form in the second tier with no one meeting the club’s £30m valuation for him.

      That asking price will now have dropped significantly.

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      Butland has been frozen out at Stoke and has not featured since a 5-0 defeat to Leeds on July 9Credit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Adrian did not cover himself in glory when he filled in for Alisson as he conceded seven at Aston VillaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      His contract expires at the end of this season but a transfer could still be done before Friday’s domestic transfer deadline.
      And that could see Butland thrown straight in with a debut against Merseyside rivals and table-toppers Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday as Alisson is expected to be out for a few weeks still with his shoulder injury.
      Liverpool did sign goalkeeper Marcelo Pitaluga from Fluminense this week as well.
      However, the 17-year-old is not expected to be thrown into first-team action just yet but instead link up with the development teams.

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

      Manchester clubs have the worst net spend in the past decade by some distance

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      West Ham eye £8m transfer for Steve Cook from Bournemouth as desperate Moyes prepares to raid Championship for defender

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      WEST HAM are considering a shock move for Bournemouth centre-back Steve Cook, according to reports.
      The Hammers have failed to land a single one of their centre-back targets this summer and have reportedly switched their attention to the £8million Cherries veteran.

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      West Ham are considering a move for £8m Bournemouth man Steve CookCredit: Alamy Live News

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      David Moyes has seen just one new face arrive at the London Stadium this summerCredit: AFP or licensors

      West Ham have made just two signings this summer despite narrowly escaping relegation last term.
      Right-back Vladimir Coufal arrived in a £4m deal from Slavia Prague.
      And Tomas Soucek’s loan was made permanent thanks to a clause included in the initial deal that brought him to the London Stadium in January.
      Cook, 29, is now on the Hammers’ radar, according to the Daily Star.

      The Bournemouth captain won the club’s player of the season award last year as the south coast side were relegated – and he would be available for £8m.
      The Englishman has made 341 appearances for Bournemouth since his 2012 arrival.
      And he could be joined in East London by current team-mate Josh King – who the Hammers are prepared to pay between £12m and £17.5m for.

      David Moyes was hoping to build on the Hammers’ strong finish to last season but he started the new campaign with even FEWER players.
      Albian Ajeti, Jordan Hugill, Josh Cullen, Jack Wilshere and Felipe Anderson have all left the London Stadium.
      And promising young star Grady Diangana was also sold to West Brom for £18m – a move which incurred the fury of disgruntled Hammers supporters and captain Mark Noble.
      The Scot has also seen his club continually linked with centre-backs but fail to get any over the line.

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

      Wesley Fofana joined Leicester City and the Hammers’ board refused to meet the asking prices for Burnley’s James Tarkowski and Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah.
      While Chelsea’s Fikayo Tomori pulled out of a last minute, deadline day loan deal despite the clubs having agreed terms.
      Earlier this year, Moyes spoke of his desire to build a young, hungry team at the Hammers after he started his second spell in charge.
      But despite the ex-Manchester United manager’s impressive impact on the team’s results, it appears he will have to make do with cheaper and older arrivals – if any more at all.
      The Hammers have also been linked with Craig Dawson, 30, from Watford – who were also relegated.

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      Ashley Young insists he would ‘walk from Italy right now’ to play for Watford again 13 years after quitting for Villa

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      ASHLEY YOUNG has revealed he would love to retire at Watford if given the chance as he declared he would happily walk away from Inter Milan.
      The 35-year-old came through the ranks at Vicarage Road – joining the academy in 1995 before making his first team debut in 2003.

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      England international Ashley Young departed Watford 13 years ago for Aston VillaCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

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      Young has stated he would leave Inter Milan to return to Watford if given the the chanceCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      He would go on to score 22 goals in 110 games for the Hornets before departing for Aston Villa in 2007.
      And on Watford’s ‘Golden Tales’ podcast, he said: “If I could go back and play there [at Watford] again, I would walk from Italy right now because it’s what I know, it’s where I come from and it’s what allowed me to be who I am and get where I am.
      “For me, at my age now, and you can ask my family, you can ask my agent, if I had the opportunity to go back and finish my career at Watford, I would jump at the chance.”
      He did sting the Hornets’ fanbase in 2017 when he scored twice for Manchester United at Vicarage Road and celebrated provocatively.

      The England international cupped his ears to the Watford supporters after his superb half-volley, before running to the corner flag after dispatching a free-kick.
      But Young – who has one year left on his deal at the San Siro – has insisted he meant nothing by it, as he spoke of his love for the club.
      He added on the podcast: “I’ve not got nothing against any Watford fan. None whatsoever, and I’ve always wanted to set the record straight.
      “When you do score a goal, I’m passionate, I want to celebrate. I remember thinking as soon as I scored, ‘Yeah I’m running to that corner, and I’m going to celebrate’.

      ASHLEY YOUNG’S CLUBS

      Watford (2003-2007)
      Aston Villa (2007-2011)
      Manchester United (2011-2020)
      Inter Milan (2020-)
      Honours: Premier League x1, FA Cup x1, EFL Cup x1, Europa League x1
      England caps: 39

      “It wasn’t one of those things that crossed my mind like ‘What have you done?’, it’s just I’ve scored a goal, I want to celebrate.
      “But I have got nothing against any Watford fan, and I know I took abuse that day, and do you know what, if I could go back and change it, would I? No.
      “I know what started my career. It was Watford. I always say and I will always say it’s my home.”

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      West Brom in talks with Bournemouth over £10m Josh King transfer after Bilic pleads with board to solve striker crisis

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      WEST BROM have opened talks with Bournemouth over a £10million move for Josh King after Slaven Bilic pleaded with his board to solve his striker crisis.
      Bilic made signing a striker one of his top priorities after winning automatic promotion to the Premier League in July.

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      West Brom have approached Bournemouth over wantaway striker Josh King

      However, his pursuit of Huddersfield’s £16million-rated Karlan Grant has hit a brick wall and to add to the Croatian’s hitman headache Hal Robson-Kanu had surgery on his broken right arm yesterday and will be out for months.
      Now, with just one week to go until next Friday’s second summer transfer deadline, Albion are no closer to signing the striker Bilic believes is critical to his side’s hopes of survival.
      He has applied pressure to his board who have responded by approaching Bournemouth about their wantaway striker King.
      The Norwegian international is available for a cut-price £10million but Albion don’t have that kind of cash to pay out up front as the Coronavirus crisis has wreaked havoc with their business plan.

      But with Bournemouth eager to get King off their wage bill, the Baggies’ bean counters are trying to come up with a compromise by offering to pay a lump sum of around £5million up front and the remainder in instalments.

      West Brom manager Slaven Bilic gets drenched in champagne after clinching promotion into the Premier League More

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      Barnsley defender Bambo Diaby banned for two years for doping by FA as he has contract ripped up

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      BARNSLEY defender Bambo Diaby has been banned for two years for doping and has had his contract ripped up by the club.
      The 22-year-old is now prohibited from ‘all forms of football activity’ until 2022.

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      Diaby was hit with the provisional suspension in JanuaryCredit: Rex Features

      He was found guilty by the FA and World Anti-Doping Agency of breaching regulations.
      Diaby showed traces of Higenamine in an ‘in-competition’ urine sample when tested in January 2020.
      Higenamine was added to the list of banned substances in 2017.
      It is found in a variety of plant sources and is on the banned list as it could act as a general stimulant.

      The Spain-born Senegalese centre-back could not explain how the substance got into his system.
      He has now been hit with a two year penalty – and Barnsley made it a double-whammy as they terminated his contract.
      The ban starts on the day of his first provisional suspension on January 17 2020 and will be lifted at 11.59pm on January 16 2022.
      Diaby thanked fans for their support during his suspension in an open letter on the club website.

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      Diaby released an open letter to fans where he maintained his innocenceCredit: PA:Press Association
      He said: “I maintain my innocence, something the FA have acknowledged themselves but I must handle this decision with my family and look forward to a brighter future.
      “I was welcomed with open arms by staff, players and the whole community of Barnsley. I made this place my home and was looking forward to many years playing for the town and its people.”
      Barnsley released a statement explaining their decision to part ways with Diaby was ‘regretful’.
      They said: “The FA Anti-Doping Regulation mandate a two-year ban where an individual is unable to show that they meet the strict requirements to sustain a plea of No Fault or Negligence, or No Significant Fault or Negligence.

      “Despite making sincere efforts to identify the source of the prohibited substance, Bambo Diaby has been unable to do so.
      “Because of this, a two-year mandatory ban has been imposed by World Anti-Doping Agency and the FA. Bambo Diaby was not found guilty of knowingly ingesting a banned substance.
      “Both Bambo Diaby and Barnsley FC have been honest and compliant throughout the process. However, following the outcome, regretfully Bambo Diaby’s contract has been consensually terminated.”

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      Chelsea outcast Baba Rahman wanted by Watford and Middlesbrough in loan transfer and could be shipped out for SIXTH time

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      CHELSEA outcast Baba Rahman is reportedly wanted on loan by Watford and Middlesbrough – as the defender faces being shipped out for a SIXTH time.
      The Ghanaian has failed to kickstart a career at Stamford Bridge and has been sent on loan for five seasons in a row.

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      Since his debut season, things have not worked out for Baba Rahman Credit: AFP or licensors

      He has not appeared in a senior game since the 2015-16 season – the year he joined the club – when Jose Mourinho began the campaign in charge.
      Now Goal report the left-back could be off on loan again to the Championship.
      Watford and Middlesbrough are both believed to be interested in picking him up for the season.
      The domestic transfer window does not close until October 16 meaning clubs in England can still trade with one another.

      Rahman, who has 28 caps for Ghana, arrived at Chelsea from Augsburg for £14million and made 23 appearances that season.
      He was loaned to Schalke for three consecutive years and has recently had stints at French club Reims and Spanish side Mallorca.
      Reports say the 26-year-old enjoyed good patches out on loan but was repeatedly hampered by injuries.
      Last season he missed most of Mallorca’s games because of a devastating knee injury.

      The left-back still has two years left on his contract and, despite the patchy form of Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri, is not likely to break into Chelsea’s first team.
      With the window for European transfers slamming shut on Monday, a domestic move is Rahman’s only choice for first-team football.
      Ben Chilwell was bought in this summer for £50million from Leicester to solve the left-back position for the Blues, a position which has been problematic arguably since Ashley Cole left in 2014.

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      Danny Welbeck and Jack Wilshere were Arsenal and England team-mates but are now staring into the abyss before age of 30

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      INSIDE 12 hours, two of England’s brightest talents of their generation suddenly found themselves staring into the abyss.
      Jack Wilshere, 28, spent the final hours of deadline day insisting he was fit after West Ham decided to pay up the best part of £4million to get him off their wage bill.

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      Former Arsenal team-mates Jack Wilshere and Danny Welbeck are both free agentsCredit: Getty – Contributor

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      Wilshere and Welbeck are both on the lookout for new clubsCredit: AFP or licensors

      And come Tuesday morning, Danny Welbeck — one of his team-mates in the World Cup squad just six years ago — was dumped by his club.
      The Watford striker, like Wilshere, still had a year left on his contract.
      But with his body betraying him and on £100,000-a-week wages, the Hornets decided to cut their losses and get the 29-year-old out.
      Welbeck’s departure was confirmed with a terse, 39-word statement on the Watford website, after an ill-fated one-year stint at Vicarage Road which led to three goals in 20 appearances.

      Midfielder Wilshere fared little better, with the Hammers delivering 57 words on their own announcement.
      Though after just 19 appearances in two seasons at the London Stadium, some may have forgotten he was even still there.
      As if to highlight the indignity of it all, Wilshere received an offer on Twitter from non-league Hitchin Town to train with them.
      A similar invitation duly arrived for Welbeck, this time from Matlock Town.

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      The one-time Arsenal stars now face the prospect of trying to find any top club prepared to give them a contract — and even then, it would surely only be on a pay-as-you-play basis.
      To make matters worse, they are on the market at just the wrong time — as football teeters on the brink of ruin because of the Covid-19 crisis.
      No clubs have money to gamble with.
      West Ham and Watford took a punt pre-Covid and paid for it, laying out big money for two talented players saddled with the misfortune of failing bodies.
      Arsene Wenger saw Wilshere as one of his brightest hopes, throwing him into his midfield while still a teenager and backing him to flourish in the Premier League and Europe.
      The Frenchman also thought he had pulled off a major coup in nabbing Welbeck from Manchester United for £16million in 2014.
      But what Wenger did not bargain for in either case was sheer bad luck.
      When Wilshere fractured an ankle in a friendly against New York Red Bulls nine years ago, it was seen as a minor hitch.

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      Welbeck and Wilshere both had a year left on their contracts before being let goCredit: EPA

      Instead, he missed the whole season and the long list of injury lay-offs — from numerous ankle surgeries and two broken legs — began.
      By the time he was fully fit earlier this year, Wilshere had lost the confidence of Hammers boss David Moyes in their relegation scrap.
      Welbeck’s is a similar tale, with a string of knee injuries stopping him in his tracks every time he was finding his form.
      Like West Ham, Watford thought it was worth the risk in taking him off Arsenal’s hands.
      And like the Hammers, they guaranteed a high weekly wage, only to get their fingers badly burned as the player spent as much time on the treatment table as on the pitch.
      The will and desire is there in both to continue playing. What is missing now may be the opportunity to do so.

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