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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

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      Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock admits he has never suffered such a frustrating transfer window ahead of Watford clash

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      NEIL WARNOCK is “bitterly disappointed” with Middlesbrough’s transfer window and admits he has never experienced one like it.
      The 71-year-old saved the Teessiders from relegation after taking over with eight games to go last season and is preparing for tonight’s Championship kick-off at Watford.

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      Neil Warnock admits Middlesbrough’s transfer window has left him frustratedCredit: PA:Press Association
      Yesterday he secured experienced goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli on a season-long loan deal from Fulham to add to the free transfer arrival of Grant Hall from QPR earlier in the summer.
      But Warnock says he expected to have at least four or five new faces on board before the trip to Vicarage Road but has so far failed to land the two strikers and midfielder he wants.
      However, despite the lack of new arrivals to bolster his depleted squad, the veteran remains upbeat about getting extra bodies in to boost Boro’s promotion hopes before the October deadline.

      Warnock said: “I did expect us to have four or five players by now if I’m honest when I took over at the start of the season, but for one reason or another, it’s not been possible.
      “I am bitterly disappointed at that, but we’ve just got to get on with it.
      “I’m happy with the lads we do have, but it’s clear we need to get players in.
      “You look at our bench and it’s very fragile at the minute. There’s no point kidding ourselves about that.

      “But we know what we have to do and just for one reason or another we’ve not been able to get them in.
      “I’ve spoken to quite a number of players over the past few weeks and we’ve just not been able to get them over the line.
      “We’ve just got to keep positive, and also try and get the best out of what I’ve got. They’re a good group and this will be a great challenge for us.”

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      Marcus Bettinelli will make his debut at Watford after joining Boro on loanCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Due to the unique landscape created by the financial impact of the Covid outbreak, Warnock concedes that clubs, including Boro, must be sensible in the market.
      Although he admitted he has found it the most difficult one of his long career.
      Warnock, who has named Britt Assombalonga as new club captain, said: “I think there’s a mixture of quite a few things not helping us.
      “We’ve lost ten players since Covid. The reality is, we escaped relegation on the last day of the season and the squad is very, very thin and we’ve got to get players in.
      “We are all aware of that. I’ve never seen a market so difficult, if I’m honest. We just have to remain positive and do the best we can.
      “We’ve been close to three of four over the summer and for one reason or another we’ve just not got them over the line.
      “To go for four or five players and not get any of them over the line, that’s something that’s never happened before for me.

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      Britt Assombalonga has been named new Boro captainCredit: Getty Images
      “I think a lot of players are maybe still expecting what was on the table 12 months ago. It’s a different ball game now because of this pandemic.
      “But we haven’t been able to get deals over the line for various reasons.
      “We’re all disappointed – everybody at the club – that we’ve not got more bodies in. But that’s life at the moment. You’ve just got to carry on.
      “I always believed we needed four or five new players if we were to get into the top areas of the league, and I’m still optimistic we can bring some in.”
      Former Arsenal striker Yaya Sanogo, now a free agent, is believed to be heading to the North East to finalise a move over the coming days.

      And Wigan midfielder Sam Morsy is another of Warnock’s top targets.
      Warnock added: “I’ve been asked about 15 players since the start of the summer who we’ve supposedly been close to getting over the line.
      “So until I actually see someone sign on the dotted line I can only be optimistic.”

      Neil Warnock leaves fans in hysterics as Cardiff boss stares into TV camera More