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      Cardiff SACK Nathaniel Mendez-Laing ‘with immediate effect’ and announce termination in bombshell 27-word statement

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      CARDIFF have sacked Nathaniel Mendez-Laing in mysterious circumstances.
      The winger, 28, has departed the Welsh side with immediate effect after his contract termination was announced in a brief 27-word statement.

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      Cardiff have terminated Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s contract with immediate effectCredit: PA:Press Association
      There has been no reason given for his departure.
      But WalesOnline claims it is due to an alleged breach of contract.
      Cardiff’s bombshell announcement on Wednesday afternoon read: “Cardiff City Football Club has, with immediate effect, terminated the contract of Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.
      “The Club will not be making any further comment on the matter.”

      Mendez-Laing joined Cardiff on a free transfer from Rochdale in 2017.
      And he went on to score 14 goals in 92 appearances.
      Mendez-Laing helped Cardiff reach the Championship play-off semis last term.
      And fans are sure to be thankful the club have a ready-made replacement in Liverpool loanee Sheyi Ojo.

      Cardiff also have other options on the wing including Josh Murphy, Junior Hoilett and Gavin Whyte.
      Cardiff kick off their new Championship campaign at home to Sheffield Wednesday.
      And they could also hand a debut to wing-back Jordi Osei-Tutu, who has signed on loan from Arsenal.

      Erm.. what? Explanation needed, you can’t just say you won’t be making further comments.
      — DL🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@D_Lebeau97) September 9, 2020

      That’s our best winger hope ur planning on replacing him
      — Reza (@Rez_Davies7) September 9, 2020

      Obvs dont know the circumstances but in footballing terms absolutely gutted – my fave player of current crop 😱
      — th@und@d@wg ™ (@thaundadawg) September 9, 2020

      Fans reacted in disbelief to the news of Mendez-Laing’s exit, with one tweeting: “Erm.. what?
      “Explanation needed, you can’t just say you won’t be making further comments.”
      Another said: “That’s our best winger hope you’re planning on replacing him.”
      One added: “Obvs don’t know the circumstances but in footballing terms absolutely gutted – my fave player of the current crop.”

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      Man Utd lose coach Quinton Fortune from promotion-winning U23s side as he joins Reading’s backroom team

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      QUINTON FORTUNE has left his role as assistant coach of Manchester United under-23s to join the backroom team at Reading.
      The former Red Devils midfielder joined the club’s setup in July 2019 and helped Neil Wood’s side to promotion to Premier League 2 Division One.

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      Quinton Fortune was an assistant for the United under-23s last season
      Fortune will now link up with new Reading manager Veljko Paunovic ahead of his first season in the Championship.
      The South African joined United in 1999, going on to make 126 appearances in seven seasons at Old Trafford.
      He left the club for Bolton Wanderers in 2006 but returned in 2012 to work on his coaching badges.
      The Wood and Fortune partnership led United to second in the Premier League 2 Division Two before the season was decided by points per game.

      Nick Cox, head of United’s academy, said: “Everyone at the Academy wishes Quinton the best of luck in his new role.
      “All of our coaches, as well as the players, receive a huge amount of development and this is another example of the type of progress that an individual can make within the Academy system.

      “The Under-23s’ promotion was a great achievement for Neil Wood and his staff so we’d like to thank Quinton for his role in that.”
      Fortune admitted he could leave the club in June but hoped he would return as Man United manager some day.

      He told the UTD podcast: “Look, I may have to go out and learn somewhere else and become a manager.
      “But the dream, the ultimate dream, is to come back and be the manager of Manchester United.”

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      Man Utd youngster Dylan Levitt signed by Charlton on season long loan transfer after impressing on Wales debut

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      MANCHESTER UNITED youngster Dylan Levitt has signed for Charlton on a season long loan.
      United legend Ryan Giggs gave Levitt his full Wales debut last week and the midfielder’s impressive performance has caught the eye of the Addicks.

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      Man Utd midfielder Dylan Levitt has signed for Charlton on loan
      The teenager played the full 90 minutes in his country’s 1-0 win in Finland.
      And Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also has faith in the holding midfielder having given him his first team bow against Astana in the Europa League last year.
      Charlton boss Lee Bowyer wanted to add energy to his midfield and has managed to secure a deal.
      The Addicks had promising West Ham star Josh Cullen on loan last season in midfield but the 24-year-old has returned to the London Stadium.

      Levitt’s impressive passing ability from a deep lying midfield role is said to have alerted Giggs to his potential some time ago.
      And Giggs was so impressed, he handed him his first senior call up in May 2019 for Wales’ Euro 2020 qualifiers against Croatia and Hungary.
      Levitt’s mentality is said to be one his biggest strengths and his international gaffer wants him in his squad for many years to come.
      He previously told United’s website: “When Dylan was in the [Euro] squad, we had must-win games so I couldn’t really throw him in and put him in that pressure cooker.

      “But, in training, he’s one of the best.

      “He’s my kind of player – a good character, quiet but tough, and he’s one that I’ll be taking a big look at over the next year or so.
      “I want him to develop and if he does and, if he plays more games, then he’ll definitely be in the reckoning.
      “He’s a really intelligent player with a good range of passing and he stands out in training in every session.”

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      Sunderland re-sign Danny Graham, 35, on free transfer after striker’s release from Blackburn

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      VETERAN striker Danny Graham has agreed to re-join Sunderland on a free transfer after being released by Blackburn.
      Having signed for £5million in 2013, Graham managed just one goal in 42 matches for the Black Cats.

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      Blackburn fans’ favourite Danny Graham is stepping down to League One with old club SunderlandCredit: Reuters

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      Targetman Danny Graham has a point to prove with the League One Black CatsCredit: Alamy Live News
      But boss Phil Parkinson has offered the 35-year-old a one-year deal to compete with fellow forwards Will Grigg, Charlie Wyke and Aiden O’Brien.
      Sunderland had to fight off League One rivals Ipswich for the ex-Middlesbrough and Swansea man.
      And he arrives back in the north east after being a fans’ favourite in his four years at Ewood Park.
      Graham leaves Blackburn after 57 goals in 191 games, also winning their 2018-19 player-of-the-year award.

      But he only bagged four Championship goals last season.

      He did, though, notch up his 600th career appearance on a dramatic final day of the season.
      Coming on as a sub, he failed to save Rovers from a 3-2 defeat at Luton that enabled the home side to stay up – as they moved out of the bottom three for the first time since December.
      Now he hopes to help Sunderland return to that level after their two campaigns in the third tier. More

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      Newcastle have £20m Callum Wilson transfer bid accepted as Aston Villa pull out of talks over move for Bournemouth ace

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      BOURNEMOUTH have accepted a £20million bid from Newcastle for striker Callum Wilson.
      Aston Villa were also interested in the England international but withdrew an offer of £21million once it became clear Wilson’s preference was a move to Newcastle.

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      Callum Wilson is on his way to Newcastle for £20million
      Wilson is now free to discuss personal terms with the Magpies and will undergo a medical on Monday.
      The 28-year-old could soon be joined in the north east by former Bournemouth team-mate Ryan Fraser, who is in talks over a free transfer to St James’ Park.
      Wilson becomes the latest name to head out the Bournemouth exit door following the club’s relegation, after Nathan Ake and Aaron Ramsdale were signed by Manchester City and Sheffield United, respectively.
      Fellow forward Josh King is likely to follow before the Cherries’ upcoming Championship campaign, with midfielder David Brooks also garnering interest.

      Wilson made 184 appearances in six years at Bournemouth, scoring 67 goals.
      Toon boss Steve Bruce has already added out-of-contract midfielder Jeff Hendrick and ex-Motherwell goalkeeper Mark Gillespie to his squad ahead of the 2020-21 season.
      Newcastle have also had a £13.5million bid accepted for Norwich left-back Jamal Lewis, who is currently on international duty with Northern Ireland.
      Lewis, 22, has been identified as a replacement for Danny Rose, whose loan deal from Spurs expired at the end of last season.

      As well as Lewis, the Magpies have held talks with Italian side Sassuolo over the £12.5million signing of Brazilian full-back Rogerio.
      A loan move for Arsenal centre-back Rob Holding is also being considered.
      Bruce will be hoping new signings can lift the mood around St James’ Park after friendly losses to rivals Middlesbrough and Stoke City in the last week.

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      Newcastle slump to 1-0 defeat to Stoke on back of 5-1 embarrassment at Boro with Premier League opener just a week away

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      NEWCASTLE have suffered yet another pre-season defeat as Stoke emerged 1-0 winners at St James’ Park.
      It is now two losses in a row for Steve Bruce’s men against Championship opposition after Middlesbrough hit them for five on Tuesday.

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      It is now two pre-season defeats in a row for NewcastleCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      To make matters worse for Bruce, both of those teams were battling relegation into League One last season.
      Newcastle started off the day full of optimism with fans dreaming of three potential incoming signings in Jamal Lewis, Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser.
      But they once again disappointed on the pitch in what was their final friendly before the start of the new Premier League campaign next week.
      Potters ace Sam Clucas scored the only goal of the game, with his 19th minute header beating Karl Darlow in the Newcastle goal.

      And the visitors almost doubled their lead ten minutes into the second half when Lee Gregory struck the woodwork.

      Allan Saint-Maximin went to close to equalising, but was denied by Jack Butland – who also kept out Jacob Murphy’s effort in the 69th minute.
      Bruce rung the changes with 19 minutes left as he chucked on forwards Joelinton, Christian Atsu and Yoshinori Muto, though they failed to make an impact.
      With Dwight Gayle facing three months on the sidelines with a knee injury, Magpies supporters are desperate for the club to bring in another striker.

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      Magpies winger Allan Saint-Maximin was unable to help the Magpies avoid defeatCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      📺 Steve Bruce spoke with NUFC TV following this afternoon’s 1-0 defeat against Stoke City at St. James’ Park.#NUFC
      — Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) September 5, 2020

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      Sean Longstaff could soon be joined by three new faces at St James’ ParkCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      And Cherries hitman Wilson is understood to be the club’s No1 target with Bruce unable to rely on just Joelinton and Andy Carroll.
      Wilson’s former Bournemouth team-mate Fraser is believed to be close to joining Newcastle on a free transfer.
      Despite the club agreeing a fee for Sassuolo left-back Rodrigo, it has been widely speculated that Norwich defender Lewis will be brought in instead.

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      Chelsea and Arsenal transfer boost as West Ham refuse to meet £20m valuation for Brentford’s Said Benrahma

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      CHELSEA and Arsenal received a transfer boost after West Ham reportedly refused to meet Brentford’s £20million valuation of Said Benrahma.
      David Moyes have been chasing the Bees attacker all summer as they look to bolster their options going forward.

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      West Ham are refusing to match the £20m asking price Brentford have placed on Said BenrahmaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But according to The Telegraph, the Hammers are unwilling to match Brentford’s asking price.
      That is despite the Championship side dropping their demand from £30m to £20m and the East Londoners selling Grady Diangana for £18m.
      West Ham fans – and captain Mark Noble – were fuming on Friday night when the club confirmed the exciting young prospect had gone.

      The report adds that West Ham are hoping to raise funds from selling the likes of Felipe Anderson and Manuel Lanzini.

      To make matters worse, they are still paying off part of the club-record £45m spent on Sebastien Haller.
      And West Ham’s reluctance to stump up the cash for Benrahma could spell good news for two other London clubs.
      Both Chelsea and Arsenal are tracking the Algerian winger, whose stock rose considerably last season.
      He scored 17 and assisted ten in 46 appearances as Brentford narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League.

      Mikel Arteta and Frank Lampard will know he is comfortable on both wings and could provide a fine alternative out wide in the upcoming season.
      Leicester and Newcastle have also been linked with Benrahma, as have promoted Leeds, while Aston Villa have cooled their interest to pursue his team-mate Ollie Watkins.

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      Aston Villa have £15m Callum Wilson transfer bid rejected by Bournemouth as relegated side hold out for £20m fee

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      ASTON VILLA have had a £15million bid for Callum Wilson rejected by Bournemouth.
      The Cherries are expecting to sell the England striker, 28, this summer after their relegation but are holding out for closer to £20m.

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      Aston Villa had a £15m bid for Callum Wilson rejected by Bournemouth.
      It remains to be seen if Villa will return with an increased offer – while Newcastle are also understood to be interested.
      Bournemouth have already sold Nathan Ake to Manchester City for £41m and Aaron Ramsdale to Sheffield United for £18.5m.
      Those exits have eased the need to sell but Wilson and fellow striker Josh King are still likely to follow Ake and Ramsdale out the exit door during this transfer window.
      Wilson, who has four caps for his country, still has three years remaining on his £100,000-a-week Cherries contract. 

      The forward scored eight goals in 35 Premier League games this season but could not prevent Bournemouth from going down.

      He has also attracted attention from West Ham and Newcastle – who both want to reunite Wilson with Ryan Fraser in a double transfer swoop.
      Wilson two seasons ago was even linked with a move to Chelsea, and went on to end the campaign with 14 goals in 30 games.
      The dip in form last season saw the Cherries favourite miss out on Gareth Southgate’s Nations League squad, with England playing Iceland and Denmark this month. More