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    Benjamin Pavard flirts with transfer to Man Utd or Chelsea after confirming summer offers amid interest from five clubs

    BAYERN MUNICH defender Benjamin Pavard has hinted he could be interested in a move amid interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.The French right-back, 26, was persuaded to stay with the German champions in the summer and started their first five Bundesliga games of the campaign.
    Pavard has hinted about a potential move away from BayernCredit: Getty
    This was despite interest from Man Utd, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid and Juventus.
    Now though, he has been benched for the past two matches, with manager Julian Nagelsmann opting to play Noussair Mazraoui instead.
    And Pavard has reignited rumours of a departure from the club by refusing to rule out a transfer.
    Speaking to Telefoot, he said: “I questioned myself, I had calls from different clubs with my agent.
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    “Afterwards, I had the Bayern coach with whom we spoke and with whom we have a good relationship.
    “He made me understand that I was in his plans, that I was important for the team.
    “Maybe one day I will go to one of these clubs, you never know what the future holds.
    “I’m still a year at Bayern Munich. Afterwards, we have time to project ourselves.”
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    Pavard joined Bayern from Stuttgart in 2019 and has already won three Bundesliga titles.
    He has made 127 appearances for the German giants, scoring seven goals and providing 11 assists.
    He rose to global prominence at the 2018 World Cup after scoring a wonder goal in France’s 4-2 win over Argentina.
    The full-back then went on to help his country lift the trophy for a second time in their history. More

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    Man Utd ‘in talks to extend Marcus Rashford’s contract and ward off Chelsea and PSG transfer interest’

    MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly in talks to extend Marcus Rashford’s contract.The move comes amid interest in the England forward from Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.
    Man Utd are in talks over extending the contract of in-form Marcus RashfordCredit: EPA
    Rashford, 24, looks to have revived his Red Devils career under new boss Erik ten Hag.
    The versatile striker has three goals in six games so far this season.
    And Portuguese transfer expert Pedro Almeida claims United now entered talks with Rashford’s agents over extending his contract.
    The ace’s current deal expires next summer, although there is an option to automatically renew it until 2024.
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    That’s attracted fresh interest from French champs PSG, who previously looked at Rashford as a replacement for Kylian Mbappe before he snubbed Real Madrid.
    Doubts still remain over his long-term future, while Lionel Messi and Neymar aren’t getting any younger.
    Meanwhile, Repubblica claims Chelsea are also monitoring Rashford as their revolution under Graham Potter and Todd Boehly builds up steam.
    But Ten Hag is desperate to keep Rashford after turning him back into a leading No9.
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    The Dutchman believes United can WIN the title this season with the Carrington youth product up top.
    And SunSport revealed earlier this month that Ten Hag’s faith in Rashford is set to see Cristiano Ronaldo finally force through an exit in January.
    Rashford was just 18 years old when he marked his United debut with two goals against Midtjylland in 2016.
    He now has a grand total of 96 goals in 309 games, despite mainly playing as a winger in recent years.
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    Rashford has won an FA Cup and Europa League with United, as well as a Carabao Cup and Community Shield.
    He has also 46 caps for England, including 12 goals, and looks set to earn a place in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad this winter.  More

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    Jules Kounde blames Thomas Tuchel for failed Chelsea transfer as he reveals how Xavi was able to lure him to Barcelona

    JULES Kounde has claimed that he snubbed Chelsea over a move to Barcelona because Xavi is a better communicator than Thomas Tuchel.The French international looked on course to make the switch to Stamford Bridge from Sevilla earlier this summer, only for the La Liga giants to swoop in and secure his services in a £55m deal ahead of the new season.
    Tuchel was sacked by Chelsea earlier this month following their slow start to the seasonCredit: EPA
    Kounde revealed that he also spoke with ex-Chelsea boss Tuchel, but he was sold by the ‘new wave’ at the Nou Camp.
    He told L’Equipe: “First, I come to a huge club, which has known good times and which, lately, has had less.’
    ‘I come to a project that I would not call reconstruction, because we already have a competitive team, but rather, being upturned.
    ‘I was interested in being part of this new wave, in search of titles, and to put Barça back where it has always been, among the best clubs. 
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    ‘Then there was the conversation with the coach.
    “We talked about football, mainly. I felt a real confidence from him, that he had a real knowledge of myself, my game and my qualities.’ 
    ‘I spoke with Tuchel and I also felt that he wanted me to come but I simply preferred Xavi’s speech’.
    Despite being ineligable for the first two games after the club were unable to register him, Kounde has enjoyed a strong start to his Barca career since coming into the team.
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    He has started three of the last four La Liga matches to help Xavi’s men remain unbeaten and stay two points behind leaders Real Madrid, while he’s been ever-present in the Champions League.
    But Kounde was mocked by Chelsea defender Thiago Silva following Barca’s 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
    Silva shared a photo on Instagram with a caption that read ‘he almost joined us’, clearly taking a swipe at Kounde after his side were beaten for the first time this season.
    Chelsea hardly fared much better 24 hours later after Graham Potter’s opening game in charge was a 1-1 draw against Salzburg, leaving them winless in Europe.
    Kounde holding the Barcelona shirt after completing his move from Sevilla back in JulyCredit: AFP More

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    Chelsea ‘to offer Romelu Lukaku for Harry Kane in sensational swap transfer with Potter desperate for England captain’

    CHELSEA are plotting a move for Harry Kane and could offer Romelu Lukaku in exchange, according to reports.New Blues boss Graham Potter is reportedly a big fan of the Tottenham striker.
    Graham Potter is said to be a big fan of Harry KaneCredit: AFP
    Chelsea want to offer Tottenham Romelu Lukaku in exchange for KaneCredit: Getty
    So Chelsea could make a move for Kane once Lukaku returns from his loan at Inter Milan.
    Chelsea plan to offer Spurs cash plus Lukaku in exchange for the England striker, report Calciomercato.
    But the Belgian is happy at Inter Milan and Chelsea have an agreement in principle with the Italian side for Lukaku to spend a second year on loan at the San Siro.
    Transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio reports a second loan switch could cost £9million, though a permanent transfer is also on the cards.
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    Lukaku has made no secret of his love for Inter and would likely be keen to stay, though joining Tottenham would give him the chance to reunite with Antonio Conte.
    Kane, however, is unlikely to be keen on moving to Stamford Bridge given the rivalry between Chelsea and Spurs.
    He could also be enticed to move to Bayern Munich after the Germans reportedly made him their number one summer transfer target.
    Bayern view Kane as the long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski who joined Barcelona in the summer.
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    And it is believed Kane is “tempted” by the prospect of joining Bayern.
    Kane has less than two years remaining on his current contract with Tottenham, so if club chiefs cannot tie him down to a new deal they risk losing him for nothing in 2024 if he isn’t sold next summer. More

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    Chelsea on verge of deal to hire Christoph Freund with Salzburg sporting director to work alongside Graham Potter

    CHELSEA are reportedly close to landing Red Bull Salzburg chief Christian Freund as their next sporting director.Owner Todd Boehly has been keen to bring in a transfer boss after conducting Chelsea’s summer business.
    Chelsea are close to bringing in Christoph Freund after reportedly agreeing personal termsCredit: Getty
    And now he has a new manager at the helm in Graham Potter, he wants a new sporting director in place to work alongside him.
    According to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues are close to hiring Freund after agreeing personal terms with the Austrian.
    Salzburg has been informed of the agreement and next Chelsea have to finalise a compensation package with the club to secure Freund’s arrival.
    Chelsea have also been linked with a move for Paris Saint-Germain advisor Luis Campos and reportedly offered him £135,000-a-week.
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    Former Liverpool transfer chief Michael Edwards was also on the Blues’ radar in the summer but it appears Boehly has turned to other targets.
    And it seems he has found his man in Freund, who gave Erling Haaland his first shot at the big time when he signed him at Salzburg.

    Haaland first came to prominence for the Austrian side with his scintillating performances in the Champions League and subsequently earned a move to Borussia Dortmund.
    Freund was also responsible for identifying the talent of a raw and unproven Sadio Mane, as well as Naby Keita and Bayern Munich star Dayot Upamecano.
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    Freund will likely be given significant funds after Chelsea spent big in the summer – breaking the British record for total spend in one transfer window.
    The West Londoners splashed a record £273.5m during this past summer transfer window.
    Chelsea signed Marc Cucurella, Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Carney Chukwuemeka, Cesare Casadei, Gabriel Slonina, Omari Hutchinson, Wesley Fofana, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Denis Zakaria.
    And Boehly is now prepared to back more signings as the club still targets a top-four finish. More

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    Chelsea coach Anthony Barry on shortlist to become new Huddersfield boss and take up first managerial position

    CHELSEA coach Anthony Barry is on the managerial hit list at Huddersfield.Highly-rated Barry, 36, is happy at Stamford Bridge but could be tempted away if the Terriers match his ambitions.
    Anthony Barry might be tempted by Huddersfield but is content at Chelsea, where his coaching reputation is still on the riseCredit: Rex
    The ex-Wigan backroom man was picked out by Frank Lampard when he was Chelsea boss.
    Huddersfield gave their ex-midfielder Danny Schofield the chance to impress by promoting him from the ranks but results and performances failed to improve.
    Former Huddersfield boss David Wagner is the bookies’ favourite after a disappointing turn to his time in German football.
    And Plymouth chief Steven Schumacher is an interesting contender after stepping up as number one following the exit of Ryan Lowe.
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    Schofield was sacked shortly after Tuesday’s 2-1 home defeat to Wigan, having been in charge only 69 days.
    It was Huddersfield’s SIXTH defeat in their opening eight Championship fixtures.
    But without a manager they sunk Cardiff 1-0 on Saturday, courtesy of Jordan Rhodes’ early strike.
    Narcis Pelach and Paul Harsley coached them to a battling victory, although the Terriers remain second bottom.
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    Wagner has been rated the 1/3 favourite to succeed Schofield, who only lost out to Nottingham Forest in the promotion play-off final last season.
    After axing Schofield, Huddersfield said in a statement: “Everyone at the club would like to thank Danny for his hard work and dedication and wishes him the very best for the future.” More

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    Chelsea star Jorginho being tracked by Barcelona over contract situation and could make January transfer move

    BARCELONA are keeping an eye on Jorginho’s contract situation at Chelsea and they could make a move for him in the new year.The Italian is in the final year of his deal at Stamford Bridge and Barcelona are interested in bringing him to the club on a free transfer.
    Jorginho is wanted by BarcelonaCredit: Getty
    Barca see him as a possible replacement for long-serving Sergio Busquets.
    Nou Camp legend Busquets, 34, is also out of contract at the end of the season and the Spanish giants accept he will need replacing soon.
    If Jorginho does not agree an extension soon he will be able to sign a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs in January.
    It remains unclear whether the 30-year-old is part of Graham Potter’s plans at Chelsea.
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    However he did play the full 90 minutes in his first game in charge of the Blues versus Salzburg in the Champions League.
    Jorginho has been a Chelsea player since 2018 when he signed from Napoli.
    He has since gone onto play 196 times for the West Londoners scoring 27 goals.
    At the club he has won the Champions League, Europa League, Super Cup and the Club World Cup.
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    He also played an important role in Italy’s Euro 2020 win.
    Jorginho already has connections to the Barcelona squad as Chelsea duo Andreas Christensen and Marcos Alonso both joined the club in the summer.
    Xavi continues to look to revamp their squad despite financial problems.
    And more central midfielders could be needed especially if Manchester United and Chelsea go back in for Frenkie de Jong. More

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    Chelsea along with Man City and Liverpool in transfer race for Linfield’s Northern Ireland teenager Cole Brannigan

    MANCHESTER CITY face competition from Liverpool in a bid to sign Northern Ireland Under-16 international Cole Brannigan.Chelsea and Leeds are also keen on the Linfield teenager.
    Potter was appointed as Chelsea’s new manager earlier this monthCredit: Getty
    The Blues have a reputation for bringing young players through and putting them into their first team.
    Reece James, Mason Mount, Trevoh Chalobah, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Conor Gallagher have all come through Chelsea’s youth set-up.
    And Brannigan may be enticed by the impressive development of academy prospects at Stamford Bridge.
    Chelsea are currently in the process of much change at board and coaching levels.
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    Roman Abramovich sold the club at the end of last season, with Todd Boehly taking ownership from the Russian.
    And earlier this month, manager Thomas Tuchel was sacked by the Blues and replaced by Graham Potter.
    The ex-Brighton boss kick-started life at Chelsea with a 1-1 draw against RB Salzburg in the Champions League on Wednesday.
    Speaking after the game, Potter said: “I’ve been very positive with the players, their response, attitude, intelligence, they are top players and are working hard for each other.
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    “There is a nice spirit in the group but they are disappointed because results haven’t gone as well as they’d like which is normal and you can feel that disappointment and frustration.
    “But it’s my job to help them get the results they want, that we all want.
    “Today is not the best start in terms of points for us but in terms of how we acted on the pitch as a group, lots of positives.”
    Chelsea now head into the international break after Sunday’s clash with Liverpool was postponed due to a lack of police resources following the death of The Queen. More