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    Arsenal ‘make Eduardo Camavinga No1 transfer priority this summer with Rennes midfielder Mikel Arteta’s top target’

    ARSENAL have reportedly made signing Rennes ace Eduardo Camavinga their top priority this summer.Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is planning a major overhaul of the squad that finished eighth in the Premier League last season.
    The Gunners are hot on the trail of Rennes Eduardo CamavingaCredit: AFP
    The France international has caught the eye of several teamsCredit: Getty
    Beefing up the midfield is understood to be one of the Spaniard’s main priorities.
    And according to reports, the 39-year-old has placed Camavinga at the top of his summer wishlist.
    The 18-year-old – who has drawn comparisons to Gunners legend Patrick Viera – has made waves at Rennes since making his debut in the 2018-19 season.
    Camavinga already has a whopping 82 first-team appearances to his name and has impressed many with his displays for the Ligue 1 side.
    Arteta is said to have been so impressed by the France international that he’s willing to sell FOUR players in order to finance a move for him.
    That’s according to The Express, who reckon Bernd Leno, William Saliba, Matteo Guendouzi and Eddie Nketiah are all at risk of being punted.

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    Arsenal’s pursuit of Camavinga would suggest they’re no longer interested in signing Lyon’s Houssem Aouar.
    The north Londoners tabled two bids for the midfielder last summer but saw both offers rejected.
    Arsenal were unable to meet the French club’s asking price for the creative midfielder, but Arteta hopes club owner Stan Kroenke will back him in the transfer market this summer.
    He said: “The squad needs changing.
    “There were already a lot of changes in December, something that has not been done in years, but it tells us where we were.
    “Things are going to have to change and the owners are going to back it up.”
    Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is planning a major overhaul of his squadCredit: PA

    Kroenke appears to be willing to splash the cash this summer as the Gunners are closing in on a deal for Brighton and England defender Ben White.
    The Emirates club are currently in talks over a £50million deal for the centre-back, who had previously been scouted by Manchester United and Chelsea.
    Arsenal had a £40million bid for the 23-year-old rejected by The Seagulls earlier this month, although talks over a potential deal continued.
    The Gunners will hope to have White on their books well before the Premier League season kicks off on August 13.
    Arteta’s troops will begin their domestic campaign against newly-promoted Brentford before facing title contenders Chelsea and Manchester City.
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    Arsenal defender Konstantinos Mavropanos rejoins Stuttgart on loan transfer with option of £5m permanent switch

    ARSENAL defender Konstantinos Mavropanos has joined Stuttgart on a season-long loan.The Bundesliga outfit have paid a loan fee of £500,000 to bring the defender back to the club, having spent the 2020/21 season on loan there too.
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    Konstantinos Mavropanos failed to establish himself as a first-team player during is spell at The Emirates
    And the deal will be made permanent in a deal worth up to £5million should Stuttgart avoid relegation, according to The Athletic.
    They will be obliged to pay £3million for Mavropanos, and bonuses up to £1.5m are also included in the deal.
    The 23-year-old has agreed a three-year deal should the permanent transfer clause be activated.
    Arsenal, meanwhile, have not agreed a sell-on fee with the German club.
    But after signing in 2018 for a fee in the region of £2.2m, the Gunners will make a small profit on the Greece international, whose career at the Emirates never kicked off.
    He was signed by Arsene Wenger but only made eight appearances for the club, failing to impress Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta.

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    Arsenal could upgrade Mavropanos with Ben White this summer

    Arsenal are aiming to improve their defensive options and have targeted Brighton and England defender Ben White.
    The Seagulls want £50m for the centre-back but the Gunners are plotting a deal worth £45m, plus £5m in add-ons.
    But talks between the two parties have taken place and agreeing personal terms should not be a problem.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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    Leicester hero Jamie Vardy to star in TV series for Rochester Rhinos after becoming co-owner of American club

    JAMIE VARDY is set to feature in a new documentary series about United States football team Rochester Rhinos.The Leicester striker became a co-owner of the club in June, alongside David and Wendy Dworkin.
    Jamie Vardy is eager to get ‘stuck in’ at Rochester Rhinos
    That pair have ownership experience with basketball team Sacramento Kings, and will look to transform the Rhinos’ fortunes with help from Vardy.
    The docuseries will be produced by Love Productions USA, which also created the Emmy award winning Last Chance U as well as Cricket Fever: Mumbai Indians and a documentary about Sergio Ramos.
    The show will go behind the scenes and will have special access to all levels of the club, from the players to the coaches and upper management, including Vardy.
    And the showrunners hope to capture the rebirth and rise of the Rochester Rhinos.
    Vardy’s ownership presents a new dawn for the club, and they will hope to draw on his underdog spirit to climb up the divisions.
    The 25-year-old club is currently on hiatus and most recently competed in the United Soccer League – the second tier of the U.S. league system – in 2017, finishing inside the play-offs.
    A complete rebuild is needed, and the documentary plans to show the recruitment of a new head coach and an entire squad, which should see Vardy put to the test.
    It is a completely new venture for Vardy, who has spent the last few years at the top of the English game.

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    “This is a huge coup for Rochester, & the Rhinos. Jamie is known throughout the soccer world and we are delighted that he has chosen to join us as a co-owner. Hopefully this fantastic news, will give everyone connected with the club the belief that there are good times ahead.” pic.twitter.com/7RIUO7Q1gQ— Rochester Rhinos (@RochesterRhinos) June 15, 2021

    He won the Premier League golden boot in 2019/20 before winning the FA Cup for the first time in May this year.
    But he is keen to get stuck into his new challenge, and aims to replicate previous success.
    Rochester Rhinos are the only lower-league club to win the US Open Cup and Vardy said that was a factor which led him to purchase a stake in the club.
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    Gennaro Gattuso claims Tottenham are ‘bit of a mess’ in secret texts to Lorenzo Insigne after talks to become new boss

    GENNARO GATTUSO has shared a damning insight into Tottenham in a message sent to Italy star Lorenzo Insigne.The former Napoli and AC Milan manager was linked with the vacant Spurs job earlier this month.
    Gennaro Gattuso described Tottenham as a ‘mess’ after holding talks over the vacant manager role
    Italy star Lorenzo Insigne shared the messages Gattuso sent him
    But backlash from Tottenham supporters meant Daniel Levy quickly turned his focus to other candidates.
    Gattuso was a surprise name, with Levy turning to the Italian after failing to land Brendan Rodgers, Antonio Conte and Erik Ten Hag.
    And after talks broke down to take over at the Tottenham Stadium Gattuso issued a harsh verdict of the running of the club.
    Insigne told Football Italia: “We’ve texted each other, he told me there was a bit of mess.
    “But now I am focused on the Euros, while he’s on holiday so I am not going to ask him such questions.”
    Tottenham’s search for a manager has been messy since the start.
    Levy had months to plan Jose Mourinho’s replacement and a host of names have been linked.

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    Daniel Levy has spoken to several managers since the end of the season

    Most recently, former Spain and Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui was linked but he too rejected the role, deciding instead to stay with Sevilla.
    He becomes the ninth unsuccessful candidate for Levy, following in the footsteps of Julian Nagelsmann and Paulo Fonseca, amongst others.
    The Tottenham chairman may now turn his attention to Graham Potter or Nuno Espirito Santo, and will reportedly hold talks with the latter.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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    Burnley line-up transfer swoop for Czech Republic keeper Jiri Pavlenka as potential replacement for Nick Pope

    BURNLEY are lining up a move for Czech Republic international keeper Jiri Pavlenka.The 6ft 5ins giant has spent the last four seasons as a virtual ever-present for Werder Bremen.
    Jiri Pavlenka missed out on Euro 2020 due to injury, like Nick Pope
    Pope has attracted interest from Tottenham this summer
    However the German club has just been relegated from the Bundesliga, and has been forced to cut costs.
    Turf Moor officials have now reportedly approached their Bremen counterparts about a deal for Pavlenka.
    The 29-year-old has won 14 Czech Republic caps, but missed out on their Euro 2020 squad after suffering a back injury.
    He is a national teammate of Burnley striker Matej Vydra, 29.
    Clarets boss Sean Dyche is seeking a replacement if in-demand No.1 Nick Pope leaves during the summer.
    Tottenham are rumoured to be interested in Pope, who has spent the last five years at Burnley.
    Top-selling German daily Bild claims Burnley have offered around £2.5million for Pavlenka.
    Bremen will seek closer to £4.5m for the former Slavia Prague keeper, who has made 155 appearances for them.

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    He won the Czech title with Slavia in 2017 before making a £2.5m move to the WeserStadion.
    Bremen are resigned to losing Pavlenka, and have a ready-made replacement at hand.
    Greek international keeper Stefanos Kapino, who played for Nottingham Forest in 2018, is poised to return from a loan to second-tier Sandhausen.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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    Danny Welbeck ends transfer speculation as ex-Arsenal striker signs one-year contract extension at Brighton

    DANNY WELBECK has signed on for another year at Brighton.The ex-Manchester United ace, 30, was a hit at the Amex last term after joining as a free agent on a one-year deal from relegated Watford.
    Danny Welbeck scored six goals last seasonCredit: EPA
    He’s extended his stay by another seasonCredit: https://www.instagram.com/dannywelbeck/
    He played a key role in the Seagulls beating the drop, scoring six goals and grabbing three assists in 24 league appearances.
    Boss Graham Potter said: “We’re delighted that he’s with us for next season.
    “Danny has demonstrated what is expected of a top professional from the moment he arrived here.
    “As soon as the season finished, extending his stay at the club was a top priority.
    “He is a brilliant role model to have around the place and his experience at the very top end of the game is invaluable for helping us continuing to improve as a team.”
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    Welbeck, who left Manchester United for Arsenal in a £16million deal in 2014 was delighted to extend his stay.
    He said: “I’ve really enjoyed my time here so far – happiness is key. Being at a club where I am really enjoying playing my football, playing under the manager, his style of play and the good people around the club, it just feels right.
    “I’ve got the foundation now, that understanding of the group. You come to a new club and you’re learning about how things work, where you can fit in and what you need do to impact games. We developed that towards the back end of the season and I want to be pushing on and giving much, much more.
    “It’s important to feel appreciated and feel settled. Once you’re happy you can focus on doing your work, making sure you’re ready for training and games. Everything builds from there and it’s a good platform to start.”
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    Man Utd star Axel Tuanzebe set to leave on loan transfer this summer as Prem clubs fight for 23-year-old defender

    AXEL TUANZEBE is reportedly set for another loan move away from Manchester United.The centre-back fell down the pecking order at Old Trafford last season, in which he made 18 appearances for the Red Devils.
    Axel Tuanzebe is reportedly on course to leave Manchester United on loanCredit: PA
    The 23-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at Old TraffordCredit: Getty
    And according to the Manchester Evening News, a number of teams have expressed an interest in signing the 23-year-old.
    Premier League and foreign clubs are said to be keen on snapping up the former England Under-21 international.
    Tuanzebe is said to have grown frustrated with his lack of first-team football and believes he deserves more ‘recognition’ for his efforts.
    The former Aston Villa loanee spent the majority of the 2020/21 season playing second fiddle to Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof.
    The injury-ravaged Eric Bailly, who Ole Gunnar Solskjaer played in the Europa League final, is also ahead of Tuanzebe in the pecking order.
    But the Rochdale-raised defender turned in stellar displays in United’s Champions League and Europa League clashes with Paris Saint-Germain and Granada respectively.

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    United chief Solskjaer was full of praise for Tuanzebe after his five-star performance against the Spaniards, saying: “Absolutely delighted for him because he’s had a difficult spell.
    “Victor and Harry have done really well, Eric when he’s played, has played really well so Axel has played fourth fiddle, if you put it that way.”
    The Norwegian added: “He’s been very patient, worked very hard.
    “Tonight, I think him and Victor were our outstanding performers.
    “They kept us from any real pressure.
    “They defended whatever came against them and, towards the end, there were a couple of corners there and Axel headed the crosses away.
    Axel Tuanzebe is reportedly frustrated by his lack of recognitionCredit: Rex

    “I’m delighted for him.”
    Tuanzebe joined United’s academy at the tender age of eight and quickly became a regular fixture in their youth squads.
    And in 2014, the versatile defender led United’s youth side to Milk Cup glory.
    Tuanzebe was handed his first-team debut in January 2017 by then-manager Jose Mourinho, coming on as a second-half sub in their 4-0 rout of Wigan Athletic.
    He’s since gone on to make a further 37 appearances for the Old Trafford club.
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    Man Utd will up Jadon Sancho transfer bid to £80m as England star agrees five-year £350k-a-week deal

    MANCHESTER UNITED are closing in on an £80million deal to buy Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund.The Old Trafford club made a £72m bid yesterday but they are prepared togo to £80m to get their man.
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    Manchester United are closing in on long-term target Jadon Sancho
    Personal terms based on a five-year deal worth £350,000-a-week have already been agreed.
    Despite reports of wrangling, United have long been comfortable about the transfer going through smoothly after a year-long pursuit of the England international, 21.
    This time last year they embarked on a summer of bartering before refusing to meet an asking price of £110m from the Germans.
    United also spoke to Erling Haaland before the Euros, but the Dortmund striker has his heart set on a move to Real Madrid.
    Sancho has thrived at Dortmund after spending his youth career with Watford and then Manchester City.
    In his last two seasons in the Bundesliga he has hit 36 goals and provided 40 assists in 82 games.
    But he has only played six minutes of England’s three Euros group games so far, coming on as a substitute against the Czech Republic.
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    Sancho has 20 England caps but has scored just three times for his country.
    The winger last played in England in 2017, featuring for City’s under-18s.
    His arrival on the other side of Manchester could be a boost in more ways than one, as the Red Devils look to climb above their rivals to win the Premier League next term.
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