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      West Ham failed with measly £1m late loan transfer bid for Bayer Leverkusen defender Odilon Kossounou

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      WEST HAM made a low bid for Bayer Leverkusen centre half Odilon Kossounou before the transfer window shut.Hammers moved for the Ivory Coast defender who has fallen out of favour a year after a major move to the Bundesliga.
      West Ham failed in a late loan bid for Odilon KossounouCredit: Getty
      However David Moyes’ money men only came up with £1million in a loan fee.
      Leverkusen wanted more from West Ham and would have been more interested in a guaranteed buy at a big price.
      The 21-year-old defender signed for the Bundesliga side for £20m last summer.
      But he has started just one league game this season.
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      Kossounou played 34 times in total last season, and has been capped 15 times by his country.
      Meanwhile, West Ham will try to tie down Harrison Ashby on a deal after blocking moves to Leeds United and Newcastle.
      Ashby was initially being allowed to go after stalling on new terms.
      But that was stopped when Ben Johnson picked up an injury.
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      Leeds fancied Ashby strongly and are expected to return.
      Although the Newcastle interest could die as it was a replacement for Emil Krafth who is out for the season. More

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      Stoke boss Alex Neil plans transfer raid for Leicester keeper Daniel Iversen after failing to sign him for Sunderland

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      STOKE CITY’S new boss Alex Neil has his sights on Leicester City keeper Daniel Iversen.Neil had the great Dane at Preston on loan and wanted him at Sunderland.
      Alex Neil wants to sign Leicester keeper Daniel IversenCredit: Reuters
      But the new Stoke boss missed out in the last window when he was still at the Stadium of Light.
      However, Neil is going to push his money men to invest in Iversen.
      And he may have a chance with the player if he is stuck as second choice with the Foxes.
      Iversen, 25, has played just one game for Leicester.
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      That being the Carabao Cup triumph over Stockport last month.
      But he impressed during 18 months on loan at Preston, some of which was during Neil’s time in charge.
      Meanwhile, Dean Holden found out the hard way that football can be a hard business as he was sacked by old coaching school buddy Alex Neil.
      Holden took caretaker charge of Stoke City and won his only game but within hours he was axed.
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      That game being an excellent 1-0 win away at Blackburn.
      Ironically Holden had been on the same coaching course as Neil at the famous SFA headquarters in Largs. More

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      Liverpool’s transfer swoop for Spanish starlet Stefan Bajcetic was smart business and left Man Utd and Chelsea red-faced

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      LIVERPOOL’S new Spanish starlet Stefan Bajcetic is looking like a smart capture – and leaving Manchester United and Chelsea with red faces.The Kop babe has been on Jurgen Klopp’s bench already.
      Manchester United and Chelsea were both admirers of Stefan Bajcetic, who was snapped up by LiverpoolCredit: Alamy
      But the reason he joined the club a year ago is down to their willingness to take a chance on landing him as a kid.
      Bajcetic joined Liverpool just before the new post Brexit rules came in and it could be one of the most well-timed transfers ever.
      Both United and Chelsea had been tracking the top talent for months.
      Although both sides decided against pursuing a move because of fears he would not be allowed into the country.
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      Bajcetic was given a 21 minute runout by Klopp in Liverpool’s 9-0 rout against Bournemouth.
      The 17-year-old has also played twice for the U21s this season.
      Meanwhile, Liverpool left back James Norris is wanted by Huddersfield Town – after they failed in a deadline deal.
      The Kop kid has impressed in the U21s.
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      He even trained with the first team last week.
      That led to the Terriers were told to wait.
      The 19-year-old has played six times for the U21s this season. More

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      England ace Phil Foden flirted with reality TV star Holly Burns before beach bust-up with girlfriend

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      MAN City and England ace Phil Foden flirted online with a reality TV star just weeks before a bust-up with his girlfriend.The star, 22, “liked” an Instagram picture of social media influencer Holly Burns showing off her curves in her undies in March.
      England star Phil Foden liked an Instagram picture of reality TV star Holly BurnsCredit: instagram
      Phil Foden’s girlfriend Rebecca Cooke reacted angrily on holiday after looking at his phoneCredit: instagram
      We revealed Foden’s girlfriend Rebecca Cooke swore at him in a bust-up after looking at his phone on holiday in June.
      She barked: “Do you think I’m a d***head?” before walking out of a posh Corfu beach club in front of stunned holidaymakers.
      Furious Rebecca, the mum of Phil’s two kids, told him: “We can’t take you anywhere, this always happens.”
      Rebecca, also 22, had earlier grabbed Phil’s mobile while he was in the sea.
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      He did not respond when she began fuming at him, and she shouted: “Tell her ‘n’ all.”
      Weeks earlier, Premier League ace Phil engaged online with Holly, who appeared on ITV2 dating show The Cabins.
      The snap shows her lying down in PJs paired with the raunchy underwear.
      A source said: “Holly is a stunning girl and obviously gets interest from a lot of people.
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      It was just a bit of innocent flirting online — it wasn’t anything more than that.”
      Sasha Attwood — girlfriend of Phil’s City teammate Jack Grealish — is also among Holly’s followers.
      She has liked a string of her pics and left a comment calling Holly “pretty”.
      The Corfu incident was not the first time Phil has landed himself in trouble.
      He was sent home in disgrace from an England trip to Iceland in 2020 after inviting two women to his room with then-teammate Mason Greenwood.
      Reality star Holly Burns works as an air hostess for TUICredit: instagram
      Holly, a blogger and make-up artist, also works as an air hostess for TUI.
      She has 119,000 Instagram followers and regularly shares bikini snaps in exotic locations.
      Speaking before she went on The Cabins, she said had not joined the Mile High Club — because the “toilets are disgusting”.
      Holly, from Staffordshire, was paired with Will McGregor on the show, which sees singletons spend 24 hours with a potential lover in a log cabin, but they did not form a relationship.
      She said: “It’s not the sort of person I want to be involved with.
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      “I want to be with someone who works on a building site down the road that no one knows about. It’s just less hassle.”
      However, they remained in touch and after the show aired said the door was not closed on a possible romance.
      Holly says she wants a partner who is not famousCredit: instagram
      Mum to Foden’s two children Rebecca Cooke was furious with him on holiday
      The Manchester City midfielder is set to represent England at the World CupCredit: Getty More

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      Love cheat Ryan Giggs’ aunt wrote poem warning team to ‘lock up your WAGS’

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      SERIAL love cheat Ryan Giggs’s aunt wrote a poem to Wales’s footballers warning them to “lock up your WAGS” when he became national team boss.Joanna Wilson, 61 — the sister of Giggs’s dad, Danny — said she penned it because her nephew, who had an eight-year affair with his sister-in-law, had an eye for the ladies.
      Ryan Giggs’ aunt Joanna Wilson warned Wales stars about his reputationCredit: Athena
      The assault case against Ryan Giggs collapsed this week after the jury failed to return a verdictCredit: PP.
      The retired teacher, whose side of the family have not forgiven Giggs for the fling with younger brother Rhodri’s wife, Natasha, said: “He’s been a dirty dog for years.”
      Joanna sent her jokey ode to the footballers, including Gareth Bale, when Giggs became Wales boss in 2018.
      It stresses his love of brunettes, and reads: “If your WAG’s tall and slim with long brown hair, you’d better watch out, you’d better beware.
      “Giggsy’s got the top job, it’s not just hype, so lock up your WAG, she’s just his type.”
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      Mum-of-two Joanna, of Cardiff, said: “The team already knew.
      “He’s had the reputation as a love cheat for ages. One player got back to say, ‘You’re right’.
      “There are no boundaries with chasing girls for him. He can’t help himself.”
      During his trial, Giggs, 48, admitted he had never been faithful to a partner and couldn’t resist women.
      If your WAG’s tall and slim with long brown hair,You’d better watch out, you’d better beware,Giggsy’s got the top job, it’s not just hype,So lock up your WAG, she’s just his type.Joanna Wilson’s poem
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      A jury failed to reach verdicts of allegations he assaulted Kate Greville, 38, and controlled or coerced her over three years.
      She said he cheated on her with “ten or 12 women”.
      Giggs also denied assaulting her sister, Emma, at the same time as Kate at his home in Worsley, Gtr Manchester, in November 2020.
      At the hearing, it emerged Giggs had also written poetry, describing his todger as a “totem pole” in a ditty to Kate.
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      Judge Hilary Manley told the Manchester crown court jury that Giggs had not been on trial for being “serially unfaithful”.
      He will find out this week if he faces a retrial.
      It’s a write letdownBy Susan Elkin, Literary expert
      I’M afraid Joanne’s poetry is more non-league than Premier league.
      Her couplets are rhythmically quite neat — although “he” would sit better than “Giggsy” and her punctuation is eccentric. If properly edited, it could feel snappy.
      But her offering is still better than Ryan’s effort. That clumsy “totem pole” clincher . . . really? More

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      Blackburn plot transfer swoop for Sunderland’s Ross Stewart if in-demand Ben Brereton Diaz leaves in January window

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      BLACKBURN ROVERS will move for Sunderland’s Scottish hit man Ross Stewart if Ben Brereton Diaz leaves.Rovers looked into a move for Stewart in the last window and could offer him the kind of contract he wants.
      Blackburn Rovers are keen on Sunderland striker Ross StewartCredit: Alamy
      Rovers will move for Stewart if Ben Brereton Diaz leaves in JanuaryCredit: Getty
      Stewart’s deal is running out and new boss Tony Mowbray will be keen for him to extend his stay rather than lose a star man.
      However, Rovers are lurking.
      Everton, Fulham and Leeds missed out on Blackburn Rovers hit man Brereton Diaz when owners Venkys asked for more cash than they would pay.
      Frank Lampard was at the head of the queue for the Chile international’s signature.
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      The Toffees made an offer around £12million with extras that could have eventually reached £20 million.
      The Goodison club thought that would meet the asking price, but Blackburn’s tough negotiators said no.
      Brereton Diaz has netted four goals in eight Championship games so far this campaign.
      The 23-year-old bagged 22 in 37 games in the second tier last season.
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      Meanwhile Sunderland striker Stewart has an impressive five goals and three assists in seven Championship games this term.
      He netted 24 times in League One last season.
      And those helped fire the Black Cats to promotion. More

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      Sergio Gomez’s ex-coach reveals amazing switch to left-back and why new Man City star will be perfect for Erling Haaland

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      SERGIO GOMEZ arrived at Manchester City with his old boss tipping him to become the best left-back in the world.Yet if it had not been for a flash of inspiration little more than 18 months ago, the kid already being tagged as the new Jordi Alba may still be earning a living as a right-winger.
      Manchester City signed defender Sergio Gomez from Anderlecht for £11million last monthCredit: Getty
      Gomez’s ex-Huesca boss Jose Rojo Martin converted him from a right winger to a left-backCredit: EPA
      Gomez, 21, was in his second season on loan at Huesca when Jose Rojo Martin took over LaLiga’s basement boys.
      One of the first moves Martin — or Pacheta as he is known in Spain — made was to switch him from an attacking role on the right flank to a defensive one on the left.
      It was a stroke of managerial genius that nearly inspired a miracle escape for Huesca… and set the player on a path which was to take him to the Etihad.
      Gomez was so outstanding in the second half of the campaign, his side only went down on the final day — when the width of a post denied him a winning goal that would have saved them.
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      Huesca’s relegation meant they could not  make his loan move a permanent deal.
      Instead he joined Anderlecht, was their player of the season and saw City pay £11million to sign him from the Belgian club.
      Pacheta, now Valladolid manager, revealed: “When I took over, Huesca had only 11 points after 17 games and were bottom of the league.
      “Sergio was playing as a right-winger, cutting inside, but we had a meeting and I told him I thought he would be perfect at left-back.
      “I remember being in my office and telling him he’d be a big success there and he accepted the challenge straightaway.
      “In modern football so many players will question a coach’s decision if he is asked to play a totally different position and that can cause problems.
      “But Sergio was just different. From the day I opened the door to the dressing room I found him a special boy and very receptive to everything you told him.
      “I’m not saying everything changed because of my decision but the way he adapted was perfect. He completely nailed it from that day.
      “We turned things round and needed to beat Valencia in the last game to survive. We drew 0-0 and Sergio hit the post with a long shot, so we were so unlucky.
      Martin – known as Pacheta – believes Erling Haaland will thrive off of Gomez’s crossesCredit: Getty
      “If we had stayed up, Huesca had a clause that we could buy him from Dortmund. Instead, he moved to Anderlecht.”
      Gomez had ended up at Huesca after failing to crack it as a Barcelona youth and then with Borussia Dortmund.
      And while his career eventually rocketed in LaLiga to such an extent he was tipped to replace the legendary Alba in the Spain side, he was also earning another tag.
      Pacheta added: “He is an excellent crosser, it’s like he has a velvet glove on his left foot — and he has a super powerful shot from long distance.
      “The current top left-backs are athletes who can run really well but there aren’t excellent crossers who can also penetrate inside the box. But people will see that with Gomez.
      “Manchester City have finally signed a typical No 9 in Erling Haaland but he needs some good service — and will get even more goals from Sergio’s crosses.”
      Gomez made his City debut in the recent friendly at Barcelona and boss Pep Guardiola has been easing him into the Premier League from the bench.
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      Yet Pacheta has no doubt he will be a  massive hit and added: “I’m absolutely delighted for him and I know he is going to excel at City.
      “Sergio just belongs to the elite and could become the best left-back in football.” More

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      Arsenal are still a million miles away from Man City, and a top-four finish would be huge feat for Arteta, says Merson

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      PAUL MERSON knows a ruthless winner when he sees one — and he likes what Mikel Arteta is doing at Arsenal.It was 36 years ago when Merson became the beneficiary of George Graham’s Highbury clear-out of an underachieving dressing room.
      Arsenal legend Paul Merson has heaped praise on Mikel Arteta following the club’s start to the seasonCredit: Rex
      Arteta has guided his side to the top of the Premier League table having won all five gamesCredit: PA
      And now the ex-forward can see history repeating itself at the club he helped to five major trophies in a 12-year Gunners career.
      With Arsenal now back on top of the Prem after a perfect start to the season, Merson said: “I was very impressed with the way Arteta handled Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
      “He took a massive chance with a player who was a huge influence in the dressing room and it’s worked. You have to make a statement when you’re a new manager.
      “George Graham did it many years ago when he came to Arsenal and got rid of Charlie Nicholas, Tony Woodcock, Graham Rix, Viv Anderson and Steve Williams.
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      “Top internationals, the lot of them, but they weren’t going to listen to some bloke who’d just arrived from Millwall and wanted to rule with a rod of iron.
      “So George went ‘out you all go and I’ll build my team around hungry young kids who will run around and listen to what I have to say’.
      “We wouldn’t have won the league without George, but he wouldn’t have won it without guys like myself, Michael Thomas, David Rocastle, Tony Adams and Paul Davis.
      “And fair play to Arteta, that’s exactly what he’s doing now.
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      “For as good as Aubameyang was, the young players were going to start listening to him and Arteta didn’t want that.
      “Because as soon as you have one player who doubts you, your job becomes so much harder.”
      Yet Sky Sports pundit Merson is refusing to get carried away with Arsenal’s flying start and said: “Tomorrow’s game at Manchester United will be the acid test.
      “The fixtures so far have been kind and they’ve only beaten teams they should have done.
      “But by winning five in a row they can go to Old Trafford and a draw would be a decent result.
      “Because if you keep beating the lesser teams and not losing to the big boys, which is what Liverpool did last season, then you’re going to be in with a shout.
      “But Arsenal are still a million miles behind Manchester City, so it’s important that people don’t get ahead of themselves and talk about being title contenders.
      Merson doesn’t believe Arsenal have what it takes yet to challenge Manchester City for the titleCredit: Rex
      Merson has hailed the signing of Gabriel Jesus from City, with the Brazilian scoring three goals so farCredit: Getty
      “They have to stay realistic and finishing in the top four this  season would be a major feat.
      “Arteta isn’t yet an elite manager like Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte but he’s only been in the job for three years.
      “I’ve been impressed with the way Arteta and Edu have gone about their transfer business.
      “They identified the areas that needed improving and signed the players they needed.
      “To bring players of the calibre of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko to a club that isn’t in the Champions League speaks volumes for the manager.
      “They haven’t just bought players for the sake of it, which has probably been the case at Manchester United.
      “It’s all been a bit gung-ho at United. But if you buy players like Antony and Casemiro for big money and they don’t work, that will make or break Ten Hag.”
      Merson has insisted it would be a huge success if Arsenal finish in the top four this campaignCredit: Getty
      Merson still remembers the days when United v Arsenal was the biggest match of the season and was part of the 1990 Battle of Old Trafford, which resulted in Arsenal being docked two points by the FA and United one.
      He recalled: “Everyone but David Seaman got involved but no one was punching each other. It was just a lot of pushing and shoving but it was still a massive deal at the time.
      “United weren’t even our rivals for the title at that time but it was still special to beat them.
      “I even played in the game when Michael Knighton was  juggling the ball on the pitch and saying he will buy United.
      “But it turned out even I had more money than him… and I’d blown all my cash at the bookies!
      “United versus Arsenal isn’t about winning the title anymore, it’s about the top four and it’s vital that Arsenal don’t lose because we’ll all be talking about them being flat-track bullies.
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      “As long as Martin Odegaard is fit, I think they’ll get a result. I look at him and wonder how Real Madrid let him go.
      “When you look at the money Prem teams have spent this summer, the £30million Arsenal paid for Odegaard was a cup of tea.” More