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      in Soccer

      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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      in Soccer

      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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      in Soccer

      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

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      in Soccer

      ‘I couldn’t eat’ – New Man Utd star Antony’s teenage diary reveals brave 4-month journey from outcast to hero in Brazil

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      ANTONY has completed an incredible journey from Sao Paulo to Manchester — via Amsterdam.The Brazilian winger, 22, is now preparing for his Manchester United debut after arriving from Ajax in a stunning £85.5million deal.
      Brazilian winger Antony came through the ranks at Sao Paulo before joining AjaxCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Antony scored six goals in 52 games in all competitions for Sao PauloCredit: Getty
      While still a teenager, he wrote a book detailing his struggles in the Sao Paulo youth system while living in the city district of Osasco.
      Charlie Wyett leafs through his diary, From Overcoming A Real Dream, where he describes when he broke into the first team.

      How can four months change a person’s life? I went from distrust to glory in four months.
      I went from being unknown to one of the greatest prospects of Brazilian football. I left Osasco for the world. All this in four months.
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      In these four months I’ve needed to have a lot of strength, faith and the ability to overcome in order to reach my great objective: to be a pro footballer with Sao Paulo.
      I hope this diary serves as an inspiration for how life can change quickly when you believe in your target. It’s the beginning of a story that won’t stop for anything or anybody.
      2019 started in a sad way for me. I expected to play for Brazil’s Under-20s and for Sao Paulo in the Florida Cup. I didn’t get called up. I didn’t understand, I wanted a chance.
      I played in the Sao Paulo Cup, with my head up, and the rest is history.I grew in the competition, became more confident and my growth started there.
      Antony linked up with Manchester United on deadline day in an £85.5million dealCredit: Instagram @antony00
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      I had to be patient, I tried to listen and learn from the oldest players. When my chance came, I was going to grab it.
      I came on as a sub, we won, and I started to feel pleasure in what was to come in my career.
      I was sad I didn’t get picked for the next game. They changed coach. What would become of me, still trying to get my space?
      The new coach, Vagner Mancini, spoke to me a lot.
      From then on, the players began to receive me in a different way and to help me a lot. My confidence grew as I played more minutes.
      All that was missing was a goal and I scored a nice goal on March 20 against Sao Caetano.
      I didn’t know how to celebrate, I just wanted to take it all in. I will remember my first goal all my life, especially as it was so important as it meant us qualifying.
      We beat the favourites, Palmeiras, on penalties in the semi-final of the Brazilian league championship. It was the happiest time of my career.
      Antony could make his Red Devils debut against Arsenal at Old Trafford on SundayCredit: Instagram @antony00
      Former Ajax forward Antony won two Eredivisie titles with the Dutch clubCredit: Instagram @antony00
      I was so excited about the final against Corinthians. I was so anxious that I didn’t eat on the day of the game and I wasn’t well. I wasn’t the Antony of other games.
      I scored in the second leg. I started to think of the path I’d taken, remembering I’d been on the club’s discard list three times.
      And, suddenly, I was there in a final, scoring a goal.
      Unfortunately, we lost. I couldn’t contain my tears. After the game, I was able to take it in and feel satisfaction with the path to get there.
      After four months, I’m no longer the same Antony. How much I’ve developed.
      Now I will work double and learn double so that the path to success becomes a reality and a constant in my career. I lost a cup, I won a cup.
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      I learnt to lose and take good things even in defeat.
      I feel confident. When I enter the pitch, I do everything with heart and soul. I’m ready for the next challenges.
      Antony has been reunited with former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag and team-mate Lisandro Martinez at the Theatre of DreamsCredit: Instagram @antony00
      Antony scored 12 goals from 33 outings for Ajax during the 2022-23 campaignCredit: Instagram @antony00 More

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      in Motorsport

      F1’s Lando Norris announced he’d split from girlfriend after being caught inviting another model on a McDonald’s date

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      FORMULA One’s Lando Norris announced he had split from his model girlfriend after being caught inviting another model on a McDonald’s date.The race ace’s relationship with stunning Luisinha Oliveira hit the skids after he was exposed closing in on another beauty ahead of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix.
      Formula One’s Lando Norris announced he had split from his model girlfriend after being caught inviting ANOTHER model on a McDonald’s dateCredit: Frambooesas
      The race ace’s relationship with stunning Luisinha Oliveira hit the skids after he was exposed closing in on another beauty ahead of this weekend’s Dutch Grand PrixCredit: LANDO NORRIS
      Brit McLaren driver Norris urged a mystery model in leaked messages from his Instagram account: “Ordering McDonald’s come join.”
      He begged the Dutch woman, who had told him they had met at last year’s race in Zandvoort, to join him at his luxury hotel on Tuesday for burgers and fries and told her: “I’m single now.”
      When his flirty messages ended up online, Lando, 22, privately pleaded to the model “please delete them haha”.
      He then frantically shared on his Instagram that Luisinha, 22, and he had “mutually decided” to go their separate ways after eight months — despite the pair looking like honeymooners in loved-up snaps posted four weeks ago.
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      He wrote: “I wish her the world and have so much respect for her and all she does as an amazing and strong woman with nothing but kindness.”
      Luisinha cryptically posted on Wednesday: “Enjoy every given moment.”
      But to add further intrigue to the drama, Norris later deleted his message about the pair’s split.
      McLaren made no comment, while a source close to Norris told The Sun that he only messaged the mystery Dutch girl after breaking up with Luisinha.
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      Brit McLaren driver Norris urged a mystery model in leaked messages from his Instagram account: ‘Ordering McDonald’s come join’Credit: Reuters More

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      in Soccer

      Ryan Giggs sells £1.7million mansion where he is accused of head-butting former girlfriend Kate Greville

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      RYAN Giggs has sold the £1.7million mansion where he is accused of head-butting his former girlfriend.The Manchester United great, 48, managed to offload the Tudor-style pad weeks before he went on trial over the allegations.
      Ryan Giggs has sold the £1.7million mansion where he is accused of head-butting his former girlfriendCredit: PP.
      Giggs is believed to have bought the property in 2001 for £545,000Credit: Neil Jones – The Sun
      A source said: “He just wanted to get rid of it and put it behind him.
      “He loved that place and had owned it for over 20 years but he knew it needed to go.”
      Former Wales manager Giggs is believed to have bought the property in 2001 for £545,000 and his mum lived there for several years.
      He and girlfriend Kate Greville, 38, lived at the five-bedroom house in Worsley, Gtr Manchester, from March 2020 and throughout lockdown.
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      But police were called on ­November 1 of that year following a bust-up and Giggs was taken away in the back of a police van.
      He was accused of attacking Kate and of coercively controlling her for three years.
      His trial ended this week with the Manchester crown court jury unable to reach a verdict.
      Giggs, who will find out next week whether he faces a retrial, put the property on the market on March 31, 2021, but struggled to sell it, even though it had the wow ­factor.
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      The pad has been described as: “An elegant Tudor-style detached home.
      “Located within one of the areas most prestigious and sought after gated developments.”
      A sale was finalised in June, while his trial started on August 8.
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      The house is on the same street as a property he shared with ex-wife Stacey before she learnt of his eight-year affair with his brother Rhodri’s wife and his relationship with Kate.
      He sold it last year for a knockdown £3million — two years after putting it on the market.
      Giggs and girlfriend Kate Greville lived at the five-bedroom house from March 2020 and throughout lockdownCredit: BackGrid
      Giggs will find out next week whether he faces a retrial over allegations made by ex KateCredit: pixel8000 More

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      Liverpool’s James Milner flies huge pop star out for secret concert to surprise his wife on her 40th birthday

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      PREMIER League star James Milner flew in singer Gary Barlow to perform at his wife’s 40th birthday.The Liverpool midfielder, 36, organised the secret gig for Amy Fletcher, a fan of Gary and his ’90s boy band Take That.
      Premier League star James Milner flew in a huge pop star to perform at his wife’s 40th birthdayCredit: Zenpix
      He organised the secret gig for Amy Fletcher, a fan of Gary Barlow and his ’90s boy band Take That
      James arranged for the singer, 51, to be flown by helicopter from London to Cheshire, where his arrival left birthday girl Amy stunned.
      He then performed a string of hits including Back For Good and Could It Be Magic at the gig last week.
      A source said: “Amy loves Take That and James wanted to make her day with a surprise she could only dream of.
      “Amy could not believe her eyes when she saw Gary walking through the door.
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      “You could tell James was relieved he pulled it off without her finding out.”
      Kop star James, who has two children with Amy, also invited team-mates from his current and former clubs, which include Manchester City, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Leeds.
      Gary is currently on his A Different Stage tour, and played to a sell-out crowd at London’s Duke of York’s Theatre last night.
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      in Soccer

      Everton have £8.5m Leander Dendoncker transfer bid rejected by Wolves with Frank Lampard desperate for midfield help

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      WOLVES have rejected Everton’s £8.5million bid for midfielder Leander Dendoncker.Toffees boss Frank Lampard is scrambling to add to the squad following a dire start to the season.
      Everton have failed with a bid to sign Wolves midfielder Leander DendonckerCredit: Getty
      Everton are without a win in their first four Premier League games and sit 18th, a place above Wolves.
      Lampard is keen to add in midfield and up top before the window closes on Thursday night.
      Midfielder Amadou Onana has already arrived at Goodison Park this summer in a £33.5million deal from French club Lille.
      But with Andre Gomes potentially leaving before the close of the window Lampard is keen for further additions.
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      Dendoncker, 27, started Wolves’ first two games of the Prem season but has been used as a substitute in the last two.
      Despite their opening offer being knocked back by Bruno Lage’s side, there is confidence a deal can be struck before Thursday’s deadline.

      Having sold Richarlison to Tottenham and losing Dominic Calvert-Lewin to another injury, additions are also needed up top.
      French striker Neal Maupay has arrived in a £15million deal from Brighton.
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      Meanwhile talks with Blackburn Rovers continued over the weekend as the Toffees consider a move for Chile international Ben Brereton Diaz.
      SunSport have exclusively revealed how Dendoncker’s team-mate Hwang Hee-chan is on Lampard’s radar.
      Goodison transfer guru Kevin Thelwell is a big fan of Hwang, who is available for around £15m and also fancied by Leeds.
      Another striker arriving could see Salomon Rondon leave Goodison Park this week. More