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    Man Utd ‘chasing Brazilian wonderkid Thalys, 18, but face competition from two of Europe’s most-prestigious clubs’

    MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly monitoring Palmeiras wonderkid Thalys.The 18-year-old is one of the club’s top academy prospects.
    Man Utd are interested in signing ThalysCredit: Alamy
    Thalys has been likened to Endrick, who is set to join Real Madrid this summer in a £51million transfer.
    Endrick, 17, reached an agreement with the La Liga giants in December 2022 but is not permitted to complete the move until his 18th birthday.
    According to Spanish outlet AS, Palmeiras will demand a similar fee for Thalys.
    The striker, who has two years remaining on his contract, has already attracted interest from Italy.
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    And now Man Utd are keeping tabs on him.
    Barcelona and Juventus are also understood to be interested.
    United are expected to dip into the transfer market for a new forward this summer with Anthony Martial set to leave.
    The Frenchman’s contract is set to expire in June and the Red Devils have no intention to extend it.
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    Thalys could be introduced to provide support for Rasmus Hojlund in attack.
    Hojlund joined Man Utd in a £72m transfer from Atalanta in August.
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    He is currently one of the club’s only out-and-out strikers.
    Meanwhile, Thalys has scored eight goals in 25 appearances for Palmeiras’ Under-20s since making his debut. More

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    LaLiga star shoved onto pitch by own coach after ‘falling in love with TV host & forgetting there was 2nd half to play’

    A LALIGA star had to be pushed onto the pitch by his own manager after spending too long being interviewed on the touchline.Cadiz star Robert Navarro spoke to a DAZN reporter during half-time of their clash with Real Betis.
    Robert Navarro lost track of time as he was interviewed at half-time
    A Cadiz coach had to push the winger onto the pitch
    The reporter saw the funny side as fans poked fun at NavarroCredit: DAZN
    But he clearly lost track of time as the match was about to restart with Navarro still in full flow.
    He received a shock reminder of his duties when a Cadiz coach shoved him back onto the pitch, with Navarro quickly taking up his position.
    The reporter flashed a smile at the camera as fans poked fun at the winger.
    One replied saying: “You can tell by his face that he was falling in love with the interviewer.”
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    Another added: “Bro found love at first sight 😂”
    A third wrote: “Man lost himself in those eyes.”
    And another commented: “He was hoping for a bit of extra time.”
    Navarro and his team-mates clearly where not ready for the second half as former West Ham star Pablo Fornals doubled Betis’ lead a minute after the break.
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    The match ended 2-0 to Manuel Pellegrini’s side, a result that moves them up to sixth in LaLiga and into a Europa Conference League qualification spot.
    Meanwhile Cadiz remain in the relegation zone – three points and one place from safety.

    Fans spot Jude Bellingham’s classy gesture after facing Greenwood’s Getafe as they say ‘England captain material’ More

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    Barcelona to rival Man Utd and Arsenal for Amadou Onana transfer… but can get nowhere near Everton’s asking price

    BARCELONA will join the race to sign Amadou Onana – but only if Everton drop their £51m asking price.Like the cash-strapped Toffees, Barcelona have their own financial issues and cannot afford to go beyond £34m as things stand.
    Barcelona have joined the chase for Everton’s Amadou OnanaCredit: Getty
    But the Spanish giants are monitoring the midfielder’s situation closely.
    Everton will hope to generate an auction for Onana this summer.
    Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are all among the clubs to have him on their shortlist.
    The 22-year-old Belgian international arrived at Goodison Park from Lille for £33.5m after snubbing West Ham in August 2022.
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    He instantly became a key player under Frank Lampard.
    And he remains an integral part of the Toffees team under Sean Dyche as they fight relegation.

    Onana is under contract at Everton until 2027 after penning a five-year deal upon his arrival.
    Man United boss Erik ten Hag is also still keen to revive interest in Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong.
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    The Old Trafford club have been linked with a £120m double swoop for De Jong and Nou Camp team-mate Ronald Araujo.
    If Barca received a big fee for one or both players, it would give them a better chance of competing for Onana without risking a breach of FFP rules.
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    Chelsea ready to hijack Man Utd’s bid to finally seal Frenkie de Jong transfer as Blues line up massive bid

    CHELSEA have reportedly joined Manchester United in the race to sign Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona this summer.De Jong, 26, is finally open to leaving the La Liga giants at the end of the season.
    Chelsea could hijack Man Utd’s pursuit of Frenkie De JongCredit: Getty
    According to journalist Lluis Canut, the Dutchman is underwhelmed with Barcelona’s current state both on and off the pitch.
    And for the first time since arriving at the Nou Camp in 2019 he is “no longer closing the door on leaving” the club.
    Man Utd pushed to sign him in the summer of 2022, shortly after Erik ten Hag took over as manager.
    Following extensive talks, Barcelona accepted a huge bid worth £71.5million, but De Jong rejected the move.
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    United are now set to re-enter the race for the midfielder, but they face competition from Premier League rivals Chelsea.
    According to Spanish outlet Sport, the Blues are prepared to table a bid worth up to £85m for De Jong.
    While Paris Saint-Germain have also expressed an interest in signing him.
    The Dutchman joined Barcelona in a £64m transfer from Ajax in 2019 and has since made 205 first team appearances.
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    De Jong has been a key first team player for Barcelona this season
    Barca chiefs allegedly want to tie him down to a new contract until 2029, but they have found it “impossible” to reach an agreement.
    Xavi’s side currently sit third in the La Liga table, eight points adrift of leaders Real Madrid.
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    Enzo Fernandez ‘wants to leave Chelsea and offers himself to Barcelona despite having 8 YEARS left on contract’

    CHELSEA midfielder Enzo Fernandez is keen on joining Barcelona, according to reports.Fernandez, 23, signed for the Blues in a £107million transfer from Benfica last winter.
    Enzo Fernandez allegedly wants to join BarcelonaCredit: Getty
    He completed the switch just one month after winning the World Cup with Argentina and signed an eight-and-a-half year contract upon his arrival at Stamford Bridge.
    However, the midfielder is now understood to be open to a move away.
    And according to Spanish outlet Sport, he wants to join Barcelona.
    The La Liga giants consider Fernandez a top target, but their financial issues will likely prevent a deal from happening.
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    His current contract runs until 2032 so Barcelona would have to table a significant offer for Chelsea to even consider selling.
    Recent reports have claimed that Fernandez is unhappy at Stamford Bridge, largely due to Chelsea’s poor run of form.
    After finishing 12th in the Premier League table last season, the Blues have failed to make much progression.
    They currently sit 11th, behind the likes of Wolves, Newcastle and Brighton.
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    But Fernandez appeared to squash the exit rumours on Wednesday during Chelsea’s FA Cup fourth round replay against Aston Villa.
    After scoring a stunning free kick to put the Blues 3-0 up in the 54th minute, the midfielder held his shirt up to the cameras and pointed to his name.
    Chelsea’s 3-1 FA Cup win at Aston Villa was the team’s best performance of the season, says Mauricio Pochettino
    Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino later said: “Today, Enzo showed why he’s here and he showed his quality.
    “But we didn’t have any doubts about him, or about Caicedo or about different players, young players that arrived here with expectation to win titles and to score with every single touch!

    “He is a world champion player. Look, when he signed one year ago, he arrived after nearly two years with no holidays, no rest, with the pressure, still young, different environment, different language, different culture, a team that needs time to build.
    “All of these types of circumstance, you need time. I don’t want to annoy the people. For me, it’s not an excuse. I want to be here because I really believe in the project, I really believe in the player.
    “But please, stop to create expectation that does match to the reality and help the players that are here to try and build something.
    “Of course, if that happens again, we will be there to help. It does not surprise me because Enzo has the quality, not only to score this type of goal, but to perform in the way today he performed.” More

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    Fans stunned after former Premier League star scores worldie on Betis debut as they say ‘shame what Moyes did to him’

    PABLO FORNALS split both the net and social media – with an outrageous solo goal on his Real Betis debut.Some West Ham fans were shocked by his brilliance – while others blamed their boss David Moyes for not getting the best out of the midfielder.
    Pablo Fornals conjured a wonder goal first time out for Betis in LaLiga

    Fornals left Cadiz keeper Jeremias Ledesmas with little chance
    The six-cap Spaniard weaved in from the right to curve a laser left-footer inside the far corner.
    It rounded off a 2-0 win at struggling Cadiz that put Betis sixth – into one of the two Europa League places.
    The ex-Villarreal star, 27, had ended his five years at West Ham on transfer deadline in a £7million return to his home country.
    Fornals exited the London Stadium after 23 goal and 19 assists in 203 games – but also with question marks over his ability in the Premier League.
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    However, after seeing his confident footwork and curling goal, one fan posted: “Shame what Moyes did to him.”
    Another said: “Good luck to him. Was fantastic for us. It’s our loss tbf.”
    A third wrote: “Who would have thought he could play CM?!”
    And a fourth moaned: “The amount of players that have left West Ham and then scored on their debut at their new club is wild.”
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    Fornals returned to Spain after five years at West HamCredit: Getty
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    But other viewers reckon Fornals’ stylish technique and attacking style is more suited to LaLiga than the English top flight.
    One observer claimed: “Lovely goal, would never get the space to do that in the Prem though, but obviously people will have a meltdown about this.”
    Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozers
    Another suggested: “Lovely fella but couldn’t hit a cow’s a*** with a banjo for us.”
    And a fellow doubter was seemingly shaking with disbelief as he shared a clip of the goal and added: Yes, Pablo Fornals actually just did that.”
    The ex-Malaga ace struck Betis’ clincher on 46 minutes following a surging run from Brazilian striker Willian Jose, who had fired a brilliant opener. More

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    My dad was a World Cup-winning one-club legend, now I’m making my own way in a different country

    CRISTIAN TOTTI is making his own way as he looks to live up to the legend of his famous Dad, Francesco.Like his father, Cristian is a forward that came through the ranks at Roma, but their career arcs have already branched apart.
    Francesco Totti with his daughters Isabel, Chanel, ex-wife Ilary and son Cristian as he saluted fans after his final Roma gameCredit: AP
    Francesco and his son Cristian took in a Roma game against Bayer Leverkusen in 2023Credit: Getty
    While Francesco spent his entire career in the Eternal City, Cristian left for pastures new when he turned 18, joining Frosinone’s youth side.
    After making three appearances in Serie A’s youth league, the Primavera, Cristian has made an eye catching loan transfer to Rayo Vallecano.
    Vallecano, the suburban Madrid side overshadowed by the much more famous Real, are renowned for their brand of direct attacking football in LaLiga.
    They were managed by Bournemouth coach Andoni Iraola until the start of this season, and his replacement, Francisco Rodriguez, has the club sat mid-table in the league on a shoestring budget.
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    Even in joining the club, there is an echo of Cristian’s father’s past.
    Francesco Totti wrote in The Observer that a move to Madrid that was mooted in 2005 would have made him the highest paid player in the world by some distance.
    He said that it was the most his loyalties to Roma had ever been tested in his career, but that he ultimately chose to remain loyal to his boyhood club – where he would retire as a one-club man in 2017.
    Totti Snr won one scudetto with Roma in 2001, and memorably won the World Cup with a star-studded Italy team in 2006.
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    Cristian is not the only son of an Italian World Cup legend to be playing in LaLiga right now, with Alessandro Del Piero’s son, Tobias, playing for Getafe.
    According to Italian outlet Il Messaggero, Francesco has been accompanying his son to training every day while he settles in Vallecano.
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    Cristian is expected to play the majority of his football with Vallecano’s youth team, rather than the first-team – having never made a senior appearance in his career.
    Vallecano do have some recognisable Premier League representation in their squad, with former Manchester United winger Bebe being one of the club’s talismen. More

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    Barcelona ‘draw up shortlist of names to replace Xavi’ including Premier League quartet and Liverpool legend

    BARCELONA have reportedly compiled a shortlist of eight potential managers to replace Xavi Hernandez, with four of the Premier League’s creme de la creme in hiring-range.Xavi announced last month that he would be leaving Barca this summer, which marks the end of his third season.
    Xavi Hernandez announced he would be leaving Barcelona at the end of the season.Credit: Getty
    In a press conference that shocked fans, he said the club needed a ‘change of dynamic,’ and he was taking the decision for ‘the good of the board, and the club.’ 
    The announcement came off the back of a 5-3 loss at home to Villarael who currently sit 14th in LaLiga, a defeat that reflected Barcelona’s struggle to find form this season. 
    Xavi’s contract was due to expire at the end of the season anyway, but his statement shut down any potential of his staying on at the club. 
    All eyes turned to his replacement and Deportivo Mundo claim the following names are in the frame.
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    Mikel Arteta
    Mikel Arteta has recently been criticised for over-celebrating Arsenal’s victory against LiverpoolCredit: Getty
    The Arsenal boss is a logical proposition seeing as he came through Barcelona’s academy himself and his attacking style of play already suits the Nou Camp club. 
    But Arteta recently shut down rumours of a potential move to Barca as ‘fake news’, not to mention his contract at Arsenal doesn’t officially expire until 2025.
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    Luis Enrique
    Paris Saint-Germain manager has been touted to replace XaviCredit: Rex
    The Paris Saint-Germain manager is an attractive prospect given he coached the club when they won a Treble in 2015 and is aligned with the attacking Barca style of play.
    But he’s in the same boat as Arteta, currently sitting on a contract that does not expire until next year, and Mundo reckons he ‘usually fulfils his commitments.’
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    Roberto De Zerbi
    Roberto De Zerbi has led Brighton to new heightsCredit: Getty
    The Italian has masterminded the meteoric rise of The Seagulls which landed them in sixth place last season and bang slap into the Europa League.
    De Zerbi’s dynamic style suits Barca, but Mundo point out his lack of experience managing players of the very top calibre might stand against him.  
    Xabi Alonso
    Xabi Alonso is top of the betting to replace Jurgen Klopp at LiverpoolCredit: Getty
    Alonso is having something of a golden hour as he leads the Bundesliga table with Bayern Leverkusen as well as the betting to replace Klopp at Liverpool, where he used to be a star player.
    He ticks all the boxes in terms of style of play, but might be hindered by his links with other clubs; firstly Liverpool, and also Real Madrid, where he spent five years coaching.
    Hansi Flick
    Hansi Flick was the first manager ever to get fired from the German National teamCredit: Getty
    The ex-German coach has ‘personality and good taste for the game’ , although it did not prevent him from being the first German coach ever to get the sack after the national team lost 4-1 to Japan.
    He does have an impressive record with Bayern Munich under his belt, and president Joan Laporta is reportedly ‘attracted to the German school of technicians.’
    Unai Emery
    Unai Emery is currently sitting fourth in the Premiere League with Aston VillaCredit: Getty
    Emery’s having a brilliant season with Aston Villa, and his hefty coaching experience at Almeria, Valencia, Arsenal and Villarreal will add to his cause too.
    But his disaster at PSG in the Champions League in 2017, when he threw away a 4-0 lead to lose 6-1 to Barcelona, may still hang over him.
    Jurgen Klopp
    Jurgen Klopp shocked the sporting world when he announced he would be leaving LiverpoolCredit: Rex
    Earlier this season Klopp made the bombshell announcement that he would be leaving The Reds come the end of the season, citing burnout as the reason. 
    This makes him a far-fetched option, but Mundo notes that Laporta still admires the intensity of Klopp’s game as well as his character.
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    Sergio Conceicao
    Sergio Conceicao is one of the least likely candidatesCredit: Getty
    The current Porto manager’s contract will expire in June and the Portugese club are assuming he will not be staying on.
    However, his reputation as being an ‘unflexibe’ coach with a ‘volcanic’ personality that he does not hide from the media is a factor that could put Barca off. More