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      Liverpool next manager odds: Bookies list likely candidates after Jurgen Klopp’s shock announcement

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      LIVERPOOL will begin the search for a new manager after Jurgen Klopp’s shock announcement.The German – who joined the club in 2015, replacing Brendan Rodgers – has informed the club’s owners he plans to step down from the role at the end of the season.
      Follow the latest developments from Klopp’s bombshell statement
      Liverpool will have a new manager next season as Klopp confirms he’s set to quitCredit: Alamy
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      Klopp has won the Premier League and Champions League in his time at Anfield and is currently in the race for all four trophies this season.
      Klopp’s announcement to stand down will put clubs across the world on alert, as well as many potential suitors who the Reds could likely turn to to replace him.
      Bookmakers Betfair make former midfielder Xabi Alonso the early 13/8 favourite to return to Anfield as manager to replace Jurgen Klopp.
      He’s one many Liverpool fans will be crying out for as he gets set to take his next step in management.
      His spell as Leverkusen boss couldn’t be any more impressive as they sit four points clear of Bayern at the top of the Bundesliga, scoring 50 goals in 18 games.
      They won all six of their Europa League games too, meaning an 88.8% win percentage in all competitions this year.
      And Leverkusen became the first side in German football history to stay unbeaten after the first 25 games of a campaign across all competitions.
      Next Liverpool manager oddsBetfair odds

      Xabi Alonso 13/8
      Pep Lijnders 3/1
      Steven Gerrard 11/2
      Roberto De Zerbi 15/2
      Julian Nagelsmann 9/1
      Ange Postecoglou 14/1
      Luis Enrique 14/1

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      The style of football has been the most exciting part and the 42-year-old has worked his way through the Real Madrid and Real Sociedad academies to learn his craft.
      Klopp’s current No2 Pep Ljinders is 3/1 to step up into the hotseat.
      Lijnders has deputised previously in Klopp’s absence, most notably in League Cup outings and is a well-respected coach having worked under Rodgers too.
      His only spell in management didn’t quite go to plan when dismissed by Dutch side NEC having failed to gain promotion from the second tier.
      Anfield legend Steven Gerrard (11/2) was always talked about as the man who’d eventually replace Klopp, particularly after his spell in Glasgow.

      Gerrard’s heroics to topple Celtic as Rangers manager saw him swiftly move back south of the border and to Aston Villa, where he failed to live up to expectations.
      He’s now in Saudi Arabia and recently penned a new contract to remain at Al-Ettifaq but his dream has always been to be the Liverpool boss.
      Robert De Zerbi (15/2) is in the same category as Alonso when it comes to entertaining, attacking football and will be another popular choice, ahead of Julian Nagelsmann at 9/1.
      Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou is another who plays attractive football and he’s next in the list alongside Luis Enrique at 14/1.
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      Jurgen Klopp announces he will QUIT Liverpool at end of season in bombshell statement

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      JURGEN KLOPP is sensationally set to leave Liverpool at the end of the season.The German took over at Anfield in October 2015 but he has now decided to call time on his Liverpool career.
      Jurgen Klopp will step down at the end of the season
      Klopp led Liverpool to their sixth Champions League title in 2019Credit: Getty
      He also won the League Cup and FA Cup double in 2022Credit: AFP
      Klopp took over as Liverpool manager in October 2015Credit: Reuters
      Klopp has won the Premier League and Champions League with the Reds and is currently top of the Prem table.
      But he revealed he is running out of energy and cannot continue in the job year after year.
      Klopp explained his decision to step down in an emotional interview in which he shared his love for the club, the fans and the city.
      He said: “I can understand that it’s a shock for a lot of people in this moment, when you hear it for the first time, but obviously I can explain it – or at least try to explain it.
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      “I love absolutely everything about this club, I love everything about the city, I love everything about our supporters, I love the team, I love the staff. I love everything. But that I still take this decision shows you that I am convinced it is the one I have to take.
      “It is that I am, how can I say it, running out of energy. I have no problem now, obviously, I knew it already for longer that I will have to announce it at one point, but I am absolutely fine now. I know that I cannot do the job again and again and again and again.
      “After the years we had together and after all the time we spent together and after all the things we went through together, the respect grew for you, the love grew for you and the least I owe you is the truth – and that is the truth.”
      Klopp informed Liverpool’s owners of his intention to quit in November.
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      He has won five major trophies with the RedsCredit: Getty
      Liverpool won their first league title in 30 years under the GermanCredit: EPA
      Klopp’s wife Ulla previously convinced him to stay at LiverpoolCredit: Rex

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      Liverpool next manager huntBy Chisanga Malata
      LIVERPOOL are on the hunt for a new manager following the shock revelation that Jurgen Klopp will leave the club.
      The German dropped the bombshell news on Friday morning, leaving Kopites around the world stunned.
      Fans’ attentions have now turned to who will replace the iconic German in the Anfield dugout.
      And SunSport is on hand with the five standout candidates to succeed the club’s soon-to-be former iconic manager.
      Xabi Alonso
      The former Reds midfielder is the favourite to replace Klopp after a stellar one-and-a-half seasons in charge of Bayer Leverkusen.
      Alonso has a 64 per cent win ratio for the Bundesliga outfit, who he guided to a sixth-placed finish and Europa League football last season.
      Roberto De Zerbi
      The Italian has been a revelation for Brighton since replacing Graham Potter at the Amex in September 2022.
      Brighton finished in sixth place last season, a mere five points behind Liverpool.
      Jose Mourinho
      The former Chelsea and Manchester United is currently a free agent after being axed by Italian giants Roma this month.
      Mourinho has had a fiery history with the club in the past, but he’d be the perfect man to bring in if the Reds brass want to bring in a big-name manager.
      Unai Emery
      The Spaniard has well and truly bounced back from a disastrous spell with Arsenal at Villa Park.
      Emery guided Aston Villa to a seventh-placed finish last season, a feat they’re on course to better as they’re currently fourth in the Premier League table.
      Steven Gerrard
      The Reds icon has been touted as a future manager of the club ever since he hung up his playing boots.
      His ill-fated spell at Aston Villa, however, may put the club off from an emotional managerial Anfield return.
      And on top of that, the former England man has just signed a new contract with Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq.

      His decision comes just 18 months after Klopp U-turned on his decision to quit the club after being convinced to stay at Anfield by his wife Ulla.
      Klopp signed a four-year deal instead but realised he was unlikely to stick around for next season when discussing summer plans with club chiefs.
      He continued: “I told the club already in November. I have to explain a little bit that maybe the job I do people see from the outside, I’m on the touchline and in training sessions and stuff like this, but the majority of all the things happen around these kind of things.
      “That means a season starts and you plan pretty much the next season already.
      “When we sat there together talking about potential signings, the next summer camp and can we go wherever, the thought came up, ‘I am not sure I am here then anymore’ and I was surprised myself by that. I obviously start thinking about it.
      “It didn’t start [then], but of course last season was kind of a super-difficult season and there were moments when at other clubs probably the decision would have been, ‘Come on, thank you very much for everything but probably we should split here, or end it here.’ That didn’t happen here, obviously.
      “For me it was super, super, super-important that I can help to bring this team back onto the rails. It was all I was thinking about.
      “When I realised pretty early that happened, it’s a really good team with massive potential and a super age group, super characters and all that, then I could start thinking about myself again and that was the outcome.
      “It is not what I want to [do], it is just what I think is 100 per cent right.”
      Klopp is only missing the Europa LeagueXabi Alonso is the favourite to take overBy Dan King

      XABI ALONSO ticks almost every box to succeed Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager, and if Bayer Leverkusen don’t let their lead at the top of the Bundesliga slip the case for him to do so will be irresistible.
      The former Kop idol knows the club inside out after five seasons at Anfield and has made no secret of his enduring affection.
      Alonso has already forged a reputation as an innovative coach playing an attractive, pressing style, usually in a fluid 3-4-2-1 formation.
      He has taken Leverkusen from second bottom of the Bundesliga to seven-points clear at the top, putting them on course to be crowned German champions for the first time in their 120-year history.
      It’s worth remembering that both Rafa Benitez and Klopp arrived at Anfield with proof they could dethrone clubs who dominated their leagues.
      For Alonso to do the same, in only his second season as a top-flight manager, would mark him out as something special.
      It is that lack of long-term experience that would still make appointing him to replace Klopp a gamble.
      But otherwise, he looks like the perfect candidate as Liverpool are forced to plan a future without the man who made them champions of England, Europe and the world.

      Klopp’s decision has caused shockwaves with fans and pundits alike left stunned.
      Former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher reacted saying: “This news was always going to be a body blow to the club whenever it came.
      “I just thought it would be another few years away.
      “What a manager, what a man, let’s go out with a bang Jurgen!”
      While Gary Lineker said: “Wow. Huge news. What an incredible job he’s done. A special The Rest Is Football podcast will be with you this afternoon.”
      Compatriot Thomas Tuchel, who replaced Klopp as manager of Borussia Dortmund in 2015, added: “I have to digest that first.
      “Kloppo is one of the very best coaches in the world, he has always managed to influence the clubs where he worked. It’s big news.”
      TNT Sports presenter Laura Woods also shared her shock, tweeting: “Wowwww. I don’t even support Liverpool and I’m upset!”
      He oversaw Liverpool’s first league win in 30 years in 2020 – a year after leading the Reds to Champions League glory.
      The German also led Liverpool to a cup double in 2022, beating Chelsea in both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup final on penalties.
      Klopp’s first final in charge of Liverpool was the 2016 Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester City, with the Reds also losing to Sevilla in the Europa League final the same year.
      But he still has a chance to add more silverware to Liverpool’s trophy cabinet with his side top of the table and five points clear of second-placed City.
      Liverpool are also still in three cup competitions after progressing to the Carabao Cup final on Wednesday.
      The Reds are now on the search for a successor to Klopp, with former midfielder Xabi Alonso firm favourite to take over.
      Alonso has impressed in his first managerial job at Bayer Leverkusen, taking his side to the Bundesliga summit this season without losing a game.
      However he has played down talk linking him with the Liverpool job, saying: “Speculation is normal, my focus is here on Bayer Leverkusen”.
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      “I am very happy at Leverkusen with my players at the moment.
      “Big surprise in Liverpool, of course — for what Jürgen did in Liverpool I have great respect and admiration.” More

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      Liverpool and Man City set for transfer battle over Bayern Munich superstar – and could land him for a bargain

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      LIVERPOOL and Manchester City will reportedly go head-to-head to sign Joshua Kimmich.The Bayern Munich star is in the final 18 months of his contract and has yet to agree on a new deal.
      Joshua Kimmich is reportedly a target for both Liverpool and Manchester CityCredit: Getty
      Liverpool sporting director Jorg Schmadtke is said to have ‘good connections with the BundesligaCredit: Getty
      Kimmich, 28, would be able to leave the Bundesliga giants for free in the summer of 2025.
      This means that the Bavarian side could look to cash in on the Germany international this summer.
      German outlet Bild have claimed that both Manchester City and Liverpool are “closely monitoring” the star’s situation at the club.
      The Premier League sides are expected to make moves for the midfielder should he become available.
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      However, the report has also suggested that Jurgen Klopp may have an advantage over Pep Guardiola in the race to win his signature.
      This is due to Liverpool’s sporting director, Jorg Schmadtke, having “good connections” to the Bundesliga.
      Bild journalist Christian Falk said: “He’s in the final year of his deal at Bayern and they would like to celebrate a purchase price rather than lose him for free.
      “They could lose if he does not extend. And that’s where Manchester City and Liverpool come in.
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      “Thiago is always injured at Liverpool and his contract is running out, [Jordan] Henderson has left, there is a bit of space in midfield and Jurgen Klopp of course knows how important Kimmich is.
      “Schmadtke, the sporting director, has good connections in the Bundesliga.
      ‘So, Klopp is also now in the race for Kimmich.”
      Pep Guardiola did work with the midfielder during his time managing Bayern, having signed him in 2015 from RB Leipzig.
      In their one season together, the pair won the German treble of the league, DFB-Pokal and DFL-Supercup.
      Newcastle have also been linked with Kimmich with reports claiming that the Magpies had “opened talks” over a move.
      Kimmich’s Trophy HaulJoshua Kimmich has enjoyed a brilliant career at Bayern Munich which has seen him won 20 titles.

      Bundesliga titles x8
      DFB-Pokal x3
      DFL-Supercup x6
      Uefa Champions League x1
      Uefa Super Cup x1
      Club World Cup x1

      On the international level, the 82-cap midfielder has also picked up the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2017. More

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      Greece boss Gus Poyet reveals return date for injured Liverpool ace in big boost for Jurgen Klopp after Mo Salah injury

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      LIVERPOOL ace Kostas Tsimikas will be back in action by March 21, according to Greece manager Gus Poyet.Tsimikas suffered a broken collar bone during last month’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Anfield in the Premier League.
      Liverpool star Kostas Tsimikas will be back from injury on March 21Credit: Getty
      Liverpool’s Tsimikas suffered a broken collarbone last monthCredit: Reuters
      A touchline tangle between the left-back and Bukayo Saka ten minutes before the break sent the former crashing into the Reds’ boss Jurgen Klopp who went down with his player.
      The 27-year-old, who was filling in for Andy Robertson who’s also injured, was immediately taken to hospital where the extent of his injury was confirmed.
      However, Poyet is confident the Greece international will be back in two months at the latest.
      In fact, Tsimikas will be fighting fit for Greece’s crucial Euro 2024 play-off semi-final clash against Kazakhstan at OPAP Arena.
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      And if Ethniki make it past Magomed Adiyev’s side then the Greek star will also compete in the final on March 26 at either Luxembourg or Georgia.
      The Chelsea and Tottenham legend added that the ex-Olympiacos star is “very happy with the progression” of his rehabilitation, which is going faster than expected.
      Poyet told SunSport on behalf of William Hill: Yes, for sure [Tsimikas will play against Kazakhstan].
      “If nothing goes wrong now Tsimi is going to be back very, very soon. He’s very happy with the progression, it’s going quicker than expected.
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      “It’s typical, that when they put a range of six to eight weeks or four to six weeks.
      “For Tsimi it’s [always] going to be the shortest one, which is fantastic.
      “Obviously, then it depends on how much he will play. But, you know, I’m in contact with him and I’m sure he’s going to be available.”
      This poses as a major boost for Liverpool boss Klopp, who is currently dealing with a major injury headache.
      Tsimikas’ close friend Mohamed Salah limped off the pitch during Egypt’s 2-2 draw with Ghana on Thursday at the Africa Cup of Nations.
      The Egyptian FA announced that Salah suffered a hamstring strain and will miss his country’s next two matches.
      As a result, the winger is ruled out of their final group match against Cape Verde as well as the Round of 16, if they qualify.
      Greece manager Gus Poyet said Tsimikas will compete in the Euro 2024 play-offsCredit: AFP More

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      Sven Goran-Eriksson ready to accept ‘dream’ Liverpool role after fans’ incredible petition to grant ‘dying wish’

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      SVEN GORAN-ERIKSSON has said he is willing to accept an offer of managing Liverpool for a charity match against Ajax.The former England boss, 75, confirmed last week that he is terminally ill and has one year to live “at best”.
      Sven said he would like to manage Liverpool in the charity gameCredit: GMB
      He was previously unaware of the offerCredit: GMB
      As part of his interview with P1, he revealed that he is a lifelong Liverpool fan and regrets never being able to manage them professionally.
      That caused Liverpool fans to launch a petition for Sven to manage the Reds in an upcoming charity match in March.
      The game will see Liverpool legends take on Ajax legends, and he was asked about the offer on Good Morning Britain today.
      Asked if he was aware of the petition, he said: “No, I didn’t know about that. I knew that I had a charity game in March, I think it is, and me and my son are invited to see that game and that might be great.
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      “There will be a lot of good football players there, but I should be their manager? No, I never heard that, I don’t know where that’s come from.
      GMB host Susanna Reid then asked if he would accept the role and he said: “I would accept, of course.
      “To coach Liverpool, that would be my dream. That’s always been my dream but I’m not complaining, I had a lot of good football teams, national teams and clubs so I’m happy.”
      Some of Eriksson’s former club teams include Lazio, Benfica, Manchester City and Leicester.
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      He led England for the 2002 and 2006 World Cup as well as Euro 2004.
      Eriksson has revealed that he want to live the rest of his life positively and lead an “as normal” life as possible despite his terminal diagnosis.
      He explained: “I have a lot of friends here in Sweden, of course, they’re coming to visit me.
      “I go out, having a coffee with them, a lunch with them, things like that. I try to be normal. I’m travelling a little bit less than I did before, but I’m still travelling.
      “I hope to come to England maybe to see England Brazil in March, that could be a game in the final of the World Cup but it is a friendly. We’ll see but I’m not complaining and I refuse to sit down and cry, feeling sorry about myself.” More

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      Premier League star spoken to by manager for taking EIGHT MINUTE flight to training as fans say ‘sport is finished’

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      EVERTON boss Sean Dyche reprimanded Arnaut Danjuma for flying from Manchester to Liverpool for training.Villarreal loanee Danjuma has reportedly been commuting from Manchester Airport to Liverpool airport to link up with his team-mates.
      Everton ace Arnaut Danjuma takes eight-minute flights to trainingCredit: Getty
      Everton boss Sean Dyche spoke to Danjuma describing his commute as ‘excessive’Credit: Getty
      And that is a flight that takes only EIGHT minutes give or take.
      Dyche revealed he had a sit-down with the winger to address this bizarre travel arrangement.
      The 52-year-old tactician described it as “excessive” and hinted this is just part of “modern players'” mentality.
      Dyche said during the pre-match press conference before Sunday’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa: “Well, I had a word with him.
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      “I said it seems excessive to go from Manchester Airport to Liverpool Airport for training.
      “But you know, these modern players… Personally I would use a car but that’s the modern players.
      “You know, they need to look after themselves and get their rest.”
      Shocked fans took to social media and reacted with absolute disbelief upon hearing about Danjuma’s commute.
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      One fan tweeted: “D grade ballers flying into training everyday… Sport is finished.”
      Another gushed: “Mate.”
      A third wondered: “Really?”
      This fan commented: “Who is he man?”
      And that one said: “That’s awful, less than an hour drive.”
      Danjuma joined Everton on loan after failing to stand out at Tottenham last season as part of a similar arrangement with Villarreal.
      The Netherlands international has attracted interest from Lyon who wish to sign him in the January transfer window.
      However, the Toffees are not keen on letting the 26-year-old go midseason, especially after Dwight McNeil’s recent injury. More

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      Top 10 most expensive football transfers ever including TWO Todd Boehly signings, Mbappe to PSG and a Barcelona flop

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      £100MILLION transfers are the going currency rate for football stars – but who ranks in the Top 10 most expensive deals.Inflation, along with increasingly eye-watering TV deals, have driven fees up and up.
      Paul Pogba, 30, was let go by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2012 to Juventus for £1.5mCredit: Reuters
      And you won’t stand a chance of scooping one of the game’s biggest names unless you have a nine-figure wadge to spend.
      Manchester United were the first giant to edge close to the £100m barrier way back in 2016, when they splashed £89m to bring Paul Pogba back to Old Trafford.
      And that set the ball rolling, with transfer spends in elite league increasing every year.
      According to Fifa’s official figures last year, Premier League spent £1.6 BILLION on players with the up-and-coming Saudi Pro League coming runner-up with £701MILLION.
      £100million is the new benchmark for top talent. And even that’s not always enough.
      According to AS, Liverpool failed in their attempt to secure £100m Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle in the summer, after Chelsea gazumped them for Moises Caicedo.
      While Brentford have warned that even that incredible sum might not secure the services of Ivan Toney this winter.
      Here, SunSport takes a look at the most expensive football transfers – and not all have lived up to their massive price-tags…
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      10 – Declan Rice (£105m, 2023)
      Declan Rice is the second-most expensive English playerCredit: Getty
      Tipped to be Arsenal’s future captain, Declan Rice made the move from West Ham in a £105m last summer after skippering the Irons to Europa Conference League glory.
      Rice attracted interest from Europe’s top clubs, including Chelsea, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Manchester City.
      Former Stamford Bridge boss, Frank Lampard admitted he wanted to sign the Englishman to make him the Blues’ long-term captain.
      Ultimately, Rice made his own decision on his next steps, and that was to join Arsenal in a club record deal.
      Arsenal’s acquisition for the 24-year-old was not easy after facing strong competition from Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
      City saw their £90m bid rejected as Arsenal gazumped them.
      9 – Antoine Griezmann (£108m, 2019)
      Antoine Griezmann is fourth in France’s all-time top goal scorers listCredit: AFP
      2018 World Cup-winner Antoine Griezmann left Atletico Madrid to link up with Lionel Messi and Barcelona for a huge £108million in 2019.
      The Spanish giants, included a buyout clause of a staggering £690m.
      Unfortunately, the Frenchman flopped after his big money move, scoring just 35 goals in 102 matches in 3 seasons for Barcelona.
      Remarkably, Griezmann has never won a LaLiga which was his expectation when he joined 27-time winners.
      In 2022, Griezmann, now 32, decided to re-join old boss Diego Simeone at Atletico and has immediately got back to his best, scoring 11 goals and registering 3 assists in this LaLiga campaign.
      And in January 2024, he become the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, overtaking the legend Luis Aragones.
      8 – Enzo Fernandez (£110m, 2023)
      Enzo Fernandez broke British-record transfer when he joined Chelsea for £110m from BenficaCredit: Getty
      Enzo Fernandez’s remarkable performances in the 2022 World Cup saw his value astronomically rise, catching the eye of Chelsea owner, Todd Boehly.
      Fernandez, 22, was bought by Todd Boehly in a £106m deal, rising to £110m, after winning the Young Player Award at the World Cup which caused his astronomical value to rise.
      The 22-year-old had only played 29 games in Europe for Benfica since joining from River Plate.
      His time at Chelsea has been mixed so far, although he still has eight years of his nine-year contract left to prove himself.
      7 – Joao Felix (£112m, 2019)
      Joao Felix won the 2019 Golden Boy award at Atletico Madrid beating the likes of Erling Haaland and Jadon SanchoCredit: Getty
      Atletico Madrid spent their Griezmann cash on Portuguese prospect Joao Felix in a staggering £112m deal from Benfica.
      He had impressed in his first full campaign in the Primeira Liga, with the forward scoring 15 goals and registering 9 assists from 21 starts
      That prompted Atletico to make him the then-fifth most expensive player of all time.
      However, he never hit the heights at Atletico, and is currently with Barcelona after a failed loan at Chelsea.
      6 – Jude Bellingham (£115m, 2023)
      Birmingham City decided to retire Bellingham’s previous number which was 22Credit: Getty
      The hottest talent in world football made the move to Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund in 2023 for £115m.
      Bellingham was the first Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or Kopa Trophy in 2023.
      The Birmingham graduate made his official first-team debut at the age of 16, in their 0-3 defeat to Portsmouth in the EFL Carabao Cup.
      And his world-class talent was clear to see in his first few games.
      In 2020, Manchester United reportedly offered Birmingham City £30m for the then 16-year-old.
      Bellingham snubbed the move and made his decision to join Borussia Dortmund.
      Few years later he earned his massive move to Madrid, becoming the most expensive British player ever.
      The 20-year-old has taken his game to the next level with the star recording 17 goals and 5 assists in his 23 games for Real Madrid.
      And his is already the main man at the Bernabeu.
      5 – Moises Caicedo (£115m, 2023)
      Moises Caicedo has had a tough time adapting to life at Stamford BridgeCredit: Alamy
      Just when everyone thought Chelsea owner Todd Boehly couldn’t break the bank even more, he smashed the British transfer record.
      The Blues gazumped Liverpool to sign Brighton’s Moises Caicedo in a crazy £115m transfer after one of the sagas of the 2023 summer transfer window.
      The Seagulls had bought his for just £4m from Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle two years earlier.
      He has had a tough time justifying his mega transfer fee at Stamford Bridge – and the jury is still out on that deal.
      4 – Ousmane Dembele (£138m, 2017)
      Ousmane Dembele has never lived up to his feeCredit: AFP
      Ousmane Dembele joined Barcelona in 2017 from Borussia Dortmund for an upfront fee on £96.8m – with the transfer potentially rising for a WHOPPING £135.5m.
      Unfortunately, the two-footed forward has since endured several injuries which has derailed his potential.
      He won three LaLiga titles with Barca… but never played a truly key role in the side.
      And now, still only 26, he finds himself back in his home country with Paris Saint-Germain – after joining for just over £40m in 2023.
      That represents a pretty substantial loss on the player for the now cash-strapped Catalans.
      3 – Philippe Coutinho (£145m, 2018)
      Philippe Coutinho flopped at Barcelona with the Brazilian recording 25 goals and 14 assists in 106 appearances.Credit: AFP
      Philippe Coutinho moved to Barca from Liverpool in 2018 for an incredible £145m, including hefty add-ons.
      Like Dembele, Coutinho never hit the heights at Barcelona despite his impressive spell with Jurgen Klopp’s Reds.
      Liverpool, on the other hand, spend the money on Virgil van Dijk and Alisson, transforming themselves into perennial title challengers.
      Coutinho, now 31, now finds himself in Qatar with Al-Duhail, on loan from Aston Villa.
      He is tipped to end up in the USA.
      2 – Kylian Mbappe (£162m, 2018) 
      Kylian Mbappe is closing in on Olivier Giroud on France’s all-time top goalscorers listCredit: Getty
      Kylian Mbappe has almost certainly worth every penny of the £162million PSG spent on him from Ligue 1 rivals Monaco.
      Well, apart from his continued failure to win them the Champions League.
      He’s fired the French heavyweights to five Ligue 1 titles in six years and a bunch of cups. But the closest he got to European glory was a final loss to Bayern Munich in 2020.
      Add in a World Cup with France in 2018 and hat-trick in defeat to Argentina in final in 2022, and he’s cemented himself as without doubt one of the best players in the world.
      He is expected to leave in the summer of 2024, with Real Madrid his expected destination.
      1 – Neymar (£198m, 2017) 
      Neymar still holds the most expensive transfer of all time SEVEN years from the MEGA-DEALCredit: AFP
      Neymar joined PSG from Barcelona for an astonishing £198MILLION deal, which smashed the then-world record £89m United paid for Pogba.
      Brazilian forward reportedly felt he was in Lionel Messi’s shadow at Barcelona so he took it upon himself to move.
      Life at Paris saw Neymar record 118 goals and 77 assists in 173 games, but injuries affected the 31-year-old career.
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      Neymar, like Mbappe, thrived domestically with PSG but failed to get that elusive European glory.
      He ultimately left for a very lucrative switch to Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal, earning a mouthwatering £2.5m-A-WEEK. More

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      in Soccer

      Hull City win transfer window with ‘funniest announcement seen’ after sealing signing of Liverpool star

      by

      FOOTBALL fans heaped praise on Hull after they announced the loan signing of Liverpool’s Fabio Carvalho in hilarious fashion.Carvalho, 21, arrived at Anfield from Fulham in 2022 but spent the first half of this season on loan at RB Leipzig.
      Fabio Carvalho was mocked up as the woman choosing her man on ‘Blind Date’Credit: X / @HullCity
      Hull were made to be the man chosen, while Southampton and Patrick Bamford’s Leeds were left disappointedCredit: X / @HullCity
      He returned to Merseyside at the end of December amid speculation of another loan.
      Several Championship clubs were linked with him including Leicester, Leeds and Southampton.
      But he has opted to join Liam Rosenior’s side until the end of the season – with Hull seventh in the Championship table, just one point adrift of the play-off places.
      And the unveiling of Carvalho left social media in stitches.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Hull put together a photo-shopped version of the famous TV programme “Blind Date” which was hosted by Cilla Black.
      The premise of the show was that one person would ask three potential dates a series of questions without seeing them, before eventually choosing one to go out with.
      The edited clip saw Cilla with a Liverpool crest on her head, Carvalho mocked up as the woman choosing the date, and a Hull badge on the person she chose.
      It also contained Leeds and Southampton badges for the two people who had been snubbed by the woman.
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      And at the end of the video, Cilla even says: “How could you turn down Pat?,” as the image of Leeds striker Patrick Bamford storms off set.
      The caption for the post read: “‘His name is Fabio and he’s from Portugal.’
      “‘Come in, Fabio!’ 👋”
      Reacting to the clip, one person said: “Funniest announcement i think I’ve ever seen😂😂😂.”
      Another added: “Content!! This is legendary.”
      A third replied: “This really is wholesome content. You’ve got to be happy with this.”
      While a fourth responded: “As an Ipswich supporter, this is nearing genius… 😂😂fair play lads.” More