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    Best XI of transfers on cards for January including Toney to Arsenal, Osimhen to Chelsea and Todibo to Man Utd

    WITH injury crises hitting multiple clubs and teams beginning to take a look at the business end of the season, the rumour mill is in full effect.We’re expecting a busy period of transfer spending in the Premier League with several top clubs unafraid to splash the cash in January.
    Ivan Toney could move for £100million in JanuaryCredit: PA
    Victor Osimhen would cost even moreCredit: Reuters
    Here’s a look at the best players being lined up for moves…
    David de Gea
    De Gea has resisted offers from Saudi Arabia and the MLS as he bides his time on choosing his next club.
    The former-Manchester United stopper became a free agent in the summer after United were unwilling to extend his £350,000-a-week contract and has remained without a club ever since.
    Newcastle and Barcelona are now set to battle it out to sign De Gea in January with both teams experiencing long term injuries to their first-choice goalkeepers.
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    David de Gea has been linked with a move to Newcastle and BarcelonaCredit: AFP
    Denzel Dumfries
    Dumfries starred for Inter as they battled their way to last year’s Champions League final.
    Calciomercato have reported that Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham are set to battle it out for the £43.5m rated right-back this January – with Spurs prepared to offer Emerson Royal to Inter as part of a deal.
    Dumfries has been linked with a move to several Premier League clubsCredit: AFP
    Jean-Clair Todibo
    Todibo is one of the French national team’s most highly-rated defenders and is hotly tipped for a move in January.
    The centre-back is rated at £39million with United the favourites to sign him due to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS owning Nice.
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    Spurs and Liverpool also reportedly hold an interest in the 23-year-old.
    Manchester United and Spurs are set to battle it out for Jean-Clair TodiboCredit: Alamy
    Antonio Silva
    Antonio Silva has become a stalwart at the heart of Benfica’s defence despite only being 20 years old.
    The centre-back has an £85million release clause in his contract that Manchester United are reportedly willing to meet.
    Silva has become a rock at the back for Benfica despite being 20-years-oldCredit: AFP
    Alphonso Davies
    The Canadian is arguably the best left-back in the world and tearing it up for Bayern this season but could leave Bavaria soon.
    The defender is unhappy with Bayern’s latest contract offer according to Bild and has Real Madrid, Liverpool and Manchester City willing to better their offer.
    Alphonso Davies is one of the best left-backs in the worldCredit: Getty
    Jota
    Al-Ittihad’s Jota has experienced a difficult time in the Saudi League after being left out of the first team squad by Nuno Esperito Santo.
    The ex-Celtic winger reportedly fancies a reunion with former manager Ange Postecoglou at Spurs but the Aussie is still weighing up a move.
    Jota and Postecoglou could reunite in JanuaryCredit: PA
    Douglas Luiz
    Douglas Luiz has starred for Aston Villa this season with the Villans currently sitting in fourth.
    Arsenal are long-term admirers of the midfielder and are keen to pair him with Declan Rice in their midfield.
    Arsenal are long-term admirers of Douglas LuizCredit: Getty
    Joao Palhinha
    Another midfielder Arsenal are looking at pairing Declan Rice with is Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha.
    The Portuguese midfielder narrowly missed out on a move to Bayern Munich on September’s deadline day and the Germans are likely to reignite their interest.
    The midfielder could reignite his move to BayernCredit: AP
    Pedro Neto
    Pedro Neto was electric for Wolves this season prior to his injury, bagging one goal and eight assists in his ten Premier League appearances.
    Arsenal are long-term admirers of the winger and could look to bring them in as they look to win the Premier League title this year.
    Arsenal have tracked Pedro Neto since before his move to WolvesCredit: Getty
    Ivan Toney
    With Ivan Toney’s gambling ban set to end on January 17 a number of Premier League teams are falling over themselves to sign the £100million-rated forward.
    Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs are the current front-runners for the 27-year-old’s signature.
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    Ivan Toney is nearing his return from a gambling banCredit: PA
    Victor Osimhen
    Victor Osimhen was Serie A’s top scorer last season with 26 goals as Napoli romped to the league title.
    Chelsea are prepared to break the £115million transfer record that they paid for Moises Caicedo in the summer to sign Osimhen.
    Osimhen hasn’t quite replicated last season’s formCredit: Getty
    The best XI of players linked with a moveCredit: The Sun More

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    Man Utd insert genius clause into contract of wonderkid dubbed ‘Scholes-Xavi-Kante hybrid’ with ace set for big pay rise

    MANCHESTER UNITED have inserted a crucial clause into Kobbie Mainoo’s contract, according to reports.The 18-year-old impressed on his full debut last month, earning praise from United legends Gary Neville and Roy Keane.
    Kobbie Mainoo is expected to sign a new contract with Man UtdCredit: Getty
    He is now in line to become the club’s next golden boy, with a bumper pay rise on the table.
    SunSport exclusively revealed last week that Mainoo’s salary will increase from £10,000-a-week to £20,000-a-week when he reaches ten first-team appearances.
    That is due to a clause in the contract he signed back in February.
    Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano now claims that United also inserted a clause that could see the teenager extend his stay at Old Trafford to 2028.
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    He also reports that Mainoo could sign a new contract with fresh terms as soon as next year.
    United fans were left thrilled with the new development, with one person tweeting: “He’s the new star at Old Trafford.”
    Another added: “Raw talent, future United legend.”
    A third fan said: “Kobbie Mainoo is a future star, limitless potential in my opinion.”
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    While a fourth claimed: “Kobbie Mainoo deserves at least £5b release clause and a life contract. He is what we thought Paul Pogba would become. A hybrid of Paul Scoles, Xavi and N’Golo Kante all in one person.”
    Following his impressive performance against Everton, United icon Keane hailed the midfielder as ”outstanding”.
    On Sky Sports, he said: “Unbelievable, I don’t want to get too carried away but I’m sure we will.
    “He looked like he always had time on the ball and decision-making – when to go long, when to go short. Off the ball as well, what an all-round performance.
    “I know the club thinks highly of him. They’ll look to the game today, coming to Everton, for the manager to put him in, he obviously must trust him.
    “Listen, good luck to the kid. He was outstanding. It’s a great start for him. Let’s hope he stays injury-free and gets a run of games for Man United because he looked like a Man United type of player today. Nice and brave, a lot of courage, loved watching him.”
    Mainoo was in line to make his full debut at the start of the campaign, but he suffered an ankle injury during pre-season. More

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    Erik ten Hag urges Man Utd board not to sack him and promises to take Red Devils back to winning Premier League again

    ERIK TEN HAG has told Manchester United to stick with him and he will take them back to the top.The manager’s position has come under threat after losing 10 of their 21 fixtures in all competitions this season with Chelsea the visitors to Old Trafford next.
    Erik ten Hag insists he is still the right man for the Manchester United jobCredit: PA
    They are seventh in the Premier League, bottom of their Champions League Group and already out the Carabao Cup.
    But Ten Hag said: “There will always be tough times in every journey.
    “We are in the right direction. I know we will get there, where we want to be.
    “Because – see my record. Everywhere where I was, every season, I got my targets.
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    “If we stick together, stick to the plan and the strategy, we will get where we want to be.”
    Ten Hag was a winner at Ajax and had a successful first season in charge of United finishing third and reaching two domestic Cup Finals, lifting their first trophy in six years with the Carabao Cup.
    But there has been a downturn this season that has brought questions over whether he has the backing of the dressing room.
    Ten Hag insists he has.
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    “Oh yes, I am sure,” Ten Hag said.
    “You can see for instance the comeback against Brentford, the Burnley game, the Fulham game, every time the team is there and have shown great character, great determination, resilience so we are together.
    “You can see you can’t play such great football as we did recently without unity.
    “We had a week of two good performances and one bad performance so from there we carry on, the team is in a good direction.
    “We played very good football, scored very good goals against Galatasaray and Everton.
    Man Utd are undergoing a turbulent campaign under Ten HagCredit: PA
    “Against Newcastle we didn’t play great, we knew that, we were not happy with that performance, but we stayed in the game and had two good opportunities to get a point.”
    “But we are not robots, if you play three games in six days, tough games and by the end the fatigue can be an issue.”
    The body language of some players at St James’ was also an issue pointing to a sense of disunity with some players.
    There are also those not in the team who are unhappy.
    But Ten Hag said it was normal.
    He said: “Of course there are always in every team players who are not playing, who are not as happy.
    “That is normal, you have to wait for the chance and that can come but there are no issues.”
    Ten Hag says that he has an open dialogue with all his players and some have challenged him over how the team plays and selections.
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    He said: “Maybe one or two. If the players have a different opinion of course I will listen.
    “I listen always to my players and I give them always opportunities to speak.” More

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    Man Utd legend breaks silence over ‘unfair’ sacking at EFL club but refuses to accept his career is over

    MANCHESTER UNITED legend Mark Hughes has finally spoken out after Bradford City “unfairly” sacked him – and claims he is not finished yet.The League Two club axed the former Manchester City boss and ex-Barcelona striker, 60, two months ago.
    Mark Hughes took Bradford to the League Two play-offs last season but was axed on October 4 this term with the Bantams in 18th placeCredit: Alamy
    Hughes celebrates his second successive top-flight title with Man Utd in 1994 alongside Ryan Giggs, Lee Sharpe and Clayton BlackmoreCredit: Getty – Contributor
    But the 72-cap Welshman believes, after “shocking a few people” by stepping down the divisions to take the Bantams job, he can pull off another surprise by returning to management.
    Hughes won the Premier League twice and the FA Cup three times as a United frontman.
    The former Southampton and Everton ace also lifted the FA Cup with Chelsea, as well as twice being named PFA player of the year.
    After hanging up his boots in 2002, he bossed Wales, Blackburn, Man City, Fulham, QPR, Stoke and Southampton, before taking over Bradford in February 2022.
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    And he feels the Bantams acted too quickly to dismiss him, despite winning just three of their first 11 EFL matches this season.
    Bradford sat in 18th place when he departed on October 4 after finishing sixth last term.
    But Hughes told ex-England chief Sam Allardyce’s No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, said: “We did okay last year and got to the play-offs, the best season they’d had at League Two level in this current period.
    “But you’re at risk as a manager early in the season if you don’t set the tone.
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    “Everybody thinks that if you have a bad start, that’s how the whole season is going to pan out. That’s not the case, in fairness.
    “When I got the sack, it was the first time since December I’d lost back-to-back league games.
    “I thought it was a little bit unfair, if I’m honest. But the perception was that I needed to go.”
    Hughes insisted criticism from fans “wasn’t fazing me” and added: “I was quite happy to wait until it turned round.
    “I don’t feel I’m done. I possibly did before the Bradford role because I’d been out for three years. It looked like I wouldn’t get another opportunity, for whatever reason.
    “I had the opportunity to go to Bradford and took it. I probably shocked a few people.
    “But it was just a case of getting back in. I thought it was a good club with a good fanbase.” More

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    David de Gea ‘open’ to stunning Newcastle transfer after turning down ‘plenty of offers’ following Man Utd release

    DAVID DE GEA is “open” to joining Newcastle following Nick Pope’s injury, according to reports.Toon stopper Pope could be sidelined for four to five months after suffering a shoulder injury against Manchester United on Saturday.
    David de Gea has been without a club since leaving Man Utd at the end of last seasonCredit: PA
    Nick Pope suffered a serious shoulder injury against the Red DevilsCredit: Alamy
    The 31-year-old was replaced by Martin Dubravka in the 86th minute of Newcastle’s 1-0 win.
    Dubravka, 34, spent the first half of last season backing up De Gea while on loan at Old Trafford.
    He could now play the role of deputy to the Spaniard once again, with Newcastle interested in signing De Gea on a free transfer as cover for Pope.
    The 33-year-old has been without a club since being released by Man Utd at the end of last season.
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    According to the Mail, De Gea is willing to discuss a move to St James’ Park.
    Man Utd’s former No1 earned £375,000 a week at the Theatre of Dreams.
    In order to join the Toon he will have to take a wage cut.
    He is believed to have turned down a number of offers since leaving United.
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    SunSport revealed last month that he snubbed a lucrative opportunity to reunite with Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia.
    He’s also said to be on Barcelona’s list of potential options as they deal with their own injury crisis.
    Having spent 12 years at United, De Gea has recently been catching up with old friends in Manchester.
    He has attended multiple Man Utd Women games.
    While he has also met up with former team-mates Bruno Fernandes, Raphael Varane, Tom Heaton and Victor Lindelof.
    De Gea has recently watched Man Utd Women in actionCredit: Getty More

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    Man Utd outcast Van de Beek ‘offers himself to Barcelona’ despite European rivals already negotiating loan transfer

    DONNY VAN DE BEEK has offered himself to Barcelona in a bid to get out of Old Trafford in January, a report claims.But the La Liga giants will face competition from Juventus, who have been interested in the Manchester United outcast.
    Donny van de Beek has ‘offered himself to Barcelona’Credit: Getty
    The Man Utd outcast is ready to leave Old Trafford in the January transfer windowCredit: Getty

    With Barca star Gavi sidelined after tearing his ACL the club are open to bringing in a player to replace the 19-year-old.
    According to Spanish outlet Sport the Catalan giants are not keen on signing a six-month contract, but the coaching staff believe a midfielder would benefit the squad.
    The report claims many names are on the radar and one player who would be happy to move to Camp Nou is Van de Beek.
    Having fallen down the pecking order at United the 26-year-old is ready to reboot his career elsewhere.
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    The Dutchman recently revealed his desperation to get away and begin a new challenge once the transfer window opens in January if he continues to be left out.
    In 2020 Barca nearly grabbed the ex-Ajax star after they signed his former team-mate Frenkie de Jong.
    But due to financial restrictions, the club could not afford him and he ended up in the Premier League for £34million.
    However, this time around Van de Beek could land a spot as Sport reported “he has a very Barca profile”.
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    Meanwhile, Juventus are negotiating a six-month loan with an option to buy as they see potential in Van de Beek.
    The Serie A side are looking to strengthen their squad due to the long-term suspension of Paul Pogba in midfield and winger Nicolo Fagioli.
    In the last three years, the playmaker has hardly made an impact at United and Barca may have “doubts” about signing him.
    He has only made six Premier League starts for the Red Devils with his time in England being marred by injuries and a lack of minutes, and even a loan move to Everton failed to turn his fortunes around.
    Van De Beek, who has under two years remaining on his contract, has played just 21 minutes so far this season with his last outing coming off the bench in the 1-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace on September 30. More

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    Man Utd ‘already looking for new keeper as they line up £60m transfer for Andre Onana’s former rival’

    MANCHESTER UNITED are lining up a move for Mike Maignan, according to reports.The Red Devils are already looking for a new goalkeeper despite only signing Andre Onana in the summer.
    Manchester United are reportedly lining up a move for Mike MaignnaCredit: AFP
    Onana joined the Red Devils from Inter Milan for £47million to replace David de Gea.
    However, he has since come in for criticism after a number of high-profile mistakes, including against Galatasaray last week.
    His United woes have even seen him consider pulling out of the Africa Cup of Nations to avoid the risk of losing his place in the team.
    He could soon face another threat, though, with United eyeing AC Milan star Maignan.
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    Foot Mercato report that United are interested in the Frenchman, along with Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.
    Maignan, who would cost £60million, wants to stay at Milan but has yet to agree a new deal beyond the summer of 2026.
    The 28-year-old joined the Italian giants from Lille in 2021, winning Serie A in his first season.
    He previously came through PSG’s academy and has won 13 caps for France.
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    Andre Onana only joined United in the summer but has come in for criticism this termCredit: Rex
    So far this season, Maignan has kept six clean sheets in 16 appearances for Milan.
    Chelsea have been linked with him in the past, including in the summer.
    Maignan had been targeted as a replacement for Edouard Mendy before the Blues swooped to sign Robert Sanchez. More

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    Jadon Sancho ‘has January transfer escape route but wants to wait until Man Utd takeover before making decision’

    JADON SANCHO is “leaning towards” leaving Manchester United in January, but will reportedly wait until the club’s ownership situation is sorted.Florian Plettenberg reports that a loan with an option to buy is still the most realistic possibility of Sancho leaving the club.
    Sancho is prepared to wait until Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment in United goes through to decide whether to leaveCredit: Alamy
    Ratcliffe’s investment is likely to go through soonCredit: AFP
    Italian giants Juventus hold a concrete interest in the winger as they look to challenge Inter to win the Serie A.
    In terms of a transfer fee, there is reportedly no fixed price tag – and Sancho not playing for the club since September is only diminishing his value.
    Sancho is playing a waiting game, however, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s minority investment in United set to be completed soon.
    Ratcliffe is understood to be a big fan of ten Hag, but the manager is coming under significant pressure following a string of poor results.
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    Sancho and ten Hag remain in a standoff dating back to September when the winger was left out of the squad for the 3-1 defeat against Arsenal.
    Sancho took to social media to claim that he had been made a “scapegoat” after ten Hag revealed he’d left him out of the squad for training poorly.
    Although he has since deleted the posts, ten Hag is refusing to include the winger in his squad until Sancho apologises for his comments.
    The winger has been axed from United’s WhatsApp group after already being barred from training with the senior side or using any of their facilities, including the canteen.
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    Both his team-mates and club staff urged Sancho — who joined from Borussia Dortmund for £73m in July 2021 — to back down and apologise to ten Hag but it’s clear now that an apology will not be forthcoming.
    Juventus, who are prepared to offer Sancho a lifeline to revive his career, are also understood to be interested in Donny van de Beek who signed for United for £34m in 2020. More