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    Premier League clubs on red alert over Vinicius Jr after hinting he is ready to quit Spain over racist abuse

    PREMIER LEAGUE giants are on high alert to launch a summer raid on Brazilian superstar Vinicius Jr after he hinted he is ready to quit Spain.The South American ace became embroiled in a war of words with LaLiga chief Javier Tebas following the racism storm and red card in Real Madrid’s defeat at Valencia.
    Vinicius Jr pointed out racist abuse from the standsCredit: Getty
    Vinicius Jr, who had demanded action from the referee after pointing out one alleged racist in the Mestalla crowd, was later dismissed despite appearing to be the victim of an assault by opponents.
    The incidents – angrily condemned by Real boss Carlo Ancelotti – left the 22-year-old publicly throwing his LaLiga future into doubt.
    He wrote on Twitter: “It wasn’t the first time, nor the second, nor the third. 
    “Racism is normal in LaLiga. The competition thinks it’s normal, the Federation does too and the opponents encourage it. 
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    “I’m so sorry but today, in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists. Unfortunately, for everything that happens each week, I agree. 
    “But I am strong and I will go to the end against racists. Even if far from here.”
    That last comment suggested the Brazilian is ready to force a move from Madrid – with only Prem clubs able to afford his likely £100m fee and £360,000 per week current salary.
    Yet the chances of Madrid placating the player seemed to have lessened after Tebas’ intervention.
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    Instead of defending the player and condemning the racists – videos showed the chants of “monkey” were not confined to a handful of Valencia fans – Tebas appeared determined to bring him down.
    The LaLiga boss wrote: “Since those who should not explain to you what it is and what LaLiga can do in cases of racism, we have tried to explain it to you.
    “But you have not shown up for either of the two agreed dates that you requested yourself. 
    “Before criticising and insulting LaLiga, it is necessary that you inform yourself properly. 
    “Do not let yourself be manipulated and make sure you fully understand each other’s competencies and the work we have been doing together.”
    That, unsurprisingly, brought an even more aggressive response, as Vinicius Junior blasted back: “Once again, instead of criticising racists, the president of LaLiga appears on social media to attack me.
    “As much as you talk and pretend not to read, the image of your championship is shaken. See the responses to your posts and have a surprise.
    “Omitting yourself only makes you equal to racists. I’m not your friend to talk about racism. I want actions and punishments. Your hashtag doesn’t move me.”
    Fifa responded by a statement from President Gianni Infantino which offered “full solidarity” to the player, adding: “There is no place for racism in football or society and Fifa stands with by players who have found themselves in such a situation.”
    Infantino then criticised the Spanish authorities for not following Fifa’s controversial “three-step process” in which fans are warned the match will be abandoned if racist chants continues.
    But there was full-throated backing for the player from Kick It Out, whose head of player engagement Troy Townsend said: “Vinicius Jr has now been subjected to racism numerous times this season while simply playing football for Real Madrid, and it has clearly taken its toll. 
    “How could it not? And yet the response from the Spanish football authorities has been to criticise him.
    “Perpetrators of this shocking and continued racism need to be punished and banned by clubs. 
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    “Clubs need to be held accountable and be sanctioned by LaLiga. Spanish authorities need to take further action against this problem. So far, it is not working.
    “Currently, the welfare of Vinicius Jr is not being protected, and that needs to change. This behaviour should not be tolerated by anyone involved in football.”
    Vinicius, 22, alerted the referee to the situationCredit: Rex More

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    Man Utd plot double transfer raid on Barcelona despite BOTH players publicly rejecting Old Trafford move

    MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly interested in TWO Barcelona stars, despite BOTH of them rejecting the Red Devils last season.Erik ten Hag is hoping to bolster his squad in the summer United set to return to the Champions League.
    Frenkie de Jong has been linked with Manchester United for more than a yearCredit: Alamy
    Ronald Araujo could also leave Barcelona this summerCredit: Alamy
    And they are understood to be plotting a return for Barcelona duo Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Araujo.
    According to Mundo Deportivo, United are planning to swoop for centre-back Araujo if the Catalan giants’ financial situation means they fail to register him for the 2023/24 campaign.
    The Uruguayan defender, 24, has been a key part of Xavi’s defence which has conceded just 15 goals in 35 LaLiga games this season.
    But United failed to sign him last summer when he opted to pen a contract extension to keep him at Barcelona until 2026.
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    He then came out and told ESPN: “I am really happy and I am convinced that staying is the right decision because there are good years ahead for the club. I was always certain I wanted to stay.
    “There were big offers from abroad, but I’m happy at Barcelona. My family love it here and the fans and my team-mates have always made me feel at home. I’m grateful for the effort the club have made.
    “We all gave a little bit to reach an agreement, which is what we all wanted. [The Premier League interest] didn’t distract me at all.
    “I was convinced what I wanted. It’s true money is a factor, but for me it’s not the most important thing.
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    “I am happy at Barcelona. The idea is to be here for many years, and maybe in two years I can renew again and go for even more [success]. That’s the intention. I am convinced that with the team and the project we are building.”
    De Jong also publicly rejected a move to Man Utd last summer after a long-running transfer saga.
    The Dutch midfielder, 26, who is also under contract until 2026, starred for Ajax under Ten Hag and was thought to be a done deal to come to Old Trafford on a number of occasions.
    But he ended up staying, telling NOS: “The club was in a difficult situation and they could have sold me for a big fee. But I didn’t want to go and stayed.
    “Manchester United spoke with Barca, even though I wanted to stay. I want to be at Barca for as long as I can.”
    Barcelona recently regained the LaLiga title following an impressive domestic campaign.
    But they were eliminated by United in the play-off round of the Europa League – having been knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage for the second successive year.
    Barcelona are thought to be in the process of offloading players so they can afford to bring Lionel Messi back to the club.
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    The Argentine icon, 35, is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
    And while a romantic return to Barcelona has been mooted, a move to Saudi Arabia now appears most likely for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner. More

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    Man Utd and Chelsea looking to poach Arsenal history-maker Ethan Nwaneri, 16, in transfer swoop

    MANCHESTER UNITED and Chelsea are trying to poach Arsenal’s record-breaking youngster Ethan Nwaneri, according to reports.And Manchester City have also entered the tug of war for the 16-year-old’s signature.
    Ethan Nwaneri could be leaving Arsenal when his current contract expiresCredit: Getty
    Nwaneri became the youngest player in Premier League history when he came off the bench at Brentford in September aged just 15 years and 181 days.
    His schoolboy terms at the Emirates expire this summer and he is yet to agree an extension.
    And according to The Athletic, rival Premier League clubs are ready to swoop.
    The Manchester clubs and Chelsea have identified the youngster as an exciting talent and continue to monitor the situation in the hopes of landing the midfielder.
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    But while the Prem giants hope to snap up Nwaneri, the report adds Arsenal still remain confident they can keep hold of him.
    They have offered a fresh deal and negotiations are said to be underway once again – but a decision is yet to be made.
    Nwaneri was not even born when the Emirates Stadium opened and the schoolkid is yet to complete his GCSEs.
    He joined Arsenal when he was nine and made his Under-18s debut at 14, scoring a stunning solo goal.
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    And he got his chance in the first team when injuries took their toll on Mikel Arteta’s squad earlier in the season.
    Arsenal have already convinced Nwaneri’s Gunners and England U17s team-mate Myles Lewis-Skelly to put pen to paper on a contract extension in North London.
    The pair are currently at the European U17 Championships in Hungary and have both been on the scoresheet already.
    Nwaneri grabbed the only goal of the game against Croatia in their Group D opener before Lewis-Skelly opened the scoring in the 4-1 win over the Netherlands.
    England face Switzerland in their final group game on Wednesday. More

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    Arsenal battling Man Utd for Mason Mount with Chelsea star one of three high-profile midfield targets

    ARSENAL are eyeing up a move for Mason Mount as one of THREE midfield targets this summer.But the Gunners face competition from Manchester United and Liverpool, while Chelsea remain keen to agree a new deal with the England international, 24.
    Chelsea have failed to tie Mason Mount down to a new contractCredit: Getty
    Mount has been heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge at the end of the season as he prepares to enter the final 12 months of his contract.
    Negotiations between the Blues and the player have stalled during this season.
    And that has opened the door to a potential departure, with owner Todd Boehly keen to offload any members of the squad with less than one year left.
    According to The Athletic, Chelsea are set to make one final push to agree terms with Mount – who has been with the club since 2005.
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    But Arsenal, Liverpool and Man Utd are all circling as they look to prise him away from West London.
    Mikel Arteta is seeking additional central midfielders to support Thomas Partey, Jorginho and Granit Xhaka.
    Xhaka, 30, is also being linked with a departure to Bayer Leverkusen this summer as he too enters the final year of his contract.
    Alongside Mount, Arsenal are understood to be interested in Premier League captains Declan Rice and Ilkay Gundogan.
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    Rice, 24, is expected to leave West Ham at the end of the season.
    Man Utd and Chelsea are admirers of the Hammers midfielder, but the Gunners have identified him as their “main target”.
    And Manchester City skipper Gundogan, 32, is another possible acquisition for Arsenal.
    The German midfielder, who lifted the Premier League title on Sunday, is out of contract at the end of the season.
    Barcelona are widely agreed to be the frontrunners to sign the ex-Borussia Dortmund man.
    But Arsenal are also keeping tabs on him should the opportunity to strike a deal arise.
    Declan Rice is expected to leave West Ham this summerCredit: Getty
    Ilkay Gundogan is out of contract at the end of the seasonCredit: AP More

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    Man Utd on red alert with Mohammed Kudus set to quit Ajax but face transfer fight with two rivals including Arsenal

    MANCHESTER UNITED have been put on red alert over a transfer move for Mohammed Kudus – but face a fight with two rivals for his signature.Erik ten Hag is looking to return to his old club once more for reinforcements after already raiding them for Lisandro Martinez and Antony last summer.
    Man Utd have been put on red alert in the chase to sign Ajax’s Mohammed KudusCredit: Rex
    He has been keeping tabs on Kudus for months with Arsenal and Liverpool also linked.
    The 22-year-old Ghana attacker has acquired a long-list of admirers after scoring 22 goals in 48 matches for club and country this term.
    He remains under contract until 2025 but sparked speculation that he could be set for a move by recently snubbing a new one-year extension.
    Now The Athletic has claimed that he has “made the Dutch side aware of his intention to exit” once the transfer window re-opens.
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    The publication backs up claims that United and Arsenal are plotting a swoop.
    However, they also state that Newcastle are among the clubs also keen on snapping him up.
    Ajax are expected to demand at least £40million for Kudus.
    But that asking price “might be influenced by which teams are in for him”.
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    Kudus moved to Ajax from Nordsjaelland in July 2020.
    He also came close to a move to the Premier League last summer with Everton, only for Ajax to put a block on the switch.
    But Kudus has continued to shine despite that setback and also impressed at the World Cup with two goals for Ghana. More

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    Man Utd score dramatic injury-time winner against fierce rivals City to send title race with Chelsea down to the wire

    MARC SKINNER says Manchester United will focus on hunting down Chelsea after their dramatic defeat of ten-player City.Lucia Garcia struck at the death to keep the WSL title race alive.
    Lucia Garcia roars with delight after nicking victory at the deathCredit: Getty
    Garcia keeps her cool to sink City and keep the title race aliveCredit: Getty
    But the Blues need to beat bottom side Reading on Saturday to wrap up a fourth successive crown.
    United’s win meant they qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history.
    However should the Royals pull off a surprise win against Emma Hayes’ side and United beat Liverpool, Skinner’s team will be crowned champions.
    Boss Skinner said: “For me it is about hunting Chelsea now.  
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    “We may not have the budget they have, but I am going to try my hardest, with every single second that I have with this team to now move to first place.
    “There were a lot of doubters last year. But this season we have stayed true to what we want to do.
    “We have one more game to win. Yes we have already made history, broken records, gone to our first Cup final and qualified for the Champions League.
    “But if you settle at that then I am not doing my players the service they deserve.”
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    United took a second-minute lead with Hayley Ladd lashing home from distance.
    City struck the woodwork via Chloe Kelly’s volley before keeper Ellie Roebuck saw red close to half-time for clattering Nikita Parris.
    The visitors had strong penalty appeals rejected but levelled when  Filippa Angeldahl’s cross crept into the net.
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    However, Garcia won it for United in injury-time.
    City chief Gareth Taylor said: “We needed a little bit of good fortune and we certainly didn’t get it from the referee.
    “It’s a stonewall penalty with Bunny Shaw.
    “We knew today that a draw would have been OK, a defeat is not good. 
    “When you are in that situation and the chips are down, and the game is going against you particularly when you are a player less, we had to go for it. 
    “We did, so I’m really proud of the girls. Sometimes things don’t go your way in life and particularly in football.” More

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    Tottenham star Harry Kane delivers damning verdict on ‘the failures of the club’ amid Man Utd transfer speculation

    HARRY KANE fired a clear message at Daniel Levy by claiming “a lot needs to change” to stop Spurs being “failures”.Chairman Levy was taunted  after Saturday’s 3-1 loss to Brentford.
    Spurs striker Harry Kane admits there are huge problems at his clubCredit: Getty
    And Kane, who may have played his last home game for Tottenham, said: “A lot needs to change here for us to start being successful again.
    “There is a conversation to be had  in terms of the failures of the club.
    “My focus is to enjoy this final week as much as possible and try and finish the season with a win.
    “I am focused on this season and trying to help the team as much as possible. That is all I can do.”
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    England captain Kane, 29, netted a stunner to open the scoring against Brentford.
    But he looked shell-shocked as Spurs collapsed and shipped three second-half goals to leave their European hopes hanging by a thread.
    Spurs cranked up the music to drown out fans’ boos and Kane and his team-mates took part in a traditional lap of appreciation after full-time.
    Kane added: “You feel responsible. We have to take it on the chin and get ready for next week.”
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    He has 211 Premier League goals as he enters the final year of his contract —  49 short of  Alan Shearer’s record of 260.
    Match of the Day pundit Shearer  said: “I don’t think any Tottenham fan could complain if he said, ‘I’ve done my time and  have got to look elsewhere’.”
    Feyenoord boss Arne Slot left the door open on Sunday for a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
    Dennis te Kloese, director of the Dutch club, revealed he had rejected an approach from Spurs — and expects Slot, 44, to do the same.
    But Slot, who has guided Feyenoord to a first league title in six years, said: “Everyone needs clarity quickly. I rejected Leeds in the winter and now I’m staying or leaving.
    “My departure can also be good for the club but if there is no dream club then I will stay.
    “It is not forbidden that I talk to other clubs.” More

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    Man Utd £56M Kim Min-jae transfer ‘practically done’ as club ‘identify house for centre-back’

    MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly closing in on sealing Napoli defender Kim Min-jae for £56million.The Red Devils are keen to bolster their options at centre-back in the summer transfer window.
    Kim Min-jae has been brilliant for Napoli this seasonCredit: Alamy
    Kim Min-jae’s Serie A stats this season
    Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez have impressed under Erik ten Hag this season.
    But Harry Maguire is being linked with a move away from Old Trafford.

    And Victor Lindelof could also be shown the exit door – with reports he may even be included in the deal for South Korean Min-jae.
    Min-jae 26, has been heavily linked with a switch to Man Utd after a sensational season with the Serie A champions.
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    He has played a key role in helping Napoli to their first scudetto since 1990.
    According to Il Mattino, he will depart at the end of the season irrespective of Napoli’s desire to keep him.
    And a deal with Man Utd is understood to be “practically done” despite people close to the defender having doubts about the move.
    It is also believed United have identified a house for Min-jae to live in.
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    This would indicate a deal is close to being clinched.
    United are understood to have offered him a £7.8m per season salary – although they are yet to meet with Napoli to table an official bid.
    They are expected to pay his £56million release clause – meaning Napoli will make a £37m profit just 12 months after signing him from Fenerbahce. More