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    Man City and Liverpool joined by Real Madrid and Barcelona in transfer race for star who’s already lit up Premier League

    MANCHESTER CITY and Liverpool have been joined in the race to sign Leroy Sane, according to reports. It was reported last week that City were considering a shock move to sign their former star.
    Leroy Sane could be up for sale from Bayern Munich next summerCredit: Rex
    Reports suggest Man City are looking at bringing him backCredit: Alamy
    Sane has not ruled out a transfer to Real Madrid or BarcelonaCredit: Alamy
    In doing so they were set to go toe-to-toe with the Reds after a spike in his form for Bayern Munich this season.
    However, fresh reports in Spain reveal LaLiga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid are also in the running.
    According to Sport, Bayern could look to cash in on Sane in the summer with his contract expiring in 2025.
    The report indicates there has been no agreement between the German and his club over a contract extension.
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    It adds that Sane, 27, has not shut the door on a move to Spain.
    And this has put both Xavi’s and Carlo Ancelotti’s sides on red alert.
    Reigning Spanish league champions Barcelona are looking at a move with former Leeds winger Raphinha being linked with an exit from the Nou Camp.
    Meanwhile, Champions League specialists Madrid are looking to improve their depth in attack after Vinicius Jr. was ruled out for two and a half months after getting injured on international duty with Brazil last week.
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    On contract talk, Sane said he had not “thought about it yet”.
    He added: “The club wants to have conversations, but for now I want to focus on this season.”
    Sane has scored nine goals and added seven assists in all competitions for Bayern this season.
    The winger previously scored 25 goals with 32 assists in the Premier League for City before leaving in 2020.
    He chipped in with an assist for Germany in their 3-2 defeat to Turkey over the weekend. More

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    Benjamin Mendy launches ‘multi-million-pound’ claim against Man City over unpaid wages after being cleared of rape

    BENJAMIN Mendy has reportedly launched a multi-million pound lawsuit against Manchester City over unpaid wages.The defender, 29, has filed a claim with the Employment Tribunal over “unauthorised deductions from wages”.
    Benjamin Mendy at the Parc des Princes on August 12Credit: AFP
    Benjamin Mendy in action for FC Lorient against AS Monaco at Stade du Moustoir on September 17Credit: Getty
    He was acquitted of single counts of rape and attempted rape in July earlier this year.
    The acquittals followed a jury clearing him of six alleged rapes and one attempted sexual assault in January.
    Mendy’s football career was placed on hold for more than two years after he was accused of attacking two women during lockdown-busting parties at his Cheshire mansion.
    He has now returned to professional football with French Ligue 1 side FC Lorient five days after his acquittal – making his debut in September.
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    But Mendy is now seeking a return of pay owed until the end of his contract, which expired in June, Sky Sports News reports.
    A statement from lawyer Nick De Marco KC, acting on behalf of Mendy, said: “Nick De Marco KC (instructed by Laffer Abogados (Madrid) is acting for the former Manchester City player Benjamin Mendy in a multi-million-pound claim for unauthorised deductions from wages.
    “Manchester City FC failed to pay Mr Mendy any wages at all from September 2021, following Mr Mendy being charged with various offence all of which he was subsequently acquitted of, until the end of his contract in June 2023.
    “The claim will come before an Employment Tribunal.”
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    His last appearance in the Premier League came in August 2021 in a 1-0 defeat for Man City against Tottenham.
    In a statement via his solicitor following his acquittal, Mendy vowed to begin “rebuilding his life”.
    Jenny Wiltshire, the head of serious and general crime at Hickman & Rose, said: “Benjamin Mendy would like to thank the members of the jury for focussing on the evidence in this trial, rather than on the rumour and innuendo that have followed this case from the outset.
    “This is the second time that Mr Mendy has been tried and found not guilty by a jury.
    “He is delighted that both juries reached the correct verdicts.
    “It has been almost three years since the police started investigating this matter.
    “Mr Mendy has tried to remain strong but the process has, inevitably, had a serious impact on him.
    “He thanks everyone who has supported him throughout this ordeal and now asks for privacy so he can begin rebuilding his life.”
    Mendy playing for City against Southampton at the Etihad stadium in November 2018Credit: AP:Associated Press More

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    Man City face ALMOST CERTAIN relegation if Premier League charges are proven, former club adviser warns

    MANCHESTER CITY are being warned they could face their D-day over financial fair play as early as next year — and “all hell will break loose” if they lose.And Chelsea have been told it is “inevitable” they will be in trouble after admitting to rule-breaking during Roman Abramovich’s reign.
    Manchester City will almost certainly be relegated if charges against them are proven a former club advisor has warnedCredit: Getty
    Everton were recently hit with a ten point deduction for an FFP breachCredit: Rex
    Football is still reeling from Everton’s sanction for breaching FFP rules.
    And football finance expert Stefan Borson said: “There are too many things that ‘might’ happen if City are found against. It will be very serious — all hell will break loose.
    “It will turn into an enormous story — not just in respect of football but much wider than that. So many parties will be implicated.
    “It will be an incredibly explosive situation.”
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    Lawyer Borson, who was previously an adviser at the Etihad, insisted that demotion would be on the cards if City and Chelsea are found guilty.
    He added: “From a football perspective, it’s impossible to think City would not be relegated if all of these things were found against them.”
    When City were charged with 115 FFP rule breaches in February, there were claims it could take up to four years for the results of the investigation to be known.
    Borson says it could be sooner, adding: “The hearing is likely to be in 2024 at some point.
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    “The Premier League are bound to be concerned about what they would do if City are found guilty.
    “The fact the League charged City with such serious matters shows you this is a very bold move.”
    Chelsea have admitted they broke rules in the Abramovich era — but hope the fact a new regime is now in place will protect them.
    That is highly unlikely according to Borson, who believes they are also in danger of breaking profit and sustainability rules following new US owner Todd Boehly’s £1billion transfer splurge since he took over.
    Borson said: “They will have to charge Chelsea for off-book payments (under Abramovich) — I don’t see any way round it and it will inevitably be very serious for them.
    “I’m confident they won’t get leniency simply because they’ve admitted it and it happened in the previous ownership.”
    Todd Boehly could be forced to deal with potential charges against Chelsea from the Roman Abramovich eraCredit: GettyQ&A with Stefan BorsonFootball finance expert STEFAN BORSON, a former adviser to City, breaks down what could happen to Everton, Man City and Chelsea in the months ahead.

    EVERTON’S ten-point deduction for breaching financial rules was the biggest sanction ever handed down by the  Premier League.
    But it left two of the competition’s most recent winners — Manchester City and Chelsea — fearing what could be coming their way.
    City have strenuously denied any wrongdoing and are ready to defend themselves against 115 charges levelled at them.
    Meanwhile, Chelsea are also likely to be in the dock but will plead for leniency owing  to the misdemeanours occurring in the Roman Abramovich era.
    HOW LIKELY IS IT THAT EVERTON WILL GET THEIR POINTS BACK?
    They have said they will appeal — and I don’t think it will take long.
    I don’t see many issues they can put to an appeal commission and get a different answer.
    Overall, I can’t see what they can argue to materially change the outcome.
    I think their best case is maybe a two-points reduction. Eight points rather than ten, maybe six.
    Based on the four-season advantage as per the commission, a minimum of two points per season feels reasonable.
    I don’t think they have got much hope of  getting it lower.
    EVERTON WILL BE WATCHING THE OTHER CASES WITH INTEREST, WON’T THEY?
    They will — but it is completely irrelevant. Each case is judged on its merits.
    If City, Chelsea or others get any penalties in the next year or two, it will be irrelevant to Everton by then.
    WHY IS THE CITY CASE TAKING SO LONG?
    The first thing they say in the Everton ruling is that it was a complicated case.
    It also says in the trial bundle there were 28,000 documents — not just pages, documents.
    Even for a relatively simple case like Everton’s.
    City’s is far more complicated — it goes over many more years, many more issues and it just takes a very long time to get it to the trial.
    Essentially, Everton was done quicker as it was a simpler case.
    If it was in the High Court, the trial itself might last six months as it’s that complicated.
    It won’t take that at the independent commission but they are going to have to find a way somehow to get to the nub of these issues in a way that’s fair but deals with all the issues.
    WHEN DO YOU THINK IT WILL BE HEARD?
    I’ve read that it will be 2024 and I think that’s likely to be later in the year.
    It can’t be expedited because it is so complicated.
    The hearing itself will take longer than Everton’s and I’d be surprised if it didn’t take at least three months after the hearing to get the judgement.
    And given the stakes, there is clearly going to be an appeal by City if they were to lose.
    There’s no way City could just sit back and take it.
    THERE’S TALK OF RELEGATION IF CITY LOSE THE CASE, ISN’T THERE?
    There are too many things that ‘might’ happen if City are found against.
    It will be very serious — all hell will break loose.
    It will turn into an enormous story — not just in respect of football but much wider than that.
    So many parties will be implicated.
    It will be an incredibly explosive situation.
    From a football perspective, it’s impossible to think City would not be relegated if all of these things were found against them.
    How do you do that? A 100-point deduction? Just straight relegation?
    If they are found guilty of non co-operation — like at CAS — it is harder to see any points being taken off them.
    There’s no way you could argue non co-operation has given City a sporting advantage, so City will say there should be no sporting sanction.
    HOW LIKELY IS IT THEY  WILL BE FOUND GUILTY?
    To find against City you are going to have to prove dishonesty against a number of people.
    No commission is going to want to do that.
    You saw  they were careful to say Everton were not dishonest, even though they found the club had breached the duty of good faith.
    If the case is proven against City it is  deception, fraudulent accounting, conspiracy — all very serious stuff.
    But the Premier League have to prove it — and they have to prove it in a forum which is absolutely not suited for such a complex case with such serious allegations.
    BUT WHAT IF THE VERDICT COMES OUT MID-SEASON AND IT’S RELEGATION  OR A 100-POINT DEDUCTION?
    Logically, the commission shouldn’t care less about the timing.
    The Premier League are bound to be concerned about what they would do if City are guilty.
    People say it’s all a stitch-up but the fact they charged City with serious matters shows you that it isn’t a stitch-up.
    It’s a very bold move from the Premier League.
    AND WHAT ABOUT CHELSEA — THEY’RE IN BOTHER TOO, RIGHT?
    They will have to charge Chelsea — I don’t see there is any way round it.
    The Chelsea situation is inevitable.
    They have admitted to some or all of these off-book payments.
    It’s very serious despite the admission because they were systematic, they were clearly deliberately concealed, clearly fraudulent and clearly in breach of the rules.
    I’m confident they won’t get leniency just because they have admitted it and it happened in the previous ownership.
    I think it will be a straightforward case with the admission.
    But the mitigation of admission and co-operation will not outweigh the aggravating factors of the severity of what they’ve done so I think it’s going to be very serious for Chelsea.
    IS THAT TOUGH ON THE NEW OWNERS?
    You could say that — but there’s a follow-up Chelsea situation which is that they could also potentially fail profit and sustainability rules either for last year, this year  or both.
    I’ve said for a while that’s coming.
    I’ve had a look at the numbers and I don’t see how they successfully make the numbers add up. More

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    Chelsea and Man City fear RELEGATION from Premier League as Everton points deduction ‘sends shockwaves’ in boardrooms

    MANCHESTER CITY and Chelsea fear Premier League RELEGATION after Everton’s record ten-point deduction.The Toffees were yesterday hit with the whopping sanction for breaching strict Financial Fair Play rules.
    Man City boss Pep Guardiola and Chelsea counterpart Mauricio Pochettino face an anxious wait over their clubs’ FFP casesCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    Sean Dyche has seen his Everton side dumped joint bottom by the penaltyCredit: PA
    They now face huge compensation claims from Leeds, Leicester, Southampton, Nottingham Forest and Burnley.
    Legal experts have warned Pep Guardiola’s City, who slapped with 115 FFP charges in January, and Chelsea — under investigation over transfers during Roman Abramovich’s reign — could be booted out of the top flight.
    Top sports lawyer Stefan Borson, one-time financial adviser to Treble winners City, claims if the clubs are found guilty any punishment could lead to relegation.
    He said: “Ten points for Everton feels harsh for a straightforward Financial Fair Play breach.
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    “But it reinforces that sanctions against City and now Chelsea will be potentially relegation- inducing.”
    Fellow lawyer Simon Leaf, head of sport at Mishcon de Reya and co-author of the chapter on financial regulation in Football and the Law, added: “This is a landmark moment in the  history of the  League.
    “It will cause shockwaves, particularly in the boardrooms of Chelsea and Manchester City.
    “It’s the first time the Premier League has imposed a points deduction for breach of its FFP rules in its history.”
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    City have vehemently refuted all allegations and engaged top KC Lord Pannick to lead their defence.
    Chelsea, by contrast, flagged up  issues that took place during Abramovich’s time at Stamford Bridge after internal reviews by the club’s new owners.
    An independent commission imposed Everton’s stunning penalty following a five-day hearing behind closed doors.
    The Toffees were found to have misled Prem chiefs and flouted League rules over losses that broke the agreed £105million limit over three years by £19.5m.
    But the punishment for a SINGLE breach will concern chiefs at City and Chelsea, both being probed for alleged offences over multiple years.
    The three-man commission, led by David Phillips KC, said: “Everton’s culpability is great.
    ‘MISMANAGEMENT’
    “This was a serious breach that requires a significant penalty.
    “We cannot ignore the fact that the failure to comply with the regime was the result of Everton irresponsibly taking a chance that things would turn out positively.
    “Further, Everton was less than frank in its dealings with the Premier League over the stadium interest issue.
    “Everton failed to manage its finances so as to operate within the generous threshold.
    “Its mismanagement led to that threshold being exceeded.”
    It will also have an impact on Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri, who has invested £750m.
    New prospective owners 777 Partners  said the prospect of points deductions and relegation had been “priced in” to the final sale figure.
    Goodison Park is under a cloud following the punishment imposed on EvertonCredit: EPA
    The charges against Chelsea date back to the Roman Abramovich eraCredit: Alamy More

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    Erling Haaland’s agent hints at shock transfer clause in Man City contract that other clubs ‘don’t know anything about’

    ERLING HAALAND’S agent has hinted the Manchester City goal machine’s contract contains a transfer clause “other clubs don’t know about”.Rafaela Pimenta further heightened speculation by stressing the Norwegian is the “master of his own destiny”.
    Erling Haaland has hit 17 goals this season after bagging 52 last termCredit: Getty
    She claimed only Haaland, his dad, City and herself know of the clause.
    Her revelation comes after she pointed out his future was flexible.
    Haaland’s father Alf-Inge has also said: “Erling wants to test out his capabilities in every league.”
    Pimenta told Spanish website Relevo: “Clauses into his contract? It’s only Man City, Erling, his father and me knowing the details of the contract.
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    “Other clubs don’t know anything about that. No one.”
    This season the £64million striker, 23, has maintained the extraordinary goalscoring form he showed in his debut term for City.
    After netting 52 times in 53 games on the way to the Treble, the former Borussia Dortmund hero has already hit 17 goals this campaign.
    And far from quelling transfer talk, Pimenta has said: “Erling is the master of own destiny, always.
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    “He will always do what’s good for him and for Man City.
    “When they all are open to make a change, it will happen.”
    But she added: “Erling will always be respectful. For sure respect has to be on both club and player side. I’ve no doubts, Man City will respect him.
    “If something has to happen one day, we will agree on every step together with the club.” More

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    Oxford set to appoint little-known manager and PILOT from Indian Super League as replacement for Liam Manning

    OXFORD are set to appoint Des Buckingham as their new boss.The Englishman, 38, has been carving out an impressive reputation for himself at Mumbai City, the Indian side in Manchester City’s City Football Group’s roster of clubs.
    Oxford United seem to have found Liam Manning’s replacementCredit: Getty
    Oxford are set to appoint Des Buckingham as their new managerCredit: Getty
    SunSport understands the League One high-fliers are set to pay a hefty compensation fee of around £400,000 to take Buckingham from Mumbai.
    Buckingham, who is a qualified pilot, was born in Oxford and was in United’s youth side as a kid goalkeeper.
    He began his coaching career with the club at just 18, working with the younger age groups before progression to the first team when Chris Wilder was in charge.
    In 2015 he moved to Wellingham Phoenix in New Zealand, first as assistant and then as manager two years later, becoming the youngest boss in A-League history aged just 31.
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    He returned to England in 2017 as Stoke’s Under-23s assistant coach but then returned to New Zealand with their national side.
    That is where he undertook a host of roles, including a brief stint as caretaker boss of the seniors.
    In 2020, he went to Melbourne City – another team in the stable of City’s umbrella group CFG.
    There he worked as an assistant, before going to Mumbai a year later.
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    Oxford are currently second in League One but lost boss Liam Manning to Bristol City earlier this month.
    The U’s have amassed a total of 11 wins and three losses out of 16 matches.
    Oxford are only one point away from third-tier leaders Portsmouth. More

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    Man City ‘considering shock transfer for former player sold by Pep Guardiola but face competition from Liverpool’

    LEROY SANE has been linked with a sensational return to Manchester City according to reports in the German media.Bild claim that City will rival interest from Liverpool in order to win their former winger back.
    Leroy Sane has been sensational for Bayern this seasonCredit: Getty
    Sane, 27, has been in excellent form for Bayern this season and has benefited in particular from the arrival of Harry Kane.
    The winger has eight goals and six assists in 11 Bundesliga games this season.
    His contract is up in 2025, meaning Bayern may look to cash in by selling in the upcoming summer window.
    Sane’s transfer to Bayern in 2020 took many by surprise, with the winger then being one of the Premier League’s finest young talents.
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    Bayern paid £54.1 million for the German international with many saying that it was an argument with Pep Guardiola that convinced the club to sell.
    Sane had also missed much of the 2019-20 season with a knee injury before making his transfer.
    While Sane is being linked with Liverpool and Manchester City, Bild do report that he is in negotiations to renew his contract at Bayern – so this could be a ploy for a bigger payout on that particular deal.
    Liverpool are quite stacked in the wing position as it stands.
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    The Reds have Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz that all play in the position with Cody Gakpo sometimes operating off the left too.
    Sane could definitely be an option if Salah were to leave next summer for Saudi Arabia.
    The Reds had their resolve tested when the Saudi Pro League offered £150million in the closing stages of the transfer window but remained firm.
    But with Liverpool now firmly aware of Saudi’s interest, a move for Sane could be part of their contingency plans should Salah leave. More

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    Haaland’s agent warns Man City to enjoy him while they can before transfer exit.. and here’s five clubs he could join

    ERLING HAALAND’S agent has warned that the superstar striker could leave Manchester City. The 23-year-old won the Treble during his first season at the club and already has 17 goals to his name this term.
    Erling Haaland’s agent hinted he could soon leave Man CityCredit: Getty
    Rafaela Pimenta claims a ‘change’ could happenCredit: INSTAGRAM/Rafaela Pimenta
    Despite enjoying life in Manchester, his agent Rafaela Pimenta revealed that the door is open to him leaving City in the future.
    When asked about reports linking him to other clubs like Real Madrid, she said: “Erling is the master of own destiny, always.
    “He will always do what’s good for him and for Man City.
    “When they all are open to make a change, it will happen.
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    “Erling will always be respectful. For sure respect has to be on both club and player side. I’ve no doubts, Man City will respect him.
    “If something has to happen one day, we will agree on every step together with the club. It’s always about respect.”
    Pimenta was asked if Haaland is happy at the Eithad, to which she replied: “You have to ask him. And this does not mean the opposite. I know he is, but I don’t like to speak for others.
    “I see it like this, the sporting result comes when things are good. When there is positivity, harmony, energy… things happen.”
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    On Haaland’s relationship with Pep Guardiola, she added: “You have to ask Erling this, but as far as I know, from the feedback I have, they get along very well.”
    The ex-Borussia Dortmund goalscorer’s dad Alf-Inge previously suggested his son wants to play across Europe, saying: “I think Erling wants to test out his capabilities in every league.
    “Then he can stay in every league for three to four years maximum.
    “He could have two-and-a-half years in Germany, two-and-a-half in England, and then in Spain, Italy, France, right?”
    Following Pimenta and his father’s comments, SunSport have taken a look at five club’s that could be Haaland’s next destination with him already conquering England and Germany.
    Real Madrid
    Karim Benzema departed in the summer for Al-Ittihad and was replaced by veteran striker Joselu.
    Real Madrid are expected to be in the market for a big-money attacker this summer with Kylian Mbappe heavily linked with the them.
    But if they decide not to sign the PSG star, Haaland could emerge as an alternative with Los Blancos reportedly ready to smash the transfer world record and bid £200million for him.
    Pimenta was recently spotted watching a game at the Santiago Bernabeu which caused speculation to rise.
    Barcelona
    Barcelona could be another LaLiga destination for Haaland.
    Current goalscorer Robert Lewandowski is still performing but is now aged 35.
    Barca could find it tough to raise the funds to tempt Haaland and City with the club battling financial difficulties.
    Juventus
    If Haaland wants to go to Serie A then Juventus could be his best.
    The Turin-based side tried to sign him when he was a teenager in 2017.
    But they decided not to push through the £2m deal they struck with Molde.

    Juventus are one of the only club’s in Italy that could potentially afford the Norwegian and they are reportedly open to selling striker Dusan Vlahovic should a good offer come in.
    PSG
    PSG have been the home to several of the world’s best players since they were taken over by Qataris in 2011.
    With Lionel Messi and Neymar gone, and Mbappe considering an exit, a gap could open up for Haaland to be the latest global star to land in Paris.
    Money is rarely a hurdle for the club and they are the only team in France that can afford him should he want to experience Ligue 1.
    Chelsea
    A shock City alternative could be Chelsea.
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    Mega-rich owner Todd Boehly has splashed the cash on a range of players but the Blues still lack a world-class striker.
    Unlike Manchester United, Chelsea are not rivals to Haaland’s current club and they could hand him an exciting new challenge should he want to stay in the Premier League.
    Erling Haaland has already taken the Premier League and Bundesliga by stormCredit: Getty More