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      Man Utd draw up four-man shortlist for new director of football role under Sir Jim Ratcliffe and David Brailsford

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have drawn up a four-man shortlist for their new director of football role, according to reports.Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Dave Brailsford are set to restructure how the Red Devils run the football side of the business.
      Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Dave Brailsford are conducting an audit at Man UtdCredit: Getty
      Brailsford, 59, is expected to complete an eight-week audit assessing the club’s current structure.
      According to the Independent, United’s new partial owners will then decide whether they want just a director of football, or if they would also like to appoint a sporting director as well.
      Red Devils chiefs have already been looking at potential candidates for the roles.
      Brailsford is claimed to favour a swoop for ex-Liverpool transfer guru Julian Ward.
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      But there are three other candidates known to be in the mix.
      Ward’s former Anfield colleague Michael Edwards could also be considered.
      It’s claimed, however, that it will take an offer of £10million a year to tempt him back into club football.
      Former Tottenham transfer chief Paul Mitchell is also a contender- with his family based in Manchester.
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      Mitchell, 42, currently works for Monaco.
      Another name in the frame has been former FA chief Dan Ashworth.
      Ashworth left Brighton to join Newcastle in 2022.
      He would be difficult to prise away from St James’ Park for a number of reasons.
      It’s believed that he has a 12-month notice period in his £1.5m a year Toon deal.
      Ashworth would also be “reluctant” to walk out on Newcastle, with a huge offer likely required to even tempt him.
      No appointment is imminent, with Man Utd set for a quiet January window.
      It’s believed that the Red Devils will be primarily focused on outgoings this month.
      Paul Mitchell works for MonacoCredit: AFP
      Dan Ashworth joined Newcastle in 2022Credit: Getty More

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      Neil Warnock reveals he fined players £50 for passing to Adel Taarabt and how coach warned Moroccan would get him sacked

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      NEIL WARNOCK has revealed that he would FINE players for passing to Adel Taarabt in their own half.The veteran boss managed Taarabt at Queens Park Rangers.
      Neil Warnock poses with Alejandro Faurlin, left, and Adel Taarabt, right after winning the Championship titleCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      The Moroccan produced one of the all-time great Championship seasonsCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Warnock, now 75, arrived at Loftus Road in March 2010 and didn’t initially receive a particularly glowing review of the attacking midfielder.
      Recounting the first time he encountered the mercurial Moroccan, Warnock told Peter Crouch on the ex-striker’s podcast: “This is a red hot day and there’s a kid with black gloves on. Black woollen gloves.
      “I said to a member of staff: ‘Who’s that with gloves on?’.
      “The guy says: ‘You don’t want to know him, gaffer. That’s Taarabt. He’s a Moroccan from Tottenham. He’ll get you the sack. He’s already got a manager the sack. Waste of space’.
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      “I watched this game and QPR couldn’t score goals then – that was their problem. So I’m watching this kid and I’ve never seen anything like it. Some of his ability.
      “But what he was doing was getting the ball off the centre-half, nut-megging someone, losing it and them scoring.”
      Taarabt, now 34, first joined QPR on loan in March 2009.
      He played under Paulo Sousa, Jim Magilton, Paul Hart and Mick Harford before Warnock’s arrival the following January.
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      Despite Taarabt’s flaws being clear, Warnock couldn’t help but be impressed by his strengths.
      He added: “You sometimes get gut-feelings as a manager. I just liked him straight away, even with his gloves and all that. He had that little bit of arrogance.
      “So I pulled him over on the pitch and said: ‘Are you cold, Adel? We play West Brom on Saturday, top of the league, my first game. I’m going to play you – understand? And if you’re s****, I’m going to play you the next game. And if you’re s****, I’m going to play you the next game. Do you understand? Because you are going to save us’.”
      Despite holding huge belief in Taarabt, Warnock felt the need to take drastic action in order to mask his weaknesses.
      He added: “So then I got all the other lads, without him, and said: ‘Right, anybody who gives him the ball in our half, it’s a £50 fine’.
      “And I said to Adel: ‘Adel, if you come over the halfway line and pick a ball up, I fine you £50 – okay?’.
      “I think one player passed it to him and we fined him £50, but that was it. You give him the ball in the [opponent’s] half… oh my God.”
      Taarabt went on to produce one of the all-time great Championship campaigns by an individual player in the 2010-11 season.
      Missing just two matches, the former Tottenham youngster scored 19 times, often in spectacular fashion, and laid on 21 assists as his side lifted the title and sealed promotion to the Premier League.
      He went on to play two seasons in the top flight with QPR, before spending the 2013-14 campaign on loan at Fulham and AC Milan.
      Taarabt returned to Loftus Road for the 2014-15 season back in the Prem, but only played seven times.
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      The 30-cap Moroccan joined Benfica before later plying his trade back in Serie A with Genoa.
      He signed for Dubai-based Al-Nasr in 2022, where he still plays to this day.
      The midfielder had joined Spurs alongside the likes of Gareth BaleCredit: AFP
      Taarabt went on to star for BenficaCredit: AFP More

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      Conor Gallagher plunges Chelsea into transfer dilemma with Blues desperately needing to sell players to fund signings

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      CONOR GALLAGHER’S contract situation has plunged Chelsea’s transfer window plans into uncertainty.The midfielder has just 18 months remaining on his current deal and the Blues need to make a decision on his future quickly.
      Chelsea are looking to sell Gallagher despite him captaining the club a number of times this seasonCredit: Reuters
      Gallagher is happy to stay at Chelsea according to The Daily Mail and is liked by Mauricio Pochettino.
      The midfielder has captained The Blues a number of times this season with captain Reece James and vice-captain Ben Chilwell both out with injury.
      But Chelsea need to sell in order to fall in line with FFP after their liberal spending since Todd Boehly took over.
      The club surpassed £1billion in transfer fees in the summer and still want to add to their squad in January.
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      FFP incentivises clubs to sell their homegrown talent as it can be listed as pure profit on the balance sheet.
      That saw Manchester City sell Cole Palmer to Chelsea for £42.5m this summer despite his obvious talent.
      Newcastle, Tottenham, West Ham and Everton have all shown an interest in signing Gallagher.
      And Chelsea would be willing to sell the midfielder provided it is for the right price.
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      Gallagher is willing to wait until the summer to decide his future but that would see his value fall.
      Spurs are the favourites to sign Gallagher but are currently focusing on bringing in defender Radu Dragusin from Genoa.
      They could have the funds to sign Gallagher if Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg leaves this month.
      Fellow Chelsea academy graduates, Ian Maatsen and Trevoh Chalobah are also on the chopping block at Chelsea.
      Borussia Dortmund are keen on Maatsen but have limited funds available.
      They have offered to take the full-back on loan with an option to buy but Chelsea would prefer a straight sale. More

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      Real Madrid ‘to turn to Erling Haaland if they fail in Mbappe transfer but will only have to pay HALF his release fee’

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      REAL MADRID will attempt to sign Erling Haaland if they can’t seal a deal for Kylian Mbappe this summer, according to reports.Mbappe’s representatives have strongly denied claims that the Frenchman has agreed to join Los Blancos on a free transfer.
      Real Madrid want to sign Erling Haaland if they fail to land MbappeCredit: Getty
      Kylian Mbappe’s representatives have denied claims that he agreed to join Real MadridCredit: Getty
      As reported by RMC Sport, a statement from his team read: “There’s no agreement on Kylian future.
      “There have been no discussions about his futures. No type of influence could dictate the timing of Kylian’s discussions, reflections, decisions.”
      The World Cup winner has just six months remaining on his current Paris Saint-Germain contract, meaning he is now free to negotiate with other clubs.
      Real Madrid have been pushing to sign Mbappe for years, but there is no guarantee that he will make the switch this summer.
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      If the Frenchman decides against moving, Los Blancos could attempt to sign Haaland instead.
      According to Spanish outlet AS, the Manchester City striker is still on Carlo Ancelotti’s radar.
      Haaland’s current deal runs until 2027 and includes a £172million release clause.
      However, that clause allegedly just applies to Premier League clubs.
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      Mbappe has scored 18 league goals so far this season
      Haaland is leading the Premier League Golden Boot race
      For European clubs it is said to be closer to £86m.
      Haaland enjoyed a record-breaking debut season in England.
      He won the treble with Man City and scored the most Premier League goals in a single campaign. More

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      Mikel Arteta’s five-point list to get Arsenal’s faltering season back on track as Gunners jet off to Dubai

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      ARSENAL jet off to Dubai on Tuesday hoping the change of climate brings good fortune.The Gunners have won just one of their last seven games in all competitions, including losing their last three on the spin.
      Mikel Arteta’s side are in a poor run of formCredit: AFP
      The Gunners slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool on SundayCredit: Getty
      Their dramatic drop in form has seen them fall from Christmas Day Premier League top spot to fourth in the New Year with their surge for the title fading by the week.
      Mikel Arteta has a chance to press the reset button with Arsenal’s next game not until January 20 – welcoming Crystal Palace to the Emirates in the Prem.
      In the meantime, the squad will spend a week in the Middle East soaking up the sun and getting some crucial sessions under their belt in what has been described as a “hard working training camp” before returning on January 16.
      Here, SunSport reveals what boss Arteta needs to sort to get Arsenal’s season back on track:
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      WRAP BUKAYO SAKA IN COTTON WOOL
      To his high standards, Saka has been below par in recent weeks, scoring once in his last seven games in all competitions – coinciding with Arsenal’s drop in form.
      However, there are reasons for this. The England international has been nursing an Achilles injury for some time now and is currently playing through the pain.
      He is the third-most fouled player in the Prem – behind Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes and Palace’s Jordan Ayew – and that stat is starting to take its toll.
      These 12 days without a game could not have come at a better time, giving Saka’s body some well-deserved rest ahead of a busy upcoming period.
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      Bukayo Saka is the third-most fouled player in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
      GET GABRIEL JESUS BACK FIT
      Arsenal are in need of goals and cannot afford to lose Jesus for a prolonged period yet again this campaign – having already missed nine games so far this season due to injury.
      The Brazilian missed the start of the season with a minor knee operation before picking up a hamstring strain in November seeing him sidelined for several weeks.
      He missed the FA Cup defeat to Liverpool with concerns over the same knee after feeling something in training – with scans suggesting there is a slight issue.
      Arteta said: “Hopefully it is not too big” and he will be eager to get the issue sorted before returning to action later this month.
      Should Jesus be out, pressure to find goals falls to Kai Havertz and Eddie Nketiah once more.
      Gabriel Jesus has struggled with injuriesCredit: Getty
      SORT OUT LEFT-BACK SITUATION
      Despite their woes in attack, Arteta will also have concerns at the back, in particular at left-back if the last two games are anything to go by.
      Jakub Kiwior deputised in the role against Fulham on December 31 only to be hooked at half-time for Takehiro Tomiyasu – who is now at the Asian Cup with Japan.
      With Oleksandr Zinchenko still recovering from a slight calf strain, Kiwior played there again against Liverpool with a similar outcome, scoring an own goal to give the visitors the lead.
      It is clear the Polish defender is uncomfortable in that position, and looks awkward attempting to play the inverted role that Arteta favours.
      Yet even with Zinchenko fit, Arsenal have looked shaky at the back.
      However, Arteta will not rush into a January panic-buy, with Tomiyasu returning in the next couple of weeks, while long-term absentee Jurrien Timber is making progress in his comeback from knee surgery back in August, targeting mid-February.
      Jakub Kiwior has struggled at left-backCredit: Getty
      CONSIDER GOALKEEPER OPTIONS
      Arteta made a huge call in dropping Aaron Ramsdale for David Raya back in September – and it initially paid off with six clean sheets in 11 appearances in all competitions.
      However, there has been the odd iffy display from the Spaniard, including the 4-3 win against Luton last month, at fault for two goals.
      Ramsdale – unhappy with the situation – has remained patient and got his chance against Liverpool, generally impressing with ball at feet and a few top saves.
      Bringing the England keeper back into the starting XI would certainly bring the feelgood factor back – Ramsdale is a real fan favourite around the Emirates.
      It would also be a big risk, and spark more debate over the uncertainty in that position – but Ramsdale has given his boss something to think about this month.
      Arteta replaced Aaron Ramsdale as his No1 keeper with David RayaCredit: PA
      REBUILD CONFIDENCE
      This recent run has taken a huge dent out of Arsenal’s title hopes, but also their spirit, which has been a massive factor in their rise on and off the pitch in recent years.
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      What Arteta needs is to put smiles back on faces, and what better way than to get some sun and give opportunities for some bonding time away from the limelight.
      As well as taking part in a hard-working training camp, the players will also be taking part in some commercial activities and will get some down time in the evenings.
      Arsenal find themselves stuck in a rutCredit: Getty More

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      Jordan Henderson to be slapped with £3m bill if he returns to Premier League with £700k-a-week star set to quit Saudi

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      JORDAN HENDERSON will be slapped with a £3million tax bill if he leaves Al-Ettifaq this month.The midfielder wants to return to the Premier League just six months after his move to Saudi Arabia.
      Jordan Henderson faces a £3million tax bill if he leaves Al-Ettifaq this monthCredit: Getty
      Henderson departed Liverpool to sign a three-year deal with Al-Ettifaq in the summer.
      His contract includes £700,000-a-week wages, which were signed on a tax-free basis.
      However, that only applies if he honours the first two years of his contract.
      As a result, Henderson would be forced to pay £3million if he returns to Europe before the end of the January transfer window.
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      SunSport revealed on Saturday that the 33-year-old had told his former team-mates he has made a huge mistake.
      A return to England is on the cards for Henderson, whilst Celtic and an unnamed German club are also understood to be interested in a move.
      Leaving Saudi Arabia could also boost his chances of making Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024.
      Henderson was made captain by Steven Gerrard after joining Al-Ettifaq but has yet to score in 19 appearances for the club.
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      Meanwhile, Gerrard is under mounting pressure with the club dropping to eighth in the Saudi Pro League after a torrid run.
      Al-Ettifaq have won just one of their last 13 matches across all competitions and are winless in nine.
      Gerrard also lost assistant manager Ian Foster last week after he agreed to become Plymouth’s new boss.
      Steven Gerrard signed Henderson on a three-year deal in the summerCredit: Reuters More

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      Tottenham transfer blow as ‘Bayern Munich make last-ditch attempt to sign top target in centre-back hunt’

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      BAYERN MUNICH have joined Tottenham in the race to sign Genoa defender Radu Dragusin, according to reports.Dragusin, 21, has been heavily linked with a move to Spurs this month.
      Bayern Munich want to hijack Tottenham’s pursuit of Radu DragusinCredit: Getty
      The Lilywhites sent scouts to watch him in action earlier this season and they are now prepared to table a bid.
      However, according to German outlet Sport BILD, Bayern Munich are also interested.
      Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel is understood to be keen on the prospect of signing the centre-back.
      However, Tottenham are still leading the transfer race for Dragusin.
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      The Romania international is reportedly valued at around £26million.
      Dragusin made his professional debut for Juventus in 2020 but struggled to establish himself as a regular first team player.
      He was subsequently loaned out three times to Sampdoria, Salernitana and Genoa.
      The defender completed a permanent move to Genoa last January and has since made 62 appearances.
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      Tottenham are also on the verge of signing Timo Werner on loan until the end of the season.
      The deal is expected to include an option to buy for around £14million. More

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      Arsenal to beat Man Utd to top target after ‘agreeing to trigger £34m release clause’ in stunning transfer

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      ARSENAL have agreed to trigger Jeremie Frimpong’s £34million release clause, according to reports.The Dutch international has emerged as a target for both the Gunners and Manchester United in recent weeks.
      Arsenal are ready to trigger Jeremie Frimpong’s £34million release clauseCredit: Getty
      He has been a key man for Bayer Leverkusen so far this season as Xabi Alonso’s side push for a first-ever Bundesliga title.
      However, Frimpong could be on the move come the end of the season.
      Bild report that Arsenal are willing to meet his £34million release clause once it becomes active in the summer.
      The Gunners are said to see the clause as a potential bargain as they move ahead of United in the race to sign the 23-year-old.
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      Leverkusen are keen to keep hold of Frimpong, though, the report adds.
      They know, however, that the release clause, which was included in the new deal he signed in October, has taken his potential exit out of their hands.
      Frimpong has spent the majority of his career as a right-back but has largely been used further forward by Alonso this season.
      In 22 appearances across all competitions, the Dutchman has scored seven goals and provided 22 assists.
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      He has also featured in every match of their unbeaten Bundesliga campaign so far, with Leverkusen also yet to lose in the cup or Europe.
      Frimpong previously came through Manchester City’s academy and spent two years with Celtic before joining Leverkusen in 2021. More