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      Ben Brereton Diaz finally set to seal Premier League transfer… just six months after leaving Blackburn for Villarreal

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      CHILEAN sensation Ben Brereton Diaz is set to finally move to the Premier League in January.The striker was regularly linked with a move to the Premier League due to his goal scoring exploits at former club Blackburn.
      Ben Brereton Diaz has struggled to settle at VillarrealCredit: EPA
      The Chile international hit 47 goals in 177 games for Rovers during his stay in Lancashire – including 22 Championship goals in the 2021-22 season.
      He moved in the summer to Villarreal on a four year deal after his contract at Blackburn expired but has struggled to settle.
      The forward has started just two LaLiga games so far this season and made 12 appearances from the bench.
      He is yet to score or assist for the club, however.
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      And now Chris Wilder is set to offer the 24-year-old a lifeline by bringing him to Sheffield United.
      The club are set to offer Brereton-Diaz the chance to experience England’s top flight with a six month loan deal.
      The Blades are desperate for goals in their bid for survival.
      Oli McBurnie and Cameron Archer are the side’s joint top scorers with just three goals each.
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      The forward hasn’t even managed an assists in LaLigaCredit: The Sun
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      That’s left them rooted to the bottom of the table having taken just nine points from 20 games played.
      The Blades are also interested in bringing in some Premier League experience into their goalkeeping department – with Kasper Schmeichel of interest.
      The keeper is currently no1 at Belgian side Anderlecht but could be tempted by a move back to the Premier League after leaving Leicester in 2022. More

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      My dad was an alcoholic, my mum a manic depressive and I’m schizophrenic… I lost grip on reality after Fulham transfer

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      FORMER Fulham star Kay Voser has lifted the lid on his battles with cocaine addiction and schizophrenia.The Swiss defender joined the Cottagers in 2014 after winning three league titles with FC Basel.
      Kay Voser battled with depression and schizophrenia during his spell at FulhamCredit: Getty
      However he made just ten league appearances in 18 months before being released.
      Voser, who won 15 youth-level caps for Switzerland, went on to play for Sion, FC Zurich and US side Charlotte Independence.
      The 36-year-old has now revealed how his time in London turned into a “horror trip.”
      He said: “For too long I’ve had to conceal things that are part of me – my fears and psychoses. My life is just a drama.
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      “My upbringing was very tough. My father was an alcoholic, my mother a manic depressive – and I am schizophrenic.
      “In my parallel universe, which I always dived into, I had a friend who looked just like me.
      “While at Basel I often had difficult spells, and I drank too much at times.
      “But Fulham turned into a horror trip for me. It began even before I joined them.
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      “On holiday in Ibiza with other Basel players, I lost my grip on reality. We were on a yacht.
      “I cheated on my then girlfriend, she dumped me on the spot and I plunged into severe depression.
      “I could not establish myself on the pitch at Fulham, and I made a big mistake in joining them.
      “My state of mind became alarming. I let myself be talked into taking cocaine, and this came to light.
      “The amounts that were revealed in tests were so small that it could not be proved for certain that I had actually taken cocaine.
      “I had to fight the case, but my legal bills came to almost £100,000.”
      Voser told Swiss paper Blick that he lied to Fulham chiefs, pretending to be injured while spending time with his mum.
      The former left-back said: “When my mother came to visit me in London for a few weeks I took time out for her.
      “I told Fulham I was injured – a lie. There was resentment from the club towards me.
      Read more on The Sun
      “But my mother was more important to me than football.
      “Soon afterwards she died from cancer – and a part of me died with her.” More

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      Arsene Wenger phoned me soon after hardest day of my Arsenal career – neither of us had anything to say

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      FORMER Arsenal star Gilles Grimandi has lifted the lid on his time at the club.The versatile Frenchman made 169 appearances for the Gunners from 1997 to 2002.
      Gilles Grimandi worked as a scout after ending his playing careerCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Arsene Wenger used to phone Grimandi after matchesCredit: PA
      He won two Premier League titles and two FA Cups under Arsene Wenger before he retired.
      After hanging up his boots, Grimandi worked as an Arsenal scout for 13 years until he quit soon after the legendary boss stepped down.
      The 53-year-old revealed he regularly spoke to Wenger about his team’s performance and about players during his time as talent spotter.
      Grimandi claims that bad results would heavily impact the manager and he would often use his former player as a shoulder to cry on.
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      He exclusively told Ladbrokes’ Fanzone: “I had direct access to the manager and it certainly wasn’t an easy job for me.
      “I would speak a lot with Arsene, especially after games. That, in itself, was difficult at times because when we had a bad result on a Saturday or Sunday, I knew that he’d be calling me on the Monday morning to talk about it.
      “That was a nightmare because I knew everything was going to be negative.  
      “Bad results used to affect Arsene a lot – I don’t think people can even imagine how hard it was for him to deal with it sometimes.
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      “He wouldn’t sleep if the team performed badly and so my job was to try and find the right thing to say to him to make him feel better.”
      Grimandi says his worst days at the club was when he was a transfer chief rather than a player.
      And he remembers one tough meeting with a heartbroken Wenger, saying: “The hardest day came after the Newcastle game in 2011. Arsenal were 4-0 up but that finished 4-4.
      “The manager gives you a call the next day and neither of you have anything to say. It’s a nightmare.
      “Before you pick up the phone in those moments, you’re just panicking. What can you say?
      “In that game against Newcastle, for example, I knew that whatever I was saying to him on the phone, he was not listening.
      “But he just wanted to talk with someone who was a little further out of the club and wasn’t too involved with the team.  
       ”I spent so many years playing for and working with Arsene and I was always so impressed with his knowledge of everything to do with the club.
      “Seeing him struggle to deal with bad performances was one thing, but on the other side, watching him at work, he would be able to tell you exactly what is going on.
      “Who is performing well outside of the club, who to keep an eye on, who played in this game, who scored that goal… it’s unbelievable how deep Arsenal is inside Arsene.
      “I knew the manager so well and so when it came to my role as a scout, I knew that when I presented Arsene with a name, he was going to like the player, because I knew what he was looking for. ”
      Read more on The Sun
      As a player finder, Grimandi says he is most proud of alerting the club to Bacary Sagna, who would go on to make 284 appearances.
      His biggest regret is failing to do enough to convince a 14-year-old Kylian Mbappe to join Arsenal. More

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      Premier League table without VAR revealed with Aston Villa top and Chelsea SIX points worse off

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      ASTON VILLA’S unlikely title charge would have been even MORE serious without VAR.A SunSport study of the 54 decisions altered after VAR interventions so far this season shows how Unai Emery’s men, currently second in the Prem table, would be TOP of the table if the Stockley Park video booth did not exist.
      Aston Villa’s title charge would be even stronger without VARCredit: Getty
      Our “No VAR” table shows how the standings would have looked if every changed decision had remained as it was called on the field by the referee and his assistants.
      Given that 15 of the 16 penalties awarded by VAR have been converted, we have also assumed that the five spots kicks initially awarded but then wiped after video intervention would also have been scored.
      While Villa have had three changed decisions in their favour and four against, two of those decisions cost them points.
      Drawing the lines saw Lucas Digne deemed offside before Diego Carlos “scored” in the 2-2 draw at Bournemouth, while Leon Bailey’s strike was controversially overturned for a foul on Sheffield United keeper Wes Foderingham in last month’s surprise 1-1 draw.
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      With both those goals counting, Villa would be on 46 points, up four on their current tally, and heading Liverpool by a point.
      The “No VAR” table has Arsenal and Spurs both on 41 points – with Mikel Arteta’s side one point better off and Ange Postecoglou’s outfit up two although Manchester City would leapfrog the pair if they win their game in hand.

      But the biggest winners if the technology had not been in place would have been Brighton – while Chelsea’s dismal season would have looked even worse.
      Roberto di Zerbi’s Seagulls would be on 36 points – five points and one place higher in the table.
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      Chelsea would be even more worse off without VAR
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      Chelsea, though, would be SIX points worse off and stand in 12th place, just six points away from the drop zone and 24 points adrift of the pace-setters.
      So far 24 goals have been disallowed and only two awarded after video review, while eight players have been dismissed after VAR intervention.
      Unsurprisingly, Chelsea have had the most VAR changes so far, with seven in their favour and five against. Luton have seen just two VAR overturns, one for and one against.
      Nottingham Forest have been the biggest beneficiaries in terms of decisions, with five changes in their favour and just one against, although the match situation and final outcomes mean they would only be one point worse off without VAR.
      Manchester City and Fulham are plus-three in VAR changes, with Brentford joining Chelsea with a plus-two tally.
      Liverpool, who have been involved in a number of controversial incidents including the wrongly-disallowed Luis Diaz goal at Spurs and Diogo Jota’s penalty-winning tumble against Newcastle on Monday, stand alone on minus-three VAR changes, with three in their favour and six against.
      Those interventions, though, would have made no net change to their points tally, although they would have scored two goals more and conceded the same number over the season to date.
      At the other end of the table, the relegation places would be the same but Luton would only be behind Everton – deducted 10 points for financial fair play breaches – on goal difference and Burnley would be two points better off.
      Nottingham Forest would have the biggest goal swing without VAR More

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      Meet Ten Hag agent Kees Vos who has growing power at Man Utd after brokering Hojlund, Amrabat and Van Persie transfers

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      ERIK TEN HAG’S agent Kees Vos is becoming increasingly influential at Manchester United.The Dutchman played a key role in getting deals over the line for Rasmus Hojlund and Sofyan Amrabat in the summer.
      Erik ten Hag’s agent has been vital in recent signingsCredit: AFP
      Kees Vos has close ties to Man UtdCredit: Instagram / keesvosseg
      Rasmus Hojlund is one of Vos’ clientsCredit: Instagram @keesvosseg
      But SunSport exclusively revealed that his growing presence at the club is ruffling feathers.
      Vos is the founder of agency Sports Entertainment Group (SEG), who boast over 600 clients.
      Many represented by the super agent have links to Dutch football with Ten Hag among those with a close relationship to him.
      The manager’s son Nigel is even employed by SEG in an analysis role.
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      Man Utd first worked with them when they signed Robin van Persie in 2012 and then again three years later to snap up Memphis Depay.
      But any business with the agency was rare in the seasons that followed – until Ten Hag showed up.
      SEG are now back on the scene and they represent £72million man Rasmus Hojlund.
      Vos is in photos as the striker signed his contract and is seen on the pitch talking to Ten Hag and director of football John Murtough.
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      The super agent works with Robin van PersieCredit: Instagram @keesvosseg
      He was again vital in the loan deal for Sofyan Amrabat, helping Man Utd in their negotiations with the player and Fiorentina.
      Vos was back in Manchester last week as Van Persie was in the stands to watch the 3-2 comeback win over Aston Villa.
      After the game, he posted a snap with the 2013 Premier League champion alongside the caption: “We will always have your back Erik.”
      It came a few months after Vos’ last visit to Old Trafford when he uploaded a photo of himself stood in the tunnel, saying: “My wife and I have a different meaning of the word home these days.”
      Reports have described SEG as the Man Utd’s “go-to agency” when it comes to transfers.
      A club having close ties to an agent is normal – but Vos’ growing power is causing some alarm.
      SunSport understand that SEG have annoyed the agents in charge of some United academy players.
      They have been trying to get the wonderkids to ditch their current representatives and sign for them.
      Ex-United youngster Zidane Iqbal penned a deal with SEG and just two months later he left the club permanently to join Dutch outfit Utrecht.
      Kees Vos was key to the signing of Van Persie in 2012Credit: Instagram @keesvosseg More

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      Man Utd chiefs ‘discussing’ Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting transfer as fans say ‘Liverpool get Mbappe & we get Stoke reject?’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED fans are fuming after being linked with former Stoke City striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.The forward is currently at Bayern Munich, playing back up to Harry Kane and Mathys Tel.
      United are linked with a move for Eric Maxim Choupo MotingCredit: Getty
      Choupo Moting failed to make an impression when he was at StokeCredit: Reuters
      And as reported by Fabrizio Romano via Caught Offside, Choupo-Moting has “been discussed internally” by Manchester United bigwigs.
      Romano was keen to make clear that no negotiations have taken place between United and Bayern yet, but the Red Devils do admire the player.
      United want to bring in an experienced striker to provide competition for Rasmus Hojlund – who has struggled to settle at Old Trafford.
      The Dane has just one goal in his 15 Premier League games this season.
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      United fans have been left unimpressed by the rumour, largely thanks to Choupo Moting’s unimpressive stint at Stoke.
      The forward managed just five goals and five assists in his 32 appearances for the Potters between 2017 and 2018.
      His career took a surprising turn after that drab spell however, with Choupo-Moting earning a move to PSG in 2018.
      Despite not hugely impressing at the Parc Des Princes, he then earned a move to Bayern Munich in 2020 where he has plied his trade ever since.
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      Choupo Moting has largely featured from the bench this seasonCredit: The Sun
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      It caused former Stoke team-mate Peter Crouch to joke that the forward has a “fantastic agent” back in 2020.
      And that agent could be about to work his magic again if Romano’s report is to come true.
      One United fan wrote on X: “Liverpool being linked with Mbappe. Manchester United being linked with Choupo-Moting.”
      Another wrote: “Choupo Moting might tip them over the edge. I know United aren’t who they used to be but this is some decline.”
      While a third fan said: “I find it hard enough to listen to my brother complain about United if they sign Choupo-Moting I’ll have to move out.” More

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      My dad’s a former Premier League footballer and my brother plays for Chelsea – I’m making my own way on EastEnders

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      EASTENDERS’ newest star Kitty Castledine is the daughter of an ex-Premier League star and the sister of a current Chelsea midfielder.Actress Kitty, 21, who was paralysed at the age of seven, made her debut on the soap on New Year’s Day as Penny Branning – daughter of Jack Branning and cousin of Lauren Branning.
      Kitty Castledine made her debut as Penny Branning on EastEnders on New Year’s DayCredit: BBC
      Former Wimbledon and Wycombe player Stewart Castledine is Kitty’s fatherCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But what many EastEnders fans may not be aware of is her famous family.
      Not only is her mum Lucy Alexander a former host of Homes Under The Hammer, but her dad and brother have made names for themselves in football.
      Kitty’s father, Stewart Castledine, 50, spent nine years playing for Wimbledon.
      That included six seasons in the Premier League where he made 26 appearances, scoring four goals.
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      He also featured in the second tier for Wycombe.
      And Kitty’s brother is Chelsea youngster Leo Castledine, 19.

      The teenager has played six times for the Blues’ U21 side since joining from Wimbledon in 2020.
      He has also earned three caps for England’s U19s.
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      Kitty, right, with her presenter mum Lucy AlexanderCredit: Instagram / @lucyalexandertv
      Kitty is set to become a regular on EastEndersCredit: Instagram / @kittycastledine
      Leo Castledine could make his first-team debut for Chelsea on SaturdayCredit: Alamy
      Leo has appeared as an unused substitute in four of Mauricio Pochettino’s squads so far this season.
      And he could be given his first-team debut when they host Championship side Preston in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.
      Before committing to football, Leo was also a part of the academy at Harlequins rugby.
      (L-R) Stewart, Kitty, Lucy and Leo have all made names for themselvesCredit: Instagram / @kittycastledine
      Lucy previously hosted Homes Under The HammerCredit: PA:Press Association More

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      Five Man Utd stars that could still leave in January transfer window as Erik ten Hag brutally clears out deadwood

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      MANCHESTER UNITED could offload FIVE more players in the January transfer window.Sir Jim Ratcliffe has completed his 25 per cent takeover of the club and is ready to be in charge of football operations.
      Erik ten Hag is ready to axe five more players this JanuaryCredit: AFP
      The British billionaire is keen to overhaul United’s transfer setup and get rid of expensive flops signed by the old regime.
      Meanwhile, Donny van de Beek has joined Eintracht Frankfurt on loan in a deal that could become permanent in the summer.
      And Sergio Reguilon has had his contract terminated, returning to Tottenham after just four months at Old Trafford.
      Erik ten Hag is set to continue shifting deadwood from the squad with more departures expected.
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      Jadon Sancho
      Sancho’s Man Utd nightmare will end this month with a move back to Borussia Dortmund reportedly on the cards.
      The winger has not played since September following his public spat with Ten Hag.
      Sancho said he was felt he was made a “scapegoat” by his boss and he has been banned from training after refusing to apologise.
      Dortmund are now in talks to re-sign the England star on loan with the Red Devils set to help cover his £350,000-per-week wages.
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      The 23-year-old is open to returning to Germany, where scored 50 goals in 137 games between 2017 and 2021.
      Jadon Sancho looks set to return to Borussia DortmundCredit: Getty
      Anthony Martial
      With his contract expiring in the summer, Martial could also be part of the clear out.
      Man Utd have the option to trigger a one-year extension but reports claim the club have no plans to keep him.
      They could choose to cash in this month to avoid losing him for free.
      Fenerbahce, Marseille and Inter Milan have all been linked with the forward.
      United have no plans to extend Anthony Martial’s deal that ends in the summerCredit: AP
      Casemiro
      Ratcliffe is keen to stop United paying over the odds for players with their best days behind them.
      After a good first year, Casemiro has struggled with injuries and form this term.
      United are open to selling the midfielder should a big enough offer come in.
      Reports state that Ratcliffe and Ten Hag accept they will not be able to recoup the £70million they paid for him 18 months ago.
      But the club are hoping to receive a hefty fee from a Saudi Arabian side.
      Director of football John Murtough has reportedly held talks with chiefs in the Middle East as United try to offload players.
      Man Utd could cash in on Casemiro amid interest from Saudi ArabiaCredit: AP
      Raphael Varane
      Another supposedly mentioned by Murtough was Varane.
      The centre-back could leave on a free at the end of the season after the Red Devils declined to trigger an extension in his contract.
      He can talk to foreign clubs this month, fuelling rumours of an early departure.
      Varane has fallen out of favour with Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans moving ahead of him in the pecking order.
      The Frenchman has been linked with a move to Lens and a Saudi Arabian side.
      Raphael Varane is able to negotiate with foreign sides this month ahead of a summer exitCredit: Alamy
      Sofyan Amrabat
      Amrabat has failed to impress since arriving from Fiorentina on loan in the summer.
      There have been claims that Ten Hag is already open to replacing him this month amid reports there is interest in Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana.
      Amrabat’s deal at Old Trafford contains an option to make the move a permanent one at the end of the season.
      Read more on The Sun
      But SunSport exclusively revealed the club has no plans to trigger that clause due to feeling that the Moroccan does not suit the Premier League.
      Similarly to Reguilon, there has been speculation Man Utd could even try to rip up his contract and see his loan spell cut short.
      Sofyan Amrabat could be replaced this monthCredit: Alamy More