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      Liverpool recall club legend Ian Rush’s nephew tipped to reach very top after ‘outstanding’ loan spell

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      OWEN BECK has been recalled from his Dundee loan by Liverpool to help solve their left-back crisis.Boss Jurgen Klopp is without first-choice left-backs Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas through injury.
      Owen Beck has been recalled by Liverpool after a superb loan with DundeeCredit: Kenny Ramsay
      Beck is the nephew of Liverpool icon Ian RushCredit: Alamy
      Scotland captain Robertson is not expected to return this month following the dislocated shoulder he sustained against Spain in October.
      Greece defender Tsimikas also faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after he suffered a broken collarbone in a freak collison with Klopp in the 1-1 draw against Arsenal on December 23.
      That has forced Liverpool boss Klopp to cut short Beck’s season-long loan north of the border at Dens Park.
      Beck, 21, played 20 times and scored twice for the Scottish Premiership side this season and won a debut Wales call-up from Robert Page in October.
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      The U21 defender was on the bench for the friendly against Gibraltar in Wrexham but failed to make an appearance.
      Dundee heaped praise on the full-back as he departed the club.
      A statement read: “Owen has been outstanding on and off the field.
      “We would like to thank him for all he has given and wish him all the very best for the future.
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      “Owen will always be welcomed back in Dundee.”
      Beck, who played for Klopp’s men in two pre-season friendlies in 2021, will be hoping to emulate his great-uncle by becoming a Liverpool legend.
      Rush is the Reds’ all-time top scorer with 346 goals in 660 appearances.
      He won five league titles, three FA Cups, five League Cups and two European Cups across two spells at Anfield. More

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      Chelsea ‘can exploit little-known loophole’ to loan out Ian Maatsen if £30million Borussia Dortmund transfer collapses

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      CHELSEA star Ian Maatsen could leave the club on loan this month thanks to a loophole in the Fifa rules.Maatsen, 21, has made 15 appearances for Blues this season after spending last season at Burnley.
      Chelsea can loan out Ian Maatsen thanks to a loopholeCredit: Getty
      But he has only started three times so manager Mauricio Pochettino could be open to letting him leave.
      He is wanted by the Clarets once more and could join Vincent Kompany’s side on loan.
      Chelsea already have seven players out on loan – Romelu Lukaku, Hakim Ziyech, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Diego Moreira, Angelo, David Datro Fofana and Gabriel Slolina – which is the maximum allowed by Fifa.
      However since Maatsen is categorised as an Under-21, he does not fall under the Fifa limitation.
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      The left-back is also attracting interest from Borussia Dortmund who are understood to be plotting a £30million transfer.
      Chelsea could be keen to cash in to help ease financial fair play pressures.
      Conor Gallagher could be sold to Tottenham for similar reasons, with Todd Boehly likely to re-invest the earnings into yet more signings.
      Maatsen’s contract expires in 18 months and there has been no talks over an extension.
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      SunSport revealed Manchester City are keen on him with Pep Guardiola plotting a January swoop. More

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      Newcastle transfer for Kalvin Phillips ‘in doubt’ as two Premier League rivals ready to sign wantaway England star

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      NEWCASTLE could be pipped to Kalvin Phillips’ signature by two Premier League rivals, according to reports.Toon have been heavily linked with a move for the Manchester City midfielder this month.
      Newcastle are stalling over a move for Kalvin PhillipsCredit: Getty
      But they are stalling as signing Phillips could disrupt their long-term plans.
      Phillips, 28, is available to leave on loan after featuring just ten times for City this season.
      But the champions are demanding a £5million loan fee which could include an obligation to buy for a similar amount they bought him for – £40m.
      According to iNews, that is what could be proving to be a sticking point for Newcastle, despite Eddie Howe reportedly being a fan of the England star.
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      The Magpies might be able to afford Phillips and could be willing to make the deal happen – but it could have a knock-on effect on their business in the summer.
      That’s because Financial Fair Play restrictions will limit the amount the club can spend, with Newcastle likely lining up targets for the summer who may not be available this month.
      Newcastle will reportedly save any business they do until later in January – that could allow other clubs to swoop for Phillips.
      Crystal Palace and Fulham have been linked to the former Leeds ace and would be able to offer regular game time ahead of the Euros this summer.
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      Phillips has also attracted interest on the continent with Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain also eyeing a loan deal.
      City would likely prefer a permanent sale and use the money they get for Phillips on signing Fulham star Joao Palhinha. More

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      Erik ten Hag’s agent ruffling feathers at Man Utd with approaches to academy stars amid growing transfer influence

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      DONNY VAN DE BEEK has been put out of his misery at Manchester United by joining Eintracht Frankfurt on loan.Arriving from Ajax in a £40million deal in 2020 and on wages of £125,000 a week, Van de Beek is one of many recent disasters at Old Trafford.
      Donny van de Beek has been put out of his misery at Manchester United by joining Eintracht Frankfurt on loanCredit: Getty
      Manager Erik ten Hag has been rightly hammered for his terrible moves in the transfer market, most notably winger Antony (£85.5m) midfielder Casemiro (£70m) and keeper Andre Onana (47.2m).
      England midfielder Mason Mount (£60m) has been hit with injuries and £72m forward Rasmus Hojlund is a raw talent.
      Even so, former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must still take a huge amount of blame for his own poor signings — and United are still paying the price.
      While there were other people in the background, including the recruitment department, United did not sign a single player without the nod from Ole.
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      So on top of Van de Beek, the arrivals of Jadon Sancho, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and the return of Cristiano Ronaldo were all signed off by the Norwegian.
      Mind you, Solskjaer also bought some poor players at Cardiff.
      Yesterday marked ten years since he took over in South Wales and club owner Vincent Tan made it clear his lucky number was eight.
      Ole’s first signing was Magnus Wolff Eikrem from Heerenveen, a midfielder the coach had worked with at Molde.
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      Maybe it was a handy coincidence that Eikrem’s birthdate was August 8.
      However, back at United and you would still rate Ten Hag’s record in the transfer market — considering the sums spent — worse than Solskjaer’s.
      There has also been alarm over his agent, Kees Vos, and his growing involvement in transfers at the club.
      Vos’ Sports Entertainment Group represent Hojlund, who joined the agency a month before the United deal went through.
      They also acted on behalf of United during negotiations to bring Sofyan Amrabat on loan from Fiorentina.
      Equally, SunSport understands that SEG have ruffled the feathers of the agents of some of United’s younger players in the academy.
      SEG, as does happen in football, have tried to get the players to leave their current agents and move over to them instead.
      Erik ten Hag has been rightly hammered for his terrible moves in the transfer marketCredit: AFP
      There has been alarm over Ten Hag’s agent Kees VosCredit: Instagram / keesvosseg More

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      How Man Utd keeper Andre Onana could miss ZERO games for his club side despite Cameroon Afcon call-up

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      ANDRE ONANA is set to join up with the Cameroon squad ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations later this month.But Manchester United want to keep him for as long as possible.
      Andre Onana could avoid missing any Man Utd gamesCredit: Getty
      The goalkeeper is set to be available for United’s FA Cup third-round clash with Wigan on Monday.
      However, according to the Mail, Erik ten Hag wants him to stay at Old Trafford for another week so that he can take part in next weekend’s match against Tottenham.
      The Red Devils face Spurs on January 14 – just one day before Cameroon’s opening Afcon match against Guinea.
      Should he play in the Premier League match, Onana will then have less than 24 hours to catch a seven-hour flight to Ivory Coast in time for Monday’s game.
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      Cameroon’s final group game is against Gambia on January 23.
      If Rigobert Song’s side are eliminated by that time, the goalkeeper could potentially return to Manchester in time for the FA Cup fourth round – assuming United defeat Wigan – meaning he would not have missed any games.
      However, if Cameroon make it to the final, Onana could miss up to four games.
      The 27-year-old has featured in every Man Utd match so far this season.
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      Meanwhile, Ten Hag’s No2, Altay Bayindir, is yet to make his first team debut.
      The Turkish international joined the Red Devils in a £4.3million transfer on deadline day. More

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      Jadon Sancho ‘on verge of joining Champions League giants in loan transfer with Man Utd talks very advanced’

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      JADON SANCHO is in advanced talks to leave Manchester United on loan. The winger – who joined in 2021 for £73million from Borussia Dortmund – has been frozen out of the squad since September.
      Jadon Sancho could leave Man Utd on loanCredit: Getty
      Sancho’s exclusion followed a public row with Erik ten Hag, and after the winger refused to apologise he was banished from the side.
      It leaves United looking to offload the England star, and according to Sky Sports in Germany, Dortmund are in talks to re-sign Sancho.
      The two clubs are back in negotiations for a loan deal with Dortmund paying a fee and United helping to cover his £350,000-per-week wages.
      Sancho is believed to be pushing for a return to Germany, where made 137 appearances with 50 goals.
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      And he could be at Dortmund’s training base as early as this week.
      The 23-year-old has not played for United since August having been dropped for the 3-1 away loss at Arsenal.
      And Ten Hag spoke out to reveal Sancho was dropped due to performances in training.
      The ex-England international took to social media to defend himself and claimed he was being used as a “scapegoat”.
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      But after refusing to apologise to Ten Hag it has seen Sancho frozen out of the United setup.
      United had been struggling to find a buyer for the misfit due to his high wages and the club’s refusal to send him to a Premier League rival.
      But Dortmund’s newfound interest in Sancho offers both the club and team a lifeline. More

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      Chelsea set to hijack Man Utd’s transfer move for Antonio Silva but told they will have to pay £87m release clause

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      CHELSEA are eyeing a move for Benfica’s Antonio Silva after scouting the defender.The 20-year-old is a target for the Blues as they look to bolster their defensive options this month.
      Chelsea want to hijack Manchester United’s move for Antonio SilvaCredit: Getty
      Silva was watched by Chelsea during Benfica’s 3-0 win over Famalicao on Friday, having been scouted by the club for several weeks.
      SunSport understand that the West London club see Silva as a potential new pillar in their defence.
      Recent signings Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile have failed to establish themselves since arriving at Stamford Bridge.
      Meanwhile, veteran defender Thiago Silva will turn 40 next season and could still leave when his contract expires in the summer.
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      As a result, Chelsea are now hoping to beat Manchester United and Liverpool to the signing of Silva.
      Talks have already taken place with Benfica, with an initial £52million proposal including Armando Broja rejected by the Portuguese side.
      Chelsea have instead been told they must meet Silva’s £87million release clause in order to sign him.
      The Portugal international has also been linked with United already this season.
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      According to reports, the Red Devils have made the defender their number one summer transfer target.
      Silva, who came through Benfica’s academy, has over three years remaining on his contract.
      At 20, he has already made 67 senior appearances, scoring six goals from defence, with 23 of those matches coming this term.
      The youngster has also won seven caps for Portugal and was a member of their 2022 World Cup squad. More

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      Raphael Varane vs Harry Maguire stats as Man Utd look to renegotiate contract but former could leave on FREE transfer

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      MANCHESTER UNITED defender Raphael Varane is poised to leave Old Trafford this summer.The 30-year-old has fallen down the pecking order in recent months, with Erik ten Hag even opting to start Jonny Evans over him on several occasions.
      Raphael Varane is set to leave Man Utd this summerCredit: Getty
      Harry Maguire’s form has significantly improved in recent monthsCredit: Getty
      His contract is set to expire in June – so there is a good chance that he will become a free agent at the end of the season.
      Man Utd have rejected the chance to trigger a 12-month extension, meaning Varane is now free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs.
      Meanwhile, the Red Devils are set to stick with Harry Maguire, who came close to leaving last summer.
      Maguire has enjoyed a fantastic turnaround this season, re-establishing his spot in Ten Hag’s starting line-up.
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      He was even named the Premier League’s Player of the Month for November.
      But how do the two Man Utd stars compare?
      SunSport look at how both Varane and Maguire have performed since the former joined United.
      Since the start of the 2021-22 season the two defenders have played a similar amount of games, with Varane turning out for 79 and Maguire for 85.
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      How Varane and Maguire compare
      The Frenchman has registered a higher percentage of passing accuracy, more clearances, a higher rate of aerial success and a higher rate of duel success than his United counterpart.
      He has also conceded fewer fouls and fewer goals than the England international at club level.
      And Varane has made zero errors leading to goals, while Maguire has made two.
      However, Maguire stands out in some key areas.
      The £80million man has made more tackles, more interceptions and has won possession more times than his French team-mate.
      And most importantly, Maguire has a better win percentage with 59% compared to Varane’s 53%.
      Man Utd have endured a poor season so far.
      They crashed out of the Champions League at the group stages last month and currently sit seventh in the Premier League table with just 31 points from 20 games. More