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      Real Madrid ‘make William Saliba No1 transfer target’ but Arsenal convinced he would be world’s most expensive defender

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      REAL MADRID are prioritising a transfer swoop for Arsenal star William Saliba.Saliba, 23, has been established as one of the best defenders in the Premier League where he has formed a rock-solid duo with Gabriel Magalhaes at centre-back.Real Madrid see Arsenal star William Saliba as an ‘absolute priority’Credit: GettyArsenal wopuld only let Saliba leave for a record transfer feeCredit: RexAnd that has led to immense interest from some of the world’s elite clubs for the Gunners’ star.According to RMC Sport, Real have made the France international an “absolute priority” ahead of the summer transfer window.However, the North Londoners are demanding a massive fee for their star Frenchman.Arsenal see Saliba as the best centre-back in the world following two goals in 33 appearances across all competitions this season.Read More on ArsenalMikel Arteta’s side is not keen to sell the ex-Saint-Etienne star any time soon.However, if Arsenal have no option then they are planning to demand a hefty fee.The same source claims the Premier League giants are convinced Saliba will go down in history as the most expensive defender if he leaves the Emirates.That means Arsenal won’t consider any bid worth less than £80million.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThat is how much Manchester United splashed to sign Harry Maguire from Leicester in 2019 and made him the most expensive defender in football history.Saliba has a contract with Arsenal until 2027, which means the club is in no rush.Meet Ayden Heaven: Arsenal’s next William SalibaThe Frenchman joined the Gunners in 2019 from Saint-Etienne but was immediately sent back on loan to the French outfit to gain more experience.That led to more loan stints to Nice and Marseille until he was finally established in Arsenal’s first team in 2022.Since then, Saliba has stood out for Arteta’s side with a total of seven goals and two assists in 116 appearances. More

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      Man Utd rejected two loan offers from clubs in Italy for struggling striker in closing days of transfer window

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      MANCHESTER UNITED knocked back a couple of cheeky loan bids from Italy to land Rasmus Hojlund in the closing days of the transfer window.AC Milan made a tentative inquiry for the Danish striker, before they switched their sights to Chelsea’s Joao Felix after getting a firm no-go.Man Utd rejected several loan bids from Italian clubs for Rasmus HojlundCredit: GettyAnd former club Atalanta – who sold him to United 18 months ago – got the same answer when they asked about taking him back for the rest of the season.Hojlund, 22, has struggled to make an impact since his £64 million move, and has not scored a goal this calendar year.But with strikers in short supply at Old Trafford, United never entertained the idea of letting him leave.And sources insist Ruben Amorim still has faith that he will come good.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLUnited did let two other forwards go during the January window though.Flop winger Antony was packed off on loan to Real Betis.While £325,000-a-week misfit Marcus Rashford joined Aston Villa for the remainder of the season.United opted against signing a replacement for either man, with target Mathys Tel ending up at Tottenham on deadline day.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe Red Devils did manage to make one senior signing for Amorim.A cool £30million was dropped on Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu – who ended up making his debut on the RIGHT during yesterday’s controversial FA Cup win against Leicester.Fans spot Sir Alex Ferguson YAWNING as he watches woeful Man Utd – but get distracted by who he’s sitting next toHis arrival eventually saw Tyrell Malacia complete a return to Holland with PSV Eindhoven.And United are now fully focused on drawing up targets for this summer’s transfer window. More

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      Huge injury blow for Man City as £50m new signing Nico Gonzalez’s debut lasts just 22 minutes before he’s crocked

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      MANCHESTER CITY were hit with a huge injury blow as Nico Gonzalez’s debut lasted just 22 minutes. The midfielder signed for £50million from Porto in the January transfer window and started against Leyton Orient in the FA Cup. Nico Gonzalez went off injured on his City debutCredit: GettyBut Gonzalez went down injured off the ball on 20 minutes – and was replaced by Bernardo Silva just moments later. City were trailing at the time and now face hosting Real Madrid on Tuesday without their new man. But manager Pep Guardiola did breathe a sigh of relief when Abdukodir Khusanov levelled on 55 minutes. Defender Rico Lewis – who started at right-back – saw his effort on the edge of the box deflect off Khusanov and past keeper Josh Keeley.READ MORE IN footballIt came after Orient took a shock lead on 16 minutes when Jamie Donley’s stunner from halfway hit the bar and bounced off Stefan Ortega. Kevin de Bruyne – off the bench also – then put City ahead by poking a through ball past Orient’s Keeley to win the game 2-1. City new boy Gonzalez – who came through Barcelona’s academy and first team – started in midfield alongside Ilkay Gundogan. His arrival comes with Rodri still facing the prospect of missing the remainder of the season through injury. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe Spaniard ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during a 2-2 draw with Arsenal in September. Guardiola has history with Gonzalez having tracked his time at Barca’s youth set up. And he said: “It’s a position where we were weak after the absence from Rodri.”I know him from the Barcelona academy and his father was working here. “I’m really pleased from the effort of the club to bring him here for the next years.”Gonzalez signed from Porto More

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      Cole Palmer set for shock position change as Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca hints a new tactic for FA Cup tie at Brighton

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      ENZO MARESCA warned Cole Palmer could be forced into a change of position to help solve Chelsea’s injury crisis. The Blues travel to Brighton in the FA Cup fourth round tonight – but do so with attackers sidelined. Enzo Maresca warned Cole Palmer could be forced into a change of positionCredit: ReutersStrike pair Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu were both forced off in Chelsea’s 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge against West Ham on Monday. It leaves Christopher Nkunku and Palmer – who played through the middle for Maresca at Manchester City’s academy – as options to lead the line. Maresca said: “We have players. Christo has played already as a nine. I had Cole playing as a nine in the past. We can find some different solutions. “At the moment, we didn’t decide anything because we are still waiting for Nico and from there, we will see different options.”READ MORE IN footballPalmer is Chelsea’s top scorer this season with 14 – playing almost all of his football in the No10 role. He started on the right in the 2-0 opening day defeat against Premier League champions City – before remaning in the middle. Nkunku is behind Palmer with 13 goals this season but only two of those have come in the league. He has provided back up to Jackson – on nine goals – but Maresca says the Frenchman is best in the No10. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSNkunku – who came on against West Ham on the left – was linked with a move to Bayern Munich the January transfer window. But he stayed in West London and Maresca hinted at giving the former RB Leipzig star more minutes. Cole Palmer shows off his goal scoring skills at Chelsea Training He said: “I spoke last week already about Christo. “Probably against West Ham, he played more or less half an hour and hopefully from now on he can get more minutes and help us.” The Blues boss named Nkunku as one of the players who can help ease pressure off Palmer’s scoring shoulders.He said: “We have just 14 [league] games to go. It’s just 14 games, not a big number.“Since we started, Cole plays always, so I don’t think it is something that is going to make a difference for Cole. “Also we have Christo in that position. We can have different players who play there.”Christopher Nkunku is set for more game time at ChelseaCredit: Getty More

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      Former Premier League wonderkid makes emotional return to club 13 years after leaving as fans joke ‘I feel old’

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      FORMER wonderkid Freddie Sears has made an emotional return to West Ham.The striker burst onto the scene aged 18, scoring a late winner against Blackburn just five minutes into his debut in 2008.Freddie Sears has returned to West Ham to coach the club’s Under-12sCredit: PA:Press AssociationSears has not yet hung up his bootsCredit: GettyOver 500 appearances later, Sears has returned to his boyhood club to manage West Ham’s Under-12s.The 35-year-old has completed a Uefa B licence course to get his coaching career started.On his return to the Hammers, an emotional Sears said: “I hadn’t been back since I left in 2012. It was surreal being back in the building. Everyone’s made me so welcome. “I’ve loved being in the building. Being back at the club where I started has been fantastic.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“The first day I came back for coaching, I saw Kevin Keen, one of my coaches here. Mark Phillips too, I’ve known him all my life.”Zavon [Hines], who was in the scholarship year above me, is now coaching the Under-18s. I saw Nobes [Mark Noble] and Anton [Ferdinand] too. “It’s a really familiar club. When you come back, you feel like you’ve never been away.“For me, this is just the start. This year is about experience on and off the pitch.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”One of the boys I coach, his granddad used to coach me at West Ham. I’ve got a picture of it. It’s quite mad to have a full circle moment like that. “He coached me at Under-12s, and now I’m coaching his grandson at Under-12s. It’s a pinch yourself moment.”Graham Potter makes five-word comment the moment he entered press conference after West Ham clashSears, who was capped three times by England’s Under-21s, had spells at Crystal Palace, Coventry and Colchester in his career.After loans away from Upton Park, he established himself at Ipswich, where he played 218 times.Sears has not hung up his boots just yet, however, and he balances his new coaching role with playing for non-league Chatham Town.West Ham fans can not believe the once teenage sensation is now back to help the nurture the next star to come through the club’s famous academy.One said: “Time flies, I remember his debut. I’m feeling old again.”Another added: “Good to see you back Freddie, once a Hammer, always a Hammer.” More

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      Under-fire Tottenham boss Postecoglou finally breaks silence on EFL boss’ injury jibe with brutal 10-word response

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      ANGE POSTECOGLOU hit back at Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens after his tongue-in-cheek comment about Tottenham’s injury crisis.Spurs have tumbled down to 14th place in the Premier League table amid a turbulent campaign that has seen manager Postecoglou losing a raft of key players to injury.Ange Postecoglou addressed Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens’ comments about Tottenham’s injury crisisCredit: GettyTottenham boss Postecoglou stated Wellens had his ‘five minutes’Credit: GettyDominic Solanke, Guglielmo Vicario, Destiny Udogie, Brennan Johnson, Timo Werner, Wilson Odobert, Fraser Forster Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Radu Dragusin are all sidelined.The Aussie tactician has often pointed to that continuous problem after a series of poor results, and management appear to agree with him as he still has their support.But Wellens, 44, decided to poke some fun on Postecoglou after his team’s 1-0 defeat to Stockport last week at Brisbane Road after their own injury crisis got worse.Asked if injuries were to blame for the defeat, Wellens responded: “I’m not Ange Postecoglou and keep using it as an excuse.”Read More on FootballPostecoglou caught wind of that jibe and addressed it after Tottenham saw their Carabao Cup hopes go up in flames by Liverpool who beat them 4-0 at Anfield on Thursday in the semi-finals.The ex-Celtic boss was very brief but extremely direct when he stated Wellens had his “five minutes”.Postecoglou said: “I don’t know how it’s a narrative when you are just stating facts.”If people don’t see a situation where you are missing something significant there is nothing I can say to that. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”If they say, ‘Well, that shouldn’t really make a difference’ I don’t know how to answer that. “I get that people’s senses get dulled or people get bored – everyone wants a bit of drama. But that’s not drama, that’s just stating facts.Postecoglou bemoans Tottenham’s lacklustre effort against Liverpool “We have been missing some really key players for a long time and have had to deal with that. Whether people see that as significant or not… “If people think I’m trying to create a story out of nothing I don’t know what to say about that. And as for other managers, mate, he’s had his five minutes so lets move on.”Asked if Wellens had contacted him to apologise personally, Postecoglou responded: “He’s had his five minutes, that’s good enough for me.”Wellens, though, did apologise for his “stupid comment” soon after with a long statement.Wellens apologisesTottenham and Orient have had a close relationship in recent years with Jamie Donley and Josh Keeley on loan at the east London club from the Premier League giants this season and performing well.Tottenham Women also regularly play their home games at the O’s Brisbane Road, while the League One side borrowed a heated dome for their pitch from Spurs in 2022.In an official statement on the club’s website, Wellens said: “After today’s game, I was asked about the injuries within our squad and, without thinking, I made a stupid comment about Tottenham Hotspur.“That comment was brought to my attention later in the evening and having watched my interview back I am deeply embarrassed and regret what I said.READ MORE SUN STORIES“At Leyton Orient, we have a strong relationship with Tottenham Hotspur and it was never my intention to say anything that would jeopardise that.“Their manager, Ange Postecoglou, is a world-class coach and I want to apologise for my comments and wish Spurs all the very best for the second half of the season.” More

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      Pep Guardiola promises to reveal all over Man City being charged for 130 financial breaches

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      PEP GUARDIOLA promised he will speak out on Manchester City’s war with the Premier League.The City boss expects a verdict NEXT MONTH after the champions were charged with 130 financial rule breaches.Pep Guardiola WILL tell all about Man City’s chargesCredit: GettyCity splashed out £175million on four new signings in the January window amid talk they were fearing a transfer embargo punishment.Guardiola denied that, insisting: “I do not agree but my words will not convince people our attributes are just being in a wealthy position.“In one month there will be a verdict and sentence and after we will see my opinion of what happened so far.”City deny all the charges but face a huge points deduction — or even relegation — if they are found guilty following a three-month hearing, which concluded just before Christmas.Read More in FootballThe Etihad club today launched another legal battle against the Premier League — demanding the latest sponsorship rules are declared ILLEGAL.City signed Nico Gonzalez for £50m on deadline day after also bringing in Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Omar Marmoush last month.They also handed star striker Erling Haaland a mega ten-year contract.But Guardiola added: “In the last five years, we are the last team in the top six for net spend.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“Even after what we have spent in this transfer window, we are away from Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham — even Liverpool.“The only reason is we sell a lot in the last seasons. Even with that I know this club, it’s always ‘just about the money’.”Meet Man City signing Nico Gonzalez, who is son of Pep Guardiola’s former team-mate and could be £50m Rodri solution Explaining further about the club’s net spend, he said: “In the last ten years we are third.“In the last five, even with what we won, we are behind the other top six teams. So I’m sorry for the comments and that is why I don’t agree.”City have also challenged the Prem over their rules on sponsorship deals.The club’s lawyers told the League they want another arbitration hearing into Associated Party Transaction rules.The regulations are designed to prevent commercial deals with companies linked to club owners from being above a fair market value.An independent panel found aspects of the League’s rules to be “unlawful” last autumn.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd City claim that remains the case despite top-flight clubs’ subsequent 16-4 vote in favour of tweaks to the rules.Prem chief executive Richard Masters said: “The Premier League remains strongly of the view that the APT rules comply with all competition law requirements.” More

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      Legendary football commentator Clive Tyldesley shares photo from hospital bed as he provides health update

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      CLIVE TYLDESLEY issued a medical update after being admitted to hospital.Tyldesley, 70, shared a selfie showing him in a hospital bed, but thankfully had some great news.Clive Tyldesley was admitted to hospital but thankfully had some good newsCredit: X @CliveTyldesleyTyldesley is one of the greatest match commentatorsCredit: PAThe legendary broadcaster wouldn’t go into any detail as to what happened to him.However, the CBS Sports star reassured his audience by stating he is “fine”.The ITV great also praised the NHS for the amazing care he received by staff.Tyldesley posted on social media: “Another great NHS experience today. I’m so grateful for the expertise, care and smiles I got today. And I’m fine!!”Read More on FootballFans stormed Twitter to wish their favourite commentator a speedy recovery.One fan tweeted: “All the best!”Another commented: “Hope all is well Clive.”A third wrote: “Get well soon.”Most read in FootballThis fan said: “Sending all our love and well wishes Clive.”And that one wished: “Commentating GOAT. Get well soon legend.”TV Legend Clive Tyldesley in position for his last ever commentary gameTyldesley issued a further update soon after, this time wearing headphones.The journalist had even more good news as he confirmed he will be at the Etihad on Tuesday for the Champions League blockbuster clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid.Tyldesley posted: “My post was about the excellence of the NHS. I’m absolutely fine and watching the game. “I’ll be at the Etihad next Tuesday. They were just looking for something and found nothing – barely a brain cell!”Tyldesley’s stunning career kicked off in 1975 when he started out at Radio Trent.He then joined the BBC in 1992 and enjoyed a successful four-year stint.That led him to ITV in 1998 where he called some of the biggest matches until 2024.Tyldesley confirmed he will be at the Etihad on Tuesday for Manchester City vs Real Madrid More