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      Marcus Rashford signs new five-year £375k-a-week Man Utd contract to become club’s best paid player

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      MARCUS RASHFORD has put pen to paper on a new contract worth a staggering £97.5M.The Manchester United striker will earn £375,000 a week for the next five years as the club’s highest-paid player
      Marcus Rashford has inked a bumper new five-year deal with Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
      The England star was in red-hot form last seasonCredit: AFP

      But relieved boss Erik ten Hag will believe he is worth every penny after months of wrangling with his previous contract due to run out in just under eleven months.
      Upon signing his new deal, Rashford said: “I joined Manchester United as a seven-year-old boy with a dream. That same passion, pride, and determination to succeed still drives me every time I have the honour of wearing the shirt.
      “I’ve already had some amazing experiences at this incredible club, but there is still a lot more to achieve and I remain relentlessly determined to win more trophies in the years ahead.
      “As a United fan all my life, I know the responsibility that comes with representing this badge and feel the highs and lows as much as anyone.
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      “I can assure you that I will give everything to help the team reach the level we are capable of, and I can feel the same determination around the dressing room.
      “I couldn’t be more excited for the future under this manager.”
      The 25-year-old flirted with Paris Saint-Germain during long-running negotiations.
      And a clutch of mega-wealthy Saudi clubs were waiting to pounce for the front man who blasted back to form last season after suffering two years of injuries with 30 goals in 56 games.
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      While he always wanted to re-commit himself to the club he joined 18 years ago the England star was also determined to vastly increase his £200,000-per-week wage and get something approaching the going rate paid to the game’s biggest names.
      Now he is the fourth-highest earner in England behind top-paid Manchester City striker Erling Haaland who can earn up to £865,000 a week with bonuses.
      Haaland’s club mate Kevin De Bruyne and Mo Salah at Liverpool rack up £400,000 a week with add-ons although like the Norwegian, Belgian and Egyptian their basic salary is the same as Rashford’s.
      Confirmation of his signature on the deal that keeps him at Old Trafford until 2028 came as a double boost to Ten Hag.
      Not long before United made the announcement that Rashford had formally signed on again there was news that Andre Onana was flying into Manchester to complete his move from Inter Milan.
      The replacement for ex-No1 David de Gea will also sign a five-year contract after a medical tomorrow after the clubs agreed a fee that could total £47.2M with £43.8M up front.
      Ten Hag believes that local lad Rashford’s best is yet to come.

      Speaking ahead of his side’s final match of the season in May, he said: “Yes, I think there is more to come from Marcus.
      “There’s a lot of room for improvement in his game and I’m convinced he can score even more.
      “When you take, for instance, the last 10 games he didn’t score many goals.
      “I think only two or three, so yes he can improve.
      “I am happy about what he has done. He has brought himself back.
      Erik ten Hag believes Marcus Rashford has yet to fulfil his true potentialCredit: GETTY
      “We supported him where we could, with the way we play but also in his mental mindset.
      “We are happy with him, but we must push him more.
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      “I think Marcus is capable of scoring 40 goals in a season. For him, that’s the next step.”
      Rashford and his United team-mates will kick off their Premier League campaign on August 14 with a home match against Wolves. More

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      Destiny Udogie on coming back to a completely new Tottenham now Postecoglou is in charge – and his ‘Good News’ name

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      TOTTENHAM finally have some Good News.Destiny Udogie signed a year ago from Udinese for £15million but went straight back on loan to the Italian club, so it is only now that fans will see him in a Spurs shirt.
      Destiny Udogie and Guglielmo Vicario take part in a children’s training session with the Telethon Charity while on tour in Perth, Australia
      The translation of his Nigerian first name Iyenoma literally translates to “Good News”.
      Supporters will hope that is exactly what the left-back brings after all the doom and gloom of last season.
      Udogie, 20, said: “I’ve known (what his name means) for five years when I asked my mum, and she told me ‘Good News’. It’s a good name.”
      The Italy Under-21 international watched as many Spurs games as he could last season to swot up on his new team and what the Premier League entails.
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      It must have made for grim viewing though as his parent club suffered a car-crash campaign.
      Antonio Conte, the manager who signed Udogie, left in March after a press conference meltdown where he hammered the players before Spurs eventually finished eighth and out of the European places.
      Udogie returns to a much-changed club with Ange Postecoglou now at the helm.
      Yet when asked if it felt strange to come back to such a different environment than the one he thought he was joining 12 months ago, the defender replied: “Not really, because I never played here last season so it didn’t affect me anyway.
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      “The new gaffer is really good. I’m ready to work for him.
      “The Premier League is a difficult league. Every year, it turns.
      “But the team was good, just not lucky with the season.
      “I know it is a big league, a very challenging league. I have confidence, I feel ready.”
      Udogie – pronounced “Oooh-doggy” – talked in flawless English as that was the language spoken in his household growing up.
      Born in Verona, the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, his first and only love was football.
      Udogie in action for Udinese, where he spent last season on loan from SpursCredit: Rex
      It was his mum who first encouraged his passion for the game after noticing that “when I was a baby, I was kicking everything I saw around the house”.
      He joined Hellas Verona aged ten from a local team, before joining Udinese in 2021 and then on to Spurs a year later, despite talk of interest from Brighton and Manchester City.
      Udogie is a defender who loves to attack, netting eight Serie A goals in the last two seasons, and who idolised legendary Real Madrid left-back Marcelo growing up.
      On the five-time Champions League winner, Udogie added: “I love the way he played football. It was so clean, the technique, the style, everything.”
      Udogie is more of a natural wing-back than a full-back, but is likely to have to adapt to the latter position with Postecoglou expected to play 4-3-3 this term.
      Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou at the WACA cricket groundCredit: Rex
      Harry Kane has helped Udogie settle in at SpursCredit: Rex
      Yet the whizkid said: “I’m good because when I started I was a left-back. So it’s not a problem for me. I know how to play it and it’s normal.”
      Postecoglou has previously claimed he never has more than one-minute conversations with his players, and Udogie confirmed his chats so far have been brief.
      The 6ft2in ace added: “He doesn’t speak a lot but you can see he knows football. He doesn’t need to speak too much, it’s good.
      “I like his idea of football. He wants to play football with the ball. It’s not like I defend and I counter-attack. I want to have the ball, so it’s different.”
      Harry Kane is among those who have been particularly welcoming to Udogie as he tries to gel with the group.
      While the defender has been helped by the arrival of fellow Italian Guglielmo Vicario, who sees Udogie as his “little brother”.
      A basketball and tennis fan, Udogie stayed up late out here in Australia to watch his hero Novak Djokovic lose the Wimbledon final to Carlos Alcaraz in an enthralling epic.
      Entertainment is all most Spurs fans are asking for this season after the dull fare served up by Conte, Nuno Espirito Santo and Jose Mourinho. 
      Asked if supporters will have that wish granted this term, Udogie replied: “Definitely.
      “We have a very good team and I feel like this is going to be a good season for us.
      Read More on The Sun
      “We’re going to play good football.”
      Destiny Udogie was speaking at a Tottenham Hotspur Global Football Development session with beneficiaries from Telethon, one of the largest charities in WA that raises funds to deliver programmes for sick, vulnerable, and disadvantaged children. The participants were also invited to the team’s open training session in Perth from which all proceeds will be donated to Telethon. More

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      I renovated houses after injury ended my Premier League career but I’ve still managed 16 Champions League games

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      CRAIG HARRISON had to retire from football after a career-ending injury and renovated houses – until he rediscovered his passion and returned as a manager.Harrison started his professional career at Middlesbrough in 1996 and made 22 appearances, also being loaned out to Preston North End and Crystal Palace.
      Craig Harrison’s Premier League dreams were shattered at the age of 26 after an injuryCredit: Alamy
      Harrison spent three years renovating and selling houses after his injuryCredit: Getty
      The former defender signed a permanent deal with Palace 13 years ago and played in 44 matches until 2003 when he suffered an horrific injury.
      It was during a reserve game when a bad tackle led to a double compound fracture in the Gateshead native’s left leg and ended his career at the age of 26.
      Harrison told talkSPORT: “It’s every boy’s dream to be a professional footballer. Especially in the north-east of England which is a hotbed of football.
      “You have got people like Paul Gascoigne to look up to, etc. You get the opportunity to play for Middlesbrough in the Premier League and then move on to Crystal Palace in the Championship.
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      “You are probably just about to come into your prime before an injury like that, it turns your life upside-down and not for the better.”
      Harrison spent 19 months rehabilitating and went under the knife three times.
      Sadly, however, he never managed to return to the pitch and spent three years renovating as well as selling properties.
      He wanted nothing to do with football at that time and wouldn’t even watch games on TV.
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      However, Harrison found his way back to the sport as a manager in 2008 and has since found success in Wales where he is in charge of The New Saints.
      And he has led TNS to seven league titles, four Welsh Cups and three Welsh League Cups.
      Harrison has also managed 15 Champions League qualifiers and is now set for his 16th when his team hosts Hacken tonight in the first round.
      He will draw level with Frank Lampard’s 16 matches – although the Chelsea legend has taken charge of all of his games from the group stage onwards.
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      Harrison now manages The New Saints and is about to equal Frank Lampard’s Champions League recordCredit: Getty
      Only Sir Bobby Robson is ahead of them with the most matches managed by an Englishman in Europe’s elite competition with 30 under his belt.
      Harrison added: “You look at it, Sir Bobby Robson has been one of the best managers England have ever seen. You can’t put yourself on the same pedestal as that. But I am still very proud to represent TNS in the Champions League.
      “You see a lot of managers in the Championship and Premier League who don’t get to put their wits against the most elite club competition in Europe against the best players and managers.
      “It is a great opportunity, it is something I never thought I’d get into as soon as I broke my leg.
      “I spent two or three years away from football before getting involved again and within the space of 10 years I have done all my coaching badges, got the love of football back and used it to drive me every single day.
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      “I feel like it is a bit of just service done after having it taken away from me too early.
      “Every opportunity I get now, I embrace it, I run with it and try make the most of it.” More

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      Fans say ‘no DNA test needed’ as ex-Premier League maverick’s son scores rabona wondergoal

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      FANS are saying that “no DNA test is needed” after Dimitri Payet shared one of his son’s goals on Twitter.The ex-West Ham star, 36, shared a clip of his son scoring the sensational strike as he wished him a happy birthday.
      Payet is no stranger to a wonder goal…Credit: AFP
      … And it seems his son isn’t either after scoring an audacious rabonaCredit: twitter @dimpayet17
      Dimitri Payet with his son at Euro 2016, where he was one of the players of the tournamentCredit: PA:Press Association
      The video shows the ball rolling out to the youngster, who expertly executes a rabona from the edge of the area.
      Payet, who left West Ham for Marseille in 2017, was well known for his wondergoals for the Hammers.
      And fans were quick to draw comparisons between father and son.
      One fan wrote: “The same mastery as his Dad! Happy birthday to him.”
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      Another added: “For a very long time we have known that this little one has a technique well above the average! It’s in the genes! Well done little one.”
      A third wrote: “Like father, like son. The success is assured. A Ballon d’Or is in sight.”
      While a fourth said: “No DNA test needed!”
      A fifth pleaded with Payet to stay at Marseille one more year as the attacking midfielder enters the twilight of his career in the south of France.
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      They said: “Take us out for a legendary season and win your trophy with OM you deserve it the best 10 in the world.”
      Payet was a fan favourite at West Ham and his performances at the club from 2015 until 2017 saw him become a regular in the French national team.
      But he left the London Stadium under a cloud after a protracted transfer saga.
      Reflecting on his decision to leave the Hammers, Payet said he looks back on his time in claret and blue fondly and asked fans to forgive his decision to leave.
      He said: “I spent 18 months [at West Ham] full of emotions and excitement after Euro 2016 but no, I don’t have any regrets. It was a choice I made, a personal choice and a family-based choice as well.
      “Since I left West Ham I have stayed at Marseille, I haven’t gone to any other club and don’t intend on going to any other club so it wasn’t leaving for the sake of leaving.
      “It was a personal decision, a family decision and yeah, it was a pretty brutal break I suppose when I left, that’s true, but I hope over the course of the years West Ham fans have come to understand why I left.
      “I would certainly like and hope to think that.” More

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      Willian’s emotional Fulham transfer return spoiled by ‘cracking’ wardrobe malfunction in dressing room

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      WILLIAN’S emotional Fulham return was spoiled by a “cracking” wardrobe malfunction.SunSport revealed the Brazilian winger did not report for pre-season duty after initially failing to agree a new deal.
      Willian returned to the Fulham dressing room – but one player was caught out on cameraCredit: Instagram
      Harrison Reed and Andreas Pereira were delighted to see the winger backCredit: Instagram
      But now the former Chelsea and Arsenal star has put pen to paper on a fresh contract.
      The 34-year-old signed a one-year extension at Craven Cottage for the 2023-24 season after speculation linking him with Nottingham Forest.
      But an unidentified player inadvertently ruined Andreas Pereira’s video welcoming Willian back into the Fulham dressing room.
      The clip, posted on the midfielder’s Instagram page, showed a beaming Willian greeted by Harrison Reed.
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      However, in the background, one oblivious team-mate clearly did not realise any filming was taking place.
      As a result, he failed to pull up his boxers while getting changed – and instead revealed the top of his backside in a hilarious blooper.
      Unsurprisingly, fans piled in on social media with witty responses.
      One said: “Cracking start to the day.”
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      Another wrote: “Big question is whose crack is that on the right?!”
      A third added: “What crack-ing photo.”
      And a final user joked the mystery football in question was Crack Grealish.
      Fulham face Brentford, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Hoffenheim in pre-season before beginning their 2023-24 Premier League campaign at Everton on August 12.
      The Cottagers will be hopeful of matching their impressive tenth-placed finish from last term, especially having re-signed Willian.
      The forward managed five goals and six assists in 27 games in his debut season for Fulham.
      On rejoining for another year, he said: “I’m completely happy.
      “Happy to continue the work I did last season with all my team-mates and the whole club.
      “I think it’s a club that can do even better this season, so I’m happy to continue this amazing adventure.”
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      Fulham brought in Chris Donnell to join the development squad and continue to be linked with more summer transfer targets, including Fred, Timothy Castagne and Brazil midfielder Andre.
      However, they face a battle to keep hold of West Ham-target Paulinha and Alexandar Mitrovic, with the star striker reportedly telling the club he wants to move to Saudi Arabia.
      Willian enjoyed a fine season with the Cottagers last termCredit: PA More

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      West Ham star Danny Ings looks unrecognisable as a skinhead vs Spurs as he waits for £17,000 hair transplant to kick in

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      DANNY INGS looked unrecognisable during West Ham’s friendly win over Tottenham as he waits for a hair transplant to kick in.The Hammers ace has been a regular in England’s top flight with his dark hair, but he has now decided to give it a boost by paying in the region of £17,000 for a transplant.
      Danny Ings is the latest football to invest in a hair transplantCredit: Mayfair Hair Clinic
      He showed off the look during West Ham’s pre-season win over TottenhamCredit: Alamy
      Ings, 30, was snapped at the Mayfair Hair Clinic after his procedure with his head shaved and bandages on the sides.
      He is also shaking the hands of “Dr D” with a big smile on his face as he was happy with the process.
      The clinic charges between £12,000 and £17,000 for transplants and also can provide extras which can cost up to another £1,000.
      After getting the transplant Ings told the clinic which said: “A colleague recommended Mayfair Hair Clinic and they have exceeded my expectations – a level above the rest!”
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      And it was noticeable on the pitch as he netted West Ham’s opening goal against Spurs.
      The Hammers managed to finish the game with a 3-2 win as Gianluca Scamacca netted a winner in the closing stages.
      The former Southampton striker is not the first star in the Premier League to have the procedure.
      Arsenal defender Rob Holding, Andros Townsend, former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney and ex-Chelsea manager Antonio Conte have all had a transplant.
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      Holding now boasts an incredible head of hair which he has to hold back with an alice band.
      Ings will be hoping his good form continues having netted in two of West Ham’s three pre-season games.
      Since moving to the London Stadium Ings has only scored three competitive goals in 22 appearances in all competitions.
      Although he did get his hands on a European medal as the Hammers won the Conference League against Fiorentina. More

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      Chelsea set to snap up England and Newcastle wonderkid Ollie Harrison, 15, as they build for the future

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      CHELSEA are set to sign Newcastle wonderkid Ollie Harrison, according to reports.New manager Mauricio Pochettino is rebuilding his squad after a horrific campaign last season that saw them finish 12th, but is still keeping an eye towards the future.
      Chelsea are set to sign Newcastle wonderkid Ollie HarrisonCredit: Getty
      According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the West Londoners are closing in on Harrison, 15, who is set to leave Newcastle this summer.
      Brighton and Wolves are also targeting the midfielder but Chelsea are leading the bidding war.
      The England Under-16 international will join the club’s esteemed academy if he puts pen to paper.
      Fans are excited with that potential addition and praised the club for thinking ahead.
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      One supporter tweeted: “The future is bright. Camon Chelsea.”
      Another commented: “We r cooking.”
      A third wrote: “We own the league.”
      This fan posted: “I’m a Chelsea fan and I must say, this is a very exciting transfer.
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      “We need more young talents to be able to compete with the like of Manchester City for the EPL this coming season.”
      And that one stated: “With Ollie Harrison playing for Chelsea for at least five years, the Blues will dominate the English Premier League for years to come.”
      Harrison has already experienced success in his young career as he was part of the England Under-16 side that won the Mondial Montaigu Tournament.
      That is the same competition that has seen a number of football stars compete during their youth, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry and Kylian Mbappe. More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo to be joined in Saudi Arabia by forgotten Man Utd star after club ‘agrees transfer’

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO could be joined in Saudi Arabia by one of his forgotten former Manchester United team-mates.Ronaldo, 38, sparked a mass of transfers to the Middle Eastern country when he signed for Al-Nassr in January.
      Alex Telles could be on his way to Al-NassrCredit: Getty
      And now he looks on course to be reunited with Alex Telles at the Saudi Pro League side.
      According to Fabrizio Romano, United are close to finalising a deal with Al-Nassr for the left-back, with a verbal agreement in place.
      It is thought the transfer will be sealed as soon as the documents and final checks are completed.
      Al-Nassr also want to land Lens’ former Manchester City academy midfielder Sefo Fofana.
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      Telles, 30, joined United from Porto in a £15.4million deal in 2020.
      However, he has struggled to make an impression at Old Trafford, failing to dislodge Luke Shaw from the spot.
      Tyrell Malacia also joined the Red Devils last summer, further pushing Telles down the pecking order.
      The 12-cap Brazil international spent last season on loan at Sevilla.
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      He made 38 appearances for the Spanish giants, including 94 minutes in the Europa League final as they beat Roma on penalties.
      But Telles has not reported for pre-season with United and looks set to be sold this summer.
      Al-Nassr have already brought in Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic this summer.
      The midfielder arrived fresh from reaching the Champions League final with Inter Milan.
      But their hopes of signing Hakim Ziyech fell through when he reportedly failed a medical and then refused a major pay cut.
      However, Al-Nassr were hit with a ban on registering new players by Fifa after refusing to pay £390,000 in add-ons they owe Leicester City for Ahmed Musa, who left the Foxes in 2018.
      And their pre-season woes took another hit when Ronaldo’s side were stuffed 5-0 in a friendly against Celta Vigo.
      Cristiano Ronaldo is the standout star at Al-NassrCredit: Getty
      Ronaldo and Telles were team-mates at Old TraffordCredit: Reuters More