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      Arsenal legend Aaron Ramsey a surprise name in French club’s pre-season plans

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      AARON RAMSEY is expected to return for pre-season training with Nice next week.The Wales captain, 32, has failed to agree terms on a new long-term deal with the Ligue 1 club.
      Ramsey is due for pre-season training with Nice’s international players next weekCredit: Alamy
      Boyhood club Cardiff remain in the frame for Wales captain RamseyCredit: PA:Press Association
      Talks are still on-going over Ramsey’s future options with boyhood club Cardiff interested.
      But, at this stage, the ex-Arsenal and Juventus star midfielder is due to travel back to the south of France this weekend.
      A Nice statement on their official website read: “The rest of the players who were involved in international matches over the summer: Kasper Schmeichel (Denmark), Aaron Ramsey (Wales), Khephren Thuram (France U21s) and Ayoub Amraoui (Morocco U21s) will join up with the squad next week.”
      The fact Nice have included Ramsey as a player for their pre-season plans adds another layer of complication on his uncertain future.
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      SunSport have tried to contact Ramsey’s representatives to clarify whether he triggered another 12-month contract with the French club after playing a certain number of matches last season.
      Ramsey played 34 games, scoring just once – and Nice’s latest move appears to confirm he is under contract with them.
      As it stands, Ramsey’s future remains in limbo but there is still plenty of time left in the current transfer window for a decision to be made.
      However, if Ramsey is no longer a free agent then it may become tougher for him to move this summer as Nice could command a transfer fee and that could deter suitors such as Cardiff.
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      Another option for Ramsey would be to release himself from his contract and forfeit any wages owed.
      Ramsey has previously held talks with Cardiff and said he would love to rejoin the Bluebirds ‘one day’.
      The midfielder is keen to play his football closer to home with his family set to remain in south Wales.
      Ramsey joined Nice last summer after leaving Juventus on a free transfer. More

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      I hate playing against Man City, it feels like they have 15 players and we’re a bunch of children

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      NEWCASTLE’S Bruno Guimaraes says Premier League pretenders have a “horrible” task dethroning Manchester City.Arsenal,   Manchester United,   Liverpool and Chelsea will next season join the Magpies in trying to break City’s stranglehold on the top-flight title.
      Bruno has admitted he hates playing against Man CityCredit: Getty
      The Magpies suffered a 2-0 defeat to City in MarchCredit: Getty
      But Brazilian midfielder Bruno, 25, admits it feels like men against boys when facing Pep Guardiola’s Treble-winning juggernaut.
      He said: “We know Man City are a step above all teams in England.
      “It’s the worst game when we play there. I hate it.
      “It seems that we are children and they are professionals. It’s horrible.
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      “It feels like they’re playing with 15 and we’re playing with seven. You look and say, ‘Wow, it looks so blue!’. They’re all crazy good.
      “Against Man City, how do you play? You go out there and let them score right away — it’s very difficult.”
      Despite the seemingly unstoppable City in their way, Bruno makes no bones about it: Newcastle’s goal is to end their 54-year trophy drought.
      Toon lost the Carabao Cup final to Manchester United but recovered to clinch Champions League football.
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      And Bruno said: “The journey has already started — there wasn’t a final for 24 years, then we got to a final.
      “There wasn’t the Champions League for 20 years and we’re already there. Next season our goal is to be a champion — to win something.”
      Signed from Lyon for £42million in January 2022, Bruno admits he was “scared” to move but that “it was an offer I couldn’t refuse and my dream was to play in the Premier League”.
      He soon adapted and has fallen for Newcastle — from Alan Shearer to the pot-bellied Geordie fans who follow their team up and down the country.
      A new long-term deal is in the pipeline, with Toon chiefs confident the midfield maestro will be pulling the strings for the next five years.
      He added: “At Newcastle, thank God, I’m already an idol. Guys love me a lot. They say, ‘After Alan Shearer, you’re the best signing we’ve made’. It’s the best crowd in England, hands down — it looks South American.
      “There’s a fat guy there who even has a NUFC tattoo on his belly — it’s too good. Brazil is the country of  football but the English also live a lot for football, they’re crazy.
      “I played in France and no, it doesn’t even compare to what football is like in England. I fell in love with it.”
      Reflecting on that Wembley defeat by United, Bruno told Charla Podcast: “We were sitting waiting for the coach then out of nowhere, Shearer arrived.
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      “He wanted to motivate us. He said: ‘I’ve already been there, we lost a final’.  I know we lost too but his  lecture was awesome. He moved the guys and he was speaking from the heart.” More

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      I launched Dele Alli’s career – he’s one of the greatest footballers of his generation and he can turn it around

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      WAYWARD former England star Dele Alli has been told ‘the world is still your oyster’ — by the man who helped launch his career.Dele, 27, has endured one football’s biggest falls from grace since helping Tottenham reach the 2019 Champions League final, where they were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool in Madrid.
      Dele spent the 2022-23 season on loan at BesiktasCredit: Getty
      His campaign was cut short due to injuryCredit: Getty
      The midfielder has endured a huge drop in form
      After things went pear-shaped in North London, his career went downhill at Everton following a move — which could cost the Toffees £40MILLION — in February last year.
      And his career went from bad to worse during a disastrous loan spell at Turkish side Besiktas last season.
      Dele is now back with Everton for pre-season training.
      Goodison Park boss Sean Dyche appears to be giving him a second chance by taking him to Switzerland as part of the squad to face Stade Nyonnais in Friday’s friendly.
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      Dele has been seen smiling while cycling with his team-mates along the shores of Lake Geneva this week.
      But even the most optimistic of fans must wonder whether he will be told to get on his bike again soon.
      After all, if Dele plays another seven times for Everton — who he joined during Frank Lampard’s disastrous reign on Merseyside — they will have to pay Tottenham another £10m as part of a clause when he hits 20 matches.
      Dele scored twice in Spurs’ thrilling 3-1 win against Real Madrid in the Champions League at a packed Wembley in November 2017.
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      The midfielder was a key player for Tottenham in his early 20sCredit: PA
      He joined Everton in 2022 after falling out of favour in North LondonCredit: Getty
      He has not played for England since the Nations League tie with Switzerland in June 2019.
      So the man who was a key figure in the Three Lions’ run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals is very much at the crossroads of his career.
      But Pete Winkelman, the owner of League Two’s MK Dons, insists the former Three Lions star can get back to the top.
      Winkelman said: “Dele is one of the greatest footballers of his generation and he can definitely still turn things around.
      “We all remember his goals against Real Madrid for Tottenham when he was at the peak of his powers.
      “But it’s very easy for things to go wrong — especially in a physically demanding, ultra competitive sport like football.
      “A fit Dele Alli  who has a smile on his face can still play at the highest level.
      “The world is still Dele’s oyster. If he really pushes himself and focuses there’s no doubt he can hit those dizzy heights again.
      “I just hope he can get himself fully fit and mentally fit to come back to the job he was born for.”
      Dele endured an unwhelming season at Besiktas, where he scored just twice in 15 games.
      His loan spell in Turkey was eventually cut short after undergoing hip surgery in April.
      That was just a few days after he was pictured with a balloon in his mouth at a house party in Manchester, surrounded by laughing gas canisters.
      It is a far cry from his emergence as one of England’s hottest young talents when he made his Dons debut aged 16 before a £5m move to Tottenham.
      Winkelman added: “I don’t think Dele has been completely fit for the last couple of years.
      “He’s been carrying niggles and he’s had a bad injury while out in Turkey.
      “So we just need to get him back in tip-top condition and then he’ll be all set to really go for it again. Everything else will start to come together and the important thing to remember is he has time on his side, so I wouldn’t write off Dele Alli.
      “And with his ability, he still has the  potential to play for absolutely anyone in the Premier League.”
      Businessman Winkelman, 65, is hoping Dele will keep his head down to get his career moving back in the right direction.
      He added: “Inevitably, when you’ve got a high public profile like Dele, if things go awry then you will attract lots of attention.
      “But many people have had to live with those levels of responsibility and you’ve got to learn to live with it.
      “It’s sad to see it all from afar but he’s a young man with a life to lead but, lest we forget, we all make mistakes.
      “And once he’s physically fit, the smile will return and everything else in his life will fall back into place.
      “Then we will see Dele back on a football field — and I can’t wait for that moment.
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      Winkelman believes Alli can get back to his bestCredit: Getty
      “Hopefully, time out of the spotlight and some time away from the training ground other than managing his injuries will give the chance to get things right.
      “But it all depends on Dele and when he is ready to put that foot forward again and get on with his career.” More

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      Mason Greenwood in latest bid to get career back on track as he’s pictured training with Man United teammate

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      MASON Greenwood keeps in tip-top condition with Manchester United teammate Anthony Elanga.Greenwood and Elanga, both 21, were all smiles after a training session with Irish star James Abankwah, 19, who plays for Italian side Udinese.
      Mason Greenwood, left, keeps in tip-top condition with Manchester United teammate Anthony Elanga, right, with Irish star James Abankwah between themCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      The England striker was suspended by Old Trafford bosses in February after charges of attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour against him were dropped by prosecutorsCredit: PA
      Greenwood is still suspended by United, despite charges including attempted rape being dropped.
      A source said: “He’ll be playing football somewhere this coming season.”
      Greenwood and Elanga are friends who both come through United’s renowned academy system.
      Elanga joined United when he was 12 while Greenwood has been at the club since primary school.
      READ MORE ON MASON GREENWOOD
      The England striker was suspended by Old Trafford bosses in February after charges of attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour against him were dropped by prosecutors.
      He was arrested in January 2022 after a woman made a series of claims on social media.
      Manager Erik ten Hag and the majority of the first team are willing to give him another chance.
      But United’s women’s team is understood to have reservations while sponsors are also concerned about being linked to the £75,000-a-week player.
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      Long-serving BT Sport presenter LEAVES ahead of TNT rebrand following controversial final act with colleagues shocked

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      PRESENTER Des Kelly has left BT Sport.It comes as the channel prepares to rebrand to become TNT Sports on July 18.
      Des Kelly has left BT Sport ahead of their rebrand to TNTCredit: Getty
      Kelly was a pitchside reporter for the broadcasterCredit: Twitter @btsportfootball
      Kelly, 58, is the second high-profile personality to leave BT’s football coverage in recent weeks following the departure of host Jake Humphrey.
      Kelly, who was at BT for 10 years, was last seen presenting pitchside at the Champions League final when, according to The Mail, he caused controversy by asking for the autograph of Manchester City man Ilkay Gundogan live on air.
      His exit is said to have “shocked” colleagues who considered him an “untouchable” part of the team.
      He performed a similar role to Sky Sports’ Geoff Shreeves – who also left his post earlier this month after 30 years in the job.
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      Kelly assumed the position after a career as a newspaper journalist.
      He began with an evening chat-show, before switching to his role as a touchline reporter.
      Kelly famously challenged Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp on numerous occasions when the German criticised the broadcasters for their part in fixture scheduling.
      And he was supported by BT Sport last month after asking Gundogan for his autograph.
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      Kelly was criticised for asking for Ilkay Gundogan’s autograph live on airCredit: BT Sport
      Kelly explained away the incident by insisting he planned to auction it for charity.
      The rebrand to TNT Sports is not expected to coincide with a drastic change in presenters and pundits despite the departures of Humphrey and Kelly.
      Laura Woods is being tipped to take over from Humphrey for Champions League games.
      But Lynsey Hipgrave is set to continue as the organisation’s main presenter. More

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      Jack Grealish cosies up to bikini-clad air hostess and downs shot as he enters SIXTH day of boozy Ibiza bender

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      JACK GREALISH cosied up to an air hostess during the SIXTH day of his Ibiza bender.The Manchester City forward, 27, has been partying for the best part of a week on the Spanish island following his Treble triumph last season.
      Jack Grealish was pictured cosying up to a mystery woman in IbizaCredit: The Mega Agency
      The Man City man put his hand on the woman’s legCredit: The Mega Agency
      Grealish was snapped with funky shades on during his Ibiza benderCredit: The Mega Agency
      He was filmed with a group of men as they poured shots out for one anotherCredit: TikToc @cwdryy
      They clinked glasses before drinking the shotCredit: TikToc @cwdryy
      Grealish is now six days into his Ibiza vacationCredit: TikToc @cwdryy
      BA Air Hostess Dolly is the girl Grealish has been pictured with in IbizaCredit: Instagram
      He was seen dancing with British Airways hostess Dolly – as reported by The Mail – and caressing her leg in the Blue Marlin club as he continued to enjoy some downtime on holiday.
      A video was also shared of Grealish downing a shot while partying topless with a group of men.

      Grealish’s girlfriend, Sasha Attwood, is on holiday in Italy.
      SunSport exclusively revealed last week that the ex-Aston Villa man had cosied up to an air hostess while in Las Vegas in June.
      READ MORE ON JACK GREALISH
      But he has now spent nearly a week in Ibiza, soaking in the sun and chaotic energy.
      Since arriving on the island – which he goes to every year – Grealish has been pictured with The O Beach Club owner Wayne Lineker.
      He was also spotted sporting a bucket hat while dancing next to a DJ at a rave.
      Prior to his Ibiza trip, Grealish jetted off to the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in the South of France with partner Sasha.
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      And before that he had embarked on a crazy 48 hours following Man City’s Champions League triumph over Inter Milan.
      Grealish went from Istanbul to Manchester to Ibiza and back to Manchester all within two days – returning to be with his team-mates for the open-top bus parade.
      The England international enjoyed a stellar second campaign with City after a difficult first season with the club.
      Signing for £100million in 2021, Grealish struggled to become a first-team regular.
      But he has now locked down the left side of Pep Guardiola’s XI, contributing five goals and 11 assists last season.
      Man City face Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid in pre-season friendlies on July 26 and July 30.
      They then take on Arsenal in the Community Shield on August 6.
      Their first Premier League game of the season is on Friday, August 11 when they travel to newly-promoted Burnley – who are coached by Man City legend Vincent Kompany. More

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      Eagle-eyed Tottenham fans say ‘how has he finessed his way in?’ as they spot shock player in EA Sports FC 24 trailer

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      EAGLE-EYED Tottenham Hotspur fans have asked “how has he finessed his way in?” after spotting Eric Dier in the new EA Sports FC 24 trailer.EA Sports released the first trailer for their latest football video game on Monday.
      Tottenham Hotspur fans spotted Eric Dier in the EA Sports FC 24 trailerCredit: YouTube / EA SPORTS FC
      The video features a host of the biggest stars from the world’s game, appearing as their in-game likenesses.
      EA Sports FC 24 will be the first release since the end of the developer’s relationship with FIFA.
      However, Spurs fans were more interested in Dier’s appearance in the trailer.
      He appears in a changing room alongside Jude Bellingham and Andy Robertson.
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      Reacting to the sighting of Dier, one fan tweeted: “I know that’s not who I think it is… How’s he finessed his way into the trailer??”
      Another wrote: “Could’ve chosen anyone else in the squad…”
      A third supporter also commented: “How is he there over Kane?”
      One more added: “What is Dier doing there?”
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      Dier’s Spurs team-mates Richarlison, Son Heung-min and James Maddison also appear in the trailer.
      In addition, Son features alongside the likes of Erling Haaland and Virgil van Dijk on the cover of the game’s Ultimate Edition.
      Fans have also spotted a blunder involving ex-Liverpool striker Christian Benteke in the trailer.
      The Belgian forward took to social media to moan he had “been done dirty” after being made aware of the mishap. More

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      Premier League stadium looks unrecognisable as it becomes building site in race against time to be ready for season

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      LUTON TOWN are in a race against time to get their Kenilworth Road stadium ready for the start of the new season.The Hatters sealed a remarkable promotion to the Premier League by winning the play-off final against Coventry.
      Luton’s Kenilworth Road currently resembles a building siteCredit: Splash
      Plenty of work is being done on the Hatters’ historic homeCredit: Splash
      Luton are having to rebuild much of the Bobbers StandCredit: Splash
      Much has been made of their historic home – particularly the away end that requires fans to walk over local residents’ back gardens.
      Following Luton’s promotion, Kenilworth Road is undergoing plenty of maintenance.
      The Prem new-boys are having to spend around £10million on ground improvements in order to move in line with league regulations.
      In aerial images, much of the ground currently resembles a building site.
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      Half of the pitch is covered by workers’ vehicles and materials.
      Much of the Bobbers Stand is having to be rebuilt following promotion.
      New media facilities and camera positions are having to be installed ahead of their Premier League debut.
      Luton’s first Prem home game is set to take place against Burnley on August 19.
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      Builders are working hard to ensure Kenilworth Road is ready on timeCredit: Splash
      Much of the area is cordoned offCredit: Splash
      The Hatters have played their home games at Kenilworth Road since 1905.
      On the challenge of completing necessary stadium upgrades in time, Luton chief executive Gary Sweet has been bullish.

      Speaking to the BBC last month, Sweet said: “If anyone can do it, we can.
      “It’s a tough, tough task, but we’ve just gone from non-league to Premier League, so I think we can manage a small matter of a stand being built in 14 weeks.”
      New media facilities are having to be put in placeCredit: Splash
      Luton are set to host Burnley in the Premier League on August 19Credit: Splash More