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      West Ham in talks with ex-Chelsea star to replace Declan Rice as Arsenal and Man City battle it out for midfielder

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      WEST HAM are considering a swoop for Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria, according to reports.The Hammers are set to lose club captain Declan Rice this summer.
      Declan Rice is set to leave West Ham this summerCredit: PA
      West Ham want to sign Denis ZakariaCredit: Alamy
      Both Arsenal and Manchester City are battling for the midfielder’s signature, but West Ham’s eye-watering asking price is proving to be a stumbling block.
      The Gunners submitted a huge bid worth £105million on Tuesday, which, if accepted, would see Rice become the most expensive British player in the Premier League.
      However, the proposal is yet to be approved by Hammers chief David Sullivan.
      Talks are still ongoing, but West Ham have already earmarked a potential replacement.
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      According to Sky Sports Italy, the Hammers have been in contact with Zakaria.
      Juventus are said to be reluctant to send the 26-year-old out on loan again, so they could let him leave on a permanent basis.
      Zakaria joined the Italian side in a £7.4m transfer from Borussia Monchengladbach in January 2022.
      He made just 15 appearances before joining Chelsea on a season-long loan.
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      However, he struggled for game time and was limited to just 11 appearances across all competitions at Stamford Bridge.
      SunSport exclusively revealed last week that West Ham have also expressed an interest in signing Amadou Onana from Everton.
      The midfielder comes with a £50m price tag.
      Former Arsenal star Matteo Guendouzi has also been linked with a move to the London Stadium. More

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      David de Gea likely to leave on free transfer as Man Utd face starting pre-season with third choice Tom Heaton in goal

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have been left in a goalkeeping limbo with a fortnight to go before their first pre-season game.Right now Erik ten Hag has no idea who will be between the posts come July 12 in Oslo when they face Leeds.
      David de Gea looks poised to depart after declining a deal on lower payCredit: Getty
      Tom Heaton could begin pre-season between the sticks as Man Utd battle to resolve the futures of top two keepers De Gea and Dean HendersonCredit: Getty
      David de Gea has refused to sign on reduced terms with his contract up this week.
      The Spanish keeper, 32, had previously been the highest paid player at £375,000 but the club wanted to reduce that to £200,000 on a new one-year deal with the option of a further 12 months.
      De Gea verbally agreed but nothing was signed on either side and the club went cold.
      Negotiations are said to be continuing but it is looking increasingly likely he will leave as a free agent after 12 years at Old Trafford.
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      Ten Hag is clearly not convinced by De Gea even admitting after the 2-1 FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City earlier this month that his distribution from the back needed to be worked on.
      Meanwhile he is not against retaining Dean Henderson, 26, following his loan spell at Nottingham Forest.
      But without either, 37-year-old Tom Heaton is left as United’s senior goalkeeper.
      United have been enquiring about Inter Milan’s Andre Onana but would only offer £30million while the Serie A Champions League finalists want £50million for the Cameroon international.
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      Ten Hag coached Onana, 27, at Ajax and knows his ability at playing out from the back which is crucial to the Dutch coach.
      Inter director Piero Ausilio is in contact with United about a possible deal.
      Old Trafford boss Erik ten Hag has a dilemma over the goalkeeper roleCredit: Getty More

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      Declan Rice keen for Arsenal to improve £90m bid to seal Emirates switch but remains open to Man City transfer

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      DECLAN RICE is waiting on Arsenal to increase their bid as the  transfer tug of war with Manchester City rumbles on.Pep Guardiola’s Treble winners saw an opening £90million approach for Rice rejected by West Ham.
      West Ham star Declan Rice wants Arsenal to improve their bid but is also keen on Manchester CityCredit: Getty
      City had entered the race on Monday night with an £80m offer, plus £10m in add-ons.
      Arsenal have seen two bids, the second also worth a club-record £90m — £75m up front plus £15m in add-ons — turned down.
      But the pressure is now back on the Gunners to make a third offer for the England midfielder, 24, and hit West Ham’s valuation of £106m.
      City will react to Arsenal’s next attempt but SunSport understands  Rice’s preferred destination is still North London.
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      However, Rice — who is currently on holiday  — would be open to moving to the North.
      SunSport understand Arsenal are planning a third bid for the midfielder almost 24 hours after City’s offer was rejected.
      The England international is manager Mikel Arteta’s priority signing this summer.
      And Rice is bound to move after turning down a bumper new contract from West Ham.
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      And following the Hammers’ success in the Europa Conference League, co-owner David Sullivan confirmed he would be leaving.
      City boss Pep Guardiola is said to view Rice as a replacement for Ilkay Gundogan, who joined Barcelona.
      But Guardiola has also signed Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea to boost his midfield. More

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      Watford FC physio Phil Edwards ‘carried out horrifying sex attacks on 29 teen boys at club’, report claims

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      A WATFORD FC physio sexually abused 29 teenage boys while working at the club, a report has found.The Championship side investigated allegations against Phil Edwards, who is thought to have killed himself in 2019 while facing claims he had assaulted a boy.
      Watford’s investigation found 29 potential victims of football physio Phil EdwardsCredit: Getty
      Paedophile physio Edwards is believed to have killed himself in June 2019Credit: UPPA/Photoshot
      It has now been revealed that as many as 29 potential victims were contacted by Watford, as well as six members of staff.
      The inquiry heard how Edwards was known to some at the Hertfordshire club as “Paedo Phil” and “Feel me up Phil”.
      Some 18 of the survivors provided signed accounts of their alleged abuse by Edwards when they were aged between 13 and 15.
      Edwards was arrested in June 2019 on suspicion of sexual activity with a child at his Woodside physiotherapy clinic in Watford.
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      A fortnight later the 60-year-old was found dead at the home where he lived alone, with police suggesting he killed himself.
      Another 18 police complaints were filed against him for alleged child sexual offences between 1998 and 2019.
      Edwards is believed to have abused players at Watford’s Vicarage Road ground as well as his private clinic and his home in the 1980s and 1990s.
      The details have been revealed in a newly-published addition to Clive Sheldon KC’s independent report into child sexual abuse in football.
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      Some of the assaults are alleged to have happened at Watford’s Vicarage Road groundCredit: Getty
      The inquiry found English football did not do enough to protect children from predatory coaches from 1970 to 2005, cataloguing failings by eight clubs – including Chelsea and Manchester City – to act on concerns.
      Watford has now apologised to all victims they contacted, today’s addendum to the report says.
      Survivors told of Edwards carrying out unnecessary groin examinations, ordering them to strip naked and squat before he lay alongside them, given boys alcohol and showed them pornography, as well as encouraging them to “perform sexual acts”.
      Some also described how “Edwards appeared to enjoy inflicting pain on them and laughed or shouted at them if they cried”.
      Watford said they could find no payroll record nor personnel file to “show that Edwards was ever employed” by them, though acknowledged he provided physiotherapy services there and held “a position of influence and access within the club”.
      They also said the former members of staff they contacted “all denied any knowledge of the alleged abuse by Edwards”.
      One survivor alleged that club legend and former England manager Graham Taylor was told of the accusations against Edwards while he was Watford boss but “nothing was done”.
      Two members of staff who allegedly witnessed the conversation have denied doing so and Mr Sheldon accepted Watford’s insistence there was “no corroborating evidence to support that any staff member knew that the alleged abuse by Edwards was taking place”.
      He also highlighted the importance of Taylor, who died aged 72 in January 2017, being unable to contribute to the investigation.
      Lawyers representing the club reached out-of-court settlements in January with five former youth team players who said Edwards sexually abused them.
      In a statement, Watford said: “As a club, Watford FC wishes to apologise to all young people who experienced the behaviour perpetrated by the late Phil Edwards, while holding a position of influence and access within the club.
      “We thank the survivors for their courage and dignity in all of their dealings with Watford FC, their patience also which allowed us to both conduct a thorough internal investigation and work with Clive Sheldon KC and his team with regards to their own independent findings.
      “We are doing, and will continue to do, everything we can to ensure that the boys, girls, men and women who play for this club – and indeed anyone who works for or with the club – will not have to endure the experiences these young people did.
      “Watford FC will continue to champion best practice in relation to the safeguarding and welfare of the people in its charge.
      “Further, the input and observations of survivors, based on their experiences, will always be welcome in the future.
      “Support remains available for anyone who believes it would be beneficial to them.”
      Football’s abuse scandal was exposed in 2016 with allegations about former youth coach Barry Bennell, who is now serving a 34-year prison sentence for sex offences against young boys.
      Among the ex-players who came forward to reveal they had been abused by Bennell when youngsters were former Bury and Sheffield United footballer Andy Woodward, the first to speak out, and then ex-England, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool star Paul Stewart.
      Former Chelsea youth player Bennell worked for Crewe Alexandra in the 1980s and 1990s and also had links with Manchester City and Stoke City.
      The FA said in today’s statement: “We continue to offer support to anyone who has been impacted by non-recent child sexual abuse in football.
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      “If anyone is ready to come forward at this time, they can do so without waiving their anonymity and there is support in place if they want to access it.
      “Abuse can be reported via the NSPCC Helpline on 0800 023 2642 or the police.”
      Football’s abuse scandal was exposed in 2016 with accusations against serial offender Barry Bennell, now serving a 34-year jail term for abusing young boysCredit: PA More

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      Man City confirm £30m Mateo Kovacic signing as Pep Guardiola makes Chelsea star first transfer since winning Treble

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      MANCHESTER CITY have announced the signing of Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea.Kovacic has officially become City’s first summer signing since their stunning Treble triumph.

      Manchester City have announced the arrival of Mateo Kovacic from ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Manchester City announced Kovacic’s arrival on social mediaCredit: https://twitter.com/ManCity
      Kovacic posed in a Manchester City kit during his official unveilingCredit: https://twitter.com/ManCity
      The midfielder joins the Citizens shortly after Ilkay Gundogan’s departure to Barcelona.
      City issued a video on social media showing their new player wearing next season’s kit.
      The ex-Real Madrid ace went on to strike a few poses with a big smile on his face.
      According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Croatia international moves to the Etihad after a £30million deal with the Blues.
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      Romano reported that City offered a fee of £25m with £5m in add-ons for the 29-year-old.
      The Croat put pen to paper on a four-year contract with Pep Guardiola’s side.
      Kovacic said: “This is a brilliant move for me.
      “Anyone who has watched this team under Pep knows how good they are – for me, they are the best in the world.
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      “To be joining this squad really is a dream for any footballer”.
      Kovacic joined Chelsea in 2018 from Real on an initial loan before signing a permanent deal a year later.
      The ex-Inter Milan star went on to register a total of six goals and 15 assists in 221 appearances at Stamford Bridge. More

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      Mason Greenwood shirts dropped from Man Utd’s kit launch for new Premier League season

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      MASON Greenwood shirts have been dropped from Manchester United’s kit launch ahead of the new Premier League season.The suspended striker, 21, was last week pictured training on a pitch for the first time since his arrest on suspicion of rape and assault in January last year.
      Mason Greenwood is seen kicking a ball and training for the first time since the club suspended him
      Greenwood in action for United against Everton in February 2021Credit: Reuters
      All charges were dropped in February, but he has not played since and remains and subject to an internal investigation.
      Greenwood remains under contract at United until 2025 and there has been speculation over a return to the pitch, with his future understood not to be linked to a pending takeover.
      It comes as the Old Trafford club have now launched their new home kit for the upcoming season on the club website, with the traditional red shirt available for adults from £110.
      However, supporters will not be able to purchase a shirt with Greenwood’s name on the back after it was omitted from the launch.

      All other names from the senior men’s and women’s sides are available, but Greenwood is not included in the list.
      United’s current owners are understood to have not yet made a decision over the £50million player’s future.
      But The Sun revealed manager Erik ten Hag is willing to bring Greenwood back into his squad.
      And most of his team-mates at Old Trafford would welcome him back into the dressing room if the club agrees.
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      Greenwood is also keen to get back playing, with a source saying: “Like him or not, Mason wants to get back to playing football. It’s the thing he’s best at and the only way for him to successfully rebuild his life.
      “He is fed up with waiting around and he and his team now expect an answer one way or another from United.”
      However, his mansion is currently up for let — suggesting the he will soon be on the move.
      His six-bed, six-bath luxury home is being circulated privately among high-end lettings agents for more than £15,000 a month.
      Man United have launched their new Adidas home shirt for the upcoming seasonCredit: Manchester United Direct
      Greenwood pictured outside Minshull Street Crown Court in November last year over charges that were later droppedCredit: AFP
      The property, in Bowdon, Cheshire, has a games room, a home office, a gym and staff accommodation and is billed as the “perfect family home”.
      The listing has fuelled speculation Greenwood is instead preparing to leave the Premier League to join a foreign club on loan.
      United officials are said to be considering sending him out for an entire year, with several European teams showing interest.
      Mail Sport reports the likely options are Italy, Spain and Turkey.
      Last month, The Sun exclusively revealed that Juventus were among the clubs keen to take on Greenwood – giving him a route back to top-level football.
      And the Italian side hope a long-term loan deal can be agreed this summer, while Milan and Roma are also keen on signing him.
      Meanwhile, the Glazers have been fielding bids for majority and minority stakes in Old Trafford since November, with their valuation standing at a mammoth £6billion.
      Sir Jim Ratcliffe, one of two main frontrunners, is looking to seek majority control by a slim margin.
      While on the other side, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani wants 100 per cent control as he plots a stunning investment.
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      The case against Greenwood was discontinued because of a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light.
      It meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction, the Crown Prosecution Service said in February, adding that it had a duty to keep cases under continuous review.
      Greenwood playing for United against AC Milan in March 2021Credit: Reuters More

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      Mason Mount was determined to succeed John Terry at Chelsea after his dad told him to leave but now wants Man Utd switch

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      MASON MOUNT was determined to become a Chelsea legend like John Terry when he was a teenager, but now he is seeking a new challenge.It was 2014 and Mount, one of the most sought after 15-year-olds in the country, had to choose between a scholarship with the Blues and a raft of tempting offers to leave.
      Mason Mount has starred for Chelsea since 2019Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Mount lifts the Champions League trophy alongside dad Tony in 2021Credit: Getty
      Uncles, aunts and grandparents offered advice to the talented teenager after dad Tony called a family meeting at their Portsmouth home.
      “I told Mason I thought he needed to move on to get the best opportunity,” Tony told SunSport.
      “I said, ‘No one at Chelsea’s academy has got into the first-team since John Terry — what chance have you got?’
      “Mason shot back, ‘I’ll be the next one.’ He said, ‘I’m not leaving Chelsea, it’s my club. I’ve been here since the age of six and I’m going all the way.’”
      Nine years on and Mason — so named by his mum as it means ‘man of stone’ — fulfilled that promise, having made himself a regular for the Blues, winning the Champions League for his club and starring for England at the Euros and the World Cup.
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      Sat in the garden of his Waterlooville home, Tony flicks through photographs on his iPhone which highlight his son’s rise.
      The snaps show him signing for Chelsea aged eight, bonding with best mate Declan Rice, representing England Under-21s and winning the 2018 player of the year at Vitesse Arnhem in Holland while on loan.
      But a photograph of a two-year-old Mason in the arms of his dad, who was a non-League manager in 2001, shows where his footballing education began.
      Mount vowed to become the first academy product since John Terry to make it in the first-teamCredit: Supplied
      An eight-year-old Mount joins ChelseaCredit: Tony Mount
      Mount, aged two, would watch his dad’s non-League side Havant Town
      Mount, with dad Tony, signing with Vitesse Arnhem in Holland on loan in 2017Credit: Tony Mount
      Tony, then boss of Havant Town, said: “I’m old-school and Mason has sat in dressing rooms with me kicking cups and doors while we’re 3-0 down at Kettering, and the language has been blue.”
      In 2004, Tony took a five-year old Mason to a club in Farnham for his first experience of playing on grass.
      “They started age six and Mason was five,” the father-of-four said. “I took him over there and they said, ‘He’s a bit small. Is he six?’ I said, ‘Yeah!’
      “Within two sessions he was playing with the Under-8s and dribbling round all of them.”
      Chelsea quickly spotted his talent. Mason was training with the Blues as well as the club his family raised him to support, Portsmouth.
      SAINT TO WINNER
      So when a friend invited them to rivals Southampton, so coaches could assess their trialists against a Chelsea player, the future starlet was hesitant.
      Tony said: “We were driving there and Mase said, ‘I won’t have to wear that shirt will I?!’ It’s embedded in him. I said he’d just have a bib on.
      “They split the boys into four teams and took them away to get changed. The first team came out wearing black, another in blue and then another in yellow.
      “I’m looking for Mason and thinking, ‘Please don’t come out in red and white! PLEASE don’t come out in red and white!’ And he’s come out in this red and white kit with a face like thunder.
      “He’s going ‘Dad! Dad!’ and pointing at the shirt. He played like a man possessed that night because he was so unhappy about this kit. He scored 14 goals.”
      Mount’s dad Tony told SunSport about his son’s rapid rise at ChelseaCredit: Jamie McPhilimey – The Sun
      Mount became best mates with West Ham’s Declan Rice, left, in Chelsea’s academyCredit: Tony Mount
      Rice and Mount’s friendship endured as the two holidayed togetherCredit: Instagram @masonmount10
      Despite attempts by Saints and Pompey to sign Mount, it was too late. He’d fallen in love with Chelsea.
      He signed with the Blues aged eight and met fellow England international Rice at their Cobham academy. The duo quickly became inseparable.
      Tony, now a partner in an electronics manufacturer, said: “When Declan got released aged 14, we were all devastated. [Mason’s mum] Debbie was in tears and Mason was gobsmacked.
      “One minute you’re there and had been with Declan since the age of seven, travelling across Europe with the family and holidaying together, and all of a sudden he’s gone.
      “Declan is very strong mentally and got what he deserved at West Ham.”
      RAM RAID
      It was at the academy that Mason first met Jody Morris, Lampard’s assistant at Derby and then Chelsea.
      Former midfielder Morris was manager of the youth team when Mason stepped up. He thrived off Morris’ old-school approach and was appointed captain.
      Tony said: “I asked Mason about Jody and he said, ‘Dad, he’s very good. He’s a tough taskmaster, I love him and if I do something well he wants me to do it better.’”
      So when Morris called in 2018 to say Lampard wanted to meet, he jumped at the invite.
      Mount signed a five-year deal at Chelsea last summerCredit: PA:Press Association
      Mount signed a five-year deal at Chelsea in 2019. Both father and son travelled up to a London hotel and listened to Lampard’s pitch about going to Derby.
      “Talk about inspired! I wanted to play for Frank after that,” Tony said, laughing.
      “Frank was brilliant, explaining what he could give Mason. He knew him inside-out, was talking about games he’d watched Mason play.
      “We spoke to Steven Gerrard about going to Rangers, too, and he was similar: ‘I’ve watched Mason, know him and want him to come on a journey with me.’
      “Frank said the same: ‘Come with me and be my player, you’ve got everything I love.’
      “I said to Mason, ‘Don’t rush into it, we’ve got to think about it. I like Werder Bremen, and Norwich was a good meeting.’ He said, ‘No, Dad. I’m going to Derby. I want to work for Frank Lampard.’”
      Mount scored nine goals and got four assists at Pride Park, where he formed a strong bond with the Chelsea legend.
      And Mount asserted himself on the Blues’ first team after being handed his opportunity by his mentor Lampard and he went on to succeed under the management Thomas Tuchel, winning the Champions League.
      However, the 2022-23 campaign wasn’t so successful.
      Chelsea ended the season 12th in the Premier League table and without any silverware.
      And new Mount is on the verge of leaving Stamford Bridge.
      Man Utd have been pushing to sign the midfielder this summer, but they have seen three bids – with the latest totalling £55million – rejected.
      The Red Devils are now threatening to walk away from the deal entirely. More

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      Harry Kane and Bayern Munich ‘reach agreement in principle’ over transfer with decision now down to Tottenham

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      HARRY KANE has reportedly reached an agreement in principle with Bayern Munich.The Bundesliga giants set their sights on signing the striker earlier this week.
      Kane has reached an agreement in principle with BayernCredit: Getty
      They officially tabled a bid worth £60.2million plus add-ons on Tuesday morning, but it was instantly knocked back by Tottenham.
      Spurs officials then went on to reveal that they would not entertain any offers for their star man this summer – even though he has just one year remaining on his current contract.
      Despite the claims, Bayern Munich are still determined to sign the striker before the 2023-24 campaign kicks off.
      According to Sport Bild, Kane has reached an agreement in principle with the German side.
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      The striker’s father and brother allegedly conducted the negotiations.
      It is now up to Tottenham to decide whether or not to cash-in on him before his contract runs down.

      Manchester United and Real Madrid have also expressed an interest in signing Kane.
      The Red Devils have been pushing to sign the England star for months, but Tottenham’s reluctance to sell their all-time top scorer to a Premier League rival has seen his price tag increase.
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      Spurs chief Levy could feel more inclined to sell Kane to a European side.
      Real Madrid considered a swoop for the 29-year-old earlier this month following the departure of Karim Benzema, but they have lost interest in recent weeks.
      Kane scored 30 goals for Tottenham last season More