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      Arsenal set to offload TEN first team stars to fund £170m Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo transfers

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      ARSENAL are reportedly ready to offload up to TEN stars this summer to fund the £170m signings of Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo.Despite seeing their title challenge explode over recent weeks, Gunners chiefs have given boss Mikel Arteta the green light for a huge summer splurge.
      Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has got the green light for a huge spending spendCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      West Ham’s Declan Rice is a top summer target for the GunnersCredit: Reuters
      The Spaniard is desperate to bolster his midfield and has made West Ham’s Rice and Brighton’s Caicedo his top targets.
      The pair could cost around £170m and he is also believed to want two new defenders as well as another attack.
      Arsenal may renew interest in Raphinha, who snubbed them for Barcelona last summer, and have been linked with Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby.
      And Chelsea contract rebel Mason Mount is another name mentioned as a possible transfer target.
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      Now The Times says that his summer recruitment will be part-funded by player sales that Arteta hopes will bring in £100m to bolster the coffers.
      Club-record signing Nicolas Pepe, 27, is currently on-loan at Nice and he is one of those that will be put up for sale.
      This report also states that Granit Xhaka “could be among the biggest names to depart” too.
      The Swiss midfielder has already been linked with a return to the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen.
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      Meanwhile, Folarin Balogun, despite his impressive goalscoring form while on-loan at Reims, is another likely to be sold.
      And it also claims that Kieran Tierney, Emile Smith Rowe, Rob Holding, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares and Cedric Soares are the others that Arteta is looking to offload.
      Arsenal also want Brighton midfielder Moises CaicedoCredit: Getty More

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      Southgate considering shock England call-up for breakthrough Premier League star but could miss out to another country

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE is considering a shock call-up for Eberechi Eze but England could miss out on him to another country.The Crystal Palace star has impressed this season and his recent form has helped guide the club to Premier League safety.
      Eberechi Eze could be in line for an England call-upCredit: Getty
      Gareth Southgate is wary of Nigeria chasing the Crystal Palace aceCredit: AFP
      Eze has netted ten goals this season, six of which coming in his last seven games since the appointment of Roy Hodgson.
      And his performances have not gone unnoticed by the England manager, who is deciding whether to hand him a first call-up, claim the Daily Mail.
      The FA have been tracking the 24-year-old for some time and he was in contention for selection in 2021 before an injury ruined his chances and for the World Cup last year.
      It is unclear whether his international debut could come in next month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers versus Malta and North Macedonia or if that may be too soon.
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      However, England must act quickly to secure Eze’s allegiance, with Nigeria working hard to convince him to play for them.
      The attacking midfielder is eligible for the Super Eagles via his parents.
      Nigeria have supposedly worked hard to seal the deal for Eze and reportedly used to phone him every week.
      But rumours suggest they have stopped doing so to relieve pressure on him and not beg.
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      Eze is yet to choose where his international future lies.
      Southgate believes Eze could be one of the next crop of talent to make the step up to the senior side after previously starring in the Under-21s.
      Levi Colwill, Morgan Gibbs-White and Jacob Ramsey have all been earmarked.
      But Southgate will not be able to choose Folarin Balogun, who has changed nationalities to the United States. More

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      Chelsea flop Aubameyang becomes league winner for the first time in career after playing just EIGHT MINUTES this season

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      CHELSEA striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has become a league winner – after playing EIGHT MINUTES for Barcelona.The Catalan club were crowned LaLiga champions on Sunday night after a 4-2 away win at rivals Espanyol.
      Before his move to Chelsea in September 2022, Aubameyang sneaked in a single appearance in Barcelona’s team this seasonCredit: EPA
      And Blues flop Aubameyang, 33, will recognised as part of the winning squad despite his very limited involvement in Barcelona’s successful campaign.
      Before his ill-fated move to Chelsea last summer, Aubameyang came off the bench for Jordi Alba in the final few minutes of Barca’s opening league game against Rayo Vallecano.
      That small cameo in the 0-0 draw may alone be enough to earn the striker credit for the league victory, the first of the former Arsenal star’s career.
      In the Premier League a minimum of five league appearances are needed to allow a player to be considered part of the winning squad.
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      But this rule is not the same elsewhere in Europe and means Aubameyang could be included as a league winner in La Liga’s records.
      It would prove to be a silver lining for the star after a dreadful campaign at Chelsea.
      The 33-year-old has made just 21 appearances for the Blues and contributed only three goals.
      He was recruited by his former manager at Dortmund Thomas Tuchel to try and fix Chelsea’s long-standing scoring issues.
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      But within weeks of his arrival, Tuchel would be dismissed and Aubameyang would watch Graham Potter, Bruno and Frank Lampard stand in the dugout over the following months.
      But he still failed to become a permanent fixture for any of those managers and likely won’t be at Stamford Bridge for the arrival of the incoming boss Mauricio Pochettino.
      Few would have predicted such a calamitous spell after the forward’s electric form for Barcelona last season.
      After arriving mid-season from Arsenal, the former Gabon international hit 11 goals in 17 La Liga games.
      The Spanish side have been linked with a move for their ex-striker, who joined in with his former teammates’ celebrations after March’s El Clasico win over Real Madrid. More

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      I’m a Man Utd legend and I played against Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo but James Milner was my toughest opponent

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Patrice Evra has shockingly named James Milner as his toughest opponent ever. The Frenchman played against the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in his stellar career, but reckons facing the Liverpool star was more of a challenge.
      Patrice Evra has called James Milner his hardest opponentCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Patrice Evra snubbed the likes of Lionel Messi as he picked the Liverpool starCredit: Getty
      Evra has faced Milner 21 times in his career, winning eight games and losing seven.
      Despite getting the run around from Ronaldo in Man Utd training and from Messi in the 2011 Champions League final, Milner is the one Evra dreaded as he could prevent his attacking moves from left-back.
      He told Vibe with Five podcast: “The toughest player I have played against is James Milner.
      “This guy frustrated me, he was so strong, going into the challenge, going into the air, tackling.
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      “I was like ‘attack’, he follows you everywhere. He was a machine.
      “You go in the toilet, this guy is following you even in the toilet.
      “Cristiano, he knew in training when he came to my side, I was like ‘it’s the ball or the man’, it can’t be both.
      “And I promise you in training, after three minutes, he was going to the other side because I didn’t want him to ridicule me. I have got kids.”
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      Evra previously stressed it was Milner’s hard work and defensive abilities that made him so difficult to come up against.
      He told The Times: “He defended more than me, and he wasn’t a defender.
      “He worked harder than any player. I couldn’t breathe when I got the ball because he was always about to tackle me.
      “I needed two weeks to recover after playing against him.”
      Evra also referred to Milner as his “most annoying” opponent, especially when he joined Manchester City and had quality surrounding his determination.
      Patrice Evra came up against Cristiano Ronaldo in Man Utd training and after his move to Real MadridCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Arsenal star Folarin Balogun SWITCHES international allegiance from England after sensational season

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      FOLARIN BALOGUN has switched international allegiances from England to the USA. The on-loan Arsenal star has enjoyed a break season on loan at Reims.
      Folarin Balogun has switched his International allegianceCredit: Getty
      He has scored 19 goals from 34 games in Ligue 1 this season, a tally which puts him above the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Alexis Sanchez.
      But now Three Lions Under 21 star has opted to represent the United States ahead of their hosting of the 2026 World Cup.
      On Tuesday, Fifa revealed it had approved a request from the US Soccer Federation to change the strikers national eligibility.
      Balogun, 21, was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Nigerian parents who lived in London.
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      This means he was also eligible to play for Nigeria.
      As well as progressing through the ranks of England’s Youth teams, Balogun has played four games for the United States Under-18 team.
      The decision to switch comes just five weeks before the Under-21 European Championships, hosted by Romania and Georgia.
      Though Fifa rules allow a player to change their eligibility before playing a competitive game for their nation’s senior side.
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      The FA also had to consent to Balogun’s eligibility change.
      Balogun will now be available for selection for the summers’ CONCACAF Gold Cup, which will be played between June 24 and July 16.
      On his heritage, Balogun previously said: “London is my city, it’s where I grew up, where my friends are, and if people ask me where I’m from, I say I’m English.
      “But, yes, I am a mixture of all these cultures.” More

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      I played in the Premier League under Sam Allardyce and he once paid thousands for a private jet on a pre-season tour

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      SAM ALLARDYCE once forked out thousands of pounds to have his Blackburn Rovers players fly in style.The disgraced former England manager was in charge of Rovers for two years – guiding them to a League Cup semi-final and a tenth-placed finish in the 2009-10 season.
      Sam Allardyce was in charge of Blackburn Rovers for two yearsCredit: DAVID PINEGAR
      Former Rover Keith Treacy revealed Big Sam once paid for his players to fly in a luxury private jetCredit: GETTY
      Several of Allardyce’s former Blackburn players still speak very highly of him.
      And that may be in small part down to him dipping into his own pocket to fly them in a luxury private jet during a pre-season tour of Austria.
      Former Rover Keith Treacy told Off The Ball: “I have a little story. We were in Austria on a pre-season tour.
      “You charter flights over to these places and we were flying back and the plane hadn’t taken off from whatever airport it was in.
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      “The girl said it will have to get the landing gear fixed and it will be a three or four hour delay.
      “Sam said ‘no, I’m not having this, is there another plane around?’.
      “[She said] there’s one on the tarmac we can get it turned around, £60,000.
      “He just whipped his card out.
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      “Now, I’m sure he got it back from Blackburn in the end, but he just whipped his debit card out and said no problem.
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      “We were all sitting in big recliners on the way back and thinking this guy’s alright.
      “He looks after his players and he knows how to get the players onside.”
      Allardyce found himself back in top-flight management this month when Premier League strugglers Leeds asked him to steady their sinking ship.
      But Big Sam has only managed to pick up point in his first two matches in charge – which came courtesy of a 2-2 draw with high-flying Newcastle last Saturday.
      After the match, he said: “Very, very satisfied with what they’ve done and how they applied themselves.
      Sam Allardyce picked up his first point as Leeds boss last weekendCredit: REX
      “There are lots of areas where we say room for improvement, but we didn’t get dispirited even though we made life extremely difficult for ourselves.
      “We missed a penalty then conceded two but scored to save 2-2.
      “Our defending was magnificent today. When you consider where Newcastle are and we played Manchester City last week, we are moving in the right direction now.”
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      He added: “We have to stick with it and do as much as we can to save our position in the Premier League.
      Leeds will be back in action on Sunday, travelling to the London Stadium to take on fellow strugglers West Ham. More

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      Eight Leicester stars that could be pilfered in summer transfers as club face losing £200MILLION of talent if relegated

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      LEICESTER are set to see their squad decimated of £200million worth of talent if they are relegated from the Premier League. The Foxes are starring down the barrel of relegation to the Championship following their 3-0 defeat against Liverpool.
      James Maddison may head a list of stars which leave Leicester in the event of relegationCredit: Alamy
      The likes of Maddison and Harvey Barnes could see Leicester receive as much as £200mCredit: Getty
      Youri Tielemans is also set to leave in the summer with his contract expiringCredit: Getty
      The club have games against Newcastle and West Ham to try and make a great escape.
      However, if they are unable to do so, £200m worth of talent could be lost to circling suitors.
      James Maddison is the most valuable of these, with a reported transfer value of £48m.
      Newcastle, Manchester United and Tottenham have all been linked to the England international, who has ten goals and nine assists from 28 games in the Prem this season.
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      Harvey Barnes will likely join Maddison in leaving in the summer, with the Magpies once again earmarked for a move for the £28m-rated ace.
      The 25-year-old is the only other star at the club to have hit double figures in goals this season, with 12 to his name.
      Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans will almost certainly leave.
      But with his contract expiring next month Leicester will lose the chance to cash in on the £26m-valued midfielder.
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      Midfield partners Wilfred Ndidi and Boubakary Soumare are also likely to push for moves away from the King Power.
      The £45m-rated pair are both former Champions League stars, though Ndidi’s appearances in the competition did come after joining Leicester on their run to the quarter-finals in 2016/17.
      Full-back duo Ricardo Pereira and Timothy Castagne represent a £24m combination who will likely fetch a decent price due to having contracts running until 2026 and 2025 respectively.
      However, like Tielemans Leicester are set to see a loss of income for centre-back Caglar Soyuncu.
      The £13m-rated Turkish international is also out of contract in the summer, with reports suggesting he is set to join Atletico Madrid on a free transfer.
      Numerous other stars may also leave the King Power Stadium this summer, with a number of stars likely to pursue moves back to the top flight or overseas. More

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      Heartbreaking reason Phil Jones turned down Man Utd testimonial as he’s finally set to leave club after 12 years

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      PHIL JONES once turned down a testimonial at Manchester United — as he claimed only his parents would come and watch.The defender – who is set to leave the club after 12 years – told team-mates the heartbreaking reason after reaching a decade at the club.
      Phil Jones turned down the opportunity to have a testimonial at Manchester UnitedCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      The central defender has struggled for fitness over the last few seasons and has cut an outside figure in the squad.
      Traditionally, United players who have served a decade at the club are honoured with a testimonial.
      But Jones happily to left any commitment to such a match out of the new contract he signed in February 2019, according to the Athletic.
      At the time, he also joked to Goal that “there’d be only my mum and dad who would turn up”, if they made the journey from the outskirts of Preston.
      The former Blackburn defender has not featured under Erik ten Hag this season.

      His last appearance for the club came in January 2022 as an emergency recall for him was made by interim manager Ralf Rangnick.

      When he leaves the Old Trafford side he will make his exit as a Premier League, FA Cup, Europa League, and League Cup winner.

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      Legendary Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson once claimed Jones, who cost £16.5m from Blackburn could become one of the club’s best ever players.
      But there is no doubt the Jones, 31, did not live up to Fergie’s expectations, despite playing for England caps and playing 229 games for  United in all competitions.
      Jones had slipped down the pecking order at United when he should have been in the prime of his careerCredit: Reuters More