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      How Granit Xhaka’s wife could help Arsenal land Bayer Leverkusen star Moussa Diaby in summer transfer

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      BAYER LEVERKUSEN’S chances of signing Granit Xhaka have reportedly received a huge boost.We reported yesterday how the Arsenal midfielder has been offered the chance to return to Germany’s Bundesliga.
      Bayer Leverkusen star Moussa Diaby’s hopes of joining have received an unexpected boostCredit: Reuters
      Granit Xhaka’s wife Leonita allegedly wants to return to GermanyCredit: Getty – Contributor
      And Gunners boss Mikel Arteta will not stand in his way if he wants to leave.
      The midfielder, 30, has been a huge figure in the Gunners’ title bid and he is now adored by fans after his previous Emirates fallout.
      But Arteta wants to sign £100million-rated West Ham skipper Declan Rice and another central midfielder this summer, leaving Swiss ace Xhaka facing the prospect of seeing out the final year of his deal on the subs’ bench.
      Now Blick is reporting that the ex-Gladbach ace’s wife, Leonita Xhaka, wants to move back to Germany.
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      And that she could help her convince her husband to make the move at the end of the campaign.
      And that could help set up a deal for Arsenal with Leverkusen for winger Moussa Diaby.
      The Gunners are battling with Newcastle, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain for the £50m-rated 23-year-old France international.
      Now Diaby’s chances of a switch to the Premier League appear to have increased with this fresh update in the German media.
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      Xhaka, who cost £38.25m when he joined from Monchengladbach in 2016, was ready to quit the Gunners after being stripped of the captaincy by former boss Unai Emery in 2019 when he swore at fans while being substituted.
      But he is currently enjoying his best spell since his arrival in North London.
      Arsenal have budgeted £100m for England star Rice.
      And they are also looking at Brighton’s Moises Caicedo and Chelsea’s Mason Mount as they plan for a return to the Champions League. More

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      West Ham star Jarrod Bowen reveals Danny Dyer, dad of stunning partner Dani, is ‘on my case’ for hilarious reason

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      JARROD BOWEN faces the wrath of West Ham superfan and father-in-law-to-be Danny Dyer if he fails in his pursuit of European glory.The Hammers are on the brink of reaching a first Euro final since 1976 – facing Dutch side AZ Alkmaar on Thursday night at the London Stadium in the Europa Conference League semis.
      Dani Dyer is expecting twins with Hammers’ wideman Jarrod BowenCredit: Instagram
      Dani Dyer’s dad Danny has been demanding great things from her partner JarrodCredit: Instagram/ danidyerxx
      Bowen has played his part in guiding David Moyes’ men to this stage with five goals in the competition already.
      But there is extra pressure on the 26-year-old to make dreams come true in Claret and Blue by ending the club’s 43-year wait for silverware.
      The winger is expecting twin girls this summer with partner Dani Dyer, whose dad is TV legend and die-hard Irons supporter Danny.
      Ahead of West Ham’s first leg clash, the four-cap Englishman laughed: “The missus’ old man is obviously on me every week.
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      “I’ve only been here three years but I feel a massive part of this club. I feel like a fan almost, as well.
      “I know how much it means to the fans and I’m one of them who wants to give them that success.
      “There is no pressure on me in that respect, there is just excitement. I want to do it. I want to score the winning goal.
      “Bringing the trophy home for the fans would be a good end to a bad season.”
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      Bowen has 11 goals in all competitions so far in a campaign that has seen West Ham battling relegation for most of it.
      He has found form at the right time however, having narrowly missing out on a place in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad last November.
      The Hereford-born star added: “I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself.
      “Of course, I’ll be critical, but I won’t let it affect me too much. I’ll keep playing my game.
      “I’m just a boy with a dream and I’m living that dream.
      “Sometimes I’ll look back and think where I am, but I always demand more of myself.” More

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      Kieran Trippier reveals Mauricio Pochettino chucked him in Tottenham’s ‘FAT CLUB’ after summer trip to Cancun

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      KIERAN TRIPPIER has revealed Mauricio Pochettino chucked him in Tottenham’s ‘fat club’ during pre-season in 2015 after his summer holiday to Cancun.The England international is now on the verge of helping Newcastle secure Champions League football for next season.
      Trippier spent four years at Tottenham having joined from Burnley in 2015Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Pochettino wasn’t impressed with Trippier’s condition after a summer trip to CancunCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The Magpies sit third with four games left to play and hold a three point lead over fifth placed Liverpool who have played a game more.
      But while Trippier is now a player comfortable on the Champions League stage, when the 32-year-old joined Spurs in the summer of 2015 following a three year spell with Burnley he fell short of his new manager’s expectations.
      Speaking on the High Performance Podcast the right back revealed how Pochettino was unhappy with his condition.
      He said: “I went on holiday in Cancun, thought I came back in good nick, and next minute I’m in the fat club. I was in the altitude chamber.
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      “There were a couple of us. I thought my weight was good but no I was straight in the chamber after every session. And that’s when I knew, this is different.”
      The right back revealed that after seeing the likes of Harry Kane, Hugo Lloris and Jan Vertonghen training he knew why he was placed in ‘fat club.’
      He said: “It was a shock. When I came into training, (the senior players) had already finished in the gym. Certainly Harry. What they were eating (was different to me).”
      Trippier explained that the fitness demands at Spurs were different to any of his other clubs.
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      He said: “I was well high [in body fat], I think they pinch you tougher at Tottenham, unless it was my all-inclusive holiday in Mexico and the mojitos!
      “It turns out I wasn’t in the best shape when I came to Tottenham and the manager let me know that. He told me that and within six months of getting there I was in great condition.”
      After four years in North London, which included reaching a Champions League final, he left to play under Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid.
      During his spell in Madrid Trippier won the only trophy of his senior career to date as he helped Atletico Madrid lift the 2020/2021 LaLiga title.
      In a move which left fans stunned he joined relegation threatened Newcastle in January last year.
      PAY CUT
      Fans accused him of joining for the money following Newcastle’s Saudi backed takeover.
      However, Trippier revealed he actually took a pay cut to join the St James Park outfit.
      He said: ” Coming to Newcastle was the perfect decision for me and there were loads of comments when I first signed here – ‘he came here for money or whatever’ but what people don’t actually realise is, I came here on less money than what I was on in Madrid.”
      The Burnley fan explained there were reasons why he had to return to England.
      He said: “I could have signed a new three-year contract at Madrid but I didn’t. There were reasons why I had to come back, family, and that’s the truth. 
      “I had to come back to England for my family, for my children, I was going through a difficult moment with other stuff in my personal life as well.
      “I couldn’t just go ‘I’m going to sign for Man City’. You’ve got to go to a club that wants you, and there weren’t many in the Premier League and I wanted to come back up north. 
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      “I had good chats with the manager (Eddie Howe) and I thought, you know what, why not.?
      “I knew they were 19th in the league and I knew I could have been playing in the Championship. But I have no regrets. I had no relegation clause. I took less money. I knew it was a gamble. But again, I have no regrets.”
      Trippier won the La Liga title during his spell at Atletico MadridCredit: AFP
      Trippier left Atletico Madrid to join Newcastle in January 2022Credit: Getty More

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      Former Premier League star looks unrecognisable without iconic curly hair leaving fans stunned

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      THIS former Premier League star looks unrecognisable without his trademark curly brown locks.A gifted attacker in his day, this ex-Prem ace was used to getting bums off seats before retiring in 2016.
      Ex-Prem star poses with his management company’s clientsCredit: Twitter
      The former cult hero hangs out with an old team-mateCredit: Sportsfile
      He represented three teams in the top flight, including Wolves and Hull.
      While he was also part of the Reading side that achieved a Championship record-setting 106 points in the 2005-06 season – a feat he reckons will never be beaten.
      Since hanging up his boots seven years ago, this former floppy-haired ace has ditched his locks for a smart, grey short back and sides.
      The 5ft 8in has kept in good shape, and has launched a successful management agency in his post-playing days.
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      Clients include ex-Manchester United defender John O’Shea.
      And the company aims to support both current and former players, while possessing an expertise in gaining exposure and helping to broker deals.
      The Irishman represented his country 39 times between 2007 and 2012.
      His international career culminated in being named in his country’s Euro 2012 squad.
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      The Irishman chats with Paul McGrathCredit: Sportsfile
      Our former Prem favourite is… Stephen Hunt.
      Fans online still have plenty of love for the former wing wizard.
      Upon seeing a recent snap of the 41-year-old, one wrote: “That’s some change in looks for Stephen Hunt. What a player he was for us.”
      And a second tweeted: “Loved him! Brilliant player.”
      Hunt last year featured in an exhibition match between the 106-point Reading side of 2006 and the 2012 promotion-winning Royals side.
      After the match, he gushed over what fun it was to be back with his old pals – and admitted that his daughters didn’t even know he played football.
      On his Reading side’s record, he told the Royals’ website: “It’ll never be beaten. I’ll be in my grave I think and it will still not be beaten.
      “In today’s game as well, the game is evolving all the time – I think it’s pretty much impossible now to go a season in the Championship the way we did.
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      “So I think the record will be there for a good while now fingers crossed, it’ll be for our grandchildren and we will be able to say that we were part of that team.
      “I’ve got two daughters now and they don’t even know I used to play football – but they were here today to watch me, so it was good fun.”
      Hunt wore long shaggy locks while starring for ReadingCredit: AP:Associated Press
      The Irishman played 39 times for his countryCredit: AFP More

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      Man Utd loanee Amad Diallo has ‘special FA Cup final suit reserved’ as fans ask ‘who will he bench?’

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      AMAD DIALLO will be invited to attend the FA CUP final ahead of a possible role in the Manchester United squad next season.According to the Manchester Evening News, Diallo has had a suit reserved in his measurements for the showdown against rivals Manchester City next month.
      Diallo is preparing for a possible role in the United squad next seasonCredit: Getty
      The Ivory Coast international has scored 13 league goals for Sunderland this seasonCredit: PA
      Although he can’t play in the final, United are understood to want Diallo to feel involved as he prepares to return to the club ahead of their pre-season tour of the United States.
      The 20-year-old joined the Red Devils from Serie A side Atalanta in 2019 for a fee that could rise to £37million.
      The Ivory Coast international has only made nine appearances for the Old Trafford outfit and joined Rangers on loan midway through last season.
      However, Diallo has enjoyed a very successful loan spell at Sunderland this season scoring 13 goals in 37 appearances as the Black Cats secured a Championship play-off spot.
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      If Sunderland overcome Luton in the play-off semi final then Diallo will be returning to Wembley a week after the FA Cup final for Tony Mowbray’s side.
      After their 3-0 win against Preston on Monday in which he scored a screamer, Diallo hinted he could stay at Sunderland beyond this season.
      He said: “Playing against Luton is very hard but I hope we’ll be in the Premier League next season and maybe I’ll come back, I don’t know.”
      United fans took to social media reacting to the news with a lot of clamour for Diallo to return.
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      One user said: ” Give him the right wing position next season, have to make Antony feel some threat.”
      A second commented: “Nice touch, definitely feels there is a better organized pathway for Amad and other young players under this management team.”
      A third replied: “Question is who is he going to bench? Rashford on the left, antony on the right.. and we might be shopping for a centre forward.?”
      United manager Erik ten Hag opted against recalling Diallo from Sunderland in January as he did not want to halt his development.
      He said: “We consider everything but I have a little bit of reservation about [recalling Amad] because I don’t want to stop the process.
      “He has made really good progress there so I’m happy with that.
      “But young players need experiences and when we decide for him to come back, he has to be a player who can compete for the starting XI or minimum to come on for a lot of games and make an impact.
      “I didn’t see him in the starting XI or a player who had already had an impact [in pre-season]. But I see and value his potential and capabilities.
      “What I saw is that he needs experience in men’s football, senior football. I think there are many aspects of football to get strong physically and mentally, and also skills-wise, to improve and develop that so he can have value for us.” More

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      Meet Marcus Rashford’s cousin who’s been promoted twice, played against West Ham and represents a different country

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      THE cousin of Manchester United star Marcus Rashford is also an international star – but not for England. Lois Maynard is the lesser-known member of the family and has just been released by National League Oldham.
      Lois Maynard is Marcus Rashford’s cousinCredit: Getty
      He claims Marcus Rashford stood out as a youngsterCredit: Getty
      The 34-year-old centre-back and defensive midfielder has bounced around lower league clubs including Tranmere, Halifax Town, Salford City and Stockport in his lengthy career.
      While at Salford in 2019, he helped the side gain promotion to League Two via the play-offs.
      Amongst his achievements, he played the full 90 minutes for Stockport when they lost to Premier League side West Ham 1-0 in the FA Cup in 2021.
      Maynard was also on the books at the club when they won the National League last year, but he did not pick up a winners medal as he was out on loan with Solihull Moors.
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      The versatile ace even has 12 international caps to his name after featuring for Saint Kitts and Nevis.
      Maynard played in World Cup qualifiers and CONCACAF Nations League fixtures for his country.
      In an interview with the Daily Mirror, the Manchester-born player talked about what a young Rashford was like with the ball at his feet.
      Maynard said: “The first time I saw Marcus kick a ball, he was seven or eight, and it was something even I couldn’t do at 15 or 16.
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      “I used to go and watch his games when he was younger, with his older brothers, Dwaine and Dane.
      “I thought ‘this guy’s got a chance.’ He was obviously very, very talented, but talent doesn’t always give you the upper hand.
      “But knowing he had a good family around him, keeping him grounded, he had the best opportunity to make it.” More

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      Laura Woods admits she’d be ‘gutted’ if favourite Arsenal player leaves in summer transfer as she reveals ‘I adore him’

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      LAURA WOODS has admitted she would be “gutted” if her favourite Arsenal player Granit Xhaka left this summer. Xhaka has been at the North London club for almost seven years and has made nearly 300 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions.
      Woods is an Arsenal fan and admitted she would be ‘gutted’ if her favourite player leftCredit: talkSPORT
      Xhaka is Laura Woods favourite Arsenal playerCredit: Getty
      The 30-year-old is out of contract in 2024 and could be on the move this summer.
      The Swiss international has been linked with a move away from the Emirates with Sky Germany reporting that Bayer Leverkusen are interested in a deal.
      However, talkSPORT host Woods, who is an avid Gunners fan, admitted that she would be devastated if Xhaka left and that he’s her favourite player.
      Speaking on talkSport she said: “I wouldn’t want to lose him.
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      “If they’re [Arsenal] in the Champions League next season and they need a little bit more depth in that team and you’ve got someone like Granit Xhaka who is the unofficial captain in so many ways, and I think is a bit of glue with a lot of those youngsters and the new players that are coming in, I really wouldn’t want to lose him.
      “I understand if he wanted to have a move and play first-team football consistently and if you’re bringing in like a Declan Rice or a Moises Caicedo, that might edge him out a little bit. I understand and you wouldn’t want to stop him from doing that.
      “But I think he’s got so much more of his Arsenal career still to live out. I adore him, he’s been my favourite player since the whole revival of Granit Xkaka. I just love him, so I’d be gutted to see him leave.”
      Arsenal are currently in the midst of an intense title battle with Manchester City which could end with them lifting a first league title since the 2003/2004 season.
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      Mikel Arteta’s men are currently a point behind City having played a game more than their rivals and have just three games left to play.
      Arsenal are in the market for a midfielder and are reportedly the favourites to land Declan Rice from West Ham.
      The North Londoners also had two bids for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo turned down in January.
      Woods said she would understand if Xhaka left… even though it would hurtCredit: The Sun More

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      Man Utd legends including Neville and Scholes ‘will be offered jobs at club if Sheikh Jassim completes takeover’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legends such as Paul Scholes and Gary Neville will reportedly be offered jobs at the club if Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani takes over.The Qatari remains in the running to complete a sensational takeover for the Red Devils after the Glazers put the club up for sale.
      Gary Neville and Paul Scholes could be in line for jobs at Manchester UnitedCredit: –
      Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani wants to add club legends to the Reds’ heirarchy
      And according to ESPN, should his bid prove successful, he will look to appoint club legends from Sir Alex Ferguson’s best teams to represent United at various levels.
      The report suggests Sheikh Jassim is determined to address the lack of renowned players within the club’s hierarchy.
      ESPN also claim that a number of players from both the 1999 Treble winning team and 2008 Champions League winners have ALREADY been approached by representatives of Sheikh Jassim.
      As it stands, technical director Darren Fletcher is the only former star employed in a senior role at the club.
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      Meanwhile, Bryan Robson, Denis Irwin and Andrew Cole all hold ambassadorial roles.
      This will move them in line with the models of a number of successful rivals, including Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan and Liverpool.
      Ferguson, who retired in 2013, has expressed a desire for United to copy the model utilised by Bayern.
      He previously told MUTV: “They’re a great club. It’s a club run in the proper foundation of it.
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      “Former players who run it really, Uli Hoeness and Karl-Heinze Rumenigge, they run the club in the right way and they are always winning the league in Germany.”
      These are not the only plans Sheikh Jassim has in store, with reports suggesting he wants to sign THREE of France’s World Cup squad, including Kylian Mbappe.
      Sheikh Jassim, who is the chairman of Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB), is a frontrunner alongside INEOS CEO Sir Jim Ratcliffe to buy the club.
      Bids are said to have reached a world record level, but the Glazers are holding out for an offer of £6bn following a third round of bidding. More