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      Arsenal fall behind Leeds in transfer race for ‘the next Riyad Mahrez’ with wonderkid set for Barcelona exit

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      ARSENAL have fallen behind Leeds United in their battle for ‘the next Riyad Mahrez’, according to reports.Despite the Whites being dangerously close to the bottom three, they are still looking at targets for next season.
      The 18-year-old Ilias Akhomach is reportedly close to signing a 4-year deal with LeedsCredit: EPA
      Leeds find themselves lagging 13 places behind Arsenal in the Premier League, but reports in Spain claim they are close to beating them to the signing of Barcelona wonderkid Ilias Akhomach.
      The teen won’t renew his relationship with Barcelona, instead looking to join a new club for next season with Sevilla, Club Brugge and AC Milan among those linked.
      He is out of contract in the summer.
      While the Gunners have been closely following the skilful winger, Leeds have apparently pulled out a lead, having been in advanced negotiations to sign Akhomach.
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      Spanish outlet El Chiringuito even claim Leeds have agreed a four-year deal with the 18-year-old, who has impressed with his stunning talent on the pitch.
      Akhomach has had a string of solid displays for Barcelona’s second string, earning comparisons to Manchester City ace Mahrez.
      He even got a call-up to the first team during the 2021-22 season, where he ended up making three appearances for the Catalan giants.
      His entourage are confident that Leeds will stave off relegation, but if they do drop to the Championship then he will STILL sign with them, according to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo.
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      The team managed to pull themselves back up the table after a win over Wolves last weekend.
      Arsenal may be set to miss out on the Akhomach, but they have been tipped to land some other big names.
      Real Valladolid right-back Ivan Fresneda is rumoured to be leaving for Arsenal in a £13million winter move, and West Ham captain Declan Rice is another key target for the Gunners this summer according to reports. More

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      England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley drops huge hint over Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun’s England vs USA decision

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      LEE CARSLEY has confirmed he will still pick Flo Balogun for this summer’s Under-21 Euros even if the on-loan Arsenal forward has not committed his future to England.Balogun, 21, is at the centre of an international tug-of-war with the USA keen to prise him from the Three Lions’ grasp.
      Flo Balogun has been in sensational form for Reims in Ligue Un this seasonCredit: Getty
      He has seven goals in 13 England Under-21 caps, but the USA want him to switchCredit: Getty
      Interim US boss Anthony Hudson has been in talks with the Reims hotshot and his camp, while Gunners and US goalie Matt Turner has said his club team-mate would make an excellent addition to the States’ side.
      Just this week Balogun, who is also eligible to play for Nigeria, said he had not made a final decision as to the country he wishes to play for in the long term.
      Balogun has seven goals in 13 caps for England’s Under-21s side, though is out of Saturday’s friendly against France and Tuesday’s clash with Croatia with a tight hamstring.
      Young Lions chief Carsley has been in regular contact with the forward and hopes he will ultimately commit to England.
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      Yet when asked if he would still select Balogun for June’s major tournament in Georgia and Romania if the forward had not made his mind up by then, Carsley replied: “Yeah I would.
      “I can only go off the relationship that we’ve got and the conversation that we’ve had, he’s never given me any inkling that he’s looking elsewhere. 
      “I have spoken to him quite a bit.
      “He said he was looking forward to the summer and all the rest of it so I will follow that up after camp. I’ll make sure that I go over (to France). 
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      “I’ve been to France a couple of times now to watch the players and I’ll make a point of going over and meeting Flo.”
      Balogun, who has hit 17 goals on loan at Ligue 1 side Reims this season, is the latest player that England face a battle to keep hold of because of having more than one nationality.
      The Three Lions already lost midfielder Yunus Musah to the US, Jamal Musiala to Germany and, most recently, Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey to Ghana.
      Carsley commented: “You can’t twist someone’s arm to play for England. 
      “We can only make him feel as welcome as we can. We rate him highly. We’ve supported him when things weren’t great. We called him into the 21s when he was playing for Arsenal’s U23s because I knew what potential he had. 
      “Obviously he had the loan move to Middlesbrough which was OK. He’s done excellent this season, he’s really going in the right direction.
      Morgan Gibbs-White will captain the England Under-21s against FranceCredit: AFP
      “If you think about the development that he’s on he’s going in the right direction and hopefully we can still be a part of that. He is is a big player for us. 
      “You’ve seen the campaign that we’ve had, he’s been really integral to that. 
      “Beyond the Under-21s we can only hope that he still feels that he’s got a chance with us, and I feel that’s the case. But, you know, ultimately it will be down to him.”
      Meanwhile, Morgan Gibbs-White will captain England’s Under-21s for their clash with France on Saturday at Leicester’s King Power Stadium.
      The Nottingham Forest star was recently namechecked by Gareth Southgate as someone not far away from a senior call-up.
      Carsley added: “Gareth watches probably more games than any coach in the pathway in terms of the Premier League, so he will have seen Morgan play a lot at Forest. 
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      “Like two or three of the players, he’s in a strong position, he just needs to keep going. 
      “The more assists he gets, the more goals he scores, it gives him a stronger opportunity (of making the seniors).” More

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      England and Man City star Jack Grealish reveals secret behind his big calves and why he wears his socks low

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      ENGLAND superstar Jack Grealish has revealed the secret behind his low socks and massive calves.The £100million Manchester City midfielder, 27, has a eye-cathing look on the pitch and has lifted the lid on his style.
      Jack Grealish has revealed the superstitious reason behind his famous low socksCredit: AP
      England ace Grealish has also opened up over his huge calvesCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      On those famous calves, he claimed it is all genetics, saying to the Daily Mail: “I actually don’t do anything. It’s just something that runs in the family.
      “My grandad always had big calves when he used to play football.
      “But I don’t do any calf exercises or calf routines in the gym or anything. Honestly, it’s just something that I’ve had since I was young.”
      And on those well-known low socks Grealish shared that superstition is the reason behind it.
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      He said: “I think I was about 14 or 15 and we were sponsored by Macron at Aston Villa and the socks used to shrink in the wash.
      “In training I couldn’t get them over my calves because the socks were so small.
      “So I started wearing them below my calves in training — and that season I ended up playing really well.
      “So then I started wearing my socks below my calves in games. It was just something that stuck because I’d had such a good season.”
      Fans had their say on Grealish’s calves when he played for the Three Lions in Qatar at the World Cup last year, with one saying: “So like, how big are Grealish’s calves going to get?”
      Another wrote: “Was very into the US-England game until noticing Jack Grealish’s mutant calves, which became my entire focus afterwards.”
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      One declared: “Jack Grealish wears his socks so low cause if he pulls them over his calves he’ll lose circulation to his legs.”
      Another added: “Someone hit me up with Grealish’s calves workout.” More

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      Chelsea in Rafael Leao transfer blow as PSG set to swoop for AC Milan star if Lionel Messi quits this summer

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN have identified AC Milan star Rafael Leao as a potential replacement for Lionel Messi, according to reports.That poses as a significant blow for Chelsea, who have also been keeping tabs on the Portugal ace ahead of the summer transfer window.
      Paris Saint-Germain are eyeing AC Milan star and Chelsea target Rafael LeaoCredit: Getty
      Paris Saint-Germain rate Rafael Leao as a potential replacement for Lionel MessiCredit: EPA
      According to Calciomercato, PSG have a “serious” interest in the winger and are willing to match his £132million release clause.
      The winger’s deal with Milan runs out next year and technical director Paolo Maldini is hoping to finalise an extension soon.
      However, negotiations between the 23-year-old and the Rossoneri may drag until the end of the season.
      In the meantime, PSG executive Luis Campos is keeping tabs on Leao as he sees him as the ideal candidate to succeed Messi in Christophe Galtier’s frontline.
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      Leao, though, remains focused on the reigning Italian champions but is not “completely indifferent”.
      Chelsea are also monitoring the Portuguese star’s situation as they are looking to rebuild in the summer after a turbulent first season under new owner Todd Boehly.
      Messi’s contract runs out in June and he appears likely to leave amid a hapless two-year stint in Paris.
      The star forward was signed in 2021 after he rolled credits on his glittering 17-year stint at Barcelona to lead the Parisians to Champions League glory.
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      However, the Argentina captain has failed that mission with PSG crashing out in the last 16 in the last two years.
      The 35-year-old has been linked with a dramatic return to Barca despite the club’s financial woes.
      Messi’s former Argentina team-mate Sergio Aguero is confident he will go back and retire at the Nou Camp. More

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      Tottenham collapse to 3-2 defeat in secret friendly as they blow 2-0 lead – and Antonio Conte is NOT in charge

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      TOTTENHAM blew a two-goal lead in a behind doors friendly with Antonio Conte still away from the club. Spurs are looking to regroup during the international break after a week which saw the club repeatedly make headlines.
      Conte was absent from Tottenham’s friendly collapse as speculation continues over his futureCredit: Reuters
      Between dropping points late on at Southampton, Conte’s blistering post-match rant and then reports that the Italian is set to be sacked, there has been no shortage of drama in north London.
      And an international break friendly will have done little to raise the mood as Spurs lost 3-2 to League One Ipswich.
      The friendly at Tottenham’s training ground, Hotspur Way, saw some senior players who were not on international duty take part in a 70 minute game without supporters.
      Encouragingly for Spurs fans, the match saw Hugo Lloris start between the sticks.
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      The goalkeeper, who retired from international football earlier this year, had been out since February with a knee injury.
      And his time on the pitch saw Tottenham take a two-goal lead after strikes from Lucas Moura and Japhet Tanganga.
      But after Lloris was subbed off, Spurs conceded three goals and lost the game.
      Conte was absent from the match after he jumped aboard a Ryanair flight and headed home to Italy days after his press conference meltdown.
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      Speculation has been rife in recent days that Conte could be set to lose his job.
      The 53-year-old hit out at players and the ownership during his post-Southampton speech in the latest sign that relations at the club had broken down.
      Results have also been up and down in recent weeks with Spurs crashing out of both the FA Cup and Champions League in the space of a week.
      The race for the Champions League places is all that is left of Tottenham’s season and they have a difficult job on their hands to fend off Liverpool, Newcastle and Brighton for fourth place. More

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      Erik ten Hag has shocked us all in Holland… the Cristiano Ronaldo bombshell has ended up helping him at Man Utd

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      DUTCH legend Ruud Gullit says compatriot Erik ten Hag has shocked everyone in Holland with the job he has done at Manchester United.And the former Chelsea and Newcastle manager claims his explosive fall-out with Cristiano Ronaldo has actually helped him at Old Trafford.
      Ruud Gullit says Erik ten Hag has shocked everyone with the job he’s done at Man UtdCredit: Getty
      The Dutchman already has one trophy and is looking to add two more this seasonCredit: Getty
      Ten Hag arrived at Old Trafford last summer with the club on a six-year trophy drought.
      Despite a rocky start, he has slowly transformed the Red Devils into a thrilling attacking unit with Marcus Rashford now one of the most-lethal strikers in Europe.
      Last month he won his first piece of silverware as United beat Newcastle to lift the Carabao Cup.
      They are also pushing for two more trophies, with a Europa League quarter final against Sevilla on the horizon as well as an FA Cup semi with Brighton.
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      And United remain on course to secure a top four finish and a return to Champions League football as they sit third in the Premier League, three points ahead of fifth-placed Newcastle.
      And Gullit admitted during an interview with A Bola that he and everyone else back in Holland are impressed with how well the ex-Ajax man has done.
      He said: “I’m surprised, we’re all surprised, with Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.
      “The Dutch Eredivisie does not have the same levels of competitiveness as the Premier League, perhaps the most attractive championship in world football, but the truth is that he was able to impose a work philosophy and the playing formula he advocates.”
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      Ten Hag was also on the receiving end of a fierce public attack from Cristiano Ronaldo after benching the Portuguese legend earlier in the campaign.
      But he refused to be drawn into a slanging match and the 37-year-old forward ended up having his contract terminated in December and is now earning a fortune playing in Saudi Arabia while his old team continue to thrive.
      Gullit added: “Personally, I think that the very controversial episode with Cristiano Ronaldo ended up benefiting him.
      “At that moment, with what he said and did, he won over the dressing room and the fans. The results confirm it.
      “That’s what Cristiano decided. His time at Manchester United, after the run-ins with Erik ten Hag, ran out of steam.
      “In the end, the situation turned out to benefit both of them.
      “Cristiano is happy where he is, Erik ten Hag too, they both won.” More

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      Chelsea and Newcastle in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia transfer blow with Napoli winger set to stay put

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      CHELSEA and Newcastle will miss out on Kvaratskhelia with Napoli determined to keep him, according to reports. The 22-year-old Georgian star had been linked with a move to the Premier League, with Newcastle being tipped as a possible destination.
      Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is considered to be one of the best young players in the worldCredit: Getty
      Kvaratskhelia was also linked with Chelsea towards the end of last year.
      However, as interest grows from Real Madrid and PSG, the Serie A leaders are ready to act fast.
      According to Calciomercato, Napoli are prepared to hand the player a substantial pay rise that would see him earn £2.6m per season.
      The club would only consider his departure if they receive an offer, including a transfer fee, of more than £100m.
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      Since signing for Napoli for £8.8 million last summer, Kvaratskhelia has scored 14 goals and provided 15 assists in 30 games across all competitions.
      Along with striker Victor Osimhen, the young winger has Napoli on the verge of their first Serie A title since Diego Maradona was in Naples.
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      In fact, he’s the first player – ever – to achieve both 10 goals and 10 assists, in his inaugural Italian season.
      Only four players have been more productive in Europe’s top five leagues this season: Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Osimhen.
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      Italian journalist Gianluca DiMarzio also reported: “I don’t think Kvaratskhelia can leave Napoli. He has only been there for one season and it is really unlikely that the club will sell him”.
      He added that if Osimhen, whose contract expires in June 2025, leaves, then they “do not need to sell Kvaratskhelia”.
      Osimhen leaving Napoli is a real possibility, with Manchester United the favourites to take him.
      Playing in the Champions League is likely to be a priority for the young star.
      With Newcastle in the race for the top four, and Chelsea sitting 10th in the Premier League, it seems that he should stay put. More

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      Mystery Finnish Man Utd bidder Thomas Zilliacus wants FANS to stump up a staggering £1.5BILLION to help him buy club

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      FINNISH entrepreneur Thomas Zilliacus has joined the race to buy Manchester United — but wants fans to cough up a staggering £1.5BILLION.Zilliacus vowed to finance the other half of the £3bn bid.
      Thomas Zilliacus says his bid is ‘built on equality with fans’Credit: Getty
      Bidders hoping to take over or invest in Man Utd have until 9pm on FridayCredit: AP
      Sir Jim Ratcliffe made an improved world-record £5bn offer on Thursday, while Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is expected to match that before Friday’s 9pm deadline.
      Both believe Zilliacus’ pitch is nothing more than a publicity stunt.
      But he said: “Any club ultimately should belong to its fans. My bid is built on equality with fans.
      “The current development, where billionaire sheiks and oligarchs take over clubs and control them as their personal playgrounds, is not a healthy trend.”
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      US investment company Elliott have also made an offer to purchase a minority stake in the Prem giants, irrespective of who ends up owning the club.
      Zilliacus, 69, added: “The market value of the club is just under £3.17bn.
      “That means  if every one of the fans would join in, the sum per fan would amount to less than £5.
      “My group will finance half of the sum needed to take over the club.”
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      But his valuation is way below the £6bn United’s owners the Glazers want.
      A spokesman for United fan and Ineos boss Ratcliffe said: “Sir Jim and Ineos can confirm we have submitted a revised bid.”
      The bids from Sir Jim and Sheikh Jassim will smash the previous record for a sporting franchise of £3.8bn when the NFL’s Denver Broncos were sold last year.
      Amid the uncertainty over ownership, shares on the New York Stock Exchange plunged in early trading, with United’s value dropping to £3.12bn. More