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      Man Utd and Newcastle in Gabri Veiga transfer boost as Celta Vigo give up on trying to keep midfielder

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      CELTA VIGO will find it “impossible” to hold on to Manchester United and Newcastle target Gabri Veiga, reports suggest.Veiga has shone bright this season in LaLiga as he has bagged nine goals and three assists in 29 appearances across all competitions.
      Celta Vigo can’t keep Manchester United and Newcastle target Gabri VeigaCredit: Getty
      The attacking midfielder has a contract with Celta until 2026 but club president Carlos Mourino confirmed that he won’t be able to keep him at the Balaidos this summer.
      Mourino insists he wants hold on to the 20-year-old ace but his £35million release clause won’t allow him.
      Some of Europe’s top hitters have already matched the Spain Under-21 international’s asking price and Celta won’t be able to counter them with a better offer.
      Mourino said: “We want to keep Gabri Veiga but it will be impossible due to release clause.
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      “We know some bids he has, impossible to match”.
      United and the Magpies are keeping tabs on Veiga ahead of the summer transfer window.
      However, the Red Devils and Newcastle will face competition from Bundesliga clubs.
      Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano also claims Real Madrid are eyeing the Spaniard.
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      Veiga started out in Celta’s academy after a short stint at Santa Marina.
      The playmaker earned his first senior call-up at the age of 18 years old and shared his time between the first team as well as the reserves.
      However, Veiga has burst onto the scene this season and appears to be set for bigger things come June. More

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      Premier League winners worst XI, from Jack Rodwell to Arsenal flops Pascal Cygan and Jeremie Aliadiere

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      WINNING the Premier League is no easy task.It takes the right manager, a strong mix of players, hard work, dedication, skill…
      These XI players were somehow part of Premier League-winning teams
      No wonder that picking up a winners’ medal in the top flight is among the most impressive feats in football.
      The Premier League celebrating its 30th anniversary this season – Arsenal and Man City going head-to-head in the title race.
      As a result, there are plenty of those precious medals swirling around.
      And they’re not only adorning the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Thierry Henry’s mantelpieces.
      For every superstar champion, there’s a backup player in dreamland, clutching the trophy with a medal around their neck.
      In tribute to them, here’s an XI of those Premier League winners you can be forgiven for having forgotten down the years.
      COSTEL PANTILIMON
      Pantilimon was a less than convincing presence between the sticks for Manchester CityCredit: Mark Robinson – The Sun
      The Romanian had size on his side… but not an awful lot else.
      Standing at 6ft 8in, Pantilimon should have been an imposing, authoritative figure between the sticks.
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      The blunder-prone keeper played seven times in Man City’s 2013-14 triumph as stand-in for Joe Hart, and is now general manager of Romanian side Politehnica Timișoara after poor spells at Sunderland, Watford, Nottingham Forest and Denizlispor in Turkey.
      JOSE BOSINGWA
      Bosingwa’s defending could be erratic during his four years at Stamford BridgeCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      When Chelsea signed Jose Bosingwa from Porto in 2008, Blues fans would have had reason to be optimistic.
      After all, they had raided the same club for the likes of Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira, with great success.
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      But the monobrowed right-back was often a calamity at Stamford Bridge… and subsequently even worse at Queens Park Rangers – when he once refused to even take his place on the bench.
      Somehow, however, he managed to wrack up 125 appearances in four years at Chelsea – bagging the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League along the way.
      PASCAL CYGAN
      Frenchman Cygan was prone to a gaffe at ArsenalCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      “He’s bald, he’s s***, he plays when no one’s fit – Pascal Cygan, Pascal Cygan!”
      This is not, perhaps, the chant you would expect to be most associated to a member of Arsenal’s famous ‘Invincibles’ side of 2003-04.
      But the blundering French centre-half wasn’t Arsene Wenger’s finest addition from his homeland and often had Gunners fans’ hearts in their mouths when he took to the field.
      After four years at Highbury, he signed for Villarreal, before subsequently joining Spanish lower league side Cartagena to round off his peculiar career.
      IGOR STEPANOVS
      Stepanovs was given a torrid time in Arsenal’s 6-1 defeat at Old TraffordCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      When Arsenal skipper Tony Adams picked up an injury in 2000, boss Arsene Wenger turned to the transfer market to solve his defensive woes – spending £1.35million on unknown Latvian defender Igor Stepanovs from Skonto Riga.
      Things were going okay for the burly 6ft 3in centre-back… until it came to a match at Old Trafford.
      Stepanovs and Co were trounced 6-1 by Sir Alex Ferguson’s men that day, and the defender’s time at Arsenal struggled to ever get going again.
      He did pick up a title-winner’s medal in 2002, however, before embarking on a nomadic career that took him to Switzerland, Denmark and Russia.
      ALEXANDER BUTTNER
      Alexander Buttner scored on his United debut… before things fizzled out for him at Old TraffordCredit: Mark Robinson – The Sun
      Alexander Buttner was brought into Manchester United in 2012 as a potential long-term replacement for the legendary Patrice Evra at Old Trafford.
      Things started well for the Dutchman, as he even managed to score on his debut against Wigan.
      Despite picking up a winner’s medal in that first season, he was promptly given the boot by Louis van Gaal in 2014 – and a few years later was embarrassingly dropped by Vitesse for being too fat.
      At 34, this once bright talent is now playing for De Graafschap, having left his boyhood club Vitesse in 2019.
      JUAN CUADRADO
      Cuadrado struggled to take to life in the Premier LeagueCredit: Graham Hughes – The Times
      Juan Cuadrado arrived at Chelsea to much fanfare in January 2015 for around £23m from Fiorentina, with the Blues flying high at the top of the Premier League.
      What followed was a frankly bizarre spell.
      He featured 13 times as the Blues won their fourth Prem title, but seemed paralysed by fear, rarely doing anything other than simply passing back to his full-back, or giving the ball away.
      The Colombian, 34, was hooked at half-time on just his third start for the club against Crystal Palace and was promptly sent packing for Juventus (where he still plays) that summer, never to be seen in the blue of Chelsea in a competitive game again.
      DARRON GIBSON
      Midfielder Gibson was once likened to Paul Scholes by Sir Alex FergusonCredit: AFP
      Irishman Darron Gibson was once a heralded young talent at Man Utd, winning the Premier League in 2011 and drawing comparisons with Paul Scholes no less.
      Sir Alex Ferguson once said of him, after he’d scored his sixth goal of that season: “It is the kind of contribution we used to get from Paul Scholes.
      “He used to get me 12 to 14 goals from midfield all the time and we haven’t had a player like that in a while.”
      Gibson, now 35, has since struggled, however, enduring disappointing spells at Everton, Sunderland, Wigan and Salford City before a brief stint with non-league Wythenshawe Amateurs.
      JACK RODWELL
      Jack Rodwell struggled to impose himself at Manchester CityCredit: Mark Robinson – The Sun
      Supposedly England’s next great midfielder when he burst onto the scene with Everton, Rodwell earned a big-money £15m move to Man City in 2012 when he was just 21 years old.
      The three-cap international struggled for form at the Etihad and following their 2014 title win signed a four-year contract with Sunderland.
      This deal proved infamous, however, with the Black Cats failing to win any of Rodwell’s first 39 games at the club… and still having to pay him a reported £70k-a-week in the Championship.
      Eyebrows were recently raised when he made his Premier League comeback, being withdrawn from the bench by then-Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder.
      He moved to Australia in 2021 – joining Western Sydney Wanderers. Now he plays for Sydney FC.
      YURI ZHIRKOV
      Russian Zhirkov had a forgettable two-year spell at Chelsea between 2009 and 2011Credit: Chris Bourchier – The Sunday Times
      The Russian was signed by Chelsea to much excitement for £18m in 2009, as a player that could excel either at left-back or left-midfield.
      But with Ashley Cole and Florent Malouda blocking his path, and a succession of knee injuries, Zhirkov just never got going at Stamford Bridge.
      His forgettable spell in West London came to an end in 2011, when he was sold by Andre Villas-Boas to Anzhi Makhachkala.
      Remarkably, at 38, he represented the Russian national team – with 105 caps to his name – including at the rearranged Euro 2020.
      Zhirkov played his domestic football for Zenit St Petersburg until the end of last season when he was released and had a brief stint at Khimki.
      He finally announced his retirement last month.
      MATEJA KEZMAN
      Kezman struggled to find his goalscoring touch at Stamford BridgeCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Serbian Mateja Kezman arrived at Stamford Bridge as part of the Jose Mourinho revolution in 2004, being handed the No9 shirt vacated by Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink following his move from PSV Eindhoven.
      The striker, sporting gelled hair and a goatee, had banged in an astonishing 105 goals in 122 games in the Eredivisie – but appeared to endure a crisis of confidence in front of goal at Stamford Bridge.
      The once-great poacher didn’t manage any from open play in the Premier League until March, when his team-mates had virtually sewn up the league title already – conceding only 15 goals all season in the process.
      After just seven strikes in 41 games in all competitions, Kezman was shipped off to Atletico Madrid, never to be seen again on these shores.
      Even if he was, you wouldn’t recognise him after his dramatic change in appearance.
      JEREMIE ALIADIERE
      Jeremie Aliadiere admitted that he was ‘scared’ when given opportunities in Arsenal’s first-teamCredit: PA:Press Association
      Arsenal’s 2003-04 Invincibles featured a strikeforce boasting the likes of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Sylvain Wiltord, Nwankwo Kanu… and Jeremie Aliadiere.
      The shy, reserved Frenchman admitted to football.london that he was “scared” and didn’t “feel ready” for life as a first-team star at Highbury.
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      Wenger showed belief in him, however, picking him ten times as the Gunners swept aside all competition in the league that season.
      He remained in North London until 2007, before departing for spells at Middlesbrough, Lorient and Umm Salal in Qatar. More

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      Chelsea star Thiago Silva turns handyman as he climbs ladder and works on house while at home injured

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      CHELSEA star Thiago Silva has turned handyman while out injured.The 38-year-old was ruled out for up to six weeks after suffering a knee injury in the Blues’ 2-0 defeat to Tottenham last month.
      Thiago Silva has been doing some handiwork around his houseCredit: Instagram / @bellesilva
      The 38-year-old climbed a ladder at homeCredit: Instagram / @bellesilva
      The Brazilian’s wife Isabelle filmed him getting to workCredit: Instagram / @bellesilva
      Silva has remained a visible presence at Stamford Bridge throughout his lay-off, supporting his team-mates from the stands.
      And he has also been productive at home during his time on the sidelines.
      The centre-back’s wife Isabelle shared a video of her husband up a ladder at home.
      Silva laughed as he realised he was being filmed, donning a puffer jacket as he did some work on the house.
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      Isabelle wrote in Portuguese: “He stays at home and the bug from “bob the builder” bites.”
      Silva’s wife is his biggest fan… but has never been shy in criticising his Chelsea team-mates and coaches.
      She recently liked a tweet labelling Graham Potter a “deadbeat coach”.
      While last season she was claimed to have branded struggling forward Timo Werner a “verme” – meaning “maggot” in Portuguese.
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      Isabelle recently watched Chelsea in the Champions League with her husbandCredit: Instagram / @bellesilva
      Silva married Isabelle in 2015 and the couple have two sons together, named Isago and Iago.
      After his transfer to Chelsea in 2020, the family all moved to London.
      He has gone on to win the Champions League, Uefa Super Club and Fifa Club World Cup since joining the Blues.
      Silva is currently nursing a knee injury sustained against TottenhamCredit: Alamy More

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      Jack Grealish was offered to Tottenham aged 16 in swap transfer but Harry Redknapp said no

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      TOTTENHAM rejected the chance to sign Jack Grealish when he was a teenager, according to Tim Sherwood.The pundit was Spurs manager between 2013-2014 and prior to that he worked as Under-21 boss under Harry Redknapp.
      Tim Sherwood told Tottenham to sign Jack Grealish when he was only 18Credit: Getty
      Sherwood was won over by the winger after watching him play just onceCredit: AFP
      And in that role he first got a glimpse of Grealish and was left dazzled by the then Aston Villa wonderkid.
      He advised Redknapp to try and make a move for the England star, suggesting a swap deal that would have seen Jermaine Jenas join Villa.
      Recalling the story on talkSPORT, Sherwood said: “I watched him when he was 16 against Tottenham’s Under-18s.
      “I remember going back to the first-team game at White Hart Lane and Redknapp said, ‘Well, what was the score?’
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      “I said, ‘I don’t know H, all I was doing was watch this boy Grealish’.
      “It was incredible. I said, ‘[Villa] want to take Jermaine Jenas, we should do a swap for this boy.’
      “Harry, quite rightly, said, ‘He’s only 16, by the time he’s in the first-team I’ll be gone’. As a football manager he’s absolutely right, looking after yourself as you would do.
      “But for the club it would’ve been a great move. It would’ve been a great move for Jermaine as he ended up going to Villa [on loan] anyway.”
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      Spurs did remain interested in Grealish and tried to sign him a few years later in 2018 but failed in their £20million bid for the winger.
      They pursued him again in 2019 but were unwilling to match Villa’s £35m asking price. More

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      Arsenal fans all say the same thing as Declan Rice laughs around with Ian Wright and Bukayo Saka in England training

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      ARSENAL fans are all saying the same thing about Declan Rice.That’s after seeing the West Ham star laugh around with Bukayo Saka and Ian Wright in training ahead of tonight’s England game in Italy.
      Declan Rice joked around with Bukayo Saka and Ian Wright during England trainingCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Arsenal fans are saying the same thing after the hilarious videoCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Rice, 24, has been tipped to leave the Irons this summer after 229 games.
      Former academy side Chelsea are being linked with a move.
      And rivals Manchester United are also thought to be interested.
      But Arsenal are in the hunt too as they search for a new midfield powerhouse.
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      Despite signing Jorginho from the Blues in January, Mikel Arteta feels he needs a dynamic leader to push for domestic and European glory next term.
      And Hammers captain Rice ticks all the boxes after also becoming a key man for the Three Lions.
      But after his latest antics, Arsenal fans convinced he only has eyes for a north London transfer.
      Rice was joined in England training by pal Saka, who has been the driving force behind Arsenal’s title push this term.
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      And hilarious footage showed the pair joking around with Gunners legend Wright, who was also present at the training session.
      The trio bantered and joked around as they formed a close bond on the field.
      And Arsenal fans believe there is no chance Rice wants to go anywhere else this summer.
      One said: “Agent Saka doing his bit.”
      Another declared: “Ian get Deccers to Arsenal.”
      One noted: “Agent Wrighty making sure things happen in the summer window.”
      Another added: “Arsenal boys working hard to bring Dec to Emirates.” More

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      Sky Sports legend under threat of AXE as major cull continues after Soccer AM is cancelled

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      SKY SPORTS legend Geoff Shreeves is under threat of being axed by the broadcaster.Shreeves has been an ever-present figure at Sky Sports since joining in 1992.
      Geoff Shreeves is under threat of the axe at Sky SportsCredit: Getty
      However, SunSport understands that Sky bosses are now considering Shreeves’ position.
      A Sky Spokesperson said: “Our coverage of football is evolving to reflect the changing habits of our viewers and ensures we continue to deliver the best experience for customers.
      “Our proposal would mean the creation of new roles, and the closing of some existing roles, and we are currently in a consultation period with our people.”
      The news comes after we revealed how Sky are to set axe iconic football show Soccer AM.
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      The Saturday-morning staple etched its place into British TV history across it’s 30 year runtime.
      And it is now the final countdown for the show as Sky bosses prepare to axe it at the end of the season.
      The final show of Soccer AM is set to air on Saturday May 27.
      Staff were informed of the decision on Tuesday.
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      However, the news has not gone down well, with current hosts John Fendley and Jimmy Bullard said to be “fuming”.
      Regarding the news, a source told The Sun: “It was a complete bombshell.
      “Morale is at an all-time low, they are raging.
      “It’s going to be an interesting watch over the next few weeks.”
      In addition, the Daily Mail claims that Sky’s football reporters have all been told to reapply for their jobs, with some of the “longest-serving and most popular reporters who provide live updates for Soccer Saturday” at risk.
      Sky made a host of cuts to big name staff following the Covid pandemic.

      Long-serving studio analysts Phil Thompson, Charlie Nicholas and Matt Le Tissier were axed in 2020 as Sky looked to go in a new direction.
      This led to presenter Jeff Stelling announcing his intention to leave at the end of the 2022 season, before reversing the decision later on. More

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      Inside Man Utd stars’ international break holidays as Rashford heads to New York and Fred whisks wife off to Maldives

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      TWO MANCHESTER United stars have headed abroad as they enjoy a rest from football during the international break. The Red Devils have played every few days since Christmas as they hunted for silverware across multiple competitions.
      Rashford enjoyed some time out in New York after missing out on England duty with injuryCredit: instagram
      It was a family affair for Fred as he treated his wife and son to time awayCredit: instagram
      Fred relaxed in the Maldives with family after being left out of the Brazil squadCredit: instagram
      But as club football pauses for a couple of weeks for the final time this season, it has given some players a chance to let their hair down.
      While most of United’s squad have been recruited to play for their international teams, some can look forward to a break.
      Injury left Marcus Rashford pulling out of England’s squad to face European Championship qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine.
      And the 25-year-old has used his rare rest from the game to head to New York.
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      Rashford has been in electric form since the turn of the year and has delivered goal after goal in big games for the club.
      But he appeared to be enjoying his time away from the spotlight as he posted a picture of himself wondering through the streets of one of America’s most famous cities.
      The striker dons a dark hat, dark gloves and sunglasses as he made his way around NYC, captioning his photo “downtime.”
      Meanwhile, it was a case of family time for Rashford’s midfield teammate Fred who headed to the Maldives.
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      Fred made the most of his free time after an exhausting few months at Man UnitedCredit: Instagram
      The 30-year-old was left out of Brazil’s squad and is using his free time to treat his loved ones on a glorious looking trip to South Asia.
      The Instagram story of Fred’s wife Monique Salum is filled to the brim of Fred enjoying time in the sea with his son and sharing a luxurious dinner with his wife.
      The star even breaks out into dance while sipping his coffee in one joyful video.
      As for the rest of the United squad, they largely seem to be busy with international duty but are enjoying seeing club rivals on neutral territory.
      Luke Shaw joined Arsenal superstar Bukayo Saka for a snap as the pair prepared to board a flight to Naples.
      While Harry Maguire also got a picture with Man City defender John Stones as the two also buckled up for what is likely to be a tough game against Italy.
      Elsewhere, Victor Lindelof and Anthony Elanga both took pics from their Sweden training camp as they get ready for Belgium tomorrow, while a stylish Tyrell Malacia also headed off for Dutch duty.
      Bukayo Saka and Luke Shaw flashed their smiles for the camera ahead of England’s trip to ItalyCredit: Getty
      Manchester-based defenders John Stones and Harry Maguire will be looking to keep Italy’s attack quiet tonightCredit: harrymaguire93 Instagram
      Tyrell Malacia is on his travels for international duty with the NetherlandsCredit: tyrell malacia Instagram More

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      I won the treble with Man Utd and asked Sir Alex Ferguson for a year off with pay – his response was classic

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Dwight Yorke asked Sir Alex Ferguson for a year off WITH PAY after the treble triumph in 1999.Yorke spearheaded Ferguson’s frontline alongside Andy Cole and registered 29 goals as well as 19 assists in 51 appearances that season.
      Manchester United won their legendary treble back in 1999Credit: PA
      Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke tried to ask for a year off WITH PAYCredit: Getty
      Sir Alex Ferguson responded to Yorke’s request in typical fashionCredit: Getty
      But once the dust settled from that grueling campaign, the striker wanted to recharge his batteries – a little too much – and asked for the kind of time off no-one else dared to.
      The ex-Trinidad and Tobago international asked Fergie for a 12-month leave thinking there was nothing left to conquer – and he wanted to get paid in full during his extended sabbatical.
      Yorke told United’s official podcast when asked about that strange request: “Yeah, but with pay. Yeah, I mean, what else would you do?
      “I went in and I said, ‘Gaffer, what are we doing?’ Obviously, after you win the treble there’s nothing to do.
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      “[I asked] ‘Can I have a year off from football, with pay, and then I come back the next year and rejoin the team’. Honestly, I don’t know what made me think that. I just thought, ‘What else is there to do?
      “‘There’s nothing else to do. What more can we possibly do as a team?’
      “Yeah, you can repeat the feat, but if you don’t repeat it you are deemed as a failure.”
      But as expected, no-nonsense Ferguson didn’t put up with it and responded in typical Sir Alex fashion.
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      Yorke, though, still laughs when he remembers that moment as he knew the legendary United boss wouldn’t have granted his wish anyway.
      The 51-year-old added: “That was a fun moment. If ever in time you were going to ask the gaffer for anything, that was the time to go in and ask him.
      “I didn’t have anything to lose. He could tell me to f*** off, which is what he did.
      “It was kind of jokingly, but if he had said to me ‘take a year off’ I would have taken it. But I knew that wasn’t going to happen, I just thought, ‘you know what, it’s worth a try’.” More