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      People forget I still play for Arsenal… now I’m banging them in and could join Premier League rivals in £30m transfer

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      FLO BALOGUN is determined to show Arsenal that he is no flash in the pan after taking French football by storm.The 21-year-old striker is currently challenging Kylian Mbappe for Ligue 1’s Golden Boot after joining unfancied Reims on loan for the season.
      Folarin Balogun had a tough start at ArsenalCredit: Getty
      But he has hit form on loan at Stade de ReimsCredit: AFP
      And it was his failure to get a minute of action during the Gunners’ summer tour to the USA which convinced the ambitious England Under-21 international to prove himself on the other side of the Channel.
      Only PSG superstar Mbappe and Lille’s Canadian World Cup star Jonathan David have currently scored more than Balogun’s 17 goals in the French league this season.
      He says: “No-one would have expected this when I first came to Reims, but to be in this position now is amazing and I need to continue it.
      “The more you achieve certain things, the more questions you face. Is it something I can do regularly or is it a fluke?
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      “So I’m pretty focused and determined to show people that this is not a blip and that scoring goals is something I can do consistently.
      “A lot of people might forget that I’m still an Arsenal player but it’s still one of my dreams to play in their first team.
      “Last summer I went on tour with the Arsenal first team to America and I didn’t get any playing time out there, so I was a bit frustrated.
      “But I had to be realistic so I spoke with Mikel Arteta and he gave me a few options. Together we decided it would be best for me to come to France.
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      “At the time I thought I was just another loan player coming to Reims to do a job, but after the reaction to my arrival I knew that it was quite a big deal.
      “That’s when I realised there was going to be more expectation of me than of other players, which is something I’ve had to adapt to and relish.
      “I knew I was joining a team who would be fighting to stay up and that every game was going to be tough, which would be a good challenge for my development.
      “But I also knew that Ligue 1 is one of the top five leagues in Europe and I had a lot of belief in myself.”
      He is third in the race for the Golden Boot in Ligue 1Credit: AFP
      Reims boss Will Still thinks he can have a top careerCredit: AFP
      Balogun has flourished under the guidance of Reims’ Belgian-English coach Will Still, who says: “From his first game with us he showed all the qualities he’s got.
      “He’s a quiet kid but when he does speak up he’s got a brain and his banter is pretty good.
      “If he can go on and have a top career in the game we’re just doing our job in helping him become as good as he can be.
      “He’s a good kid and a good person and I’ll definitely be following him.”
      Reims have made it clear that they would love to sign the New York-born goalscorer on a permanent basis but know they will not be able to afford the asking price for a player whose value has rocketed on the back of this season’s exploits.
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      Now Arsenal must decide whether to sell him in the summer or bring him back to the Emirates to challenge Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard for a starting place next season.
      And with Still being mentioned as a potential replacement for David Moyes at West Ham, there is even the possibility of a £30million move across London for Balogun in the summer. More

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      Man Utd make ‘serious inquiry’ into former Liverpool star who spent over 5 years at Anfield to bolster midfield

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly considering a move for ex-Liverpool midfielder Marko Grujic.The 26-year-old Serbian international joined Porto in 2020 and has racked up 94 appearances for the Portuguese giants.
      Marko Grujic has been at Porto since 2020Credit: Getty
      He joined Liverpool in 2016 and played 16 times for the English giantsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But before beginning life in the Primeira Liga, he spent five years at Anfield.
      He only racked up 16 appearances across three seasons, scoring one goal.
      And Grujic was eventually farmed out on loan to Hertha Berlin, before permanently leaving for Porto.
      Now he could be poised for a Premier League return as Telegraf understand that Man Utd are interested in him.
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      Erik ten Hag’s men face competition from Inter Milan to secure his signature.
      Both United and Inter have already made contact about a potential deal in the summer.
      But Grujic joining the Red Devils could leave some Liverpool fans gutted as he was a fan favourite despite only playing a handful of games each season.
      It is also understood that he was a Liverpool fan as a child.
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      So it remains to be seen whether he would be willing to join their bitter rivals United.
      Grujic has contributed four goals and three assists in 105 appearances for Porto.
      He won the league title with the Portuguese side last season as they finished six points ahead of Sporting Lisbon. More

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      Arsenal boost in Sergej Milinkovic-Savic transfer hunt as Lazio line up replacement for £31m midfielder

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      LAZIO have identified Bologna star Lewis Ferguson as a potential replacement for Arsenal target Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, reports suggest.The Gunners are looking to strengthen in midfield in the summer transfer window and Milinkovic-Savic is among Mikel Arteta’s top candidates.
      Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has been linked with a move to ArsenalCredit: Rex
      Lazio have identified Lewis Ferguson as a replacement for Sergej Milinkovic-SavicCredit: Rex
      And according to TuttoMercato, the Biancocelesti have accepted the high possibility of losing the Serbia international in June and are already making contingency plans.
      The Serie A giant’s “hottest” target is Scottish star Ferguson, who has stood out in Italy this season.
      The midfielder has scored four goals in 22 appearances with Bologna.
      However, Maurizio Sarri’s team is facing a bidding war with other major Italian clubs over the 23-year-old’s signature.
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      That works as a major boost for Arsenal, who are determined to add firepower in the middle of the park after being linked with Brighton’s Moises Caicedo as well as West Ham’s Declan Rice.
      However, the North Londoners are also facing competition from Juventus as well as Newcastle and the Hammers.
      But the Premier League leaders received another boost as Milinkovic-Savic will be available for half his previous asking price.
      The Serbian was on the market for £88million last year with some rumours even suggesting the Serie A side wanted over £100m.
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      But with the ex-Genk star’s contract expiring at the end of next season, Lazio would now accept bids of £44m.
      The versatile midfielder’s price could further decrease with his representatives looking to bring the figure down to £31m.
      Milinkovic-Savic has scored six goals and provided eight assists in 36 appearances this season. More

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      England stars train for second day ahead of crunch Italy clash as Premier League legend joins Southgate’s coaching staff

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      ENGLAND stars have been in training ahead of their Euros qualifier against Italy.And the players were joined by Premier League legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink at St George’s Park.
      Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was at England’s training sessionCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      He was seen working with Harry MaguireCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      And having a laugh with Gareth Southgate and the other coachesCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      The former Chelsea and Leeds striker is joining Gareth Southgate’s coaching staff.
      The 50-year-old, who won 23 caps for the Netherlands between 21998 and 2002, was pictured in the training session joking with the other coaches and talking to Manchester United captain Harry Maguire.
      Last week, Hasselbaink was thought to be “in advanced talks” with FA after leaving his post as manager of Burton Albion in September.
      Hasselbaink would be the replacement for Chris Powell, who left the set-up as his contract expired.
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      Powell informed Southgate and the FA of his intentions to focus on his current role as head of coaching at Tottenham’s academy.
      A move for Hasselbaink will also continue the FA’s commitment to improving diversity in football, giving opportunities to more black coaches within England’s teams.
      The Three Lions’ match against Italy will be the first of their qualification campaign for the Euros in Germany next year.
      The team will be hoping to go one further than in 2021 when they lost in the final at Wembley Stadium to the Italians on penalties.
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      Ex-England international Ashley Cole and former Guyana manager Michael Johnson are part of the under-21s coaching staff, alongside Joleon Lescott.
      Meanwhile Jason Euell, Marcus Bignot, Omer Riza and Matthew Thorpe have all been involved with junior England teams.
      England are preparing for their match against ItalyCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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      Barcelona LOSE appeal to register wonderkid Gavi as first-team player putting Man Utd and Liverpool on transfer alert

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      BARCELONA’S second attempt to register wonderkid Gavi as a first-team player has been REJECTED in court.The Nou Camp giants had their original effort turned down by LaLiga back in January as the club were also banned from adding to their squad.
      Barcelona have suffered a huge blow in their attempt to keep hold of GaviCredit: Getty
      However, Mundo Deportivo is reporting that the club’s appeal against overturning the first-team registration of Gavi has been rejected.
      Barcelona registered Gavi as a first-team player on January 31 after obtaining a precautionary measure from the court.
      However, LaLiga filed an appeal against the same as they cited the fact that Xavi’s side had missed the deadline.
      The court allegedly ruled in favour of the Spanish league earlier this month but no concrete verdict was reached as Gavi was allowed to continue as a first-team member.
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      But this fresh update states the financially troubled club appealed against the ruling last Wednesday but had their appeal rejected by the 10th Commercial Court of Barcelona.
      That means that Gavi, who is a full Spanish international, will no longer be counted as a first-team member and must revert back to his youth contract until the end of the season.
      And in what could be a huge boost for Manchester United, the attacker will also be deregistered for the next season as Barcelona have exceeded their salary limit.
      As we reported previously, the Nou Camp club had thought the departures of Memphis Depay and Gerard Pique would allow them to register Gavi.
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      Gavi has been a key player for Barcelona this season
      Barca have a negative balance, which is largely due to their Champions League exit in the group stages, and so LaLiga did not validate Gavi’s extension.
      Barca will now have to significantly reduce their wage bill in summer, or find new sponsorships to register contracts.
      We revealed how they could be set to unload some of their biggest stars as the troubled club look to raise £178m.
      The Spanish giants face a summer of no incoming signings after wild spending left the club struggling to reign in their costs.
      Player sales appear the most likely way to get the situation under control and Premier League clubs are among those who could be circling.
      United and Liverpool have been joined by Bayern Munich in the race to sign Gavi.

      But he is not the only one that could be going out the exit door.
      Ex-Leeds star Raphinha, who only arrived at the Nou Camp a year ago, and fellow United target Frenkie de Jong are among 10 players who could also be sold to free up funds. More

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      Tottenham splash out on ‘well-being guru’ so under-fire stars can relax with yoga, art classes and poetry readings

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      MILLIONAIRE stars at Prem giants Spurs were branded selfish and savaged for not being able to perform under pressure – and now they are being pampered with a “well-being guru” to keep stars happy.Fiery boss Antonio Conte faces the boot for turning on his own team after a string of dismal results culminating in last weekend’s capitulation at rock bottom Southampton which ended in a 3-3 draw.
      Tottenham stars spotted in trainingCredit: Rex
      They are in line to be supported by a ‘well-being guru’Credit: PA
      But rather than toughen up the “Spursy” line-up, the club is splashing out on a new employee to meet their off-field needs – including yoga, art classes and poetry readings.
      The executive will work alongside Tottenham’s psychologists who monitor stars’ state of mind, and player care officers who tackle mundane tasks like sourcing motors and opening bank accounts for players including Harry Kane.
      They will be expected to set up health and well-being activities for the squad, and create a network of mental health “first aiders” to assist struggling staff and players.
      An ad reveals: “The Club is seeking a Health & Wellbeing Lead to develop the Health and Wellbeing Services across the club.
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      “As the Health & Wellbeing Lead, your primary focus will be on our employees.
      “You will work with key stakeholders on supporting our development of elite players (including boys / girls and Women’s).
      “The Health & Wellbeing Lead will drive workforce awareness and development about mental health and embed it into all aspects of the business.”
      The exec will “produce quarterly and annual reports on health & wellbeing noting key areas of progress and development, including documented rates of staff and player wellbeing and present to key stakeholder groups”.
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      Spurs stars will be treated to yoga classesCredit: Getty
      And also be taught in art classesCredit: AFP
      And “facilitate appropriate risk assessments and risk management”.
      The candidate will “work closely with already existing health & well-being contributors within the business (this includes, e.g. Club Psychologists, Player Care Manager, Player Liaison, Medical, the Head of Safeguarding, HR, and Safeguarding Officers)”.
      And “develop a programme of day-to-day wellbeing activities for staff on all sites”.
      Last night furious Spurs fans hit out at the club.
      Shiraz Harwood said: “No wonder the players can’t cope on the pitch – they are pampered and treated like princesses. It’s pretty pathetic.”
      John Hobson said: “Conte was right after all. The club is a joke.” More

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      How Newcastle could be denied Champions League spot by Man Utd even if they finish fourth

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      BRAVE Newcastle are looking to cement their spot in next season’s Champions League.Eddie Howe’s Toon Army have enjoyed a stunning campaign following last year’s Saudi takeover.
      Newcastle could finish fourth and still miss out on the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
      And fans are dreaming of competing with giants like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in Europe’s top competition.
      But even if Newcastle finish fourth this season, they could yet be denied their spot in the Champions League.
      And they will have Manchester United and Chelsea to blame.
      Uefa rules allow for a maximum of five teams from the same nation to play in the Champions League.
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      Chelsea remain in the hunt for a third European crown.
      Meanwhile, United are hoping to go all the way in the Europa League having already pipped Newcastle to the Carabao Cup.
      Should Toon finish fourth, and both rivals finish outside the top four while winning their continental competitions, it would see Newcastle drop out of the Champions League and into the Europa League.
      By triumping in Europe, Man Utd and Chelsea would clinch the first two of five places straight away.
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      The Premier League’s top three would then take the remaining spots.
      And despite finishing in the top four, the fourth-place side would be denied entry to the Champions League as they would become ‘team six’.
      It means Newcastle will be keeping their fingers crossed for Real Madrid to beat Chelsea, with United playing fellow Spaniards Sevilla.
      Toon were closely involved the last time a similar occurrence happened in England’s top flight.
      Newcastle narrowly missed out on fourth place to Tottenham in the 2011/12 season.
      Spurs were delighted to gain entry into the big time.
      But Chelsea, who finished sixth that term, spoiled the party with their famous penalty shootout win against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.

      Back then, Uefa rules only allowed for a max of four teams from the same country to play in Europe.
      And it meant Chelsea went through to next season’s competition at the expense of rivals Tottenham. More

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      Reims boss Will Still puts Premier League clubs on red alert as he reveals managerial dream

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      REIMS manager Will Still is keen to work in the Premier League in the near future.Still has taken Ligue 1 by storm this season ever since replacing Oscar Garcia in the dugout last October as he led his team to a record 17-game unbeaten run before Sunday’s loss to Marseille.
      Reism manager Will Still is keen on working in the Premier LeagueCredit: AFP
      Will Still has taken Ligue 1 by storm and was linked with Leeds as well as SouthamptonCredit: Rex
      The British tactician, who was raised by English parents in Belgium, is only 30 years old and just started studying for his UEFA Pro License.
      That means Reims had to pay a £22,000 fine after every match before he enrolled for his badges.
      However, the young manager, who first worked as head coach at the age of 24 for Belgian side Lierse, has led the Red and Whites to ninth place in the table.
      Incredibly, Still cut his teeth in the game by playing Football Manager for years.
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      He would spend many hours sat in front of his computer, alongside brother Ed, who is also a head coach in the Belgium top flight, learning about tactics.
      Still has also helped Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun shine as he has scored more times than Paris Saint-Germain superstars Lionel Messi and Neymar.
      That attracted interest from Leeds and Southampton, and he put the English top flight on red alert as he confirmed he is keen to join the Premier League one day.
      Still told Sky Sports: “It just seems completely stupid to me that my name is being put up against names that have done so much more and have been so many more places than I have. I wouldn’t ever dare to compare myself to those people.
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      “I’ve never really thought about it [managing in the Premier League] because I never expected to be in the position I am so early and so suddenly.
      “Why not? I’ve done some crazy things in the past; I was head coach at 24 and the same thing happened at 28 back in Belgium and now I’m 30 and people are saying this is crazy.
      “Being English and growing up in an English environment in Belgium, England has always felt like home and a place that I’d love to go back to.
      “It would feel like coming home, just because the English culture is part of me, part of my roots, part of my family, part of who I am.
      “I think if you asked any kid what they would like to do, they’d say they’d love to be a Premier League footballer or manager and I’m no different.
      “I was brought up like everyone else and had the same dreams. I’ll keep at them.
      “If it happens one day I’ll deserve it, or I hope I will have deserved it, but I realise how much work there is to do before I get there and how much I’ve got to learn. For now, I will stick it to one side.” More